For this week’s Inspirational Leadership Podcast I spoke with Elena Joy Thurston. Elena is an inspirational LGBTQ speaker, trainer, and founder of the nonprofit Pride and Joy Foundation – which is dedicated to reducing the rate of suicide and homelessness in the LGBTQ community. A Mormon mom of four who lost her marriage, her church, and her community when she came out as a lesbian, Elena’s viral TEDx talk on surviving conversion therapy has been viewed 40,000+ times and landed her media and speaking opportunities with ABC, CBS, FOX, Boston’s First Event, Seacoast Wellness Series, and THRIVE.
Here are some of the topics we discussed:
- What it means to radically acknowledge reality and why it’s important when it comes to change
- Generational differences when it comes to gender identity
- Why workplaces are going to change drastically over the next 5-10 years
- The difference between being an ally and advocate for the LGBTQ community
- Checking in with where your company is at on the allyship journey
- Why shame never helps anyone learn and what to do instead
- How emotional intelligence contributes to more courageous conversations at work
- Remembering it’s not about trying to make the workplace perfect, it’s about making it safe
- Understanding that the more we empower people with knowledge, the more inclusive they become
Listen to the podcast here:
Watch the video here:
Show Notes
Connect with Elena on LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter
Quiz: Evaluating Your Inclusive Leadership
Learn more about Pride and Joy Foundation
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