Conversations On Race: Recent Episodes
Glen Gunderson
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Kelly Baker, Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer at Thrivent, discusses the positive experiences of growing up in Detroit and attending Howard University, and navigating challenges to become one of the most notable Human Resources leaders in Minnesota.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jeanné Lewis, CEO at Faith in Public Life, discusses highlights of her upbringing and how her Roman Catholic faith drives her work and her leadership style and approach.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Leslie Wright, President and CEO of Minneapolis Northwest Tourism, shares how growing up in Georgia and New York shaped her, how Howard University empowered her, and the highs and lows of being her authentic self throughout her career.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Dr. Tim Muehlhoff, a professor of communication at Biola University, discusses why it's so important to talk about race in the United States but being mindful of where to start with each individual.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Sho Baraka, an author, educator and Billboard charting hip-hop artist, discusses the influences in his life, and the insights from his remarkable career in different industries.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Dr. Jacob Gayle, a retired global health executive at Medtronic, discusses living and working on six continents in his career as a global health leader, and confronting the reality of being a Black with paraplegia.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Dr. Terrance Ruth, a North Carolina State professor and candidate for Mayor of Raleigh, N.C., shares about his personal and professional journey in education, and his openness to shifting into a quickly-changing political landscape.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Tom Valentine, Vice President, International, YMCA of the USA, discusses his international experiences and insights over 30 years at major corporations and nonprofits, including why he's so committed to working with and empowering young leaders from numerous countries.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
David Fhima, Founder/Chef of Fhima's Minneapolis, Maison Margaux, Mother Dough Bakery, Artisans & Spice Catering, and Executive Chef of the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx, shares the inspiring lessons of his life, and leveraging his passion for food to battle inequities, especially in Minneapolis.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Cesar Silva, an Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of YMCA of the USA, shares highlights of growing up in Brazil and what led him to the United States and the YMCA.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Marcus Van Wyk, CEO of the YMCA South Africa, discusses his childhood growing up in Cape Town, and the mentors and opportunities that keyed his ascension into leadership roles.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jason Von Bank, CEO of Kaleidoscope, a leading Full-Cycle Scholarship Platform, shares about growing up humbly in a small, homogenous town to traveling the world and building his business acumen at several notable companies.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Chris Thibodeaux, lead pastor at Family Life Center and owner and founder of Career Fitness Center, shares about answering his father's call to ministry and keeping his business that taps into his extensive experience in pharmaceutical sales and sales management.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jason Von Bank, CEO of Kaleidoscope, a leading Full-Cycle Scholarship Platform, shares about growing up humbly in a small, homogenous town to traveling the world and building his business acumen at several notable companies.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Steve Fitzhugh, a former NFL player who is now an author and motivational speaker, discusses how faith has carried him through the challenges of his life, including Stage 5 kidney failure, and his passion for motivating young people through his speaking and ministry work.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Derrick Barnes, an award-winning children's book author, discusses the early influences on him growing up in Kansas City, the early challenges in his writing career, and the inspiration from one of his son's to write the "blackest book ever."
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jesse Washington, journalist, author and documentary filmmaker, shares what's shaped and inspired him throughout his fascinating career, which includes award-winning pieces for ESPN's Andscape and books with luminaries such as Georgetown basketball coach John Thompson and sports agent Rich Paul.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Susan Bass Roberts, the President of the Pohlad Family Foundation, discusses the profound influence of her grandmother and mother in shaping her experiences, and her journey to become the first non-family member to lead the influential foundation of the Pohlad family, whose varied interests include the Minnesota Twins.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Khanh Nguyễn, an associate dean at Bethel University, shares about experience as a refugee from Vietnam, and her growth in faith and her work in serving people from diverse backgrounds.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Laurel Bunker, a pastor, educator, writer and motivational speaker with 30 years of broad leadership experiences, shares the impact of growing up in the Rondo neighborhood in St. Paul, and her groundbreaking roles in many areas, including higher education.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Clifton Ross, President and CEO of Guardian Resources, shares how he took ownership of his life after struggles growing up in Chicago and graduating with a 1.3 G.P.A., to becoming a business owner.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
James Burroughs, Senior Vice President of Government and Community Relations, and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer at Children's Minnesota, shares how growing up in Detroit and graduating from Morehouse College prepared him for his pioneering work in Minnesota.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Erin Horne McKinney, the National Executive Director of the Howard University & PNC National Center for Entrepreneurship, on growing up in North Minneapolis and how a broad range of professional experiences prepared her for her current role.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
John D'Agostini, a high-performance coach, speaker and author of Aimless: A Journey to Constructive Masculinity, highlights challenges in his childhood in Pennsylvania that inspire and shape his work with young men and reframe masculinity.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Ron Johnson, an All-Big Ten, record-breaking receiver for the University of Minnesota, reflects on growing up in Detroit, his experiences as a Gopher and raising his two daughters in the Twin Cities.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Steve Wyche, the Chief National Reporter for NFL Network and NFL.com, shares about growing up in Minneapolis and St. Louis, and his journey transitioning from playing football to becoming one of the most respected reporter's and broadcaster's focused exclusively on the NFL.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jovonta Patton, a six-time #1 chart-topping Billboard recording artist, composer and producer, discusses pursuing his passion for music, growing up in North Minneapolis, and the keys to succeeding as an independent gospel artist.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
C Willi Myles, known as America's Everyday Comedian, shares stories from his inspiring life, which started in Africatown and shifted to St. Cloud, Minnesota, and why having open conversations about race is so important to fostering positive change.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Abe Woldeslassie, the Head Men's Basketball Coach at Macalester College, reflects on how his parents fled what is now Eritrea amidst a Civil War for Minneapolis, and how his passion for basketball has led to his ascension to lead a program.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Alicia Belton, founding principal of Urban Design Perspectives, a mission-driven architecture firm based in Minneapolis, shares about her faith, her family and becoming an architect, despite the overwhelmingly discouraging numbers in the profession for people of color.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Sheletta Brundidge, the founder of the multi-media podcasting and production company Sheletta Makes Me Laugh, shares about her upbringing in Houston, her pioneering work in media and autism advocacy, and how she uniquely and colorfully balances her family and growing media empire.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Tru Pettigrew, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer with the Minnesota Timberwolves, shares how the trajectory of his life changed after the killing of Michael Brown, including the start of deep and meaningful friendship with a police officer.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jazz Hampton, Co-Founder and CEO of TurnSignl, discusses why he left a national law firm to create a startup with his two co-founders, and how their app is impacting its users and law enforcement.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jim Hollis, the Founder of The Calculus Roundtable, shares how his passion for math and science were nurtured and how his nonprofit works to accelerate the math and science skills of students of color.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Duchesne Drew, Senior Vice President of American Public Media Group and President of Minnesota Public Radio, discusses the challenges of leading a news organization and his family after the murder of George Floyd.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
De'Mon Wiggins, Executive Vice President and President of Industrial & Flow Technologies at Pentair, shares the emphasis and impact of his school teacher mother on his education and the programs and mentors who were key throughout his career.
Conversations On Race is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Anton Vincent, President of Mars Wrigley, North America, discusses the many highlights growing up in Jackson, Mississippi, and some of the experiences and keys that have helped in executive leadership roles at Mars Wrigley and General Mills. ;
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Ayo Idowu, a financial advisor with Integrate Wealth Management, highlights his journey, which includes playing football at the University of St. Thomas and becoming a financial planner with ambitious goals.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Martin Nance, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of the Minnesota Vikings, shares about his remarkable career, which included playing in the NFL and now serving as an executive with the Vikings.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Dianne Haulcy, the President & CEO of The Family Partnership, discusses her experiences growing up in and raising her children in the Twin Cities, and the highs and lows of spending her career in human services and early childhood development.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Alex Tittle, the senior director of DEI and Community Engagement At Medica, shares how his military upbringing and service impacted his career, and why the continued investment in DEI is essential as some companies are returning to business as usual.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Donnie Brooks, the athletic director at Macalester College in St. Paul, MN, discusses the impact of growing up in Houston and his ascension to becoming an college athletic director and how he empowers students and feels about Name, Image Likeness.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Ruben Rosario, who was a local columnist for the St. Paul Pioneer Press for over two decades, shares what inspired him to utilize his platform to spotlight issues like immigration, social justice, sex trafficking and child abuse and neglect.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jesse Ross, an entrepreneur, consultant and community leader in North Minneapolis, discusses his experience growing up in North Minneapolis and who and what inspires him as he visualizes and witnesses the beauty of his community.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Ricky Smith, a comedian and influencer from Cleveland, shares how he was down to his final $20, after being homeless and having his bike stolen, and he rebuilt his life by leaning into kindness.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Patience Ferguson, Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Inclusion at Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis, reflects on her humble roots in Oklahoma propelled her throughout her life and the lessons along the way have influenced and shaped her internal compass.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Charles Adams III, the head Varsity Football Coach at Minneapolis North Community High School, highlights growing up in North Minneapolis, his family's legacy as Minneapolis police officers and the challenges of coaching the Polar football team.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Cherise Ayers, the principal at St. Paul Central High School, shares her experiences growing up in St. Paul Public Schools, and the joy and challenges of tackling disparities as a leading educator in the state.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Leigh Steinberg, a super agent who has represented over 300 athletes and inspired the movie character Jerry Maguire, reflects on his remarkable career, rebuilding himself, his family and his business after struggling with alcoholism, and the hope and inspiration that fuels him now at 73 years old.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Michelle Edgerton, the executive vice president of advancement and development at the YMCA of the North, discusses what led her to pass up medical school for ministry and her reflections on race and her role as a leader and fundraiser.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Kevin Warren, the Commissioner of the Big Ten Conference, shares how a life-changing accident as a child impacted and propelled him to pursue with passion his life, career and legacy.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Carolyn Moos, a former Stanford and professional basketball player who is now a certified personal trainer, yoga instructor and nutrition consultant, discusses what keyed her phenomenal prep basketball career and what inspires her to motivate and help others live healthier lives.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Lee A. Hutton III, the managing partner and founder of the Hutton Firm, discusses how he ended up playing football at the University of Minnesota from Galveston, Texas, how he became a lawyer, and his insights on the profession, given his extensive and unique perspective.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Henry Lake, host of his own show on WCCO Radio, reflects on growing up in Minneapolis, attending Morehouse College and being a high-profile figure in Twin Cities media.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Jorge Perez, the President & CEO of the YMCA of Greater Cincinnati, discusses the lessons he learned growing up the son of Mexican-born immigrants, his diverse family and his perspectives on the present and future of the YMCA.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Amelia Hardy, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at Best Buy, shares why she decided to shift from marketing to diversity, equity and inclusion work after the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Reverend Elijah McDavid III, the senior pastor at Fellowship Missionary Baptist Church in Minneapolis, discusses his remarkable family history and the impact it's had on his journey as a leader and man.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Greg Coleman, the first African-American punter in the NFL and a longtime Minnesota Vikings player and broadcaster, shares some of his experiences growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, when it was racially segregated, and the lifelong lessons he's leaned on to help him thrive — and minister to others — in all areas of his life.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Tonya Allen, the President of the McKnight Foundation, reflects on the impactful lessons she learned around boldness and kindness from her grandmother in Detroit, and the opportunities that drew her to leave home to lead the Minnesota-based McKnight Foundation.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Sean Jensen, former NFL reporter who is now an author and speaker, discusses the challenges of growing up on military bases as a Korean boy and the connection skills that helped him foster and find a community.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Ben Johnson, Head Men's Basketball Coach at the University of Minnesota, shares reflections of growing up in South Minneapolis and his insights on race and leadership as he starts his second season leading the men's basketball program.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Todd Tibbits, President and CEO of the YMCA of San Diego County, discusses the impactful leaders who helped shape him in his more than three decades working with the YMCA, and what he believes are keys to leading the Y through present challenges and obstacles.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Shelley Carthen Watson, President and CEO of the YWCA Minneapolis, shares keys in fulfilling her childhood dream of becoming an attorney and the passion she has in leading the YWCA Minneapolis.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Dr. Courtney Baechler – medical director of health equity and health promotion with the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation – discusses the racial disparities in health care and her passion for connecting to communities and raising awareness. Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Bill George, who led the transformation of Medtronic from a midsize heart-device maker into one of the world’s largest med-tech corporations, shares a heartbreaking early lesson in leadership that shaped him, how the role of CEOs is harder today and what he thinks is essential for leaders to be mindful of into the future. Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Tony Sanneh, a 17-year professional soccer player and founder of the Tony Sanneh Foundation, highlights his experiences growing up in St. Paul, playing soccer at the highest levels (including for the U.S. Men's National Team), and his passion to step up to serve youth in the Twin Cities and beyond.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Alex Rodriguez, a 14-time Major League Baseball All-Star and current co-owner of the Minnesota Timberwolves, shares his reflections around race in Minneapolis, insights on raising his daughters and striving to break down long-standing systems and structures.
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
James White, the YMCA of the North's new vice president of leadership and curriculum development, shares on his nurturing community and environment growing up in rural North Carolina, his perspective on racism and micro-aggression, and and what inspired him to join the YMCA of the North. Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Melvin Carter – the Mayor of St. Paul, Minnesota – discusses his being a fifth-generation resident of his hometown, what he learned by attending and HBCU, and his pursuit of making everyone in St. Paul feel like a "stakeholder owner."
Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
George McCrary, the YMCA of the North's executive vice president for People and Culture, discusses his journey from being adopted and raised in Ohio to attending college in Maine and working throughout the United States, including for Walmart in Bentonville, Arkansas.
"Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Tony Dungy, a Hall of Fame football coach who led the Indianapolis Colts to a victory in Super Bowl XLI, reflects on the lessons of his life, including one on humbleness from his father, why he retired from coaching early and what gives him hope.
"Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Larry McKenzie, a Hall of Fame high school basketball coach in Minneapolis, shares the importance of "mirrors" in his life, why he views his coaching as a ministry and how police killings of Black men in the Twin Cities was a "wake up" for him to speak up more.
"Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.
Nate Burleson, former NFL player and current co-host of CBS Mornings, discusses learning a few years ago of his grandfather being killed during an interaction with police, and providing his insight on raising his four children and juggling his work as a broadcaster and entrepreneur. Conversations On... is a podcast by the YMCA that engages local and national leaders about their experiences, insights and aspirations.