The Shift

In this episode, Trisha interviews Mike Newton, CQ Fellow, certified CQ Facilitator, and Director of Organisational Health and Belonging at Young Life.Music reaches us in ways that argument and logic simply can't — but what happens when that same power is used intentionally to shift how we see each other? Could a song be the beat beneath the bridge that connects people across cultural differences? Mike has spent over 25 years building culturally intelligent communities, and when he's not doing that, he's behind the decks. This conversation explores how music works across all four dimensions of Cultural Intelligence (CQ) — from sparking motivation and curiosity, to deepening knowledge of cultures not our own, to shifting perspective in ways that stay with us for decades.Connect with Mike Newton on LinkedIn or on Instagram at mrnewton210🎵 Listen to the episode playlist on Spotify: The Beat Beneath The Bridge - Music for The Shift Podcast Episode 82Join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn.

Content note: This episode addresses recent acts of terror and may be difficult for some listeners.In this solo episode, Trisha responds to the recent Bondi Beach shooting with a gentle but powerful reminder: cultural intelligence isn't just for crossing borders—it can be lifesaving in times of crisis.What happens when fear spikes and communities fracture? How do we stay motivated to understand rather than retreat into tribalism? Trisha explores how CQ's four capabilities—Drive, Knowledge, Strategy, and Action—offer a framework for navigating tragedy, trauma, and rising tensions. She honours the diverse heroes who ran toward danger, from Ahmed Al Ahmed to Jessica Rosen, showing how humanity transcends cultural boundaries in moments that matter most.This episode asks: Who are we standing with? Who are we standing for? And what does it mean to stand together when the world tries to pull us apart? Trisha offers practical guidance on processing trauma while maintaining the curiosity and connection that CQ requires, even—especially—when it's hardest.If you're struggling, help is available 24/7: For Australian listeners: NSW Mental Health Line: 1800 011 511 Lifeline: 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online Kids Helpline: 1800 55 1800 or chat onlineBeyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or chat online1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or chat online 13 Yarn: 13 92 76 MensLine Australia: 1300 78 99 78 Emergency: 000. International listeners can find support at https://findahelpline.com/Join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn.

In this episode, Trisha interviews Emma Jordaan, founder and CEO of Infinite Consulting, TEDx speaker, and author of Dubai Decode, who helps leaders navigate cultural dynamics in one of the world's most diverse workplaces—the UAE.What happens when your team knows you're making the wrong decision but stays silent because "you are the boss"? How do you bridge the gap between having cultural knowledge and actually applying it with intentionality? Emma unpacks her proprietary RAPID framework—a cultural intelligence strategy tool that helps professionals slow down their cross-cultural interactions before they react. Discover how recognising, assessing, pausing, interpreting, and deciding can transform cultural complexity from a barrier into a competitive advantage, and why listening with your whole body might be the CQ strategy skill you've been missing.Connect with Emma on LinkedIn and explore her book Dubai Decoded for deeper insights into navigating cultural diversity. You can also check out Emma's podcast, The HR and CQ Show with Emma Jordaan and Sarah Brooks.Make sure you join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn.

In this solo episode, Trisha examines a critical question that every global professional using AI should consider: Are artificial intelligence systems as globally representative as we assume? Drawing on groundbreaking 2010 research about WEIRD (Western, Educated, Industrialised, Rich, Democratic) populations in psychology, she explores whether today's AI models might face similar challenges.Through conversations with Claude from Anthropic and ChatGPT's Monday persona, Trisha uncovers surprising perspectives on data sources, training biases, and the cultural blind spots that might influence AI responses. These AI systems offer candid assessments of their own capabilities when it comes to representing diverse global viewpoints, revealing insights that could reshape how we interact with artificial intelligence.Can artificial intelligence develop genuine cultural intelligence, or does it require culturally intelligent humans to unlock its potential? What would it mean to bring your CQ to every AI interaction rather than assuming these systems provide universal, unbiased knowledge? Whether you're a leader implementing AI tools across cultures, an HR professional considering AI solutions, or anyone curious about the intersection of technology and cultural intelligence, this conversation challenges fundamental assumptions about artificial intelligence as a neutral, global knowledge source.Make sure you join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn.

In this episode, Trisha interviews Amel Derragui, a truly global citizen, business coach, and powerhouse behind The Time is Now and the Cosmopolitan Table. Born in India to Algerian parents and raised across Serbia, Algeria, and Uganda, Amel has built her career helping women create portable businesses while navigating cultures worldwide.What happens when a 14-year-old witnesses racial fights at an international school and decides to take action? How does a school canteen project teach us about breaking down barriers through shared experiences?Amel's journey from teenage entrepreneur to global community builder reveals the complex intersection of entrepreneurship and social impact. Through compelling stories spanning continents and decades, this conversation will challenge how you think about identity, justice, and building bridges in our divided world. Connect with Amel at thetimeisnow.biz and learn more about her work empowering globally mobile women through entrepreneurship.Make sure you join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn.

In this solo episode, Trisha explores whether the same cultural intelligence capabilities that help us work across cultures might also be tools for building peace.Drawing from insights at the International Positive Psychology Association World Congress, Trisha examines Peter Singer's concept of expanding our "moral circle" and Barbara Fredrickson's research on positive emotions, sparked by reflections from David Livermore and Martin Seligman.Discover how CQ Strategy, Knowledge, Drive, and Action might offer pathways beyond tribalism, and learn practical approaches for designing learning experiences that broaden perspectives rather than reinforce divisions.Resources mentioned include Peter Singer's work on expanding moral circles (petersinger.info), David Livermore's cultural intelligence research (davidlivermore.com), and Martin Seligman's positive psychology foundations (positivepsychology.com).Make sure you join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn.

In this episode, Trisha interviews Dr. Kristal Walker, Vice President of Employee Wellbeing at Sweetwater and a certified professional in training management. Dr. Kristal shares her remarkable transformation from high school dropout to doctoral graduate, revealing how this journey fundamentally shaped her approach to leadership and creating inclusive environments where people don't have to "code switch or shrink" to belong.They explore Dr. Kristal's innovative Four D Learning Lifecycle (Design, Develop, Deliver, Debrief) for designing cultural intelligence training that creates lasting change, and dive deep into the powerful concept of "brave spaces" versus safe spaces. Dr. Kristal challenges conventional thinking by reframing a critical question many professionals face: instead of asking "How do I fit in?" she advocates for "How do I stay grounded while I navigate this system?" This shift in perspective offers a transformative approach to authentic leadership in diverse corporate environments.Through personal anecdotes and professional insights, Dr. Kristal demonstrates how authenticity serves as the foundation of credibility and how leaders can maintain their authentic selves while delivering exceptional results for their organisations.Connect with Dr Kristal Walker on LinkedIn.Make sure you join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn.