The Cost of Sameness - Voices from Three Continents
From The Shift by Trisha Carter
May 23, 2026 · 23 min · Season 1 · Episode 80
About this episode
This episode features voices from three continents discussing the implications of cultural sameness and the experience of cultural blindness.
In this special episode, Trisha steps back and hands the mic to three voices from three continents — each responding to the same question: what does it feel like when someone says, "We're all the same"? What emerges is something that Cultural Intelligence (CQ) frameworks can name but can't fully capture on their own — the lived experience of cultural blindness. From South Africa, the United States, and Northern Ireland, these three perspectives share a quiet, consistent thread: the weight of being asked to make yourself smaller in the name of fairness. This episode is both a companion to Episode 79 and a milestone — Episode 80 — and it marks the occasion the only way that feels right: by listening. Join Trisha in this journey of growth and discovery throughout the year via Substack or LinkedIn. Voices in this episode: Samkelo Blom ( Episode 37 ) You can learn more about Samkelo and the work of his organisation here and connect with him on Linked In here. Dr. Kristal Walker ( Episode 58 ) Connect with Dr Kristal Walker on LinkedIn. Sarah Black ( Episode 9 and Episode 48 ) Check out Sarah Black on LinkedIn and sign up for her Newsletter .
People in this episode
Host: Trisha Carter
Guests: Samkelo Blom, Dr. Kristal Walker, Sarah Black
Topics covered
- cultural intelligence
- cultural blindness
- diversity
- personal experience
- global perspectives
Keywords
- cultural blindness
- Cultural Intelligence
- diversity
- global perspectives
- personal stories
Mentioned in this episode
Places: South Africa, United States, Northern Ireland
More episodes of The Shift
- The Shift Recommends · May 30, 2026 · 4 min
- Cultural Blindness- When Fairness isn’t Fair · May 8, 2026 · 23 min
- Moon Joy and Cultural Intelligence · April 26, 2026 · 16 min
- Dr. David Livermore - Beyond CQ - Part Two; Expanding Your Leadership Archetype · April 4, 2026 · 27 min
- Dr. David Livermore — Beyond CQ; What 3,700 Global Voices Told Us · March 27, 2026 · 30 min
- Chika Miyamori - Building Bridges Across Differences · March 20, 2026 · 42 min
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