Food Stories: A Blended Journey Through Culture and Connection

A solo episode with a twist featuring the voices of Dr. Christina Padilla, Summie Yeung, and Horatio Morgan What if the most powerful diversity and inclusion tool in your workplace isn't a training manual or policy document, but something as simple as food? In this special solo episode with a unique blend format, Dr. Lola Adeyemo explores the stories we tell through food, the bridges we build through flavor, and why the simple question "What would you share?" reveals so much more than what's on our plates. Over the past few years, Dr. Lola has been asking guests a signature question about sharing meals with coworkers. Today, she brings together three powerful responses that showcase how food connects us to memory, nostalgia, cultural pride, and belonging. Through the voices of previous guests, we journey through kitchens around the world and discover the deeper meanings behind our favorite dishes. Featured Guest Voices Dr. Christina Padilla - First-generation Mexican American professional "Anytime you'd walk into her house, especially around lunchtime, she would have four huge dishes on her stove top... Mexican food is all the same - beans, tortilla, cheese and toppings - yet infinite." Summie Yeung - Asian immigrant in the UK "It's a commodity now in the UK because they're very expensive, you have to source them." - Speaking about moon cakes and the economics of nostalgia Horatio Morgan - Jamaican-born immigrant to the United States "My absolute favorite is curry goat... it's spicy, it has some salty but it's just balanced." - Delivered with unapologetic confidence Key Themes Explored The Economics of Nostalgia Food becomes a luxury when you're far from home. From expensive imports to specialty stores, maintaining cultural connections through food requires investment - and reveals the premium we pay for belonging. Food as Cultural Ambassador How our favorite dishes serve as approachable, generous bridges between cultures in professional spaces. Food becomes a diplomatic way to break ice and engage meaningfully with colleagues. Identity and Belonging Through Flavor The complex layers of sharing cultural food in the workplace - from "lunch that smells funny" to code-switching cuisine explanations. The courage it takes to share authentic flavors and the barriers we break one bite at a time. Dr. Lola's Personal Share Nigerian Jollof - specifically her mother's outdoor cooking for large events, complete with family gathered around open fires, laughing and cooking as community. The aroma, the specific blend of ingredients, and the joy of feeding people together. Calls to Action For Individuals Try Before You Judge - Trying doesn't always mean tasting. Ask questions: "What are you eating? Is that traditional? How is that made?" Use curiosity to learn about cultures and backgrounds through food stories. Share with Confidence - If you have a dish that holds significance, share it boldly. Use food as a way for colleagues to know more about you without being intrusive. For Leaders Create Food-Inclusive Policies - Design celebrations that accommodate everyone and encourage cultural food sharing with storytelling opportunities. Intentional Team Building - Use food as cultural education and authentic relationship building. Remember that different cultures exist within the same country too. The Deeper Truth Food is never just about food. When someone shares their cultural dish with you - whether it's unfamiliar spices or festival traditions - they're offering more than a meal. They're inviting you into their story, their kitchen, their background, and their identity. Connect & Share Your Story 🎧 After you listen, share your food story!What would you bring to the workplace table?Use #FoodStory and Tag @ImmigrantsInCorporate, @EQIMindset, or @DrLolaAdeyemo to join the conversation. About the Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo is CEO of EQI Mindset, founder of Immigrants Incorporate Inc., author, speaker, and workplace inclusion strategist. She works with organizations to build communities of belonging through strategy, storytelling, and systems change. Resources: Free community for immigrants and first-gen professionals: www.immigrantsincorporate.org Connect on LinkedIn for HR/DEI leaders seeking employee resource group ERG/BRG support     Send us Fan MailSupport the showThank you for listening to Thriving in Intersectionality with Dr. Lola Adeyemo.This podcast explores how identity, lived experience, and leadership intersect in today's workplace and beyond. Through conversations with leaders, founders, educators, entrepreneurs, and changemakers, we uncover stories and insights that help people thrive across the many intersections of their lives.💬 Have a thought about this episode? Send a Fan Mail message directly through Buzzsprout. I'd love to hear what resonated with you.❤️ If you find value in these conversations, consider becoming a supporter of the show. Your support helps us continue amplifying diverse voices, meaningful stories, and leadership insights from across industries and experiences.⭐ Follow, share, rate, and review the podcast to help others discover these conversations.📬 Continue the conversation - read the companion reflections on Substack🌍 Immigrants and first-generation professionals can join our free community at:www.immigrantsincorporate.orgConnect with Host Dr. Lola Adeyemo on LinkedIn.Keep thriving in your intersections. Your story matters.