The Myths We Still Believe About DEI With Dr. Cheryl Ingram and Rebecca Steele

What myths about DEI are you still holding onto?In this powerful episode, Amelia sits down with two brilliant minds who approach equity from different angles: Dr. Cheryl Ingram, two-time PhD holder and filmmaker behind "The Goddamn Mess," and Rebecca Steele, strategist and author of "Indivisible." Together, they unpack what DEI got right, what it got devastatingly wrong, and what the future of this work actually looks like when the performance falls away. From why unhealed oppression isn't a qualification for DEI work to the critical difference between discomfort and being unsafe, this conversation doesn't just diagnose the problems — it charts a path forward.KEY TAKEAWAYS·  DEI failed when we put people with opinions but not experience in critical roles·  Discomfort is not the same as being unsafe — one leads to growth, the other requires protection·  The oppression Olympics mentality has hurt the work more than helped it·  Valid measurement systems and accountability structures are essential for sustainable change·  Don't get so hung up on what to call the work that you stop doing the actual workGUEST BIODr. Cheryl Ingram is a two-time PhD holder, award-winning DEI strategist, and filmmaker who has spent over 20 years building change into workplaces and boardrooms. She's raised over $2 million to fund ventures and created the documentary "The Goddamn Mess" about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Rebecca Steele is a strategist, systems thinker, and author of "Indivisible" who has worked at the intersection of equity, sustainability, and human flourishing with everyone from global NGOs to indigenous communities.LINKS & RESOURCES·  "The Untethered Soul" by Michael Singer·  "Theory of Water" by Leanne Betasamosake Simpson·  "Targeted Universalism" by John A. Powell·  "The Sum of Us" by Heather McGee·  "We Were Eight Years in Power" by Ta-Nehisi Coates·  Work by Roosevelt Thomas·  Quinta Roberson's research on detangling DEI languageCONNECT WITH USFollow DEI AF: Twitter: @deiafpodcastInstagram: @deiafpodcastTikTok: deiafpodcastYoutube: @D.E.IAFPodcastABOUT DEI AFDEI AF is a podcast that fosters honest and unfiltered conversations about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Hosted by veteran DEI leader Amelia Ransom, the show challenges conventional thinking, platforms diverse perspectives, and equips listeners with practical tools to make a tangible difference in their organizations and communities. DEI AF is where curiosity meets candor — rooted in truth, driven by facts, enriched by experience. New episodes release bi-weekly on all major podcast platforms.