Innovators at the Intersection

In this episode, we sit down with Aisha Bowe, former NASA rocket scientist, entrepreneur, and space traveler who shares her journey from humble beginnings to breaking barriers in STEM. A powerful conversation on resilience, vision, and expanding what’s possible.

In this episode, we talk with Hikaru Hayakawa, Executive Director of Climate Cardinals, a global youth-led movement breaking language barriers in climate science so every community can take action. He explains how most climate information exists in English while much of the world does not speak it and how Climate Cardinals is translating knowledge and empowering young people worldwide. We discuss youth activism, accessible information, and how the next generation is driving real climate action.

This episode features Dr. Ian Levy, Assistant Professor of School Counseling at Rutgers University and emcee. We discuss how he uses hip-hop to support student mental health, bridge culture and counseling, and engage young people in urban schools. Dr. Levy’s work has been featured by The New York Times and CNN, and he is the author of Hip-Hop & Spoken Word Therapy in School Counseling.

In this episode, artist/curator Alice Mizrachi, graffiti legend Lady Pink, and developer/art collector Brian Lockner discuss how art shapes community, transforms public spaces, and fuels New York’s creative spirit. 

Jennifer Alvarez, a former U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer and Brand Innovation Manager joins us to discuss how her military service shaped her leadership and creativity in the private sector. She shares insights on connecting the dots between leading in the Navy and driving innovation for global brands. 

On this episode, we sit down with advertising legend Aaron Walton, CEO of Walton Isaacson. Aaron shares how he crafted iconic campaigns for brands like Lexus and PepsiCo, collaborated with cultural icons such as Michael Jackson, and championed inclusivity both inside and outside his agency. Tune in for insights on authenticity, culture, and the future of advertising.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Cheri Walsh—former professional dancer turned philanthropic force. Cheri shares her journey from navigating the competitive dance world in New York City to becoming the Director of the Billy & Alexis Joel Foundation and Board Chair of ETA. We explore how her early passion for the arts shaped her commitment to uplifting communities through education, opportunity, and creativity. It’s a powerful conversation about purpose, resilience, and using your platform to give back.

In this episode of Innovators at the Intersection, we speak with Dr. Lawrence Udeigwe, a mathematician and musician from Nigeria, who shares his journey of pursuing both math and music. From a young age, he realized the power of combining creativity with logic, and in this episode, he explores how the intersection of these fields has shaped his life and career. Tune in for a conversation about innovation, passion, and the endless possibilities that emerge when art and science converge.

Innovators at the Intersection is an extension of Diversity in Action's mis-sion, bringing to life the impactful stories of trailblazers at the crossroads of culture and STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math-ematics). For over a decade, Diversity in Action has celebrated individuals making a difference, and this podcast amplifies those voices, transforming our storytelling into a dynamic audio experience. Each episode showcases inspiring narratives, groundbreaking projects, and the unique journeys of individuals who are pushing boundaries in their fields. From blending art with robotics to revolutionizing education through technology, the podcast spotlights voices that often go unheard but deserve to be celebrated.