The Impact of Chronic Uncertainty and How To Build Our Agency

C-Suite Secrets: Humane Leadership in a Dehumanizing System

In this engaging conversation, Chelsea, Ana, and their guest, Beverly Dines, explore the intersections of leadership, empathy, and the current challenges facing higher education. Beverly shares her career journey, highlighting the importance of community and connection in navigating the complexities of leadership. The discussion delves into the need for empathy in leadership roles, the impact of systemic issues on education, and the evolving landscape of work. The trio emphasizes the importance of fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for both students and employees, advocating for a shift in how leadership is approached in educational institutions. In this conversation, Beverly Dines and the hosts discuss the importance of empathy, connection, and alignment in the workplace. They explore the impact of workplace trauma, the need for honest communication, and the role of leadership in fostering a supportive environment. The discussion emphasizes the necessity of accountability, transparency, and the inclusion of marginalized voices in creating systemic change. Practical steps for effective leadership and the importance of follow-through in implementing change are also highlighted. ABOUT OUR GUEST: BEVERLY DINES- Beverly Dines is a powerhouse of operational strategy and creative innovation, with 10+ years leading growth across Higher Education, Healthcare, FinTech, and the Non-Profit Arts. She specializes in scaling mission-driven organizations—non-profit and for-profit alike—with a sharp focus on collaboration, budget strategy, and organizational advising through empowerment & empathy-forward best practices. She’s the author of Create The Door, a practical guide to designing the opportunities you deserve, and a sought-after speaker whose insights have been featured at 1871’s Future of Canna Tech Summit, NACHA’s Smarter Faster Payments Conference, FDX Global Summit, and more. In 2024, Beverly launched the first-ever Payments Pulse event with Chicago Payments Forum, spotlighting voices from GoFundMe, Walgreens, NACHA, and Aeropay. She was also honored as a Women in Payments Innovation Award nominee, recently featured as a keynote speaker for Code Your Dreams, and is an official Foxsy Media Creator Partner.  In 2025, Beverly grew rapidly from an audience of  0 to 160K+ in three months across her social media platforms. Dubbed TikTok and Instagram’s “Chief Empowerment Officer (CEO)” she has built a platform of over 200K dedicated to empowering all professionals with best practices to scale with alignment and advocacy. She’s also the host and creator of How To Give A Damn About Your Workplace, an innovative podcast, focused on having real conversations about how to give a damn about your workspaces and redefine the corporate landscape in 2025 and beyond.  Beyond the boardroom, Beverly is an award-winning artist, recognized with multiple Daytony Awards and the prestigious Kitty Matt Award—twice. Whether she’s building systems, telling stories, or bringing a group together for karaoke, Beverly brings vision, heart, and high-impact execution to everything she touches. CHAPTERS: 00:00 Staff & FaculTEA Sessions Podcast Intro 00:57 Episode Intro and Check-In 06:10 Beverly Dines: Career Journey and Higher Education 11:02 The Disconnect Between Leadership and Ground Realities 13:47 The Importance of Mental Health and Support Systems 15:32 Addressing Systemic Issues in Higher Education 17:16 The Impact of Societal Changes on Education 19:17 The Future of Leadership and Empathy 46:23 Navigating Intersectionality in Higher Education 47:02 Reckoning with Institutional Values 48:41 The Power of Alignment in Leadership 50:11 Workplace Trauma and Its Impact 51:18 Finding Alignment in Job Searches 52:55 Empathy in Leadership Communication 54:47 Building Empathy-Forward Operations 56:24 Accountability and Transparency in Leadership 58:06 Creating a Supportive Work Environment 59:45 The Importance of Honest Communication 01:01:42 Addressing Unhealed Trauma in Organizations 01:02:41 Tangible Steps for Effective Leadership 01:04:59 Middle Management Challenges and Solutions 01:06:46 Documenting Leadership Experiences 01:09:15 The Role of Human-Centric Leadership 01:10:15 The Consequences of Ignoring Employee Feedback 01:12:10 The Need for Follow-Through in Training 01:14:19 The Dangers of Tokenism in Leadership 01:15:27 Investing in Long-Term Change 01:16:42 The Connection Between Employee Satisfaction and Financial Success 01:25:01 Closing 01:25:24 Disclaimer RESOURCES: * Empathy-Forward Operations [https://beverlydines.com/] – Beverly Dines’ approach to integrating empathy, dignity, and human-centered systems into executive decision-making. * Create the Door [https://foxsy.samcart.com/products/how-to-play-the-corporate-game-package-build-the-frame?sc_ref=KAODzGCvVFu6DwCt&sc_vis=uETeyoZ6OoJiEarrz2ynbNa6iVrh1r] – Beverly’s signature mindset framework and upcoming book on designing your own opportunities rather than waiting for permission. * https://rollcall.com/2025/10/14/higher-education-is-hurting-why-should-you-care/ [https://rollcall.com/2025/10/14/higher-education-is-hurting-why-should-you-care/] * https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/mit-refuses-accept-white-house-225931420.html [https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/mit-refuses-accept-white-house-225931420.html]  * https://abc11.com/post/dr-dwayne-dixon-unc-chapel-hill-professor-leave-during-investigation-alleged-advocacy-politically-motivated-violence/17912046 [https://abc11.com/post/dr-dwayne-dixon-unc-chapel-hill-professor-leave-during-investigation-alleged-advocacy-politically-motivated-violence/17912046/]/ [https://abc11.com/post/dr-dwayne-dixon-unc-chapel-hill-professor-leave-during-investigation-alleged-advocacy-politically-motivated-violence/17912046/] * https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/18/simon-sinek-backwards-career-moves-can-make-you-happier-more-successful.html [https://www.cnbc.com/2025/09/18/simon-sinek-backwards-career-moves-can-make-you-happier-more-successful.html] * Dare to Lead – Brené Brown | on vulnerability, courage, and trust as leadership essentials.

Not Company Property: Reclaiming Your Humanity in Toxic Workplaces

Ep. 6- Finding Your Place in the Ecosystem

In this solo episode, Ana explores the personal and political cost of silence in higher education and beyond. Through reflections on the genocide in Gaza, faculty retaliation, and the corporatization of colleges, she invites listeners to examine how fear has become a control mechanism and how reclaiming agency begins with truth-telling. Ana discusses the myth of neutrality, the emotional toll of self-abandonment, and the importance of acting with integrity even when your voice shakes. Drawing from current events and her own experiences in academia, she reminds us that silence is complicity and that resistance takes many forms. Takeaways * The expectation of resistance can limit authentic expression. * Flexibility allows for a more genuine self-presentation. * Alignment with one's true self is crucial for personal integrity. * Understanding where you fit in the ecosystem fosters growth. * Authenticity can lead to deeper connections with others. * Resistance doesn't have to conform to traditional expectations. * Creating space for authenticity encourages self-discovery. * Personal growth is a journey that requires self-reflection. * The ecosystem provides various avenues for exploration. * Embracing authenticity can transform relationships. Listener reflection prompts:• What have you stayed silent about that still weighs on you?• How does fear show up in your workplace or community?• What would integrity look like if you were not afraid? Referenced articles and resources: * Victoria Bateman, The New Feminist: Feminist economics and women’s erasure from history * Dr. Dwayne Dixon (UNC): Political targeting and fear in academia * EdSource: Teacher vs. Charlie Kirk – Free speech and the weaponization of fear * EdSource: LMU Faculty Union Dispute * Dr. Kall Schmidt on the cost of academic silence (TikTok) * Building Movement Project’s Social Change Ecosystem Map * The ongoing genocide in Gaza and global resistance movements Connect with us:Instagram: @staff_faculteasessionspod TikTok: @staff_faculteasessionspod BlueSky: @staff-faculteapod.bsky.social Check out our Linktree to submit your story! https://linktr.ee/Staff_FaculTEAsessionsPod [https://linktr.ee/Staff_FaculTEAsessionsPod]

The Impact of Chronic Uncertainty and How To Build Our Agency

Summary In this episode of the Staff and FaculTEA Sessions podcast, hosts Chelsea and Ana, along with guest- Professor Walid Afifi, delve into the pervasive theme of uncertainty in higher education and its broader implications in society. They discuss how authoritarianism manifests in educational institutions, the chronic uncertainty faced by marginalized communities, and the physiological and psychological impacts of living in a state of constant uncertainty. The conversation emphasizes the importance of building agency, community support, and the need for collective action to combat these challenges. The episode concludes with actionable steps for listeners to engage in resistance and foster empowerment within their communities. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Uncertainty in Today's World 15:13 Chronic Uncertainty and Its Impact 30:52 Building Agency and Community Resilience 36:11 Navigating Financial Aid Challenges 38:24 Building Agency in Communities 40:55 Understanding Mental Health and Liberation 43:49 The Role of Fear and Uncertainty 46:31 Collective Action and Community Support 49:24 The Importance of Speaking Up 52:25 Practicing Resistance and Agency Takeaways * Higher education is not isolated from authoritarianism. * Chronic uncertainty affects marginalized communities disproportionately. * Building agency can mitigate the negative effects of uncertainty. * Mental health is tied to liberation and community support. * Collective action is essential for overcoming uncertainty. * Uncertainty can lead to inaction, but small steps can create change. * Community support is vital for navigating systemic challenges. * Understanding the rules of engagement in institutions is crucial. * Empowerment comes from sharing knowledge and resources. * Resistance can take many forms, and every action counts. RESOURCES: * Professor Afifi Lecture: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARcwLbvF8VQ] Uncertainty Before, During, and After COVID * TedxUCSB Talk: How uncertainty affects us (and five simple words to make a change) [https://youtu.be/GFLtl70rB7g?feature=shared] * https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZbvuKSnundzW0q_9lKIKWFfr7yejWvs8?usp=drive_link * Guante Poem: [https://guante.info/2020/11/22/nottheshark/] "How to Explain White Supremacy to a White Supremacist" * UndocuProfessionals [https://www.undocuprofessionals.net/#resources]- Resources and Scholarships for undocumented students * Immigrants Rising Scholarships [https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/list-of-scholarships-and-fellowships/] for Undocumented Students * The Dream Scholarship Program [https://www.thedream.us/scholarships/] * CA Scholarship Resources for Undocumented Students [https://www.csac.ca.gov/post/financial-aid-undocumenteddreamer-students] * IG @LatinaGradGuide [https://www.instagram.com/p/DPANzaoEmew/?img_index=3] scholarships for DACAmented and Undocumented Students * Together We Dream Scholarships [https://unitedwedream.org/resources/scholarships/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=12715096770&gbraid=0AAAAABjeV0PB-_MfJRF_gRkUc4Y84ghLD&gclid=Cj0KCQjw3OjGBhDYARIsADd-uX7_InMa-taaWK10Y3FSFQvFi7qQPLUbt3pU7j7Kzg6Q6o9Nodp0XhAaAoB6EALw_wcB] * My Undocumented Life Resources [https://mydocumentedlife.org/category/college-scholarships/] * Anarchist Calisthenics Tee from Vital Vida Vendors [https://vitalvidavendors.com/products/anarchist-calisthenics-jersey-short-sleeve-tee?variant=41307182825515] * Anarchist Calisthenics Crop Top from Vital Vida Vendors [https://vitalvidavendors.com/products/anarchist-calisthenics-crop-tee?variant=42115587375147]

Survivors Speak: Demanding Transparency and Change