The Intersection

The Hiring Crisis No One Wants to Talk About

The job market feels broken—and it’s failing both job seekers and hiring teams.Job seekers are exhausted: pouring energy into applications, only to be met with silence.Hiring teams are overwhelmed: sorting through endless resumes, yet still struggling to find the right fit.Something has to change.In this special edition of The Intersection, I speak with Ify Walker, Founder & CEO of Offor, for a candid conversation about why traditional hiring isn’t working—and what leaders can do differently.You’ll hear insights on:Why trust-based, referral-only hiring is gaining tractionHow to network without the awkwardnessWhen to hire vs. when to invest in your current teamIf you’ve ever felt the frustration of trying to hire—or be hired—this episode will resonate.Resources:Connect with Ify Walker on LinkedInFollow Offor on LinkedinConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say

This episode is part of our Intersection Podcast Rewind series, celebrating our most downloaded conversations that are shaping leadership. We are joined by Dr. Ahmmad Brown, scholar-practitioner and expert in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). In this episode, Dr. Brown shares practical frameworks for navigating challenging DEI conversations in today’s complex workplace environments.Tune in for a practical conversation about effectively communicating DEI, fostering organizational change and empowering leaders to engage authentically.Resources:Connect with Ahmmad Brown on LinkedInEquity Based Dialogue for Inclusion (EBDI)Connect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

Why Curiosity Is the Most Underrated Leadership Skill You Have

This week on The Intersection Podcast, I’m joined by Suzanne Jakstavich — Chief People Officer, executive coach, and longtime champion for equity and inclusion. Suzanne’s career journey, shaped by her upbringing and early experiences, fueled a deep commitment to building people-first workplaces..Suzanne shares how leaders can foster psychological safety, lead with curiosity, and model vulnerability in ways that ripple through entire organizations. We explore the shifting challenges facing leaders today, from managing a five-generation workforce to navigating blurred lines between work and life, and the critical role of allyship in creating inclusive cultures.Suzanne also opens up about the messy, real-life balance of leading, parenting, and showing up authentically. This conversation is rich with practical wisdom for leaders committed to creating workplaces where people can thrive.Because leadership isn’t just about what you do — it’s about how you show up.Resources:Connect with Suzanne on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

Permission to Pause: Reclaiming Rest as a Leadership Practice

This week on The Intersection Podcast, we’re revisiting a favorite conversation in our Intersection Rewind series with Taylor Elyse Morrison — speaker, facilitator, and founder of Inner Workout.Taylor invites us to reimagine self-care not as spa days or checklists, but as a transformative practice rooted in self-awareness and inner dialogue. Drawing from yogic philosophy and her own leadership journey, she introduces the five dimensions of well-being and explains how slowing down can help us show up more fully for ourselves and others.Together, we explore how leaders can navigate burnout, the role of community care, and why vulnerability isn’t a weakness but a pathway to authentic leadership. Taylor also shares how self-care rituals can be especially vital for DEI and HR professionals navigating emotionally taxing work.This episode offers practical insight on rethinking self-care beyond surface-level fixes, building sustainable leadership rooted in rest and reflection, and creating systems of support that help leaders stay grounded while making real impact.Resources:Connect with Taylor on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting

Leading Whole: Growing Through Hard Times

This week on The Intersection Podcast as part of our Intersection Podcast Rewind series, we are joined by Nyerere Billups, an ex-senior pharmaceutical leader, motivational speaker, and talent magnet. In this episode, Nyerere shares her powerful journey from homelessness to leadership, and emphasizes the importance of making intentional choices while challenging systemic inequities.As we dive into her story, Nyerere discusses the concept of bringing your whole self to work, how personal empowerment and vulnerability play a pivotal role in leadership, and why Black leaders need to be unapologetic about owning their story. We also explore how reframing experiences, addressing trauma, and practicing self-compassion are crucial to navigating corporate environments, particularly for Black professionals who often work in spaces not designed for them.Nyerere advocates for rethinking the conversation around Black talent in leadership and emphasizes the need for more accessible therapy to help heal historical trauma. Her vision for the future calls for creating environments where Black individuals can thrive by finding their voice, showing up authentically, and overcoming systemic barriers.Tune in to hear an inspiring conversation about Black leadership, personal empowerment, and how to navigate corporate environments while being true to yourself.Resources:Connect with Nyerere on LinkedInConnect with me:InstagramLinkedInRestart Consulting