The Whole Damn Pie

The Importance of Identity and Feeling Like You Belong

Ruchika Malhotra is a keynote speaker, inclusion strategist, and the bestselling author of Inclusion on Purpose—an intersectional approach to creating a culture of belonging at work. She is also the founder of the inclusion strategy practice CANDOR.Amalia and Ruchika chat about individuals being made up of a multitude of identities, battling the underestimations of others, and how western feminism hasn’t given us that promised liberation. They also discuss how Ruchika started her career in the “overwhelmingly white and overwhelmingly male” journalism industry and Ruchika shares her many experiences of having her name deliberately mispronounced or being ignored by coworkers due to the way she looks. Key Takeaways:The shame of a name: Ruchika explains how it took her “decades to reclaim agency and connection over my own name, which tells this beautiful story of a heritage and all this meaning and is so powerful.”Unravelling systems of oppression: Ruchika shares a sneak peek at her new book coming out fall 2025. She speaks to how humans are conditioned to believe in survival of the fittest and put self above community when we should be spreading the wealth and helping others grow alongside us.The Whole Damn Pie means: aspiring to a garden. For Ruchika, it’s looking after herself so she can replant seeds and give to others. Learn more about Ruchika and her book here: https://www.ruchika.co/

The Fight for Identity as an Asylee in the US

“When you’re a woman of color in leadership, why wouldn't you have an identity crisis when the standard for you, even in the position of power that you are in, is different from your white co-workers and colleagues. You have to spend time and emotional labor to advocate to people why you are even here in the first place.”Qurat Ul Ain is an immigrant, an asylum seeker, and a leader in the legal fight for women's rights across the country. Amalia and Qurat Ul Ain speak about feeling like you need to whitewash yourself, the many challenges and sacrifices you face as a refugee in the US, and having to hide parts of your personality or your beliefs and opinions to fit in or earn your visa. They also connect over Qurat Ul Ain’s work at Legal Voice, including operating on a shared leadership model and the shocking fact that crisis pregnancy centers aren’t protected by HIPAA.Key Takeaways:Feeling the need to show up as a “model brown person”: Qurat Ul Ain details her decade-long experience of fighting her case as a religious and a political asylee in the US.Her work with Legal Voice: In her “dream job” as Development & Communications Director, Qurat Ul Ain helps the immigrant community and people who speak English as a second language to understand their rights.The Whole Damn Pie means: being accepted and belonging somewhere. For Qurat Ul Ain, it’s being able to step out confidently, not being put in a box, and not having people ask, “So, where are you really from?”. Learn more about Legal Voice here: https://legalvoice.org/

Community, Collaboration and Giving Everything Your All

“When you have an opportunity to play a big role with young people in the community, you have to take that seriously. That's an honor. Everybody doesn't get to do that.” Jace ECAj is an activist, an emcee, and half of the hip hop soul duo Black Stax. He’s also a well known and inspiring leader in the community and, in his role as Director of Community and Artist Development at The Residency, he gets to teach young artists and help prepare them for their future.  From being a great listener to showing up authentically and staying true to the things you believe in—Jace and Amalia chat about what this role entails. They also explore what hip hop means to Jace and how it’s shaped so many aspects of his life.  Key Takeaways Being “Black and Alive”: Learn more about the motto Jace lives by and the meaning behind it. Being an Activist is a Compliment: Jace shares his experience of getting his “hands in the mud” and standing up for what he believes in. The Whole Damn Pie means: For Jace, it’s living life holistically and giving every individual aspect its fair share of attention. Learn more about the incredible work The Residency are doing here: https://www.theresidencyseattle.org/

Leading with Empathy and Authenticity

“It’s no longer acceptable for organizations to offer a one-size-fits-all approach.” Award-winning entrepreneur, workplace educator, and the Founder & CEO of Reimagine talent, Chelsea C. Williams helps employers provide a better workplace for multi-generational workers. She and Amalia share some workplace truths and Chelsea chats about why it’s important for leaders to see each unique individual, flexing to meet different generational needs, and the impact of employees demanding more from their employers than ever before. Amalia and Chelsea also connect over how they’ve incorporated the concept of having the whole damn pie into the focus of their own companies and the people who they work alongside to make a real difference in the world.  Key Takeaways How the workforce is evolving: Learn more about how factors such as AI, generational shifts, and changing employee expectations are shaping the workplace.  Tips on managing a fully remote company: Chelsea shares how they prioritize connection at Reimagine Talent.The Whole Damn Pie means: For Chelsea, it’s living life on her own terms and being authentic to herself in pursuit of what really matters.   Learn more about Reimagine Talent here: https://www.reimaginetalentco.com/

A mission for shared prosperity, cultural representation, and impactful community work.

Colleen Echohawk   A mission for shared prosperity, cultural representation, and impactful community work. Colleen Echohawk is a self-described aggressive optimist, incredible extrovert, and someone who sees the glass as not only half full, but overflowing with abundance. For her, the whole damn pie means having a lot of joy. Filling her life with beautiful dog walks, hanging with family and friends, singing karaoke, reading good books, and watching shows with her husband.   Doesn’t seem too much to ask right? But she’s also a believer in shared prosperity and she’s not afraid to step up and do the scary things in life—whether that’s running for mayor of Seattle, building housing units for Seattle’s urban native homeless, or running a native retail business. Over the last two decades, Colleen has done all this and so much more as part of her commitment to helping marginalized populations and native prosperity. Key Takeaways:Native disparity: In King County, less than 1% of the population are native, yet they make up over 15% of the homeless population.  Inspiring her kids: Colleen’s passionate about helping her children to understand truth, showing them that native people can be in office, and teaching them to not be afraid to take risks.Changing the native narrative: She’s CEO of Eighth Generation, a Seattle-based art and lifestyle brand that is creating products by inspired natives, not native-inspired products.  The Whole Pie means joy: Listen in for how Colleen achieves the whole damn pie. If you enjoy listening, be sure to follow us so you’re the first to know when we add new episodes. While you’re there, please leave us a review — we’d really appreciate it. Eighth GenerationProduced by Larj Media