Ep 11. Autism in the Workplace with Carla Dereveux
This week on Compassionate Cultures, we’re joined by Carla Devereux, a psychotherapist and leadership development specialist. Drawing on both personal and professional experience, Carla offers a nuanced exploration of autism in adulthood, particularly in the workplace. In this insightful conversation, Carla helps us better understand how autism can present in adults, especially in those who are undiagnosed. She challenges some of the most common myths, explains how masking shows up, particularly in women and shares why behaviours like stimming and palilalia may go unnoticed or misunderstood.
Carla also offers insights into autistic communication styles and how teams can create space for directness without judgement. We discuss what psychological safety means in practical terms for neurodivergent employees, how leaders can support self-regulation without stigma, and why a diagnosis in adulthood can be both daunting and liberating. Whether you're a manager, colleague, or someone navigating neurodiversity yourself, this episode offers compassion, clarity and tangible ways to create more inclusive workplaces. Connect with Carla on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carla-devereux/ Access the Autism Spectrum Quotient by Simon Baron-Cohen, professor of psychology at Cambridge University and head of the Cambridge Autism Research Centre. https://psychology-tools.com/test/autism-spectrum-quotient Listen now to join the conversation. Streaming on all major platforms and at www.strawberrywords.co.uk.
--------
35:26
--------
35:26
Ep 10. Cultural Humility and Safety with Helen Harrison
In this episode, Rebbecca is joined by the Assistant Director of Public Health at Birmingham City Council to discuss the Cultural Humility and Safety programme, a pioneering initiative that equips staff with the tools to navigate discrimination, antiracism, power dynamics, and compassionate relationships in the workplace.
Rooted in the findings of the Birmingham and Lewisham African and Caribbean Health Inequalities Review (BLACHIR), the programme was developed in response to the stark health disparities experienced by Black communities.
This conversation is particularly valuable for organisations seeking a meaningful and emotionally intelligent way to educate their teams on discrimination, using the gentle yet powerful lens of cultural humility.
Streaming on all major platforms and at www.strawberrywords.co.uk.
--------
19:54
--------
19:54
Ep 9: Disrupting the Deficit Narrative with Kevin J Brazant
In this straight-talking episode, we’re joined by Kevin J Brazant, practitioner-academic, creator of Disrupt the Discourse Co-Creation Framework™ and founder of Lounge Akademics. With roots in grassroots activism and a growing academic portfolio, Kevin brings a rare and necessary perspective on race, exclusion, and justice in the UK universities. Drawing from both lived experience and scholarly research, Kevin challenges commonly accepted terms like “hard to reach” and offers an unflinching critique of the systems that fail racially marginalised communities. He speaks about the importance of co-creating solutions with those most impacted, the need for trauma-informed education, and how institutions can move from tokenism to true transformation. Whether you’re a policy-maker, educator, academic or advocate for social change, Kevin’s reflections will leave you contemplating about how to creatively embed equity and compassion into your practice. Streaming on all major platforms and at www.strawberrywords.co.uk.
--------
47:24
--------
47:24
Ep. 8 Creating a World Where Potential Isn’t Wasted - James Adeleke
What does it take to build a world where careers aren’t determined by background or privilege? In this energising episode of Compassionate Cultures, host Rebbecca Hemmings speaks with James Adeleke, founder and CEO of Generation Success. From being awarded the Freedom of the City of London to leading thousands of structured mentorships, James shares his deeply personal journey and the values that have shaped his mission to create a more equal society. Together, they discuss the power of mentorship, the meaning of true belonging in the workplace, and why social mobility must be treated as a business priority. James’s belief that “fear is normal, but silence is harmful” cuts to the core of what compassionate leadership requires: presence, not perfection. His practical wisdom and compelling metaphors offer a fresh, heartfelt perspective on what it means to lead with cultural humility and unlock potential in overlooked talent. This is an essential listen for any leader or HR professional ready to take meaningful action and open the doors that too many still find closed.
--------
35:35
--------
35:35
Ep. 7 Reflections on Truth, Tea, and David Olusoga
In this episode of the Compassionate Cultures Podcast, Rebbecca reflects on the powerful words and presence of historian David Olusoga. From uncovering the hidden histories behind everyday British staples like tea and fish and chips, to challenging how we frame national identity, David invites us to look more honestly at the stories we tell ourselves. He reminds us that history isn’t about guilt, it’s about truth, and that we cannot build a more compassionate society without first acknowledging what has been erased, distorted, or conveniently forgotten. We explore themes of cultural appropriation, historical sanitisation, and resilience in the face of public hostility. You’ll hear about Jamaican boxer Hezikiah Moscow, the erasure of African soldiers from World War II narratives, and how language like "West Indian merchant" masks the legacies of enslavement. Rebbecca also reflects on what it means to be calm in the face of injustice and why excellence, not anger, can be a radical tool for change. This is a heartfelt episode about truth-telling, hope, and the power of compassionate storytelling.
South Africa