Discover5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI
5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI
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5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI

Author: Bernadette Smith

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The world needs proof that positive change is happening.


I’m Bernadette Smith, CEO of Equality Institute, and each week on 5 Things I share five real stories of progress in diversity, equity, inclusion, and corporate responsibility, often joined by guests who bring fresh perspectives. You’ll leave each episode inspired, with practical ideas you can use right away. 5 Things is your proof of positive change.
150 Episodes
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Traitors

Traitors

2026-02-1609:09

In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Out athletes at the Olympics, Laila Edwards making history on Team USA, Super Bowl fans getting tactile access, and more! I also spoke about the New York Times article by Nikole Hannah-Jones, which gave me hope: What It Means to Be a White Race Traitor.Here are this week's good vibes:47 Out OlympiansLatino joy took center fieldAccess took the main stageFootball you can feelFire safety gets a new voiceVisibility with protection, not punishmentGood Vibes to Go: Chris Simmons, the first Black Partner elected to the US Governing Board of PwC, has a new book out: NOBODY TOLD YOU: What Blacks, Asians and Latinos Must Know to Win at Work. It’s on sale on Kindle. Chris is a wise man and I’m really enjoying this book! It’s a great book for everyone.Read the Stories.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Awkward

Awkward

2026-02-0911:21

In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week the stories are about Miis matching real people, Bad Bunny breaking the Grammy ceiling, and Olympics coverage getting more accessible, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Miis Finally Match Real PeopleBad Bunny Breaks Grammy CeilingKnitting Turns Into Collective PowerHappy Trees, Public Media ReliefOlympics Coverage Gets More AccessibleGood Vibes to Go: If you haven’t yet watched Schitt’s Creek, now is a great time to settle in and laugh and laugh and laugh. RIP Catherine O’Hara. I'm re-watching.Read the Stories.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Moving

Moving

2026-02-0409:23

In this solo episode, the stories are about papers for undocumented residents in Spain, debt-free access at Yale, and paid internships for all at Dartmouth, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Spain says papers for peopleYale expands debt-free accessOlympians get retirement-style supportDartmouth funds internships for allMinnesota CEOs demand de-escalationGood Vibes to Go: Check out Marcello Hernández’s standup special American Boy on Netflix. It takes a while to get really funny but I ended up being utterly charmed. Good vibes indeed.Read the Stories.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Deep

Deep

2026-01-2608:26

In this solo episode, I recap the latest good vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about pickleball making access the default, autistic Barbie done with care, bonuses for the whole crew, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Pickleball makes access the defaultAutistic Barbie, done with careBonuses for the whole crewA font that saves secondsMinecraft breaks the censorship wall Good Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Girl Scout Cookie time! Here’s the now-annual list of trans kids to order Girl Scount cookies from.Read the Stories.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
2025 Review

2025 Review

2026-01-1309:56

In this week's solo episode, I recapped the most popular story and edition from last year, plus shared new good vibes about returning tribal land, safer design for women, inclusive recognition for same-sex couples, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:California returns 17,000 tribal acresWorld’s first disabled dog park thrivesSouth Korean census finally recognizes same-sex couplesDOT backs advanced female crash test dummyBABES Act wins real travel protectionsGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Read Emily St. James’ novel Woodworking about a sweet teacher-student friendship. It’s a great, easy read with good vibes and interesting characters.  Read the Stories.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Donald D. Gilliam, Co-Founder, Critical Collective, LLC and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about intersex justice, inclusive healthcare, women redefining leadership, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Europe finally shows up for intersex rightsNew York puts dignity in cancer caree.l.f. Beauty claps back for inclusionRelooted lets Africa take its treasures backChurch of England finally gets a her-story momentGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Want some hope? Watch Famous Last Words on Netflix, featuring Jane Goodall. Also, it’s Indigenous People’s Day, a great day to watch North of North on Netflix.Donald’s GVTG: Stay unconventional. You will still be okay. Whatever you define as typical, think about another side to that queue, and be that. We need more color in the world. Read the Stories.Connect with Donald D. Gilliam and here. Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Maria Gallucci (she/her), Award-winning realtor and proud CODA and I recap the latest 5 Things: Good Vibes in DEI. This week our conversation is about Deaf athletes smashing barriers, Target’s accessible checkout, Costa Rica’s trans political breakthrough, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Deaf athletes smash barriers on the courtTarget finally gets checkout rightCosta Rica votes for trans visibilitySesame Street hugs military kidsWalmart cuts the color—literallyGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch some of Zarna Garg’s stand up comedy. She has two hilarious specials on Hulu, including this year’s Practical People Win. I like it when people don’t take themselves or their cultures too seriously. Maria’s GVTG: Try to love everybody…and support the LGBTQ+ community through your local LGBTQ center. More at lgbtqcenters.org.Read the Stories.Connect with Maria Gallucci.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch 5 Things Live on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Karen Coyne,  President, Clarity Planning and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about women breaking symbolic ceilings, deaf-led service innovation, transformational philanthropy, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:The Grito Gets a Gender UpgradeWhen Coffee Demands Inclusion$70 Million That Changes the EquationNASA Gets a Gender UpgradeFish Equity Isn’t Just a MetaphorGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Watch North of North on Netflix. It’s a great sitcom about an Indigenous community in Canada, created by Indigenous folks themselves and it’s just hilarious.Karen’s GVTG: October is National Financial Planning month. This means unmarried people, too! If this is you, it’s really important to do planning and estate planning in particular because we don't have the same factory defaults that a married couple has. Check out my podcast episodes with Joshua Charles, where we talked about planning considerations for unmarried folks.Read the Stories.Connect with Karen Coyne. Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Jad-Évangelo Nasser (He/Él/Lui), Global Inclusion Expert and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about ice cream without activism, bank wages hitting $25, bath bombs for trans rights, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Ice cream without activismBank wages hit $25Thailand extends pregnancy leaveBoston church confronts slavery tiesBath bombs for trans rightsGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Several major Jewish holidays start this week, including Rosh Hashana on Monday. Shanah Tovah to all who celebrate. Learn more about the Jewish holidays in this LinkedIn post by our friends at Seva Global. Jad-Évangelo’s GVTG: Travel more and make a new friend as an adult! Read the Stories.Connect with Jad-Évangelo NasserCheck out Jad’s TEDx Talk. Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Rachel Shaw (she/her), President at Shaw HR Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about beer with a braille bonus, child care goes universal, rainbow door opening at the Vatican, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Beer with a Braille BonusFree Tuition, Priceless AccessFull Bellies, Full FuturesChild Care Goes UniversalRainbow Door Opens at VaticanGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Read the novel Anita de Monte Laughs Last by Xochitl Gonzalez. It’s a delightful book that is being adapted by Eva Longoria for film.Rachel’s GVTG: On social media, follow people who spread joy. Share their messages and cultivate an algorithm of positivity. Read the Stories.Connect with Rachel Shaw and on socials @officialrachelshaw Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Julie Kratz (she/her), founder of Next Pivot Point and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about honoring disability justice with a new quarter, building groundbreaking housing for adults with autism, tackling Denmark’s reading crisis, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Rolling change into historyAutism housing breaks the moldGig workers want more than “flexibility”Where kids don’t have to hideDenmark takes the tax off readingGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Looking for some fresh data to promote LGBTQ+ inclusion efforts? The Human Rights Campaign foundation reports that companies in the highest Corporate Equality Index score quartile saw average revenue growth of 12.31% over 15 years, more than double the 5.23% growth of companies in the lowest quartile. Read more here.Julie's GVTG: We need to be invite others to participate in allyship with a very clear, direct ask. They're actually waiting for the invitation.  What if we were the one to give them, with no reasons not to join. Read the Stories.Connect with Julie Kratz.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Elaine Marino (she/her/ella), Head of Corporate Social Responsibility, Meltwater and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paid leave for period pain, rocking true access in our national parks, queer rights protection in Illinois, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Portugal pays up for period painRocky Mountain rolls out real accessLive Nation finally hits inclusion notesIllinois schools the nation on queer rightsPrinceton pays up, but diversity slipsGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Looking for a light, fun TV series? Check out Acupulco on Apple TV. The dialogue is in English and Spanish and it's a great celebration of family and culture. Elaine’s GVTG: Listen to or read “Born a Crime”, Trevor Noah’s memoir. Listening to it is ideal as he is hilarious as he tells stories from his childhood growing up in South Africa.Read the Stories.Connect with Elaine Marino. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Shanna Weber from Prima Consulting and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about flushing bathroom bans, rolling out southern hospitality in Spanish, designing trails for every body, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Hot Flashes Meet Hot PolicyBo-Linda Bids BienvenidosWhere Every Sense Gets a SeatBathroom Ban Flushed in Hong KongTampon Tax Tossed in MissouriGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out the The Asian American Journalists Association Style Guide, a great resource for anyone in communications.Shanna’s GVTG: Make sure that you see the superpowers in everybody throughout the day. Find the superpower in each person you meet and bring that into your life. Read the Stories.Connect with Shanna Webber.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Tom Alexander (he/him), CEO and Co-Founder at Holistic and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about paychecks getting a boost, pop stars signing for change, women running the show in baseball, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Wages Up, Bills Still DueCoffee, Prescriptions, Groceries… and AccessK-Pop, But Make It SignWomen Call the Shots in BaseballRunway Rich in Culture and CashGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: My good friend Julie Kratz has a new book! Check out We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power, where I also happen to be quoted and share a story or two. Let’s make this book a bestseller!  Tom’s GVTG: Use your notes app to create a daily log titled “People are always doing nice things for me” and add one thing every day to the bottom of the list. Scroll through the whole list every time you add for some extra good vibes!Read the Stories.Connect with Tom AlexanderSubscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Veronica Smith (she/they), Equitable research and data scientist and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week our conversation is about Barbie rocking a CGM, Brits clocking out and leveling up, and why the UK’s done being gagged by NDAs—and more!Here are this week's good vibes:UK Muzzles NDAsHamilton’s Bigger Race: Equity WinsCabs Provide a BandaidBarbie Rocks a CGMBrits Clock Out and Level UpGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out this short TED Talk: The Case for a 4 Day Workweek. You’ll be convinced!Veronica’s GVTG: Read the book Calling In: How to Start Making Change with Those You'd Rather Cancel By Loretta J Ross. Washington LGBTQ+ Survey findingsDr. Leticia NietoJulia Ismael and The Equity Consortium Read the Stories.Connect with Veronica Smith. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Celeste Warren (she/her), Diversity & Inclusion Leader, Speaker, and Author, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about Denmark drafting women, Chicago Sky blocking trolls with national security tech, H-E-B delivering to flood zones, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Denmark Drafts WomenChicago Sky Blocks TrollsAccessibility: Not Extra, It’s CultureH-E-B Delivers More Than GroceriesSinners Streams in BASLGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s Disability Pride month. For some great vibes, check out the documentary Crip Camp on Netflix. It’s about “a joyful disability revolution.” I loved it. Celeste’s GVTG: Check out Celeste’s new book, "Equity: It's Not a Dirty Word", everywhere you find books.Read the Stories.Connect with Celeste Warren.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Jim Fielding (he/him), Founder, All Pride, No Ego, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about subway voices coming out, land stewardship flipping the script, prison newsrooms making history—and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Familiar Voice, Fresh TruthAccess Isn’t Extra, It’s EssentialFrom Newsstands to MasterpiecesMiccosukee Take the Lead on LandPrison Walls, Loud VoicesGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: It’s been 10 years since marriage equality became the law of the land here in the US. Enjoy this photo gallery of celebrations. Jim’s GVTG: 200,000 people defied a ban on Pride in Budapest, Hungary by showing up to resist. May this inspire you.Read the Stories.Connect with Jim Fielding.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Julian Newman (he/him), Founder & CEO of FutureCast, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about standing ovations in leotards, women making spy history,  Fridays off for Dubai government workers, and more!Here are this week's good vibes:Pay, Finally, Catches the Pom-PomsJersey Says: Show Us the MoneySpyglass Ceiling: Shattered at LastThe World’s Most Inclusive GymDubai Ditches Fridays (For Some)Good Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Laugh a little! Check out Atsuko Okatsuka’s new standup special, Father, on Hulu. Julian’s GVTG: Life advice…”You don't have to be one to stand with." That means it doesn't have to be your lived experience to stand with somebody else who has a different lived experience. If somebody is in another lane and doesn't mean that you can't step out of your lane to be able to provide support for them. It doesn't rob me of my authenticity to be able to stand with somebody who has a different story than me. And it doesn't undermine my support because I do.Read the Stories.Connect with Julian Newman or his website. Check out his book Beautiful Together! Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Randi Bryant (she/her), DEI Revolutionist, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about paid leave that actually gets it, fertility wins on the court, rides without the tech headaches, CEOs handing out banana permission slips, and more!Here Are This Week’s Good Vibes:Colorado Doubles Down for NICU ParentsWTA Serves Up Fertility FlexibilityRides, Not Roadblocks: Uber Designs for AgingGo Bananas or Go HomeGraduated With Honors, Then DeniedGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: This week is Juneteenth. Check out this very educational podcast, Democracy: A Juneteenth Celebration. Randi’s GVTG: Read the book Black AF History: he Un-Whitewashed Story of America, by Michael Harriota. Read the Stories.Connect with Randi Bryant.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
Sarah Kalmeta (she/her), Founder & Futurist, Pivot Point International, and I recap the latest 5 Things (good vibes in DEI) in just 15 minutes. This week, our conversation is about X marking a legal win, government jobs in Brazil getting a glow-up, and sensory joy on full display.Here are this week's good vibes:Feel the Music, LiterallyGreenwood Gets Its Trust FundX Marks Justice in Puerto RicoField Day, Their WayBrazil to Get a Power Boost from DiversityGood Vibes to Go: Bernadette’s GVTG: Check out and subscribe to the weekly ​​Queer News podcast, an “Ambie award-winning weekly news podcast where race & sexuality meet politics, culture and entertainment.” The show is available on YouTube and everywhere. Queer News is hosted by Anna DeShawn, a former guest on my own show.Sarah’s GVTG: A reminder that even if you tend to think that the glass is half empty, or if you think the glass is half full, it is always refillable. And you get to choose what you fill back up with. Read the Stories.Connect with Sarah Kalmeta.Subscribe to the 5 Things newsletter.Watch the show on YouTube. Join thousands of readers by subscribing to the 5 Things newsletter. Enjoy some good vibes every Saturday morning. https://5thingsdei.com/
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