Toya Talks Podcast
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© 2025 Toya Talks Podcast
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Toya Talks is where culture, courage, and career collide.
Created for Black women first and inclusive of allies, this podcast unpacks the realities of the workplace through the lens of culture, life, and global events. From pay gaps and strikes to leadership, politics, and authenticity, each episode explores how the world around us shapes the way we live and the way we work.
Toya goes beyond surface conversations to deliver bold truths, necessary lessons, and unapologetic strategies that empower listeners to navigate the workplace with clarity and courage.
If you’re ready to rethink work, reclaim your brilliance, and be part of conversations that matter, this is your space.
Toya Talks: Bold truths. Real strategy. For us all.
194 Episodes
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Send us a text A poll shock, a policy gamble, a courtroom reckoning, and a boundary that saves a life this episode traces how power, data, culture, and healing collide. We open with a blunt read on fresh numbers putting Nigel Farage within striking distance and ask the tougher question: when the main parties feel unmoored, how do we vote with integrity rather than despair? That thread pulls straight into Keir Starmer’s renewed digital ID push. We unpack the Tony Blair Institute’s influence, t...
Send us a text Ever wondered why that mentor relationship isn't yielding results? The harsh truth is that many mentoring relationships fail to deliver actual career advancement especially for Black women. In this candid episode, we unpack why traditional mentorship often falls short and what true strategic mentoring should look like. It's not about inspirational coffee chats or vague encouragement; it's about someone with genuine influence opening doors that would otherwise remain close...
Send us a text In a world where your voice can be weaponized against you, knowing when to speak and when to stand firm in silence becomes a crucial skill. This episode unpacks the delicate balance of self-advocacy in both professional settings and wider society, where particularly for Black women, calculated strategy often proves more powerful than reactive responses. Toya introduces her groundbreaking "Three Pillars of Career Protection" framework, a comprehensive system of documentation th...
Send us a text The Transport for London strikes have sparked heated debate, but before rushing to judgment, we need to examine why workers feel forced to take such actions. When peaceful protest options are systematically limited and negotiations fail, strikes become the necessary tool for demanding fair treatment. These workers form the backbone of our infrastructure – shouldn't their compensation reflect that essential role? This week I share a conversation with a colleague that exposed a ...
Send us a text Ever notice how Black women are expected to win quietly? In this powerful return episode, I dive into the recent tennis court confrontation between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko that perfectly captures what many of us experience daily – being told we're "low class" or "uneducated" when we succeed, then being praised for our composure when we don't react to blatant disrespect. The tennis incident serves as a mirror to workplace dynamics where Black women face impossible ...
Send us a text The pendulum swings wildly from political upheaval to celebrity downfalls in this packed episode examining how power, race, and identity shape our experiences in an increasingly chaotic world. Jeremy Corbyn's dramatic political resurrection with his new "Your Party" has sparked hope for those disillusioned with mainstream UK politics, gaining 200,000 members overnight and highlighting the desperate need for genuine representation. Meanwhile, the shocking ethnicity pay gap stat...
Send us a text We live in a society that's quick to label inequality as "the way things are" rather than confronting the systemic barriers that keep certain communities locked in cycles of disadvantage. The recent UK High Court ruling that 20% VAT on private school fees is lawful isn't just about taxation – it's about working-class families making extraordinary sacrifices because they've been failed by an educational system that desperately needs complete overhaul, not just additional financi...
Send us a text The technological revolution isn't coming—it's already here, dismantling traditional business models and reshaping our economic landscape before our eyes. McKinsey's recent firing of 10% of its workforce, openly blaming AI disruption, signals a profound shift that extends far beyond consultancies. This episode dives deep into how artificial intelligence is fundamentally altering employment prospects across all sectors. Bill Gates predicts 80% of job losses within a decade, mak...
Send us a text Ever felt like you're navigating a world that wasn't built for your success? This deeply personal episode unravels the complex journey of achieving professional excellence while wrestling with life's most challenging transitions. I'm celebrating passing an international certification with distinction – an achievement that came while balancing new motherhood, marriage, and career demands. This victory wasn't just academic; it represented overcoming postpartum depression, therap...
Send us a text The astronomical cost of living in the UK creates a bleak reality for citizens as April brings increased prices for essentials while personal tax allowances remain frozen. Black women face unique challenges navigating workplaces where excellence is met with discrimination and career sabotage from colleagues threatened by our success. • The weight loss journey after childbirth requires discipline and sustainable lifestyle changes rather than quick fixes • Natalie B Fitness's wo...
Send us a text The insidious nature of the glass cliff phenomenon stands as a stark reality for Black women in professional spaces, creating a precarious balancing act between opportunity and setup. While many understand the concept of the glass ceiling, fewer recognize how Black women are strategically positioned at the edge of organizational precipices, handed leadership roles specifically during times of crisis when the probability of failure looms large. This episode dissects how organiz...
Send us a text We dive deep into the emotional labour often required of Black women in workplaces, discussing the weight of conforming and masking one’s struggles. The episode promotes the radical idea of saying no—an act of self-love and preservation—and invites listeners to prioritise their mental wellness above all. Listeners will also gain insights into the importance of financial literacy, debunking misconceptions surrounding personal tax responsibilities and empowering individua...
Send us a text In this episode, we share powerful insights on how strategic patience and authenticity can transform workplace challenges into victories. With the backdrop of recent Grammy wins by Black artists like Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar, we celebrate their monumental achievements and explore their cultural impact, all while empowering listeners to remain true to themselves in diverse environments. Across the pond, we tackle the intricacies of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in th...
Send us a text Staring down the tangled web of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in powerhouse corporations like Microsoft, McDonald's, Ford, and Meta, we make a bold claim: Corporate DEI initiatives often amount to little more than hollow gestures, failing to make meaningful change. We dissect the aftermath of George Floyd's murder, scrutinising how it prompted a wave of DEI pledges that often fall short of translating into actionable progress. Through personal narratives and candid ana...
Send us a text The episode unveils critical insights into the obstacles Black Women face in the workplace, particularly regarding the impact of white colleagues on their career trajectories. Through discussions on a Harvard study, workplace dynamics, and alarming revelations from a BBC investigation into McDonald's exploitation of young workers, the dialogue urges a reevaluation of systemic biases and the need for more supportive work environments. • Discussion of the Harvard study examining...
Send us a text This episode explores the cultural complexities underlying the case of Marcus Fakana, who faces prison time in Dubai under challenging circumstances involving consent and legality. It prompts a broader discussion about the importance of understanding cultural norms. Additionally, we discuss the distinction between living and existing, the prevalence of coffee badging in modern workplaces, and the growing issue of fake job / ghost listings that candidates must navigate. • Dis...
Send us a text End of year wrap up 2024. Sponsorships - Email me: hello@toyatalks.com Cc: toyawashington10@gmail.com TikTok: toya_washington Twitter: @toya_w (#ToyaTalksPodcast) Snapchat: @toyawashington Instagram: @toya_washington & @toya_talks www.toyatalks.com https://toyatalks.com/ Music (Intro and Outro) Written and created by Nomadic Star Stationary Company: Sistah Scribble Instagram: @sistahscribble Website: www.sistahscribble.com
Send us a text Racial abuse and exhaustion are not just buzzwords but lived realities for Black women in the workplace. Join us as we mark the four-year journey of the Toya Talks podcast, reflecting on the emotional and societal challenges that Black Women continually face. We underscore the importance of community support, vigilance, and documentation as essential tools in the fight for dignity and respect. Witness the power of community mobilization in action, highlighted through the story...
Send us a text Exhaustion, stress, and societal pressure often push us beyond our limits. But what if acknowledging burnout could change your life? Join me as I share my personal journey through the demanding terrain of professional fatigue, exploring how it manifested physically and emotionally, and how a timely holiday to Dubai became a turning point. We delve into the unique struggles black women face in the workplace, the difficult balance of rest and responsibility, and the societal pres...
Send us a text Rethinking Networking and Inclusivity in Tech Events Networking within the tech industry, especially at events targeted at the Black community, often feels more like a social affair than a professional gathering. We voice our skepticism about the effectiveness of these events and advocate for more inclusive and meaningful opportunities that align with the true professional aspirations of attendees. Highlighting the lack of Black representation in senior leadership, we e...
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