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Why Bitcoin?
I often get asked why I choose to discuss Bitcoin on a podcast about diversity and inclusion. The short answer is: wealth and income inequalities are barriers to inclusion. Most people who work in D&I are aware of the systemic nature of wealth and income gaps. However, finding a solution that is accessible to everyone and empowers the individual has proven difficult… until Bitcoin!
Whether you’re a skeptic, new, experienced or on your learning journey, tune in and listen to the stories of regular people from around the world on their Bitcoin journeys. Send me an email - saidah@fosterinclusion.com - if you would like to be on an episode! Even if you do not believe in Bitcoin’s potential, I would love to have you on to express your views :-)
Donate fractions of a bitcoin (a few satoshis ;-))
on-chain with BTCPay…
… or on the Lightning network with tippin.me
Episode 16: El Salvador
In this episode, the Hubby and I answer questions about our trip to El Salvador while sipping on Cihuatan, a local rum.
We cover how El Zonte has influenced our views on Bitcoin, traveling with a two-year old and so much more.
The timing of this episode is pretty cool because Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, is currently hosting 32 central banks and 12 financial authorities from 44 countries to discuss financial inclusion and how Bitcoin can benefit their countries. Most, if not all participants, are from the Global South and Asia.
Shout out to Roman, Chimbera, Martinez, for allowing us to tag along at Hope House and to Satsminded and all the Bitcoiners we met for being so cool and welcoming.
Visit @fosterinclusion on Instagram and Twitter to see photos and videos of our trip. (For those who still believe that you can’t use bitcoin to buy coffee, I filmed a brief video demonstrating that it is indeed possible. I paid 3000 sats for a bag of ground coffee.)
Stay connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaidahGomez & https://twitter.com/fosterinclusion
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterinclusion/
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Episode 15: BankBlackUSA.org with Jonathan Logan
In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Jonathan Logan of the Cowrie Initiative and BankBlackUSA.
Their mission is to promote financial advocacy in Black communities and build upon the work of past generations to level the playing field and close the racial wealth gap. Jonathan shares why there’s a need for black banking services in the US, what it’s like to be unbanked or underbanked in a developed country, and so much more. Of course, we discuss Bitcoin and how its accessibility helps to foster financial inclusion.
The Cowrie Initiative - http://cowrieinitiative.org/
BankBlackUSA - https://bankblackusa.org/
Connect with Jonathan: https://twitter.com/nagolnoj
Stay Connected: Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fosterinclusion & https://twitter.com/saidahgomez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterinclusion
SUBSCRIBE to the Foster Inclusion Podcast: https://anchor.fm/fosterinclusion
Music credit: Sherwin Maxino
Episode 14: Bitcoin Across Borders with Sherwin Maxino
In this episode, Sherwin Maxino joins me to discuss Bitcoin across borders.
Sherwin was an amateur boxer, musician and nurse. He recently retired from nursing in New York, and is moving to the Philippines to begin bitcoin mining.
Connect with Sherwin:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sherwinmaxino
Stay connected:
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fosterincl... & https://twitter.com/saidahgomez
SUBSCRIBE to the Foster Inclusion Podcast: https://anchor.fm/fosterinclusion
Music credit: Sherwin Maxino
Episode 13: Panties for Bitcoin!
In this episode, I interview Pablo from Panties for Bitcoin. Panties for Bitcoin is a family-run company that produces gorgeous, high-quality undergarments designed in Montreal, and made in Italy. They ship to customers in the US and Canada. I’ve had the opportunity to wear their garments and they are very comfortable, well made, and high quality.
Throughout the interview, we discuss:
Incorporating Bitcoin in your business model, Pablo's Bitcoin journey, and managing uncertainty.
Pablo is an amazing person to know, with an incredible story. Between navigating hyperinflation in Argentina, relocating his family to a new country and adapting to a new culture, surviving a serious illness, and of course running his company, he has more experience dealing with uncertainty than most of us will ever have!
Connect with Panties for Bitcoin:
Instagram: @pantiesforbitcoin
Twitter: @pantiesBitcoin
Website: https://www.pantiesforbitcoin.com/
Stay connected:
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Twitter: @fosterinclusion or @saidahgomez
Instagram: @fosterinclusion
Episode 12: Bitcoin in the Caribbean with Rohan Smith - Extended Version
This is the extended version of my 'Bitcoin in the Caribbean' conversation with Rohan Smith, a software developer from Jamaica who is based in Scarborough, Tobago. If you have already listened to the edited version (Episode 11), skip to the 50-minute mark of this episode to hear the rest of our conversation about relationships, love, spirituality, giving, food, and so much more. --- If you are based in the Caribbean, care about saving your money and maintaining purchasing power in the face of inflation, this episode is for you! Rohan shares: how he got into Bitcoin, a simplified analogy to understand why bitcoin's value goes up with time, how to acquire bitcoin in the Caribbean, and tips on what to expect if you're new to Bitcoin.
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If you are based in the Caribbean, care about saving your money and maintaining purchasing power in the face of inflation, this episode is for you! Rohan shares: how he got into Bitcoin, a simplified analogy to understand why bitcoin's value goes up with time, how to acquire bitcoin in the Caribbean, and tips on what to expect if you're new to Bitcoin.
Connect with Rohan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/frazras
Stay Connected
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fosterinclusion and https://twitter.com/saidahgomez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterinclusion
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Listen on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fosterinclusion/episode 12
Episode 11: Bitcoin in the Caribbean with Rohan Smith
If you are based in the Caribbean, this episode is definitely for you! Rohan Smith, a software developer from Jamaica based in Scarborough, Tobago, joins me to discuss Bitcoin in the Caribbean. If you care about saving your money and maintaining purchasing power in the face of inflation listen in! Rohan shares: how he got into Bitcoin, a simplified analogy to understand why bitcoin goes up in value with time, how to acquire bitcoin in the Caribbean, and tips on what to expect if you’re new to Bitcoin. If you're interested in hearing our conversation go beyond Bitcoin - we speak about relationships, love, spirituality, giving, food, and so much more - download Episode 12, the extended version of this episode. You can skip to the 50-minute mark to pick up where this conversation ends.
Connect with Rohan on Twitter: https://twitter.com/frazras
Stay Connected:
Twitter: https://twitter.com/fosterinclusion and https://twitter.com/saidahgomez
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fosterinclusion
Listen on Anchor: https://anchor.fm/fosterinclusion/episodes/Episode-11-Bitcoin-in-the-Caribbean-with-Rohan-Smith-e1afcp4
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Episode 10: Mass Media & Social Hierarchy
In this episode, Dr. Cheryl Thompson and Henry Gomez join me to discuss the correlation between media and our social hierarchy.
Dr. Thompson is an Assistant Professor at Ryerson University, The Creative School. She has authored two books: “Uncle: Race, Nostalgia, and the Politics of Loyalty”, and “Beauty in a Box: Detangling the Roots of Canada’s Black Beauty Culture”. Dr Thompson is also my fellow Cedarbrae Collegiate Alum and former Basketball teammate!
Henry Gomez is an educator, recording artist, entertainer, and life-long learner. He also has a talent for predicting the future. (Many, many, many years ago, before the Kardashians were a thing, he predicted there’d be a market for butt implants!) Henry is also a Cedarbrae Collegiate Alum, having taught there for over a decade.
We discuss the history and evolution of mass media, how our social hierarchy is evolving in the digital age, and of course Bitcoin makes its way into the discussion because it’s difficult to discuss our social hierarchy without talking about money.
Connect with Dr. Cheryl Thompson:
Website: DrCherylThompson.com
Twitter: @DrCherylT
Connect with Henry Gomez:
Twitter: @RealKingCosmos
Stay connected:
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Website: fosterinclusion.com
Twitter: @fosterinclusion
Twitter: @saidahgomez
Episode 9: Newly Swissed & Soon to be Swissed with Victoria Genecand
This is a special episode to celebrate Swiss National Day on 1 August!
I recently became a Swiss citizen at the beginning of the year. Sitting in on this episode is Victoria Genecand, who moved to Switzerland in 2015 and is currently undergoing the citizenship process. Victoria was born and raised in Brazil and lived in California before moving to Geneva.
Join us as we chat about adapting to Swiss life and our motivations for wanting to become citizens.
Where to find Victoria:
Instagram &Twitter: @ VICTORIAGNCD
Stay connected:
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Twitter & Instagram: @fosterinclusion
Website: https://fosterinclusion.com/podcast-1
Episode 8: Financial Inclusion - Bitcoin Birr & Bitcoin Nakfa with Kal Kassa
In this episode, I discuss Financial Inclusion in Ethiopia and Eritrea with Kal Kassa of Bitcoin Birr & Bitcoin Nakfa.
I first became aware of Kal in an article called Check Your Financial Privilege by Alex Gladstein for Bitcoin Magazine. Kal is in the media business and a daily user of bitcoin using the lightning network. After studying at Chapman University, he returned to his native Ethiopia where he began his career in Business Advisory for privatization clients making investments into the country. Today, Kal manages various bitcoin-centric initiatives between San Jose, Austin, and Addis Ababa. Bitcoin Birr and Bitcoin Nakfa have received millions of satoshis in donations from NFL player Russell Okung and Ray Youssef, CEO of Paxful.
Join us for this entertaining look into financial inclusion and how the lightning network facilitates small, cross-border transactions.
Where to Find Kal, Bitcoin Birr and Bitcoin Nakfa:
Website: https://github.com/BitcoinBirr
Social Media:
References:
Check Your Financial Privilege: https://bitcoinmagazine.com/culture/check-your-financial-privilege
Bitcoin Legal Tender Ethiopia: https://www.change.org/p/ministry-of-finance-and-economic-development-bitcoin-legal-tender-for-ethiopia
Stay Connected: Is there a topic you'd like to have covered on the podcast? Send me an email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com.
Websites: https://fosterinclusion.com/podcast-1 & https://anchor.fm/fosterinclusion
Social Media: @fosterinclusion (please note that the Twitter handle has changed)
Episode 7: Baby Boomers, “Minorities”, Stereotypes & Lifelong Learning with Henry Gomez
My dad is sitting in on this episode!
I invited him on after receiving feedback from my previous episode – Bitcoin Wisdom for Busy People with Ashley Chen. Many found the episode insightful. I also received feedback saying Bitcoin does not foster inclusion because it’s not accessible to “minorities” or older people may not “get it”.
I figure my father, a baby boomer in his 70s, and “minority”, would be a good person to talk to.
In this episode, we talk about lifelong learning, managing negative stereotypes, multiculturalism in Trinidad and Tobago vs. Canada and so much more!
Please be advised that racial epithets are used in this episode.
Stay Connected: Is there a topic you'd like to have covered on the podcast? Would you like to be a guest?
Link to episode on Anchor
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Website: https://fosterinclusion.com/
Twitter: @saidahgomez
Expat Immigrant: Interview with Saidah Gomez-Fleury
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I made an appearance on the Expat Immigrant Podcast!
Episode notes:
Hi everyone!!
We are so pleased to welcome to this week’s podcast our first ever guest, Saidah Gomez-Fleury! She is an Expat Immigrant living in Geneva and is the founder of a consultancy specialising in diversity and inclusion, called Foster Inclusion. Visit Saidah’s website here: https://fosterinclusion.com/
We had an incredibly interesting conversation with Saidah. We discussed her experience studying abroad and what ultimately brought her to Switzerland, the work she does through her company, Foster Inclusion and her advice to new businesses hoping to consider D&I from the start of their journey. Nat shares her recent experience of a racist encounter with a beauty shop and gets Saidah’s perspective on the story.
Saidah also lets us know what she loves about Switzerland and what she misses about her home town of Toronto, Canada. Can someone please bring a roti shop to Geneva?! Thanks!! 🤣🤣
We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!!
Follow Saidah on twitter: https://twitter.com/SaidahGomez
Email us at expatimmigrat@gmail.com
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/expatimmigrant
Twitter: https://twitter.com/expatimmigrant
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLiRxQKF9QXq4mFcSI5GfFA
Kat Insta: https://www.instagram.com/katallthat1
Nat Insta: https://www.instagram.com/tunefultv/
#ExpatImmigrant Podcast is hosted by Kat and Nat, two British sisters living abroad in France. Our podcast is based on sister conversations to amuse, encourage and inspire you. We’re here to accompany you through the highs and lows of the Expat Immigrant existence. Consider us as a home away from home.
Tune in for general girl chat, fun, laughter, language learning, answering dilemmas and our own accounts of our experiences navigating life and pursuing a “belle vie” overseas.
Episode 6: Bitcoin Wisdom for Busy People with Ashley Chen
In this episode, I interview Ashley Chen from BitcoinWisdomforBusyPeople.com.
I met Ashley in 2018 at the Crypto Valley Conference in Zug, Switzerland.
Ashley's an engineer-turned-marketer, specialising in bridging the communication gap between technology and everyday people in diverse cultural and societal contexts. Her experience includes executing multilingual campaigns for Australia’s largest telco and working in Switzerland’s Crypto Valley on a prominent blockchain project. She grew up and was educated in a multicultural environment in Australia and is fluid between different cultures, speaking English and Chinese Mandarin.
Ashley now dedicates her time and energy to helping the global Chinese-speaking community learn about Bitcoin. Her company is an authorized Bitbox02 hardware wallet reseller in Asia.
Where to find Ashley:
Twitter: @BTCWisdom4BP
Website (English & traditional Chinese): https://www.bitcoinwisdomforbusypeople.com
Stay Connected: Is there a topic you'd like to have covered on the podcast? Would you like to be a guest?
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Website: https://fosterinclusion.com/
Twitter: @saidahgomez
Episode 5: At the Intersection of Hair & Blockchain Technology
In this episode, I interview South African entrepreneur Pretty Kubyane of Coronet Blockchain. After 36 months of supply chain analysis, Pretty is using Blockchain technology to transform the USD 7 Billion hair extension industry, and help her retail customers capture greater value. She has managed to grow her revenues to USD 2 Million per year in a relatively short period of time, and she is just getting started.
Join us to learn about Pretty's journey into entrepreneurship, the complex supply chain of hair extensions and weaves, and much more!
Where to find Pretty and Coronet Blockchain:
Website: https://www.coronetblockchain.com/
Twitter: @CoronetAfrica
Twitter: @PrettyKubuyane
LinkedIn: https://za.linkedin.com/in/pretty-kub...
Stay connected: Is there a topic you'd like to have covered on the podcast? Would you like to be a guest?
Website: https://fosterinclusion.com/
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Twitter: @saidahgomez
Episode 4: Bitcoin & Identity - A Conversation with my French Husband, Part DEUX
In this episode of the Foster Inclusion Podcast, my husband and I continue with our candid and casual conversation about Bitcoin and identity.
He's French and from a traditional background. I'm Canadian (anglophone) and from a diverse background. We are a "mixed couple" from multiple perspectives and our differences make for engaging conversations!
He sips beer while I enjoy Prosecco. Our speech gets a little slurred from time to time but we manage to share how our identities and experiences contribute to our Bitcoin curiosity.
Stay Connected!
Website: https://fosterinclusion.com/
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Twitter: @saidahgomez
Episode 3: Bitcoin & Identity - A Conversation with my French Husband, Part UN
In this episode of the Foster Inclusion Podcast, my husband and I engage in a candid and casual conversation about Bitcoin and identity.
He's French and from a traditional background. I'm Canadian (anglophone) and from a diverse background. We are a "mixed couple" from multiple perspectives and our differences make for engaging conversations!
He sips beer while I enjoy Prosecco. Our speech gets a little slurred from time to time but we manage to share how our identities and experiences contribute to our Bitcoin curiosity.
Stay Connected!
Website: https://fosterinclusion.com/
Email: saidah@fosterinclusion.com
Twitter: @saidahgomez
Episode 2: The Top Diversity & Inclusion Stories of 2020
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In this episode, I discuss the top diversity and inclusion stories of 2020. They include, the murder of George Floyd and the corporate response to it, "diversity washing", Pope Francis, Kamala Harris and more.
Episode 1: The Dimensions of Diversity & Reflective Leadership
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In this first episode of the Foster Inclusion Podcast, I discuss why diversity usually refers to women, people of colour and members of the LGBTQ+ community; why business leaders need to focus on diversity and inclusion; and some points of reflection.
Foster Inclusion Podcast: Trailer
Touch / Click on the image to listen to the trailer!