Say More with Tulaine Montgomery Season 1
Hosted by Tulaine Montgomery, entrepreneur, activist, musician, and CEO of the venture philanthropy firm New Profit, Say More brings together influential leaders from different races, generations, and sectors for radically candid, action-oriented, and joyful conversations around how we can design and build a thriving society.
November 21, 2023Season 1 Episode 1: The Irony of Multiracial America with Karla Monterroso
America is increasingly becoming multiracial. But our institutions haven’t caught up to this reality. In our episode of Say More with Tulaine Montgomery, Karla and Tulaine talk about this irony.
Karla Monterroso is CEO of Brava Leaders, a nonprofit that coaches organizations to support underrepresented leaders. Today, she speaks about the challenges in our multiracial reality, especially what people of color face in climbing up the ladders of power.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
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Thank You for Being Late: An Optimist’s Guide to Thriving in the Age of Accelerations by Thomas L. Friedman
Season 1 Episode 2: Talent is Equally Distributed but Opportunity is Not with Cheryl Dorsey
Tulaine’s conversation with Cheryl Dorsey, the President of Echoing Green, was recorded on the third anniversary of George Floyd’s murder. It was a perfect opportunity to reflect on how far America has come to fulfilling its promises of racial equity.
Cheryl speaks about the barriers to entry people of color face and how these very leaders are overcoming the odds and paving the way toward a better America.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Book: Freedom Dreams: The Black Radical Imagination by Robin Kelley
- Eyes on the Prize – 14 part documentary by Henry Hampton.
- Book: Between the World and Me, Tanahashi Coates
Season 1 Episode 3: Can the American Dream Deliver on its Promise? with John Friedman
The American Dream –the idea that anyone can succeed regardless of their background– often feels just like that, a dream.
Today I speak with John Friedman, an economist and Co-Director of Opportunity Insights. John explains the barriers to opportunity that under-resourced communities face, and why removing these can improve the American economy. He also tells us why social mobility is harder to achieve today.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Imprisonment rate of black Americans – PEW Research Report
- Diversifying Society’s Leaders? The Determinants and Causal Effects of Admission to Highly Selective Private Colleges – John Friedman, Raj Chetty, David Demming (Opportunity Insights)
Season 1 Episode 4: How to Love People We Disagree With with Farai Chideya
Nearly 75% of Americans think the media is increasing political polarization in this country. But our guest today, Farai Chideya, believes that journalism can actually bring us closer.
Farai is the CEO and host of the Our Body Politic podcast and senior writer at FiveThirtyEight. In this conversation, she explains how data-driven journalism and engaging with people of different opinions help her to lead with love.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
Season 1 Episode 5: What Connecting Across Generations Can Teach Us with Michael D. Smith
How can we best serve under-resourced people in America? Michael D. Smith, CEO of AmeriCorps, says real service means working WITH our communities and not FOR them.
In this episode, Michael also shares how connecting across economic class and generations can help the nation progress.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Giovanni’s Room – James Baldwin
- The Fire Next Time – James Baldwin
Season 1 Episode 6: Educational Opportunity a Myth? with Dr. Tequilla Brownie
I’m sorry to break it to you – but doing well in school doesn’t automatically create opportunities for students to succeed. The real question is, how do we ensure our students get the opportunities they deserve?
Today, Dr. Tequilla Brownie, CEO of The New Teacher Project, answers this question for us.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- ‘The Sum of Us: What Racism Costs Everyone and How We Can Prosper Together.’ – Heather McGhee
- The Opportunity Myth Report by TNTC
Season 1 Episode 7: Leadership Lessons with Dr. Carmen Rojas
Being a leader isn’t easy. Spiderman’s Uncle Ben said it best, “with great power comes great responsibility.” So you have to be ready to mess up.
Carmen Rojas, CEO of the Marguerite Casey Foundation, talks to me about the value of owning up to our mistakes and being accountable.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Freedom Is a Constant Struggle: Ferguson, Palestine, and the Foundations of a Movement – Angela Davis
- Daring Greatly – Brene Brown
- To Be Young, Gifted and Black – Lorraine Hansberry
- The Source of Self-Regard – Toni Morrison
- Angela Davis: An Autobiography
Season 1 Episode 8: Why Banning Books is Hurting Our Democracy with Heather Harding
Over the past year, there has been a 33% rise in attempts to ban books, especially those featuring characters of color or addressing LGBTQI+ themes.
As the Executive Director of the Campaign For Our Shared Future, Heather Harding tells us how teachers and schools are being threatened by extremist ideologies, as well as what we can do to fight back.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Beloved – Toni Morrison
- Dear Martin – Nic Stone
- Campaign for Our Shared Future (Website)
Season 1 Episode 9: Embracing Our Multitudes with Jimmie Briggs
Jimmie Briggs, Principal at the Skoll Foundation, is the embodiment of someone who has followed his calling while wearing multiple hats.
As a journalist, activist and philanthropist, Jimmie tells us how he is giving a mic to those who are often denied one.
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Season 1 Episode 10: What it Takes to Keep a Democracy Going with Debra Cleaver
Voter turnouts in American elections are typically low. But that’s not because Americans don’t care.
In this episode, Debra Cleaver, explains that people will vote if we make it easier for them. As the founder and CEO of Vote America, Debra helps us remain optimistic in the fight to save our democracy.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
VoteAmerica.com for more information.
Season 1 Episode 11: What’s Up with Higher Education in America? with Steven Colón
If you complete a bachelor’s degree, you’re more likely to live longer. Yet, 60% of Americans don’t have one. And skepticism about its value is growing. Steve Colón, talks about why college is worth it and how students can make the most out of their college experience.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- BottomLine.org for more information.
Season 1 Episode 12: Advancing Social Impact Chuckle by Chuckle with Negin Farsad
Policymaking isn’t enough to create real change. Impact begins with a shift in culture.
Negin Farsad, a comedian and filmmaker, talks to Tulaine about the importance of comedy in creating a foundation for social change. She also explains how comedy has helped her build bridges across identities.
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
Fake the Nation podcast with Negin Farsad
3rd Street Blackout on Apple TV