Outside Voice
Spotify Studios
“DE&I” isn’t a box for businesses to check. When everyone in the boardroom is invited to speak, inclusion becomes a superpower that leads to long-term success. Host Zakiya Gibbons sits down with creative and advertising-industry leaders whose inspiring work amplifies marginalized voices and proves the awesome power of inclusion.
Mickey Guyton on Resilience, Community and Advocacy
Groundbreaking musician Mickey Guyton has altered the landscape of country music with empowering anthems that address issues of race and gender in America. But her journey as a Black woman in the mostly white and male genre has never been easy. Zakiya has a candid conversation with the celebrated artist about the challenges she’s faced, the strength she’s found in community, and her hopes for a more inclusive future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Mike Jackson on the Art of Empowered Storytelling
As partner of Get Lifted Film Co. and host of the Why Not Me? podcast, Mike Jackson’s mission is bringing inspiring, multicultural stories to life. Zakiya sits down with the accomplished creative to discuss his most impactful projects, lessons learned from his professional journey, and the power of self belief. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Lisette Arsuaga on Why DEI Marketing Still Wins
As co-founder of DMI Consulting and AIMM (Alliance for Inclusive and Multicultural Marketing), Lisette Arsuaga has spent her entire career helping brands understand and embrace the power of inclusion. Now, as several major brands begin to roll back their diversity initiatives and marketing efforts, Lisette explains why those that continue to lead with inclusion will win in the long run. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Vineet Mehra on Disrupting the Industry
Chime CMO Vineet Mehra is regarded as one of the marketing world’s most influential leaders for good reason. In this insightful and inspiring episode, Mehra discusses how his disruptive mindset has boosted his businesses, the secrets of successful brand building, and the leadership qualities that remain core to his success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Fernando Machado on the Creative Power of Diversity
Visionary global marketer Fernando Machado has helped shape some of the industry’s most iconic and inclusive campaigns. The trailblazing leader sits down with Zakiya to discuss the impact of his pioneering work and why inclusive thinking always improves creative output. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Brandi Pitts on the Business of Inclusive Beauty
This week, the podcast gets a major glow up with the help of Brandi Pitts, Ulta Beauty’s senior VP of brand marketing and media. Pitts sits down with Zakiya to discuss the personal experiences that inspired her career in beauty, the ways brands like Ultra are working to make the industry more inclusive, and why when it comes to lip combos, more is more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Evita Robinson on Finding Freedom, Purpose and Community Through Travel
Globetrotting ex-pat Evita Robinson is the founder of Nomadness, a thriving community of Black and Brown travelers that is disrupting the tourism industry. In this episode, the award-winning storyteller discusses how her passion-born business has helped to empower thousands of BIPOC tourists and give the broader travel industry a lesson in leading with authenticity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Bobby Carter on Making Tiny Desk Concerts Huge
As the executive producer of NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, Bobby Carter has transformed the series into a cultural behemoth with massive impact on artists and fans alike. This week, the HBCU grad sits down with Zakiya to discuss how his personal music passion guided his professional journey, how his vision helped the once-fledgling series become a phenomenon, and why it’s become his mission to give Black music’s under-appreciated voices their flowers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit
Shaina Zafar on Bringing Gen Z Into the Board Room
Few executives understand the power, importance and potential of Gen Z quite like JUV Consulting co-founder and CMO, Shaina Zafar. This week, Zakiya leads the 23-year-old wunderkind through a wide-ranging discussion that reveals Zafar’s POV on community building, partnership development and why it’s crucial for brands to have more Gen Z voices at their tables. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
John Legend on Leading with Equity
EGOT-winning R&B superstar John Legend is known for his chart-topping hits — but the pop culture multi-hyphenate also knows a thing or two about building a successful business. In this exciting episode, Zakiya sits down with the legendary performer to discuss the connection between his musical and entrepreneurial pursuits and how equity sits at the core of his many projects. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Tiffany R. Warren on Rising Up and Reaching Back
As CEO and co-founder of the ADCOLOR organization, Tiffany R. Warren has spent almost two decades helping to make the creative and marketing industry a safer space for people of color. Zakiya caught up with the Sony Music exec at this year’s Cannes Lions festival to discuss the philosophies behind her empowering work, her vision for a more inclusive future and how we set the next generation up for success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Jiah Choi & Jason White on Creating Inclusive Advertising
Jiah and Jason, co-presidents of the mighty Wieden + Kennedy advertising agency, discuss the creative process and inclusive principles their team uses to build some of the industry’s most memorable, impactful and empowering brand campaigns. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
God-Is Rivera on Elevating and Advocating for Black Culture
Marketing maven God-Is Rivera has spent her career building strategies for some of the world's biggest brands. Zakiya guides the industry legend through a wide-ranging discussion that covers the brilliance that was Black Twitter, building brand partnerships with authenticity, the perception of policy, and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Imani Ellis on the Power of Community
Imani Ellis, the visionary behind the Creative Collective NYC and CultureCon, knows first hand that there is strength in numbers. Zakiya talks to the inspirational founder and CEO about building a safe space for Black professionals, the power of community and the importance of believing in yourself. "Whenever someone tells me I can’t do something, it’s like fuel to me," Imani says. "I’m like, no — you just can’t see it.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoic
This is Outside Voice
A new podcast from Spotify. New episodes drop every Thursday. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Xavier ‘X’ Jernigan on Giving Spotify’s AI DJ Its Voice
Xavier ‘X’ Jernigan is Head of Cultural Partnerships at Spotify, but most recognize him as the voice behind the platform’s personalized AI DJ playlists. In our inaugural episode, X discusses his role in shaping the celebrated product feature, why it connects so deeply with users across the globe, and how inclusion was part of DJ’s DNA from the very beginning. “I find a great sense of purpose in [AI DJ],” X says. “Whatever you like is ok. I want you to feel seen.” Learn more about your a