S5 EP08: How to Reclaim Your Time, and Protect Your Energy, When Promoting DEI

S05 EP08 - Episode Image Sonya Dreizler - TW_FB.png

In this episode, Rianka reconnects with Sonya Dreizler, CEO at Solutions With Sonya, to discuss combating trolls, the power of intentional networking and the case for marrying our personal and professional lives together.

In season 2, the pair originally spoke on the podcast about practicing dynamic allyship, with co-guest Arlene Moss. As the two review the past few seasons and the growth that has occurred since, they quickly turn to the issue of trolling in the DEI space. Rianka shares how a poem by Theodore Roosevelt, The Man in the Arena, helped her move past the negativity and continue to push forward on the educational journey.

Rianka and Sonya discuss how they protect their energy against trolling, and Rianka shares how building a muscle memory around blocking negativity helps through the harder days. Sonya shares a particular public incident that potentially impacted attracting future clients, but also sharpened the focus of the clients she wants to attract.

Sonya reflects on how in her previous career, separating her personal and business lives had been a tiring process. When she started her newsletter she began to branch off and found ways to marry the two concepts together by shedding compliance-speak to better serve clients.

On the topic of intentional networking, Sonya shares how listening to a variety of voices, especially those most impacted by the problem you’re trying to solve.

When addressing the issue of representation in conferences, Sonya shares that intentional networking can help this problem, as well as bringing these critical issues outside of breakout sessions and onto center stage.