BRIDGING WORLDS: Bridging Worlds through growth, resilience, and the art of storytelling.

BRIDGING WORLDS: Bridging Worlds through growth, resilience, and the art of storytelling.

by Malcolm Carter-Harris, PhD
Season 1
Episode 10: Discovering Intimacy: A Somatic Journey
In Episode 10 of Bridging Worlds, Amanda and Dr. Malcolm speak with Samantha Morris, an ABS-certified somatic sex and relationship coach, exploring the deep connection between mind, body, intimacy, and relationships. Sam shares how her journey from fitness instructor to coaching was profoundly influenced by the isolation of the pandemic, personal relationship experiences, and a desire to help others cultivate deeper, more meaningful connections. The episode emphasizes overcoming shame, fostering psychological safety, and embracing authentic personal desires as foundations for stronger relationships, emotional resilience, and individual empowerment. www.asomaticjourney.com www.BridgingWorldsPodcast.com www.AmandaWritesConsults.com www.ApexElevates.com
Episode 9 - Beyond the Classroom: Dr. Sean Huddleston on Higher Ed & Policy Challenges
In this episode of Bridging Worlds, Dr. Malcolm and Amanda sit down with Dr. Sean Huddleston, President of Martin University, to discuss the future of higher education and its impact on workforce and community development. They explore Martin University’s mission, the challenges faced by non-traditional students, and the controversy surrounding Indiana’s state budget, which excluded funding for the institution. Dr. Huddleston shares insights on leadership, equity in education, and how universities can better serve diverse communities. www.martin.edu www.amandawritesconsults.com www.apexelevates.com
Episode 8 – Awakening Leadership with Dr. Ron Stotts
In this episode of Bridging Worlds, Dr. Ron Stotts shares how an early life crisis led him on a journey of self-discovery, mindfulness, and conscious leadership. He explores the power of psychological safety, emotional intelligence, and authenticity in transforming leaders and creating more inclusive, high-performing environments. www.ronstotts.com www.amandawritesconsultes.com www.apexelevates.com
Episode 7 - Bridging Health Equity: A Conversation with Dr. Kaz Rafia
In this episode, Dr. Kaz Rafia shares his inspiring journey as a leader in health equity, highlighting the systemic barriers to oral healthcare and the transformative power of advocacy. From expanding access to underserved communities to fostering psychological safety in teams, Dr. Rafia provides actionable insights on creating meaningful change. Join us as we explore the intersection of leadership, resilience, and equity in healthcare. www.bridgingworldspodcast.com www.amandawritesconsults.com www.apexelevates.com
Episode 6: Resilience Through the Written Word – THE WRITER’S EPISODE
In Episode 6 of Bridging Worlds, Resilience Through the Written Word, Malcolm and Amanda explore the transformative power of writing as a tool for resilience and self-discovery. Amanda, an award-winning writer and entrepreneur, shares how her life experiences—including activism, personal challenges, and creativity—have shaped her journey as a storyteller and consultant. Together, they discuss the emotional depth of her novel-in-progress, the nuances of teaching and mentoring writers, and the importance of embracing imperfection to turn life’s toughest moments into meaningful stories. www.bridgingworldspodcast.com www.amandawritesconsults.com www.apexelevates.com
Episode 4 - The Creative Bridge: World of Words and Connection
In this episode of Bridging Worlds, Dr. Malcolm and Amanda explore the transformative power of storytelling through Amanda’s journey from a childhood love of books to becoming a literature professor and transitioning to her business, Amanda Writes, Edits, and Consults. Amanda shares how storytelling shaped her creativity, helped her navigate personal challenges, and became a tool for connection and resilience. She discusses her novel-in-progress, The Undercovers, inspired by extensive research and interviews, and offers practical writing tips for staying motivated, combating perfectionism, and embracing the creative process. Dr. Malcolm ties Amanda’s experiences to the concept of learning agility—using past experiences to navigate new challenges—and highlights the role of storytelling in fostering empathy, growth, and leadership in both personal and professional spaces. The episode concludes with an invitation for listeners to join the conversation on social media via ⁠www.bridgingworldspodcast.com⁠. ⁠www.amandawritesconsults.com⁠ ⁠www.apexelevates.com
Episode 3 - From Challenges to Connection: Navigating Complexity Together
In this episode, Dr. Malcolm and Amanda explore the VUCA framework—Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity—through personal stories of navigating 9/11, the COVID-19 pandemic, and cultural challenges like their wedding dress experience. They discuss strategies such as psychological safety, resilience, and adaptability, tying these concepts to both professional and personal growth, and recommend books that reflect themes of navigating complex challenges: Caste by Isabel Wilkerson and All About Love by bell hooks. ----------- www.bridgingworldspodcast.com - Amanda Writes, Edits & Consults: https://www.amandawritesconsults.com/ - Apex Development Partners: https://apexelevates.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridging-worlds-podcast/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568511548951 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgingworldspodcast/ - BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bridgingworlds.bsky.social
Episode 2 - Cross-Cultural Reflections: How Identity Shapes Connection
In this episode, Dr. Malcolm Carter-Harris and Amanda Harris-Carter delve into how cultural differences and personal identities shape relationships, storytelling, and leadership. They share heartfelt anecdotes, including their engagement in the UK and the unique ways they honored family traditions during their wedding, highlighting how their diverse backgrounds influenced their connection. The couple reflects on how cross-cultural experiences, from Detroit and Philadelphia to global travels, shaped their perspectives and strengthened their adaptability. Amanda discusses the transformative power of storytelling in fostering empathy and understanding, particularly in her creative writing workshops, while Malcolm connects these insights to leadership, emphasizing psychological safety and emotional intelligence. The episode closes with reflections on bridging worlds through empathy, adaptability, and authentic storytelling, along with a special mention of their newly named theme song, Between Frequencies. ----------- - Amanda Writes, Edits & Consults: https://www.amandawritesconsults.com/ - Apex Development Partners: https://apexelevates.com/ - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridging-worlds-podcast/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568511548951 - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgingworldspodcast/ - BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bridgingworlds.bsky.social - X: https://x.com/CarterPhd78247
Episode 1: Welcome to Bridging Worlds
In the debut episode of Bridging Worlds, hosts Amanda Harris-Carter and Dr. Malcolm Carter-Harris introduce themselves and share their journey to starting the podcast. Dr. Malcolm, a leadership expert with a background in organizational development, and Amanda, a creative writer and former professor, bring unique perspectives to discussions of growth, resilience, connection, and storytelling. They reflect on their experiences as a mixed-race couple, the power of diverse stories, and how their professional and personal lives shape the themes of the podcast. Listeners learn about the couple’s background, including Malcolm’s work in leadership development and Taekwondo training, and Amanda’s love of writing, true crime, and animal welfare. They share how their relationship began, with humorous anecdotes about their online dating journey. The hosts also preview upcoming topics, like psychological safety, VUCA environments, and the importance of storytelling in processing trauma and bridging cultural divides. Ending on a high note, they invite listeners to engage, share stories, and contribute ideas, while playing their custom theme music inspired by Massive Attack. Links: Gigi Chen: https://www.gigichen.com/ Amanda Writes, Edits & Consults: https://www.amandawritesconsults.com/ Apex Development Partners: https://apexelevates.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bridging-worlds-podcast/posts/?feedView=all&viewAsMember=true Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61568511548951 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgingworldspodcast/ BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/bridgingworlds.bsky.social X: https://x.com/CarterPhd78247
Episode 5 - Fostering Safety - The Key to Thriving Teams and Relationships
In this episode of Bridging Worlds, Malcolm and Amanda dive into psychological safety—the secret sauce for thriving teams and relationships. They break down the four stages of feeling included, safe to learn, contribute, and even challenge (without someone flipping a table). With real-life stories and practical tips like open dialogue, owning your mistakes, setting boundaries with empathy, and asking open-ended questions, they’ll leave you ready to build trust like a pro. Catch new episodes every Wednesday at ⁠www.bridgingworldspodcast.com⁠. ⁠www.amandawritesconsults.com⁠ ⁠www.apexelevates.com⁠