The Core Intentions Podcast

Good business & lasting impact starts with intention.

Our mission for the podcast is to build a platform at the intersection of technology, supply chain and sustainability, highlighting the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion across these vital areas. We will share practical resources and insights with our community, while creating space for intentional reflection. Speakers represent a range of backgrounds including corporate leaders, startup founders, industry experts, and creative visionaries.

You can listen and subscribe on Spotify, Google, and Apple podcasts.

Follow along @thecoreintentionspod on social.

You can learn about each episode and also access transcriptions below:

[Ep 1] Introduction (link to transcription)

“It’s about paying it forward.” In this episode, Sid and Ashia Johnson, father / daughter co-hosts, introduce The Core Intentions podcast including how five months of quarantine influenced, inspired, and created the space for intentional conversation about their why as well as creative thinking and ultimately served as the impetus for the podcast – they also explain the importance of their core pillars including technology, supply chain, sustainability, and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). Lastly, they share highlights of their life and career journeys and their thoughts on legacy then wrap up with a preview of what’s to come in the first season of the podcast.

[Ep 2] Farzin x PnP (link to transcription)

“The main role of technology in society is that it brings all of us together.” In this episode, Farzin Shadpour, VP & Managing Director of Supply Chain Innovation at Plug and Play Tech Center HQ in Silicon Valley, joins us to talk about the power of connection in the innovation and technology space as well as the importance of being intentional to create diverse, inclusive, and equitable outcomes in the world of venture. 

[Ep 3] Adrienne x Sysco (link to transcription)

“There’s a difference between writing a check and utilizing minority resources – there needs to be long term sustainability.” In this episode, Adrienne Trimble, the current Vice President and Chief Diversity Officer at Sysco Corporations and former President and CEO of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), joins us to talk about her unique path to becoming a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) leader in several capacities including across the automotive and food tech industries, her mission to connect DEI to business outcomes and strategy, and her innate commitment to using her voice to serve underserved and marginalized communities.

[Ep 4] Sage x FFU / Amazon (link to transcription)

“Equity is my why and self-advocacy is my legacy.” In this episode, we sit down with Sage Ke’alohilani Quiamno, an award-winning entrepreneur, speaker, and changemaker. Throughout the episode, you’ll learn about her inspiring path to becoming a DEI tech leader, launching a business for WOC with the intent of ‘turning fear into power’, and channeling her indigenous roots and cultural practices (e.g. storytelling) to inspire and bring others along.   

[Ep 5] Barry x Collab (link to transcription)

“The world doesn’t believe that innovation looks like me.” In this episode, we sit down with Barry Givens, a techie, an entrepreneur, and a lover of all things helping to add COLOR to the tech industry. Throughout the episode, you’ll learn about his inspiring path to entrepreneurship and honest perspective on the challenges of fundraising, his thoughts on the power of Black innovation, his lens on preparing the current and next generation for opportunities and careers in tech, and his aspirations to build an even bigger Black Wall Street.

[Ep 6] Ruby x CloudX (link to transcription)

“I think technology is here to challenge humans.” In this episode, we sit down with Ruby Kandah, the co-founder and CEO of CloudX. Previously, Ruby held leadership roles across Product and Engineering at Salesforce and Doordash and worked as an engineer at NASA, re-designing and building spacesuits. She’s an inventor with several patents and also has a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Harvard University. Throughout the episode, you’ll learn about Ruby’s career journey from space engineering, startup tech, big tech, and now tech entrepreneurship – she’s a self-proclaimed renaissance woman.

[Ep 7] Coy x CIAFE (link to transcription)

“There was a big gap missing – a lot of people that owned upcoming fashion brands didn’t understand how technology like analytics, AR, or cool software can help them run their businesses. ” In this episode, we sit down with Coy Griffin, the Founder of Your Own Creativity (YOC), a Fashion Technology consulting firm, the Co-founder and Operations Director at the Council for International African Fashion Education (CIAFE), an author, a TEDx speaker, a content creator, and a Senior Data Analytics Manager at a NY-based firm. Throughout the episode, you’ll learn about Coy’s unique career and self-defined path to entrepreneurship.

[Ep 8] Brian x HPE (link to transcription)

“For me, it’s all about legacy and paving the way for the next generation.” In this episode, we sit down with Brian Tippens, Chief Sustainability Officer at Hewlett Packard Enterprise. Brian oversees a global team focused on driving measurable and transparent Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) strategies that benefit customers, investors, employees and communities. Brian ensures the full integration of ESG into the company’s strategy, delivering business results that benefit people and planet. Brian is also the President and Executive Director of the HPE Foundation and serves on the board of the HPE Political Action Committee.In his prior role, Brian was responsible for fostering an innovative and inclusive culture as Chief Diversity Officer at HPE. Brian serves on the board of directors of the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME), and is a member of the Executive Leadership Council (ELC). Throughout the episode, you’ll learn about Brian’s unique career and leadership journey across Legal, Procurement, Supplier Diversity, and Sustainability.

[Ep 9] Armani x LinkedIn (link to transcription)

“I want to be able to inspire the next generation.” In this episode, we sit down with Armani Johnson, Senior Account Director at LinkedIn, a community leader in Detroit, father, husband, and proud member of the Johnson family. Throughout the episode, you’ll learn about Armani’s people-centric approach to life and leading in business, how he made a career switch into technology sales by leaning into relationship-building and prior product knowledge, why community impact and connectivity is incredibly personal and also critical to business success, managing through personal transitions, and much more!

[Ep 10] Reflecting on Season 1 (link to transcription)

In this final episode, we reflect on powerful themes and sound bites, our takeaways from the discussions, lessons we learned running a podcast, the power of a network, and what’s to come next.