Natasha Tony, a preeminent coach and facilitator in the creative sector, uncovers the transformative stories behind the scenes in arts and entertainment. Guided by Natasha's intersectional lens and decades of experience, industry changemakers share stories of overcoming adversity, finding community, and nurturing deeper self-understanding. In season one, Natasha sits down with creative professionals to investigate the social impact of great storytelling.
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies. (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/).
Podcast page:
https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ )
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
In the season finale of Narrative Shift, Natasha sits down with the “Pond Squad” — Mimi Dejene, Aden Abebe, Amber Clarke, and Darion Trotman — four Black creatives who first connected at the Black Futures Retreat. They reflect on retreat as rest, regeneration, and creative fuel, and share what it means to find belonging, freedom, and community in their work. Gathering with intention proves that rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a force for change.
Show Notes
https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e6-the-pond-squad (https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e6-the-pond-squad)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
5 Aug 2025
Episode 5: Building a Sanctuary with Clinton Cuddington and Jon Reed
In this episode of Narrative Shift, Natasha connects with longtime friend and Principal of Measured Architecture, Clint Cuddington, and his design partner Jon Reed to talk about the early stages of Elevate House—and where it's headed. They reflect on what it means to design with care, honour a site’s history, and co-create with trust. This conversation blends vulnerability with artistic process and offers a glimpse into what happens when personal history meets creative vision. It’s a love letter to friendship, place, and process.
Show Notes
https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e5-clinton-cuddington-jon-reed (https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e5-clinton-cuddington-jon-reed)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Jul 2025
Episode 4: Affinity with Khari Wendell McClelland and Dawn Pemberton
Rest as resistance. Music as medicine.
In this episode of Narrative Shift, award-winning musician Khari Wendell McClelland and multiple Juno-nominated soul vocalist Dawn Pemberton join host Natasha Tony to support her in envisioning Elevate House—a retreat where creativity, belonging, and music have the power to inspire collective healing.
Show Notes
https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e4-khari-mcclelland-and-dawn-pemberton (https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e4-khari-mcclelland-and-dawn-pemberton)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
24 Jun 2025
Episode 3: Histories of Community Care with Elmer Dixon
How do we build community through care, creativity, and shared responsibility? Elmer Dixon reflects on his life before, during, and after co-founding the Seattle chapter of the Black Panther Party. Drawing from his memoir Die Standing, Elmer and Natasha discuss growing up in politically aware households, launching survival programs that addressed urgent community needs, and the profound connection between activism and creative expression through storytelling.
This episode is a reminder that in honouring the past and reflecting in the present, we are empowered to continue to build sustainable movements for future generations.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Jun 2025
Taking the Leap with Jodie Tonita
Natasha Tony interviews Jodie Tonita, a coach and impact strategist, about transitioning from uncertainty to a clear vision, highlighting the importance of nature, self-awareness, and community in shaping one's future.
27 May 2025
Episode 1: Elevate House: Past, Present & Future with Kaisha Brown
Host Natasha Tony interviews Kaisha Brown about Elevate House, including its history as a YWCA camp and the Black history of Salt Spring Island, revealing the unexpected journey of acquiring the property.
12 Dec 2023
Episode 6: Floyd Kane, Follow Your True Calling
After a long period as a lawyer, Floyd Kane actualized his true calling to become the writer and producer he'd always wanted to be. In this episode, Floyd, creator of the acclaimed Diggstown series, describes how he overcame the roadblocks that have typically frustrated the careers of Black creatives and the factors and people that helped propel him forward. All too aware of the many people whose careers have been stymied by racism over many decades, Floyd also shares his personal commitment to opening doors and empowering others.
Aspiring Black creatives and senior executives who want to support greater inclusion in film and television will gain much from Natasha and Floyd's frank and encouraging conversation.
Show Notes
https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-06/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-06/)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
6 Dec 2023
Episode 5: Ella Cooper, The Joy of Creation!
Get ready to be inspired by Ella Cooper, award-winning filmmaker, photographer, community builder, and founder of ground-breaking Black Women Film! Canada. In this beautiful conversation with Natasha, Ella reflects on her own journey to filmmaking, the vision behind her photography, why she founded Black Women Film! and how the organization is changing lives. She also shares her creative and healing process, which is both intentional and open to receive from the universe. This conversation will move and encourage anyone who creates art in any form, as well as those who want to spur inclusive change through storytelling and creative expression.
Show Notes
https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-05/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-05/)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
28 Nov 2023
Episode 4: Prem Gill, A Leader for Change
A trip to the UK in the early 1990s profoundly affected Prem Gill’s understanding of the power of storytelling and how it can shape and change identity. Since then, through her past work creating and launching Telus’ Storyhive Program and as CEO of Creative BC, she’s championed the development of pathways for many filmmakers from diverse communities to tell their own stories and build their careers.
In this thoughtful and personal podcast, Prem shares her journey as a leader who both navigates and promotes culture shift within an industry in flux. She also describes her experience of being a racialized leader - including being told she was a diversity hire and having to outperform others’ expectations. If you are a creative industry leader, emerging or established, listen up and gain insights on today’s creative industries from Prem and Natasha, and find out what exactly happened on that UK trip.
Show Notes
https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-04/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-04/)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
21 Nov 2023
Episode 3: Palexelsiya (Lorelei) Williams and Julia Taffe: Choreographing Change
Ten years ago, Indigenous activist Palexelsiya (Lorelei) Williams felt a deep calling to create a dance to honour Canada’s missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two Spirited people. That one-off dance sparked a partnership between Palexelsiya’s dance troupe Butterflies in Spirit and Julia Taffe’s Aeriosa Dance Society. This collaboration continues to heal and inspire — they describe their dances as more ceremonies than performances. This deeply moving episode honours all MMIWG2S, their ancestors, the power of creative collaboration, and these two remarkable dance groups. Palexelsiya’s aunt, Belinda Williams, is still missing. Her cousin Tanya Holyk was murdered in 1996.
Show Notes
https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-03/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-03/ )
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Nov 2023
Episode 2: Donald L. Sparks, Legendary Assistant Director
Natasha’s conversation with legendary Assistant Director Donald L. Sparks is a masterclass on how to be an inclusive leader. Don is a filmmaker who understands the value of respect, building trust, excellent communication and collaboration, and the importance of power sharing. Don, who has the perfect left and right brain mix to be a consummate AD, also shares the importance of pursuing every new learning opportunity – even after 30 years in the industry. If you want to build a successful and inclusive career in film, regardless of department, but particularly as an AD, tune into this episode of workplace wisdom.
Show Notes
https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-02/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-02/)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/)
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Oct 2023
Episode 1: Lillian E. Benson, A Film Editor's Reflections
From an early age, Emmy-nominated Lillian E. Benson has been an acute observer of people and her surroundings. She brings that quality, and many others, to her remarkable work as an acclaimed film editor. Lillian was the first African-American female editor selected for membership in the American Cinema Editors. Her life’s mission has been to contribute to the world through telling authentic stories. In this episode, she shares her approach to storytelling with Natasha and how her experience as a Black working-class woman influenced her journey. This candid and wise conversation about Lillian’s journey in life and the art of editing offers important insights for every filmmaker.
Show Notes https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-01/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/episode-01/)
Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ (https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/)
Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies (https://elevate-inclusion.com/)
Connect with Natasha on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/), LinkedIn (https://open.acast.com/shows/651b36053793ee0011c303e5/linkedin.com/in/natasha-tony) and Facebook (https://www.instagram.com/elevateinclusion/).
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
Podcast Authority Score: 9 / 100
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