Narrative Shift

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-squadPodcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

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-pembertonPodcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

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.Show Notes https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e3-elmer-dixonPodcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

Natasha Tony speaks with Coach and Impact Strategist Jodie Tonita about moving from uncertainty to vision. Together, they explore the leap behind Elevate House and how a deep connection with nature, self, and community can shape the future. If you’ve ever stood on the edge of your dreams, ready to take the leap, this conversation is for you.Show Notes https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e2-taking-the-leap-with-jodie-tonitaPodcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

In its second season, Narrative Shift, hosted by Natasha Tony, chronicles the creation of Elevate House, a retreat space Natasha is building on Salt Spring Island. Kicking off with a conversation between Natasha and her daughter, Kaisha Brown, this season explores the unexpected journey of acquiring the property, its layered history as a former YWCA camp and communal living space, and the often-overlooked Black history of Salt Spring Island dating back to the 1850s.Show Notes https://www.elevate-inclusion.com/s2-e1-elevate-house Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

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/ Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

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/Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook

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/ Podcast page https://elevate-inclusion.com/podcast/ Sponsored by Elevate Inclusion Strategies Connect with Natasha on Instagram, LinkedIn and Facebook