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October 21st, 2025

Challenging Norms: The Intersection of Work and Society

  1. Challenging Norms: The Intersection of Work and Society Danielle Marshall 1:19:37

In this conversation, Danielle Marshall and Kella Auld explore the intricate relationship between organizational culture and leadership, delving into Kella’s personal journey from a cult upbringing to her current work in fostering equitable workplace cultures. They discuss the importance of understanding power dynamics, the impact of work culture on society, and the necessity of self-reflection in leadership. The conversation also touches on the challenges faced by women in the workforce, particularly women of color, and the generational perspectives that shape these experiences. In this conversation, Kella Auld and Danielle Marshall explore the complex interplay of gender and racial dynamics in the workplace, particularly focusing on the experiences of women of color. They discuss the impact of workplace culture on women’s decisions to leave their jobs, the challenges of expressing anger and emotional regulation, and the importance of Education in fostering emotional intelligence. The conversation emphasizes the need for long-term commitment to cultural change within organizations, highlighting successful examples of schools and businesses that prioritize inclusive and supportive environments. In this conversation, Kella Auld and Danielle Marshall explore the importance of cultivating a learning culture within organizations, the dynamics of community building, and the evolution of societal structures. They discuss how the U.S. is increasingly being run like a business, the implications of power dynamics in the workplace, and the necessity of open conversations about difficult topics. The dialogue emphasizes the role of community in fostering understanding and the importance of individual voices in advocating for change.

BIO: Mykella Auld, M.Ed., is a pioneering thought leader in organizational culture and leadership. As the Co-Founder and Chief Culture Officer of Odyssey Alliance and Executive Director of our specialized culture center The Work Well Studio. She is working to ensure that all community serving organizations are equipped to grow bold leadership, center lived experience, and build caring cultures where everyone is supported and takes part in each other’s wellbeing – fueling lasting, community-led change.

Mykella has partnered with organizations across the globe for over a decade to design data-driven, people centered strategies to reimagine and advance their impact. She takes an active approach in leading people and businesses to develop processes and practices that inform their strategic mindsets, psychological imperatives, and ethics to foster equitable and psychologically safe cultures. Additionally, Mykella is an adjunct professor at NYU teaching Data Analytics for Public Policy and Social Good. 

Connect with Kella: www.linkedin.com/in/mykella-auld  @the.work.well.studio  mykellaauld.substack.com

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Keywords

organizational culture, leadership, workplace dynamics, personal journey, power dynamics, self-reflection, gender issues, workforce changes, discomfort in leadership, community impact, gender dynamics, racial dynamics, workplace culture, emotional intelligence, women’s experiences, anger at work, education, cultural change, leadership, retention, learning culture, community building, workplace dynamics, societal evolution, power dynamics, business leadership, collective understanding, empathy, organizational culture, personal journey

Danielle Marshall hosts Unpacked: Culture Chronicles, a space where we slow down and make sense of the moments that shape how we show up with each other. This podcast is an invitation into honest, sometimes messy, always meaningful conversations about culture, identity, and what it takes to stay connected in a world that often pulls us apart.

I don’t come to these conversations with all the answers. I come with questions. With curiosity. With a deep belief that when we are willing to look a little closer, to listen a little longer, something shifts.

In my work beyond the podcast, I serve as an executive coach and equity strategist, partnering with leaders and organizations navigating complexity, growth, and change. Through coaching, facilitation, and speaking, I support people in leading with clarity, cultural humility, and intention, especially in moments where the stakes feel high and the path forward is not always obvious.

Whether I’m working with a leadership team, sitting in a coaching conversation, or recording an episode, the throughline is the same. I’m interested in what becomes possible when we choose curiosity over certainty, and connection over assumption.

And when I’m not working or behind the mic, you can usually find me on the water, attempting to kayak my way through all 50 states. Still in progress, still learning, and very much in the spirit of figuring things out as I go.