A moment of reflection
As I sat down to write this email, I found myself scrolling through the mailing list and recognizing so many names—people I’ve had conversations with that still stand out. Whether it was about Ouch!, purchasing a license or discussing trends in the DEI training and development space, those exchanges have stayed with me.
While I remember many of you, I imagine most haven’t thought much about me or SunShower Learning since logging in to start a course—and that’s exactly how it should be. It’s never been about me or the company. My focus has always been on crafting DEI content that supports you in reaching your goals.
Gratitude for the journey
Maybe it’s the changing season, but I’m feeling reflective and want to take a moment to say how fulfilling and rewarding it has been to serve you. As a filmmaker at heart, I admit that promoting courses and interacting with the public hasn’t always come naturally. But I’m truly grateful that so many of you have chosen to bring SunShower’s work into your training rooms and LMS platforms.
More than a business
SunShower Learning has been more than just a small business to me. It’s been a way to express my deep care for people—for you, your needs and your goals—and a channel for my creativity and commitment to making everyday workplace situations a little better, a little less difficult. For example, where people once felt unable to speak up, they now have the skills to address bias and stereotypes. I’m grateful for the messages I receive from trainers and learners, sharing how our courses have made a real difference.
Not retiring
If you’ve read this far, you might be wondering, “Is Joel retiring?” The answer is no, I’m not retiring. But I have been reflecting on where we’ve been and, most importantly, the current state of our work. I’m troubled by the growing pushback against diversity, equity and inclusion, angered by those who spread hate and misinformation about DEI (looking at you, Christopher Rufo) and disappointed in companies that cave in the face of a few loud, hateful voices. But none of this weakens my resolve or my commitment to continue this work.
Looking to the future
I’m confident that the pendulum will swing forward again, and we’ll find new ways to build cultures of inclusion and belonging. I know that most of you, as part of this community, agree: we are not going back. We won’t return to workplaces marked by exclusion, inequity and prejudice.
Expanding the SunShower Learning library
Over the past year, my wonderful colleague Gina Miller and I have been expanding the SunShower Learning library by amplifying new voices. One exciting addition is DEI Leap, which I co-created with Lisette Martinez Peacock. Is there ever a more challenging time for training with “DEI” in the title? Perhaps not, but this is a powerful and inspiring course that encourages you and your colleagues to find common ground and, with grace, build a culture of belonging. Lisette, now serving as the Chief Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Officer at the National Audubon Society, first introduced Ouch! That Stereotype Hurts at Yale New Haven Health. She then led the implementation of Defeating Unconscious Bias, Inclusion in Action and Disarming Microaggressions at Jefferson Health. Her wealth of experience was pivotal in shaping DEI Leap, a powerful course that I encourage you to explore.
Collaborating with Hideko Akashi
I’ve also had the privilege of collaborating with Hideko Akashi, a deeply empathetic facilitator who has helped numerous schools and organizations ground DEI work in real processes. Together, we created Understanding the Complexity of the Asian American Pacific Islander Experience. Hideko shares her personal journey while guiding learners through essential aspects of the AAPI experience, leading them on their own path of self-exploration. I learned so much working alongside her. And stay tuned—her next course, Expanding the Gender Binary, is coming soon!
Teaming with Greg Gale
I’m excited to announce a new course co-created with Greg Gale, founder of Insight Out Consulting. Greg and I first connected when he hired me to work on the Inclusion in Action: 9 Skills series for Liberty Mutual Insurance. This program, based on the Guidelines for Inclusion from Dr. Valerie Batts at VISIONS, Inc., was eventually shared with over 40,000 Liberty employees. Greg’s dedication was inspiring, and now, with his own consultancy, we’ve teamed up again to create The Inclusive Leader in You. This new course, featuring two modules—Relationships Across Differences Make THE Difference and You Can Recover From a Misstep—Here’s How!—draws from Greg’s 25+ years of leadership experience. It’s packed with practical tips and skills designed to help leaders become more inclusive. We streamlined the content into concise, engaging modules, making it accessible and easy to watch. The Inclusive Leader in You is available now, and I hope you’ll check out Greg’s latest work.
A surprise coming soon
I know this email is already quite detailed, but I have more exciting news to share. Gina and I have been working on something that will truly transform your perspective on team dynamics. We will announce this surprise in the coming weeks. Stay tuned!
A final word
At the end of the day—and the end of this email—I just want to say how much I appreciate you being part of the SunShower community.
I’d love to hear your reflections. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Joel