Chad Sanders

Like so many of us, Chad Sanders wants to feel a sense of belonging — but as he grows up, he feels too often like he's living in the shadows of other people’s judgment. Fortunately, life has a way of giving us glimpses into our limitless possibility. A magical high school English class and, later, an auspicious walk with the filmmaker Spike Lee give Chad two unforgettable windows to his creative flow. Turns out, by letting go of how others think he should be, Chad learns he can walk into every room as himself.This episode is a Signal Awards Silver winner for Best Individual Episode — Bedtime Podcast.Listen to Franklin Leonard’s episode of Meditative Story, "Writing the Main Character": https://listen.meditativestory.com/LeonardSandersepEach episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chad Sanders, author of "How to Sell Out" and host of the Yearbook podcast, shares his insights on the heavy emotional toll of writing about Black trauma. He discusses the challenges Black writers face in a commercial world, balancing the demand for racial narratives with personal cost. The conversation delves into the struggle for authenticity in storytelling amidst performative allyship and the nuances of workplace inclusivity. Sanders also emphasizes the importance of portraying joy alongside pain in Black narratives, advocating for broader representation.

Like so many of us, Chad Sanders has strived to belong for as long as he can remember — thwarted in the shadows of other people’s judgements of him. Fortunately, life has its way of giving us glimpses into our limitless possibility, when we allow our natural creativity and curiosity to embody our highest expression, regardless of the friction that people and circumstances place upon us. A magical high school experience in English class, and later in life, an auspicious walk with the iconic filmmaker, Spike Lee, give Chad unforgettable windows to find his flow. Turns out, by letting go of how others think he should be, Chad is finally able to walk into every room and every environment as himself.Listen to Franklin Leonard’s episode of Meditative Story, "Writing the Main Character": https://listen.meditativestory.com/LeonardSandersepEach episode of Meditative Story combines the emotional pull of first-person storytelling with immersive music and gentle mindfulness prompts. Read the transcript for this story: meditativestory.comSign up for the Meditative Story newsletter: https://meditativestory.com/subscribeSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chad Sanders, a former tech executive and author of "Black Magic: What Black Leaders Learned from Trauma and Triumph," dives into the unique challenges faced by Black leaders in corporate America. He discusses the importance of embracing authenticity over code-switching, highlighting how resilience and creativity are key strengths. Sanders shares insights on how these attributes can encourage rising Black executives and improve diversity in leadership. He emphasizes representation in decision-making roles and advocates for entrepreneurial paths to reshape workplace dynamics.

In this engaging discussion, Chad Sanders, a writer and former tech entrepreneur, shares insights from his book, *Black Magic*, which dives into the experiences of Black leaders facing trauma and triumph. He explores the complexities of identity and resilience in corporate spaces, revealing the pressure to conform and code-switch. The transformative journey through Black college life, particularly at Morehouse, is celebrated as a supportive foundation. Chad emphasizes the importance of authenticity, empathy, and the lessons learned from personal narratives in fostering bold leadership.