Episode Summary: Defending DEI & Equity Work with Dr. Rick Rodriguez

Nonprofit Nation with Julia Campbell
Date: November 12, 2025

Overview

In this passionate and timely episode, Julia Campbell welcomes Dr. Rick Rodriguez, co-founder and learning partner at The Rooted Life, to dig deep into what it truly takes to foster inclusive, culturally competent organizations—especially amid growing backlash against DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) work. Dr. Rodriguez shares his personal journey, discusses the importance of representation and healing in leadership, and offers practical, actionable advice for nonprofit leaders determined to build impactful, sustainable movements.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Dr. Rick Rodriguez's Origin Story & Motivation

• (02:36-07:34)
  Dr. Rodriguez reflects on his upbringing as a first-generation Mexicano Americano and how his parents’ dreams, resilience, and the value of education shaped his trajectory.
  • "Although my parents lacked the language, the education, or the wherewithal to navigate systems, one of the things that they didn't lack was a dream and aspiration and grit... My mother always taught me, you know, education is the one thing that nobody can take away from you..." (03:00)
  • His lived experience as a gay Latino growing up in a conservative community fueled his passion for ensuring representation and opportunity for all.
  • The Rooted Life was founded to center lived experience and cultivate spaces led by and for diverse communities, not just the status quo.
    • "We found ourselves in spaces... in which the people in the front of the room did not reflect the identity of the audience." (06:30)
  • Pillars of The Rooted Life's work: Unlearning, Healing, and Curiosity
    • "There's a lot of unlearning and unpacking, and then separately, there's a lot of healing that needs to happen as well... and a lot of curiosity that needs to happen." (07:10)

Navigating Fear & Pushback Against DEI

• (07:34-11:56)
  Addressing the current anti-DEI climate:
  • Many nonprofits are fearful about displaying DEI values, worrying about funding or reprisal.
  • Rodriguez emphasizes working with leaders willing to “ruffle feathers” and who see equity as central to their mission.
  • "Leadership matters. We know that... How am I making this place better for the student that still is trying to learn English, or the parent who's trying to put food on the table...?" (09:22)
  • Encourages leaders to connect directly with stakeholders and resist apathy.
  • "I'm not here to just sit back, Julia. I'm here to be a part of the fight in the movement throughout..." (11:46)

The 'Learning Partner' Approach (vs. Traditional Consulting)

• (12:32-15:48)
  Rodriguez critiques traditional consulting as transactional, positioning The Rooted Life instead as “learning partners” who walk alongside clients.
  • "When we hear the word consultant, I feel like there's already connotations that come with it... a learning partner... is rooted in the reality that we are all continuing to learn." (12:39)
  • The approach includes empathy interviews across all stakeholders—including service recipients—to uncover root causes, not just surface issues.
  • The relationship is ongoing, accountable, and focused on deep transformation, not just checking boxes.
  • "Every situation when I come across supporting a nonprofit or even when I'm coaching an individual is going to look different... not the person that's going to solve the issue." (13:40)

Beyond the DEI Training Checkbox—What True Cultural Competency Looks Like

• (15:48-19:58)
  • Many nonprofits stop at trainings, webinars, or book clubs, believing that’s enough for organizational change.
  • True cultural competence starts with leaders deeply understanding their own story, identity, and values—then creating space for others to do the same.
    • "Does the leader know themselves... in relation to who they represent from a cultural standpoint?... If a leader is able to do that for themselves, then that's when we come in and start challenging: how do you do that for those around you?" (16:22)
  • Shared values often emerge regardless of background; the challenge is allowing these common threads to lead.
  • Rodriguez calls for vulnerability and curiosity as keys to ongoing learning and authentic inclusion:
    • "Curiosity can uncover so much more cultural competency than a training on cultural competency can provide." (19:59)

Building Community in a Divisive Digital Age

• (20:42-24:16)
  • Acknowledges that social platforms profit from division and rage, complicating community-building.
  • The solution is intentional storytelling—sharing deep, personal stories that foster empathy and connection.
    • "There is power in storytelling... What really needs to happen is like, let me see you on camera. Let me ask the questions, let me have that discourse." (21:30, 22:15)
  • Cites Marshall Ganz’s public narrative framework: personal story, our story, and our story forward.

Burnout: Root Causes and Remedies

• (24:16–29:53)
  • Rodriguez describes his personal experience with burnout—especially the “gray area” when lived experience aligns with the mission, making boundaries challenging.
    • "I was bringing work home. I was taking my personal identity into the work... and after a few years, I started to realize that I wasn't taking care of myself." (24:47)
  • Many nonprofits frame burnout as a productivity issue, but Rodriguez argues it’s a cultural pattern.
  • Self-compassion, listening to one’s body, and reclaiming one’s time are essential.
    • "If we're not listening or taking care of our bodies, we're going to feel a burnout. Burnout is more prevalent now than ever, especially for millennials. We don't know how to not work." (27:49)
  • Creativity and joy are crucial to sustainable leadership.

Mindset Shifts for Nonprofit Leaders

• (29:53-31:51)
  • The most vital shift: “Teach others how to treat you.”
    • "If we're not able to understand how we operate best and teach others that then we're just gonna find ourselves in burnout... But slowly I think that approach also helps the larger picture." (30:03)
  • By modeling healthy boundaries, leaders foster a healthier culture in their organizations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Vulnerability & Collective Movement:
  "How do I elevate not only my identity unapologetically, but within it, being mindful of the dynamics that I'm also navigating? ...We are collaborating with cohesion and with collective action, but more than anything, with collective movement grounded in some of the core values that we all share, regardless of identity..."
  — Dr. Rick Rodriguez (04:59)

• On Learning Partnerships:
  "Our approach... is really about diving, like rolling up our sleeves alongside our partners versus just coming in to facilitate a learning session."
  — Dr. Rick Rodriguez (13:00)

• On Community and Technology:
  "We miss that middle piece of really elevating our lived experiences as a strength, regardless whether they're beautiful or challenging. It all is strength within leadership..."
  — Dr. Rick Rodriguez (22:13)

• On Burnout:
  "First things first is listen to those things. Because we oftentimes psych ourselves out and say, 'Oh, well, it's just that time of year, or we're just in that season...' but we don't listen to our bodies enough to actually do something different."
  — Dr. Rick Rodriguez (25:20)

• The Final Charge:
  "Choose you. Choose you. Choose you. No one else is going to choose you unless you choose yourself."
  — Dr. Rick Rodriguez (32:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:36 — Dr. Rodriguez’s background and founding of The Rooted Life
• 07:34 — Responding to anti-DEI backlash in nonprofits
• 12:32 — How 'learning partnership' differs from consulting
• 15:48 — DEI training vs. authentic cultural competence
• 20:42 — Building community in a divided digital landscape
• 24:16 — Burnout: deeper roots and how to heal
• 29:53 — Essential mindset shift: healthy boundaries and modeling
• 32:08 — Final thought: “Choose you”

Resources & Where to Connect

• The Rooted Life: therootedlife.org
• Dr. Rick Rodriguez on LinkedIn: Search “DrickRodriguez”

Dr. Rick Rodriguez delivers an inspiring, unvarnished look at justice, courage, and joy in the nonprofit sector—reminding listeners that real, sustainable impact requires authenticity, healing, and standing up for what matters, even (especially) when it’s hard.