In a deeply engaging episode of the Lead with Levity Podcast, hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, the spotlight was on Amber Ontiveros, a trailblazer in addressing and healing workplace discrimination. Ontiveros, with a rich background spanning from working with the Bush and Obama administrations to her profound personal journey towards understanding consciousness and unconscious bias, shared insights that promise a transformative approach to workplace dynamics and personal growth. 
The Path to End Discord
The conversation opened with the all-too-familiar challenges many people face in creating environments where everyone feels safe and valued—spaces where creativity and ideas flourish without fear of judgment or retaliation. Ontiveros delved deep into the “two sides of the coin” conundrum, emphasizing the dance between individual intentions and collective narratives. Her work focuses on bringing to light the internal scripts running within us, challenging and healing them to foster a truly inclusive environment.
Dr. Walker and Ontiveros explored the concept of discord in the workplace, exemplified through a scenario involving “Nick”, a character resistant to feedback. This example served to introduce Ontiveros’ unique approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—one that leverages personal transformation as a gateway to tackling broader societal and organizational challenges.
Healing the Four Woundings
A pivotal moment in the podcast was Ontiveros’ revelation of the “four woundings”—beliefs deeply embedded in our subconscious that perpetuate cycles of discord and discrimination.
These are:
1. I am not worthy.
2. I am not enough.
3. I have to win.
4. I don’t have enough.
Ontiveros argued that these wounds, universal to all, fuel the fires of discrimination and personal dissatisfaction. Her stirring call to action was for individuals to recognize these wound within themselves to heal and move forward, both personally and within their communities. 
Mindful Listening and Other Tools for Transformation
The discussion introduced mindful listening—a technique Ontiveros employs to understand and dissolve the barriers erected by unconscious bias. By focusing on the breath and engaging in self-inquiry, one can uncover and address the root of discriminatory behaviors and thoughts. This tool, among others shared by Ontiveros, offers a practical approach to navigating and transforming complex interpersonal dynamics.
A Near Death Experience: The Ultimate Transformative Journey
Perhaps the most captivating part of the conversation was Ontiveros sharing her near-death experience, a profound event that sparked her deep dive into the study of consciousness and unconscious bias. This experience, awash with revelations about love, life, and the interconnectedness of all beings, underscored her mission to bring healing and understanding to the forefront of human relations.
The Mission Moving Forward
As the podcast drew to a close, Ontiveros outlined her vision for the future—a world where healing from personal traumas leads to greater empathy, where understanding and reforming unconscious biases pave the way for genuinely inclusive communities and workplaces. Her upcoming engagements and continued work in executive coaching and DEI consultancy promise to further her impactful mission.
Final Thoughts
Amber Ontiveros’ appearance on the Lead with Levity Podcast provided not just food for thought but a call to action for anyone looking to make a substantive change in their lives and the lives of others. Her holistic approach to addressing discrimination, rooted in personal healing and consciousness, offers a refreshing, deeply needed perspective in today’s discourse on diversity and inclusion.
For those looking to dive deeper into Ontiveros’ work or seeking guidance on their healing journey, visiting her website, healthefourwoundings.com, is a promising first step towards embracing a more inclusive, empathetic, and healing approach to life and work.
In a deeply engaging episode of the Lead with Levity Podcast, hosted by Dr. Heather Walker, the spotlight was on Amber Ontiveros, a trailblazer in addressing and healing workplace discrimination. Ontiveros, with a rich background spanning from working with the Bush and Obama administrations to her profound personal journey towards understanding consciousness and unconscious bias, shared insights that promise a transformative approach to workplace dynamics and personal growth. The Path to End Discord
The conversation opened with the all-too-familiar challenges many people face in creating environments where everyone feels safe and valued—spaces where creativity and ideas flourish without fear of judgment or retaliation. Ontiveros delved deep into the “two sides of the coin” conundrum, emphasizing the dance between individual intentions and collective narratives. Her work focuses on bringing to light the internal scripts running within us, challenging and healing them to foster a truly inclusive environment.
Dr. Walker and Ontiveros explored the concept of discord in the workplace, exemplified through a scenario involving “Nick”, a character resistant to feedback. This example served to introduce Ontiveros’ unique approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)—one that leverages personal transformation as a gateway to tackling broader societal and organizational challenges.
Healing the Four Woundings
A pivotal moment in the podcast was Ontiveros’ revelation of the “four woundings”—beliefs deeply embedded in our subconscious that perpetuate cycles of discord and discrimination.
These are:
1. I am not worthy.
2. I am not enough.
3. I have to win.
4. I don’t have enough.
Ontiveros argued that these wounds, universal to all, fuel the fires of discrimination and personal dissatisfaction. Her stirring call to action was for individuals to recognize these wound within themselves to heal and move forward, both personally and within their communities. Mindful Listening and Other Tools for Transformation
The discussion introduced mindful listening—a technique Ontiveros employs to understand and dissolve the barriers erected by unconscious bias. By focusing on the breath and engaging in self-inquiry, one can uncover and address the root of discriminatory behaviors and thoughts. This tool, among others shared by Ontiveros, offers a practical approach to navigating and transforming complex interpersonal dynamics.
A Near Death Experience: The Ultimate Transformative Journey
Perhaps the most captivating part of the conversation was Ontiveros sharing her near-death experience, a profound event that sparked her deep dive into the study of consciousness and unconscious bias. This experience, awash with revelations about love, life, and the interconnectedness of all beings, underscored her mission to bring healing and understanding to the forefront of human relations.
The Mission Moving Forward
As the podcast drew to a close, Ontiveros outlined her vision for the future—a world where healing from personal traumas leads to greater empathy, where understanding and reforming unconscious biases pave the way for genuinely inclusive communities and workplaces. Her upcoming engagements and continued work in executive coaching and DEI consultancy promise to further her impactful mission.
Final Thoughts
Amber Ontiveros’ appearance on the Lead with Levity Podcast provided not just food for thought but a call to action for anyone looking to make a substantive change in their lives and the lives of others. Her holistic approach to addressing discrimination, rooted in personal healing and consciousness, offers a refreshing, deeply needed perspective in today’s discourse on diversity and inclusion.
For those looking to dive deeper into Ontiveros’ work or seeking guidance on their healing journey, visiting her website, healthefourwoundings.com, is a promising first step towards embracing a more inclusive, empathetic, and healing approach to life and work.
Amber Ontiveros, a longtime civil rights advocate, served in advisory roles at the US Department of Transportation for the Bush and Obama Administrations and now runs Ontiveros and Associates, specializing in change management and policy development.
Amber is an author, keynote speaker, and coach. Amber has crafted tools grounded in the neuroscience of unconscious bias to heal herself from beliefs that result in discord, discrimination, and oppression. She now uses these tools in her practice, among businesses and agencies to foster positive workplace culture. Her perspective has been seen and heard by thousands of agencies for leading change management initiatives across the country.
