ResponseABLE with Professor Nikki James – Details, episodes & analysis

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ResponseABLE with Professor Nikki James

Professor Nikki James

Business

Education

Frequency: 1 episode/7d. Total Eps: 34

Career stories and practical advice for purpose-driven students and early professionals navigating their path to impact.

You want a career that actually matters. ResponseABLE with Professor Nikki James brings you honest conversations with people at every stage of their journey — from students figuring out their first steps to seasoned leaders who've spent decades creating change. Each episode delivers real stories and practical advice from people who chose purpose over a paycheck and figured out how to make it work. If you're navigating early career decisions and want your work to mean something, this show is for you.

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Data updated on 31/08/2026

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Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - Careers
31/08/2026
#76

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https://www.linkedin.com/in/norashepard/
69 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkijames1/
34 shares
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliedmeyer/
1 share

https://www.instagram.com/drnikkijames
34 shares
https://www.instagram.com/teonazak
1 share
https://www.instagram.com/runninglateclub
1 share

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Score global : 68%

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Does sustainability have a place in the business world? What about intuition? with Heatherjean MacNeil

Season 1 · Episode 34

Wednesday, August 26, 2026 • Duration 52:09

Heatherjean MacNeil is a professor of Organizational Behavior at Northeastern University, founder, sustainability advocate, mother, researcher, and much more. In this episode, Heather and Nikki sit down in Maine to discuss everything from career shifts to the role of intuition in career planning. Heatherjean shares her story of becoming a founder and her path to professorship—she connects her own experiences to the advice and wisdom she gives her students and mentees everyday.

To stay connected with Heather or inquire more about her work, connect with her on LinkedIn.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Slow and steady wins the race with Grace and Wayne Le Roux

Season 1 · Episode 33

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 • Duration 40:09

In this episode, Nikki sits down with Grace and Wayne Leroux discuss to their lives in Cape Town, paths to each other, and the steady growth of their venture, Running Late Club. They unpack the realization that more isn't always better and that clear values drive a dream forward.

To become involved with Running Late, check out their Instagram or website. Also, connect with Grace and Wayne on LinkedIn to stay in touch.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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The cake is big enough with Donna and Brent James

Season 1 · Episode 32

Wednesday, August 12, 2026 • Duration 53:52

The Cake Is Big Enough with Donna and Brent James

ResponseABLE with Professor Nikki James

Episode Summary

In this episode, Nikki sits down with Donna and Brent James — married for over 24 years, parents of three, and co-founders of Genesis Travel Solutions in Cape Town, South Africa. Genesis is the company behind the logistics that make Nikki's Northeastern study abroad program possible, and Brent and Donna have become close friends and mentors to her along the way.

Brent and Donna get candid about what it actually took to build Genesis — including two failed attempts before the business finally stuck, the tension of building a company as a married couple, and the season when Brent quit his job with no income to fall back on while Donna held down financial stability for the family. They talk honestly about how their strengths complement each other, how they learned (and are still learning) to manage money and trust as partners, and how they've built a company culture that prioritizes people and family over rapid growth. The conversation closes with the story of a $100 slushie that meant a lot more than it sounds like.

What You'll Hear

How Nikki first met Donna and Brent through a mutual friend — and the surreal story of Donna baking Nikki a birthday cake before they'd even officially met
The real story behind Genesis Travel Solutions: three attempts over roughly a decade, two false starts derailed by timing (a retrenchment, then COVID), before the business finally found its footing
What it looked like for Brent to quit his corporate job and go all-in on the business while Donna held onto financial stability for the family — and the very different ways each of them remembers that season
The moment Donna finally left her own job to join Genesis full-time, and the doubt that lingered even after she did
What a business consultant's personality assessment revealed about why their partnership works, despite conventional wisdom that spouses shouldn't run a business together
How entrepreneurship evolved for Brent from "how much money can I make" to building something that creates opportunity for other people
The story of Charlie — a former construction worker Brent and Donna invested in, training and funding his tour guide qualification, who now owns his own tour company, Liminal Tours

Embracing guidance from our ancestors, mentors, and past selves with Earl-Djehuti

Season 1 · Episode 31

Wednesday, August 5, 2026 • Duration 01:09:30

Earl-Djehuti is a leader at TSIBA Business School in Cape Town, South Africa and partners with Nikki to facilite the partnership between TSIBA and Northeastern University each year. In the episode you will hear that Earl's leadership skills span far beyond the classroom and into many aspects of life. In the conversation you'll hear Nikki and Earl discuss topics from leadership, to ancestral reconciliation, to asking for help.

To learn more about Earl, connect with him on LinkedIn or check out the programs at TSIBA Business School.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Pouring out without running dry with Carmen Levendall

Season 1 · Episode 30

Wednesday, July 29, 2026 • Duration 44:15

Episode Summary

In this episode, recorded on the beach in Cape Town during the final days of Nikki's time in South Africa, she sits down with her friend Carmen Levendall — a motor mechanic turned laundromat owner turned community advocate. Carmen shares her winding path from a "lost teenager" in the northern suburbs of Cape Town to becoming one of the few women in South Africa's motor mechanic trade in the 1990s, to unexpectedly buying a laundromat in 2016 that would become a hub of dignity and healing for her community.

Carmen opens up about running Snow White Laundry as more than a business — offering warm clothes, coffee, and connection to homeless neighbors and elderly customers alike — and about her volunteer work at Paulsmoor Prison, where she co-founded Safe Harbor to support incarcerated mothers. The conversation closes on something every high-achiever needs to hear: what it really looks like to rest intentionally instead of pouring out until the cup runs dry.

What You'll Hear

Nikki's signature opening question — "Who are you?" — and Carmen's answer: mom, wife, entrepreneur, volunteer, mechanic, recycler, and lifelong community person
Growing up in Belhar, the culture shock of moving to Muizenberg after marriage, and realizing she'd been living with a "fixed mindset" about her own potential
Landing in motor mechanics almost by accident — a NAMPAC bursary, a fear of "Spock" (electrical work), and becoming one of the only women training as a mechanic in 1996
The unplanned leap into entrepreneurship: a customer's offhand comment, a laundromat that wasn't even on the market yet, and the leap of faith that became Snow White Laundry in December 2016
Turning a business into a community — offering homeless neighbors clean clothes, hot coffee, and dignity, and watching lives change over the years
Carmen's philosophy on business: people over profit, and why she believes it's actually more sustainable in the long run
Her volunteer work at Paulsmoor Prison and the story behind founding Safe Harbor, an organization supporting incarcerated mothers
A candid conversation about burnout — what happens when giving becomes pouring without ever refilling, and what "resting intentionally" actually looks like

Pursuing what you’re best at with Breanna Holmes

Season 1 · Episode 29

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 • Duration 41:45

Brianna Holmes is an engineer turned entrepreneur in her 20s, on a mission to demystify the FE exam for engineering students. For engineers and non-engineers, Nikki's chat with Breanna is an empowering reminder of the power that mindset has on every hurdle we face. They discuss the pros and cons of a winding career path, tips for showing up as your best self, and what actually led Breanna to starting her own business.

To inquire about her business or learning opportunities, check out FE Made Easy. Also, to stay up to date, connect with Breanna on LinkedIn.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Learning, teaching, and practicing entrepreneurship with Sinethemba Dangazel

Season 1 · Episode 28

Wednesday, July 15, 2026 • Duration 31:31

Sinethemba Dangazele is an entrepreneur, leader, and lifelong learner based in Cape Town, South Africa. Both fortunate enough to work with TSIBA Business School, Sinethemba sits down with Nikki to discuss his path from not even using the word "entrepreneur," to building a business, to teaching others about the path to entrepreneurship. His commitment to his dreams and genuine effort to make the world a better place are made clear throughout the conversation. Connect with Sinethemba on LinkedIn to stay up to date on his work.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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Nikki’s mid-year checkpoint

Season 1 · Episode 27

Wednesday, July 8, 2026 • Duration 27:53

This episode marks the six-month milestone of ResponsABLE. Nikki hops on the mic today to reflect on her podcasting journey. She shares the evolution of ResponABLE's mission and vision and as well as her key learnings so far.

As mentioned in the episode, learn more about Systems Theory and Actor-Network Theory in the attached links.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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A story of small impact adding up with Ian and Natasha Miller

Season 1 · Episode 26

Wednesday, July 1, 2026 • Duration 01:06:21

Natasha and Ian Miller are the founders of Siyazana, an organization which empowers young people in South Africa with education, mentorship, and resources. While Siyazna does a variety of work, their goal is to “cultivate agents of change who will challenge prevailing socio-economic norms and inspire subsequent generations.” In this episode, you’ll hear about how Siyazana began, along with Ian and Natasha’s motivation to start and develop such an impactful organization.

To stay connected, follow Ian and Natasha on Instagram.

Also, no matter where you are in the world, participate in Mandela Day AND help celebrate Nikki's birthday. Using this link, $4.13 can sponsor a meal for 10 people on July 17. By donating you will help the Siyazana team reach the goal of providing 2,000 people with a warm meal.

https://www.givio.co.za/campaigns/0mZ7ubBLbV5f3foS1Axy

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

How adding value fosters opportunities with Clayton Jardine

Season 1 · Episode 25

Wednesday, June 24, 2026 • Duration 39:17

Clayton Jardine is young leader, community builder, and social impact worker based in Cape Town, South Africa. In this episode, Nikki and Clayton sit down to Clayton's journey from being a student to working in social impact. From the way he's made the most of challenging moments, to his creative problem solving in both personal and professional life, listeners are sure to take something positive away from this conversation.

To follow along Clayton's journey, check out is LinkedIn or Instagram.

To learn more about ResponseABLE, check out the website www.responseable.org or follow Professor Nikki James on LinkedIn or Instagram.

ResponseABLE is produced and edited by Northeastern Alumni, Nora Shepard. For more from Nora, subscribe to Good Disaster on Substack or connect with her on LinkedIn.

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ResponseABLE with Professor Nikki James – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

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ResponseABLE with Professor Nikki James – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

LinkedIn27

Other18

Instagram10

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

LinkedIn27

Other18

Instagram10