They Tried It – Episode 1: From Cultural Theorist to Corporate Truth-Teller (with Dr. Anastasia)

In the first episode of They Tried It, host Lindiwe Davis sits down with Dr. Anastasia—cultural theorist, lifelong activist, and former corporate leader—to unpack what happens when truth, integrity, and power collide at work.

Dr. Anastasia shares her journey from being classically trained in race and gender studies to applying that knowledge inside organizations and global brands, navigating identity, culture, and responsibility. As an immigrant, she reflects on how education became a tool for survival, self-awareness, and resistance—and how knowledge, when paired with responsibility, shaped her career.

The conversation takes a powerful turn as Dr. Anastasia recounts her exit from corporate America, including being offered nearly $35,000 in exchange for her silence—and her decision not to sign the severance payout. She opens up about being reprimanded for advocating for disabled employees and being reported for speaking out on humanitarian issues.

This episode is about courage, discernment, and refusing to be erased. It’s about choosing self-respect over silence, recognizing when your success becomes a threat to others, and the behavior that follows in professional spaces.

About Our Guest:

Dr. Anastasia Kārkliņa Gabriel is a cultural theorist, social critic, and an award-winning author. A widely regarded commentator on media, marketing, and social change, her insights into contemporary culture have appeared in publications like Forbes, The Guardian, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Business Insider, and Teen Vogue, as well as on national and international broadcast media, including talk shows such as Piers Morgan Uncensored. Her debut book, Cultural Intelligence for Marketers (2024), explores how organizations can decode sociocultural forces at play to stay ahead of the curve and positively shape the future of business and society. Dr. Gabriel holds a Ph.D. in cultural studies from Duke University.

Follow her journey on LinkedIn and via IG: @anastasiakgabriel

About the Host:

Lindiwe is a sought-after speaker, interviewer, and culture strategist across several industries, known for bridging theory and practice through storytelling and lived experience. With over 25 years of experience spanning leadership development, organizational effectiveness, coaching, and media storytelling, she is the founder of FutureState Collective—the culture and media platform that produces They Tried It.

She has interviewed actors, authors, activists, and cultural leaders; has been invited to speak and host conversations across platforms; has been featured by Bloomberg Radio and SAG-AFTRA; and has hosted Google's "Level Up in Tech," to name a few.

Learn more about Lindiwe and view her media kit here.

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About The Host:

"I wanted to share a little more about what I’ve been working on and what’s coming next. Many of you know I’m building my podcast, 'They Tried It,' and I’m excited to share that our first episodes will begin rolling out in January 2026. It’s been a labor of courage, truth, and storytelling—and I can’t wait for you to hear it."