Stretch, Seek Sponsorship, Succeed: Women's Guide to Experience Capital
Parity Podcast
In this episode, Cathy and Deborah dive into the concept of experience capital, explaining how it plays a pivotal role in career advancement. They explore why it's not just about doing good work, but also about strategically positioning yourself through stretch assignments, developing strong sponsorship relationships, and building the right networks. Together, they share actionable tips on how to steer your career growth and set yourself up for greater success by seizing upon opportunities, raising your hand for the tough assignments, and actively building relationships...
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Are You Ambitious? You're Not Alone.
Parity Podcast
In this episode, Cathy and Deborah discuss the lesser known fact that women are, on balance, every bit as motivated to maximize their careers as men. With this in mind, how do women in the workplace navigate negative pushback when we are deemed too "aggressive"? How do employers ensure that they are capitalizing on women's talents? As always, Cathy and Deborah offer their own insights and practical advice for women and leaders encountering a sometimes "greedy" workplace.
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Keep On Keeping On
Parity Podcast
Marking four years of the Parity Podcast, Cathy and Deborah discuss their ongoing efforts to nudge the workplace culture to be a more equitable place for women and to take advantage of the skills sets women have to offer. They recount their SCRIPT for change, review some of their favorite episodes, and share what they have learned. In answer to the question of whether something different is needed in this moment of the fight for a better workplace for all, Cathy and Deborah offer the understated response that is the title of this Episode: Keep On Keeping On.
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Unlearning Silence: A Conversation with Elaine Lin Hering
Parity Podcast
Elaine Lin Hering joins the Parity Podcast to discuss the role that silence plays in each of our lives. Her 2024 book, Unlearning Silence, explores the ways in which we are silenced in the workplace, and the roles we play in silencing others. Driven by her own experience in being encouraged to speak up, yet not having her words welcomed, Elaine began pondering the larger dynamics in play and the consequences of remaining silent. According to Elaine, finding one's voice is more than what you say or don't say, it is about how you move through the world and show up. She encourages each of us to...
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What Is It about Taylor Swift?
Parity Podcast
The Parity Podcast has been curious about Taylor Swift's stunning success as a pop star and her potential as a role model to the next generation of women. In this episode, Deborah is joined by four Taylor Swift fans from across the country, ranging from the teens to late 20s, to discuss what she means to them. They describe her music as poetic, playful, self-deprecating, and deeply relatable and accessible, lending insight to the source of her magic. Offering a sound track for the experience of growing up, and loving and living, Swift makes a profound impact, reaching across cultural and...
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The Barbieland Mess
Parity Podcast
Dr. Nithila Peter returns to the Parity Podcast and joins Deborah to discuss the magic and mess of the Barbie movie. Drawing on her background in media studies, Nithila offers insight into the cinematic experience and the bookends of the movie, from the birth of Barbie to the gynecologist's office. Simulatenously inspired and horrified by the perfectly sculpted Barbie as a role model, Nithila and Deborah discuss the film's depiction of the hyper-femininine and hyper-masculine worlds, and what they reveal about parity. They discuss the complexity of the Barbie doll as a toy, along with the...
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No Need to Apologize: A Conversation with Kara Wojnowski
Parity Podcast
In this episode, Cathy and Deborah speak to Kara Wojnowski, a Marketing Manager at Biorigin Specialty Products, who has studied the communication differences between women and men. One large difference is many women's tendency to apologize, even when there is no reason to do so. How does over-apologizing undermine a person's credibility? And when should someone apologize and when not? Kara discusses these issues and more with the Parity Podcast, and helps us think critically about communication styles--without violating Parity Podcast's golden rule against trying to change women.
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The DEI Vocabulary List
Parity Podcast
Over the last several years, we've developed a brand-new vocabulary to talk about very old problems. In this episode, Cathy and Deborah explore the importance of that vocabulary, as well as its imperfections and limitations. They also discuss how seemingly uncontroversial terms have become oh-so controversial, while identifying solutions to overcome the divide.
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There is a Better Way: INVERSITY's Approach to DEI with Karith Foster
Parity Podcast
We welcome Karith Foster whose new approach to achieving workplace inclusion rejects the use of blame and shame in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. She offers a new path forward, recognizing that all of us are different and unique, and true change requires everyone to participate. You can learn more about how
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Mental Health and Getting Well in the Workplace, with Vivia Chen
Parity Podcast
Kicking off the fourth season, Cathy and Deborah welcome Vivia Chen to discuss the challenges of getting the care you need for your mental health. Vivia, an award winning columnist and prolific opinion writer, was denied short term disability because she was not deemed "sad enough." Vivia discusses mental health stereotypes and solutions for change. You can find and on LinkedIn.
info_outlineJuggling work and motherhood is a bone-weary challenge unless you’re Wonder Woman. While women’s skills grow after becoming mothers, we often face biases that stall careers. The pandemic made the situation more dire but now is a golden opportunity to find solutions with the Parity Prescription.
Subscribe! Time-stamped show notes are below.
Intro
00:27 Time for gender parity increased from 100 to 135 yrs; COVID widened the gender gap, CNBC
5:23 Need workplace support; Unfinished Business by Anne Marie Slaughter
Unique Skills of Working Moms
8:29 Skills grow; Modern Family Index; Why Mothers Make Excellent Employees, DiversityQ
12:42 Skills developed as mothers
13:35 Remain calm under pressure
14:29 Improve communication skills
14:50 Hone negotiation skills
15:10 Improve creativity
Biases Against Mothers
16:19 50% believe mothers are less committed to work; Modern Family Index
17:54 Mothers MORE devoted
18:25 Won’t “half-ass” my job - kids are watching
19:08 Sleep deprived v. less interest
20:00 Moms lose opportunities
20:15 ‘She won’t have time’
20:37 “Benevolent” leaders harm careers
20:42 Fathers face bias too
21:15 Women judged for flex schedules; Modern Family Index
21:32 Motherhood biases + regular biases against women; How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Parity Podcast (Apple); How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Parity Podcast (Spotify); Unconscious Bias: Hidden Forces Undermining Women at Work
12:03 Boss not supportive
22:20 Will mother return to work?
23:44 Miscarriage, morning sickness, breast pumping at work
25:02 Common questions causing guilt
27:44 Child crying on Zoom
28:30 Opportunities given to less qualified employees; The Wage Gap is Wider for Working Mothers; The Hazard of the Motherhood Penalty
29:16 Mothers MORE ambitious; For mothers in the workplace, a year (and counting) like no other, McKinsey
30:44 Women do more housework; Mothers' Careers Are At Extraordinary Risk Right Now, Atlantic Monthly
32:01 Work culture; 8 Signposts of Cultures Where Women Thrive, Parity Podcast (Apple); 8 Signposts of Cultures Where Women Thrive, Parity Podcast (Spotify)
Impact of COVID
32:56 Job losses; OxFam International
34:10 Women overrepresented in low wage jobs; Women in Low-Wage Jobs are Underpaid and Overloaded, Atlantic Monthly
34:29 Working thru pandemic
36:22 Feeling judged; Mothers' Careers Are At Extraordinary Risk Right Now, For mothers in the workplace, a year (and counting) like no other
Solutions
37:45 Parity Prescription helps; How the Parity Prescription Can Work for You
38:29 Recognize Unconscious Bias; How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Parity Podcast (Apple); How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Parity Podcast (Spotify); Unconscious Bias: Hidden Forces Undermining Women at Work
39:29 Focus on skills
40:51 Partner with Allies; How Male Allies Can Lean In for Measurable Gains to Achieve Parity, Parity Podcast (Apple); How Male Allies Can Lean In for Measurable Gains to Achieve Parity, Parity Podcast (Spotify)
41:15 Allies at home
44:15 Allies at work
49:19 Talk About the Issues; How to Have Tough Conversations at Work, Parity Prescription (Apple); How to Have Tough Conversations at Work, Parity Prescription (Spotify)
Parity in Play
51:05 Some universities not supportive of women in STEM programs; The Parent Trap: Scholars find antagonism towards motherhood dissuades women from pursuing academic science careers, UC Santa Barbara, July 15, 2021
Where You Can Find Us
Website: www.par-ity.com
Follow us on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn
Co-Hosts: Deborah Pollack-Milgate and Cathy Nestrick
Contributor: Dr. Nithila Peter of eiLeads
Email [email protected] with questions or comments