Unconscious Bias, a Stick of Dynamite, and More As We Look Back on 2021
Release Date: 12/14/2021
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.
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The Backlash: Unpacking the State of DEI
Parity Podcast
In this episode, Cathy and Deborah discuss the revolt against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts - and women - in the workplace. How did the seemingly noncontentious goal of inclusivity become controversial? More importantly, what can we learn from this back lash to transform our own approach? As always, we offer solutions.
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Believing in Yourself, A Conversation with Angela B. Freeman
Parity Podcast
In this episode, we talk to Angela B. Freeman, mom, wife, law firm partner, and podcaster about where she's been and what she hopes for in teaming up with others. We discuss the moments White women have failed to be allies and partners to Women of Color, and what we all need to do to step up, including recognizing the advantages some people have based on skin color. Along with firmly believing in herself but knowing she had to be twice as good, Angela carried - and continues to carry - a deep curiousity for others.
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Pipeline Problems and Strategies for Women, 2023 Year in Review
Parity Podcast
The year 2023 brought incremental gains at the top for women overall but not for women of color. Women in middle management also lost ground, leaving open the question of whether gains at the top were a passing fancy. Join us to discuss 2023 challenges as well as solutions.
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We're Not Going Back
Parity Podcast
Join us for a discussion with Blessing Adesiyan who entered corporate American with a baby in her arms, literally. She shares her nuggets about creating a care infrastructure for workers at all levels and how businesses can best adapt in this new post-COVID landscape. As Blessing says, we're not going back to how it was before. In this new reality, caring about workers is as imperative for their well-being as it is for the bottom line.
info_outlineSubscribe! Time-stamped show notes are below.
Most Positive Developments for Women in 2021
2:24 We are finally discussing unconscious bias, intersectionality challenges for women who identify as BIPOC, and burnout for women
How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Only Wonder Women Need Apply: Solutions for Working Moms; Unconscious Bias: Hidden Forces Undermining Women at Work
3:34 We are pivoting towards real changes because people are being real about their needs
Most Negative Impacts for Women in 2021
6:10 Most experts believe that it will now take 135 years (up from 100 years) to achieve gender parity due to COVID’s increased pressure on women
-and 1 in 3 women has considered leaving the workforce (up from 1 in 40 women considering leaving in 2020)
McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2021; COVID19's Impact on Women's Employment by McKinsey; COVID widened the gender gap, CNBC
8:30 Millions of women have dropped from the workforce
-women are overrepresented in underpaid jobs and some of these jobs disappeared due to COVID
-burnout resulting from gender bias at work and at home
OxFam International and Women in Low-Wage Jobs are Underpaid and Overloaded, Atlantic Monthly and McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2021
Did the Parity Prescription Hold Up During 2021?
9:40 The Parity Prescription is:
S - Stop Trying to Change Women
C - Create Diverse Teams
R - Recognize Unconscious Bias
I - Intentionally Include
P - Partner with Men as Allies
T - Talk about the Issues
How the Parity Prescription Can Work for You
10:20 The Parity Prescription doesn’t completely address the challenges of childcare
12:42 The Parity Prescription is backed by research and studies, is common sense, and aligns with basic societal expectations about how we treat each other
Most Important Elements of the Parity Prescription
15:16 Recognize Unconscious Bias
-need broader understanding to see and recognize bias, particular by straight white men who aren’t negatively impacted by gender bias
-most people want fairness but gender bias is not fair
How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women, Only Wonder Women Need Apply: Solutions for Working Moms; Unconscious Bias: Hidden Forces Undermining Women at Work
16:44 Stop Trying to Change Women
-teaching women to empower themselves isn’t enough
-we need more authenticity in the workplace and alliances with men
Resources: How to Fight Gender Inequality with our Parity Prescription, How to Discovery and FLEX Your Authenticity at Work
Season 1 Accomplishments
Rated #6 for podcasts focused on gender!
19:30 Covered many of the fundamentals
20:55 Framework offers real solutions
-Dr. Nithila Peter and Tracy J. Edmonds added tremendous value during Season 1
Surprises and Fave Moments
22:37 Thanks to
-Faith Blackwell - photography
-Kathleen Fennessy - logo and trademark
-Laura Scott - LLC
-Isabel Robertson - podcast editing
-Dr. Nithila Peter reviewed Season 1 scripts
-Allison Lin gave us a shout-out in Plastics News
-we heard from so many listeners
-grateful for the men who showed up
25:30 Explicit gender bias continues to be a problem and women often do not have a satisfactory way to deal with gender bias so they change jobs
27:40 There is too much pressure on women to keep quiet
-women are told “don’t play the victim”
29:21 People of all genders rate women higher than men on 19 of 21 core leadership competencies but women aren’t being promoted into leadership roles due to unconscious bias
5 Steps to Achieve Increased Leadership by Women
32:25 Tremendous resources to help impact real change including
34:01 Fave podcasting moments
-when Cathy and Deborah make genuine connection, laugh, aha moments
-authenticity discussion
How to Discovery and FLEX Your Authenticity at Work
Top Tips
36:41 You should test your own unconscious bias with a free online tool at Harvard's Implicit Bias Test. The Equalist app is another tool to consider.
37:11 Women are leaning in and we need men to also lean in and meet us halfway.
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)
39:28 Everyone in the workplace should “Shake, Not Stir” and create as many interactions between people from underrepresented groups
5 Action Steps to Shake It Up With Greater Gender Diversity and Inclusion (Apple); 5 Actions Steps to Shake It Up with Greater Gender Diversity and Inclusion (Spotify)
40:25 Do not presume that men have higher competencies than women just because of gender
How to Understand Unconscious Bias So We Can See Women
40:54 Male allies, ask women what they need
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)
41:48 Watch for the SIGNPOSTS of a good culture including organizations with clear, gender-neutral communications and a real suggestion box
8 Signposts of Cultures Where Women Thrive, Parity Podcast (Apple); 8 Signposts of Cultures Where Women Thrive, Parity Podcast (Spotify)
Parity Podcast Metrics
43:28 Season 1 Metrics
-Most downloaded episode How to Fight Gender Inequality with our Parity Prescription
-Second most downloaded episode is The Treasure Trove of Emotional Intelligence, Interview of Dr. Nithila Peter
-Top countries tuning in are United States, India, UK, and Germany
Sneak Peek for Season 2
47:48 Topics will include masculinity, the gender pay gap and more
Save the Date of March 8, 2022 for the Parity Podcast group discussion with guests Ashia Johnson and Lilian Agyemang-Yeboah as we discuss ways to #breakthebias for International Women's Day
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
Email [email protected] with questions or comments