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.
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What's In It For Me?
Parity Podcast
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts surged in 2020, but are now experiencing headwinds. Carrie Fletcher, leadership and strategy consultant, joins us to discuss how and why DEI initiatives falter, the critical role of men, and the need to address the elephant in the room which asks "what's in it for me"?
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Bringing Men to the Table with the Good Guys
Parity Podcast
Good Guys authors David Smith and Brad Johnson say that men are the key to gender parity. We agree but we need many more men as allies. In this episode, Cathy and Deborah ask the tough questions. What is standing in the way of full engagement by men? And for those men who are engaged, what can they do right now? You can learn more about the important work that Dave and Brad are doing on . You can also read their books and Where You Can Find Us Website: Follow us on Co-Hosts: and
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GERI, Where Women and Men Talk Gender
Parity Podcast
We are joined by Gender Equity and Reconciliation International (GERI) to discuss bringing women and men together to listen to each other and bridge the gender divide. Its view? Parity isn't possible unless we engage with each other more deeply. GERI colleagues Cynthia Brix and Jon Levitt share a glimpse into what this process entails.
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Privilege: Breaking Down Defensiveness and Opening Up Dialogue
Parity Podcast
People hear a lot of different things when they hear the word "privilege," both good and bad. In this episode, Cathy and Deborah discuss their own privileges and how to have a more constructive, nuanced discussion, including by ditching the word. They also discuss "aha" moments and best practices for using whatever privileges -- or advantages -- you have to create a more inclusive workplace.
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They said what?!: Calling Out and Calling In Bias
Parity Podcast
We focus a lot in this day and age on unconscious bias, but women continue to experience head-scratching moments of in-your-face, outright explicit bias. From public shaming to cornering and bullying, listen in on these modern-day examples of good old-fashioned blatant sexism - and know you are not alone. Then, learn what you can do as the target of bias, and even more importantly as an ally, including by "calling out" and "calling in." For more information, we recommend these resources:
info_outlineWorkplace communications are powerful - they can make and break careers, incent us to give our all, or cause us to run for the hills and join the Great Resignation. In this episode, we discuss inclusive communication tips for everyone including leaders and allies, as well as strategies when you find yourself in cultures where it is difficult to be seen and heard.
You can Subscribe! so you don’t miss any episodes! Time-stamped show notes are below. You can find a transcript of today’s episode at our webpage.
If you would like to learn more about today’s topic:
Influential Internal Communications by Jenni Field
2:10 Importance of workplace communications
3:16 What is a successful communication
3:49 As a reminder, SCRIPT stands for:
S: Stop Trying to Change Women
C: Create Diverse Teams
R: Recognize Unconscious Bias
I: Intentionally Include
P: Partner With Men to Be Allies
T: Talk About The Issues
We believe that a combination of each of these factors will help women advance and compete with men on a more level playing field.
5:02, 6:10 Communication skills are learned
7:39 Example of a miscommunication resulting in mayhem
9:50 Emails vs. face to face communications
10:12, 11:10 Delivering constructive criticism
13:29 Communications can foster positive workplace cultures (or not)
13:57 Gender differences impact communications
14:25 In today’s episode, we will discuss:
-What is a communication
-General rules for communicating
-Special considerations for emails
-Meta-communications (aspects of a communication that are never expressed but we all get the message anyway)
16:00 What is a communication
17:25 Importance of praising peers and direct reports for a job well done
20:00 Respect is key
20:40 Influential Internal Communication by Jenni Field stresses:
-Focus on the audience
-Set a clear goal & tone
-Keep it simple
-Make your point
-Consider the medium
21:55 Avoid I and Me and instead use the words Us and We
22:45 Unthoughtful or rushed communications
23:07 Microaggressions and biased communications
23:35 Email tips
24:00 Don’t deal with sensitive information via email
24:30 Don’t complain or criticize a person via email
26:11, 27:05, 27:45 Be fair
29:18 Avoid shaming
30:25 Meetings and call etiquette
30:50 Avoid the dog and pony show
31:05 Enforce equal air time
31:30 Form alliances so that you are heard
33:35 What is a meta communication
35:14 Disrespectfulness of wordsmithing or a total re-write
37:35 Respect communications differences - this is one goal of DEI
38:30 Strategies to deal with the guy who thinks he’s the most important person in the room
39:55, 41:13, 41:35 Communications should intentionally include
42:33 Parity in Play
44:25 Tips for allies in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade
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