There’s an Eruption in My Living Room! The Care Economy, Part 2
Release Date: 09/01/2022
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.
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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.
info_outlineCaregiving is a second economy that requires a skilled workforce all its own. Yet, in the absence of acknowledging the scale and critical relevance of this economy, the main drivers and load-bearers of this economy remain women. We simply cannot achieve gender parity without more support and without others taking on their share of the load. Dr. Nithila Peter joins us in a 2-part series to discuss solutions.
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 here
If you would like to learn more about today’s topic:
Unfinished Business by Anne Marie Slaughter
The Price of Motherhood; Why the Most Important Job in the World is Still the Least Valued, by Ann Crittendon, (2001)
Secrets of the Sprakkar by Eliza Reid
Blessing Adesiyan, the Founder and CEO of Mother Honestly, is a good resource
1:00 Women are disproportionately responsible for the caring of others
1:30 Dr. Nithila Peter is joining us today
2:36 Today is about solutions
2:45 Part 1 discussed lack of support system
3:32 Part 1 discussed society places a low value on caregiving, no support systems were put in place when mothers entered the workforce, and modern feminism forgot about mothers
4:18 Mothers face bias
4:50 Inaccurate that mothers are less committed
5:35 Mothers earn $.69 for every $1 earned by men
6:30 Motherhood penalty
6:50 Men’s standing increases when becoming fathers
8:20 Women gain skills when becoming mothers
10:40 Emotion, mental, and physical toll of trying to do it all
11:00 Lessons from Indian, Latin, and Indigenous cultures
11:50 Mothers have high cultural value in India
12:25 Story of Nithila’s Indian (South-Asian) family helping to raise her children
13:30 Nithila’s family and extended network enabled her to complete her PhD
14:00 Workplaces should value unique skills of parents
15:20 Obama’s made caregiving more visible through Marian Robinson
18:00 Asian culture offers solution but is a hard model for families stretched thin
19:15 Motherhood is more visible in India for actors, politicians, and others
21:00 Mothers have also been wartime leaders
21:10 Overturning of Roe v. Wade puts additional pressure on the care economy
22:22 18 year old had twins - what support does she have?
23:00 Appalled by mother’s lives now at risk
23:30 Dobbs further reduces mothers’ power in society
24:30 Will gender parity be extended due to Dobbs?
25:30 Difficult to make this prediction
27:50 One solution is more legislative support like paid leave
28:30 Family planning needs more attention
29:09 Flex and hybrid arrangements should stay in place
32:15 Celebrity male leaders do not have reputations for being good caregivers
33:00 We need more caregivers and those with empathy in leadership roles
34:30 We all have equal opportunities to grow caregiving skills
34:45 Many economic successes during pandemic while workers were at home
35:25 Focus on organizational culture
Where You Can Find Us
Website: www.par-ity.com
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Co-Hosts: Deborah Pollack-Milgate and Cathy Nestrick
Email [email protected] with questions or comments