Many things we once widely accepted as true and considered non-controversial galvanize intense debates.

Leaders are often advised to stay neutral, to not get political when these issues come up in their organizations.

Of course leaders should be mindful of what they discuss, how, and with whom. But that isn’t the same as being apolitical or neutral. In fact, our collective discomfort with being political often has less to do with neutrality and more to do with avoiding discomfort or even silencing conversations outright.

When leaders stifle discussions because they fear losing control, that’s not neutrality, that’s avoidance. And avoidance doesn’t make a space safe; it makes it fragile.

As leaders of teams from different backgrounds, lived experiences, and viewpoints, it is neither responsible nor possible to be truly neutral. But what we can do is create cultures of openness, generosity, and meaningful discussion. And in a time when science, health, food security, education, and mental well-being are being politicized, it’s essential.

In the second part of this series on science communication, my guest is an incredible leader, scientist, and science communicator. She shares critical reflections on what we can do to fight misinformation, regardless of our training and expertise.

Jessica Steier, DrPH, PMP is a public health scientist, advocate, science communicator, and Co-Founder and CEO of Unbiased Science. She is driven by a mission to bridge divides and foster trust through empathetic, evidence-based communication. As the founder of the Unbiased Science podcast and newsletter, she is committed to breaking free from echo chambers and tackling health and science literacy with clarity and compassion. Dr. Steier specializes in evaluation science, leveraging data and storytelling to inform health policy and program improvement. Her work focuses on building connections, encouraging dialogue, and making complex scientific concepts accessible to diverse audiences. 

Listen to the full episode to hear:

• How pop understandings of science-related buzzwords make communication harder
• How Jessica works to account for her own biases when creating content
• Why connection and empathy are key to beginning to break down misinformation
• How connection without expertise, especially on social media, creates a flood of misinformation
• Why we have to address the roots of people’s mistrust of scientific institutions
• How Jessica and other science communicators are supporting each other through online abuse
• What to watch out for when influencers talk about health and wellness
• The real risks and impacts of some of the most common health misinformation

Learn more about Dr. Jessica Steier:

• Unbiased Science
• Unbiased Science Podcast
• Unbiased Science Newsletter
• Instagram: @unbiasedscipod

Learn more about Rebecca:

• rebeccaching.com
• Work With Rebecca
• The Unburdened Leader on Substack
• Sign up for the weekly Unburdened Leader Email

Resources:

• Politics, Andrew Heywood
• The Human Condition, Hannah Arendt
• Marking 50 Years in the Struggle for Democracy | Freedom House
• How Democracies Die, Daniel Ziblatt , Steven Levitsky
• ​​To combat misinformation, start with connection, not correction
• Booster Shots: The Urgent Lessons of Measles and the Uncertain Future of Children's Health, Adam Ratner
• Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us
• Fringe
• Weekend at Bernie's
• Don't Tell Mom the Babysitter's Dead