IncludrPod

 It’s no secret that the workforce is in the midst of major shifts as companies come to terms with their own blind spots. But even the most well-intentioned employers are still making missteps along the way. So how can we continue challenging these employers to actually be more inclusive in their hiring practices, rather than just lip service? On this episode of IncludrPod, Jeffrey sits down with Christy Haubegger, the Executive Vice President of Communications and the Chief Enterprise Inclusion Officer at WarnerMedia. Christy works across the organization to advance diverse representation within the company and in the entertainment industry as a whole. During the episode, they discuss unconscious bias in the workplace and how companies can adopt more inclusive hiring practices.

With many workplaces shifting to fully remote or hybrid settings, it’s more important than ever to build strong, connected teams. It’s no secret that we can accomplish more working together than we can apart, no matter the industry or role you find yourself in. On this episode, Jeffrey sits down with guest Ash Beckham—an inclusion activist, inclusive leadership expert, motivational speaker, business leader and the author of Step Up: How to Live with Courage and Become an Everyday Leader. Known for her unique voice, relatable style and powerful guidance, Ash’s TEDx Talk “Coming Out of Your Closet” quickly became a viral sensation. During the episode, the popular speaker and leadership educator addresses topics including embracing a different vision of leadership to create change in our workplaces, schools, places of worship, communities and more. 

We’ve all heard the old adage, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” But what happens when words do hurt? And what if the language we use has more power over our thoughts, feelings and daily interactions than we thought? This episode explores the relationship between language and inclusion, and the ways verbal and non-verbal communication can affect us. Jeffrey sits down with Celeste Headlee: an award-winning journalist, professional speaker and the author of three books including “We Need To Talk: How To Have Conversations That Matter,” and the upcoming “Speaking of Race: Why Everybody Needs To Talk About Racism- And How To Do It.” Celeste is an expert in conversation, human nature, reclaiming common humanity and finding well-being. 

When we feel psychologically safe, we feel free to speak our minds without risking criticism or dissent. It means we feel accepted as our true selves unconditionally, and we can be comfortable being open, honest and vulnerable. On this episode of IncludrPod, Jeffrey sits down with two special guests to discuss psychological safety and how it relates to inclusion in the workplace. Gus Alexiou is a journalist who regularly contributes articles about equity, diversity and inclusion to Forbes. After being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 26, Gus was exposed to the injustices people living with disabilities regularly experience at work. To help put Gus’s story in perspective, neurosurgeon, author and entrepreneur Dr. James R. Doty is also here with us today. Throughout his career, Dr. Doty has studied the neural bases for compassion and altruism, and he believes one of the major problems in our society is that people don’t feel psychologically safe. Dr. Doty shares his take on the impacts of psychological safety and how we can all begin to create it from within. 

Over the past several months, we’ve all been wondering what the new normal will look like. One thing is for sure: the old way of doing things isn’t going to fly any longer. Our society is seeking new alternatives to create more equitable, diverse, and flexible work environments so that we can live amongst each other more comfortably, while prioritizing deep inclusion. In this episode of IncludrPod, Jeffrey sits down with Susie Wise, a leader, coach, educator and designer at the Hasso Plattner Institute of Design at Stanford, also known as d.school. Susie is the mastermind behind Design for Belonging, a framework that supports building greater belonging and reducing “othering” in communities. During the episode, Jeffrey and Susie discuss the changing nature of the workplace today, and how we can design working environments that are more inclusive, empathetic and functional for our fast-paced modern lives.

Bias: we all have it on some level, whether consciously or unconsciously. But how is it formed in the first place, and how do our brains subconsciously keep it going? On this episode of IncludrPod, Jeffrey is joined by David Eagleman, a neuroscientist, New York Times best-selling author, technologist and entrepreneur. David studies brain plasticity, the neuroscience behind human creativity, and the neural functions we aren’t even yet aware of. During the episode, David helps us learn more about the brain’s role in the formation of bias, us vs. them mentalities, and empathy. He’ll help us discover how we can harness our own cognitive processes personally and professionally to live life more intentionally, and form more authentic connections with others—despite our differences.

Welcome to IncludrPod: a podcast exploring deep inclusion, diversity and how to find common ground with just about anyone through a scientific lens. Join host Jeffrey Bowyer-Chapman, an actor, podcaster, model and guest judge on the hit TV series RuPaul’s Drag Race, as he speaks to talented public figures about stories you've never heard, as well as experts and academics who will put it all into perspective. On the show, you’ll learn easy and accessible tips to help people of all ages incorporate deep inclusion into their everyday lives. Creating a safe space is the foundation of authenticity, and everyone is welcome here. Follow along and subscribe to IncludrPod wherever you get your podcasts.