30 Getting Curious podcasts

1. Code Switch: What makes a good race joke?

   When a comedian of color makes a joke, is it always about race, even if it's not about race? In part two of our comedians episodes, Code Switch talks to comedians Aparna Nancherla, Brian Bahe and Maz Jobrani about how and why race makes an appearance in their jokes.

2. Code Switch: What's so funny about race?

   What makes a great joke about race? In the first of two episodes, Code Switch talks to comedians Ziwe, Anjelah Johnson-Reyes and Joel Kim Booster about their favorite race joke they tell: What's its origin story? Why is it so funny? And what does it say about race in America?

3. Code Switch: What does it mean to "inherit whiteness?"

   In Baynard Woods' new memoir, Inheritance: An Autobiography of Whiteness, Woods reflects on how growing up white in South Carolina impacted his life. He argues that it is crucial for white people in the U.S. to reckon with their personal histories.

4. The Man Enough Podcast: Understanding Men and Their Trauma with Dr. Gabor Maté

   Men aren’t toxic, they’re traumatized. Renowned physician, author and speaker Dr. Gabor Maté talks about internalized rage, our toxic world culture, childhood trauma and reframing our approach to mental illness. With over 40 years of clinical experience and personal development, Maté takes us to school on our misconceptions about the traumas and “toxicity” within us as he gently reminds us that we are much more connected than we are led to believe.

5. The Man Enough Podcast: Justin, Jamey and Liz on Cancel Culture

   Hosts Justin Baldoni, Jamey Heath, and Liz Plank kick off the season with an honest, maybe even risky, conversation on the challenges and anxiety of being a public figure, sharing opinions and having tough conversations in the age of cancel culture.

6. Change Conversations: Episode 3: Invisible Disabilities 

   Invisible disabilities aren't immediately apparent to others. They include developmental disabilities like autism and ADHD, visual or auditory impairment, and more. Because these disabilities can fly under the radar, a segment of the workforce lacks on-the-job support or, even worse, they can’t get their foot in the door because the hiring process just isn’t designed for them. Companies are starting to understand how to retain different types of employees by highlighting their strengths and supporting weaknesses, while breaking down employment barriers. This episode will explore how to attract and retain employees with invisible disabilities, and underscore the value they bring to organizations.

7. Change Conversations: Episode 4: You Have To See It to Be It

   Representation matters in sports, music, advertising and entertainment. When you see yourself on the big and small screen, in ad campaigns and leadership roles, it creates a wider sense of possibility; you can more fully envision that doors are open to you.

   More diversity on screen, in ads, on stage and in decision-making positions goes a long way towards inspiring the next generation – the notion that we have to “see it to be it.” It also makes good business sense. Equity is not only important, it’s also good for the bottom line. It’s estimated that there are billions in untapped revenue given the lack of representation for all stories – and faces. So, what’s stopping these industries from achieving it?

8. Change Conversations: Episode 5, Part 1: Women, Work and Covid: Ending the Shecession

   Women lost their jobs or left the workforce at significantly higher rates than men during the pandemic and have encountered more long-term barriers to reentry. As a result, this economic era has earned the nickname the “shecession.” The pandemic also eroded years of progress towards gender equality at work.

   In part 1 of this two-part episode, we will outline the social issues the pandemic has exposed and explore ways that employers can provide equitable skilling and meaningful employment to help women return to work.

9. Change Conversations: Women, Work and Covid: Ending the Shecession (Episode 5, Part 2)

   In part 2 of this two-part episode, we will outline the social issues the pandemic has exposed and explore ways that employers can provide equitable skilling and meaningful employment to help women return to work.

   Our guests for this episode include;

   Dee Poku-Spalding, Founder and CEO, the WIE Suite

   Lisa Skeete Tatum, Founder and CEO, Landit

   Rachel Thomas, Co-founder and CEO, LeanIn.Org and OptionB.Org

   Angela F. Williams, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide

10. The Laverne Cox Show: Overcoming Trauma Through Art w/ Billy Porter (Season Finale)

    Multi-talented and multi-award winning actor Billy Porter talks about his life in show business, healing his trauma with art, and his new memoir Unprotected.

11. The Laverne Cox Show: Reclaiming MeToo w/ Tarana Burke

    Activist, advocate and founder of the MeToo Movement, Tarana Burke, joins Laverne to assess where we are in the fight to stop sexual violence since MeToo went viral in 2017.

12. The Laverne Cox Show: Moving Beyond the Gender Binary w/ ALOK

    Laverne and Artist ALOK talk about the history of the gender binary and embracing the entire spectrum.

13. Brené with Viola Davis on Being Brave, Speaking Truth, and Finding Me

    This is an incredible conversation with none other than the amazing, singular Viola Davis about her new memoir, Finding Me. This book, and this conversation, are gifts—deep reflections on a turbulent childhood, the journey to overcoming trauma, and how she found her voice in the often brutal entertainment industry. She shares some extraordinary experiences that have changed her, and because of who she is, they’ve in turn changed us.

14. Best of IdeaCast 2022 (hbr.org)

    From incivility for frontline workers to struggles with hybrid work to actual progress made since the murder of George Floyd, HBR IdeaCast spent 2022 sharing impactful management research and exploring the social and business trends that affect workers and leaders. Join hosts Alison Beard and Curt Nickisch as they listen in on some of their favorite interviews of the year. They share what made these conversations so memorable and insightful and why they’re still worth a listen—or a re-listen—in 2023.

15. You’ve Made Some DEI Progress. Don’t Stop Now (hbr.org)

    Over the past few years, organizations around the world have invested in diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives with varying results. But to achieve lasting change, they’ll need to commit to that work for much longer, says Ella Washington, organizational psychologist and professor at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business. Her research shows that companies move toward DEI maturity in five stages (aware, compliant, tactical, integrated, and sustainable) and each takes time to work through. She explains why some organizations get stuck, and how to overcome those challenges.

16. HBR IdeaCast: Fighting Bias and Inequality at the Team Level

    Despite the investments made in the last few years, many companies are falling short of their diversity, equity, and inclusion aims. Some firms have faced difficulty spreading their DEI efforts top-down throughout the organization. Trier Bryant, the cofounder and CEO of Just Work, details why and shares a framework that teams and individuals can use to fight bias on the day-to-day level at work.

17. HBR IdeaCast: You're Overlooking a Source of Diversity: Age 

    Megan Gerhardt, management professor at Miami University, studies the impact of generational conflict on organizations. She says too many leaders see generational lines as a source of division that hurts productivity. But her research shows that age is often an untapped source of diversity. When age-diverse teams are managed well, members share more knowledge, skills, and networks with each other. To foster intergenerational collaboration, she lays out a four-part framework that starts with questioning assumptions and ends with embracing mutual learning.

18. Black Tea: Blackness, Sports and Activism

    Growing up, the athlete was portrayed as shallow, unintelligent, and unconcerned with the affairs of the world. This has never been the case with Black athletes, so why are white sports fans continually surprised? We talk to Donnovan Bennett from Sportsnet about the implications and stakes surrounding the activist athlete.

19. Black Tea: Black Film & TV

    Yes, diversity is a buzzword, but it also represents essential strides in the film and television industry related to viewership and box office returns. For some reason, that shift hasn’t resonated in Canada. How can we change that?

20. Black Foodies

    We talk to one of Canada’s most popular food Influencers Ryan Hinkson (Eat Famous) about hot culinary trends, the relationship between food and race, food photography, and customer service stereotypes.

21. Influencer Culture

    Her journey into becoming one of the most visible Black influencers in Canada is such a fascinating one. Today we talk to Sasha Exeter about how her education, experiences with competitive sports and career shaped her into crafting a career from scratch, before the term “influencer” was at the tip of everyone’s tongue. And for those who don’t know, what does an Influencer do every day? During this wide- ranging discussion, we also talk about Sasha’s journey navigating how she uses your voice and influence to impact and empower others.

22. Perspectives: Leadership Series: The power of allyship in the workplace

    In this instalment, you'll hear a conversation about allyship hosted by Scotiabank’s Meigan Terry with academic, author and allyship expert Kenji Yoshino. They talk about the business case for allyship, give some concrete tips to be a better ally in the workplace and much more.

23. Brown Table Talk: What to do When Your Name is Mispronounced

    Dee C. Marshall and Mita Mallick talk about the value of your name inside and outside of the workspace and how you should handle when your name is mispronounced.

24. Brown Table Talk: What to do When You Are the Target of Gaslighting?

    Dee C. Marshall and Mita Mallick talk about scenarios and situations wherein you find yourself being a victim of gaslighting.

25. Brown Table Talk: Back to Full-Time at the Office?  No Thanks.

    Dee C. Marshall and Mita Mallick talk about the idea of returning to the office and why women of color prefer the work-from-home scenario. 

26. Brown Table Talk: Why Can’t They Say My Name Correctly? 

    Dee C. Marshall and Mita Mallick talk about a painful recurring instance when people just can’t say your name correctly! Has this ever happened to you?

27. The Heart of Leadership, Part 1 of 2 - Brené Brown (brenebrown.com)

    Two Dare to Lead favorites Aiko Bethea and Ruchika Tulshyan dig into the heart of what it means to belong. What are we getting right with DEIB work? What are we still not doing well? I think this work is actually the core of real leadership, of daring leadership. It’s not an add-on. It’s the heart, it’s the lifeblood, it’s the marrow.

28. The Heart of Leadership, Part 2 of 2 - Brené Brown (brenebrown.com)

    Part 2 of this very important conversation with Aiko Bethea and Ruchika Tulshyan. Join us they talk about the state of belonging work—what it is, what’s working, and what’s not working. This is a soulful conversation about the tough work that I believe is at the heart of courageous leadership.

29. Inclusion on Purpose | Podcast - Brené Brown (brenebrown.com)

    Inclusion on Purpose: An Intersectional Approach to Creating a Culture of Belonging at Work is a transformative book. In it, Ruchika Tulshyan, a journalist and inclusion strategist, centers the experience of women of color and provides a framework of intentional actions—on both the individual and the organizational level—to neutralize workplace bias and foster environments that are diverse, equitable, and inclusive. As Ruchika says in her book, inclusion is the most important leadership trait today—and one that can be learned through awareness, intention, and regular practice.

30. Inclusivity at Work: The Heart of Hard Conversations - Brené Brown (brenebrown.com)

    In this episode, Brene Brown talks to colleague and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion expert, Aiko Bethea. They discuss empathy, accountability, and the power of listening and believing (including a very real role play). They also dissect the differences between transactional leadership and transformational leadership, and why courage is a prerequisite to lasting, meaningful change.

What was your favorite and why?