In this episode of Social Responsibility at Work, I'm joined by Dav Rauch and Andrea Robb to discuss the evolving landscape of organizational culture and the importance of designing workplaces that prioritize the human experience (from the inside out and the outside in).
We explore the interplay between external and internal cultural dynamics, the necessity of adapting tools and systems for modern work environments, and the significance of storytelling and connection in fostering a sense of belonging and psychological safety.
We also throw a hint of AI and biomimicry at the end or our chat just to keep things spicy 🌶️Learn more about A R C xJoin us at the upcoming Culture Impact Lab in Chicago!

In this episode of the Social Responsibility at Work podcast,Angela R. Howard and Geoffrey Roche (Director of Workforce Development (North America at Siemens Healthineers) discuss the importance of allyship, belonging and intentional equitable design in the workplace, focusing on Geoffrey's heart-felt recent personal journey of self-acceptance while coming out as a gay man and the support he received from his organization.

They explore the role of leadership in fostering a culture of belonging, the nuance of privilege, and the responsibility of organizations to address societal issues affecting their employees.

The conversation emphasizes the need for authentic living, the importance of mental health support, and the call to action for leaders to create equitable environments for all.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Personal Stories of Diversity and Inclusion

3:08 - Geoffrey's Journey of Self-Acceptance

6:05 - Organizational Support and Belonging

9:04- Privilege and Equity in the Workplace

11:54- Addressing Macro Environments and Organizational Responsibility

14:50- A Call to Action for Leaders

17:55- Reflections on Love and Acceptance

20:56- Closing Thoughts and Future AspirationsConnect with Geoffrey Roche

Join us and Geoffrey at the Culture Impact Lab 2025 in Chicago.Register HERE.

SUMMARY:

In this episode of the Social Responsibility at Work podcast, I chat with Michel Fabode (Head of People & Culture at Next Street and Author of CULTŪRA) to discuss the current landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. We explore the tension surrounding DEI, the backlash against it, and the importance of embedding culture within organizations. The conversation highlights the shift in power dynamics between employers and employees, the need for organizations to define their values, and the importance of being responsive in a rapidly changing environment. Michel emphasizes that understanding and owning values is crucial for organizations to thrive during challenging times.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to DEI and Culture Work

05:02 The Tension Surrounding DE

I10:12 Understanding the Fear of DEI

20:16 The Evolving Workforce and Values

25:57 The Importance of Values in Organizations

32:12The Future of DEI in Corporate Culture LEARN MORE: Learn more about ⁠Michel Fabode⁠ and The Culture Design Lab.

Purchase and read Michel's book: CULTŪRA: A guidebook to help founders design thoughtful organizational cultures for diverse teams

Join us and Michel at the Culture Impact Lab 2025 in Chicago! Register HERE.

In this powerful episode, my co-host Laura Louise Green ⁠(Founder, ⁠Healthy Pour ⁠) and I sit down with ⁠Nick Thompson⁠, former Love Is Blind cast member, Mental Health Advocate and Co-Founder of ⁠U-CAN Foundation⁠ to pull back the curtain on the untold realities of reality TV and the humans behind the screen.

Nick opens up about the mental health struggles faced by cast members, the lack of workplace protections in the entertainment industry, lack of support and after-care with re-integration, and the exploitation that can occur behind the scenes.

We explore how reality TV intersects with workers’ rights and discuss what meaningful reform could look like to better protect participants. Nick shares his personal experiences and advocates for change in an industry often shrouded in glamor but rife with systemic issues.

Tune in for an eye-opening conversation about the human cost of "unscripted" entertainment and the urgent need for accountability in the industry.

This is a must-listen for advocates for workers’ rights, and anyone curious about the intersection of entertainment and ethics.

Sign the campaign to ⁠Add a Disclaimer to All Reality Television Programming! | MoveOn

Tune into Eyes Wide Open with Nick Thompson

Join us at Culture Impact Lab 2025 (May 14-15 in Chicago)

Learn more about Healthy Pour

Welcome back to Social Responsibility at Work where we advocate for building workplaces where people, purpose and progress come together.

Not only are we reviving social responsibility at work, but we're also taking things to an entirely new level by integrating it in with our Call for Culture annual conference, the Culture Impact Lab - an equity centered conference for work and change leaders.

You all know we are living in a time of rapid change where work culture is being reshaped by society, generational shifts, technological advances, and the increasing demand for businesses to do more than just make profit. They're being called to create meaningful impact, and this podcast started as a platform to discuss how organizations can embrace social responsibility at work and embrace the idea of the connection, the ecosystem between workplaces and society at large.

Now, we're doubling down on those conversations because, let's face it, the stakes have not been higher, and whether we're addressing workplace equity, sustainability, mental health, or community engagement, social responsibility is no longer a nice to have its aim must have.

And so this reboot is brought to you in collaboration with the Culture Impact Lab, which is where we want to do more than just talk about these issues. We want to create a space dedicated to designing and scaling workplace cultures that prioritize integrity, compassion, teamwork and purpose.

And so here's what you can expect moving forward:

1. Actionable and practical insights from our team at Call for Culture around how teams can leaders can integrate social responsibility into their day-to-day operations

2. Real stories from organizations and individuals who are redefining what it means to do good and do well

3. Break down of current events that are sending us signals around how we can need to redefine workplace culture for the future .

Regardless of your role and spheres of influence around equity-centered work, you'll walk away with actionable steps.

And so on our first few episodes, we're going to tackle questions like:

How can businesses and organizations build cultures that support employee wellbeing without sacrificing performance?

How do we think about the wave of return to office (RTO) and what are the problems with that? And what are our predictions around what's going to happen next?

What role does DEI play in social responsibility and thinking about the next four years and a Trump administration? What do we need to see happen in order for us to continue the work?

How can small businesses create big impact in their communities? How do we connect some of this work to economic opportunity?

We’ll feature guests from across industries, leaders, innovators, advocates who are walking the talk when it comes to social responsibility at work.

And this is where you come in. This podcast is a community. It's not a monologue. And so I'd love to hear from you around what challenges are you facing? What topics do you want to explore? What do you want to hear from us? We want to continue to hear from our community and understand how we can be a voice for change for you. Email us at admin@callforculture.com with your ideas!

This generation of workplace culture is not going to last another generation, and we have that the power to ensure that it changes for the better. And so whether you're tuning it on your commute during your morning coffee or a walk, um or you're listening to us to, you know, increase your skill set and your professional development. We’re so grateful that you're here with us.

Let's build a better workplace culture together one episode at a time. See you soon!

Hello! Angela here - the host of the Social Responsibility at Work podcast.

I know it’s been a while, and you’re probably wondering where we’ve been!

The Social Responsibility at Work podcast has been integral to our growth (and my growth) over the last 3 years. So it might be surprising to hear: we've made the decision to retire it.

This decision was not made lightly, and it comes with mixed emotions as we reflect on the insightful and impactful conversations our show has produced.

It’s amazing to think back at what one podcast inspired during the COVID Pandemic led to:

> +100 episodes about workplace culture with a variety of guests, thought leaders, and experts that made us realize this discipline needs wider representation and more diversity of thought

> The start to a broader exploration about the role of employers and employees in creating a world we want to live in, and a blurring of the lines between culture at work and culture in the world at large

> A hard conversation, practice in accountability and title pivot

> The beginnings of a rebrand, which has continued to show us the company we want to become, the work we want to be doing, and the experiences we want to create

> The realization that our role in changing the way we all work, is to actually extend far beyond the “walls” of the workplace

The good news: all episodes will remain an active library of valuable content for you to consume at any time — you’ll be able to access the Social Responsibility at Work podcast through our website, on Apple, Spotify, and anywhere podcasts are streamed, indefinitely. We just won’t be recording any new episodes.

Our team is still envisioning exactly what our audio content will look like moving forward, but one thing we know for sure is that it’ll emerge from the Culture Impact Lab — our in-person experience taking place in Chicago, IL May 15-16, 2024.

The only thing better than listening in on the conversations happening at this experience through recorded audio?

Being there in person: join the waitlist now, and be a part of this conversation with us.

https://callforculture.com/culture-impact-lab

In this thought-provoking episode, join us as we bring together Raymond (Recovery Ray) Achille, Angela R. Howard, an accomplished CEO, and LaTonya Wilkins, the visionary Founder of Change Coaches and author of "Leading Below the Surface." Together, they delve into the current state of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) through a profound lens of culture and leadership.

In this engaging session, Angela and LaTonya dissect the intricate fabric of DEIB, sharing four prominent trends that are shaping the landscape today. From Angela's perspective, they explore the myth that success necessitates constant addition, unveiling the lack of strategy and operational focus that hinders progress. Angela's second theme, the gaps in commitment around behavioral change, sheds light on the vital need for consistent dedication to DEIB principles.

LaTonya, drawing from her expertise, shines a light on two pivotal leadership themes. The first, the "DEIB Backlash," addresses the absence of solid structures around leadership development, underscoring the importance of creating frameworks that sustain growth. Her second theme, the scarcity of psychological safety and growth, emphasizes the crucial role leaders play in fostering environments where every individual feels secure enough to flourish.

In this dynamic dialogue, Angela and LaTonya share actionable insights on how to navigate these trends within your organization, providing guidance for building a more inclusive and equitable culture. Don't miss this opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the intricacies of DEIB, from both culture and leadership perspectives.

This session, brimming with invaluable wisdom, will be recorded for your convenience, and a link to the recording will be provided to all registrants. Tune in to gain exclusive access to the profound insights of Angela R. Howard and LaTonya Wilkins, as they pave the way for a more inclusive and empowered future.

Please note that this is a fictional podcast episode created based on the provided information about the dialogue between Angela R. Howard and LaTonya Wilkins. The purpose is to create a compelling podcast description, and no actual podcast or episode with this specific content exists.

Connect with Latonya:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/latonyawilkins/

Connect with Ray:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/raymondachille/

Join us in this thought-provoking episode as we dive deep into the world of intentional workplace design and its transformative impact on employee well-being and DEI

In this episode, we are thrilled to introduce you to Aparna Rae, a visionary pioneer in the realm of workplace culture and design. Aparna has dedicated their career to bridging the gap between employee aspirations and organizational action. Through data-driven strategies, they have transformed the way companies approach wellness, diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Tune in as we explore the essence of this new workplace contract. Employees today are seeking more than just a job; they're yearning for workplaces that prioritize their holistic well-being and foster an inclusive environment. It's a shift that demands employers to lead with wellness and DEI as integral components of their organizational fabric.

Aparna sheds light on how data serves as the bridge between employee voices and organizational transformation. By collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, companies can gain valuable insights into employee needs, sentiments, and aspirations. These insights, derived from thoughtful research, form the foundation of intersectional and actionable strategies that drive impactful change.

Join us as we journey through the intersection of data, research, and purposeful action, all aimed at nurturing workplaces where everyone can thrive. If you're an employer looking to embrace the new contract of wellness and DE&I, or an employee seeking insights into reshaping workplace dynamics, this episode is a must-listen.

And thanks, as always, for tuning in.

Connect with Aparna https://www.linkedin.com/in/aparnarae/
Website www.aparnarae.com