Law And Culture

Beyond the Gym: The Workplace Wellness Crisis No One Is Talking About Wellness is more than gym memberships, surveys, and data collection. It's about creating workplaces where employees can thrive without bullying, threats, harassment, or discrimination. Join employment law attorney Christel Best and a wellness attorney for a powerful conversation about what real workplace wellness looks like—and...

Episode 56 - If you dread at going to work? Why ? Are you being discriminated against  or bullied? Maybe you're bored and feeling unappreciated?  If you enjoy the challenges and fulfillment of your work, are you able to share your exhilaration with your teams?  In this episode, I encourage you to A.C.T. {Assess. Connect. Tame}. I provide resources for you to Assess your own situation at work, then...

In this episode, Kevin Lynch of the National Constitution Center joined me to talk about the critically important work this non-profit, non-partisan entity is doing to educate people about our Constitution.  Musical Credit - Grand Patriotic March, Maxine Cobalt

Olympian Zara Northover joined me this week to share her story of what she feels were threats, gaslighting, workplace manipulations and abuse at Rocket Mortgage in Detroit, MI. Northover bravely shares her journey from the Beijing Olympics to Rocket Mortgage where Northover was a Product Manager of Strategy and Innovation. In that role, Zara identifed data that appears to have been problematic for...

In this episode, I spoke with Attorney Keir Bradford-Grey. We talked on the Philadelphia morning radio show "Wake Up With WURD". We discussed changes afoot at the EEOC; specifically what it might mean if the EEOC does away with certain types of neutral data collection that shows subtle, even unconcious bias against historically disenfranchised groups. These are called "disparate impact" claims. Fo...

In this episode, I talk about my response to the EEOC's request for comments to its proposal to end employer data submission of to the EEOC which shows practices such as hiring, promotion and termination. The data collection tool called EEO-1 helps with accountability and reduces certain forms of discrimination.... Or is the requirement unduly burdensome to employers. Your opinion matters.   

On my August 5, 2025 podcast, I explained that I was inspired by a sign I saw in a bthroom stall. It encouraged people who had been bullied in the workplace to reach out to a phone number. I was intrigued by the posting since I was already discussing the topic through my training program at  www.christelbesttraining.com . In that episode, I provided 3 key strategies for managers to avoid being a p...

We are pleased to welcome back former Target Asset Protection manager Jennifer Terry. In this episode, Terry walks through her experience of reporting a major security breach at the Pueblo Colorado Target warehouse. Jennifer shares how, following her report, her manager supported and promoted multiple males; all of whom were younger than she is. What does the emotional aftermath of workplace favor...

It's October 2023 and award-winning asset protection manager Jennifer Terry has just reported  a major security breach at Target's Pueblo, Colorado warehouse. Listen in as Jennifer chronicles how she was abused for reporting the security breach. Jennifer's abuse did not involve yelling, screaming, hitting or physical attacks. Rather, there was systematic and ever-increasing criticism against Jenni...

Statistically, either you or someone who works with you has been, or is being bullied at work. It's hard to know where to turn when this scary and upsetting work environment is your daily reality. Go to HR? Just deal with it? quit? Get legal help? The questions swirl with very few clear answers. In today's episode, I had the honor of interviewing two experts in the field of workplace abuse. These...

In today's episode of Law and Culture, we revisit a workplace interaction from the 1970s TV drama "Emergency," a popular series about an LA-based fire rescue squad. In one episode, Kelly makes fun of Gage, who is portrayed as part Indigenous (Native American). The scene reflects workplace discomfort, unspoken expectations, and the "othering" of colleagues who are asked to work together despite und...

In this week's episode, Christel Best answers questions about workplace abuse and explains how leaders and colleagues can take action to prevent the various forms of harm it causes.

In this week's episode, I step into my role as the owner of Christel Best Training and sit down with my friend Sandy Forster to unpack the internet's fascination with the so-called "Coldplay Kiss Cam Catastrophe." Together, we explore the distinction between an office romance and an office affair, and examine the impact a public confrontation over a secret relationship can have on colleagues and f...

In this week's episode, I focus on recent headlines about two topics I have discussed in the past: the dangers of synthetic hair and civil rights violations in the workplace.  First, I take a look at a federal bill package brought before the U.S. Congress to protect women from deadly toxins in their beauty products, noting that women of color are more likely to be exposed to harmful chemicals than...

Today's podcast will feature five new and different human resources legal questions and how I might answer them. If you have a quirky, funny, or otherwise interesting HR/legal question you want to ask, please submit it to christel@christelbesttraining.com.

This is a Re-Air of a Law and Culture Classic! Today we delve into two cases that involve alleged harassment against employees who didn't "keep quiet" about who they are. They exercised their freedom of expression and it cost them their jobs. In one case, the employee showed tattoos at work and was reprimanded though other similarly situated employees also had tattoos but were not reprimanded. In...

In today's episode, we meet Captain Peter Murray, a Guyanese pilot who recalls his experience as a young man flying alone in a single-engine prop plane. Captain Murray describes his journeys across the Amazon Jungle to bring life-sustaining food to Amerindians and miners living beyond the reach of trucks and cars. His is a story of bravery, dedication, and humanitarian goodwill.

Kevin Lynch, manager of education for the National Constitution Center, joins me to discuss the living document that is our nation's Constitution. We examine how a nonpartisan analysis of the document is crucial to our democratic dialogue.

The studies are now public, and the results are concerning. The so-called "protectiveness" of synthetic braided hairstyles is more risky than protective. Recent research reveals that synthetic hair is not only harmful to the environment (as it ends up in landfills), but it may also be harmful to both the braider and the wearer.  In this week's episode, we explore the intersection of culture and la...

In today's episode, we revisit the reverse discrimination case of Ames v. Ohio Youth Services by listening to excerpts from the oral arguments presented before the U.S. Supreme Court. Hearing the attorneys' advocacy firsthand offers a more human and nuanced perspective on the legal analysis.

This episode originally aired December of 2024. Join us this week on Law and Culture for a look back and Christel's own journey and it's broader impact on how we view citizenship! In today's episode, I address questions I often get about being born in Germany, being an American citizen, and then becoming a citizen of Barbados during the pandemic. I also share why I chose to become a citizen of Bar...

This is a Re-Air of a Law and Culture classic!   Today's podcast will feature five new and different human resources legal questions and how I might answer them. If you have a quirky, funny, or otherwise interesting HR/legal question you want to ask, please submit it to christel@christelbesttraining.com .

In this episode, my friend Sandy Forster and I discuss the "French Paradox." How is it possible that many French people enjoy delectable sweets, rich, savory, creamy sauces, satisfying cheeses, and good wine, yet maintain relatively low rates of high blood pressure, elevated glucose, and high cholesterol? Join the conversation.

This week, I read an excerpt from the memoir of Melba Pattillo Beals, the Congressional Gold Medal recipient who chronicled her experience as one of the "Little Rock Nine" integrating Central High School in 1957. The passage comes from her powerful book, Warriors Don't Cry, which offers a firsthand account of the courage and resilience she and her peers demonstrated. Their story serves as a poigna...

In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments on whether students can opt out of classes that include books with LGBTQ+ themes. In this week's episode, I walk through the facts of the Mahmoud case and analyze them in light of past Supreme Court rulings on public school education and constitutional protections.