Race Reflections AT WORK

In this re-released episode first published on 21st June 2021 we think about how the so called "deadly sin' of envy can play out in the workplace in relation to racial dynamics and inequality. We consider the distinction between envy and jealousy and the underlying motivations behind these feelings and what they look like within the contexts of whiteness and work. Further reading:  Neuro...

In this re-released episode first published on September 6th 2021,  in response to a listener's request, we give an introduction to one of our most requested interventions our training course, Beyond Bias. We cover a little bit about it's content and some of its learning objectives, and give some context for why Guilaine designed the course, and the journey that the training takes you on...

In today's episode Race Reflections' Admin, Comms and Engagement Leading Boss Dionne inspired by a panel at Priya Joi's book launch, talks about The Talk. She reflects on the differences between brown and Black people's relationship with talking to their children about racism and how that influences and impacts how they enter into and experience the workplace. She begins with s...

In this re-released episode first published on May 3rd 2021 Guilaine considers the influence of the past on the present by exploring the concept of transference, what it means and how it might manifest in the workplace. This episode is all about making present-past links to better make sense of conflicts, tensions and race-based difficulties at work.  Subscribe, rate and review on Apple Podcasts,...

In today's episode Guilaine reflects on a question that was posed to her recently: "When it comes to racial trauma, don't we bring some baggage that may make us more vulnerable than others, and if so should we address that baggage?" Building on the work she has done around the intersection of trauma in her book Living While Black and other work by her and others in terms of emp...

In today's episode Race Reflections' Assistant Disruptor Lucia offers some reflections on how group work and community work can help or support people in developing their anti-racist approach to work. She looks at the advantages, drawbacks and limitations of working in groups. She begins with a definition and with her personal experience of being a client and a therapist and finding the...

In today's episode Guilaine reflects on Black and brown people's relationship with pain, particularly Black women's relationship with pain and distress. And from this also the relationship between pain and associated issues such as accessing health services and self compassion. She begins with a personal disclosure that one of her younger sisters recently nearly died and considers h...

In this re-released episode first published  on October 4th, 2021,  we are joined by head of editorial at Black Ballad (and author of Hope & Glory) Jendella Benson, and teacher (and author of Being Amani) Annabelle Steele to talk about how they navigate the workplace and the publishing space as Black women. The conversation reflects on Black representation, Black motherhood, authorship, self c...

In today's episode Guilaine reflects and thinks back on the things that have stood out for her during 2022. What is she left with, what have been the biggest stories, the biggest moments and the biggest lessons? She considers how the world cup final has brought up a lot for her and others around homelessness, homeness, displacement and migration. She engages with this from an autobiographical...

In today's episode Race Reflections' Assistant Disruptor Lucia returns to reflect on class and classism. She shares her thoughts around these concepts and what they may represent within our current systems of oppression. She covers reasons why it's difficult to clearly define class or different class groups and then gives a definition of classism as the belief that a persons social...

In today's episode Guilaine responds to a listener question: Can Black employees ever be authentic in the workplace?  She answers the question with some other questions and reflects on the issues surrounding them. The first is: Is authenticity a desirable aim to achieve for Black people and organisations?  She comes to the conclusion that their is a strong case as a general rule for the impor...

In today's episode Guilaine reflects on reaching a milestone within the PHD she is currently undertaking.  She gives the lowdown on what she's been working on, discusses some of the challenges she has encountered and what she has learnt so far, and she discusses where she stands in relation to the research and some of the implications for her and for Race Reflections. Her study looks at...

In this re-released episode first published  on Jun 7, 2021 we consider surviving the workplace while black. We reflect on the workplace conditions of previous and current generations of black people, particularly black women. We think about three strands that are navigated when working while black: 1.  Inequalities and structural racism which impacts physical and mental health. 2. Experiences of...

In today's episode Race Reflections' Assistant Disruptor Lucia offers some thoughts and potential approaches to how to navigate organisational or community change processes that come out of anti-oppressive or anti-racist work. These reflections are inspired by regular responses and questions posed by participants during the delivery of Race Reflections training. She considers practical w...

In today's episode Race Reflections' Academic Lead/Scholar Scout Mel Green takes us through her personal relationship with imposter syndrome and it's effects on black women. She thinks about concepts like over productivity, burnout, breakdown, authenticity, assimilation and what bell hooks calls the "mind/body split". She uses her experience as a case study and reflects on...

In this re-released episode first published  on 19th April, 2021 we consider aversive racism. Specifically, how the fear of being called racist, the fear of confronting racism and the avoidance of difficult race-related conversations by white managers, can lead to exclusionary interpersonal dynamics and cultures of marginalisation within institutions which can have significant adverse consequences...

In today's episode we return to exploring the relationship between podcasting and power, this time looking at how "Prestige" podcasting has replicated and interacted with existing power systems. We look at some of the worst cases of podcasts being made with a colonialist mindset, and then look at The Trojan Horse Affair and how that avoided the traps of previous prestige podcast jou...

In today's episode Guilaine is back to talk about social media, particularly twitter, and the ways this platform has helped both Guilaine personally and Race Reflections as an organisation. She goes over how she came to use social media as a professional platform, considers the advantages, opportunities and gifts that using this platform have created for her and for RR, and reflects on where...

In today's episode Race Reflections' Lead Associate Disruptor Dr Furaha Asani talks about empathy, and lack of empathy, in the workplace. She thinks about definitions of empathy and sympathy and how empathy can function as an action. As a case study she reflects on a personal experience of not receiving empathy and support at work within a racialised context. She considers how gaslightin...

In today's episode therapist and Race Reflections' Assistant Disruptor Lucia talks about whiteness in psychotherapy. This episode is for everyone but particularly for people either working within the therapeutic traditions, or people who are current or future service users. Drawing on the existing Race Reflections training resources she looks at the ways that whiteness and violence have...

In today's episode, Race Reflections podcast producer Dave talks to the newest team member Mel Green about her experiences and scholarship around racial bias in teaching and higher education. She covers her time working in pupil referral units, primary schools, online teaching and higher education and the systemic and personal challenges that has sometimes involved. And she shares tips and st...

In today's episode, in response to a question from a listener, Guilaine reflects on authenticity in the workplace. She considers the issue in relation to a recent study that showed that black employees were more resistant to returning to the workplace post lockdown. She thinks about how the burden for "fitting in" is often placed on those who carry the difference, and how institutio...

In today's episode Guilaine reflects on and celebrates the first two years of running Race Reflections as a social enterprise. She maps out the history of how Race Reflections grew from a blog to an organisation and business, and considers the personal and structural challenges, thinks about what she has learned and what she has found difficult about the process. Subscribe, rate and review on...

In today's episode Guilaine is back (with another cameo from her kitten Jazzie) to talk about the first Race Reflections relaunch of 2022. She talks about the challenges, achievements and changes that Race Reflections has had as part of its journey during its first 18 months as a social enterprise, and introduces the return of Race Reflections Academy,  our new Radical Scholarship Fund, our r...

In today’s episode we explore misogynoir in the workplace and the power and positionality of the Black woman in the corporate world. Misogynoir, a term coined by Moya Bailey in 2010, identifies the intersection of Black women and "the persistence of sexist and racist biases in both media and politics, and the unique blend of both that black women experience." Engagement and Comms lead, D...