Allyship in Action

Kristen Kavanaugh is the author of Courage Over Fear and the founder of The Agency Initiative, working to connect people's work with meaning in alignment with their values. Previously, she was the vice chair of the Defense Advisory Committee on Diversity & Inclusion and the senior director of inclusion, talent & learning at Tesla. Here are my key takeaways: Values Dissonance Drives Talent Away: Th...

This week, I welcome Shanna Hocking to the podcast to talk about her new research in higher education and what's holding women back in university advancement. You might be surprised that the answer is disturbingly simple. Here are my favorite takeaways: The Crisis in Higher Education Leadership: A shift is needed from a scarcity mindset focused only on fundraising to a focus on leadership and cult...

I have to admit, I was nervous to do this interview. I met Ruchika Malhotra by chance years ago, and have been in awe of her work ever since. She is the visionary author behind the new book,  Uncompete . Building on her viral conversation about imposter syndrome, Ruchika delves into the core thesis of her latest work: the necessity of rejecting a destructive culture of competition to unlock true,...

Kae Williams is a global software marketing executive on a mission to empower women in their careers through her work and her forthcoming book, Not Made For You . Kae works diligently to raise awareness about bias and hostile work cultures so that every woman will feel supported, respected, and enabled to achieve her full potential. Here are three key takeaways from the conversation about measurin...

This episode features Landon Ashworth, an actor, director, and filmmaker with a background as a pilot and a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He discusses his personal journey as an autistic individual and the inspiration behind his award-winning new film,  Go On . Here are three key takeaways from the discussion: A Journey of Resilience and Reinvention. Landon Ashworth shared that...

Chantelle Lewis and Jason Arday, co-authors of the book We See Things They'll Never See, join the show to discuss their work. Arday, a professor of sociology of education at the University of Cambridge, and Lewis, an Andrew W. Mellon Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Black British Studies at Pembroke College, the University of Oxford, delve into how their experiences as Black, neurodivergent academi...

Nancy Levine Stearns, founder of ImpactDevise, a nonprofit journalism project, discusses the corporate response to the DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) backlash. Stearns' project covers DEI initiatives in the private sector, and her reporting on corporate social responsibility has been cited by publications like  The New York Times , NBC News , and Forbes . Stearns, a former executive recrui...

Developing a strong talent pipeline is no longer just a good idea—it's a business imperative. But how can companies be more proactive and intentional about building the workforce of tomorrow? In this episode, we explore innovative strategies for proactive talent pipeline development. We'll discuss the importance of starting earlier to engage with potential talent long before they're looking for a...

Building an impactful allyship program requires a strategic and thoughtful approach. This video breaks down the key steps to creating a program that goes beyond good intentions and drives real change within your organization. In this episode, I will guide you through the process, covering: Research: How to conduct a needs assessment to understand your organization's unique challenges and where to...

Join us for a powerful conversation about building a truly inclusive workplace. In this episode, we're moving beyond buzzwords to discuss the concrete policies and practices that make a difference. We'll dive into the vital role of inclusive caregiving leave policies and how they support all employees, not just parents. We'll also unpack what inclusive hiring practices really look like—from writin...

Storytelling is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect with others, and when it comes to allyship, it's essential. In this video, we're diving into the power of allyship storytelling and how sharing your own experiences can create a ripple effect of change. We'll explore why modeling the behavior you want to see is so important, and how showing vulnerability can build trust and open hea...

"Psychological safety is the belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up. It's a shared belief that a team is safe for taking interpersonal risks." - Amy C. Edmondson Psychological safety paired with perspective taking is a game changer for hopeful allies in power. In this mini-sode from the new book We Want You: An Allyship Guide for People with Power, I talk about the impo...

Allyship is about showing up, even when it is hard. It's about progress over perfection.  The ally journey begins with understanding your role - as a mentor, sponsor, advocate, coach, or challenger. It is a choose your own adventure approach. It starts with knowing what your allyship vision is and noticing and validating the experiences of others different from yourself.

This episode reveals the crucial "What's In It For Me" (WIIFM ) for allies, moving beyond performative actions to genuine, sustained allyship.  Discover the compelling human and business cases for inclusion: from increased happiness and longevity to significant boosts in profitability (up to 39% higher) and innovation (up to 19% higher revenue). Learn how Gen Z's expectations make inclusion non-ne...

Inspired by Audre Lorde's powerful words, this episode explores how we can leverage our inherent power for good. Bernadette Smith's journey for LGBTQ+ marriage equality highlights how allies with power can fundamentally shift systems. We reveal why power often feels invisible to those who hold it, and how underestimating our own influence hinders allyship. Discover the critical distinction between...

This episode dives into the real, often uncomfortable, fears that can hold people with power back from being allies. We confront common misperceptions, like the "zero-sum game" mentality, and the anxieties around status, relevance, and making mistakes in the workplace. Through compelling stories and expert insights, we'll expose why inclusion work can be imperfect, yet crucial. Learn to transform...

Ever feel like you're on autopilot, navigating work without seeing its underlying systems? Like fish unaware of water, we often miss the crucial "water" of our workplace environment. This podcast invites you to consciously see this water and understand how others experience it differently. We'll explore how diversity, inclusion, and equity are vital for a thriving workplace. Discover allyship as i...

This podcast episode features Sarah Kernion, a writer, podcast host of "The Inchstones Podcast," and mother of two profoundly autistic, nonspeaking children. Kernion advocates for a new conversation around profound autism, focusing on neurobiological barriers and redefining advocacy to prioritize presence, effort, and dignity over milestone achievements. She emphasizes the urgent need for distinct...

Are you tired of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives that feel like lip service? In this powerful episode, we sit down with Melissa Ng Goldner , Head of Strategy at Coqual, to uncover how leading organizations are moving past performative DEI to create truly equitable and thriving workplaces. Melissa, a daughter of Chinese immigrants, brings a unique perspective on intersectionality...

Katy Milkman is the James G. Dinan Professor at the Wharton School, the host of Charles Schwab's Choiceology podcast, and co-directs the Behavior Change for Good Initiative. Sophia Pink is a PhD student at the Wharton School studying decision-making and behavior change. They join Julie Kratz on the Allyship in Action podcast to discuss their new research on the gender gap in competition. They high...

This episode of the Allyship in Action Podcast with Julie Kratz features Charlene Polite Corley, Nielsen's VP of Diverse Insights and Partnerships, and Stacie De Armas, Senior Vice President of Diverse Intelligence & Initiatives at Nielsen. Together we discuss the long-term value of diversity for businesses, emphasizing that engaging historically excluded consumers is crucial for growth and brand...

Keivan Stassun is the Director of the Frist Center for Autism & Innovation at Vanderbilt University. He joins this week's Allyship in Action Podcast epidsode to unpack how to get the full ROI when appropriately practicing neuroinclusion. Key Takeaways Neurodiversity drives innovation and strengthens teams: Keivan's experience in astrophysics, particularly the groundbreaking discovery made by his n...

Emily Kasriel is the author of Deep Listening: Transform your relationships with family, friends and foes. She joins the Allyship in Action Podcast this week to share insightful perspectives and practical tips on deep listening. Key takeaways from the conversation: Deep listening goes beyond active listening. It's not just about repeating or paraphrasing, but about being truly present, understandi...

Chéla Gage returns to talk about her new non-profit 1,000,000 Fosters. She shares her journey and the impact she hopes to create in this week's episode. Chéla's journey to launching her nonprofit to support adults who have experienced foster care as youth. This initiative aims to provide transformative life and career coaching, foster personal growth and independence, and build a strong community...

This week on the Allyship in Action Podcast, Julie Kratz is joined by Sona Khosla, Chief Impact Officer at Benevity. Inclusion is about having courage to keep doing good when it feels like the world's spinning the other way. And that's exactly what Sona and Julie dove into this week – this idea that even when the news is full of noise and doubt, there's a powerful current of good still flowing, qu...