Your DEI Minute™

Equity at Work - Expert Insights on DEI Strategies
  • 3.9 (7)
  • Management
  • Updated Semimonthly

Your DEI Minute™ is your go-to podcast for leaders looking to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Whether you're just starting out with DEI or looking to sustain your long-term successes, each episode will provide you with actions you can take to move Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives forward at your organization, all in 15 minutes or less.

  1. 5d ago

    The Real Role of Employees in Human-in-the-Loop AI Development

    Michelle dives into the evolving concept of human-in-the-loop within the context of AI and technology in the workplace. She emphasizes the importance of moving beyond the superficial reassurance that humans will always have a role alongside AI, urging leaders to clearly define what involvement truly means for employees. Drawing from recent research by Data and Society, Michelle outlines four essential elements of human oversight in AI: knowledge, observation, control, and intervention. She illustrates how lacking any of these can undermine both the integrity of AI processes and employee trust. She also highlights the need to foster psychological safety and diverse perspectives within AI oversight teams, warning against prioritizing speed and efficiency at the expense of inclusion. She stresses the critical role of aligning performance measurements and job expectations with responsible AI oversight, ensuring employees feel secure and valued as AI tools become more integrated into organizational processes. The episode concludes with actionable insights for sustaining a robust employee value proposition and supporting DEI as AI technologies advance.

  2. Sep 15

    Transforming Feedback and Inclusion in the Age of AI

    Michelle welcomes Dr. Steve Yacovelli, also known as the Gay Leadership Dude, to discuss the evolving landscape of inclusive leadership and the role of artificial intelligence in modern workplaces. Dr. Steve shares insights from his 30-year career in leadership development, DEI, and instructional technology, highlighting the enduring importance of effective listening and feedback as foundations for inclusive leadership. The conversation explores how AI can be leveraged as a digital colleague, not just a tool, to enhance inclusivity, efficiency, and professional development while ensuring organizational values and culture are embedded in AI-enabled processes. They also discuss the practical strategies for using AI, including the creation of an AI Constitution and a virtual board of advisors to foster diversity of thought in business and leadership decisions. Dr. Steve talks about the growing need for organizations to implement intentional guardrails, governance, and change management as they integrate AI. They also discuss the opportunity for leaders to use AI to drive deeper self-preparation, allyship, and inclusivity, cautioning against reducing professional development investments and stressing the importance of robust measurement and metrics to prove the value of DEI and leadership programs. To connect with and find out more about Dr. Steve, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steveyacovelli To learn more about Michelle, visit: www.Equity-at-work.com

  3. Sep 2

    Mitigating Bias and Fostering Inclusion in the Age of AI

    Michelle, explores the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and workplace culture through a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) lens. She discusses the proliferation of AI tools—from traditional machine learning to generative and agentic AI—and emphasizes not only their promise for efficiency and innovation but also their risks, including bias, loss of human oversight, and potential erosion of organizational culture. She highlights the importance of intentional design, robust change management, and clear governance in AI deployment to ensure AI enhances, rather than undermines, both employee experience and company values. Throughout the episode, Michelle outlines the challenges organizations face when racing to adopt AI without sufficient focus on human impact, inclusion, and accountability. She provides actionable guidance on mitigating bias, promoting psychological safety, and updating skill sets and feedback mechanisms to adapt to AI-infused workplaces. The episode concludes with a call for leaders to prioritize empathy, transparency, and continuous learning to navigate the evolving landscape effectively. To learn more, visit www.Equity-At-Work.com

  4. Jul 15

    Thought Diversity: Balancing Ideals and Realities

    In this episode, Jamey talks about the evolving concept of thought diversity and its increasingly prominent role in workplace and higher education debates. The discussion explores how thought diversity became a political flashpoint, drawing from recent legislative actions such as Indiana’s Senate Enrolled Act 202 and federal efforts to promote intellectual diversity, sometimes through controversial means like faculty quotas based on political affiliation. Jamey untangles what people actually mean by thought diversity, recognizing its potential value—such as fostering stronger decision-making and encouraging disagreement—but also highlights its growing misuse as a tool to undermine broader inclusion efforts and discredit expertise. Jamey offers a nuanced framework for evaluating the health of thought diversity in their organizations. He talked about common pitfalls like false balance, coercive neutrality, and how ambiguous mandates for thought diversity can stifle genuine discussion or mask attacks on identity-driven diversity.

  5. Jul 1

    Addressing Workplace Polarization: A Call to Action

    Michelle discusses the latest findings from the 2026 Edelman Trust Barometer, highlighting the concerning rise of polarization and declining trust within the workforce. She explains how these trends, driven by broader societal and political turbulence, are manifesting in the workplace as a retreat into insularity and rising intolerance for differing worldviews. Alarming statistics, such as a significant portion of employees unwilling to engage with colleagues who hold different beliefs, highlight the urgent need for action by organizational leaders. To address these challenges, Michelle talks about the importance of fostering connection, open communication, and an environment where employees can feel safe and respected despite differences. She offers actionable strategies, from pulse surveys to focus groups and direct conversations, urging leaders to proactively gauge and address underlying tensions to maintain a productive, inclusive work culture. To find out more and connect with Michelle, visit: www.Equity-at-work.com

  6. Jun 15

    Exploring AI, Bias, and the Workplace with Industry Expert Karen Catlin

    In this episode, Jamey is joined by Karen Catlin, author of the Better Allies book series, for an in-depth discussion on the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. After spending decades studying AI, Karen talks about how AI is shaping workplace practices, highlighting both its potential and the challenges it presents, particularly around bias, competency perception, and representation in AI driven projects. They also talk about the competence penalty faced by underrepresented groups when using AI at work, the visibility and opportunity gaps in AI pilot projects, and the systemic barriers that persist even as organizations adopt groundbreaking technologies. The group also discusses prudent strategies for integrating AI responsibly, emphasizing transparency, diverse representation, and the need to continuously evaluate for unintended biases in AI-enabled systems.

  7. Jun 1

    Woke in America: A Tale of Transformation and Understanding

    Jamey explores the origins, evolution, and current usage of the word woke in American culture. He starts with a reflection on a 2021 rally where former President Donald Trump weaponized woke as an insult, signifying a shift in how the term is used in the political mainstream. Jamey traces the word’s roots back to African American vernacular English of the 1930s, where woke originally signified being aware of social injustices, especially those impacting Black communities, and was passed down as a call for vigilance and action during the civil rights era. He also discusses the appropriation and politicization of woke, especially in the 2010s and 2020s, as it became both a compliment and an insult across different groups. Jamey also highlights the contemporary split in its perception—while some continue to see woke as a positive term linked to awareness and education on social injustices, others have adopted it as a derogatory label for progressive beliefs. To learn more or connect with Jamey, visit: www.equity-at-work.com.

  8. May 15

    The Shape of Change: Embracing Inclusive Leadership With Jennifer Brown

    Michelle welcomes Jennifer Brown, a prominent figure in the DEI and leadership space, to explore the evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. They talk about the concept of inclusive leadership, highlighting actionable ways leaders can foster environments where everyone feels safe, valued, and able to contribute fully. Jennifer shares insights from her extensive career—including her proprietary inclusive leadership model and the nuanced difficulties leaders face transitioning from traditional command-and-control styles to more inclusive approaches. They also talk about the recent challenges and retrenchments affecting DEI initiatives, especially amidst political and social changes. Jennifer talks about the importance of adapting DEI strategies, even in a time of regulatory and societal pushback, and discusses her latest book, "The Shape of Change." They also offer practical guidance for leaders grappling with uncertainty, the increasing complexity introduced by rapid advancements in AI, and a call to embrace innovation, humility, and introspection in leading diverse organizations forward. To learn more about Jennifer and order her book, visit: https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com/

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Ratings & Reviews

3.9
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Your DEI Minute™ is your go-to podcast for leaders looking to navigate the ever-evolving landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. Whether you're just starting out with DEI or looking to sustain your long-term successes, each episode will provide you with actions you can take to move Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives forward at your organization, all in 15 minutes or less.

Information

  • Creator
    Equity at Work - Expert Insights on DEI Strategies
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Equity at Work - Expert Insights on DEI Strategies
  • Show Website
    Your DEI Minute™

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