The E Word with Karen & Brittany

Karen McFarlane and Brittany S. Hale
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The E Word is a bold conversation about culture, leadership, power, and identity—and how the systems that shape them influence the way we live, work, and lead. Hosted by leadership strategists Karen McFarlane and Brittany S. Hale, The E Word is made for curious leaders, culture shapers, and deep thinkers navigating power, purpose, and change. Each episode explores the structures, decisions, and dynamics driving business, politics, culture, and everyday life.  Grounded in Aristotle’s five intellectual virtues, we connect the dots between timeless wisdom and today’s most urgent questions to help you find your power, reimagine what’s possible, and shape the world you want to see

  1. 24 SEPT.

    Gut Instincts & Breakfast Sandwiches

    Send us a text Have you ever thanked your past self for making life a little easier today? That simple gesture reflects something deeper: the kind of practical wisdom (phronesis) that fuels human flourishing. In this episode of The E Word, we explore how Aristotle’s five intellectual virtues—through our SPENT framework—can guide us toward a more intentional, joyful, and purpose-driven life. What starts as a philosophical reflection quickly becomes a conversation about real-world decisions: prepping breakfast, stocking up on essentials, or learning to trust your gut at work—even when the data isn't all there. We examine how self-awareness (sophia), intuition (nous), factual knowledge (episteme), and skillful action (techne) all play a role in how we think, lead, and live. Along the way, we offer tools for rewiring the subconscious and honoring the wisdom of your inner voice. Which SPENT virtue shows up most in your life—and how are you letting it lead? Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    41 min

  2. 8 SEPT.

    Embracing the Pivot: Why Tabitha Brown's Advice Hit a Nerve

    Send us a text What does it really mean to pivot with purpose? In this episode of The E Word, Brittany and Karen discuss the layered controversy around Tabitha Brown’s viral advice to struggling entrepreneurs: “Get a job.” What seems like simple, practical wisdom sparked unexpected backlash, revealing just how deeply social media resists nuance. Drawing from their own experiences with task management and necessary change, the hosts explore the deeper implications of pivoting in entrepreneurship. Using the SPENT framework, they highlight how Sophia (philosophic wisdom) and Phronesis (good judgment) are essential in evaluating when a shift is not a setback but a strategy. They dive into the data—like how Black women receive less than 0.25% of venture capital—to ground the conversation in Episteme (facts), while also honoring the intuitive and creative aspects of resilience. Is pivoting a sign of failure, or a powerful act of self-trust and sustainability? Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    43 min

  3. 2 SEPT.

    The Price of Being Chosen

    Send us a text What does it take to belong, and what are we willing to trade for acceptance? In this episode of The E Word, we discuss the spectacle of “Bama Rush,” where sorority recruitment at the University of Alabama has become a high-stakes, high-cost performance. From rush coaches charging thousands to curated Instagram feeds and rehearsed conversations, we explore how young women are taught to shape-shift for approval—often at the expense of authenticity. Alongside this, we reflect on the deeper legacy of Divine Nine organizations and the stark contrasts in values, community, and cultural significance. This conversation goes beyond Greek life. It’s about power, identity, and the tension between who we are and who we think we need to be. As networks become currency in an uncertain world, how do we raise a generation rooted in self-trust, not just social strategy, and how do we answer the question: who are you becoming to belong? Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    42 min

  4. 2 SEPT.

    What Happens on the Jumbotron Doesn’t Stay There

    Send us a text It started with a kiss on the Jumbotron. When the CEO and Chief People Officer of Astronomer showed up mid-embrace at a Coldplay concert—on screen, no less—they probably didn’t expect it to go viral. But those few seconds set off a firestorm: internal resignations, external backlash, and an urgent conversation about boundaries, bias, and what it means to lead in public. In this episode of The E Word, Brittany and Karen break down the leadership fallout using the SPENT framework: Sophia (Philosophic Wisdom): Why proximity to power isn’t just a perk—it’s a responsibility.Phronesis (Practical Judgment): What clear boundaries (and clearer policies) could’ve changed.Episteme (Fact-Based Insight): What actually happened, and what people got wrong in the rush to react.Nous (Intuitive Understanding): Why the woman involved may have taken the bigger hit and what that says about who’s allowed to make mistakes.Techne (Making it Real): How Astronomer’s damage control (featuring actress Gwyneth Paltrow) rewrote the typical crisis PR playbook.From office romances to public reckoning, some moments hit harder because they shine a light on everything we don’t want to talk about: power, gender, double standards, and the very human mess behind corporate polish. 🎧 Listen in and ask yourself: What would you have done if it were your team, your org, your face on that screen? Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    52 min
  5. Seasons Change: An Evolution of The E-Word

    4 AOÛT

    Seasons Change: An Evolution of The E-Word

    Send us a text What if ancient wisdom held the keys to thriving in today’s world? In Season 3 of The E-Word, we’re expanding our focus from equity to eudaimonia, the Greek idea of living a flourishing, meaningful life rooted in truth, virtue, and excellence. Equity is still in the mix, but now it lives within a bigger conversation about what it means to live and lead well.  Leadership strategists Karen McFarlane and Brittany S. Hale introduce Aristotle’s five intellectual virtues: sophia (philosophical wisdom)phronesis (practical wisdom)episteme (scientific knowledge)nous (intuitive understanding), and techne (artistry)These ancient ideas offer a modern framework for navigating leadership, creativity, and connection with greater intention. Whether you’re making tough decisions, leading teams, or crafting a message that truly resonates, these virtues meet you where you are and invite you to question the difference between what it means to be and create successfully and what it means to flourish. Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    14 min

  6. 25 JUIN

    Academic Freedom on Trial: Why Harvard’s Legal Win Matters

    Send us a text What does it mean when a university’s right to admit international students comes under legal challenge? In this episode, Karen and Brittany explore Harvard’s recent court victory and what it reveals about the balance between institutional autonomy, educational values, and evolving policy priorities. At the heart of the case is a deeper conversation about academic freedom and the idea that universities should have the space to foster global learning environments and reflect a diversity of thought and experience. When those choices are constrained, it raises questions about how we define opportunity, innovation, and leadership in a modern world. Karen and Brittany reflect on the value of cultural exchange in higher education, the innovation it drives, and why diverse perspectives are essential to preparing students for a complex, interconnected world. With examples ranging from groundbreaking inventions to the everyday technologies we rely on, they show how inclusive environments fuel progress for everyone. Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    34 min

  7. 24 JUIN

    Trapped in the Feed: What Is Your Algorithm Hiding From You?

    Send us a text Two people. Same background. Completely different digital realities. How? In this episode, we unravel the invisible influence of algorithms and how personalized feeds quietly shape your worldview, reinforcing what you already believe and filtering out anything that challenges it.  From college debates that once built mental muscle to today’s one-tap echo chambers, we explore what we’ve lost—and how it affects everything from political polarization to your ability to handle conflict. One negotiation experiment reveals just how badly even seasoned leaders struggle when stripped of their usual power dynamics. We also get real about digital media literacy. Deepfakes, out-of-context headlines, and AI-generated nonsense are everywhere. But are you prepared to tell the difference? This episode is your wake-up call to question your feed, sharpen your critical thinking, and take back control of your digital life. Because your algorithm isn’t just feeding you content—it’s feeding you a version of reality. Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    37 min

  8. 23 JUIN

    Beyond the Box: Rethinking Race and Identity

    Send us a text What if the categories we use to define race are more limiting than enlightening? In this episode, Karen and Brittany unpack actor Malik Yoba’s recent statement that he no longer identifies as a “Black man” but as “non-white”—a personal choice that opens the door to a much bigger conversation. Together, they explore how racial classifications have shifted over time and across borders—from South Africa’s former system to the evolving definition of "whiteness" in the U.S. These categories, they suggest, are not fixed truths but flexible frameworks shaped by history, power, and politics. The conversation turns deeply personal as they reflect on tracing African ancestry beyond race, reconnecting with specific cultures, regions, and identities that predate colonial borders. They also discuss how identities like Afro-Latino or white Latino often get flattened in current systems that don’t reflect cultural complexity. Could technology help us move toward a more nuanced understanding of human diversity? And what might it look like to define ourselves based on connection, heritage, and lived experience rather than inherited categories? This episode invites listeners to think differently about identity—not by denying race’s impact, but by imagining what could emerge if we approached it with more depth, history, and humanity. Support the show Stay With Us Watch and Subscribe to The E Word on YouTube. Follow Karen on LinkedIn and learn more at Colossal Work. Follow Brittany on LinkedIn and learn more at BND Consulting Group.

    46 min
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À propos

The E Word is a bold conversation about culture, leadership, power, and identity—and how the systems that shape them influence the way we live, work, and lead. Hosted by leadership strategists Karen McFarlane and Brittany S. Hale, The E Word is made for curious leaders, culture shapers, and deep thinkers navigating power, purpose, and change. Each episode explores the structures, decisions, and dynamics driving business, politics, culture, and everyday life.  Grounded in Aristotle’s five intellectual virtues, we connect the dots between timeless wisdom and today’s most urgent questions to help you find your power, reimagine what’s possible, and shape the world you want to see

Informations

  • Création
    Karen McFarlane and Brittany S. Hale
  • Années d’activité
    2024 - 2025
  • Épisodes
    36
  • Classification
    Tous publics
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Karen McFarlane and Brittany S. Hale
  • Site web de l’émission
    The E Word with Karen & Brittany