The Culture Advantage

Everyday Bias, Updated: Insights from Howard and Jake Ross

You’ve heard countless people talking about bias and how it impacts the workplace. But how often do you get to hear about bias from the author of perhaps the single-most influential book on the topic? In this wide-ranging and important episode, Dr. Michael Baran interviews two guests: (1) legendary thought leader, author, and workplace consultant Howard Ross, and (2) his son Jake Ross who is collaborating with Howard to write the second edition of the book, Everyday Bias, to be released in summer 2026. Michael and guests revisit the insights from Howard’s 2014 book Everyday Bias and then dive into what is being updated for the second edition. This includes updating the research and context in the book as well as new chapters on AI and social media. We also dig into ways that political opinion has moved from a bell curve to a barbell shape, the lack of white men in DEI work, how to avoid triggering defensiveness, and how to make real human connections. We close with some reflections on activism and change and some optimism for the future. Resources mentioned: Everyday Bias by Howard Ross book [https://howardjross.com/books/everyday-bias/] Reinventing Diversity by Howard Ross book [https://howardjross.com/books/reinventing-diversity/] Our Search for Belonging by Howard Ross book [https://howardjross.com/books/our-search-for-belonging/] Bowling Alone by Robert Putman book [http://bowlingalone.com/] The Enlightenment Now by Steven Pinker book [https://www.amazon.com/Enlightenment-Now-Science-Humanism-Progress/dp/0525427570] Biography of Andrew Jackson by John Meacham book [https://www.amazon.com/AMERICAN-LION-Andrew-Jackson-White/dp/0812973461] Ken Burns: The American Revolution series [https://www.pbs.org/kenburns/the-american-revolution]

Transitioning into Disability: Clear Cane Chronicles with Dr. Cynthia Overton

There is so much misunderstanding and discomfort around people with disabilities. Dr. Cynthia Overton tells about how when she was using a wheelchair, people would lock eyes with her and refuse to break eye contact or even blink so they didn’t look at the wheelchair.  In this powerful episode, Dr. Michael Baran interviews Dr. Overton, a fellow social scientist. They discuss Cynthia’s transition from a person without a disability to a person with a disability at age 26 when she was diagnosed with a rare spinal cord injury. Cynthia tells the story of what that was like, how people engaged with her, and how she navigates life now. She also provides insights on the health care system, learned from her experiences living in hospitals for seven weeks. This episode will help listeners think more deeply about a wide range of disabilities, think more critically about the health care system, and learn practical strategies to interact with all people and build a culture that is truly inclusive and safe for everyone.  We will also discuss more lighthearted topics such as Cynthia’s forays into stand-up comedy and her love for The Golden Girls or K-dramas. Resources mentioned: Clear Cane Chronicles book [https://www.amazon.com/CLEAR-CANE-CHRONICLES-Healthcare-Person-Centered/dp/1968250999/ref=sr_1_1?crid=25YQYE1PT21A8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.KCoB5uMhF-LjmbU-Q5H1BLRjUeHTKZYs370CORtLHe4.RabozzOVFOvdEF1jOivRXDfk88tMzwqyML7IgW3_4I0&dib_tag=se&keywords=cynthia+overton+clear+cane+chronicles&qid=1765228730&sprefix=clear+cane+ch%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1] Crip Camp documentary [https://www.netflix.com/title/81001496]

Black Fatigue in 2025, with authors Mary-Frances Winters and Mareisha Winters Reese

Black fatigue is not just about Black people being tired. It’s about the real psychological and physical costs of racism, inequity, and exclusion. This is a people issue, and also a business issue. Any organization that ignores Black fatigue is choosing higher burnout, turnover, and reputational risk over trust, innovation, and real performance. In this incredibly relevant and important episode, Dr. Michael Baran interviews two guests: (1) legendary trailblazer Mary-Frances Winters who coined the term Black Fatigue in her 2020 book of the same name, and (2) her daughter and business partner Mareisha Winters Reese who is collaborating with Mary-Frances to write the second edition of that book, to be released in June 2026. Michael and these guests unpack what Black Fatigue really is and how racism literally erodes the mind, body, and spirit across generations. Mary-Frances and Mareisha share what has changed in the forthcoming second edition of the book, including new chapters on AI, global Black experiences, and their perspective on the deliberate attempts to erase Black people, culture, and history. We also dig into the emotional weight of this political moment, the weaponizing of and co-opting of terms like DEI, “woke,” and Black Fatigue itself! We close with concrete ways to learn, act, and sustain resistance, including their upcoming companion workbook on healing Black Fatigue. Resources mentioned: * Black Fatigue book [https://www.wintersgroup.com/black-fatigue-is-available-now/] * Preorder Black Fatigue second edition [https://www.amazon.com/Black-Fatigue-Second-Racism-Erodes/dp/B0FSC4W1CN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=168LZGNAMCFLM&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ullHEnyUlj8-9eG1I6J0ebwab5Otsks3LJIzwJHODK8.1e_G0lnxJkQbHK6maAilJgCxyizPpgy3dTi-locfXCg&dib_tag=se&keywords=black+fatigue+second+edition&qid=1764004105&sprefix=black+fatigue+second+edition%2Caps%2C96&sr=8-1] * Documentary, 13th [https://www.netflix.com/title/80091741] * Podcast, 1619 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1619/id1476928106] * Michael’s piece on Frozen II [https://irisinclusion.com/newsletter/on-frozen-ii-and-snowflakes/]

From Murder Cases to Music Legends: Ethical Documentary Filmmaking with Oscar-winning Producer Caroline Waterlow

I often recommend documentaries as a good way for people to learn more about others who they might not have a lot of experience with. But not all documentaries are created equal. There are so many decisions involved in ethical and responsible storytelling.  In this behind-the-scenes episode, Dr. Michael Baran interviews Oscar, Emmy, and Peabody award-winning documentary film producer Caroline Waterlow. Caroline isbased in New York City and has been working in the documentary film industry for almost 30 years. She produced such award-winning documentaries as OJ: Made in America, STAX: Soulsville, U.S.A, Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae, and so many more. In this episode, Michael and Caroline talk about a wide range of fascinating issues: (a) ethical representation in documentary filmmaking, (b) rapidly building a culture of inclusion and safety with project teams, (c) bias and inequities faced by women in this industry, (d) building trust with people, (e) fascinating behind the scenes details about the making of the documentaries, and so much more. She ends by giving us a teaser of her upcoming work, dealing with themes of sex, AIDS, body positivity, and public access TV in New York City.   Resources mentioned: Caroline Waterlow IMDb page [https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1700023/] OJ: Made in America on Netflix [https://www.netflix.com/title/80118958] Stax: Soulville USA on HBO [https://www.hbomax.com/shows/stax-soulsville-usa/a604e163-a96f-4ea4-96c3-09cfabf66b17] Vow of Silence: The Assassination of Annie Mae on Hulu [https://www.hulu.com/series/vow-of-silence-the-assassination-of-annie-mae-afce5118-e361-4041-ace9-9ac52bafefa7] Cameraperson on HBO [https://www.hbomax.com/movies/cameraperson/4d0636fa-2219-40de-8ef0-e21c8110df92?utm_source=universal_search] Subject on Prime Video [https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.e4c9f46d-0f6f-46db-a3f0-834a39b5b960?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb]

Past, Present, Future of Work: Race and culture with Effenus Henderson

It can be a challenge sometimes to get out of the present moment and take a more bird’s eye view of changes in the workplace through time. How have cultures changed over time, especially in terms of culture, biases, and inclusion? Why is this important for companies to consider, as they plan for the future? In this big-picture episode, Dr. Michael Baran interviews internationally acclaimed strategist, author, speaker Effenus Henderson. Effenus went from working on a tobacco farm in North Carolina to Chief Diversity Officer for Weyerhaeuser Company and now President and CEO of HenderWorks, Inc. and Co-Founder of the Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion. In this episode, Effenus talks about a wide range of important issues: (a) his journey and experiences with segregation and bias, (b) the economic imperative for organizations to nurture culture, and how they can do that, (c) trust-building leadership in today’s complex world, (d) invisible barriers to success in the workplace, and so much more. He ends by talking about what the workforce may look like in 15 years, when the US becomes a majority minority country and how businesses must adapt with an inclusion lens to that diversity. Resources mentioned: Effenus Henderson’s book SPINE [https://www.amazon.com/SPINE-Backbone-Agility-Adaptability-World/dp/B0DVZQT414?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER]  The Institute for Sustainable Diversity and Inclusion [https://i4sdi.org/]  Effenus Henderson’s LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/effenushenderson/]  HenderWorks, Inc [https://www.henderworks.com/why-henderworks].