Inclusion Evolution is a bi-weekly podcast focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession, the technology space, the world of sports, and our everyday.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/17/15/773353b8-81d8-405a-9e28-b9393b1e78bd_ie_ep_22.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Vivian have an open and frank discussion with Jane Wainwright, a patent attorney and partner at Potter Clarkson, about menopause and the workplace. Listen as we talk about the different stages of menopause, why menopause is an inclusivity problem, what law firms and corporations can do to become more menopause friendly, and what women should not be afraid to do at work if they experience peri/menopausal symptoms.

Ripping the stigma off menopause in the workplace

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2024/1/3/13/36bc9194-69b4-4ede-837f-2c9710f389e3_ie_ep_21.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Vivian are joined by Robert Andrews, the Chief Inclusion &amp; Diversity Officer at Mewburn Ellis, LLP, an intellectual property law firm with offices throughout the United Kingdom and Munich, Germany. Listen as Robert discusses Mewburn’s inclusion and diversity journey and its forward-thinking strategy for translating good intent into change. You’ll hear about Mewburn’s menopause policy, the reasoning behind its decision to release its gender pay gap information before being legally required to do so, and so much more.

Mewburn Ellis: A Forward-Thinking Approach to Inclusion & Diversity

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/12/14/12/364329ec-9a89-4572-b554-ca9025754b53_ie_ep_20_revised.mp3

In this episode, Lisa is joined by Vivian Coco to discuss the gender wage gap. While the gender wage gap has been decreasing steadily in many parts of the world, there is still no single country that can boast equality in earnings of men and women. Listen as Vivian and Lisa discuss some bright spots in the gender wage gap, what law firms, what legal departments can do to address the pay gap, and our hopes for the future.

The Gender Wage Gap: Towards Pay Equity

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/9/25/20/a1eb0095-8b70-4c22-b608-5b07b92a6ac1_ie_ep_19.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike speak with John McGinty, whose work in inclusion focuses on the Deaf community. In this episode, you will learn about John’s company, SignesGlobal, which works in the technology industry to help companies with inclusion and accessibility, including helping companies to hire and integrate valuable members of the Deaf community into their workplaces across many industries. As a Deaf-led boutique global agency, SignesGlobal’s offerings are designed to foster inclusivity and break down barriers across various industries.

Empowering the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community with John McGinity

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/8/18/13/7ce64ee9-5865-4522-901a-9faba4cfd128_ie_ep_18.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike explore the topic of loneliness and, in particular, a recent article by Hillary Clinton in The Atlantic magazine entitled &#34;The Weaponization of Loneliness&#34; in which she referred to a May 2023 report from Surgeon General Vivek Murthy entitled &#34;Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation&#34; which warns that a growing &#34;epidemic of loneliness&#34; and isolation threatens Americans&#39; personal health and the health of our democracy. In this episode you will learn about what happens we disconnect from family, friends, and our community, the impact of loneliness on our democracy, and recommendations for combating loneliness.

So Lonely. What it means for our health and democracy

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/7/29/9/34accb8a-d368-42eb-8df2-a78e0c4ee728_ie_ep_17.mp3

In this episode, Mike and Lisa explore the topic of tokenism with their guest, Vivian Coco, the Director of Marketing &amp; Client Relations at Licks Attorneys, a Brazilian law firm specializing in IP litigation, prosecution, and enforcement. Vivian’s master’s thesis explored diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) practices in the legal market. Listen as Vivian talks about tokenism in law firms in Brazil, the U.S. and other countries, explains how it undercuts inclusion, and provides strategies law firms can use to overcome tokenism in their DEI efforts.

Exploring Tokenism in law firms

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/7/5/12/87c1bef0-e6f3-4e69-b2fd-2a4c2ffcbc98_ie_ep_16_revised.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike speak with Rebecca Faye Smith Galli (Becky) and Rebecca Rienzi of Pathfinders for Autism (<a href="https://pathfindersforautism.org/" rel="nofollow">https://pathfindersforautism.org/</a>), an organization which works to support and improve the lives of individuals affected by autism through expansive, customized programming, and by providing resources, training, information and activities free of charge. In addition, you will hear Becky&#39;s inspirational story of learning to accept and embrace life despite tremendous tragedy, including the loss of her younger brother at age seventeen from a water-skiing accident and her oldest son Matthew at the age of fifteen to an undiagnosed neurodegenerative disease, the diagnosis of her daughter Madison&#39;s autism, as well as her contracting a disease that resulted in her becoming paralyzed from the waist down. After you listen to this episode, you will have a better understanding of what it means to be resilient, have strength and exhibit graciousness no matter what life has in store.

Celebrating Disability Pride Month

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/6/23/20/87fa470e-d683-451a-9349-4f78d52718cc_ie_ep_15_2nd_revision.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike are joined by Jonathan Barbee, Michael Invernale, and Jessica Trostel to discuss the currently pending and enacted legislation in the U.S. aimed at restricting LGBTQ rights and the teaching of black history in schools and universities. Listen as the group also discusses the continued increase in the banning of books authored by persons of color, members of the LGBTQ+ community, and other historically marginalized groups. Suggestions on how to be better allies to these groups as they navigate these challenging issues is also discussed.

Celebrating Pride Month and Juneteenth

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/6/7/11/0ed6e7f0-9d5c-4df0-8489-b31c7db2c528_ie_ep_14_revised.mp3

Imposter syndrome is described as &#34;the phoniness in people who believe that they are not intelligent, capable, or creative despite evidence of high achievement&#34;. Research suggests that around 70 percent of adults may experience impostorism at least once in their lifetime. In this episode, Lisa and Mike discuss the causes of imposter syndrome, the impact of impostorism, especially as it relates to law students and lawyers, and provide some suggestions and strategies for overcoming imposterism.

Imposter Syndrome

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/5/24/17/031e1492-83e1-4237-85d6-ff13208c75d5_ie_ep_13.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike talk about <a href="https://www.chronicle.com/newsletter/race-on-campus/2023-02-07%3E;" rel="nofollow">pending legislation that would prohibit colleges and universities from having diversity, equity, and inclusion offices or staff</a>; ban mandatory diversity training; prohibit institutions from using <a href="https://www.chronicle.com/article/diversity-statements-are-under-fire-heres-what-they-are-and-how-theyre-used" rel="nofollow">diversity statements</a> in hiring and promotion; or prohibit colleges from using race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in admissions or employment. Also discussed are the recent laws passed in North Dakota and Florida and the potential impact of these laws for Black and other underrepresented individuals at colleges and universities in these states.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion at America’s colleges and universities under attack by state legislatures

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/5/11/19/29b57d38-5352-48ce-8b85-c185f619cde1_ie_ep_12.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike talk with Malcolm Lemmons and Professor David Berri about the moment that Women&#39;s college basketball had this year, including the Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese controversy during the Final Four. We also tackle the disparities between men&#39;s and women&#39;s sports in general and explore its root causes and what can be done about to increase viewership and exposure for women&#39;s sports and to get women athletes the pay they deserve.

Are Women's College and Professional Sports Finally Arriving?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/4/27/12/1f96fac1-a088-4432-adaa-32573d9a6928_ie_ep_11_revised.mp3

In this week’s episode, Lisa and Mike are joined by special guest, James Oliver, Jr., the founder of Kabila, an inclusive co-founder matching app that connects BIPOC and women founders to capital and to each other. James, Mike and Lisa discuss the funding gap for minority-owned businesses and how to best move the needle on this critical and long-standing issue. They also discuss the critical issue of entrepreneur mental-health and some creative initiatives focused on addressing it.

Addressing the Funding Gap for Minority Owned Businesses

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/4/12/18/0b08a290-e692-4dcc-81d7-0efea735ead8_ie_ep_10.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike speak with Bonnie Marcus, author of the book Not Done Yet! How Women over 50 Regain Their Confidence and Claim Their Workplace Power. Listen as Bonnie discusses what gendered ageism is and why it is a “double whammy” for women over the age of 50. Bonnie also describes how women by being their “badass selves”, can reclaim control and confidence over their careers when facing the stigma and stereotypes associated with ageism.

Why can’t women age in peace? A discussion on gendered ageism with Bonnie Marcus.

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/3/29/20/6a2e5a64-b1c6-4b66-8fdf-3d18e881c002_ie_ep_9.mp3

Today, Lisa and Mike speak with Mercedes Meyer, a shareholder at Banner &amp; Witcoff. Mercedes is an experienced leader in both the diversity, equity and inclusion and the mental health and well-being spaces.

Talking all things Diversity, Equity and Inclusion with DE&I Champion Mercedes Meyer

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/3/15/14/886a847c-ee1c-4a72-9c54-4df0c2a65329_ie_ep_8.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike discuss the consolidated cases, Students for Fair Admissions (SFFA) v. President and Fellows of Harvard College and University of North Carolina that are currently awaiting a decision from the U.S. Supreme Court. Listen as they discuss the origins of affirmative action, the important U.S. Supreme Court cases to date involving affirmative action, the current case before the Court as well as the 5-hour oral argument that took place in October 2022. Finally, Lisa and Mike try and read the tea leaves and predict how the court will rule and discuss the implications if the court does hold to end affirmative action.

Will the U.S. Supreme Court end Affirmative Action?

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/3/1/20/94ea32a6-2c8d-4f70-a225-f2e86513ca43_episode_7.mp3

In today’s episode, Lisa and Mike talk with two individuals who are extremely passionate about increasing diversity in Patent Law – Elaine Spector and Judy Lee. Elaine is a patent attorney with Harrity &amp; Harrity. Harrity &amp; Harrity is a leader in programs to increase the number of diverse attorneys in patent law. Listen as Elaine describes the various programs Harrity has to increase diversity such as its Minority Firm Incubator program, Annual Women’s Patent Law Workshop, the Harrity Academy and its Patent Pathways program just to name a few. Judy is an Assistant General Counsel, IP at Microsoft, where she has been for the last 12 years supporting Microsoft’s Cloud and AI business. Listen as Judy describes “Advancing Diversity Across Patent Teams” or “ADAPT” of which Microsoft was a founding member in 2021.

Increasing Diversity in Patent Law with Elaine Spector and Judy Yee

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/2/16/12/9c8f23f6-499f-4c1c-9778-aa1b790d2bec_ie006.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike tackle the topic of allyship. Listen as they discuss what an ally is, the different types of allyship, and what lawyers and law firms can do to be better allies to underrepresented groups.

Why allyship is so important in the legal profession and beyond

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/2/2/16/7c8b9a07-ac8e-4948-bf16-9caeca7bcd6f_ie005.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike talk about two individuals who have been in the news recently, a football player, Damar Hamlin and a politician, Jacinda Ardern, and what lawyers and law firm and business leadership can learn from each of them. The Damar Hamlin story drives home our shared experiences and traumas and how they impact us in life and is a reminder that we need to prioritize what is truly important. The Jacinda Ardern story reminds us about boundaries and priorities and having the courage to speak out and stand up for your mental health.

What Lawyers and Leaders Can Learn from Damar Hamlin and Jacinda Ardern

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/1/18/15/1a730efd-0ef3-46f5-b25c-cc79071cdfa5_ie004.mp3

Everyone has biases. In this episode, Lisa and Mike discuss unconscious bias and the most common types. Listen as they offer tips and suggestions how individuals and law firms can overcome and mitigate unconscious bias.

Understanding Unconscious Bias

https://s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/pod-public-media-files/2023/1/4/13/ebdd00f6-8c3b-467d-9fbe-a28a8d36e71b_ie003.mp3

In this episode, Lisa and Mike discuss the mental health challenges that the legal profession faces and why well-being is so important. To coincide with the start of 2023, Lisa and Mike discuss several resolutions that attorneys and law students can make to focus on and safeguard their mental health.

Mental Health Resolutions for Lawyers in 2023

Inclusion Evolution is a bi-weekly podcast focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession, the technology space, the world of sports, and our everyday.