In this episode of Impossible Trade-Offs, Katie Harbath and Mike Rognlien discuss the evolution of corporate culture at Facebook, particularly focusing on race and gender bias training. They explore the significance of learning and development initiatives, the impact of recent changes at Meta, and the challenges of navigating political perspectives within the workplace. The conversation delves into the importance of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs and the role of unconscious bias training in fostering a more inclusive corporate environment. In this conversation, Mike Rognlien discusses the evolution and importance of unconscious bias training, the challenges of navigating ideological diversity within DEI efforts, and the need for curiosity and respect in discussions about diversity and inclusion. He emphasizes the significance of creating inclusive environments and the ongoing necessity of DEI work, even as corporate attitudes shift. The conversation highlights the importance of emotional intelligence and the need for organizations to adapt their training approaches to foster meaningful dialogue and understanding. Get full access to Anchor Change with Katie Harbath at anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe
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1:02:07
2024 - A Recap of the Year the World Voted
For my last podcast of season three and 2024, I’m thrilled to welcome Ravi Agrawal, the Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy magazine, to reflect on this historic year of elections.We discussed the significant trends and observations from the 2024 elections globally during our conversation. He highlights the challenges incumbents faced, the role of cybersecurity and AI in elections, and the geopolitical implications of these electoral outcomes. The discussion also delves into the future of Indian politics, the impact of technology on global relations, and the evolving media landscape.Thank you all for listening this season. I’ll be back in 2025! I’ve got many things planned, including turning this into a video podcast, so stay tuned. Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Anchor Change with Katie Harbath at anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe
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42:29
NPR and C-SPAN on Navigating a Changing Media Landscape
This week I had the honor of moderating a fireside chat with NPR CEO Katherine Maher and C-SPAN CEO Sam Feist at the National Conference on Citizenship’s annual conference. We were able to record it to bring to you on this podcast.Katherine and Sam both took on these roles this year, and some of the things we discuss include:* Reflections on the evolving role of civic media in an increasingly polarized society.* How NPR and C-SPAN approach trust-building and transparency in today’s media landscape.* The importance of local news and its impact on civic engagement, voter turnout, and community resilience.* Insights into the challenges of adapting to digital platforms while preserving core missions. Fast Company just named C-SPAN a Brands That Matter honoree for its ability to turn government coverage into TikTok-ready entertainment.* The role of artificial intelligence in improving media accessibility and efficiency while maintaining editorial integrity.* Discussion on addressing ideological diversity in newsrooms and ensuring balanced coverage.* Key takeaways on fostering civil conversations and bridging divides in American politics.I hope you enjoy!Support the Insights That Keep You AheadYour support as a paid subscriber enables me to dive deeper into the critical intersections of tech and politics, delivering unique analysis and curated insights you won’t find elsewhere. By upgrading, you gain access to exclusive content, early previews of key stories, and a community of like-minded readers who care about these pressing issues.Join me in shaping a more informed conversation—your support makes this work possible, and I couldn’t do it without you. Get full access to Anchor Change with Katie Harbath at anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe
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49:46
Bluesky's Approach to Trust and Safety
I’m grateful this week that Aaron Rodericks, Vice President of Trust and Safety at Bluesky, made the time to join me for a conversation about how the platform is tackling the surge in users it’s seen in the U.S. since the election. This isn’t the first time they’ve seen such growth spurts—another happened in Brazil when X was briefly banned. These rapid user increases bring unique challenges to moderating content and require some impossible tradeoffs.Aaron talks about the different approaches Bluesky takes to content moderation, the unique aspects of the platform, its decentralized nature, and the challenges of scaling operations amidst rapid user growth. Aaron shares insights on content moderation, the balance between automation and human oversight, and the evolving policies to address emerging harms. The discussion also touches on user control, verification processes, and the future compliance and product development roadmap.To learn more about Bluesky’s approach, read Mike Masnik’s piece Protocols, Not Platforms: A Technological Approach to Free Speech. Also, here is an interview Wired did with CEO Jay Graber this week, as the platform crosses 24 million users.Please support the curation and analysis I’m doing with this newsletter. As a paid subscriber, you make it possible for me to bring you in-depth analyses of the most pressing issues in tech and politics. Get full access to Anchor Change with Katie Harbath at anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe
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41:03
Engaging with Curiosity and Grace
Happy Thanksgiving! I decided to release an episode today because I figured people would want something to listen to while prepping the turkey or driving to see family and friends.I also know that Thanksgiving and the holidays can be a time when tough conversations arise, especially after an election. That’s why I wanted to talk to Lori Brewer Collins.Lori is an executive coach. She and I met after the 2016 election when she created a program called Cultivate the Karass to help people across the political spectrum develop relationships with people on the other side of the aisle. I knew Lori’s son Jake before he died in 2015, and the idea for this came from a post-it note he had on his computer in the White House.Lori is a master at creating spaces for people to feel heard. In this conversation, she discusses her work in leadership development and the importance of fostering connections across ideological divides. She emphasizes the significance of building trust, creating safe spaces for dialogue, and the art of deep listening. The discussion also highlights the role of vulnerability, curiosity, and inquiry in facilitating meaningful conversations and understanding among diverse groups. We explore the complexities of facilitating difficult conversations, particularly around race and political differences. We also discuss the emotional exhaustion following elections, the importance of understanding diverse perspectives, and strategies for navigating family discussions with grace and kindness. Lori emphasizes the need for curiosity, intentionality, and the power of listening in fostering meaningful connections amidst differing viewpoints.I hope you enjoy our conversation. Thank you so much for listening to and supporting this work. It means the world to me.Anchor Change with Katie Harbath is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. Get full access to Anchor Change with Katie Harbath at anchorchange.substack.com/subscribe
Technology and democracy are at a crossroads. Technology can potentially empower people and make our democracies more responsive. Or technology can be used to manipulate and divide us. Welcome to Impossible Tradeoffs. I’m Katie Harbath. In this weekly podcast, we’ll talk about and analyze the most fascinating headlines. We’ll make predictions about where things are going. And we’ll talk to experts about the challenges we face and how we might look for solutions. anchorchange.substack.com
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