Radio

• The Politics of Personal Appearance in the Workplace
  Social norms of "acceptability" often dictate the outfits we wear, or the haircuts we sport, at the office. But the underlying causes for these norms are complex -- cutting across cultures and generations. Workplace coach Howard Ross joins us to explore the the complicated politics of personal appearance at the workplace, and investigate why a simple decision to get a tattoo can shape your reputation within your office.. WAMU-88.5 FM - March 1, 2010
  
  
• The Economics of Marriage
  The institution of marriage is changing. Women and men are marrying later in life, and households are now more likely to have two working spouses. These economic changes have sparked an evolution in marital expectations and career trajectories. Kojo and Howard Ross speak with the author of a new study on the economics of contemporary marriage. WAMU-88.5 FM - February 1, 2010
  
  
• A Slow Start for Young Workers
  Young people looking for jobs today can't help feeling their timing stinks. Nearly one in five people age 16 to 24 is unemployed. We'll look at the work/life repercussions felt by individuals and employers as career plans stall and workplaces lack fresh, young faces. With special guest, Dr. Julianne Malveaux, Economist; President of Bennett College. WAMU-88.5 FM - January 11, 2010
  
  
• Personal Issues at Work
  Most people consider their work and personal lives separate. But an illness, divorce, or the death of a loved one will inevitably intrude on the office. How should something as private as grief be handled in the workplace? We'll discuss compassion and professionalism in dealing with personal issues at work. WAMU-88.5 FM - December 7, 2009
  
  
• Same-Sex Marriage Politics in the Workplace
  The debate over same-sex marriage is back in the headlines in the District. As it becomes fodder for more water-cooler discussions, some employers are grappling with how -- and whether -- to create a formal way of addressing the issue. We talk with Howard Ross about the intersection of marriage politics and the workplace. WAMU-88.5 FM - October 7, 2009
  
  
• Bullying in the Workplace
  What happens to the schoolyard bully once he or she grows up and joins the rat race? Apparently, some of them remain bullies as adults. New research is focusing on the role of office bullies, and studies show these people can have a huge impact on workplace productivity and health. We talk with Howard Ross about how to identify and stop the office bully in his tracks. WAMU-88.5 FM - September 14, 2009
  
  
• The Culture of Health in the Workplace
  Health care is a sensitive issue in the workplace -- and a deeply personal one to boot. But complex cultural factors often influence what we expect out of our employers and the health benefits they make available. Workplace consultant and business coach Howard Ross is back to explore the complicated, and often explosive, intersection of employment and health. WAMU-88.5 FM - August 17, 2009
  
  
• Howard & Kojo
  Many companies realize that increasing diversity among their workers can have a positive effect on the bottom line. Workplace expert Howard Ross joins Kojo to explore the unique position in which retailers find themselves, as they deal with the public and low-wage workers to overcome fear of 'the other.' With special guest Eric Watson, Executive Director, Vice President of Talent Acquisition & Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Food Lion, LLC. WAMU-88.5 FM - July 6, 2009
  
  
• Code Wars
  When President Obama nominated judge Sonia Sotamayor to the Supreme Court last month, he set off a high-stakes scramble among allies and opponents. He also set off a flurry of coded statements in the media-- words like "empathy" taking on meanings beyond their dictionary definition. We talk with Howard Ross about the political buzzwords of the summer, and what they say about our national debate on diversity. WAMU-88.5 FM - June 1, 2009
  
  
• The Psychology of Public Health at the Workplace
  It's not easy to work when the colleague next to you is fighting a hacking cough. And the swine flu outbreak is ratcheting up office tensions about illness and sick leave. Business coach and diversity consultant Howard Ross joins us to explore how sickness can drive a wedge between colleagues and expose potential unfairness at the workplace. WAMU-88.5 FM - May 4, 2009
  
  
• Outsiders, Insiders and the Modern Workplace
  Being the odd man out can make for awkward moments at a cocktail party. But a new study finds that outsiders may be the most valuable people in a workplace -- even when we think they're causing office strife. Join Kojo as we talk about the surprising opportunities and challenges of life as the office oddball. WAMU-88.5 FM - April 6, 2009
  
  
• Workplace Culture During the Downturn
  In workplaces across our region, employers are asking their employees to "do more with less." Many businesses are trimming payroll and scaling back workplace development programs. These changes are often necessary, but they also change professional and personal dynamics in the workplace. Howard Ross joins us to talk about office culture in a time of economic turmoil. WAMU-88.5 FM - March 2, 2009
  
  
• Gender, Fairness and the Workplace
  President Obama this month signed legislation giving wage discrimination victims more time to file suit. The gender discrimination case that sparked the bill also ignited a nationwide discusion about fairness at the workplace. Business coach and diversity coach Howard Ross joins us to explore what this case means about how far America has come on gender and fairness, and how far we may still need to go. WAMU-88.5 FM - February 2, 2009
  
  
• The Natural Selection of Cultural Norms?
  Genetic science can explain the color of a child's eyes or hair but what about the cultural ideas that the child is likely to adopt? An emerging field of study called memetics focuses on just that: the natural selection of cultural norms and social phenomena. Business coach and diversity consultant Howard Ross joins us again to explore how the concept of memes applies to the decisions we make in our daily lives and in the workplace. WAMU-88.5 FM - January 5, 2009
  
  
• Obstacles to a Healthy Work-Life Balance
  Guest Host: Rebecca Roberts
  Employers have long known that a happy employee is a productive employee. And today some companies offer a range of benefits designed to enhance work-life balance, such as flex-time and maternity/paternity leave. But new research shows that such benefits often go unused. We talk with workplace consultant Howard Ross about why individuals and enlightened companies often fail to strike the proper balance. WAMU-88.5 FM - December 1, 2008
  
  
• Resentment in the Workplace
  Employers often look to young ambitious newcomers for energy and fresh ideas. But hiring managers and higher-ups risk sparking generational warfare when they reward young employees before they've "paid their dues." Business coach and diversity consultant Howard Ross returns to discuss the balance between rewarding upstarts and respecting peoples' "place in line." WAMU-88.5 FM - November 3, 2008
  
  
• Stress in the Workplace
  Bad economic times can bring out the worst in some people. But in a workplace, the key is knowing how to continue getting work done, despite behavioral changes in your boss, your colleague, your employee, or yourself. How to recognize, work around, and maybe defuse classic reactions to stress in yourself or others.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - October 13, 2008
  
  
• Workplace Disagreements
  In many offices, it's hard to disagree openly with one's boss or co-workers. But passive-aggression can also make the workplace uncomfortable. Workplace coach and diversity consultant Howard Ross joins us to discuss the delicate balance between sincere criticism and hostile confrontation in the American workplace.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - September 8, 2008
  
  
• Personal Politics with Howard Ross
  The Olympics start this week, and as Americans begin to watch, it is likely many will view the games and athletes though a political lens. How do should attitudes on China and Communism color affect what we see in the Olympics? And can we self-identify when we are being biased?
  WAMU-88.5 FM - August 4, 2008
  
  
• Workplace Culture and Codes of Behavior
  Does 'office culture' sometimes encourage people to behave in ways they wouldn't otherwise condone? We explore why workers sometime abandon personal codes of behavior and become complicit in questionable acts rather than speaking up when they don't think something is right. Howard Ross joins Kojo to dissect the role negative workplace culture is playing out in front-page news stories and beyond.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - July 7, 2008
  
  
• Posturing, Identity Politics and the Presidential Race
  It was a primary season of highs and lows, with identity politics front and center. After a year of controversies and verbal missteps, both Republicans and Democrats have their presidential candidates. Howard Ross joins us to look for hints of whether our conversations about race, gender and generational divides have reinforced or transcended old cultural battle-lines.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - June 9, 2008
  
  
• Race & Pop Culture: One Step Forward, Two Steps Back?
  The American media has come a long way when it comes to racial and cultural stereotypes. But even if nuance increasingly trumps caricature in popular movies and political discourse, progress can be halting. Howard Ross joins Kojo to look at race, representation and pop culture.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - May 5, 2008
  
  
• The Role of Religion at Work and Home
  It's one of the odd contradictions of American life: Religion is an increasingly prominent part of our cultural and political conversations. Yet research shows that many Americans don't understand the basic tenets of the world's faiths. And many feel uncomfortable even talking about their beliefs. We explore these apparent contradictions, and how they affect our approach to religion in our private and professional lives.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - April 7th, 2008

• The "Opressor/Oppressed" Paradigm?
  The world rarely divides neatly into "good guys" and "bad guys". But nonetheless, we often fall back into simple frameworks for interpretting the news. Howard Ross joins Kojo to discuss how these hardened narratives affect the way we talk about race, gender and class. Plus we look at the origins of the term "African American" and the labels we use to describe cultural heritage.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - March 7th, 2008
  
  
• The "New Political Correctness"?
  When issues of race and gender show up in mainstream media coverage, they tend to be discussed in code language and artful omissions. Howard Ross joins Kojo to explore what happens when those codes are violated, and whether we've become conditioned to overreact.
  WAMU-88.5 FM - February 4th, 2008
  

• Pop Culture and Personal Politics
  Guest Host: Matthew Felling
  Can you be against racism but laugh at racist stereotypes on TV? Are you a hypocrite for buying music with mysognistic lyrics while bemoaning the way pop culture portrays women. At a time of unprecedented choice in entertainment, we explore whether "You Are What You Watch."
  WAMU-88.5 FM - January 7th, 2008