Year 2, Season 3 Episodes

The weekend. Social Security. Health insurance. What do these things have in common? They all exist thanks to the advocacy of labor unions. Political economist Margaret Levi explains how these organizations forge equality and protect worker rights, calling for a 21st-century revival of the labor movement in order to build a more equitable future. After the talk, Listen to our host Modupe dive into the role of affinity groups (or groups that are united by a common purpose) and how they make for a more inclusive workplace.

In our second episode with corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman, she shared how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked. In this continuation of that conversation, Purushothaman shows the importance of bringing your full self to work, and explains how powerful staying true to yourself while climbing the corporate ladder can be. After the interview, Modupe digs into four different ways you might be hiding aspects of yourself at work.

Corporate inclusion visionary Deepa Purushothaman shares how women of color can advocate for themselves in workplace settings where they are undervalued, discriminated against and overlooked -- and how companies can foster working cultures that empower everyone to achieve success. This conversation, hosted by TED current affairs curator Whitney Pennington Rodgers, was part of an exclusive TED Membership event. Visit ted.com/membership to become a TED Member. After the interview, our TED Business host Modupe gives practical tips on how to advocate for yourself.

What happens when the data-driven capabilities of AI are combined with human creativity and ingenuity? Shining a light on the opportunities this futuristic collaboration could bring to the workplace, AI expert Shervin Khodabandeh shares how to redesign companies so that people and machines can learn from each other. Listen to the end of the talk to hear our host Modupe explore how to make the most out of our work-relationships with machines.

"It is time to close the funding gap for Black female-led start-ups the world over," says entrepreneur Temie Giwa-Tubosun, whose company LifeBank delivers life-saving medical supplies to remote areas in Africa. Today, LifeBank operates successfully across the continent, but Giwa-Tubosun knows that barriers to funding prevent many other brilliant business ideas from blossoming. She highlights examples of impactful women-led ventures around the world -- and challenges investors to help more of them thrive. After the talk our host Modupe Akinola delves further into what needs to happen to equal the playing field in entrepreneurship.

What's a company's purpose? It's not the same as mission or vision, which change when leadership changes. Strategist Ashley M. Grice explains the power of purpose to push boundaries of innovation and bring clarity to every aspect of an organization, from the top floor to the shop floor. After the talk, our host Modupe shares wisdom on how to bring a fresh sense of purpose to our work lives.

What if citizens got more of a say in how public funds are spent? That's the idea behind participatory budgeting, a process that brings local residents and governments together to develop concrete solutions to real problems close to home. In this inspiring call to action, community leader Shari Davis shows how participatory budgeting can strengthen democracy, transform neighborhoods and cities -- and give everyone a seat at the table. "We've got to open the doors to city halls and schools so wide that people can't help but walk in," they say. Join Modupe after the talk to hear about how this can be done at a community level.

Hot flashes, joint pain, anxiety, depression, difficulty sleeping -- these unforgiving menopause symptoms directly impact work but often go overlooked and under-discussed as a taboo topic, says entrepreneur Andrea Berchowitz. She gives practical advice on how to create a menopause-friendly work culture that supports gender equity and diversity retention in the workplace. Stay tuned after the talk for more tips on how organizations can support employees as they age.

The glass cliff: an experience of taking on a leadership role only to find that your chances of success have been limited before you've even begun. Equality activist Sophie Williams explores the research-backed reasons behind this workplace phenomenon and how it overwhelmingly affects underrepresented groups, despite a facade of progress and inclusion. Learn more about the biases and behaviors that set people up for failure – and what can be done to make the path to success in leadership better for everyone. Join our host Modupe Akinola after the talk for tips on how to recognize people’s full potential – so everyone has a fair chance to shine at work.

We negotiate all the time at work – for raises, promotions, time off – and we usually go into it like it's a battle. But it's not about dominating, says organizational psychologist Ruchi Sinha. It's about crafting a relationship, and understanding both your needs and the other person's. Her three key steps will help you master this essential skill. After the talk, hear author and academic Linda Babcock and our host Modupe Akinola discuss navigating these challenging conversations – and how organizations can make outcomes more equitable. We love making TED Business, and we want to make it better. So if you have a few minutes, share your thoughts at surveynerds.com/ted.