When you say things like “We want to retain our diverse employees” who, exactly, are you talking about? Just a friendly reminder: no one is inherently "diverse." Diversity is not a personal trait; it’s a relational and systemic concept. When we say “diverse employees,” we unintentionally reinforce the idea that there’s a “norm” (usually white, cis, straight, non-disabled) and everyone else is “diverse.” It places the burden of difference—and often the burden of change—on the very people most impacted by exclusion.

Your algorithm isn't neutral; it's making choices about whose voice matters. Every day, platforms decide which posts get seen by thousands and which disappear into the void. These aren't random decisions. The same systems that amplify some voices while suppressing others mirror the unjust dynamics we see every day in our workplaces and communities. In a moment when Americans are taking to the streets to defend democracy, we can't ignore how digital platforms silence dissent. Together, we can disrupt these dangerous patterns one courageous conversation at a time.

I'm sorry you feel that way is not an apology. We undermine our own efforts to apologize when we don't accept full responsibility for our actions, make excuses for ourselves, or attempt to shift the blame away from us. Unfortunately many misconceptions about apologizing persist. We’ve probably all had the experience of having someone say the “right thing” and yet their apology feels performative. Especially in today’s era of “sorry not sorry” non-apologies and performative public apologies, healing requires putting in real work. This means taking steps to ensure that we don’t cause harm again, rather than simply professing our remorse and willingness to take responsibility.

If your workplace were really a meritocracy, senior executives wouldn’t be 90% White. Leaders, let’s be honest. “Meritocracy” is a convenient fiction that enables many of us to disavow our complicity in inequality. The idea that the best rise to the top ignores mountains of evidence showing how racism, sexism, economic inequality and other structural forces shape who gets hired, mentored, promoted—or pushed out. Clinging to meritocracy myths denies history and presents systemic exclusion as personal failure. A form of victim-blaming, the ideology of merit says: "If you're not thriving here, it's your fault."

As expected, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a heterosexual woman who claims to be discriminated against because she's straight. ."Reverse discrimination" is a myth designed to undermine the very protections that were hard-won through decades of struggle. Every ruling like this makes it harder for minoritized people to seek justice when they face real discrimination. When we allow discrimination laws to be weaponized against marginalized communities, we're creating a smokescreen that lets real oppression continue while those with privilege claim victimhood.

Whether you're new here or we've been connected for a while, I wanted to share a little about who I am and the work that inspires me. I'm a queer, Jewish educator, consultant, and coach who transforms theory into action and silence into courageous conversation. I've built my career around bridging what many find difficult to navigate: discomfort, difference, and deep systemic harm. This work is deeply personal for me. In this post I share my story and explore the connection between my past and my purpose.

Is your investment in being nice making others feel invisible or unsafe? Niceness may appear caring but it's actually about comfort, control, and convenience. Nice people avoid conflict to protect comfort. Because niceness tends to be associated with people pleasing and maintaining the status quo, it can be a form of silencing that stands in the way of genuine connection, healing and transformation. Kindness is a courageous practice. It's rooted in what Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. called "positive peace"—not just the absence of tension, but the presence of justice. Kindness cares enough to lean into discomfort when it serves a greater good.

Transgender soldiers swore to defend a Constitution that promises equal protection under the law. They deserve that protection too. Under the Trump administration's new policy, transgender military service members must voluntarily leave by June 6 or they will be actively tracked down and forced out of the armed services "for national security interests." No one should have to hide in order to serve their country. And no institution that claims to defend democracy can afford to exclude and erase the people who embody its deepest values.

Can you spot antisemitic dog whistles? Modern antisemites have learned to weaponize seemingly neutral terms that echo historical propaganda, portraying Jews as a cabal of powerful forces controlling banks, governments, and media worldwide. Common antisemitic dog whistles are "wealthy elites," "globalists,” and “international bankers." Don't stay silent when you hear antisemitic dog whistles! Educate others gently and suggest better language. For example, "corporate executives," not "global elites."

Pride month is here but for too many LGBTQIA2S+ employees, there's little to celebrate at work. Many of us are still navigating workplaces where we feel unsafe, unseen, and undervalued. Across the U.S., queer and trans people are facing alarmingly high rates of discrimination in our personal lives, in the workplace and the public sphere, and in our access to critical health care. If you want your employees to feel safe and included for more than a few weeks, then commit to doing the real work of building belonging 365 days a year.

If you’re genuinely committed to fighting antisemitism, you don’t hire Nazis. You don’t elevate white supremacists to high-level government positions. You don’t weaponize Jewish pain when it suits your politics, then ignore real threats when they come from your own ranks. NPR reported that at least three Trump officials—including speechwriters and homeland security advisors—have ties to openly antisemitic, pro-Nazi ideologies. One praised Hitler. Another pushed white nationalist propaganda. Is this what a “war on antisemitism” looks like?

The most dangerous words ever spoken are “that’s just the way it is.” As historian Howard Zimmerman has taught us, “historically, the most terrible things—war, genocide, and slavery—have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience.” Zinn challenges us to recognize that the greatest atrocities and injustices aren’t carried out by rebels, but by those who follow orders, who stay silent, and who look away.

When a government decides whose deaths are acceptable collateral damage, they’re telling us precisely who they believe is human. The New York Times’s May 4 article on NIH funding cuts, “Trump Administration Slashes Research Into L.G.B.T.Q. Health,” has overwhelmed me with rage and grief. As someone who held dying friends’ hands during the worst of the AIDS crisis and volunteered with AIDS Action in Boston during the 90s, I refuse to be silent. I refuse to watch another generation suffer because political leaders have decided LGBTQIA2S+ lives are expendable.

As a women’s and gender studies professor, I can say with complete confidence that the UK Supreme Court is wrong to exclude trans women from the legal definition of women. Their decision is based in hate and bigotry, not science. Trans women are women. Linking the legal definition of woman to biological sex is deeply antifeminist. Modern feminism is grounded in Simone de Beauvoir’s powerful insight that “One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman”—in other words, “woman” is not natural or innate, but socially constructed, category.

Liberation is not a zero-sum game because our humanity can only be realized through recognizing the humanity of others. Passover--a celebration of freedom that commemorates the story of the Israelites’ exodus from bondage--is a reminder that our liberation cannot come at the expense of another's freedom. Oppression in any form diminishes us all. As Nelson Mandela powerfully explains, “For to be free is not merely to cast off one's chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” This is the essence of our obligation as humans.

One of the most insidious aspects of antisemitism today is that it comes from those who claim to be our friends, supporters, and defenders. Jewish people have been scapegoated for thousands of years but the subtlety and complexity of today's antisemitism often makes it difficult to pin down. While "conservative" and "progressive" anti-Jewish bias and hate take different forms, leaders on the right and the left tend to use antisemitism as a political football. It's no wonder that so many Jewish people feel harmed by and mistrustful of our "friends."

According to Heather Plett, one of the paradoxes of holding space is that it requires intentionality, self-awareness, and courage...and yet it can feel like you're doing nothing. Plett describes holding space as the practice of being present, open, and supportive for someone without trying to fix, control, or judge their experience. When we hold space for our colleagues in the workplace, we increase understanding, trust, and connection, benefiting our entire team.

What if our greatest achievements in life aren’t about what we do, but who we become? I’ve earned a PhD, published a book, had an award-winning career as a professor and researcher, and launched my own consultancy where I have the honor of helping people every day. But what truly defines me are the personal moments I chose courage over fear, voice over silence, and self-worth over shame.

If passed, Missouri Senate Bill 594 would require students in all schools to see the words “I AM THE LORD thy God” followed by the Ten Commandments posted in every classroom. Lawmakers in at least 15 states have introduced similar legislation. If you’re familiar with my work, you know that my faith is important to me. But religious instruction does not belong in our public school systems. These blatantly unconstitutional bills are part of a larger project that aims to “Christianize” not only public schools but the nation itself. That project, of course, is White Christian nationalism, and it poses a grave threat to our democracy.

In a situation where there's tension, conflict or disagreement, the worst thing you can do is nothing. Courageous conversations are essential for personal and professional growth, and yet they cause fear and anxiety for most of us--me included! Sometimes we avoid these conversations because we want to steer clear of confrontation, emotional distress, or vulnerability. It's also common to avoid "tough talks" because we fear that our words might fail us, or that we may say the "wrong" thing. This is where conversation bridges can help. Conversation bridges provide tools for bridging divides, increasing understanding, and strengthening relationships.