

Joan C. Williams
Professor and founding director of the Center for WorkLife Law at UC Hastings. Author of the HBR article "How the Best Bosses Interrupt Bias on Their Teams."
Top 10 podcasts with Joan C. Williams
Ranked by the Snipd community

68 snips
May 29, 2025 • 44min
How Democrats Forgot To Be Normal, with Joan Williams
Joan Williams, a distinguished professor of law emerita at UC Law San Francisco and author of 'Outclassed', dives into the political disconnect between the Democrats and non-college educated voters. She discusses her viral essay explaining Trump’s appeal and introduces the concept of the 'diploma divide.' Williams argues that Democrats need to merge progressive values with economic messaging to reconnect with working-class voters, addressing the importance of class dynamics, shifting political coalitions, and battling identity politics.

4 snips
May 27, 2025 • 54min
How Democrats Ended Up On The Losing Side Of The Class Divide
Joan C. Williams, a distinguished law professor and author of 'Outclassed', dives into the widening chasm between Democrats and the working class. She explores how class dynamics complicate political affiliations, revealing that educational achievement oversimplifies real issues. The conversation tackles why many non-college-educated voters lean Republican and critiques Democratic messaging that fails to resonate with middle-status voters. Williams emphasizes the necessity for Democrats to refine their economic messages and reconnect emotionally with the struggles of the working class.

Jul 31, 2025 • 46min
How the Left lost the working class
Joan Williams, a renowned scholar on social inequality and author of 'Outclassed,' explores how the Democratic Party has alienated working-class voters. She discusses a revealing Wall Street Journal poll showing increasing disconnection and disapproval from the party. Williams analyzes the class culture gap, cultural values disparities, and shifts in political allegiance, highlighting the necessity for Democrats to reconnect authentically with everyday Americans. She advocates for a focus on relatable issues and understanding the diverse economic concerns that impact voter loyalty.

Jul 2, 2025 • 45min
The Bane of the Blue Collar
Joan C. Williams, a Professor at UC Hastings, dives into the disconnect between the left and the working class. She discusses her book, highlighting how union decline and elite cultural codes have fueled working-class resentment. The conversation touches on the changing landscape of animated films and the fallout from the Me Too movement at Pixar. Williams emphasizes the need for the Democratic Party to reconnect with blue-collar workers by addressing their economic insecurities and fostering genuine communication.

Jun 18, 2025 • 56min
Can the Left Win Back Working-Class Voters?
Joan C. Williams, a distinguished law professor emerita from UC Law San Francisco, explores the widening cultural and political divide between the left and working-class voters. She argues that the left's failure to connect stems from a lack of understanding of the working-class identity, exacerbated by economic instability. The conversation delves into how messaging can bridge this divide, the rise of far-right appeal, and the importance of inclusive communication strategies. Williams emphasizes authentic engagement and aligning policies with the concerns of these voters.

Jun 14, 2025 • 44min
Joan C. Williams, "Outclassed: How the Left Lost the Working Class and How to Win Them Back" (St. Martin's Press, 2025)
Joan C. Williams, a law professor and expert on social inequality, dives into the urgent need to reconnect the political left with working-class voters. She discusses the 'diploma divide' and how it fuels political allegiance to the far right. Williams highlights the plight of the white working class and emphasizes how addressing economic concerns while embracing cultural values can bridge political divides. With engaging stories and fresh narratives, she champions a more inclusive approach to empower diverse voices and mend the broken ties in American democracy.

May 21, 2025 • 42min
Episode 2541: Joan Williams on How the Democrats Must Win Back the American Working Class
Joan Williams, a distinguished psychologist and scholar known for her work on social inequality, argues that Democrats are losing the working class by neglecting their economic struggles. In her new book, she highlights a significant shift of non-college voters of color toward Republicans, emphasizing the need for 'cultural competence' to reconnect with this demographic. Williams believes Democrats must prioritize economic stability and develop messaging that resonates with working-class values to regain power in future elections.

Apr 21, 2025 • 56min
How Did the Pandemic Change Work for You?
In this engaging discussion, Aki Ito, Chief Correspondent at Business Insider, dives into workplace issues like burnout and hustle culture. Nicholas Bloom, Stanford economics professor, examines how the pandemic has reshaped our relationships with work, emphasizing changes in remote work dynamics. Joan Williams, a leader in work-life law, shares insights on evolving job roles and the impact on working parents. They explore the complexities of hybrid work, revealing personal stories of adaptation and the ongoing challenge of achieving work-life balance.

Apr 15, 2021 • 15min
Why corporate diversity programs fail — and how small tweaks can have big impact | Joan C. Williams
Joan C. Williams, a legal scholar and DEI expert, dives deep into the pitfalls of corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives. She critiques the superficial measures that often fail against systemic biases. By identifying five common patterns of workplace bias, Joan highlights specific challenges faced by women and people of color. She suggests actionable strategies and 'bias interrupters' to refine hiring and evaluation practices, proving that small changes can lead to significant impacts in fostering inclusivity.

Jan 14, 2020 • 27min
A New Way to Combat Bias at Work
Joan Williams, a leading professor and the founding director of the Center for WorkLife Law at UC Hastings, dives into the complexities of workplace bias. She argues that while eradicating unconscious bias organization-wide is tough, individual managers can effectively interrupt bias within their teams. Williams shares actionable strategies for improving hiring, meeting dynamics, task assignments, and performance reviews. She asserts that embracing these practices can harness the power of diversity and enhance corporate success.