Bias and Equality: Social Justice Impacting Mental Health

podcast about bias, equality, social justice and mental health

Kamen works as a lifestyle management consultant who explores the art and science of happiness as a speaker, author, and positive psychology expert. Through her globally syndicated podcast, books, media appearances, and documentary film, Lisa has impacted millions of people around the world.

LISA CYPERS KAMEN

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The United States ranked 43rd out of 146 countries for gender equality in the World Economic Forum’s 2024 Global Gender Gap Report. In addition to that staggering result, the current administration is eliminating DEI efforts to further erode progress toward social justice for women. How can we empower girls and women to ensure their voices are heard and their contributions are valued at all levels of society?

To explore gender bias and the generational transmission of sexism, Harvesting Happiness Podcast Host Lisa Cypers Kamen speaks with clinical psychologist and author Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD.

Jo-Ann highlights emotional labor as a generationally transmitted unfair bias against females. She offers guidance on promoting equality within the home and explores how social conditioning might influence empathy in males. Her book, Sexism & Sensibility, emphasizes the importance of fostering five specific female voices and provides practical tips for reducing negative bias in women and advancing overall gender equality.

Original Air Date Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

Tune in:

Meet Our Guest:

Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein, PhD is a Harvard and Northwestern-trained clinical psychologist who integrates bias, social justice, and mental health in her private practice. She is featured in major outlets like The New York Times, Harvard Business Review, and CNN and contributes to Psychology Today.

Active in women’s rights, she has served on the Chicago NOW board and helped organize the Chicago Women’s March.

Book: Sexism & Sensibility: Raising Empowered, Resilient Girls in the Modern World

Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein PhD—Bias and Equality:

Emotional labor is an unfair, unconscious bias against females. {2:14}
How to promote equality in the home. {7:27}
Social conditioning may alter empathy and compassion instincts in males. {10:25}
In her book, Sexism & Sensibility, Jo-Ann discusses five voices that are important to foster in girls. {17:46}
Tips for diminishing negative bias in women and promoting equality. {25:08}

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Check out the Harvesting Happiness podcast episode library and special More Mental Fitness by Harvesting Happiness bonus content available exclusively on Substack and Medium.

Follow Dr. Jo-Ann Finkelstein PhD:

Shareables:

“As women, it seems like many of us find the need to constantly apologize for our attitudes, opinions, and actions.” @LisaKamen on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “The trauma of being a girl is being treated differently, being treated less than, being treated as not as smart gets passed down epi-genetically.” @joannfinkelstein.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “I think there are men and boys out there who might be the feelers and the empathy if we allowed that. If we didn’t make it so emasculating.” @joannfinkelstein.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X “There is a narrow range of acceptable girl voices that straitjackets girls and undermines how they are regarded.” @joannfinkelstein.phd on @HHTalkRadio Share on X

Grab More Joy Below:

Are We Happy Yet? Eight Keys to Unlocking a Joyful Life — A boot camp manual for greater emotional fitness. Happiness waits for no one and sometimes we all need support. What is getting in the way of your happiness right now?

H–Factor: Where is Your Heart? — Lisa’s documentary film explores the journey of human happiness. Emotions are contagious and happiness is a universally desired state. We tend to forget we all have the freedom to be happy or the liberty to be miserable each day.