A White Guy Confronting Racism 

Hosted by: Jared Karol

We all have a responsibility to confront racism—especially White folks. On this show, host Jared Karol explores the myriad ways in which racism infiltrates our everyday lives, why it’s so prevalent and harmful, and, importantly, what we should be doing to confront it.

In Season One, Jared will be reading excerpts from his upcoming book, A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act. In future seasons, he’ll be inviting guests for in-depth, meaningful, nuanced conversations about systemic racism, White supremacy, social justice, equity, power, humanity, and all kinds of related topics.

To never miss an episode, subscribe to the podcast. You can pre-order the book at awhiteguyconfrontingracism.com/book. And always be asking yourself: What am I doing to confront racism?

 

A White Guy Confronting Racism: Season 1 Intro

Season #1 October 20, 2021

The new book, A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act, comes out November 15, 2021. In season one of the podcast, Jared gives readers a sneak peek into the book by reading excerpts from each section. Like what you hear? Pre-order the book now here.

Episode 1: My Approach to Confronting Racism

Season #1 October 22, 2021

On season one, I'm reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” coming out on November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode One, I'm reading two excerpts from Section One of the book: “My Approach to Confronting Racism.” Over the years, I’ve tried a bunch of different approaches, discarded what wasn’t working, and honed what does, so that I can reach as many people and make as much impact as possible. I’ve landed on a few core principles that guide my antiracism work. They’re captured in Section One of the book.

Thanks for listening. Pre-order the book here.

Episode 2: Confronting Racism by Calling People In

Season #1 October 22, 2021

On season one, I'm reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” coming out on November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode Two, I'm reading two excerpts from Section Two of the book: “Confronting Racism by Calling People In.” 

What do I mean by “calling people in”? I mean, recognizing that if we’re going to make any meaningful and lasting impact in our antiracism efforts, we must be willing to get as many people as possible to have the difficult conversations that we all like to avoid. In my experience, I’ve found that inviting people into these conversations builds relationships that can lead to individual and collective accountability, and gets more people seeing themselves as part of the solution instead of part of the problem.

Thanks for listening. Pre-order the book here.

Episode 3: Confronting Racism with Emotional Intelligence

Season #1 October 27, 2021

On season one, I'm reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” coming out on November 15, 2021. Today, in Episode 3, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Three of the book: “Confronting Racism with Emotional Intelligence.”

What is emotional intelligence and what does it have to do with confronting racism? Emotional intelligence, or EQ, means we are aware of, can control, and are able to express our emotions. It also means we can interact with others with empathy and non judgment. EQ requires vulnerability, curiosity, compassion, skillful communication, and so much more.

Confronting racism with emotional intelligence means that we pay attention to how we’re showing up so we can show up optimally for others. It requires that we get comfortable being uncomfortable.

Thank you for listening. You can pre-order the book here.

Episode 4: Confronting Racism by Reflecting on the Past

Season #1 October 29, 2021

On season one, I'm reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” coming out on November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode 4, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Four of the book: “Confronting Racism by Reflecting on the Past.”

Our childhood and high school years and college years and early career may have all taken place in the past, but they still influence our thinking. It’s very likely that throughout our lifetime we witnessed and/or participated in racism more often than we'd like to admit. I know I have.

And, while we can’t change our past, but we can change our relationship to it. We can reflect on what we used to think, what we learned, and what we think now—so we can continue to do and be better.

I appreciate you listening. You can pre-order the book here.

Episode 5: Confronting Racism with Mindfulness

Season #1 November 01, 2021

Here on season one, I’m reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” coming out on November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode 5, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Five of the book: “Confronting Racism with Mindfulness.” With twenty years of mindfulness practice, I’ve become more discerning about how I go about confronting racism. To do it effectively, we need to be able to sit with uncertainty, stay present, and strive for a state of equanimity—traits that help us recognize the interconnectedness of mindfulness and racial justice. I appreciate you listening. You can pre-order the book here.

Episode 6: Confronting Racism with Conviction

Season #1 November 03, 2021

On season one, I’m reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” coming out November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode 6, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Six of the book: “Confronting Racism with Conviction.” Confronting racism with conviction means developing a strong point of view and communicating it unapologetically, all the time, and to whoever is listening, whether they agree with you or not. Confronting racism with conviction means taking a stand, taking risks, and embodying your truth. I appreciate you listening. You can pre-order the book here.

Episode 7: Confronting Racism by Telling Stories

Season #1 November 05, 2021

On season one, I’m reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” launching November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode 7, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Seven of the book: “Confronting Racism by Telling Stories.” Too many White people don’t think they have a race. White people are just—”normal.” It’s everyone else who has a race. And therefore it’s everyone else who has stories about race. To decenter whiteness, ironically perhaps, White people need to tell their stories about race more often. I appreciate you listening. You can pre-order the book here.

Episode 8: Confronting Racism with Irreverence and Satire

Season #1 November 08, 2021

On season one, I’m reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” launching November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode 8, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Eight of the book: “Confronting Racism with Irreverence and Satire.” Sometimes, when we are too exhausted to argue anymore, when people aren’t hearing our lucid and logical and factual perspectives, when we don’t know where else to turn, irreverence and satire may seem like our only options. It’s not an approach I recommend you take with regularity. But it can work to help prove a point. I appreciate you listening. You can pre-order the book here.

Episode 9: Confronting Racism with Leadership

Season #1 November 10, 2021

On season one, I’m reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” launching November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode 9, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Nine of the book: “Confronting Racism with Leadership.” With their power and visibility, the potential that senior leaders have to drive impact, affect change, and influence workplace culture is immense. But potential means nothing if it’s not realized. And we are left with the status quo of White supremacy. I'm trying to change that. I appreciate you listening. You can pre-order the book here.

Episode 10: Confronting Racism by Calling People Out

Season #1 November 12, 2021

On season one, I’m reading excerpts from my upcoming book, “A White Guy Confronting Racism: An Invitation to Reflect and Act,” launching November 15, 2021. Today, on Episode 10, I’m reading two excerpts from Section Ten of the book: “Confronting Racism by Calling People Out.” Most of the time I try to call people in to conversations about racism. Overall, I have found that to be a more productive and sustainable approach to moving the antiracist needle. And, sometimes you calling people out is necessary to interrupt harm and disrupt the pervasiveness of White supremacy. I appreciate you listening. You can pre-order the book here.