Inflection Point with Lauren Schiller

An awkward conversation with her white mother about “good white people” inspired Ijeoma Oluo to take on the unenviable task of writing one of the most user-friendly books on race of our time: “So You Want To …

Is the body positivity movement a good thing or a bad thing in the quest for equality? Ruth Whippman joins Lauren to uncover the debate.

Support our production with a monthly or one-time donation.

And when …

Women who run countries have been getting a lot of claps on the back for their leadership during this Pandemic--not only their inclusive, …

Welcome to the Inflection Point Summer Swap Series, where we share other great female-led podcasts.

This week features an episode of Brave Not Perfect with author, Ted speaker, Girls Who Code founder, and …

Could the Covid-19 pandemic be the inflection point that marks the end of the gendered division of labor at home? Now that we are all …

I think we can all agree, it’s been a rough spring with COVID-19 taking over our lives. You may know someone who’s sick, or who’s lost a …

Marathon Swimming Hall of Famer Kim Chambers is only the sixth person ever to complete the Ocean’s Seven challenge... solo. That's seven …

In this Toolkit, learn how you can change systems that create climate change.

Meet the woman who helped develop The Green New Deal--and how you can make a difference in the climate crisis. Rhiana Gunn-Wright is the …

Learn what you can do right now to make a difference on climate and energy.
Heather was the first African-American, first female and youngest mayor of Greenville, MS and is now field director for Moms Clean Air …

Meet Heather McTeer Toney, the National Field Director at Moms Clean Air Force, which fights for climate safety to protect our children's health. She shares how her two terms as the first African-American, …

Isha Clark is a high school senior and a youth organizer with Youth vs. Apocalypse, a Bay Area youth climate justice organization. In this …

Isha Clarke is an activist with Youth vs Apocalypse. You may know her from a viral video where she asked California Senator Dianne Feinstein to move the Green New Deal forward; she helped organize the youth …

In this episode we’ll hear how Amber Tamblyn went from being an actress to being an activist--defining her own role in the feminist …

Seane Corn helps people who are committed to social change understand that to dismantle the systems that create oppression, you've got to dismantle the systems that exist within yourself. This world-renowned …

A’shanti Gholar is the founder of the Brown Girl's Guide to Politics and the national political director for Emerge America--a national …

A new scientific study shows that men are funnier than women. In this Feminist Detective segment, special guest, author and journalist, Ruth Whippman and Lauren get to the bottom of this finding and seize the …

Jane Fonda. Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Nancy Pelosi. Elizabeth Warren. Maxine Waters. Are "older" women taking over? By 2034 there will be more …

Dan Pfeiffer, co-host of Pod Save America, former Senior Advisor to President Barack Obama and author of the book, "Yes We (Still) Can: …

When Eve Rodsky found herself sobbing on the side of the road over a text from her husband about blueberries, she knew something had to change. Hence began her seven year quest to create a more equitable …

Journalist and author Ruth Whippman joins me to seek out sexism in all its tiny guises so we can make big changes. This week we dig into why …

Tiffany Shlain is the author of "24/6. The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week". She is also the founder of the Webbys, Character Day and the creator of a number of films. In today's episode Tiffany brings it …

Introducing a NEW Inflection Point segment called “Feminist Detective” in which journalist and author Ruth Whippman joins me to seek out sexism in all its tiny guises so we can make big changes. This week we …

Candace Bushnell gave us a reason to sit on our couch every week to soak in the stories of the women--and men--of the 90s television …

Jessica Reaves, the Editorial Director at the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League shares tools for parents, educators and law …

We're hearing more from and about American extremist groups lately, like white supremacists and Incels. One thing their members have in common is misogyny. Today's guest is Jessica Reaves, the Editorial …

In this toolkit we learn how personal change can lead to positive societal change. Featured guest: Stephanie Lepp, the creator and host of …

Stephanie Lepp is the creator and host of a podcast about how people change their hearts and minds-- it’s about people who decided on their own to completely change their world views. It’s about people who took …

Former Chief of Staff for EMILY's List, Kate Black, just published her first book, written with the actress June Diane Raphael. It’s called “Represent The Woman's Guide to Running for Office and Changing the …

Hear what Kate Black, co-author of “Represent The Woman's Guide to Running for Office and Changing the World” says are the most important things you need to know before you run for office, what you must know …

Meet the women taking charge and leading change on issues like putting more women in office, voting rights, reproductive rights, white supremacy and misogyny, and the climate crisis. And look for our shorter …

I’m excited to share that a friend of the podcast, Sophia Bush, is launching her own show called “Work in Progress”. On the podcast, you’ll hear frank, funny, personal, professional, and sometimes even …

The next generation of working mothers is not going to accept the status quo. Unpaid labor, the mental load, and harsh self-judgment could …

In the first half of 2019, State legislatures across the South, Midwest and the Plains enacted 58 abortion restrictions, 26 of which would …

This is a special re-airing in recognition of the 5th anniversary of the Ferguson, MO protests.

When Michael Brown was shot by a police …

On the podcast “Reckonings” host Stephanie Lepp posed the questions: “what does it sound like for a survivor of sexual assault to get her …

Welcome to a summer season episode swap featuring Katherine Goldstein of The Double Shift podcast.

Earlier in the season, I shared my …

I am so glad you’re catching our current season about “radicals”-- Radical actions, radical system change and the people who are making it happen right now:

In the workplace--if you’re still catching up, check …

The times, they are a’changin’. This week on Inflection Point, I talk to author Jennifer Weiner about her newest bestselling book “Mrs. Everything”. The story is loosely based on Jennifer’s own mother, Fran, …

Meet Shannon Watts, the author of Fight Like a Mother, and the founder of Moms Demand Action, a group that uses research, data, and a little …

This week on Inflection Point, I talk with Eve Ensler, award-winning playwright of The Vagina Monologues, about her new book “The Apology”, …

America is one of only two countries in the world where you can be fired for taking a day off in order to give birth (let that sink in for a …

In 19th Century San Francisco's Chinatown only 1 in 10 people were women, and most of them were forced into prostitution, trafficked by criminal tongs. In today’s episode, meet the Scottish sewing instructor …

This week, we hear about a radical idea to end poverty: Universal Basic Income. Lauren talks to the team behind an experiment with Guaranteed Income taking place in Stockton, CA the one-time foreclosure capital …

In the post-#MeToo era, men who would never consider saying a harassing word or venture a grope are now asking themselves “can I hug a …

Last season on Inflection Point, we explored the concept of empowerment for women. And one of the many things we learned is that we can’t hope to achieve equality if only one gender is doing the work. Since I …

Times like these call for radical ideas.

But is being a radical a positive thing? And if so, why are so many radicals seen as dangerous?
In the first episode of the new season of Inflection Point: RADICALS, …

This special episode features my live conversation with activist, writer and feminist organizer, Gloria Steinem and Oakland-based artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez.

The legendary Gloria Steinem is the …

This season I’m introducing you to the radical geniuses who are reshaping the systems as we know them. But according to today’s guest, we can all be radical geniuses by embracing a mindset of flexibility and …

This season Lauren introduces you to the “radical” people who are reshaping the systems as we know them--to get us closer to an equal society.

New episodes every other Wednesday.

Support our production with a …

As we finish up the first month of 2019 and embark upon the rest of what will no doubt be a tumultuous year, let’s hear some words of wisdom …

Khalida Brohi was a teenager when she learned that her uncle had murdered her cousin to restore his family’s honor. Her cousin’s crime: falling in love with a boy who she wasn’t betrothed to marry.

Since 2008, …

Fox News has paid out hundreds of millions of dollars to silence women who were sexually harassed and assaulted while working there. The …

After asking the question all season: "Does all this female empowerment we’re striving for really lead to actual power?" The kind of power that puts women in charge of our bodies, our workplaces, our laws, and …

What’s going on with men? Why is it so hard to negotiate the gender power dynamic in everyday situations, like work meetings? Can …

Author Ruth Whippman has been studying the self-improvement industry for years. She’s come to the conclusion that empowerment feminism is, well, BS.

According to Ruth, systemic change doesn’t come from trendy …

Dr. Safiya Noble was studying Library Science when an academic colleague suggested she google ”black girls.” The top search results were …

There’s a reason that women are angry. Since the founding of this country, we have been faced with men in power who are set on shutting us …

At age 32, Minnesota State Representative Erin Maye Quade is positioned to be at the forefront of a wave of progressive political leaders …

Organizational psychologist Dr. Barbara Adams says there is transformational power for everyone in diversity and inclusivity, but …

Ask any woman who’s sat through a long meeting surrounded by men, and she could tell you how exhausting it can be: we struggle to make …

It’s 2018 and women are more empowered than ever. But how do we turn that into actual power?

We’re living in the era of the Women’s March, …

After Brief But Spectacular creator Steve Goldbloom filmed 94-year-old retired English teacher Flossie Lewis and “Black Girl Magic” poet …

At age 35, Stitch Fix founder Katrina Lake became the youngest female founder and CEO to take a company public in 2017. Stitch Fix is now …

What happens when teachers are given the freedom to inspire a lifelong love of learning? In this episode, I talk with Gabrielle Howard, who …

Now and then a “girl power” book pops up that is truly inspiring and, better yet, timely. And even better, written by actual feminists, …

Daniela Petruzalek is an accomplished software engineer from Brazil, who started working with computers at the age of 14. She’s always tried to fit into the male dominated field, but it was in direct conflict …

When radio journalist Sarah Delia heard a story about the sexual assault of one of her station’s listeners, “Linda” (not her real name), she …

Empathy is often seen as the magic bullet against intolerance. But when we take on too much empathy for others it can be difficult to create …

What's so monumental about turning 40 that women need their own Facebook group? Turns out--pretty much everything. From discussing fashion …

Can you find compassion in your heart for the haters in your life? Should you? CNN political commentator and first-time author Sally Kohn …

Sarah McBride made history as the first transgender person to speak at a national political convention in 2016. As of 2018, more than half …

For many girls today, the relentless pursuit of accomplishment is fueled by harsh self-criticism and an acute fear of failure. Rachel Simmons has been researching young women for two decades, and her research …

For the past decade, 96-year-old Betty Reid Soskin has served as the nation’s oldest Park Ranger, where she gives talks at the Rosie the …

An awkward conversation with her white mother about “good white people” inspired Ijeoma Oluo to take on the unenviable task of writing one of the most user-friendly books on race of our time: “So You Want To …

Conversations with women rising up and making history—and how you can too.

It’s time for some tough conversations about what women are up against right now and what to do about it.

So how can everyday women …

There are girls all around the globe addressing tough issues that no young person should have to deal with--but must, by the luck of where …

Why should biology decide when--or how--you'll have a baby? And what do advances in medical science mean for the feminist movement? As …

What can women refugees teach us about how to rise up? Christina Psarra, head of mission for Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian aid …

If there was ever a time when we need to consistently keep our souls replenished for the fight against injustice, it would be now. Hear how …

As more and more women graduate from college and even surpass their male peers in levels of education, men are finding other means for …

When Bonny Simi was 14 years old, she made a list of life goals--to be a pilot, go to college, be a TV broadcaster, be an Olympic athlete …

From her childhood as a self-confessed gaming nerd to her career as an engineering-inspired artist (or is it art-inspired engineer?), Suz Somersall has made a life of her own design. She's now the founder of …

Cristi Hegranes wanted to be a foreign correspondent since the time she was six years old. Within days of achieving her dream job, after all …

This fall, I was invited to moderate a panel for a conference put on by Women In Product, a non-profit formed to create a strong community of women builders and leaders in the tech industry. My panel included …

More women than ever are raising their hands to run for office. But what does it actually take to to win? And what will be different when they do? Kate Black, now at the FCC, recorded with me in August when she …

In part 2 we hear the personal story that started it all for sexual consent and internet abuse lawyer, Carrie Goldberg. And it begins with …

With the Harvey Weinstein tsunami of sexual misconduct allegations, it has everyone asking, will this be the moment when everything changes? And if it is, what will it take to balance the power between …

Jennifer Brea was an avid traveler, a Harvard PhD student and a Princeton grad. She was engaged to be married to the man she loved. Then one …

Whitney Bell got tired of receiving unwanted sexually explicit photos from men, and decided to do something about it: She gathered 200 of these images and put them on display in an art gallery show entitled "I …

Part 2 of our conversation…To hear about Whitney Bell’s gallery show “I Didn’t Ask For This: A Lifetime of Dick Pics” please check out “Part 1.” In this episode, we move onto the response Whitney got from an …

Most of us don’t know what to say when we are grieving or how to reach out when the people we love go through something awful. Dr. Kelsey …

Ashton Applewhite is on a mission as old as humanity itself -- to change our attitudes about age and ageing. Her book is "This Chair Rocks. …

When she was young, Jeannette Walls wanted nothing more than to escape her crazy, chaotic family. She grew up in poverty, in a crumbling …

When Michael Brown was shot by a police officer in Ferguson, MO in August, 2014 and the protests began, Sabaah Folayan felt the media’s …

“The biggest trick is how do we teach women at any stage to keep knowing what they want and asking for that,” says Leanne Meyer, Program Director of the Carnegie Mellon Leadership and Negotiation Academy for …

What if the root of all the world’s problems is the imbalance of masculinity and femininity in our leadership? Nina Simons, co-founder of …

Laura Weidman Powers is co-founder and CEO of Code2040, an organization focused on ending structural racism in America by smoothing the …

What if the thing you really love to do makes you so anxious it gets in the way of doing your job? For Patti Niemi, a percussionist, her first experience with anxiety cropped up while in her second year at at …

As one of few female executives in technology, Deb Liu is working to address the challenges that women in tech are facing-- both on …

Samantha Miller is leading the only pharmaceutical company whose mission is to bring the birth control pill over the counter-- with their …

Deb Liu, VP of Platform and Marketplace at Facebook challenges all of us to think about the words we use every day.

Jessica Jin led the protests against the campus carry gun law at University of Texas at Austin last fall by, as she says, "fighting absurdity with absurdity."

Joann Lublin is the management news editor at the Wall Street Journal and the author of the new book "Earning It. Hard-Won Lessons from Trailblazing Women at the Top of the Business World." Her finding? Gender …

We're back! The National Resources Defense Council has signed on as a partner to the Women's March on Washington. The president of the NRDC, Rhea Suh talks with Lauren about about why the Women's March matters …

Ruth Whippman's new book is "America the Anxious. How The Pursuit Of Happiness Is Making Us A Nation of Nervous Wrecks." How's all the meditation and yoga working for you? Our conversation was recorded live at …

Donna Jaffe and her team at Peaceable Kingdom develop cooperative games for kids. We discuss what her games could teach the adults, too.

Megan Tan, the host of the "Millennial" podcast, on how she learned to negotiate.

Tiffany Shlain's new film "50/50" shares the story of what the world used to look like and can look like with true equality. Tiffany has been nominated for an Emmy for her filmmaking, she's founder of the Webby …

Eve Ensler, the creator of The Vagina Monologues, VDay and One Billion Rising shares her work to end violence against women, and what the …

Dr. Alison Dahl Crossley is the Associate Director of Stanford's Clayman Institute for Gender Research. She has a book coming out this spring called "Finding Feminism: Millennial Activists and the Unfinished …

Jess McIntosh has worked to get pro-choice female Democrats elected while at on the team at Emily's List. She was the spokesperson for Al Franken's senatorial campaign and at the time of this interview, the …

James Beard Leadership Award winner Anna Lappé has spent most of her career as a sustainable food advocate. We talk big food and marketing to kids--and the implications for the health of our planet and people.

Arlie Hochschild has been called "one of the most imaginative and productive feminist sociologists of the last thirty years." Lately she's …

The Stanford Peace Innovation Lab says there is a way to achieve world peace by 2037 using persuasive technology and 'behavior design' …

MoveOn.org co-founder and liberal activist, Joan Blades has teamed up with Republican John Gable on an initiative called AllSides for …

Meet the author of "Rad Women Worldwide," Kate Schatz. She tells us why she is vocal about being a feminist, and we discuss how her books are changing perceptions about who gets to go down in history as …

How do you change the face of technology? Roz Hudnell is VP of Corporate Affairs at Intel, and President of Intel Foundation. She is also …

How do we make space for innovation in our personal and professional lives? Move from a productivity-based metric to one that makes room for other measures of success. Amy Whitaker has written the book "Art …

Vivien Labaton founded advocacy organization "Make It Work" to influence policies in support of paid family leave, equal pay and affordable …

Building communities up through a lending network started during the Civil Rights Movement. Nancy Santiago Negrón of the Opportunity Finance Network shares why it took three calls from the White House for her …

Simine Vazire is a founder of the Society for the Improvement of Psychological Science. She shares why the methods and practices in …

When it comes to girls who code must it be "perfection or bust"? Only about a quarter of computer professionals are women--and that's actually down from 1990 when it was 36%. Girls Who Code is a non-profit …

Award-winning historian Dr. Amanda Foreman argues that a history that pushes women to the margins is an untruth that must be challenged. To this end, she created the four-part documentary series "The Ascent of …

Will the debate over reproductive freedom ever end? Ilyse Hogue, the President of NARAL Pro-Choice America joins Lauren to discuss why we continue to have a clash of world-views.

Filmmaker Shannon Cohn says after breast cancer, endometriosis is "the last great health taboo" and has made a film called "Endo-What?" to change the narrative--and help women and healthcare practitioners …

Birds do it. Bees do it. But we definitely don't want to think about our teens doing it. But eventually, do "it" they will. For her new book, "Girls and Sex. Navigating the Complicated New Landscape" Peggy …

The central tenet of today's women's movement is equality--in wages, treatment, opportunity. But what about in love and sex? Antonella Vitale is a PhD candidate at the Graduate Center, City University of New …

What does the future look like for how audio content gets distributed--and heard? And what will it take to make podcasting and broadcasting a sustainable business for producers? Kerri Hoffman, who has been with …

What's the secret to successfully developing the next generation of women leaders? The President of Women Unlimited, Inc. Dr. Rosina …

The goal of fundraising is to raise funds right? Fundraising expert and non-profit leader Jennifer McCrea says "money is just gas in the car."

Why is everyone so gung ho on having an optimistic attitude? It turns out that pessimism can be a good thing. Find out why. Julie Norem is a …

Conversations about Autism are often focused on what people can't do. But joy and fulfillment and meaning come from what you're good at and …

We may be staying in touch more frequently thanks to technology, but what are we missing out on by not writing more letters? Sabrina Moyle, …

Dr. Dava Newman is the Deputy Administrator of NASA. She is ushering in the next mission to Mars. Will this be one giant step for women... And a giant leap for womankind?

Have you ever thought about climbing the Golden Gate Bridge untethered, for fun? Caroline Paul has. In her latest book, "The Gutsy Girl: …

Crisis Text Line has processed over 14 million messages to date with trained volunteers who support people in crisis who text the word …

Professor Boaler is challenging the notion of "being gifted" at math. Her most recent book is "Mathematical Mindsets," and she recently founded a math resources website, youcubed.org.

What's all that screen time doing to our childrens' brains? Lauren's guest Delaney Ruston is a primary care physician and filmmaker who explores these questions with her own daughter in the new film …

In her world exhibition, "Women:New Portraits" Annie Leibovitz updates the photos from the book she published in 1999 with Susan Sontag, …

Why would you open your door to a stranger with an armful of clothing? Diane Loviglio, the co-founder of Boon + Gable, is attempting to …

There is a STEM teacher shortage in K-12 education--resulting in an education gap that may leave many students under-prepared for our …

In the trades, most workers--carpentry and otherwise, are still men. Lauren's guest Maria Klemperer-Johnson thinks that this state of …

Kango was founded on the premise that it's perfectly logical to outsource your kids' transportation, along with childcare. She shares how they go the extra mile to ensure a safe experience, and why you don't …

Many groups still feel excluded from the feminist movement. Teresa shares how feminism can be a value everyone can share--across races, sexuality, economics.

What does it mean to be an 'agent of change'? Lauren talks with Laura Walker, the President and CEO of New York Public Radio about their …

Parisa Rouhani is the co-founder of the Center for Individual Opportunity and is studying the intersection of neuroscience, technology and …

It turns out that at least 80% of cut flowers sold in the US are shipped from overseas. Christina Stembel, the founder of Farmgirl Flowers …

You might think from your mailbox that letter-writing is on the wane. But a new memoir by Mary-Louise Parker may just revive the art.

Meet Alison Levine, one of the few Americans to complete the Adventure Grand Slam--climbing the 7 highest peaks in the world, and skiing to …

On Why Having It All Is Bad for Self-Esteem--and how women can reach leadership parity by 2025.

Founder of Broadway Angels, an *all-women* investing group, and named one of Worth Magazine's 2015 100 most powerful people in global …

Lina Nilsson is a bio-chemical engineer, and was the Innovation Director for the Blum Center for Developing Economies at UC Berkeley. She wrote an Op-Ed in the NYTimes called "How to Attract Female Engineers" …

On her new book, the influence of her dad on her life, and the best retort she ever learned. Plus she shares her advice on how to start a movement, and hypothesizes on why it's been so hard for some to picture …

The poverty level for American families has hovered at 25% for decades, in spite of billions of dollars spent. Mia Birdsong of Family Story, …

Pam Scott is a philanthropist who brings her corporate experience to sub-Saharan Africa: using human-centered design to reduce unwanted teen pregnancy from 50% to a 'new normal.'

Why taking a "bridge year" between high school and college is worth it.

Meet the co-Creator and Executive Editor of Reveal, the investigative radio show from the Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR).

Sarah Silverman--standup comedian, writer and TV star--has shocked many an audience with her outrageous humor. Now she stars in the new dramatic film "I Smile Back," in which she plays a tragically troubled …

The causes of cancer seem to be everywhere. From makeup products, to the clothes we wear, and the furniture we buy. And even if it has a pink ribbon on it to support breast cancer awareness, Karuna Jaggar of …

The Atlantic article author of "Why Women Still Can't Have It All" continues the conversation in her new book "Unfinished Business." She …

Simone Marean, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Girls Leadership shares how to set your daughter up for success--without burdening her with a fear of failure.

Claire Herminjard, the founder of Mindful Meats, who left a career in tech to address the problems she saw with Factory Farmed meat.

Meet Susan Griffin-Black, the founder and co-CEO of EO Products, a trailblazer in the mainstreaming of natural and organic body care products

Allyson Hobbs, an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at Stanford University and the author of "A Chosen Exile. A History of Racial Passing in American Life." Hobbs argues that what is missing from …

Lauren talks with Diversity Consultant Joelle Emerson.

What it takes to become a judge--and what it takes to keep order in the court. Alameda County Superior Court judge Noel Wise.

The 2015 film “Grandma” stars Lily Tomlin in the dramatic title role.

Patrice Martin is the Co-Lead and Creative Director of IDEO.org.

In this episode Lauren talks with Brandi Chastain of World Cup fame about how sports can affect girls and their lives.

Anya Fernald started Belcampo Meat Company to raise the quality and locality of the meat we eat.

Host Lauren Schiller talks with Mariam Naficy, Founder and CEO of Minted, a marketplace of independent artists.

Kara Goldin started Hint Water to replace 'sugar-free' beverages and encourage more water consumption.

Missy Park, founder of Title Nine shares how sports can affect outcomes for girls in life and in business.

Lauren speaks with Sharon Miller, the CEO of Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center.

Erin Ganju of Room to Read is a social entrepreneur breaking the cycle of poverty for millions.

"Inflection Point" host Lauren Schiller talks with Revolution Foods co-Founders Kristin Richmond and Kirsten Tobey.

Women hold only 9% of management positions, and account for only 14% of senior management positions at Silicon Valley startups. Meet the …

"Inflection Point" host Lauren Schiller talks with Alex Bernadotte, Founder of Beyond 12 who shares how she is helping underserved students …

Leilah Janah founded Samasource to connect the poorest people in developing countries to digital work through a pioneering approach she calls “impact sourcing.” We spoke in 2015 and we’re re-releasing this …

Women hold only 9% of management positions, and account for only 14% of senior management positions at Silicon Valley startups. Meet the …