Advertise on podcast: Business & Society with Senthil Nathan

In this episode of the Business and Society podcast, Senthil is joined by Dr. Kristen Lucas, Professor of Management at the University of Louisville and one of the leading scholars on workplace dignity. Drawing on her personal background and decades of research, Kristen explains what dignity at work really means—beyond the absence of bullying—and how it connects to people’s sense of self-worth, competence, and contribution. She traces the evolution of dignity from its philosophical roots to its lived reality in today’s organizations, and reflects on how inequality, instrumentality, and disrespect continue to threaten dignity, particularly for low-wage and frontline workers. The conversation also explores why dignity matters for leaders and organizations right now, especially amid rapid changes driven by AI, global economic pressures, and shifting labor markets. Kristen shares practical insights on how communication, empathy, and everyday managerial behaviors can either undermine or strengthen dignity at work—and why investing in dignity pays off through higher engagement, creativity, and retention. The episode closes with concrete steps leaders can take to assess and improve dignity in their workplaces, along with recommended readings for anyone wanting to go deeper into this often-overlooked but essential dimension of work. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

In this episode, Senthil speaks with Professor Cordelia Fine about women in the workplace and the ideas behind her new book Patriarchy, Inc. They explore how gender norms, power, and status shape modern work, why the “business case” for gender equality can fall short, and what real workplace reform could look like. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

This episode of Business and Society unpacks “dark patterns” – deceptive design features in apps and websites that push people into actions they never intended, such as unwanted subscriptions, extra fees, oversharing data, or staying online longer than planned. Guest Marie Potel, founder of Fair Patterns, explains that these patterns are fundamentally different from normal marketing because they exploit cognitive biases and obscure critical information, undermining user autonomy, distorting competition, and even posing risks to democracy when people are trained to click “I agree” without thinking.​ Marie and Senthil discuss concrete cases like fake urgency in travel and hotel booking, and Amazon’s multi‑billion‑dollar settlement over Prime sign‑ups and cancellations, before turning to solutions. Marie outlines how Fair Patterns uses ethical AI and a Figma plugin to detect and replace dark patterns with transparent “fair patterns,” and argues that fair, plain‑language design not only reduces legal risk but also builds trust and can drive higher long‑term growth for companies that adopt it. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

In this episode of the Business and Society podcast, host Senthil speaks with Dr Ivanka Visnjic, Professor of Innovation at ESADE Business School, about how companies can unlock opportunities at the intersection of sustainability and innovation. Drawing from her research and fieldwork across global industries, Ivanka explains why sustainability should be treated as a transformation challenge, not a compliance exercise—one that requires the same capabilities that fuel innovation: long-term vision, experimentation, and ecosystem collaboration. Through examples from Enel, Holcim, Suzano, Gore-Tex, and others, she illustrates how pioneering firms are turning sustainability goals into new business models, services, and markets. Ivanka also discusses the organizational shifts required to align sustainability with performance, the role of cross-sector partnerships in tackling “hard-to-abate” sectors, and why ambidexterity—the ability to balance short- and long-term priorities—is a defining skill for leaders today. In the final segment, Ivanka reflects on how she manages differences of opinion, the essential leadership skills for the new era of business transformation, and her favorite book on climate and innovation. She also offers a preview of her upcoming book on how companies can rewire themselves to meet sustainability ambitions through innovation and collaboration. A conversation rich with insight and practical examples, this episode explores how strategy meets society—and why the path to sustainability might just be the next great frontier for corporate renewal. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

In this episode, Senthil speaks with Dario Soto-Abril, Executive Director of the Trafigura Foundation, about how corporate philanthropy is shifting toward catalytic, risk-tolerant funding that supports climate adaptation and community resilience. Drawing on his global career, Dario explains what sets corporate philanthropy apart—its ability to leverage business resources for public good while prioritizing innovation, additionality, and strong community partnerships. He also highlights why adaptation remains severely underfunded and shares examples of how technology, including predictive tools and AI, is helping organizations act earlier and more effectively in vulnerable regions. Dario addresses critiques surrounding the tension between a company’s carbon-intensive legacy and its philanthropic commitments, noting that companies can be both part of today’s energy system and significant investors in the technologies of tomorrow. He closes by reflecting on leadership—approaching disagreements with curiosity, asking better questions, making clear decisions, and valuing soft skills such as listening, humility, and learning from mistakes. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

This episode of the Business and Society podcast features a conversation with Etelle Higonnet, founder of Coffee Watch, Yale alumna, and renowned environmental activist. The discussion centers on the European Union’s Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) and its profound implications for smallholder coffee farmers worldwide. Main Topics Covered EUDR Impact: The episode explains the intent and scope of EUDR, emphasizing how the regulation aims to halt deforestation linked to key commodities—especially coffee—and the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in meeting new compliance demands. Coffee Supply Chain Realities: Listeners gain insight into poverty, labor exploitation, and the systemic issues affecting coffee growers, with Etelle breaking down statistics and stories from global coffee farming communities. Activism and Solutions: The importance of activism in driving policy change is highlighted, alongside hope-filled examples of collaboration between NGOs, governments, and industry to foster transparency, traceability, and a transition to regenerative, farmer-centric coffee production. Key Guest Insights Etelle discusses the broader context of global poverty, biodiversity loss, and climate change, making the case for urgent reforms and a science-based approach to business leadership. The episode candidly addresses obstacles such as land tenure, literacy, and technological access for smallholders, while exploring the possibility for creative solutions and capacity building. Etelle shares concerns around compliance burdens for marginalized groups and suggests that regulatory action like the EUDR can be a catalyst for industry-wide transformation. Closing Reflections The interview concludes with Etelle’s book recommendations, essential leadership skills—courage and scientific literacy—and a call to action for business leaders to champion responsible sourcing and planetary well-being. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

In this episode, Senthil sits with Professor Nick Bloom of Stanford University to discuss the evolution, research, and future of remote, hybrid, and in-person work. Drawing from global data and his landmark Trip.com study, Nick explains why hybrid models now dominate professional work, how work-from-home trends differ across countries and industries, and their impacts on productivity, innovation, and employee wellbeing. The conversation highlights the importance of coordinated hybrid schedules and the shifting nature of workplace equity, while offering a data-driven perspective for business leaders and policymakers navigating the changing world of work. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

In this episode of the Business and Society podcast, Senthil delves into the complexities of the Indian consumer market with renowned market expert and author Rama Bijapurkar. Drawing from four decades of research, Rama outlines the transformational journey of India's consumer economy—from pre-liberalization austerity to the explosion of choices and rising competition after 1991. The discussion highlights the unique nature of the Indian market, the enduring relevance of kirana (mom-and-pop) stores despite predictions of modern retail dominance, and the myth of the middle class. Rama explains why Western business models often fail in India, the nuanced urban-rural divide, women's evolving roles in consumption, and the impact of digital technology. Tangible insights for entrepreneurs abound, stressing the necessity of careful segmentation and understanding local market logic. The episode closes with practical advice for business leaders and personal reflections on books and learning, making it essential listening for anyone interested in India's consumer landscape. You can learn more about Rama's work by visiting her website: www.ramabijapurkar.com. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

Senthil sits with renowned MIT Sloan professor Zeynep Ton, author of The Good Jobs Strategy and The Case for Good Jobs, for a conversation to reveal how investing in frontline employees with fair pay, stable schedules, and meaningful career paths is not just ethical—but a true competitive advantage. Hear compelling stories, research insights, and real-world examples from leading companies like Costco, Sam’s Club, and Mercadona that show how systemic change, not piecemeal fixes, creates better jobs and stronger businesses. Zeynep dives into the essential elements of a good job system and demystifies why more businesses haven’t made the switch—addressing the mindsets and organizational silos that keep most companies trapped in the “vicious cycle” of poor labor practices. The conversation covers: -Why “bad jobs” are a choice, not a necessity -How pay, stability, empowerment, and operational excellence create mutually reinforcing systems for business and worker success -What leadership qualities set apart organizations that transform frontline work -Practical advice for leaders who want to start their good jobs journey This episode is essential listening for business leaders, students, or anyone interested in reimagining work at the ground level—showing how dignity and profitability can go hand in hand. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

In this episode, Senthil sits with Patrick McGee, author of Apple in China and reporter at the Financial Times, delve into the intricate world of Apple's global supply chain, exploring the company's relationship with China, the role of Foxconn, and the impact of COVID-19 on labor conditions. They discuss how Apple's manufacturing processes have shaped the smartphone market and the ethical dilemmas the company faces in balancing profit with human rights. The conversation highlights the symbiotic relationship between Apple and China, emphasizing the complexities of modern capitalism and the lessons that can be drawn for other companies and consumers. Patrick's website: https://appleinchina.com/ Book recommended by Patrick: Chip War: The Fight for the World's Most Critical Technology Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

What if working less could actually mean achieving more? The four-day workweek has emerged from pandemic-era workplace experiments as perhaps the most promising innovation in how we structure our professional lives in decades. But misconceptions abound about what this shift really means and whether it's sustainable for businesses beyond a temporary feel-good measure. Professor Juliet Schor, economist and sociologist at Boston College, joins us to share groundbreaking research from hundreds of companies that have implemented four-day workweeks without cutting pay. Her findings challenge everything we thought we knew about productivity, burnout, and work culture. Most companies aren't just compressing the same work into fewer days—they're fundamentally rethinking how work gets done. The data tells a compelling story: 70% of employees report reduced burnout, while companies see dramatically lower turnover rates and maintained or improved productivity metrics. Perhaps most surprising is that 90% of organizations continue with four-day schedules a year after implementation. We explore the "100-80-100 model" (100% of pay for 80% of the time, delivering 100% of productivity) and how it creates what Professor Schor calls a "forcing function" that eliminates inefficient workplace practices many organizations have tolerated for decades. From manufacturing floors to professional services, from startups to established institutions, the four-day workweek is proving viable across industries—though with important variations in implementation. We examine how companies make the transition, common pitfalls to avoid, and why Europe is leading this global movement. Professor Schor also addresses concerns about equity, sharing how shortened workweeks are actually improving gender equality at home and work. As AI threatens to displace workers across industries, could reducing hours per job rather than eliminating positions be our best path forward? Join us for a fascinating exploration of how rethinking our relationship with work time might be the key to a more productive, sustainable, and humane future of work. Link to Professor Schor's latest book: Four Days a Week. The Life-Changing Solution for Reducing Employee Stress, Improving Well-Being, and Working Smarter. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

What happens when business schools continue teaching the same shareholder capitalism model that's driving our planet toward environmental collapse and social inequality? Professor Andy Hoffman, holding joint appointments at University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and School for Environment and Sustainability, takes us on a profound journey examining the broken state of business education and its potential for transformation. Business schools were originally conceived to teach commerce leaders to serve society—similar to how we train doctors for the public good. But today's curriculum focuses narrowly on maximizing shareholder returns while merely adding elective sustainability courses that fail to address fundamental issues. Professor Hoffman challenges this approach, arguing that business education must evolve to prepare students not just for financial success but for meaningful careers addressing our most pressing challenges. The most powerful insight from our conversation comes when Professor Hoffman asks what legacy today's business leaders want to leave. Will your obituary celebrate your contribution to society or simply your accumulation of wealth? This question crystallizes why business education matters so deeply. Students increasingly seek purpose, not just profit, and business schools must rise to meet this changing mindset. Professor Hoffman's multidisciplinary perspective reveals how true innovation happens at the intersection of fields—not within siloed business disciplines. He encourages students to break free from prescribed paths, designing their own education by attending lectures outside their departments, organizing conferences, and pursuing independent studies. The market, Professor Hoffman reminds us, is the most powerful orienting force on Earth. By redirecting it toward addressing climate change and inequality, we unlock its transformative potential. Ready to rethink how business can serve society? Listen now and discover how your career might contribute to solving our greatest challenges rather than perpetuating them. What kind of leader will you choose to become? Link to Prof Hoffman's latest book: Business School and the Noble Purpose of the Market: Correcting the Systemic Failures of Shareholder Capitalism Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

Hidden beneath the glossy surface of our global economy lurks a devastating reality: 40 million people trapped in modern slavery. In this eye-opening conversation, Professor Justine Nolan, Director of the Australian Human Rights Institute, reveals the complex web of exploitation that permeates supply chains across industries. Modern slavery isn't a relic of history—it's a present-day crisis hiding in plain sight. Justine expertly unpacks how today's slavery manifests through psychological coercion, deceptive recruitment, and economic vulnerability rather than physical chains. From agricultural fields to electronics factories, she traces how workers become ensnared in systems they never chose and cannot escape. What makes this conversation particularly compelling is the examination of modern slavery from multiple perspectives. We explore how profit-maximizing pressure from corporations meets desperate economic circumstances on the ground, creating perfect conditions for exploitation. Justine doesn't just identify problems—she evaluates regulatory approaches worldwide, from disclosure-focused laws in the UK and Australia to more comprehensive due diligence requirements emerging in Europe. The most powerful insights come when discussing solutions. Beyond legal compliance, truly addressing modern slavery requires companies to engage meaningfully with stakeholders, examine how their business models might perpetuate exploitation, and embrace empathy as a business skill rather than a weakness. Justine's recommendation of "Conscience Incorporated" by Michael Posner provides listeners with a roadmap for aligning profits with principles. Whether you're a business leader, conscious consumer, or human rights advocate, this conversation will transform how you view the products you purchase and the companies you support. Listen now to understand your connection to one of today's most urgent human rights challenges. Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

We're facing a crisis of overwork that's literally killing us. In this eye-opening conversation, award-winning journalist and author Brigid Schulte reveals how our toxic work culture has made overwork the norm, with devastating consequences for our health, happiness, and productivity. Brigid traces the origins of our overwork epidemic to the 1980s when corporate priorities shifted toward shareholder value above all else. This transformation created what she calls "greedy work" - jobs that demand more and more of our time, attention, and energy. For knowledge workers, this manifests as a pressure to be constantly available and working excessive hours in one job. For the 44% of Americans in low-wage positions, overwork means juggling multiple jobs just to survive. The most shocking revelation? Work itself has become the fifth leading cause of death in America. The psychosocial stressors of modern work - long hours, toxic management, and work-life conflict - contribute to both acute conditions like heart attacks and chronic illnesses like diabetes and cancer. Yet despite this health crisis, the myth persists that working longer hours makes us more productive. Brigid demolishes this myth with compelling evidence showing that countries with shorter work weeks and better support systems match or exceed U.S. productivity. The problem isn't about working more; it's about focusing on what truly matters. She identifies three concentric circles of work: core value-creating work, work around the work (emails, meetings), and the performance of work (looking busy). In overwork cultures, we waste precious time in those outer rings. The COVID pandemic proved flexible work is possible when leaders question assumptions. Organizations that successfully transform their work cultures share a common "success sequence": they pause to identify what truly matters, train managers to focus on outcomes rather than hours, and create systems that enable people to do their best work. Isn't it time we stopped working ourselves to death? Listen now to discover how we can transform work to reclaim our lives, improve our health, and actually become more productive in the process. Link to Brigid's books: Over Work: Transforming the Daily Grind in the Quest for a Better Life Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has The Time Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.

In a world where more women are entering the workforce than ever before, why does the gender wage gap persist so stubbornly? Our guests Naomi Cahn and June Carbone, legal scholars and co-authors of "Fair Shake: Women and the Fight to Build a Just Economy," reveal the hidden game being played in workplaces across the globe. The conversation begins with Betty Dukes, a Walmart employee told "people like you don't become managers" - a story that eventually led to the largest class action lawsuit in U.S. history. From there, we dive into the concept of the "winner-takes-all economy," where CEOs earn hundreds of times more than average workers and the rules of success favor those willing to break rules without getting caught. Women face what our guests call a "triple bind" in this system: they lose if they don't compete like men, face harsher punishment if they do compete like men, and are pushed out once they recognize the unfair game. Research reveals that environments rewarding hubris, narcissism, and risk-taking without accountability systematically disadvantage women - not because women can't take risks, but because the system rewards a particular kind of reckless risk-taking more commonly associated with men. The most striking revelations come when our guests connect gender inequality to broader economic dysfunction. The same companies engaging in wage theft, earnings manipulation, and quality shortcuts are often those with the worst gender disparities. Meanwhile, research consistently shows that companies with gender-balanced leadership demonstrate better long-term performance and fewer instances of financial misconduct. Whether examining how COVID-19 affected different groups of women, unpacking the myth of women's risk aversion, or exploring pathways toward change, this episode challenges conventional wisdom about gender in the workplace. The solution isn't for women to "lean in" harder - it's to transform a broken system that shortchanges everyone except those at the very top. Ready to understand the real forces keeping women from workplace equality? This episode provides both the diagnosis and potential cures for one of our economy's most persistent problems. Subscribe, share, and join the conversation about building a more just economy for all. Link to the book: Fair Shake: Women and the Fight to Build a Just Economy Naomi's recommended book: Women by Caroline Criado Perez Link to Cordelia Fine's book referred in the episode: Testosterone Rex – Myths of Sex, Science, and Society Please visit our website, www.businessandsociety.net, for more inspiration.