Navigating Subtle Acts of Exclusion: Dr. Baran on Culture Change and Inclusion
In this episode of The Health and Wellness Coach Journal Podcast, Dr. Jessica Singh is joined by Dr. Michael Baran, social scientist and CEO of Iris Inclusion. Through his speaking engagements, writings, consulting, leadership development, workshop facilitation, and digital products, he and his diverse team help organizations build cultures of inclusion, psychological safety, innovation, and performance. Before making the shift to full-time consulting work, he taught courses at Harvard University and the University of Michigan, and he worked as an applied researcher at the FrameWorks Institute and the American Institutes of Research. His book, Subtle Acts of Exclusion: How to Understand, Identify, and Stop Microaggressions was coauthored with Dr. Tiffany Jana. The book has won several awards, has been a Hudson News and Amazon bestseller, and has been named by Forbes as one of “11 Books to Read to Be a More Inclusive Leader.”
In this episode, Dr. Baran shares how his journey into inclusion work began with curiosity about inequity, exclusion, and belonging. This curiosity led him to doctoral research in cultural anthropology, extensive fieldwork in Brazil, and eventually to applied research, teaching, and consulting with organizations seeking meaningful culture change.
A central focus of the episode is the concept of subtle acts of exclusion, a framework Dr. Baran co-developed with Dr. Jana as a more accessible and actionable alternative to the term microaggressions. He explains how subtle acts of exclusion often emerge from a disconnect between intent and impact—moments where someone may be trying to connect, help, or compliment, yet the interaction lands as hurtful, stressful, or exclusionary. Over time, these repeated experiences can have significant mental, physical, and organizational consequences. Dr. Baran shares why reframing the language has helped reduce defensiveness, increase buy-in, and create more productive conversations about culture and inclusion.
The episode also explores how cultural insight becomes practical action. Dr. Baran describes how anthropological research methods—such as surveys, interviews, and focus groups—help organizations better understand what is actually happening within their systems and day-to-day practices. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all solutions, this approach allows organizations to design culture change strategies that are responsive, effective, and grounded in lived experience.
Drawing from his work in healthcare, Dr. Baran shares a case study from Tufts Medical Center, highlighting what large-scale culture change can look like in complex, high-pressure environments. He discusses the importance of leadership buy-in, thoughtful framing, and scalable strategies that respect the realities of frontline work.
Dr. Baran also addresses the broader political and cultural uncertainty surrounding inclusion work today. He reflects on how polarizing language and shifting external pressures have affected organizations’ willingness to engage in this work, and why focusing on clear values—such as inclusion, fairness, and belonging—remains essential.
The episode closes with a message of empowerment for coaches and healthcare professionals. Dr. Baran emphasizes that culture is shaped not only by those in formal leadership roles, but through everyday interactions. Coaches, regardless of niche or title, play a vital role as culture shapers by helping individuals develop awareness, empathy, and the capacity to respond thoughtfully to subtle acts of exclusion.
For detailed show notes, resources, and information to connect with Dr. Baran, visit: https://www.centerforhealthandwellnesscoaches.com/blog/navigating-subtle-acts-of-exclusion-dr-baran-on-culture-change-and-inclusion
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Timestamps:
0 - 2:01 Introduction
2:02 - Learning Inclusion by Living It: Dr. Baran on Fieldwork, Culture, and Understanding
6:35 - From Research to Practice: Dr. Baran on Workplace Culture Change and Inclusion
9:38 - Subtle Acts of Exclusion: Dr. Baran on Reframing Microaggressions
14:09 - When Culture Shifts: Dr. Baran on Buy-In and Impact
18:43 - Dr. Baran on Navigating Inclusion in Uncertain Political Times
22:25 - Dr. Baran on Approaching Subtle Acts of Exclusion as Human Learning Moments
24:56 - Building Inclusion in Healthcare: Dr. Baran’s Culture Change Work at Tufts Medical Center
30:13 - Coaches as Culture Shapers: Dr. Baran on Inclusion in Practice
35:54 - Takeaways
