In this episode of Culture Stew, host Maria Morukian interviews Paolo Gaudiano, a dynamic voice in the DEI space whose journey to this work is anything but traditional. With advanced degrees in aerospace engineering and neuroscience, Paolo brings a deeply analytical lens to a field often led by personal stories and emotion. As the founder and Chief Scientist of Aleria and author of Measuring Inclusion: Higher Profits, Happier People Without Guesswork or Bias, Paolo is on a mission to make inclusion measurable, actionable, and undeniable.

Throughout the conversation, Paolo shares his personal backstory from growing up in Italy and confronting cultural misunderstandings, to discovering how his lived experiences and scientific training could converge to reshape how organizations approach equity. He talks about the importance of understanding exclusion not just inclusion and how centering those experiences can reveal the hidden gaps in our workplaces and systems.

This episode explores how data and narrative can work hand-in-hand to foster more inclusive environments, and why those in positions of privilege have a unique opportunity and responsibility to drive real change.

Listeners will take away:

• A deeper understanding of why inclusion needs to be visible to be measured

• How Paolo’s interdisciplinary background shapes his data-first DEI approach

• Practical strategies that connect inclusion to business outcomes

• Why it’s time to move from good intentions to evidence-based action

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In this episode of Culture Stew, Maria sits down with psychologist and behavioral scientist JonRobert “Tat” Tartaglione to explore the complexities of human behavior, persuasion, and the psychology behind social change.

Tat shares how his winding path from philosophy major to behavioral scientist was driven by a deep curiosity about human nature. He introduces a compelling metaphor of the mind as private property, explaining why people instinctively resist even the most well-intentioned efforts to “plant new ideas.”

Through stories, research, and his signature clarity, Tat breaks down why social context matters, how polarization can be misunderstood, and what DEI leaders can learn from behavioral science to drive lasting progress.

Whether you're a changemaker, leader, or just curious about what actually moves people this episode will leave you thinking differently about influence, connection, and how we navigate differences.

Welcome back to Culture Stew! In this special Women's History Month episode, your host, Maria Morukian, reflects on the strength of women in leadership, the power of collaboration, and why we need to rethink the way we define workplace success.

Inspired by a conversation with her daughter, Maria shares an insightful analogy comparing the cooperative and resilient nature of lionesses in a pride to the way women support each other in communities and workplaces. She challenges the outdated, aggressive leadership models often associated with masculinity and highlights research-backed reasons why organizations thrive when they embrace more collaborative and inclusive cultures.