Episode 189: How to Scientifically Break Racial Bias with Anu Gupta

There are people called to do the work of pulling people out of the river when they’re drowning. We need these people, and I’m so grateful for them. There are also people called to do the work of going upstream to figure out why they’re falling in in the first place and seeing if something can be done to prevent that. We really need these people too, and I’m extraordinarily grateful for them as well. I recently met one of these people, and his mission is as deeply inspiring as it is practical. (The Maine girl in me loves the practical.) Anu Gupta asked the bold question: Can we live in a world where people—regardless of their identities—feel like they belong everywhere? His answer came in the form of adapting cutting-edge scientific evidence to design a science-backed, compassion-based way for people to break bias, racial or otherwise. Anu realized that at the root of the institutionalized and systemic issues that hold people of different identities back is bias. And he knew that if he could figure out a way for people to break that bias, he could make a huge dent in creating a world where everyone feels like they belong everywhere. Listen in to this week’s episode of The Kate & Mike Show to hear: • How bias is formed in the brain and why it’s critical that we learn to break it • How Anu’s own journey of battling other people’s assumptions and judgments about him informed the creation of his company • How he overcame being suicidal and turned toward hope and transformation • How stepping more into the spotlight has been critical for his company’s impact (as well as his own personal growth) • What the PRISM framework is and how you can use it to break your bias in a measurable way within 6-8 weeks of regular practice • How breaking bias can become a spiritual experience You’ll also hear a particularly human and hilarious moment during the episode where we got to meet Anu’s family! Press play and listen. Anu’s work around breaking bias is a HUGE part of the solution that we need right now. I’m so excited to be able to share his message (and heart) with you today. Show notes and links for this episode can be found at http://www.katenorthrup.com/podcast.