In episode eight of Talking Shoppe, psychologists and consultants Essence and Emily open by wishing everyone a happy Pride Month and playing “Work Wife, Work Overlord, and Work Nemesis”. They then discuss why Pride Month matters at work and in society, addressing polarization, corporate “rainbow washing,” and how celebrating marginalized identities can be misconstrued as taking space from others. They contrast equality and equity and argue that education about LGBTQ+ identities is not indoctrination. They reflect on vulnerability, the origins of Pride, the need for visibility and safe spaces, compulsory heterosexuality, and how many queer elders were lost. They close with their weekly R.E.P.O.R.T. and a June 1 tradition of Rita’s gelatis with rainbow sprinkles.

00:06 Welcome Back and Happy Pride

00:29 Podcast Purpose and Vibe

01:23 Work Wife, Work Overlord, and Work Nemesis

06:59 Pride Pushback and Rainbow Washing

10:18 Equity vs Equality Explained

14:03 Vulnerability and Connection

16:14 Why Pride Exists

20:01 Labels and Compulsory Heterosexuality

21:45 Pride Month Beyond Parades

24:37 Respecting Identity Differences

26:20 Curiosity Versus Bigotry

27:36 Vulnerability and Privilege

28:48 Why Pride Month Matters

33:30 Who Pride Is For

35:27 Weekly R.E.P.O.R.T.