Episode 201: How media shapes the way we work

6 min read

| Published on .

In this episode of Breaking with Tradition, we sit down with Charlene Polite Corley, VP of Inclusive Insights at Nielsen, to explore the powerful feedback loop between media and the workplace. We’ll unpack how media influences everything from the culture we work in, to the managers we emulate, to the leaders we aspire to become.   

Charlene brings fresh data and cultural insight to the conversation, helping us understand how Gen Z’s media diet is reshaping how a new generation sees leadership, labor, and inclusion. We’ll also reflect on key cultural moments that have shifted the narrative around women in leadership and what their popularity reveals about our collective expectations. 

Whether you’re a pop culture junkie or a workplace changemaker, this episode will challenge you to rethink the stories we consume—and the ones we live out at work. 

The views expressed by our guest are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of Catalyst. 

Host and guests 

Charlene Polite Corley, VP, Inclusive Insights, Nielsen   

Charlene Polite Corley is a researcher, thought leader and speaker that’s passionate about representation in media. She combines data and storytelling to amplify the power of historically excluded audiences. Her work showcases media trends and the influence of Black culture to highlight opportunities for brands and programmers to connect through inclusion. 

She is a graduate of Florida A&M University and has over 15 years of experience across multiple media, sales and market research roles. As VP, Inclusive Insights at Nielsen, Charlene is the lead researcher for Black/African American audiences on the Business Impact, Inclusion & Belonging Thought Leadership Team. Charlene’s work has been featured on Good Morning America, Essence, eMarketer, Cannes Lions, SXSW and more. 

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Victoria Kuketz, Director, Corporate Engagement, Canada, Catalyst 

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Tara Van Bommel, Senior Director, Head of Research, Catalyst 

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In this episode 

  • 1:10 | Trends in women behind & on the screen. Tara, Victoria, and Charlene break down the latest data. 
  • 4:32 | Where's the best representation on TV? Charlene shares her favorite shows where women get to lead and break the mold. 
  • 13:55 | Nostalgic shows, Gen Z, and work. How do throwback series like Friends shape what Gen Z expects from work today? 
  • 21:48 | The influence of caretaking portrayals. How shows like Bluey are changing the game. 
  • 26:01 | Media moments that shifted the narrative. Iconic shows and movies that made us rethink what women’s leadership can look like. 
  • 28:24 | Balancing entertainment & accuracy. Mixing real-life issues with entertainment can actually help break down barriers at work. 

Favorite moments

  • 13:10 | Charlene: On the other hand, the magic of television, film, and media is also about showing aspiration. I love the example—maybe it was last year or a couple of years ago—about Generation Connie: just seeing Connie Chung on screen delivering the news inspired an entire generation of Asian women to be named Connie. Sometimes, simply seeing a path or something to aspire to is so critical. My personal example is seeing A Different World on screen—that’s a big part of why I chose to attend an HBCU. Seeing that environment and the centering of my culture was really foundational for me. So I think that matters just as much as shining a light on the real things happening to real women. 

  • 15:03 | Charlene: [Throwback television shows] are like the archival footage showing how things used to be, along with outdated behaviors. I hope that Gen Z is evaluating them through a modern lens and saying, "My gosh, is that what they used to say? Is that how they used to act? Let’s not do some of those things and maybe break those patterns.” I think it’s an opportunity to audit how we used to be—carry forward the good and find opportunities to improve. 
  • 18:25 | Charlene: When I think about early career experiences, and how being in an office or moving to a new city shaped my lifestyle and how I learned to be part of a company—that might not be the standard anymore. Media may actually be filling in a lot of those gaps now. Like, how do I step into a negotiation? Should I ask for a raise? Those might be questions answered or inspired by the content we consume today. 
  • 22:23 | Charlene: One of the things I really love about [Bluey] is how active the father is. There are times when the mom is out working and it’s the dad’s turn to lead. It subtly repositions some legacy thinking around whose career takes priority, what caregiving and childcare should look like, or what parental leave might be. And again, it’s not hitting you over the head—but for this to be one of the most streamed programs, it’s showing some really healthy, modern ways of parenting and caregiving… even though it’s about blue dogs from Australia. 
  • 28:47 | Charlene: One of the risks [in prioritizing entertainment over accuracy] is that we continue to miss moments where, in everyday life, I might not have the chance to interact with someone facing a particular issue or experience. But through this program, I might learn about a historical barrier or a trend that’s now showing up in today’s workplace. There’s an opportunity to tell stories rooted in reality that introduce people to perspectives they might otherwise miss. And that’s one of the magical things about media and storytelling—when it’s grounded in accuracy, it just hits differently. 
  • 30:50 | Charlene: The magic [of TV], of course, is that you can also show up in a wild, imaginary world—as the captain of a starship or a morally gray attorney. There are all these ways women can continue to show up, break barriers and defy stereotypes. I think the sweet spot is mixing a little bit of that reality with the fantastical to really grab and hold people’s attention. 

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