Author Name:
Jen O’Ryan, PhD
Book Title(s):
What’s Behind Your Brand?: A Style Guide for Humanizing Your Content
Website URL:
Link to book page on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Behind-Your-Brand-Humanizing/dp/B0CX3T4RW2/
Social Media Links:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenoryan/
https://www.instagram.com/pagingdrjen/
What is your book about?
It’s a resource guide for avoiding issues like bias, stereotypes, stigma, and appropriation in your work. This book also provides examples, alternatives, and the “why” behind preventing these issues in the first place.
Most style guides focus on comma splices and spaces after a period. They represent grammar, structure, and mechanics.
This one focuses on representing humans. It gets into the nuance of how word choice, images, and patterns can bring people in – or shut them out – of your message.
It covers:
– Patterns across images and language (bias, inequities, appropriation, stereotypes, absences)
– How position, proportion, and image placement can create unintended meanings
– Strategies for leading change, within your organization and within yourself
What inspired you to write your book?
It was inspired by a series of unsolved murders. Seriously. I was driving back through the desert one night and listening to an audiobook on unsolved crimes. Whenever the narrator mentioned a perpetrator, it was with the pronoun “he.” As in, “The killer was never caught, and his identity remains a mystery.”
So I decided to create a guide on developing content that is welcoming (and available) across a broader audience.
If you have a business related to your book, tell us about it:
I’m a freelance consultant and specialize in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging. I work with clients who want their organization to be more effective and welcoming. This includes helping them unpack issues and do the internal work, both on themselves and across teams.
What is a typical day like for you?
Most days are split between writing and client work. I really like writing and doing focus work in the early morning. It’s quiet – whatever is going to happen hasn’t yet. It feels like getting ahead of things.
Then it’s anything from facilitating a leadership retreat to reviewing a client’s onboard process for new employees. That’s what I love about this work – every client is different. They bring unique challenges and objectives. It’s great to be part of their journey.
What do you most enjoy about what you do?
Seeing the transformation for clients across their organization. I also have the opportunity to connect with some amazing humans. It’s incredible the work that people are doing.
What are some favorite books you’d recommend to our readers?
Ten Steps to Nanette: A Memoir Situation (Hannah Gadsby)
My Life on the Road (Gloria Steinem)
Unf*k Yourself: Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life (John Gary Bishop)
What advice do you have to offer our readers? 
Never underestimate your ability to influence lasting and meaningful change. Having Chief Diversity Officers is all well and good – give me three motivated program managers, and we’ll change the world.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
I am a textbook introvert who dreads small talk. Tell me your hopes and fears! What did you want to be when you were 8? Sunrises or sunsets? Let’s get into the good stuff!
Putting this book out into the world – let alone promoting it – has been a huge growth opportunity for me.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a second edition of my first book. It was published in late 2020, and there are already elements that could use a refresh. This is such a dynamic space, and our understanding continues to evolve.
Details on my first book:
Inclusive AF: A Field Guide for “Accidental” Diversity Experts
https://www.amazon.com/Inclusive-AF-Accidental-Diversity-Experts/dp/1951591313/
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