Morning Brew - 🍅 Heirloom

The Jeopardy! host-hunting meltdown isn’t just a disgrace to America’s favorite TV show. It also offers a lesson on the damaging effects of hiring bias. 

“Many Americans like the concept of diversity in the workplace until it means challenging the status quo and making a serious effort to change recruiting efforts to be more inclusive,” wrote columnist Michelle Singletary in the Washington Post, where she analyzed the doomed decision by Sony execs to name Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards as Alex Trebek’s successor. 

Singletary argued that Richards was less qualified than other front-runners like longtime Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton, and others have noted that a quick background check would’ve pulled up Richards’s history of racist and sexist comments. Yet, following in the footsteps of corporations around the world, Sony still chose to promote the least impressive white guy within. 

Hiring biases can be hard to identify, and pointing them out involves taking a long, hard look in the corporate mirror and acknowledging where improvements can be made. Some may think, What’s in it for me?!

As Singletary also pointed out: “Diversity in hiring doesn’t mean denying a qualified white candidate a job, it’s about considering all a candidate’s attributes to balance out your team. The life experiences and cultural background of an applicant can be assets too, in addition to correcting a history of discrimination.” 

Earlier this year, Lauren E. Graham, founder of the social change strategy and communications agency Velvet Frame, shared five key ways to fix a broken hiring process. It’s worth a read. 

Fast-track your Labor Day Weekend planning with these outdoor entertaining upgrades.  

• No giant fire pit? No problem. “Personal” fireplaces have entered the chat. 
• Would you rather wash dishes all night or use this eco-friendly serveware set? 
• This portable speaker will give your LDW playlist the shine it deserves.
• Nothing kills an outdoor party like a raging pack of hungry mosquitos. Make this stylish repellent lantern your literal bodyguard.
• These wine glasses are stronger than they appear (see also: shatterproof). 

• Read: Guess how many uses it takes to offset the environmental impact of your cotton tote bag from The Strand—10? 100? 1,000? Not even close. Find out here. 
• Listen: Octavia Spencer, who will star opposite Will Ferrell and Ryan Reynolds in the musical Spirited, chatted on the SmartLess pod about red carpet anxiety, among other things. Turns out, she’s as much of a germaphobe as the rest of us.
• Watch: Minimalist pedestal bowls are the showrunners of TikTok home decor trends. Watch out, Pottery Barn: This DIY Dollar Tree edition is a near-perfect dupe.

Denim that makes you go “dang.”

As in, "dang, I look great” and also "dang, I can actually move in these things.” Madewell’s comfortable, perfect-fitting jeans are coming in fun new styles for your fall wardrobe refresh.

Madewell has denim for everyone, whether you want a classic pair or the latest new style to flaunt this fall. With a range of fit and size options, they also stand behind having the perfect fit for every body.

Madewell denim fits so well, you’ll feel like the premium version of you. Plus, it’s made with sustainable materials in fair trade-certified factories.

Madewell makes finding the perfect pair easy, offering denim fit experts in all of their stores and online. They’ve even got an easy-to-shop virtual denim bar for women’s and men’s styles where you can browse different fits and sizes. Like...dang.

Get $20 off a pair of full-price jeans with promo code BREW20. 

Make the most of peak tomato season with these recipes, products, and hacks.

• First, here’s how to evenly slice a tomato. 
• A beginner’s guide to the GOAT WFH lunch: tomato mayo toast. All your lopsided, farmers market heirlooms belong on a gigantic sourdough slice. 
• Eater editors dropped their fave summer tomato recipes, including a rainbow caesar salad and a non-berry jam that’s the crème de la crème of grilled cheese toppings. 
• With a flick of the wrist, this under $10 gizmo will de-stem your heavy beefsteaks, Romas, and Brandywines.
• Far less buttery than Marcella Hazan’s famous tomato sauce is Otamot’s nutrient-packed, plant-based essential sauce. Pairs well with pizza bagel bites, just sayin’.