As 2025 comes to a close, this episode is a love letter to difference makers everywhere—those navigating change, courage, career pivots, and complex workplaces. Lori Adams-Brown reflects on the books that shaped her thinking this year and deeply resonated with listeners across the globe.

From leadership in the age of AI to psychological safety, toxic workplaces, courage, presence, and recovery after trauma, these books don’t just inform—they invite you to live and lead differently. Many of the authors joined the podcast this year; others quietly transformed Lori’s thinking behind the scenes. Together, they form a powerful reading list for anyone committed to doing good work without losing themselves in the process.

This episode is also a reminder: your voice matters. Whether you’re job searching, leading a team, serving your community, or recovering from burnout, these books offer language, courage, and perspective for the road ahead.

In this episode, we explore:

How leadership is evolving in the age of AI—and why authenticity matters more than ever
What psychologically safe workplaces actually require (beyond values on a wall)
Courage, agency, and presence in times of uncertainty
Navigating toxic workplaces without sacrificing your dignity
Why being “nice” can keep us stuck—and what real change requires

Featured authors and books include:

AI for the Authentic Leader
Any Dumbass Can Do It
Courage Over Fear
Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies
The Price of Nice
Perceptive
The Psychological Safety Playbook
Unforgettable Presence
Navigating Your Career
All the Cool Girls Get Fired
Becoming the Pastor’s Wife
The Well-Trained Wife and I Belong to Me

Key Moments:

00:01 – Why books matter to difference makers
00:03 – Leadership, AI, and early voices at the table
00:06 – Courage, agency, and toxic workplaces
00:10 – Psychological safety and inclusive leadership
00:14 – Career pivots, presence, and visibility
00:18 – Religious trauma, recovery, and hope
00:19 – A message of encouragement for those navigating uncertainty

✨ Call to Action:
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