The Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve
Jennifer Brown
Why is change so difficult and yet so necessary?
We live in a world that is increasingly complex, unpredictable, and demanding of our resilience. The challenges we face are not just external but deeply personal, asking us to redefine who we are, what we stand for, and how we lead.
Transformation isn’t just a possibility, it’s an imperative.
On The Will to Change, Jennifer Brown invites listeners to explore the deeper dimensions of leadership, resilience, and human connection. Each month, we feature both thought-provoking conversations with a guest who inspires new ways of thinking, as well as Jennifer’s reflective mini-episodes that dive deeper into themes like courage, growth, and the art of navigating uncertainty.
This isn’t just about leadership in the workplace - it’s about leadership in life. Together, we’ll examine the systems and beliefs that shape us and uncover how to lead authentically, inclusively, and boldly in a rapidly changing world.
If you’re ready to stretch beyond the familiar, embrace new perspectives, and discover the will to evolve—for yourself and others—this podcast is for you.
To learn more, visit http://jenniferbrownspeaks.com/
We live in a world that is increasingly complex, unpredictable, and demanding of our resilience. The challenges we face are not just external but deeply personal, asking us to redefine who we are, what we stand for, and how we lead.
Transformation isn’t just a possibility, it’s an imperative.
On The Will to Change, Jennifer Brown invites listeners to explore the deeper dimensions of leadership, resilience, and human connection. Each month, we feature both thought-provoking conversations with a guest who inspires new ways of thinking, as well as Jennifer’s reflective mini-episodes that dive deeper into themes like courage, growth, and the art of navigating uncertainty.
This isn’t just about leadership in the workplace - it’s about leadership in life. Together, we’ll examine the systems and beliefs that shape us and uncover how to lead authentically, inclusively, and boldly in a rapidly changing world.
If you’re ready to stretch beyond the familiar, embrace new perspectives, and discover the will to evolve—for yourself and others—this podcast is for you.
To learn more, visit http://jenniferbrownspeaks.com/
Episodes
Mentioned books
Sep 15, 2023 • 29min
E286: Staying the Course on Inclusion: DEI in a Complex Legal Landscape with Michelle Phillips
This episode features a conversation with Michelle Phillips, Principal at the White Plains, NY, office of Jackson Lewis P.C., as Michelle discusses major legal developments that impact DEI efforts in the workplace. Discover how the Supreme Court's recent ruling limiting affirmative action in college admissions is also causing companies to pull back on their DEI programs. Michelle provides insight into how employers can navigate this complex legal landscape while expanding diversity pipelines and addressing unconscious bias.
Sep 8, 2023 • 54min
E285: The Power of Authentic Storytelling: Building Trust, Connection, and Belonging at Work with Jennifer, Shalynne Jackson, and Jim Massey
This episode was originally recorded as a DEI Community call, and features a conversation between Jennifer, Shalynne Jackson, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at The City of Oklahoma City, and Jim Massey, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zai Lab, as they discuss the power of vulnerable and authentic storytelling. Tune in as Jennifer, Shalynne, and Jim share stories and insights and reveal how our unique identities and personal experiences can serve as the foundation for trust, empathy, and a true sense of belonging. Discover how struggles and disabilities can provide unexpected gifts.
Sep 1, 2023 • 1h 8min
E284: Leading with Pride: Jennifer Joins Giselle Phelps on the Motivational Mondays Podcast
This episode was originally recorded for the NSLS Motivation Monday’s podcast and features a conversation between Jennifer, host Cory Andrew Powell, and Giselle Phelps, Founder and CEO of Grand Rising Talent. The conversation was originally recorded during Pride month and focuses on leadership and representation in the LGBTQ+ community. Discover the importance of normalizing LGBTQ+ interactions in communities and the importance of strategic efforts to promote understanding and counteract negativity. Jennifer also reveals the importance for organizations to align with evolving demographics.
Aug 25, 2023 • 57min
E283: The Need for Male Allies: The Journey to Better Together with Ray Arata and Joe Rafter
This episode features a conversation with Ray Arata, Founder and CEO of the Better Man Movement, and Joe Rafter, Vice President at Capgemini about masculinity, partnership, and institutional transformation. Discover the pivotal role of support and accountability in the journal of allyship. Jennifer, Ray, and Joe also discuss the complexities of privilege, the power of vulnerability, and the potential for growth through discomfort. You'll also hear details about the upcoming Better Together conference, which is presented in partnership with Jennifer Brown Consulting.
Aug 18, 2023 • 60min
E282: Teams Reimagined: Navigating Identity, Inclusion and Belonging in Hybrid Workspaces with Team Habits Author Charlie Gilkey
This episode features a conversation with author Charlie Gilkey, as he discusses his new book Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results. Charlie discusses the need to redefine the way we view teams, leadership, and inclusion in the wake of the pandemic and unprecedented challenges. He also shares insights about how remote collaboration, shifting paradigms of belonging, and innovative approaches to inclusion have reshaped the team dynamics landscape.
Aug 11, 2023 • 40min
E281: Shifting Our Support: Jennifer on How to Bring All Learners Forward
In this episode, Jennifer discusses the milestone of selling 75,000 copies of her book How to Be an Inclusive Leader and outlines a strategic approach for bringing everyone along the journey of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jennifer highlights the importance of engaging all people in an organization, including the "learners, leaders, and laggards" and why a training approach may not work for everyone. Discover how a coaching-based approach to inclusion can create a more empathic, adaptive, and effective pathway to sustainable change.
Jul 28, 2023 • 45min
E279: Better Together: Male Leaders and Allies in Partnership for Change with Ray Arata, Founder and CEO of the Better Man Movement
Ray Arata, Founder and CEO of the Better Man Movement, joins the program to introduce and discuss the first-ever Better Together Conference. The conference will be a series of conversations aimed at fostering learning, connection, trust, and empathy that include both male leaders and other champions, with the intent of articulating a vision for true partnership that includes and enlists all of us. Discover the new mission, agenda, what to expect, and who should attend. To register for the event, visit: https://tinyurl.com/y5c6yryv
Jul 21, 2023 • 47min
E278: Men for Inclusion: Accelerating and Activating Male Leaders with Cisco's Tony DeGruy and Gena Pirtle
This episode features a conversation with Tony DeGruy, Leader of Service Delivery Management at Cisco, and Gena Pirtle, Global Head of Cisco's Inclusive Community Experience. Tony discusses his journey of becoming the co-lead for Cisco's Men for Inclusion Network, which strives to accelerate, activate and develop male leaders and influencers to use their power and influence to shape a culture of equity, belonging and allyship for all. Gena discusses what inclusive leadership looks like across all levels of an organization and how to enable inclusive leadership. Discover how creating a culture of psychological safety can enable people to explore all of their diversity dimensions.
Jul 14, 2023 • 1h 7min
E277: Leading at the Edge: Jennifer Joins Dr. Liz Cavallaro and Lt Col Bree Fram on the Forged in Fire Podcast
This episode was originally recorded for the Forged in Fire Podcast and features a conversation between Jennifer and hosts Dr. Liz Cavallaro and Lt Col Bree Fram. Jennifer discusses the benefits of having to forge your own path and the need to have challenging conversations. Discover some of the positive aspects of adversity and the importance of role models. Jennifer also provides a call to action for anyone looking to looking to be a cutting-edge leader.
Jul 7, 2023 • 39min
E276: Cultivating a Learner's Mindset: Jennifer joins Natasha Rainey on the All Inclusive Podcast
This episode was originally recorded on the All Inclusive Podcast, and features a conversation between Jennifer and host Natasha Rainey. Jennifer reveals the importance of having a learner's mindset as a leader and the difference between empathy and compassion. She also discusses how leaders can cultivate inclusivity in their teams and organizations and provides actionable advice on how to be an inclusive leader in today's rapidly changing world.
