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 28, 2022 • 43min
E236: A Powerful Tool in Our DEI Kit: Redefining Privilege with Jennifer and JBC Vice-President Adrienne Lawrence
This episode features a conversation between Jennifer and JBC Vice-President Adrienne Lawrence about redefining privilege. Discover some of the most common misconceptions about privilege and how we can use our privilege to help others. You'll also hear about the importance of excavating your own authentic story and a broader definition of diversity. Remember to sign up for the virtual book launch for the launch of the 2nd edition of How to Be an Inclusive Leader. To register, visit https://jenniferbrownconsulting.com/second-edition-virtual-book-launch
Sep 23, 2022 • 29min
E235: Journeys to the “G-Suite”: Out Executives Join Jennifer at the NGLCC 2022 National Conference
This episode was originally recorded as a panel for the NGLCC 2022 National Conference. Jennifer moderates an all-star panel of out executives as they discuss their journey of fully stepping into their identity and embracing who they are. They also reveal what is it like to step forward and be the public voice of very large and esteemed institutions.
Sep 21, 2022 • 41min
E234: Allyship in Action: Concrete Strategies for Impact with Jennifer and JBC Senior Consultant Dr. Jennifer Sarrett
This episode features a conversation between Jennifer and JBC Senior Consultant Dr. Jennifer Sarrett as they discuss allyship and the important role that each of us can play as allies to underrepresented and marginalized communities. Discover some of the most common misconceptions about allyship and how to be an effective ally. You’ll hear about the danger of allies centering themselves over marginalized community members and what to do instead.
Sep 16, 2022 • 57min
E233: White Men and the DEI Journey: Lewis Griggs, Griggs Productions, Michael Welp, Co-Founder, White Men as Full Diversity Partners, and Howard Ross, Co-Founder, Udarta Consulting, join Jennifer
This episode was originally recorded as a DEI Community Call and features a conversation with Lewis Brown Griggs, Michael Welp, and Howard Ross. These three seasoned leaders discuss their personal journeys as advocates for equity, unpack the absence of white men in DEI efforts, and reveal effective strategies to encourage men to lean into DEI principles.
Sep 14, 2022 • 46min
E232: The Four Traits of Inclusive Leaders: Getting Comfortable Being Uncomfortable with Jennifer and JBC’s Elfi Martinez
This special episode features an interview with Jennifer and Elfi Martinez, Senior Director at JBC, ahead of the release of the 2nd edition of Jennifer's best-selling book How to be an Inclusive Leader. Jennifer and Elfi discuss the key attributes of being an inclusive leader and how those attributes vary from the traditional model of leadership. To learn more and order the 2nd edition, visit https://book.jenniferbrownspeaks.com/
Sep 9, 2022 • 1h 1min
E231: Mitigating "Unintentional Inequity" with Upwork's Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Dr. Erin L. Thomas
This episode features an interview with Upwork's Head of Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, Dr. Erin L. Thomas, as she discusses the ways in which bias shows up in the workplace. Dr. Thomas also discusses the concept of “unintentional inequity” and reveals strategies and practices that companies can employ to reduce unconscious bias at all stages of the employee life cycle. Discover why data and understanding diversity demographics at every level are so important in workplace planning.
Sep 7, 2022 • 34min
E230: Finding, and Solving, the Puzzles Around Us: How the Rubik’s Cube Speaks to Identity with Jennifer and WTC Producer, Doug Foresta
This special episode features an interview with Jennifer ahead of the release of the 2nd edition of her best-selling book How to be an Inclusive Leader. Jennifer shares how the Rubik's Cube provides a rich metaphor for wrestling with identity and how identity came to be such an important part of her work. To learn more and order the 2nd edition, visit https://book.jenniferbrownspeaks.com/
Sep 2, 2022 • 53min
E229: Up Front and Center: Inclusion at IBM with Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer Carla Grant Pickens
This episode was originally recorded as a DEI Community Call, and features a conversation with Carla Grant Pickens, Global Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer at IBM. Carla reveals how the current environment is impacting IBM and its workforce. Carla discusses the dynamics of the return to office efforts at IBM locations around the world, and the potential impact on the company/employee relationship as companies struggle to encourage employees back to the physical office setting. You'll also hear about what IBM has learned by viewing employee development and coaching through an equity lens and how they are delivering targeted support through its partnership with BetterUp.
Aug 26, 2022 • 49min
E228: Further, Together: White Male Leaders Helping Create Cultures of Belonging
This episode features a conversation with Jennifer, Ray Arata, Founder and CEO of the Better Man Conference, and Mark Greene, Founder of Remaking Manhood as they discuss the patriarchy and outdated rules about what it means to be a man. Discover how the "Man Box" perpetuates an obsolete leadership model and how patriarchy relates to the larger DEI landscape. To learn more about the Better Man Conference, visit www.bettermanconference.com
Aug 19, 2022 • 32min
E227: SXSW 2023 or Bust: Responding to the @#$% Happening by Advancing DEIB
This episode, originally recorded as a LinkedIn live, features a conversation between Jennifer and Arthur Woods, Rocki Howard and Jim Massey as they discuss this proposed session for SXSW. Jennifer, Arthur, Rocki and Jim discuss why this conversation, why now, and what’s ahead for leaders. Help us make it to the conference by voting (by August 21st) for our panel here: https://panelpicker.sxsw.com/vote/129585
