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
Aug 11, 2022 • 54min
E226: New and Improved: On Writing my 2nd Edition, with JBC's Adrienne Lawrence
This episode, originally recorded as a LinkedIn Live, features a conversation between Jennifer and JBC Vice-President Adrienne Lawrence, as Jennifer discusses the highly anticipated second edition of her book How to Be an Inclusive Leader which launches on October 4th, 2022. Jennifer reveals why she made the decision to tackle a second edition of the book and the need for a more balanced leadership style. She also discusses how to reframe the concept of privilege and the need to call leaders in instead of only calling them out.
Aug 5, 2022 • 54min
E225: Second Chance Living: Supporting and Advancing Justice-Involved Women with Trelise Baker, Founder, 2nd Chance Living PMI, and JBC Consultant Jennifer Sarrett
This takeover episode features a conversation between JBC Consultant Jennifer Sarrett and Trelise Baker, Founder of 2nd Chance Living PMI as Trelise discusses the work that her organization does to help women transitioning out of prison or jail and into communities by providing employment and housing services in and around New Orleans, Louisiana. Trelise also shares her own journey of transitioning back into the community as a justice-involved woman and the biggest challenges that people face after incarceration. Discover the complex needs that justice-involved women face when reentering their communities, and how 2nd Change Living is helping to address those needs. Resources: Prison policy initiative Vera Institute US Bureau of Labor Statistics US Census Bureau Data USA Unity of Greater New Orleans 2nd Chance Living PMI: website: https://www.2ndchancelivingpmi.org/ email: info@2ndchancelivingpmi.org phone: 1-855-487-0477 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/2ndchancepmi Instagram: @2ndchancepmi Twitter: @2ndchancepmi
Jul 29, 2022 • 43min
E224: Inclusive Workplaces for Autistic Women, With AWN Board Member Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu and JBC Vice President Adrienne Lawrence
This episode was originally recorded as an Advocacy in Action session and features a conversation between Autistic Women & Nonbinary Network Board Member Dr. Morénike Giwa Onaiwu and JBC Vice President Adrienne Lawrence as they discuss lesser-known misconceptions about autism, and how it manifests in women. Discover what business opportunities your organization may be missing, and ways in which you can recover by making your workplace more welcoming for autistic women.
Jul 22, 2022 • 51min
E223: Power, Patriarchy and Privilege: Better Man Movement's Ray Arata on Galvanizing Male Leaders
This episode was originally recorded as a LinkedIn Live, and features a conversation between Jennifer and Ray Arata, speaker, author and co-founder of the Better Man Movement. Discover details about the upcoming Better Man Conference and the impetus behind the conference. Ray reveals the power of vulnerability and centering others, and the need for men to show up in a different way.
Jul 15, 2022 • 58min
E222: Holding Ourselves Lightly: Fear as a Companion to Growth with Author, Acrobat, and Entrepreneur Robin Zander
This episode features an interview with author, acrobat and entrepreneur Robin Zander as he discusses the importance of bravery and courage and the impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on various marginalized communities. Robin discusses what he learned from creating a video where he returned to his middle school and how the painful experiences in his past have made him the leader that he is today. He also reveals the work that he is doing to develop his voice and how taking singing lessons is helping him embrace his fears.
Jul 8, 2022 • 58min
E221: Growing the Next Generation: Boys and Girls Club COO Lorraine Orr Joins the Will to Change
This episode was originally recorded as a DEI Community Call, and features a conversation with Lorraine Orr, Chief Operations Officer of the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Lorraine shares her professional and personal stories of identity and how her lived experience led her to where she is today. Discover the powerful moments of reckoning in the Boys and Girl Club’s history on the topic of DEI and where the Boys and Girls Club stands in its DEI evolution.
Jul 1, 2022 • 48min
E220: Imagine Belonging Summit “Teaser”: Conversations with Rhodes Perry on Handling DEI Backlash
Tune in for a conversation with Jennifer and Rhodes Perry as Jennifer discusses her upcoming presentation at the Belonging at Work Summit. Jennifer reveals the need to gain strategies on how to artfully push back and establish the boundaries we need to resist the growing backlash to the progress DEI leaders continue to make in our workplaces.
Jun 24, 2022 • 1h 5min
E219: What Gets Measured, Gets Done: Progressing Global Gender Equality with Sandra Quince, Michelle Charles and Silke Heinrichs
This episode was originally recorded at the Global Inclusion Online Forum and features a conversation about measuring gender equality. Discover the common miscalculations and best measurement practices that ensure progressive growth and prosperity of the corporate workforce as well as the most common gender equality metrics used in global corporations. You'll also hear about how to use the combination of measurements to create a thriving work environment for all.
Jun 17, 2022 • 36min
E218: Business Allyship 2.0: Stonewall’s Stacy Lentz on SIGBI’s New LGBTQ+ Safe Spaces Certification
This episode was originally recorded as an Advocacy in Action session and features a conversation between JBC Vice President Adrienne Lawrence and SIGBI CEO & Co-Founder Stacy Lentz. Discover key strategies for creating inclusive workspaces for LGBTQ+ employees and best practices on how to authentically support colleagues beyond Pride Month. Stacy also reveals details about SIGBI's new Safe Spaces Certification.
Jun 10, 2022 • 56min
E217: Owning Our Own Stories, With Oklahoma City's Chief Inclusion and Diversity Leader, Shalynne Jackson
This episode was originally recorded as a DEI Community Call and features a conversation between Jennifer and Oklahoma City's Chief Inclusion and Diversity Leader, Shalynne Jackson, as they discuss how storytelling, getting curious and connecting can be powerful tools to increase our perception of what’s under the water line. Shalynne provides details about the benefits of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) and the difference between the monocultural mindset vs. the intercultural mindset.
