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
Jul 11, 2025 • 52min
E372: Rewriting the Story: Correcting the Narrative on Equity with Celeste Warren
In this episode, you'll hear from Celeste Warren as she unpacks how equity has evolved, why it's so often misunderstood, and what it really takes to create a more inclusive, balanced future. Drawing on decades of experience and insights from her new book, Celeste shares how to move beyond fear and resistance to build true shared purpose. You'll learn why equity is essential for everyone, how to communicate its value in ways that resonate, and what it looks like to dismantle barriers so we can all see the mountains ahead together.
Jul 3, 2025 • 52min
E371: Seven Trust Languages That Transform Teams: With Author Minda Harts
In this episode, Jennifer welcomes workplace consultant, bestselling author, and advocate Minda Harts to explore why trust is the true currency of equity and belonging. Drawing on insights from her new book, Minda introduces the "Seven Trust Languages," a groundbreaking framework that helps leaders and teams build authentic, sustainable trust at work. Together they unpack how trust gaps often come down to unmet expectations, why transparency isn't about revealing everything but about honest communication, and how trust especially impacts underrepresented employees navigating systemic bias. This conversation offers a timely, practical blueprint for making workplaces more human, resilient, and inclusive.
Jun 26, 2025 • 50min
E370: Community is What Remains: DEI, Disruption, and the Urgency of Connection
In this special episode, originally recorded live for Remote Daily, Jennifer reflects on the growing backlash against the DEI industry and what it means to lead through uncertainty as long-standing systems begin to unravel. She shares how an intentional pause has become a powerful space for reflection and reinvention, and explores why community, rather than corporate structures, may be the most durable path forward. This episode offers a vulnerable and visionary look at how to stay grounded, creative, and connected in times of disruption.
Jun 20, 2025 • 25min
E369: The Long Arc of Belonging: A Pride Reflection
In this Pride Month reflection, Jennifer takes listeners on a journey through 25 years of LGBTQ+ workplace advocacy, beginning with her early days organizing panels in New York and culminating in the founding of Jennifer Brown Consulting. She explores the evolution of corporate inclusion efforts, the power of community, and the tension between authenticity, accountability, and assimilation in today's workplace. Speaking candidly about the emotional complexity of this moment, Jennifer invites listeners to reconnect with their purpose, honor their advocacy journeys, and remember the wisdom they carry, even when the world feels out of step.
Jun 13, 2025 • 1h 3min
E368: Words, Work, and What Comes Next: Charting the Future of Inclusion with Elfi Martinez
Elfi Martinez, Vice President of Inclusive Organizations at Changeforce.ai, returns to the program for a conversation with Jennifer about the current crossroads facing the DEI field. Jennifer and Elfi's discussion ranges from a discussion about cultural backlash and the erosion of shared language to the urgent need for clear standards and behavior-based accountability. This conversation examines how we got here, what we've learned, and what it will take to evolve the work in ways that are sustainable, inclusive, and resilient in the face of resistance.
Jun 6, 2025 • 56min
E367: Rest, Resist, Rewire: The Neuroscience of Navigating Change with Dr. Britt Andreatta
In this episode we are joined by neuroscientist, leadership expert, and author, Dr. Britt Andreatta, to unpack the brain science behind how humans respond to change. We explore why resistance is hardwired into our biology, how burnout and change fatigue are affecting today's workforce, and what leaders can do to foster resilience, inclusion, and transformation even in uncertain times. Whether you're leading a team, guiding culture change, or navigating your own evolution, this conversation offers practical insights and a hopeful path forward.
May 29, 2025 • 49min
E366: Holding the Mic and the Moment: The Courage to Be Heard with Eduardo Placer
In this episode, originally recorded as a community call, Jennifer is joined by Eduardo Placer of Fearless Communicators and a circle of visionary voices. Together, they explore what it means to show up as a thought leader in today's shifting landscape, offering insights on storytelling, presence, vulnerability, and reclaiming space in a world that often pushes marginalized voices to the sidelines. You'll hear reflections on building authentic connection with audiences, navigating the pressure to conform, and why now is the time to speak your truth with clarity and courage. Whether you're a speaker, changemaker, or purpose-driven professional, this conversation will leave you inspired to step into your light.
May 22, 2025 • 1h 24min
E365: In Plain Sight: Author Sarah Miller on "Hick" and Eleanor Roosevelt's Enduring Relationship
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by author Sarah Miller as they explore the deeply intimate and complex relationship between journalist Lorena "Hick" Hickok and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Drawing from Sarah's extensive research and thousands of personal letters, they discuss how love, identity, and intimacy were expressed—and often obscured—before the language of modern queer identity existed. Together, they reflect on how this relationship redefines historical narratives, challenges binary thinking, and uplifts queer voices too often overlooked. This episode offers a powerful reminder to younger generations that they have always existed, and that queer love, in all its forms, has always found a way.
May 15, 2025 • 34min
E364: The Wisdom Exchange: Rethinking Mentorship in Chaotic Times
In this reflective minisode of The Will to Change, Jennifer dives deep into the evolving meaning of mentorship in today's chaotic and uncertain world. With traditional hierarchies dissolving and institutional pathways in flux, she explores how we can reframe mentoring as reciprocal "wisdom partnerships" that nourish, empower, and expand our sense of purpose. Speaking candidly to underrepresented leaders, especially those in midlife, Jennifer unpacks the emotional and cultural barriers to asking for support, including imposter syndrome, exhaustion, and the fear of burdening others. She calls listeners to embrace the courage to connect, redefine power beyond position, and actively invest in the diverse, multi-directional relationships that will shape our next chapter. Whether you're seeking clarity, community, or the confidence to ask for more, this episode is a timely invitation to build your own network for reinvention.
May 8, 2025 • 36min
E363: Grace over Grind: Presence as a Radical Act
In this minisode, Jennifer reflects on her conversation with author and futurist Jamais Cascio, exploring how today's leaders can rethink resilience, leadership, and empathy in a chaotic, unpredictable world. She unpacks the shift away from outdated models of "fail fast" and constant optimization, instead embracing the power of slowing down, practicing grace, and cultivating humility and flexibility. Jennifer examines how naming what feels incomprehensible can restore agency, why active empathy is essential across differences, and how leaders can ground themselves like deep roots — steady, adaptable, and able to hold space for uncertainty while nurturing the brilliance of others.
