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
Nov 29, 2024 • 57min
E344: Parenting with Pride: Stories of Love, Leadership and Advocacy
This episode, originally recorded as a Community Call, features a conversation with John Grosshandler, Co-founder of the GenderCool Project, and a panel of parent advocates who are working to transform corporate America through trans inclusion. Joined by corporate leaders who are parents of trans youth, the discussion explores how personal experience shapes workplace leadership and activism. From GenderCool's mission to replace misinformed opinions with positive experiences, to strategies for building corporate support networks, these leaders share stories of challenge and triumph. They discuss how companies are evolving their approach to trans inclusion, the impact of storytelling, and why parents are emerging as key advocates in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
Nov 22, 2024 • 36min
E343: The Sacred Pause: Jennifer and Doug Discuss the Role of Rest in Rebirth
In this episode, Jennifer and her podcast producer explore the power of slowing down in times of change. Drawing from Viktor Frankl, Buddhist teachings, and farming practices, they challenge hustle culture and discuss how the energy used to maintain things is the energy needed for change. They examine how periods of rest - like fields in farming - create growth. This conversation offers a view on work transitions, particularly in DEI work, and shows that in times of uncertainty, strength comes from the choice to pause, reflect, and find new paths forward.
Nov 15, 2024 • 54min
E342: Best of The Will to Change: Doing the Work and Doing it Right: Deconstructing DEI with Author, Speaker and Consultant Lily Zheng
Author, speaker, and consultant Lily Zheng returns to The Will To Change to discuss their new book, DEI Deconstructed, which centers on accountable and effective practices to achieve DEI outcomes in organizations. Discover why even leaders with the best of intentions find it difficult to achieve the DEI outcomes they desire. Lily also discusses the outcomes that they typically advise leaders to achieve and how to measure them. They also reveal how they work with leaders who may be resistant to DEI efforts.
Nov 9, 2024 • 35min
E341: Awake in the Dark: Jennifer and Doug on Grief and Growth in the Post-Election Landscape
In this unique and timely episode, Jennifer and Doug Foresta, producer of the Will to Change, come together just days after the 2024 election to share words of wisdom, comfort, and perspective for changemakers who may be feeling discouraged. Through powerful quotes and thoughtful discussion, they explore themes of grief, resilience, and the importance of both bonding within communities and building bridges across divides. Jennifer and Doug remind listeners that periods of uncertainty and transition can be opportunities for deep reflection, reimagining strategies, and finding new ways forward while staying grounded in hope and community.
Nov 1, 2024 • 47min
E340: Best of The Will to Change: Unpacking the Diwali Episode of the SITC Reboot with Mita Mallick, Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta
In recognition of Diwali, we are re-airing this episode, which features a conversation between Jennifer Brown and Mita Mallick, Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta. Jennifer and Mita discuss the importance of authentic and accurate representation of diverse cultures in the media. The conversation stemmed from a LinkedIn post by Mita about her reaction to the Diwali episode of And Just Like That, a revival of the HBO television series Sex and the City. Mita breaks down the episode, which was described in a Vogue article as a “messy tangle of misnomers and misappropriation.” Mita also discusses the exhaustion many people from marginalized communities feel, and what allies can do to help.
Oct 25, 2024 • 58min
E339: Agent of Change: Building Inclusive National Security with Intelligence Community DEIA Officer, Stephanie La Rue
Step inside the world of U.S. intelligence agencies with Stephanie LaRue, Chief Diversity Officer for the U.S. Intelligence Community, as she reveals how she's transforming culture across 18 federal intelligence organizations. From her unexpected journey as a first-generation American and CIA attorney to becoming one of the youngest executives in the Senior National Intelligence Service, Stephanie shares candid insights about driving change in the world's most complex bureaucracy. Learn how she's measuring progress through innovative maturity models, building bridges across agencies, and why diversity isn't just about recruitment—it's mission-critical to national security. Tune in for a rare glimpse into leadership at the highest levels of government service.
Oct 18, 2024 • 54min
E338: Adapting for Impact: Disability Rights Then and Now with Author Tiffany Yu
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Tiffany Yu, disability advocate, author, and founder of Diversability, for a discussion about the evolution of disability rights and inclusion. Tiffany shares her journey from accident survivor to changemaker, offering insights into disability advocacy. She also discusses approaches to raising awareness, including grassroots organizing, social media, and her book "The Anti-Ableist Manifesto." The conversation covers the nature of social change, resilience in advocacy work, and Tiffany's vision for disability inclusion.
Oct 11, 2024 • 1h 8min
E337: The Evolving Science of Unconscious Bias with Farsight Chat’s host Farah Bala, and guests Dr. Tessa Charlesworth, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, and Caitlin Finton, Postdoctoral Fellow, Harvard University
This episode was recorded for the Farsight Chat podcast and is being shared with permission on the Will to Change. Host Farah Bala discusses unconscious bias with Harvard University experts Dr. Tessa Charlesworth and Caitlin Finton. The conversation covers implicit bias, the Harvard Implicit Association Test, and research on bias evolution. Topics include the decrease in some biases, the persistence of others, global perspectives on bias, and strategies for combating prejudices. The guests address criticisms of the IAT and explain its value in understanding cultural biases. They also explore the concept of intersectionality, examining how different biases interact, particularly around race and wealth.
Oct 4, 2024 • 46min
E336: Bending the Arc: Moral Progress in Business Leadership with Farsight Chats’ Farah Bala
Join Jennifer as she welcomes Farah Bala, founder and CEO of FARSIGHT, in a conversation about the evolving landscape of DEI in the workplace. Farah shares insights from her journey of transforming "Farsight Friday" into the more expansive "Farsight Chats" podcast, exploring how leaders can make DEI a core competency in today's rapidly changing business environment. Farah also discusses the challenges of navigating generational expectations, embracing authenticity in the workplace, and leading through the "messy middle" of progress.
Sep 27, 2024 • 54min
E335: Smarter in Seconds: The Art of Digestible DEI Education with Author Blair Imani
This episode, originally recorded as a community call, features a conversation with Blair Imani, author, content creator, and DEI advocate. Blair discusses her transition from crisis communications to social media education, explaining how she simplifies complex DEI topics. She also addresses DEI language evolution, neurodiversity in advocacy, and balancing authenticity with accuracy online. Discover strategies for adapting while maintaining mission integrity.
