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 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.
Sep 20, 2024 • 1h 2min
E334: DEI in a VUCA World: Adapting Strategies for Uncertain Times with Bridges Holmes, VP, DEI and Sustainability, The Adecco Group
This episode was originally recorded as a Community Call and features a conversation with Bridges Holmes, VP of DEI and Sustainability at The Adecco Group. The discussion explores Bridges' role in integrating DEI initiatives into sales strategies at Adecco. Bridges shares insights on developing a DEI sales toolkit, conducting live training sessions, and the challenges of changing "old school thinking" within the organization. The conversation highlights the importance of authentic engagement in DEI work, the evolving expectations of clients regarding diversity initiatives, and the need for sales professionals to become more comfortable discussing these topics.
Sep 13, 2024 • 55min
E333: Balancing Risk and Progress: DEI in the Legal Sector with Mira Dewji
In this episode, Mira Dewji, a former corporate lawyer turned DEI strategist, shares her perspective on the landscape of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal industry. Drawing from her experiences at a law firm, Mira explores the challenges in implementing DEI initiatives within conservative legal cultures. She discusses the shift from compliance-focused approaches to business-driven DEI efforts, emphasizing the importance of behavioral science and organizational change. Mira delves into the impact of generational differences, changing client demographics, and the demand for moral leadership in shaping DEI in law firms.
