Claim OwnershipThe Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve
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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/
458 Episodes
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Tune in as Jennifer dives deeper into the transformational shift from the self-authoring mind to the self-transforming mind—and why this passage is so challenging, even when we feel ready for it. Building on last week's archetypes, she explores the emotional and practical realities of releasing an identity that once saved us, navigating the disorienting "hallway" between who we were and who we're becoming, and metabolizing the grief, ambiguity, and loss of clarity that accompany real adult development. Jennifer offers grounded practices for creating inner spaciousness, building aligned community, translating emerging wisdom into a world that still rewards productivity, and experimenting with new expressions of work and identity.
In this minisode, Jennifer invites listeners into a deeper exploration of how leaders truly grow over time—moving beyond effort, ego, and externally defined roles into wiser, more spacious, community-centered ways of leading. Drawing on adult development theory, mythic archetypes, and her own 30-year journey in advocacy, she unpacks the inner shifts that occur as we outgrow old identities and step into new forms of impact. From the firefighter to the constellation builder, Jennifer traces the evolving stages of leadership maturity and offers a compassionate roadmap for naming where you are, honoring who you've been, and imagining who you're becoming. This episode is an invitation to embrace presence over push, essence over achievement, and a leadership model rooted not in striving—but in wisdom, connection, and shared growth.
In this minisode, Jennifer invites listeners into a candid conversation about the ongoing journey of aligning who you are becoming with how you show up in the world. Joined by her collaborator Amber Kidd, she explores the powerful intersection of heart and architecture—the inner shifts, purpose, and vision that spark change, and the practical systems, language, and platforms that help bring that evolution to life. Together they unpack how a thoughtful audit of your digital presence can reveal what parts of your past are still speaking for you, what needs to be updated, and how to build a sustainable, authentic platform that truly reflects your emerging voice.
In this minisode, Jennifer reflects on the quiet courage it takes to outgrow the rooms, roles, and identities that once fit us. Drawing on the poetry of Dr. Tunde Okewale and her own metaphors of gardens, shells, and shifting seasons, she explores grace not as softness, but as a vital leadership technology—what allows us to stay human in uncertain times. Legacy, she reminds us, isn't something we leave behind; it's a living practice shaped by how we lead, let go, and tend what's next. This episode invites you to find meaning in the liminal space between endings and beginnings, and to trust that releasing what no longer fits is itself an act of becoming.
In this reflective minisode, Jennifer invites us to see the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion as a living cycle rather than a linear journey. Using the metaphor of nature's four seasons—spring, summer, fall, and winter—she explores how each stage brings its own lessons, from the hope and emergence of new ideas to the quiet reflection that sustains future growth. As the DEI field experiences a collective "winter," Jennifer reminds us that stillness is not the absence of progress but the preparation for renewal. This is a meditation on trust, resilience, and leadership—an invitation to honor the season we're in and the wisdom it holds.
In this minisode, Jennifer invites us into an intimate reflection on what it truly means to lead, rebuild, and stay human in seasons of profound transformation. Drawing from her own experience of letting go, dissolving old identities, and tending to what remains, she explores four inner practices that make reinvention possible—stillness, grief, surrender, and humility. These are not side practices, she reminds us, but essential muscles for leading through collapse into creation. With honesty and grace, Jennifer offers a space to pause, breathe, and remember that even in the quiet of winter, the seeds of renewal are already taking root.
In this minisode, Jennifer explores the idea of midwifing collapse—inspired by writer Josie Plaut's reflection on the difference between prolonging what is dying and creating space for what wants to be born. Drawing from her story of doctors intervening in her father's final days while a nurse quietly held space for truth, this conversation invites us to look at our own impulse to "doctor" failing systems, roles, and identities. What if our task is not to fix, but to practice engaged surrender, presence, and trust in what's emerging? Through this lens, the minisode explores how collapse can be a generative season, where letting go becomes an act of creation.
In this episode, Jennifer Brown and Out Leadership CEO Todd Sears reflect on the evolution and disruption of LGBTQ+ workplace inclusion—and what it means to lead in a time of uncertainty and change. Together, they trace how the "business case" for equality once drove historic corporate progress, and why those same strategies are faltering amid shifting cultural, political, and economic tides. Through a candid, hopeful dialogue, they explore how leaders can adapt by returning to what has always driven meaningful change: storytelling, allyship, empathy, and authentic human connection. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Jennifer and Todd see it as a necessary reset—an invitation to rethink what progress looks like and to reimagine inclusion for the next era of leadership.
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Peter Schein, co-author of Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling (Third Edition). Together they explore how leaders can embrace curiosity, vulnerability, and openness to build trust and strengthen relationships. Peter shares how humble inquiry contrasts with diagnostic or confrontive questioning and why shifting focus from content to context is essential for effective leadership. The conversation highlights how practicing humble inquiry fosters inclusion, belonging, and more thoughtful decision-making in today's complex and divided world.
This episode features highlights from a series of audio recordings originally created for OutNEXT, Out Leadership's global LGBTQ+ leadership-development program. The first conversation dives into the creation of the inclusive anthem "It's Raining Them," reflecting on music as activism and the balance between self-expression and professionalism. The episode also explores the power of mentorship and sponsorship, showing how authentic relationships and reverse mentoring can help both emerging talent and seasoned leaders grow, adapt, and lead with purpose.
This episode features highlights from a series of audio recordings originally created for OutNEXT, Out Leadership's global LGBTQ+ leadership-development program. Captured live during the OutNEXT summit sessions, these conversations were designed to inspire and equip emerging LGBTQ+ leaders with tools for authentic leadership, community building, and inclusive impact. Listeners will hear reflections on resilience, mindfulness, and the power of intergenerational support—offering both inspiration and practical strategies for anyone ready to lead with purpose and heart.
Tune in for a lively, practical conversation about bringing artificial intelligence into everyday work and life. Jennifer is joined by Mishel Horta, Head of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging for DHL Express Americas, and Amber Kidd, an Innovation-Focused Operations & Marketing Consultant. Together they explore how different AI tools—like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and Copilot—each have their own strengths and "personalities," how to craft powerful prompts, and what it really takes to use AI safely, creatively, and inclusively. You'll hear hands-on tips, privacy insights, and real-world examples to help you make AI a trusted partner in your own work.
Step into a candid conversation with Kara Richardson Whitely as she explores the realities of weight stigma, the buying power of plus size consumers, and why brands miss out when they fail to embrace all bodies. Kara shares her powerful story of resilience as a plus size adventurer and advocate, offering insights into how businesses can heal the customer journey and create meaningful inclusion. From the retail industry's blind spots to cultural moments like the Cardi B controversy, this episode challenges assumptions and shows why body diversity is both a moral imperative and a business necessity.
In this minisode, Jennifer reflects on the themes from her upcoming book The Shape of Change, exploring what it means to face uncertainty, grief, stillness, and surrender with courage and presence. She shares personal insights on how we can loosen our grip on old identities, embrace radical presence, and find wisdom in the discomfort of transformation. Discover how to cultivate resilience in a rapidly shifting world, nurture hope in dark times, and reimagine the shapes our lives and work can take as we evolve.
In this episode, Jennifer is joined by Mará Rose Williams, Assistant Managing Editor for Race and Equity at The Kansas City Star, to explore the role of journalism in telling the truth, fostering community, and protecting democracy. Mará reflects on leading the groundbreaking Truth in Black and White project and what it means to look back five years later. The conversation examines how storytelling can build empathy across differences, the importance of staying awake in turbulent times, and the power of individual action to create ripples that grow into waves of change.
In this episode, Greg Valdovino, Vice President of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, joins Jennifer for a conversation about how Kansas City is turning hospitality into a powerful driver for economic growth and community connection. He discusses how the city is preparing to welcome the world for the 2026 FIFA World Cup through its ambitious Welcoming City initiative. From breaking old stereotypes to creating lasting cultural and economic impact, Greg reveals how inclusive leadership, intentional planning, and community-wide collaboration are shaping a Kansas City where everyone belongs—visitors and residents alike.
Tune in to this episode of The Will to Change as Jennifer is joined by futurist and founder of The Future of Now, Elatia Abate. Together they explore what it takes to thrive in the emerging wisdom economy and why the old knowledge-based models are no longer enough. Elatia shares insights on leading with resilience, flexibility, and purpose during times of disruption, and how to build organizations that center community, fulfillment, and human connection. Whether you are navigating personal change or leading transformation, this episode offers a bold and grounded vision for the future of work and leadership.
In this special episode of The Will to Change, Jennifer introduces her forthcoming book, The Shape of Change, a powerful synthesis drawn from hundreds of episodes of the podcast. Jennifer also reflects on how the podcast itself became a body of work, rich with wisdom, vulnerability, and transformation. Listeners will hear about the inspiration behind the book, the collaborative process that brought it to life, and the evolution from teaching change to being changed. This episode invites us to loosen our grip on certainty, embrace the unknown, and discover the wisdom that emerges when we truly listen to ourselves, to others, and to the shape of change itself.
In this special episode, originally recorded for The Liberation Chronicles, Jennifer Brown is featured in a powerful conversation about what it truly means to lead inclusively. Drawing from her signature framework, the Inclusive Leader Continuum, Jennifer discusses the four stages of inclusive leadership and emphasizes the importance of building learning-centered cultures rooted in humility, accountability, and grace. She explores how leaders can move from awareness to advocacy without shame, and why inclusive leadership is essential, not just as a DEI strategy, but as a transformative practice for navigating change, fostering trust, and shaping the future of work.
In this episode of The Will to Change, Jennifer Brown sits down with author and thought leader Maggie Jackson to explore why uncertainty, so often seen as something to fear, might actually be our greatest asset. Together they unpack how leaning into the unknown can spark resilience, adaptability, and even joy, both in our personal lives and in the way we lead. From surfing literal waves to navigating the unpredictability of today's workplaces, Maggie reveals why wisdom in motion is essential for thriving amid rapid change. Tune in to discover how reframing uncertainty not as a threat but as a challenge and opportunity can transform how we work, connect, and grow.
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