Claim OwnershipThe Will to Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve
Subscribed: 221Played: 8,294
Subscribe
Description
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/
453 Episodes
Reverse
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States