The Will To Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve

The Will To Change: Where Leadership Meets the Courage to Evolve

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/

Episodes

August 8, 2025 54 mins

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...

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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 fro...

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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 ...

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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 to...
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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 re...

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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 tr...

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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 m...

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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 i...

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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 exa...

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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 ...

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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 buildi...

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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 th...

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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...

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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 fle...

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Join Jennifer in this thoughtful and eye-opening conversation with author and futurist Jamais Cascio as they explore how to navigate a world defined by chaos, uncertainty, and nonlinearity. Together, they unpack why the old models of resilience no longer serve us, why the moral universe looks more like a squiggle than a straight arc, and how leaders can embrace flexibility, active empathy, a...

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In this reflective minisode, Jennifer Brown looks back on her recent experience speaking at the House of Beautiful Business PolyOpportunity Gathering—just days after undergoing emergency surgery. From a place of physical vulnerability and emotional clarity, she shares insights on what it meant to show up raw and real, and how that moment sparked deeper questions about the disintegration of traditional DEI frameworks, the paradox of...

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In this episode, Jennifer is joined by leadership expert and power strategist Julie Diamond, Ph.D  to explore how different kinds of power operate in our lives—from the brute force we see on the world stage to the quieter, often overlooked personal and relational powers that shape real change. Together, they unpack the emotional and psychological toll of living through what feels like a lead...

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In this episode, Jennifer is joined by future of work activist and speaker Josh Allan Dykstra for a wide-ranging conversation about what it means to live and lead through the end of a cycle. They explore the concept of the fourth turning, the discomfort of the liminal space, and the challenges of holding on to systems, identities, and movements that no longer serve. Drawing from their experi...

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This episode features a conversation between Jennifer and writer and speaker Jocelyn K. Glei about navigating personal and professional transitions in uncertain times. They explore the discomfort of liminal spaces, the challenges of letting go of established identities, and the importance of acknowledging both achievements and losses. Jocelyn offers insights on embracing "generative discomfo...

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In this minisode, Jennifer takes us on a candid exploration of her transformative journey as an author. She shares the messy, beautiful process of finding her voice, confronting imposter syndrome, and discovering that your first book doesn't need to be perfect—it just needs to exist. She also offers insights about navigating the publishing world, working with editors who truly understand you...

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