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

This episode features a conversation with inclusive language expert Jen O'Ryan on the nuances of language and word choice for diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jen reveals how we can expand our linguistic awareness to lead with more humility and precision and provides concrete examples for humanizing workspaces by removing ableist language and replacing problematic words with more inclusive altern...

This episode features a conversation with co-authors Christopher McCormick and  Aman Gohal   about using the stages of adult development as a framework for expanding DEI conversations. They discuss the action logics model which describes mindsets and behaviors at different maturity levels and reveal how leaders can apply this model to develop a greater understanding of colleagues. Discover the imp...

This episode features a conversation with economist Jeff Korzenik as he explores the overlooked talent pool of people who have interacted with the justice system. Discover the enormous scale of this community, with over 70 million Americans having some involvement with the legal system, and the compelling business case for hiring this untapped talent in light of today's tight labor market and agin...

This episode was originally recorded as a DEI Community Call and features a conversation with Carin Taylor, Chief Diversity Officer at Workday, about the transformative power of witnessing others' stories for advancing DEI efforts. Drawing from her extensive professional experience and personal journey, Carin shares insights on how the simple yet courageous act of storytelling can profoundly impac...

This episode was originally recorded for the BE the CHANGE podcast and features a conversation between Jennifer and host Stephanie Howlett as they discuss the importance of allyship. Jennifer shares tips for navigating the journey of allyship and the importance of using our privilege on behalf of others. Discover why and how leaders need to evolve from outdated mindsets focusing on protecting reso...

This episode features a conversation with Erik Day, Senior Vice President of Global Small Business at Dell Technologies. Erik discusses his journey of helping start Dell's first LGBTQ employee resource group in the early 2000s and reflects on what it takes to drive systemic change. He stresses the importance of intersectionality, using privilege and influence for good,  and enacting inclusive poli...

This episode was originally recorded on the Courage Counts Program and features a conversation between Jennifer Brown and Chuck Shelton as they discuss how to scale inclusive leadership when DEI is being doubted and even weaponized. Jennifer reveals how to assertively drive DEI as a business growth strategy and how to create psychological safety for resistant leaders. Discover the importance of pr...

This episode was originally recorded for the Workforce Central podcast and features a conversation between Jennifer and host Ron Painter. Jennifer reveals how leaders can foster a sense of belonging among employees, especially in a hybrid work environment. She also shares strategies for understanding and supporting a multi-generational, neurodiverse workforce. Discover how leaders can help create...

This episode features a conversation with Michelle Phillips, Principal at the White Plains, NY, office of Jackson Lewis P.C., as Michelle discusses major legal developments that impact DEI efforts in the workplace. Discover how the Supreme Court's recent ruling limiting affirmative action in college admissions is also causing companies to pull back on their DEI programs. Michelle provides insight...

This episode was originally recorded as a DEI Community call, and features a conversation between Jennifer, Shalynne Jackson, Chief Inclusion and Diversity Officer at The City of Oklahoma City, and Jim Massey, Chief Sustainability Officer at Zai Lab, as they discuss the power of vulnerable and authentic storytelling. Tune in as Jennifer, Shalynne, and Jim share stories and insights and reveal how...

This episode was originally recorded for the NSLS Motivation Monday's podcast and features a conversation between Jennifer, host Cory Andrew Powell, and Giselle Phelps, Founder and CEO of Grand Rising Talent. The conversation was originally recorded during Pride month and focuses on leadership and representation in the LGBTQ+ community. Discover the importance of normalizing LGBTQ+ interactions in...

This episode features a conversation with Ray Arata, Founder and CEO of the Better Man Movement, and Joe Rafter, Vice President at Capgemini about masculinity, partnership, and institutional transformation. Discover the pivotal role of support and accountability in the journal of allyship. Jennifer, Ray, and Joe also discuss the complexities of privilege, the power of vulnerability, and the potent...

This episode features a conversation with author Charlie Gilkey, as he discusses his new book  Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results.  Charlie discusses the need to redefine the way we view teams, leadership, and inclusion in the wake of the pandemic and unprecedented challenges. He also shares insights about how remote collaboration, shifting paradigms of belonging, and inn...

In this episode, Jennifer discusses the milestone of selling 75,000 copies of her book  How to Be an Inclusive Leader  and outlines a strategic approach for bringing everyone along the journey of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Jennifer highlights the importance of engaging all people in an organization, including the "learners, leaders, and laggards" and why a training approach may not work for...

Ray Arata, Founder and CEO of the Better Man Movement, joins the program to introduce and discuss the first-ever Better Together Conference. The conference will be a series of conversations aimed at fostering learning, connection, trust, and empathy that include both male leaders and other champions, with the intent of articulating a vision for true partnership that includes and enlists all of us....

This episode features a conversation with Tony DeGruy, Leader of Service Delivery Management at Cisco, and Gena Pirtle, Global Head of Cisco's Inclusive Community Experience. Tony discusses his journey of becoming the co-lead for Cisco's Men for Inclusion Network, which strives to accelerate, activate and develop male leaders and influencers to use their power and influence to shape a culture of e...

This  ep isode was originally recorded for the Forged in Fire Podcast and features a conversation between Jennifer and hosts Dr. Liz Cavallaro and Lt Col Bree Fram. Jennifer discusses the benefits of having to forge your own path and the need to have challenging conversations. Discover some of the positive aspects of adversity and the importance of role models. Jennifer also provides a call to act...

This episode was originally recorded on the All Inclusive Podcast, and features a conversation between Jennifer and host Natasha Rainey. Jennifer reveals the importance of having a learner's mindset as a leader and the difference between empathy and compassion. She also discusses how leaders can cultivate inclusivity in their teams and organizations and provides actionable advice on how to be an i...

Last week, Elon Musk tweeted that the words 'cis' or 'cisgender' are now considered slurs on Twitter. Please join Jennifer Brown in conversation with award-winning transgender advocate Dr.  Elijah Nicholas, DBA , as they discuss what this means for the transgender community, the importance of understanding and using gender inclusive language, and why LGBTQ+ allies are needed now more than ever.

This episode features a conversation with human rights and corporate social responsibility expert Fabrice Houdart, as he shares his diversity story and discusses how companies can successfully navigate the DEI and social responsibility landscape. Discover the importance of professionalism in corporate advocacy and what organizations can do to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in the wake of the "anti-woke"...

This  episode  was originally recorded as a Community Call, and features a conversation with Berkshire Hathaway Energy CDO Darla Zink, as she outlines her journey to the CDO role, and her personal change philosophy when it comes to building inclusive organizations. Discover creative ways to gain alignment on DEI commitments with leaders and how to balance the perception that resourcing under-repre...

Martinus Evans joins the program to discuss his new book,  Slow AF Run Club: The Ultimate Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Run,  and to share his journey, which includes completing 8 marathons and creating the Slow AF Run Club, which encourages runners and walkers of all ages and experience levels. Martinus reveals what to do when facing self-doubt and some of the biases in the design of racing. Disc...

Lenna Turner, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging at Salary.com, joins the program to discuss compensation inequity, and how it has impacted her personally and professionally. Lenna reveals the impact of salary ban laws and how the war for talent is connected to transparency, pay equity and creating an inclusive culture. Discover the mindset and mental game needed to prepare for...

Author Simran Jeet Singh joins the program to discuss his new book  The Light We Give: How Sikh Wisdom Can Transform Your LIfe.  Simran shares his diversity story and the formative experiences that have shaped who is today. He also reveals how to tailor storytelling to connect with various audiences. Discover how Sikh wisdom can help inform an approach to DEI that is grounded in a spirit of love a...

Employment attorney Michelle Phillips returns to the program to discuss the current DEI landscape and the importance of focusing on training and prevention. Michelle reveals some of the pushback that has occurred when it comes to DEI efforts and the legal issues that companies need to consider. Discover the importance of psychological safety in the workplace and the DEI implications of workers ret...