What if the talent your organization is searching for is already inside your walls? In this Best of episode, Lori revisits one of the most impactful conversations of the year with talent strategy expert Dr. Edie Goldberg, and it’s just as relevant now as when it first aired. Dr. Goldberg shares why traditional job structures are holding organizations back, how skills-based talent strategies unlock massive ROI, and what leaders can do right now to reduce burnout while increasing engagement and ag...
As 2025 comes to a close, this episode is a love letter to difference makers everywhere—those navigating change, courage, career pivots, and complex workplaces. Lori Adams-Brown reflects on the books that shaped her thinking this year and deeply resonated with listeners across the globe. From leadership in the age of AI to psychological safety, toxic workplaces, courage, presence, and recovery after trauma, these books don’t just inform—they invite you to live and lead differently. Many of the a...
Are you feeling the weight of leadership decisions that seem to pull you away from your core values? You're not alone in wrestling with what it means to lead authentically when the world around us feels increasingly divided and transactional. What happens when kindness becomes your greatest strength, not your weakness? In a year marked by global upheaval, AI transformation, and workplace challenges that have disproportionately affected women, the question of authentic leadership has never been m...
Are you leading with the assumption that your team is operating from a place of psychological safety? The reality might shock you. Recent research reveals that 80% of workplace professionals have experienced trauma that directly impacts how they show up at work—and most leaders have no idea it's happening. What happens when that high-performing employee suddenly becomes reactive during feedback sessions? Or when your most talented team member can't seem to engage during meetings? Elizabeth Vahey...
Are you leading teams across cultures but struggling to understand why brilliant strategies fail and talented people clash? The answer might be simpler than you think, and more complex than you've imagined.What happens when the biggest barrier to global leadership isn't language or logistics, but the invisible assumptions we carry about how work should get done? Maria Angela Calmet has spent over 15 years leading projects across five continents, and she's discovered that the most successful leaders aren't just culturally aware—they're culturally competent.As CEO and founder of Allopoli and author of LIDERESA, Maria Angela has seen firsthand what separates leaders who thrive globally from those who fail spectacularly. Her framework goes beyond surface-level cultural etiquette to address the root systems that drive behavior, decision-making, and trust-building across cultures.In this conversation, Maria Angela reveals why directness in Dutch culture completely transformed he…
Are you struggling to hold space for both gratitude and grief in your leadership? In a year marked by unprecedented challenges, many executives are finding it difficult to navigate the tension between authentic appreciation and the very real pain their teams are experiencing. What happens when toxic positivity meets genuine leadership? In this deeply personal Thanksgiving reflection, I share why the most powerful leaders aren't the ones who wrap everything up in a neat bow, but those who can hol...
Are you feeling the tension between staying authentic and using AI tools in your leadership? You're not alone. Many executives are grappling with this exact challenge, and the stakes have never been higher. What happens when the biggest threat to authentic leadership isn't AI itself, but how we choose to use it? Communication expert Allison Shapira has spent years helping executives find their voice in moments that matter most. Now she's tackling the question keeping leaders up at night: How do ...
Are you watching people stay silent and get in line when their values are being violated? Lori Adams-Brown, a Strategic Transformation Executive gets real on why you need to get clear on your values and speak up when they are being violated.
In this engaging conversation, Lori Adams-Brown interviews Mita Mallick about her book "The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses." Mita shares personal stories and insights on leadership, workplace culture, and the impact of bad bosses on mental health. The discussion covers the importance of self-awareness, setting boundaries, and the role of personal relationships in professional settings. The genesis of Mita's book started with a personal experience of her mot...
If you're feeling stuck in the same old thought patterns, journaling your heart out only to end up reliving the same pain, or you keep trying new workshops and self-help tricks but still feel disconnected from your creativity and sense of wonder, then you are not alone! If you’ve signed up for writing classes hoping for transformation but walk away feeling more self-critical instead, or you’re longing for a breakthrough but just keep hitting that emotional wall, then you are not alone! If you keep scrolling through inspirational posts and books, looking for that spark to reignite your resilience but end up feeling even more isolated, then you are not alone! If you find yourself craving deeper connection and authenticity but every attempt leaves you feeling misunderstood or too vulnerable, then you are not alone!
Ever wondered if being “nice” at work could actually be making everything worse? Picture this: a leader so shielded by everyone’s politeness that a single, cringeworthy comment in the halls of Congress nearly tanks a $9 million deal—while everyone else sits silent, protecting comfort over honesty. Turns out, our obsession with not rocking the boat isn’t just awkward... it can be downright destructive. But here’s the twist: the real danger isn’t ego or greed. It’s this sneaky, everyday culture of...
What if the real reason your best people are leaving isn’t about paychecks or perks, but something way bigger, something you might not even be measuring yet? There’s a quiet shift happening in the workforce that’s turning traditional retention strategies upside down. And here’s the kicker: companies that embrace it aren’t just keeping their talent. They’re watching productivity and promotions soar, with results that might surprise you. So, what’s the one move that could help your people see a fu...
Ever heard these myths floating around about leadership and work-life balance? Myth #1: True leaders have to hustle nonstop to be successful. Myth #2: Burnout just means you’re not cut out for the job. Myth #3: Neuroplasticity is only for scientists—not something leaders can actually use. I’m about to spill the truth on how to flip these old stories on their head—so you can actually lead with clarity, energy, and a life that feels good. Ready for a totally different take? Stick around! In this e...
Does this sound familiar? You’ve been told that “just learning every new AI tool” is the secret to staying relevant and leading your team into the future. But after hours tinkering with the latest apps and features, you’re still feeling overwhelmed and wondering if you’re actually making any real progress—or just adding more noise to your workflow. If you’re tired of chasing shiny objects and still feeling uncertain about how to lead responsibly with AI, you’re not alone. Let’s talk about what a...
Ever wondered what really happens behind closed boardroom doors when leaders are faced with uncomfortable truths, especially when speaking up could cost them their job? This conversation isn’t just about corporate buzzwords or performative change. It’s an unfiltered look at how fear quietly shapes decisions, and how a handful of micro-courage moments can actually flip the script for whole organizations. If you think courage at work is all about bold speeches, think again. There’s a twist here th...
Want to build a leadership bench that thrives no matter how fast the world changes? Imagine having a team that’s not just ready for what’s next, but actually thrives in the face of new tech, shifting cultures, and all the surprises global business throws at you. I’m about to break down exactly how you can shape leaders who are adaptable, digitally sharp, and able to retain top talent across borders—without losing sight of what makes your people tick. Stick around and I’ll show you how to make your leadership pipeline absolutely unstoppable.
Are you ready to finally escape the soul-crushing grip of toxic bosses and workplaces for good? Imagine waking up on Monday actually excited for work, feeling confident you can spot the red flags before you ever get trapped again, and knowing exactly how to protect your peace (and your career) no matter who’s in charge. I’m breaking down the real-life strategies, warning signs, and support systems you need to get there—so you can stop surviving and start thriving, even if you’re not ready to quit just yet.
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dr. Pamela Donnelly, founder of the American Access Institute, as she shares her mission to support vulnerable teens, including those aging out of foster care. Discover how the Catapult platform is transforming lives through trauma-informed care, AI mentorship, and innovative partnerships. Key Highlights: Dr. Donnelly's journey from college admissions professional to ed-tech innovator. The impact of the Catapult platform on justice-involved youth and fo...
. If you're feeling exhausted from trying to process your third culture kid or MK experience—maybe you've already read memoirs, joined support groups, or tried to explain the complexity of evangelical politics to your friends, but still end up feeling misunderstood, unmoored, or even invisible, then you are not alone! If you've spent hours wrestling with the tension between your parents' good work and the darker sides of white evangelicalism, but instead of clarity, you get more tangled up in guilt or frustration, then you are not alone! If you've tried to fit your global perspective into conversations about Christian nationalism and end up hitting a wall of resistance, silence, or even shaming from your own community, then you are not alone! And if you've hoped that being resilient would be enough to heal the grief of never truly belonging anywhere, but find that the pain lingers no matter how many times you reinvent yourself, then you are not alone!
Ever wondered if the very things that make you feel “too much” at work are actually what your team needs most? What if being highly sensitive or neurodivergent isn’t just something to manage, but a legitimate edge—one that could actually shape the future of leadership? In today’s conversation, you’ll hear a take on empathy, burnout, and workplace inclusion that might flip how you see yourself (and your coworkers) on its head. But there’s one perspective Rachel shares—about a hidden risk most sensitive leaders never see coming—that left me rethinking what real leadership looks like. Curious? Let’s get into it…
Ever wondered if your people strategy is actually holding your business back? Yvonne Jackson—who’s helped companies like Apple untangle their most stubborn people challenges—just dropped a truth bomb that might surprise you: equity isn’t a culture problem, it’s a process problem. And the fix? It’s way less complicated (and a lot quicker) than most leaders think. In this episode, you’ll hear how duct-tape solutions and “cute” values might be costing your business more than you realize—and what to...
Ever wondered what really happens when you bring together people from over a hundred countries—all tuning in for one simple reason: to embrace their differences and actually change the world? Five years ago, Lori was just longing for connection during lockdown, learning podcasting on the fly. Now, this community has quietly become a global experience, sparking conversations that ripple into boardrooms, classrooms, and living rooms everywhere. But there’s one lesson Lori never expected to learn a...
Does this sound familiar? You’ve been told to just keep grinding it out in your current job until the “right” opportunity magically appears, but all that’s gotten you is more stress, second-guessing, and the nagging feeling you’re wasting your potential. It sucks watching your energy drain away while your values get sidelined and you wonder if you’ll ever feel truly fulfilled at work. You deserve a career that’s actually aligned with who you are and the impact you want to make. Let’s talk about ...
What if I told you that the real threat to your organization's future isn't just scandal or a viral headline—but something quietly brewing in your own leadership team? It's not about one bad apple, or even just making the right hires. There's a hidden factor that erodes trust, tanks retention, and costs far more than you think—yet most boards and executives still overlook it. And what neuroscience reveals about burnout and empathy in leaders might just change how you approach integrity forever. Want to know what most leaders miss (and how you can avoid being one of them)? Let’s unpack it together…
