Episodios

  • Spanish-Speaking America in STEM: A First-Gen Immigrant Latina Leadership Story with Bay Area Entrepreneur Rebeca Lopez Valerio
    Feb 11 2026
    What do you do when the doors you’ve worked for keep closing because of factors you can’t control? In this episode, Rebeca Lopez Valerio shares how she turned “no” into fuel, built opportunities from scratch, and learned to lead with coraje, heart-forward courage rooted in identity, resilience, and values. Rebeca’s story is powerful and deeply human. Born in Mexico with Indigenous roots from the Oaxaca/Puebla region, she immigrated to the U.S. at age four and navigated life as a first-generation student, while also carrying the realities of being undocumented during key years of her education and career journey. Together, we talk about what it really takes to keep showing up when the stakes are high, and how community can be the difference between feeling stuck and finding your way forward. In this episode, we cover: Indigenous heritage, language loss, and the impact of “dialects being looked down on” First-generation student survival: why community often beats 1:1 mentorship How to lead with ambition without being defined by hardship Rejection as strategy: building your brand through projects, businesses, and relationships Sustainable fashion + AI: how Apparel Assist aims to reduce clothing waste by starting in our closets Guest bio:Rebeca Lopez Valerio is a hardware engineer, entrepreneur, and community builder. A first-generation immigrant with a background in electrical engineering, she co-founded Apparel Assist, a sustainable fashion startup exploring how AI can help people rewear what they already own and reduce clothing waste. Timestamps (highlights): 00:01 – Meet Rebeca + the cultures that formed her 01:11 – Indigenous roots and the reality of language loss 05:44 – Immigrating at age four + education access 08:59 – Most overlooked resource for first-gen students: community 15:11 – “No” after “no”: how Rebeca built her personal brand 24:39 – Practical strategy: relationships, reps, and showing up anyway 29:56 – From cleaning business to Apparel Assist (AI + sustainability) 42:39 – Where to find Rebeca + Apparel Assist on Instagram Bonus: 00:01 – Legacy: impact through everyday interactions Follow Apparel Assist on Instagram, where Rebeca and her team are sharing the story behind their AI-powered sustainable fashion platform and inviting community conversation. Call to action:Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who’s been shrinking to fit. Visit loriadamsbrown.com for more resources and to stay connected. Join Lori for. an exclusive with Rebeca with our Difference Makers on Patreon. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    43 m
  • The Hidden Cost of Avoidance: Navigating Hard Conversations with Amy Brodsky
    Feb 4 2026
    What if the very conversations you’re avoiding are the ones that could change everything? In this episode, we explore the hidden cost of silence, and how choosing “peace” over honesty can slowly erode trust, connection, and even joy. Many of us were taught to keep the peace, smooth things over, or stay quiet especially when the stakes are high in families, partnerships, and leadership roles. But as today’s conversation reveals, avoiding hard conversations doesn’t actually protect relationships. It quietly damages them. This episode is for anyone who knows something needs to be said, but isn’t sure how, when, or whether it’s safe to say it at all. I’m joined by Amy Brodsky. Amy is Founder and CEO of Sky Partners, a Performance Coaching, Facilitation and Advisory Firm. Amy has spent her career helping CEOs, Leadership Teams, UHNW Families and high-profile individuals navigate their most confidential and complex matters, including challenging team and family dynamics. Amy helps CEOs and Leadership Teams achieve the utmost success through exploring their current thoughts and patterns of behavior while supporting them as they create shifts to increase performance, professional relationships, awareness and peace. Amy has 30 years of experience in leadership, transformational change, negotiation and executive coaching across sectors. She has led client engagements ranging from large-scale mergers and acquisitions, organizational change, and cultural integrations. Amy holds a J.D. from New York Law School, Executive Coaching Certification from Columbia University and B.A. from University of New Hampshire. Her past employers include J.P. Morgan, Union Bank of Switzerland, PIMCO and U.S. Trust. Amy has been a guest on CNN to discuss the topic of harassment in the workplace. She is a well-known speaker on the topic of Family Dynamics, Performance Coaching and Acquisitions. This is not about being confrontational. It’s about being honest. It’s about understanding the difference between peace and avoidance, and learning how to reclaim your voice without burning bridges. In this episode, we explore: Why avoiding difficult conversations creates fear, dysfunction, and lost potential The emotional dynamics that silently shape families, teams, and organizations The difference between technical problems and adaptive (human) challenges How self-awareness, intentional listening, and inquiry rebuild trust Why psychological safety and dignity are foundational—not optional—for performance About the Guest:Amy Brodsky is a performance coach and advisor who helps CEOs, leadership teams, and families navigate high-stakes conversations, succession planning, and deeply rooted relational challenges. With a background spanning Wall Street, HR leadership, and organizational behavior, Amy brings rigor, compassion, and clarity to the conversations that matter most. www.skyconsulting.org www.linkedin.com/in/amybrodsky Key Timestamps: 00:02 – Peace vs. avoidance: what silence really costs 08:14 – Emotional dynamics and why we’re never taught to communicate 16:36 – Trust, succession, and the real reasons families and companies fail 21:20 – Technical vs. adaptive challenges explained 35:28 – How assumptions derail relationships 39:10 – Final reflections: courage, fear, and choosing growth Call to Action:Subscribe to A World of Difference, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who needs permission to speak up. Visit loriadamsbrown.com to learn more and stay connected. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 m
  • Unpaid, Unseen, and Expected: How the Pastor’s Wife Role Replaced Women’s Ordination with Dr. Beth Allison Barr (Best of 2025)
    Jan 31 2026
    What happens when faith communities quietly replace women’s leadership with unpaid, invisible labor? In this powerful Best of 2025 #1 top most downloaded episode of 2025 re-release, historian and bestselling author Dr. Beth Allison Barr joins Lori Adams-Brown to unpack how the role of the “pastor’s wife” became a substitute for women’s ordination—and the deep harm that followed. Drawing from her book Becoming the Pastor’s Wife, Beth combines rigorous historical research with lived experience to show how a once-fluid vision of women’s leadership in Christianity narrowed dramatically in the late 20th century. What emerges is a sobering picture: women expected to perform the equivalent of multiple full-time jobs for free, while being told their obedience—not their gifts—is God’s highest calling. Together, Lori and Beth explore how this shift didn’t happen gradually, but almost overnight, during the Southern Baptist Convention’s fundamentalist takeover. They discuss the psychological toll on women, the myth of “biblical womanhood,” and how patriarchy often survives by recruiting women to enforce it. This conversation isn’t just about church history—it’s about power, unpaid labor, identity, and what happens when women are asked to disappear for the sake of “peace.” In this episode, we cover: How marriage replaced ordination as women’s path to ministry The myth of the “ideal” pastor’s wife and its emotional toll Why unpaid labor is framed as godliness—and why that’s harmful How women are pitted against one another inside patriarchal systems What it could look like for women to work together instead Guest Bio:Beth Allison Barr is a medieval historian, professor, and bestselling author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood. Her work bridges history, faith, and gender, helping readers recover the erased stories of women in Christianity. Key Timestamps: 00:05 – The forgotten legacy of Willie Dawson 12:30 – Dorothy Patterson’s hats & the performance of submission 19:40 – The “patriarchal bargain” explained 24:15 – The emotional cost of being the ideal pastor’s wife 27:40 – A vision for working together, not competing Call to Action:Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone navigating faith, leadership, or invisible labor. Visit our podcast website or loriadamsbrown.com for more resources. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 m
  • Permission to Feel It All: Gratitude, Resilience, and Authentic Leadership with Lori Adams-Brown (Best of 2025)
    Jan 21 2026
    Some conversations stay with us because they name what we’ve been living but haven’t had words for yet. This episode is one of those moments, a reminder that gratitude does not require us to deny our pain, and authenticity does not demand perfection. As we revisit this Thanksgiving message, one of the most downloaded and shared episodes of the year, Lori reflects on what it means to hold multiple truths at the same time. In a year marked by layoffs, uncertainty, grief, and global upheaval, this episode offers permission to be honest and grateful, resilient and tender. This is not a call to toxic positivity. It’s an invitation to courageous leadership by showing up fully human, holding space for ourselves and others, and leading with compassion even when life is messy. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Why gratitude and grief are not opposites, and why leaders need both How holding “two truths” builds psychological safety and trust The difference between compassion and dismissal during times of loss What authentic leadership looks like in seasons of uncertainty Practical ways to support others facing layoffs, trauma, or transition Guest BioLori Adams-Brown is the host of A World of Difference and a globally minded leadership expert focused on difference, resilience, and authentic leadership. With decades of cross-cultural experience, Lori creates spaces where leaders learn to show up fully human while making meaningful impact. Key Moments 00:00 – Why this message resonated so deeply with listeners 02:10 – Holding gratitude and grief at the same time 04:30 – Trauma, empathy, and the power of being witnessed 06:55 – How to truly support someone after a layoff 09:10 – Joy, purpose, and showing up in your strengths If this episode resonates, subscribe to A World of Difference, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Your support helps the community grow and keeps these important conversations going. If you are looking for your next opportunity, sign up for Lori’s Masterclass on Master the Career Pivot: https://www.loriadamsbrown.com/careerpivot Difference Makers who are podcast listeners get 10% off with the code: DIFFERENT Learn more at loriadamsbrown.com. Are you on Substack? Lori is too. Find her here: https://loriadamsbrown.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 m
  • How to Succeed in a New Job Fast: 90-Day Onboarding, Stakeholder Mapping, Upskilling & AI with Dr. Shweta Miglani (Best of 2025)
    Jan 14 2026
    Ever started a new job and realized the “real work” isn’t just the work. It’s learning the culture, the decision-making rhythm, and what success actually looks like? In this re-released best-of conversation, Dr. Shweta Miglani breaks down the small, practical moves that help you ramp faster, build credibility, and grow your career without burning out. Dr. Miglani shares how her journey began in journalism, pivoted through learning science and instructional design, and expanded into global talent management and organizational development—supporting leaders across industries and countries. Together, we talk about what separates professionals who thrive quickly from those who stay stuck: proactive communication, stakeholder mapping, clear expectations, and learning how to lead with both strategy and humanity. You’ll hear actionable guidance for your first 90 days, how to make your one-on-ones count, and why emotional intelligence and cultural intelligence matter even more as AI transforms the workplace. If you’re stepping into a new role, navigating a career pivot, or leading across cultures, this one will give you a playbook you can actually use. Main topics we cover: The #1 mistake people make in a new job—and how to avoid it How to prepare for one-on-ones so you’re seen as a true partner Stakeholder mapping: the career accelerator most people skip Upskilling/reskilling + AI: what leaders must unlearn to adapt EQ + CQ: why “being more human” is the competitive advantage Dr. Shweta Miglani is a global talent and organizational development leader with deep experience across major companies, helping modern organizations build leadership, culture, and capability. She holds a doctorate in leadership development and organizational enablement and is the author of Navigate Your Career: Strategies for Success in New Roles or Promotions by Wiley press. Timestamps (approximate): 00:00 — BetterHelp + why support matters 01:30 — Why this best-of episode is back 04:30 — Shweta’s career pivot and the mentor question that changed everything 13:30 — The biggest early-career mistakes in a new role 20:00 — What high performers do differently (prep, proactivity, follow-through) 30:30 — Talent development trends: skilling + AI 40:30 — EQ/CQ and leading “more human” in an AI world 52:00 — The one leadership move: lead with your values + clear expectations 58:30 — “Difference Maker” community: planning, stakeholder map, managing up Subscribe, leave a review, Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone starting a new role or navigating a pivot. Your support helps the community grow and keeps these important conversations going. Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube Substack If you need professional help, such as therapy: https://www.betterhelp.com/difference If you are looking for your next opportunity, sign up for Lori’s Masterclass on Master the Career Pivot: https://www.loriadamsbrown.com/careerpivot Difference Makers who are podcast listeners get 10% offf with the code: DIFFERENT Get 50% off your first 2 months with Riverside: https://riverside.cello.so/ErHyXrgXYn3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 m
  • How to Unlock Hidden Talent at Scale: Skills, Mobility & the Inside Gig with Dr. Edie Goldberg (Best of 2025)
    Jan 8 2026
    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 agility. Why internal talent marketplaces are transforming how work gets done How skills-based approaches future-proof organizations amid constant change What “job crafting” really means—and how it helps prevent burnout How AI can reduce work (not increase it) when used thoughtfully Why widening pathways to talent is both a moral and business imperative Dr. Goldberg is the founder of E. L. Goldberg & Associates, a nationally recognized expert in HR strategy, and the author of The Inside Gig. She previously served as Global Leader for Learning and Development at Towers Perrin and recently chaired the board of the SHRM Foundation, where she helps mobilize HR as a force for positive social change. You’ll also hear concrete examples from organizations like Cisco Systems and HERE Technologies, showing how internal mobility saved millions, boosted engagement, and created more resilient teams. 05:40 – What industrial-organizational psychology teaches us about work 14:20 – The birth of internal talent marketplaces 21:10 – How skills-based strategy saves millions 28:30 – Burnout, job crafting, and deconstructing work 36:45 – Widening access to opportunity through HR 🎧 Listen now and discover why developing talent from within isn’t just smart—it’s essential. 👉 Subscribe, leave a review, and explore more at https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com https://www.linkedin.com/company/aworldofdifference/ https://www.facebook.com/A-World-of-Difference-613933132591673/ https://www.instagram.com/aworldof.difference https://www.patreon.com/aworldofdifference https://bsky.app/profile/aworldofdifference.bsky.social https://www.tiktok.com/@aworldofdifference https://loriadamsbrown.substack.com Subscribe to the podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with someone who might need to hear it. Your support helps the community grow and keeps these important conversations going. If you need professional help, such as therapy: https://www.betterhelp.com/difference If you are looking for your next opportunity, sign up for Lori’s Masterclass on Master the Career Pivot: https://www.loriadamsbrown.com/careerpivot Difference Makers who are podcast listeners get 10% offf with the code: DIFFERENT Get 50% off your first 2 months with Riverside: https://riverside.cello.so/ErHyXrgXYn3 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 m
  • Books That Shaped 2025: Essential Reads for Difference Makers with Lori Adams-Brown
    Dec 31 2025
    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 authors joined the podcast this year; others quietly transformed Lori’s thinking behind the scenes. Together, they form a powerful reading list for anyone committed to doing good work without losing themselves in the process. This episode is also a reminder: your voice matters. Whether you’re job searching, leading a team, serving your community, or recovering from burnout, these books offer language, courage, and perspective for the road ahead. In this episode, we explore: How leadership is evolving in the age of AI—and why authenticity matters more than ever What psychologically safe workplaces actually require (beyond values on a wall) Courage, agency, and presence in times of uncertainty Navigating toxic workplaces without sacrificing your dignity Why being “nice” can keep us stuck—and what real change requires Featured authors and books include: AI for the Authentic Leader Any Dumbass Can Do It Courage Over Fear Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies The Price of Nice Perceptive The Psychological Safety Playbook Unforgettable Presence Navigating Your Career All the Cool Girls Get Fired Becoming the Pastor’s Wife The Well-Trained Wife and I Belong to Me Key Moments: 00:01 – Why books matter to difference makers 00:03 – Leadership, AI, and early voices at the table 00:06 – Courage, agency, and toxic workplaces 00:10 – Psychological safety and inclusive leadership 00:14 – Career pivots, presence, and visibility 00:18 – Religious trauma, recovery, and hope 00:19 – A message of encouragement for those navigating uncertainty ✨ Call to Action:Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow difference maker.Visit https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com for more resources and episodes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    25 m
  • Lori Adams-Brown on Kindness Is Its Own Strength When Leading, A Holiday Reflection
    Dec 17 2025
    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 more critical. This reflection episode comes at a time when many executives are facing impossible choices between convenience and character. From ICE raids affecting Venezuelan asylum seekers to the McKinsey study showing gender parity gaps widening, from AI bias in compensation algorithms to the cultural wars targeting women in the workplace. The stakes for values-driven leadership have never been higher. I share personal reflections on navigating leadership challenges this year, including difficult decisions about walking away when values alignment disappeared. Drawing from childhood Christmas traditions in Venezuela to recent experiences in Denmark's hygge culture, this episode explores what it means to choose integrity over convenience. The courage to exit misaligned situations - Why walking away when values don't align isn't failure, but integrity, and how to recognize when it's time to make that difficult choice. Listening as leadership in divided times - How genuine listening to understand becomes your most powerful tool when relationships have become increasingly transactional. Human-centered approaches in the AI era - Why protecting dignity, voice, and agency matters more than ever as artificial intelligence transforms how we work. The strength of kindness framework - How to reject the false choice between being kind and being strong, and why authentic leaders embody both simultaneously. Building psychological safety through vulnerability - Practical ways to create environments where people can push back, make mistakes, and grow without fear of retaliation. The episode also touches on global perspectives that shape authentic leadership, from celebrating Maria Corina Machado's Nobel Peace Prize to learning from Denmark's egalitarian happiness model. These experiences remind us that our differences aren't the problem. They're the path forward. If you've ever questioned whether you can maintain your values while navigating complex organizational politics, or wondered how to lead with both strength and humanity, this reflection will help you clarify what matters most as you head into the new year. What You'll Discover The courage to exit misaligned situations - Why walking away when values don't align isn't failure, but integrity, and how to recognize when it's time to make that difficult choice. Listening as leadership in divided times - How genuine listening to understand becomes your most powerful tool when relationships have become increasingly transactional. Human-centered approaches in the AI era - Why protecting dignity, voice, and agency matters more than ever as artificial intelligence transforms how we work. The strength of kindness framework - How to reject the false choice between being kind and being strong, and why authentic leaders embody both simultaneously. Building psychological safety through vulnerability - Practical ways to create environments where people can push back, make mistakes, and grow without fear of retaliation. https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Subscribe, leave a review, and share episode 10% off therapy Master the Career Pivot. 10% off with code: DIFFERENT Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 m