A World of Difference

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

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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.

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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 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

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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 Smith, COO of TCK Training and trauma-informed care practitioner, has spent over a decade researching how unprocessed experiences shape workplace behavior, and the findings will change how you think about leadership entirely.

From her base in Vietnam, where she's currently traveling through her 27th country with her family, Elizabeth brings a unique perspective on how global mobility, cultural transitions, and everyday workplace interactions can create lasting impacts on our nervous systems. Her research shows that while "big T" traumas like natural disasters rarely trigger workplace responses, it's the "little t" traumas, those moments that make us feel helpless or unsafe, that create the biggest leadership challenges.

In this conversation, Elizabeth reveals why that simple phrase "we need to talk" sends so many employees into panic mode, and how leaders can make tiny pivots that completely transform team dynamics. She shares the difference between cultural adaptation and trauma response, and explains why some of your most valuable employees might be operating in survival mode while appearing to be your top performers.

Here are 5 key insights you can expect from this episode on building psychologically safe, high-performing teams:

If you've ever wondered why some team members seem to overreact to normal workplace situations, or if you're a globally mobile professional trying to understand your own responses to leadership and change, this conversation provides both the research and the practical tools you need. Elizabeth's work proves that trauma-informed leadership isn't just compassionate. It's strategic, profitable, and essential for building the kinds of teams where people actually want to stay and grow.

00:00:00
The Hidden Reality of Workplace Trauma

00:02:58
From Papua New Guinea to Global Leadership

00:07:19
Understanding Big T vs Little T Trauma at Work

00:11:59
Building Psychological Safety Through Curiosity

00:15:56
Trauma vs Cultural Differences in the Workplace

00:19:55
The Unexpected Benefits of Trauma Experience

00:26:52
Preventing Burnout Through Recovery Skills

00:30:27
Research Insights on Workplace Psychological Safety

00:37:34
Managing Fear-Based Leadership and Dark Triad Personalities

00:42:29
Connecting with Trauma-Informed Leadership Resources including her book Trauma-Informed Leadership

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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 her understanding of feedback, how a simple question about an engineer's character in Egypt opened her eyes to relationship-versus-task orientations, and why cultural competence is now listed as a top future skill by the World Economic Forum.

But this isn't just about working with international teams. Whether you're navigating subcultures within your own organization or building bridges in your local community, the principles Maria Angela shares will change how you see leadership itself.

⁠https://www.allopoli.com⁠

⁠Maria Angela Calmet⁠

Here are 5 key insights you can expect from this episode on building cultural competence as a leader:

If you've ever wondered why your best intentions sometimes create the worst outcomes when working across cultures, this conversation will give you the framework to lead with curiosity instead of judgment. The future belongs to leaders who can see the world through multiple cultural lenses—and Maria Angela shows you exactly how to develop that vision.

00:04:08
Three Cultures That Shaped a Global Leader

00:06:20
Building Allopoli: Creating Communities Across Cultural Differences

00:11:39
Why Cultural Competence is the Future of Leadership

00:16:00
Task vs Relationship: When Cultural Worldviews Clash in Business

00:20:48
Four Essential Leadership Competencies for Global Success

00:25:44
Breaking Barriers: Women Leaders in Latin America's Patriarchal Culture

00:33:11
From Offense to Understanding: How Dutch Directness Changed Everything

00:37:06
Beyond Surface Culture: Understanding the Roots of Cultural Differences

What You'll Learn

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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 hold multiple truths simultaneously—the joy and the suffering, the wins and the losses, the hope and the heartbreak.

This isn't about pretending everything is fine when layoffs are decimating Silicon Valley, elections are dividing communities, and talented professionals are being pushed out simply for having a voice. Instead, it's about the kind of authentic leadership that allows both you and your team to show up as complete humans walking through difficult things together.

I reveal why being an empathetic witness to others' struggles is one of the most powerful leadership tools you'll ever develop, and share the specific ways you can show up for team members facing job loss without falling into the trap of dismissive "compliments" that actually make things worse.

What you'll discover:

If you've ever wondered how to lead with both strength and vulnerability, or how to create psychological safety while acknowledging real workplace difficulties, this episode offers a framework for authentic leadership that doesn't sacrifice honesty for optimism.

00:00:00
Authentic Leadership Through Gratitude and Community Connection

00:02:16
Holding Multiple Truths - Gratitude Amid Suffering and Trauma

00:05:23
Values-Driven Leadership and Personal Board of Directors

00:05:25
Supporting Others Through Job Loss and Career Transitions

00:11:57
Community Impact and Podcast Growth Through Shared Conversations

00:12:47
Mental Health Resources and Professional Support Systems

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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 you stay human when the tools you're using aren't?

Her new book, AI for the Authentic Leader, isn't about becoming an AI expert—it's about alignment, presence, and whether the future of leadership will amplify our humanity or quietly erase it.

In this conversation, Allison reveals where most leaders are already falling out of alignment without realizing it. She shares why vocal fry in AI assistants could literally program weakness into future voices, and explains the critical mistake executives make with AI that actually undermines their credibility.

Find out more about Allison on her website.

Here are 5 key insights you can expect from this episode on balancing human connection and AI efficiency:

If you've ever wondered whether you can use AI tools without losing your authentic voice, this episode will change how you think about both technology and leadership. The future belongs to leaders who can harness AI while staying deeply human—and this conversation shows you exactly how to do it.

00:01:30
AI and Authentic Leadership Introduction

00:03:02
Finding Your Voice Through Travel

00:05:54
Using AI to Amplify, Not Replace Your Voice

00:10:07
The Critical Importance of Alignment

00:15:20
Public Speaking as Leadership

00:18:03
Finding Your Authentic Voice with "Why You"

00:22:20
Overcoming AI Fear and Resistance

00:26:31
AI's Dangerous Vocal Programming

00:31:19
Maintaining Authenticity with AI Tools

00:35:13
Building Confidence in the AI Era

00:40:41
Connecting with Allison and Resources

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Lori Adams-Brown, a Strategic Transformation Executive, Board Director, Global Speaker and Podcast Host challenges audiences to get clear on your personal values, to speak up when there is a values misalignment, and to reject self-limiting beliefs that hold leaders back in an era of capitulation from Silicon Valley to Washington DC.

Who we are as leaders matters, and getting clear on your personal values, working on self-awareness and letting our values be our filter in decisions matters a great deal in leadership today. Lori speaks about why now is the time to speak up. Whether you serve on a board, in a C-suite, in a university, or an NGO, this is the time to share your perspective. The worlds needs your voice, your perspective, and better decisions are made around decision-making tables when you speak up.

Lori Adams-Brown is a strategic transformation executive, board director, and sought-after speaker who helps CEOs prevent the $10M blind spots that erode trust, lose top talent, and kill billion-dollar opportunities.

For over 20 years, she's advised Fortune 100 C-suites and global leaders on organizational effectiveness that mitigates business risk and accelerates growth. She's architected AI-enabled leadership programs across seven global cities that elevated manager effectiveness 48%, contributed to $1B+ revenue, and transformed cultures where humans flourish and businesses scale.

Lori has directed $16M budgets, built programs in 11 countries in five languages, and coordinated UN disaster relief serving 2,000+ stakeholders. She serves on the boards of the Center for Creative Leadership and How Women Lead, and hosts the top 3% podcast A World of Difference.

She holds an M.A. in Intercultural Studies, speaks six languages, and has lived on three continents.

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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.

My special guest is Mita Mallick

Mallick is a highly sought-after speaker who has advised Fortune 500

companies and start-ups alike. She is a LinkedIn Top Voice and was named to the Thinkers 50 Radar List. She’s a contributor to Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, Adweek, and Entrepreneur. Mallick has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Time Magazine, Forbes, Axios, Essence, Cosmopolitan Magazine and Business Insider. Mallick holds a B.A. from Barnard College, Columbia University and an M.B.A. from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Key topics: leadership, workplace culture, bad bosses, mental health, self-awareness

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So, what if the “messy middle” moments in your life—the stuff you’d rather sweep under the rug—are actually secret doorways to real creativity? Laura Munson, bestselling author and founder of Haven writing retreats, has wandered from Montana’s wild woods to ancient stones in Ireland, and she’s convinced that wonder isn’t something you stumble across—it’s something you can choose, even in the thick of heartbreak or change. Turns out, the story you’ve been telling yourself might just be the prologue. But here’s the twist: what if your biggest breakthroughs actually start when you stop trying so hard to “be creative” and start letting yourself just be? There’s a pretty wild story behind how Laura’s own life detours unlocked something unexpected for her (and for the writers who show up at her retreats). Want to know what happens when you give yourself permission to wonder again? Stick around…

In this episode, you will be able to:

Discover how life’s toughest challenges can unlock unexpected personal transformation and deeper self-awareness.

Experience the unique ways writing retreats can ignite growth and unlock creative potential in your journey.

Explore how embracing life’s surprises can open new paths to creativity and self-expression.

Cultivate a sense of wonder in everyday moments to enhance emotional resilience and bring fresh meaning to your life.

Build resilience by learning how storytelling connects your experiences and strengthens your authentic voice.

My special guest is

LAURA MUNSON is the New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling author of the novel Willa’s Grove and the memoir This Is Not The Story You Think It Is. Founder of the acclaimed Haven Writing Retreats, she has been featured or published in Vanity Fair, Elle, Redbook, Time, Newsweek, The New York Times “Modern Love” column, The New York Times Magazine, O, The Oprah Magazine, and many others. She has appeared on Good Morning America, The Early Show, WGN, NPR, London’s This Morning, Australia’s Sunrise, and other global media outlets. She lives in Whitefish, Montana.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:07:03 - The Power of Storytelling and Finding Safe Listeners
00:09:18 - Travel as a Catalyst for Wonder and Personal Transformation
00:13:05 - Embracing Awe and Travel to Ignite Curiosity and Wonder
00:15:50 - The Value of Being Present and Slowing Down Through Travel and Life
00:19:31 - Finding Your Unique Voice and Creativity by Reconnecting with Inner Truth
00:21:47 - Cultivating Wonder and Empathy as Foundations for Connection and Civilization
00:23:29 - Writing True and Listening Deeply: Pathways to Self-Discovery and Connection
00:25:02 - The Power of Vulnerability and Storytelling in Personal Growth
00:27:05 - Cultivating Mindfulness and Wonder Through Journaling
00:29:57 - Mindfulness and Creativity in a Fast-Paced, Tech-Driven World
00:31:02 - Origins and Purpose of Haven Writing Retreats
00:34:26 - Writing as a Therapeutic Tool for Emotional Clarity
00:37:07 - Discovering Your Natural Strengths with the Working Genius Assessment
00:37:41 - Embracing Wonder as a Vital Life Force
00:38:17 - Supporting Independent Bookstores and Creative Communities
00:39:11 - Choosing Wonder and Creativity in Life’s Challenges

Visit lauramunson.com to learn more about Laura Munson’s writing, in-person retreats, and online community Haven Nest.

Go to Haven Writing Retreats to find information and sign up for Laura Munson’s transformative writing retreats in Montana and around the world.

Purchase The Wild Why: Stories and Teachings to Uncover Your Wonder by Laura Munson, preferably through independent bookstores or online at bookshop.org to support local booksellers.

Access exclusive extended conversations and bonus content by becoming a Patreon supporter at patreon.com/aworldofdifference.

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