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A World of Difference

A World of Difference

By: Lori Adams-Brown
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 Tired of the same old leadership advice? Step into a new era of leadership with the A World of Difference podcast. Hosted by Silicon Valley tech executive, global leadership expert, and advisor to Silicon Valley CEOs, Lori Adams-Brown, this podcast is for leaders who want more than just surface-level strategies—they want to lead with authenticity, purpose, and impact. Each episode features real stories and hard-won lessons from authentic leaders across industries who have faced challenges, embraced change, and built inclusive cultures that drive success. Whether you’re leading a team, scaling a business, or making a difference in your community, this podcast gives you the tools to lead boldly and inspire real change. If you’re ready to move beyond traditional leadership, subscribe now and discover how to lead with authenticity and create the lasting impact you’ve always dreamed of.© 2023 Lori Adams-Brown Economics Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • The Human Is The Loop Not Just In It When Leading in the AI Revolution with Allison Shapira

    The Human Is The Loop Not Just In It When Leading in the AI Revolution with Allison Shapira
    Nov 19 2025
    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: The AI Authenticity Loop framework - Why the human isn't just "in the loop" but is the loop, and how this mindset shift changes everything. The "Why You?" question - A powerful tool for finding your authentic voice before crafting any message or entering any high-stakes conversation. Value-centered AI alignment - How to use AI tools to amplify your best authentic self rather than outsourcing your voice entirely. The vocal fry warning - Why AI voice assistants are programming vocal weakness into future generations and what leaders can do about it. Practical boundaries for AI use - A simple test to determine when AI assistance is appropriate and when human-only effort demonstrates true value. 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. 00:01:30AI and Authentic Leadership Introduction 00:03:02Finding Your Voice Through Travel 00:05:54Using AI to Amplify, Not Replace Your Voice 00:10:07The Critical Importance of Alignment 00:15:20Public Speaking as Leadership 00:18:03Finding Your Authentic Voice with "Why You" 00:22:20Overcoming AI Fear and Resistance 00:26:31AI's Dangerous Vocal Programming 00:31:19Maintaining Authenticity with AI Tools 00:35:13Building Confidence in the AI Era 00:40:41Connecting with Allison and Resources Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube Substack FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon (for exclusive episodes just for Difference Makers) Bluesky TikTok 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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    46 mins
  • Lori Adams-Brown on Values-Driven Leadership and Speaking Up in a Time of Capitulation

    Lori Adams-Brown on Values-Driven Leadership and Speaking Up in a Time of Capitulation
    Nov 12 2025
    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. Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube Substack FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon (for exclusive episodes just for Difference Makers) Bluesky TikTok 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Transforming Workplace Culture: Insights from Mita Mallick, Author of The Devil Emails at Midnight: Leadership Lessons from Bad Bosses

    Transforming Workplace Culture: Insights from Mita Mallick, Author of The Devil Emails at Midnight: Leadership Lessons from Bad Bosses
    Nov 6 2025
    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 mother's home being flooded. Mita found an old notebook with stories about bad bosses, which inspired her book. Fear-driven workplaces may achieve short-term results but harm long-term culture. Mita shares a 'water test' to identify toxic workplaces during interviews. Setting boundaries is crucial for respect and inclusion in the workplace. Personal relationships can complicate professional decisions, especially in leadership roles. Mita emphasizes the importance of self-care for effective leadership. The conversation highlights the normalization of toxic behavior in workplaces. Mita advises doing reference checks on potential employers. The book encourages readers to learn from bad bosses to become better leaders. 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. Learning from Bad Bosses The Devil Emails at Midnight Leadership Lessons from Mita Mallick Navigating Toxic Workplaces Setting Boundaries for Success The Impact of Bad Bosses Self-Care in Leadership Identifying Toxic Workplaces The Role of Personal Relationships in Leadership Transforming Workplace Culture Key topics: leadership, workplace culture, bad bosses, mental health, self-awareness "The Devil Emails at Midnight" "Fear kills culture in the longterm" "Set boundaries for respect" "Personal relationships complicate decisions" "Self-care is key to leadership" "Normalize toxic behavior in workplaces" "Do reference checks on employers" "Learn from bad bosses" "Water test for toxic workplaces" "Respect is a basic need" 00:00:01 Introduction and Book Overview 00:00:29 Inspiration Behind the Book 00:01:27 Fear-Driven Workplaces 00:02:27 Impact of Bad Bosses 00:04:10 Setting Boundaries 00:07:30 Personal Relationships in Leadership 00:11:39 Self-Care and Leadership 00:18:54 Cultural and Personal Background 00:25:20 Advice for Navigating Workplace Dynamics 00:30:51 Conclusion and How to Connect with Mita Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Linkedin YouTube Substack FaceBook Instagram Threads Patreon (for exclusive episodes just for Difference Makers) Bluesky TikTok 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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
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