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A World of Difference

A World of Difference

By: Lori Adams-Brown
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 A World of Difference: Leadership, Culture & Travel Podcast Welcome to A World of Difference, a top 3% global podcast where authentic leadership meets cross-cultural wisdom. Host Lori Adams-Brown, a strategic transformation executive and multilingual global leader, brings you real conversations with bestselling authors, nonprofit changemakers, C-suite executives, and thought leaders who are redefining what it means to lead with purpose. This isn't surface-level leadership content. We dive deep into psychological safety in leadership, organizational culture transformation, differentiation strategies, global leadership development, and how cross-cultural communication shapes the future of work. Whether you're a CEO navigating organizational change, an HR leader building inclusive cultures, or a manager seeking authentic leadership skills, these conversations will challenge how you think and lead. From travel as cultural education to ethics in business to emotional intelligence for executives, each episode offers actionable insights for leaders who believe our differences make us stronger. If you're tired of cookie-cutter business podcasts and want meaningful conversations that bridge culture, society, and leadership, you're home. Pull up a seat at the table with us.© 2023 Lori Adams-Brown Art Economics Literary History & Criticism Social Sciences Travel Writing & Commentary
Episodes
  • Why Your Best Employees Are Operating from Survival Mode Without You Knowing with Elizabeth Vahey Smith

    Why Your Best Employees Are Operating from Survival Mode Without You Knowing with Elizabeth Vahey Smith
    Dec 10 2025
    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: The 80% reality check - Why most of your team is likely carrying workplace trauma and how it's showing up in ways you haven't recognized. Big T versus little T trauma - How to distinguish between major life events and the accumulated experiences that actually create the most workplace triggers. Curiosity-led conversations - A powerful framework for starting difficult discussions that builds trust instead of triggering defensive responses. Cultural adaptation versus trauma response - How to identify whether employee reactions stem from cultural differences or deeper safety concerns. The hidden cost of hyper-vigilance - Why your most productive employees might be heading toward burnout and how to intervene before it's too late. 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. 00:00:00The Hidden Reality of Workplace Trauma 00:02:58From Papua New Guinea to Global Leadership 00:07:19Understanding Big T vs Little T Trauma at Work 00:11:59Building Psychological Safety Through Curiosity 00:15:56Trauma vs Cultural Differences in the Workplace 00:19:55The Unexpected Benefits of Trauma Experience 00:26:52Preventing Burnout Through Recovery Skills 00:30:27Research Insights on Workplace Psychological Safety 00:37:34Managing Fear-Based Leadership and Dark Triad Personalities 00:42:29Connecting with Trauma-Informed Leadership Resources including her book Trauma-Informed Leadership Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins
  • From Peru to the Netherlands to Silicon Valley: Building Leaders Who Actually Get Culture with Maria Angela Calmet

    From Peru to the Netherlands to Silicon Valley: Building Leaders Who Actually Get Culture with Maria Angela Calmet
    Dec 3 2025
    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: The Tree Analogy Framework - Why focusing on visible cultural differences (the leaves and flowers) while ignoring root beliefs and assumptions leads to persistent conflict and missed opportunities. Four Essential Leadership Competencies - The specific skills Maria Angela has identified through her global experience: effective communication, developing talent, visualizing impact, and thinking in solutions. The Fish Bowl Revelation - How to identify the cultural "water" you're swimming in and recognize unconscious biases that shape your leadership decisions without your awareness. Direct vs. Indirect Communication Reframe - Why Dutch directness taught Maria Angela that clear feedback is actually an act of kindness, and how this insight can transform your approach to difficult conversations. Relationship vs. Task Orientation - A powerful example from Egypt that demonstrates why some cultures prioritize personal character over technical competence, and what this means for building trust in global teams. 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. 00:04:08Three Cultures That Shaped a Global Leader 00:06:20Building Allopoli: Creating Communities Across Cultural Differences 00:11:39Why Cultural Competence is the Future of Leadership 00:16:00Task vs Relationship: When Cultural Worldviews Clash in Business 00:20:48Four Essential Leadership Competencies for Global Success 00:25:44Breaking Barriers: Women Leaders in Latin America's Patriarchal Culture 00:33:11From Offense to Understanding: How Dutch Directness Changed Everything 00:37:06Beyond Surface Culture: Understanding the Roots of Cultural Differences What You'll Learn Connect with us: https://www.aworldofdifferencepodcast.com Patreon (for exclusive episodes just for Difference Makers) Subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode Need therapy: get 10% off your first month Sign up for Lori’s Masterclass on Master the Career Pivot. 10% offf with the code: DIFFERENT Get 50% off your first 2 months with Riverside: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Lori Adams-Brown on The Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice That Changes How Authentic Leaders Handle Crisis and Community

    Lori Adams-Brown on The Thanksgiving Gratitude Practice That Changes How Authentic Leaders Handle Crisis and Community
    Nov 26 2025
    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: The power of holding multiple truths - How to acknowledge both gratitude and grief without falling into toxic positivity that dismisses real pain. Empathetic witness leadership - Why sharing difficulties with someone who truly listens creates healing and builds stronger team connections. Values-driven decision making - How to use your core values as a filter for leadership choices, especially during uncertain times. Supporting team members through job loss - Practical ways to help colleagues facing layoffs, plus what not to say when someone loses their job. Finding joy in your strengths - The Steph Curry principle of maintaining childlike enthusiasm for your work, even amid workplace challenges. 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. 00:00:00Authentic Leadership Through Gratitude and Community Connection 00:02:16Holding Multiple Truths - Gratitude Amid Suffering and Trauma 00:05:23Values-Driven Leadership and Personal Board of Directors 00:05:25Supporting Others Through Job Loss and Career Transitions 00:11:57Community Impact and Podcast Growth Through Shared Conversations 00:12:47Mental Health Resources and Professional Support Systems 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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    16 mins
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