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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
  • How to Spot Red Flags Before Accepting Your Next Role: Insider Interview Strategies with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett

    How to Spot Red Flags Before Accepting Your Next Role: Insider Interview Strategies with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett
    Sep 10 2025
    What if the one thing that could save your sanity at work isn’t learning to “tough it out”—but actually doing the exact opposite? Dr. Laura Hamley Lovett spent 25 years studying toxic bosses and she’s not just got the research, she’s got the receipts from her own career. In this episode, she uncovers survival tactics you’ve probably never considered, reveals the surprising signs you might be walking into a toxic environment before you even accept the offer, and shares why the people who care the most often get targeted the hardest. But here’s the twist: the real game-changer for escaping toxic leadership isn’t what you think. Ready to find out what it is—and why it might change everything for your career and your mental health? In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how to survive toxic bosses and workplaces without losing your sanity or passion for your career. Learn strategies for navigating toxic leadership that protect your mental health and keep you moving forward. Spot red flags in job interviews early to avoid stepping into a toxic work environment. Understand the hidden impact toxic bosses have on your mental health and how to shield yourself from burnout. Build a supportive network that empowers you to stand strong against workplace toxicity and thrive. My special guest is Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett DR. LAURA HAMBLEY LOVETT is an organizational psychologist and thought leader sought-after internationally for her expertise on workplace culture, career development, toxic leadership, and burnout. Along with her 25 years of experience in her field, she holds a PhD in industrial/organizational psychology from the University of Calgary, where she is currently an adjunct professor. A passionate entrepreneur, she has founded several psychology practices in Canada and hosts the widely followed podcast Where Work Meets Life. In addition to I Wish I’d Quit Sooner, she has published two psychological thrillers, Losing Cadence and Finding Sophie, aimed at both captivating readers and raising awareness on important topics around mental health and domestic violence, currently being adapted for a TV series. Dr. Laura is also co-founder of the WITH HER movement focused on ending violence against women and girls. She received a Canadian Women of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. The key moments in this episode are: 00:01:20 - Defining Toxic Bosses vs Difficult Bosses with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett 00:05:30 - Survival Strategies When Stuck with a Toxic Boss 00:11:40 - The Psychological Contract and Reframing Mindset to Cope 00:13:30 - Avoiding Toxic Bosses in Future Roles and Importance of Empathy 00:14:16 - Understanding Why Empaths Attract Toxic Bosses and Narcissists 00:16:01 - How to Avoid Reporting to a Toxic Boss: Due Diligence and Networking Strategies 00:18:21 - Assessing Workplace Culture and Leadership Authenticity Before Joining 00:22:37 - Why Organizations Retain Toxic Rock Star Leaders Despite Talent Loss 00:26:47 - Toxic Leadership’s Role in Burnout and Effective Systemic Interventions 00:28:45 - Understanding Toxic Leadership and Generational Burnout 00:30:00 - Navigating Multi-Generational Workplaces and Emotional Intelligence 00:33:00 - Advocating for Workplace Flexibility and Neurodiversity Inclusion 00:36:00 - Eradicating Toxic Leadership for Healthy Organizational Culture 00:37:30 - Parallels Between Workplace Toxicity and Gender-Based Violence 00:42:43 - Recognizing and Overcoming Toxic Leadership in the Workplace Check out the exclusive bonus episode coming soon with Dr. Lovett on Patreon at www.patreon.com/theWorldofDifference. Pre-order or purchase Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett’s book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner, available for pre-order and soon on her website, Dr. Laura Live. Listen to the Where Work Meets Life podcast with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett. Get 10% off your first month of therapy with BetterHelp by signing up at www.betterhelp.com/difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 mins
  • Empowering Vulnerable Youth: A Conversation with Dr. Pamela Donnelly

    Empowering Vulnerable Youth: A Conversation with Dr. Pamela Donnelly
    Sep 3 2025
    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 foster children. Insights into trauma-informed care and its importance in education. The role of AI and digital mentors in career readiness. Challenges and triumphs in scaling educational equity. Call to Action: Explore more about the American Access Institute and the Catapult platform through the links in our show notes. For exclusive content, join our Patreon community for a deeper dive into Dr. Donnelly's personal experiences and motivations. Learn more: https://americanaccessinstitute.org https://mentorship.pameladonnelly.com https://openthegate.usYouTube: @CollegeAdmissionsSimplified Instagram @pamelamdonnelly Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    45 mins
  • Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher From Kenya to Washington DC: Lessons from Missionary Kids on History, Identity, and Evangelical America

    Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher From Kenya to Washington DC: Lessons from Missionary Kids on History, Identity, and Evangelical America
    Aug 27 2025
    Ever wondered how growing up between worlds can actually make you see your own culture more clearly? This conversation with Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher flips the script on what it means to be a missionary kid—not just as someone with wild stories or an identity crisis, but as a kind of secret decoder for understanding white evangelicalism’s grip on American politics. There’s a moment here where a single high school banquet in Kenya, complete with a Confederate flag, opens up a whole hidden history most of us never learned in Sunday school. What if the very things you thought were just “normal” missionary experiences are actually the missing puzzle pieces for understanding the rise of Christian nationalism today? Stick around, because the connections Holly draws between global childhoods and the current culture wars in the U.S. will surprise you—and might even change how you see your own story. In this episode, you will be able to: Explore how white evangelicalism shapes political landscapes and influences key decisions that affect society. Discover the unique role missionary kids play in decoding the complexities of evangelical culture worldwide. Understand the challenges third culture kids face as they navigate identity, belonging, and faith across different worlds. Trace the historical roots of Christian nationalism to see how it impacts modern cultural and political conversations. My special guest is Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher Holly Berkley Fletcher is an author and historian who really knows what it means to live between worlds. Raised in Kenya as the daughter of Southern Baptist missionaries, Holly attended Rift Valley Academy and grew up balancing both her American roots and the culture around her. Her background extends far beyond childhood, though—she earned a PhD in American Studies, taught at the university level, and later worked as a CIA analyst specializing in Africa. Holly’s life as a third culture kid gives her a distinctive lens on white evangelicalism and Christian nationalism, while her research dives into how missionary kids navigate the complicated push and pull of belonging and identity. She brings a clear-eyed, honest perspective that connects personal experience with bigger questions about faith, power, and the impact of evangelical culture around the globe. The key moments in this episode are:00:11:00 - The Emotional Challenges of MKs: Privilege, Grief, and Sacrifice 00:13:30 - Impact of Missions on White Evangelicalism’s Global Narrative 00:14:05 - The American Influence on Global Evangelicalism and Missions 00:17:00 - Navigating the Complexities of Missionary Identity and Cultural Systems 00:19:01 - Missionaries’ Political Complicity and Moral Accountability 00:23:18 - Practical Ways Missionaries Can Advocate for Justice Amid Political Pressures 00:26:43 - The Disconnect Between American Evangelical Consumers and Missionary Realities 00:27:56 - Origins and Evolution of Christian Nationalism in White Evangelicalism 00:29:06 - Growing Up as a Missionary Kid Abroad and Its Impact 00:33:14 - The Authoritarian Culture of Evangelicalism and Biblical Inerrancy 00:36:40 - Favorite Books and Writers on Missions and Analysis 00:39:19 - Resilience of Missionary Kids and Comparing History Writing to Intelligence Analysis 00:41:07 - Common Stereotypes and Misconceptions About Missionary Kids 00:42:00 - Navigating Trauma and the Danger of Simplistic Narratives 00:43:44 - Complicity and Accountability Within Missionary Communities Order the book The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism by Dr. Holly Berkley Fletcher Join the Patreon community for exclusive content at https://patreon.com/aworldofdifference. Read A Just Mission by Mekdes Haddis for a non-white American perspective on missions. Subscribe to The Bulwark newsletter for insightful commentary (paid subscription recommended for Jonathan V. Last’s Triad newsletter). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
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