Emotions of Change
Changemaking isn’t just strategy, indicators, or mission statements. It’s deeply emotional.
In this show, we dive into the emotions behind doing work that tries to make the world a better place. From anger to compassion, anxiety to joy, we’re here to share things we don’t usually see in LinkedIn posts or slide decks.
Why does this matter?
Because when you're trying to create change, feeling a lot is not only normal, it’s inevitable. Yet we rarely get space to understand how those emotions shape our work. That’s what this show is here for.
In each episode we explore one emotion through the raw, unfiltered story of a woman leading change somewhere in the world. These are not polished success stories. They’re honest and brave stories from the messy middle - the vulnerable, often invisible parts of change-making.
Then, we speak with guides - philosophers, therapists, practitioners - who help us learn how to navigate these emotions in ways that support both our well-being and our well-doing.
We made this podcast to help change-makers like you feel less alone and more supported in your emotional journey to make a difference.
If you’re doing the work and feeling everything that comes with it - we made this for you.
🎧 Come join us! 🎧
Emotions of Change
The grief that doesn't end by Monday
Ep. 5 - The grief that doesn’t end by Monday: Jess Schulschenk and Bayo Akomoloafe on Grief
What if grief isn’t just about losing someone you love, but also about stepping away from work you once loved?
In this episode of Emotions of Change, we sit with Jess, a South African change-maker who, for a time, led an innovative sustainability initiative in her country. Until she realized it was time to let go.
Her grief wasn’t just professional. It was ecological, political, and deeply personal - grief for the oceans she once loved, the promise of post-apartheid South Africa, and a role that had shaped her for decades.
We’re also joined by philosopher and psychologist Bayo Akomolafe, who helps us explore grief not as something to fix, but something to feel through. He calls it a wild god, one that arrives not to break us, but to make us different.
This episode is for anyone navigating a liminal space, wondering how to let go of what no longer fits and how to stay open to what might come next.
Further information:
Need support on your leadership journey to foster sustainable change? Join the next cohort of inspiring women in the group coaching and leadership training programs offered by The Great Full: www.thegreatfull.com
To read the full transcript from my interview with Bayo, scroll to the bottom of the episode page and sign up for the extra resources for the podcast: www.thegreatfull.com/eoc-podcast/ep5-grief-doesnt-end-by-monday
For more information about Jess and her work, visit her website:
https://www.jessschulschenk.com/
For more information about Bayo and his work, visit his website:
https://www.bayoakomolafe.net/
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