Ten Percent Braver: Championing Personal Resilience with Jaz Ampaw-Farr

Recorded live at the 2026 National Planning Conference in Detroit, this special APA Podcast episode features an intimate and uplifting conversation between host Mike Johnson and NPC26 keynote speaker Jaz Ampaw-Farr— an internationally acclaimed British motivational speaker, leadership consultant, and self described "resilience ninja". Jaz earned mainstream recognition in the UK as a candidate on Series 9 of the BBC reality show The Apprentice and later via her popular TEDx talk, The Power of Everyday Heroes. Jaz recounts her challenging upbringing in foster care, the transformative impact of five teachers who believed in her, and how sharing her story led to global speaking engagements and her acclaimed book, "Because of You, This Is Me." The conversation explores practical strategies for planners to cultivate courage and resilience, including the concept of being "10% braver"—taking small, incremental steps toward positive change. Jaz emphasizes the power of courageous conversations, reframing "should" stories that hold us back, and the importance of self-care as a foundation for serving others. She also shares advice on authentic public speaking, overcoming imposter syndrome, and connecting meaningfully with audiences. Discover how empathy, engagement, and enrollment drive effective change, why acknowledging every success matters, and how planners, like runners in a relay race, contribute to a larger legacy they may never see bloom. This episode is packed with heartfelt anecdotes, practical wisdom, and a call to action for planners and everyday heroes to write their own stories and lead with authenticity. Episode URL: https://planning.org/podcast/ten-percent-braver-championing-personal-resilience-with-jaz-ampaw-farr/ Episode Sponsor: Booked on Planning 2026 Book Summit