Lead With Soul - Tiffani Jones-Brown

Tiffani Jones Brown helped shape the voice of Pinterest, Dropbox, and other products people use every day, and she’s now using that rare gift to explore something even bigger: how we make meaning, build identity, and find purpose in work. Silvia Oviedo sits down with Tiffani for a deeply honest conversation about the through line that connects tech, spirituality, psychology, and leadership. Tiffani shares how her path moved from religious studies and divinity school into content design, why she sees her work as a kind of ethnography, and how her fascination with “the soul” of a company became the foundation for her career. You’ll discover: Why making what is implicit explicit is one of the most powerful tools for founders and creative leaders How Tiffani thinks about the tension between instinct, AI, and the need to slow down and feel through decisions The lesson she learned from betting on a “soul-centered startup” and why the risk was worth it even when the business outcome wasn’t Her practical advice for starting before you feel ready, especially when overthinking is your default How meditation, trauma work, and mindful self-compassion became core to her leadership and life Why the best teams balance dignity, care, and an uncompromising commitment to winning We also hear the story behind Divinity School, Tiffani’s new podcast about religious experience, and how her lifelong curiosity about meaning making is now powering a very different kind of creative project. Silvia brings her own founder perspective to the conversation, making this feel less like an interview and more like a roadmap for anyone trying to build a life that actually fits.This episode is essential listening if you’re navigating a career transition, building a company, leading a team, or trying to trust your own point of view in a world that moves too fast. Tiffani and Silvia leave you with a simple but powerful reminder: the next right step matters more than the perfect plan. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Tiffani's Journey 07:45 The Intersection of Tech and Spirituality 13:03 Navigating Career Transitions 17:27 Balancing Risk and Perfection 24:36 The Role of Meditation in Leadership 28:21 Building Caring and Effective Teams