FUTUREPROOF.

Send us a textHow do you build a business that thrives because of AI—not in spite of it?In this episode, we’re joined by Adam Brotman, former Chief Digital Officer at Starbucks, and Andy Sack, serial entrepreneur and longtime advisor to Microsoft, to talk about their new book: AI FIRST. Drawing insights from conversations with leaders like Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, and Bill Gates, Adam and Andy argue that being “AI-aware” isn’t enough—leaders must put AI at the center of how they operate.They break down their AI First Playbook—from building an AI council to running internal prompt competitions—and offer practical advice for making your team more adaptive, creative, and resilient in the face of rapid change.If you're leading a team, scaling a company, or just trying to keep up with the pace of innovation, this is your cheat code for the AI-powered era.Topics Discussed:Why “AI First” is a mindset, not just a tech stackWhat Sam Altman, Reid Hoffman, and Bill Gates taught them about the future of workOffense vs. defense: how to think about AI strategyThe centaur vs. cyborg model of human-AI collaborationReal-world case studies from Moderna, Suzy, and moreWhy you need an internal AI council—and how to launch oneThe cost of sitting still while your competitors experiment with genAIWhat every C-suite leader should be asking themselves in 2025Resources:AI FIRST: The Playbook for a Future-Proof Business and Brand (Harvard Business Review Press)Forum3 websiteFollow Adam Brotman and Andy Sack on LinkedIn

Send us a textWhat does it mean to lead in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms? In this episode, Jeremy Williams, certified emotional intelligence practitioner and expert on collective intelligence, argues that how we work together is becoming even more critical than what we do. As generative AI automates more functions, Williams says emotional intelligence will define the teams—and leaders—that remain relevant.We dig into the dangers of toxic positivity, the difference between cyborg leadership and “copy-paste” management, and how to operationalize emotional intelligence at scale. Jeremy also unpacks the idea of collective intelligence, why psychological safety is a business imperative, and how to future-proof your team’s humanity.Topics Discussed:What emotional intelligence really means—and why AI can't replicate itThe rise of collective intelligence and its strategic valueHow to spot toxic positivity and why it erodes trustEmotional reasoning vs. rational leadership“Copy-paste” management: the hidden risk in fast-moving orgsHow to scale emotional intelligence without making it performativePreparing teams for ambiguity, volatility, and changeHow EQ is the new “why” in an AI-powered worldResources:Follow Jeremy Williams on LinkedInThe Fluent Executive

Send us a textIs the financial system broken—or just misunderstood? Economist and author Matt Sekerke joins FUTUREPROOF. to challenge conventional wisdom on money, banking, and policy. In his new book Making Money Work (co-authored with Steve Hanke), he argues that fiat money is still king, the Fed doesn’t have as much power as we think, and the obsession with decentralization is distracting us from deeper issues. This episode dives into the real causes of inflation, how trade deficits actually work, and what it would take to restore trust in our economic institutions.Topics Discussed:Why the Global Financial Crisis broke the systemWhat monetary neutrality means—and why we’ve forgotten itThe role of broad money supply in predicting recessionsThe myth of crypto’s superiority over fiatThe misunderstood mechanics of trade deficitsHow Trump-era tariffs reshaped global financeWhy China can’t yet lead a global financial systemThe future of central banking and financial trustPick up the book here.

Send us a textToday's guest is Phanish Puranam, INSEAD Professor and author of Re-Humanize: How to Build Human-Centric Organizations in the Age of Algorithms. He's the perfect guest to discuss how AI is transforming—not just tasks—but the very DNA of how organizations operate.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why the future of AI in business isn’t about job replacement, but organizational redesignHow AI is turning from tool to teammate, and what that means for leadership and decision-makingWhat "bionic organizations" are—and how companies can blend algorithms and humans without crushing autonomy or purposeWhy algorithmic bureaucracy might quietly become the most dangerous workplace trendHow poor implementation of AI threatens to destroy learning cultures and employee agencyThe four pitfalls of AI adoption most companies fall into—and how to avoid themA framework for designing AI systems that enhance human competence, not erode itWhy employees—not just executives—should shape the future of AI-powered workAbout our guest: Phanish Puranam is the Roland Berger Chaired Professor of Strategy & Organization Design at INSEAD, where he also leads the Organizations & Algorithms research initiative. With a career focused on the science of how organizations work—and how they change—he brings a deeply research-backed, globally informed perspective on the next phase of AI’s workplace evolution.

Send us a textIn this episode, Jeremy sits down with Jonathan Stutz, co-author of the powerful book Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders, to explore what it really means to lead with inclusion in mind—every single day. As a former executive at Microsoft, Amazon, and Zulily, Jonathan blends deep corporate experience with a people-first lens to rethink how workplaces should function in an age of upheaval.Together, they dig into:Why inclusion is no longer an HR side quest but core to effective leadershipThe case for small, intentional “inclusive pebbles” that ripple into systemic changeWhat leaders get wrong about DEI—and how to fix it without corporate jargon or empty gesturesWhy inclusive leadership is increasingly being rebranded as just... good leadershipHow to build cultures where people feel seen, heard, and equipped to succeedWhether you're a people manager, an exec navigating culture shifts, or just someone who wants to show up better at work, Jonathan offers grounded advice and personal stories that will inspire and challenge you.Referenced in this episode: 📘 Daily Practices of Inclusive Leaders – Get the book 🔗 Learn more about Jonathan's work at Global Diversity PartnersKey quote: "Inclusion isn't a department. It's a daily habit that belongs to every leader." – Jonathan Stutz

Send us a textEnterprise AI is having a moment—but it's not the one you think. In this episode, Jeremy sits down with Inna Tokarev Sela, founder of Illumex, to talk about what it really takes to build reliable, governed AI systems at scale. With decades of experience at Sisense, SAP, and now at the helm of her own company, Inna lays out why explainability, trust, and diversity in leadership are the keys to unlocking AI’s potential inside the enterprise. From hallucination hazards to governance gaps and the ethics of AI design, this episode is a must-listen for anyone building the future of intelligent systems.Here’s what you’ll learn:Why the biggest obstacle to enterprise AI isn’t ethics—it’s infrastructureThe three pillars of AI trust: explainability, data access, and governanceHow diverse teams lead to more ethical and effective AIWhat hallucinations in AI outputs reveal about your data pipelineWhy unifying context matters more than ever for AI accuracyHow leaders can future-proof their companies by fixing their foundationsWhy being “application-free” might be the future of business workflows

Send us a textJoin us in a compelling discussion with Wes Adams and Tamara Myles, seasoned advisers to global companies and authors of MEANINGFUL WORK: How to Ignite Passion and Performance in Every Employee. Dive into the science of positive psychology and discover how it can transform leadership and workplace cultures.What You’ll Learn:The Importance of Meaning: Explore why meaningful work is crucial for employee engagement and organizational success.Leadership Influence: Understand the significant impact leaders have on cultivating a sense of meaning and purpose at work.The Three Cs Framework: Discover how Community, Contribution, and Challenge play pivotal roles in enhancing workplace environments.Generational Insights: Gain insights into how different generations view meaningful work and what this means for future workplaces.Autonomy in Leadership: Learn about the balance between providing direction and granting autonomy to foster innovation and trust.Onboarding and Integration: Discuss the critical role of onboarding in setting the stage for meaningful employee experiences.Episode Highlights:Real-life stories from leading companies like Patagonia and HubSpotDiscussion on recent shifts in workplace dynamics post-pandemicActionable advice for leaders to implement immediatelyAbout Our Guests: Wes Adams is the CEO of SV Consulting Group, with a background in positive psychology research and leadership at organizations including the University of Pennsylvania. Tamara Myles is a renowned speaker and consultant, with a focus on human flourishing at work, teaching at Boston College and conducting research at the University of Pennsylvania.

Send us a textEpisode Overview: Join us on FUTUREPROOF as we delve into the seismic shifts in the workplace with Paula Davis, the founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute. In this episode, Paula discusses her latest book, Lead Well: 5 Mindsets to Engage, Retain, and Inspire Your Team, offering a fresh perspective on leadership in the wake of the pandemic and the rise of generative AI.Here's What You'll Learn:The New Leadership Challenges: Understand the profound changes in the workplace environment due to pandemic aftershocks and technological advancements.Five Key Mindsets for Modern Leaders: Explore the transformative mindsets that can significantly enhance team well-being and resilience.Actionable Leadership Tools: Gain insights into practical strategies and tools that can help leaders foster a more meaningful and engaging workplace.Building Resilient Teams: Learn how to cultivate a culture that embraces change, supports stress management, and promotes sustainable productivity.Implementing TNTs: Discover the Tiny Noticeable Things (TNTs) that can make a big difference in daily management and team dynamics.About Paula Davis: Paula  is not only the CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute but also a renowned author and advisor who has shaped leadership strategies across global corporations. With her extensive background in law and positive psychology, Paula brings a unique blend of insight and practical advice to the challenges of modern leadership.Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen: In today's rapidly evolving work landscape, leaders face unprecedented challenges that require new thinking and innovative approaches. Paula's expertise offers valuable guidance for navigating these complexities and leading teams to success with resilience and adaptability.Closing Thoughts: Whether you’re steering a small team or managing a large organization, this episode provides essential strategies to enhance your leadership effectiveness and prepare your team for the future. Tune in to transform your approach to leadership and create a thriving work environment in today’s dynamic world.

Send us a textIn this episode of FUTUREPROOF., we sit down with Sabina Nawaz, a renowned leadership coach and author, to delve into the evolving landscape of leadership and management. With over two decades of experience coaching top executives around the globe, Sabina shares her insights on how leaders can thrive amidst the pressures of modern-day management.Here's what you'll learn:The critical distinction between power and pressure and how it affects leadership effectiveness.Practical strategies for new managers to transition smoothly into leadership roles.How to maintain authenticity while exercising authority in high-stakes environments.Techniques to foster a culture of resilience and adaptability among teams.Insights from Sabina's latest book, "You're the Boss: Become the Manager You Want to Be (and Others Need)."Deep Dive Topics:Understanding the "Power Gaps" and "Pressure Pitfalls" that many leaders face.The importance of self-awareness and continuous personal development in leadership.How leaders can leverage "Tiny Noticeable Things (TNTs)" to enhance team dynamics and productivity.The role of values alignment in creating meaningful work experiences.Sabina wraps up with actionable advice for aspiring leaders to enhance their leadership style, ensuring they not only meet but exceed the expectations of their roles and drive their teams towards success.

Send us a textJoin us for an insightful conversation with Artem Rodichev, founder and CEO of Ex-human, a company focused on building empathetic ai characters for engaging conversations Today, we explore the integration of artificial intelligence in human emotions and relationships.Here's what you'll learn:Advancing Emotional AI: Delve into how AI can simulate human emotions and the technological advancements making this possible.Ethics of Emotional AI: Discuss the moral implications of AI systems that can understand and mimic human feelings.AI's Role in Alleviating Loneliness: Understand how AI is being used as a tool to combat loneliness and its effectiveness.Building Trust with AI: Learn about the challenges and solutions in making AI a reliable companion and aide.The Future of Human-AI Relationships: Forecast the potential future developments in AI interactions with humans, especially in personal contexts.