The Human Cloud Podcast

Robert Smith, Founder and CEO of Dazzle, leads a talent platform that connects companies with independent sustainability and ESG experts worldwide. Robert explains how Dazzle helps sustainability teams access specialized knowledge that was previously only available within large consulting firms, including carbon footprint analysis, human rights considerations, supplier standards, and reporting. He and Matthew discuss why more than 80 percent of Dazzle projects are run remotely, why Dazzle focuses on freelance engagements instead of full-time hires, and how the “meet the consultant first” approach and taking ownership of the internal decision process help enterprises shift from legacy consultancies to flexible talent.

Leaders,Taylor Crane, Founder at Fractional Jobs, unpacks how he turned a simple job board into a curated fractional talent platform for startups and SMBs. Taylor explains why founders need white-glove support rather than pure self-service software, and how he matches companies with fractional CFOs, CMOs, CTOs, and more.He discusses how compensation really works in fractional hiring, from monthly retainers and hourly models to the expectation that these leaders become an ongoing part of the team. Taylor also breaks down his business model, including flat referral fees and sponsorships, and why the future of fractional work belongs to leaders who can both set strategy and execute.

Leaders,Melissa Valentine, Associate Professor at Stanford and author of Flash Teams, joins Matthew Mottola and Tony Buffum to break down how teams form, work, and scale in the human cloud. Melissa explains what Flash Teams are, why they unlock speed and expertise, and how leaders can access talent on demand without losing culture or control.She shares real examples showing how fractional experts and AI accelerate problem-solving, reshape team design, and give organizations a faster, more flexible way to match people to the work that matters. Melissa also highlights the shift from traditional talent acquisition to talent access, and why HR is positioned to lead the next phase of workforce strategy.

Jason Posel, Founder & CEO of GreenLight.ai, shares how GreenLight enables enterprises and marketplaces to manage compliance, worker classification, and payments with speed and confidence. He breaks down why W2 and 1099 support across regions matters, how giving freelancers a single home improves pay and benefits, and why compliance is the biggest unlock for scaling flexible talent programs. Jason also explains how AI is streamlining onboarding and classification, and how centralizing compliance through GreenLight helps companies move faster while reducing risk.

In this episode, Glenn Laumeister, CEO at AllWork, shares how enterprises are transforming the way they onboard, manage, and pay their contingent workforce. He explains why a single system of record matters, how built-in compliance reduces risk, and why the manager-to-worker relationship drives performance. You’ll hear how AllWork supports both frontline and high-skill project talent, why legacy MSP and VMS layers can slow progress, and how real-time data, custom workflows, and a better talent experience deliver measurable ROI.

Vardhan Kapoor, Co-Founder and CEO of Firstwork, shares how Firstwork uses workflow AI agents for onboarding, compliance, and candidate follow-up to shrink time to hire by up to 80–90 percent in high-volume environments.Vardhan explains how they help staffing firms separate real AI from “AI wrappers,” why granular funnel visibility matters more than surface-level automation, and how their engineering-led approach deploys in under 72 hours to move candidates from first click to first day faster.

Amy Geiger, Senior Director of Flex Strategy at Marriott International, discusses how Marriott is expanding its talent strategy to include all worker types, from FTEs and contractors to outsourced partners and freelancers, and how HR can lead this shift.Amy also shares how Marriott blends human and digital talent, including their recruiting bot “Olivia,” and why trust, transparency, and clear decision frameworks are essential as organizations adopt automation. She outlines a future where flexible talent and AI agents work alongside traditional roles to create more innovative teams and better guest experiences.

Ash Barot, CEO and Co-Founder at WOLF, shares why the future of staffing looks like retail’s move to e-commerce, and how WOLF helps firms become true labor marketplaces with platforms for clients and job seekers, not just an app. We cover shift work dynamics, algorithms that drive fast time to first application in about six minutes, and an auto-hire approach that boosts quality.Ash explains why relationships and sector expertise matter more than hype, and how a consulting layer helps teams adopt the marketplace model, standardize workflows, and win on both speed and reliability.

Emre Ertan, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Cenoa, joins us to discuss how an international dollar account on modern rails enables freelancers and small businesses in emerging economies to receive payments faster and retain a higher percentage of their earnings. We cover why cross-border payouts in markets like Turkey and Nigeria can cost up to 8 percent with legacy options, how stablecoins make transfers simpler and more reliable, and what it takes to support exporters, entrepreneurs, and freelancers such as designers and engineers working globally. Emre shares his journey from Stanford to startups, lessons from leading product teams, and why Turkey’s culture, time zone, and talent make it a natural bridge between East and West.

Alp Sezginsoy, Founder of Expertera, explores how enterprises are accessing top-tier expertise faster through on-demand networks. He explains how Expertera bridges the traditional consulting and expert marketplaces, providing companies with flexible access to specialists for AI transformation, go-to-market execution, and strategic growth.Alp also shares how AI is accelerating the shift toward project-based work, why flexibility and speed are becoming essential in enterprise talent strategies, and how the balance between full-time and independent work is shaping the next phase of the expert economy.