The Human Cloud Podcast

Leaders,What happens when the labor force shrinks, demand surges, and we’ve overproduced college degrees at the expense of essential workers?Ron Hetrick, Principal Economist at Lightcast and author of The Rising Storm, joins us to break down the structural cracks in today’s labor market and what leaders must do before the storm hits in 2027. From healthcare and construction to tech and AI, Ron explains why the real problem isn’t just talent supply, but misaligned expectations and outdated strategies.We unpack the rising impact of labor force inversion, the flawed cultural obsession with college degrees, and why critical jobs like nursing, skilled trades, and food production are the hardest to fill. Ron also outlines the four paths forward: local hiring, immigration, automation, and global talent.This episode is a wake-up call for executives. Workforce planning is no longer an HR function. It is now a core business strategy. Whether you're scaling AI teams or keeping frontline operations running, it’s time to rethink how you attract, develop, and retain the people who keep your business alive.

Leaders, In this episode, Rubén Galindo, CEO of Airtm, shares what it takes to build financial infrastructure for the global workforce.While most platforms focus on finding talent, Airtm is focused on enabling it. It’s not just a payment tool, it’s a system designed for speed, trust, and scale, especially in markets where traditional finance falls short.Rubén explains how Airtm grew from a $250K seed round into a platform supporting thousands of online workers across the global South. He breaks down the role of stablecoins in hyperinflationary economies, the importance of identity verification and KYC, and how EOR services are making compliant cross-border hiring possible.They also explore how trends, such as the U.S. government's Bitcoin strategy and the concept of a global freelancer passport, are shaping the future of flexible work.For enterprises, Airtm offers the infrastructure to send fast, borderless, and flexible payouts at scale, helping companies support their workforce in even the most complex financial environments. Because ultimately, enabling the worker starts with enabling the companies that hire them.

Leaders, What happens when the consulting industry meets AI, change fatigue, and mounting pressure for real results?In this episode, Pat Petitti, CEO of Catalant, explains how consulting is being reshaped from the inside out. Pat shares how Catalant’s move to a curated, community-driven model is helping enterprises access proven talent more efficiently, why AI is automating junior-level consulting work, and what leaders need to rethink when transformation budgets are under scrutiny.Pat shares insights on why traditional consulting models are falling short, how adaptability and internal influence are critical to leading change, and what the next wave of talent transformation looks like in practice.This episode is for leaders who need strategy and execution and want to understand how the best are getting it done.

Leaders, In this episode, Chris Perkins, President at Model B, joins us to unpack the actual purpose of marketing and why the best brands succeed by creating consistent, additive experiences across every touchpoint. Chris explains why marketing is about changing minds, how empowered teams and freelancers often outperform traditional models, and why the best leaders treat brand as an extension of their company culture, not just a department.He shares how Model B uses a collective of top experts to deliver growth with precision, why most companies overcomplicate their marketing strategies, and what it takes to invest in a brand that lasts. We also explore how leadership alignment, freelance motivation, and clear customer focus are critical to building brand trust.This episode is a must-listen for any leader rethinking their growth playbook and wondering how to balance strategy, execution, and talent.

Leaders, In this episode, Dimitrio Gómez, founder of Catalis and former Bain and EY-Parthenon consultant, shares how consulting is evolving across Latin America and why independent consultants are leading the charge.He explains why traditional consulting models are falling short, especially for mid-sized companies, and how flexible talent networks offer faster, more cost-effective results. With over 30,000 mid-market businesses in Mexico alone, Dimitrio highlights the opportunity to deliver high-impact strategy through “dream teams” of seasoned experts and strategy consultants.You’ll hear how AI transforms delivery, why regional focus is critical, and how engagement, not scale, drives better outcomes. If you’re exploring new models for strategy, consulting, or talent, this episode breaks down what’s next.

Leaders, In this episode, Alp Sezginsoy, Founder of Expertera and Dojo Talent, joins us to share his journey building one of the leading expert talent platforms across Turkey, the CIS, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and beyond. Alp explains how Expertera evolved into a unique value proposition at the intersection of an expert network and an on-demand expert marketplace, what they call an ‘Expert-as-a-Service’ platform. Offering flexibility from hourly expert engagements to fractional executive roles, Expertera has transitioned from a traditional expert network into a subscription-based, tech-enabled marketplace. Alp also discusses the strategic role AI plays in scaling expertise and how organizations can better adapt to a flexible, global workforce. We explore the rise of freelance talent in emerging markets, the connection between leadership vision and P&L growth, and why fast, flexible access to expertise is becoming critical for enterprise success. Alp also shares insights on Expertera’s recent merger and how it will enhance their growth, their expansion roadmap, and the future of combining human expertise with AI-powered platforms.Key Themes:Building an expert platform across emerging marketsLaunching and scaling a subscription model to drive strategic client engagementMerging human expertise with AI to deliver faster, smarter solutionsHow leadership vision ties to growth, adaptability, and talent strategyTrends in global hiring from emerging regions like Eastern Europe and the Middle East

Leaders,What does it mean to be a "Free Bird" in today's rapidly evolving workforce? In this insightful episode, we sit down with Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners and author of the newly released book "Free Birds," to explore how authenticity is driving the independent workforce revolution.Miles shares his journey from corporate America to championing independent professionals, revealing why he wrote a book about workforce transformation in 2025 and how MBO Partners has evolved from its entrepreneurial roots in 1995 to leading today's independent work revolution.We explore:The fundamental shift in workforce dynamics, from dual-income families to side gigs to full independence, and why this evolution is happening nowWhy authenticity is the cornerstone of successful independent work and how being your true self leads to greater fulfillmentThe six key trends driving workforce transformation, including accelerating change, the fractionalization of everything, and the shift from knowledge stocks to knowledge flowsWhy progress is deflationary and how multiple innovations converging create transformative societal changeThe surprising reason companies shouldn't adopt protectionist strategies in a world where innovations spread faster than everMiles' personal inspiration from his father who taught him "you define yourself, don't let others define you"The four pillars for living a fulfilling life: health, wealth, work, and relationshipsAs corporations face the "year of efficiency" and companies cut everything not directly value-adding, independent professionals who drive outcomes are becoming essential to business success. Miles makes the compelling case for his "30% pledge" - where enterprises commit a significant portion of their spending to independent talent - and presents a vision for a new social contract between workers and companies.For business leaders wondering whether to embrace or resist this shift, Miles offers this warning: "Doing nothing is actually doing something, which is you've made the decision to get passed by."

In this special episode of the Human Cloud Podcast, we sit down with the organizers behind Freelance Unlocked, Europe’s #1 conference for freelancers and solopreneurs. Held May 14-15 in Berlin, this year’s event arrives at a critical time for the freelance economy. While freelancers face mounting challenges—economic downturns, political uncertainty, and a flood of AI disruption—this conversation is a reminder of what’s possible when freelancers come together to learn, share, and build community.You’ll hear from Marc Clemens, Founder of CodeControl & 9am, Manuel Meurer Founder & CEO of Uplink, Thomas Maas, CEO of Freelancermap, and Jon Younger Founder of Mensch.Work, hosted by Matthew Mottola Human Cloud CEO . Together, they discuss the state of freelancing today, why professionalization matters, and how the power of community and knowledge sharing can carry the freelance economy forward.Key Takeaways:Why now is a defining moment for the freelance economyThe impact of AI, economic pressures, and remote work on freelancersHow community and upskilling reduce risk and drive growthWhat freelancers and platforms must do to increase trust with clientsWhat to expect at Freelance Unlocked 2025 in Berlin

Leaders,In this episode, Brigadier General Michael McGinley and Major Meredith Kirchoff explain how GigEagle is reshaping workforce strategies through talent fluidity and agentic teaming, bridging the civil-military gap, and opening new pathways for Americans to serve. They discuss the platform’s potential to revolutionize how the DoD mobilizes expertise, making national security careers more accessible and adaptable.We also explore the broader vision for national security through collaboration, the cultural shifts needed to integrate flexible workforce models into the military, and how GigEagle is expanding beyond digital talent to quickly deploy experts in high-stakes situations.Finally, we examine how GigEagle is already proving its value, mobilizing talent for emergency response, interpreter roles, and AI development projects. These early successes highlight its potential to transform how the DoD approaches workforce agility and problem-solving. Looking ahead, GigEagle’s vision extends beyond the government. By partnering with 501c3 organizations and industry leaders, the platform aims to create a whole-of-nation collaboration for national security, where top talent seamlessly engages in mission-critical work, driving innovation and resilience in defense operations.

Leaders, What does the future of independent work look like, and how are policies shaping its trajectory? In this episode, we sit down with Liya Palagashvili to unpack the economic trends, policy changes, and workforce dynamics that are shaping the shift toward flexible employment.Liya shares her journey from academia to workforce research, revealing how small businesses and independent professionals have driven the growth of freelancing long before the rise of the gig economy. She also highlights the critical role that data and research play in shaping legislation, dispelling misconceptions about misclassification, and ensuring policies support, rather than restrict, independent workers.We explore:The real numbers behind independent work, including why 80% of freelancers prefer their work arrangements and how older workers and women are fueling its expansion. How laws like California’s AB5 unintentionally hurt freelancers, reducing self-employment and even W-2 jobs in affected states.Why control is at the heart of the policy debate, and how new legislation could create portable benefits and provide clearer guidelines for independent contractor classification.The employer perspective: why businesses hesitate to engage freelancers due to regulatory uncertainty and how policies could encourage innovation rather than stifle it.What’s next for independent work, from policy shifts in Washington to the evolving mindset of businesses navigating the modern workforce. As freelancing and flexible work continue to grow, policymakers, business leaders, and independent professionals must align on solutions that preserve flexibility while ensuring stability.