Redefining Work

Over 170 Redefining Work episodes. A parade of inspiring guests. A global community I couldn’t have dreamed of. The journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Fulfillment? Absolutely. But now, it’s time to hit pause.Why? That’s a fair question. I explain in this closing episode.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Laszlo Bock, co-founder of the Berkeley Transformative CHRO Academy, former people operations leader at Google and one of the most influential voices in HR. Laszlo shares his journey from shaping Google’s data-driven HR practices to mentoring the next generation of CHROs. We dive into the power of data in decision-making, the importance of values-driven leadership, and the challenges of scaling culture in a growing organization. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on courage, culture, and the evolving role of HR.

On this episode of Redefining Work, Topaz Adizes, founder and CEO of The Skin Deep, explores the power of meaningful conversations to build trust and connection. From creating intentional spaces for vulnerability to the transformative practice of active listening, Topaz shares strategies for bridging divides in polarized times. He discusses how storytelling deepens relationships, even in professional settings, and offers practical insights for HR leaders looking to cultivate humanity and connection in the workplace. Discover how fostering authentic dialogue can transform relationships, enhance collaboration, and bring humanity back to work.

Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of FutureThink, is a visionary expert on innovation and simplification. She shares her groundbreaking approach with exercises like “Kill the Company,” designed to foster a culture of self-disruption and creativity. The conversation highlights the detrimental impact of unnecessary meetings, advocating for a shift to agenda-driven discussions. Bodell emphasizes the importance of embracing simplicity within entrepreneurship and warns against the complexities introduced by AI, promoting curiosity and critical thinking as essential tools for navigation.

Career transitions are rarely neat. They're messy, they're scary, and they often come with a hefty dose of uncertainty. But, as Angela Cheng-Cimini reminded us in this week’s episode of Redefining Work, they’re also essential if we want to grow, rediscover purpose, and live a life of intention.Angela, a soon-to-be former CHRO at Harvard Business Review, joined me for a candid conversation about transitions—not just in work, but in life. She shared her journey of stepping away from a high-profile role to prioritize what really matters. Along the way, we dove into burnout, the importance of self-disruption, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply pause.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rob Mac Giolla Phadraig, founder of SkillStack, a cutting-edge learning platform built around the power of storytelling. Rob shares his personal journey, the inspiration behind SkillStack, and the profound impact storytelling has had on his life and career. Tune in to discover how SkillStack is revolutionizing learning and development by harnessing the power of narrative to unlock human potential.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by J.P. Sanday, partner at Menlo Ventures. Throughout his career in private equity and venture capital, J.P. has gained a sharp understanding of market dynamics and early-stage growth. In this episode, we dive into his philosophy on scaling startups, assembling powerful teams and making the most of AI opportunities.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rich Diviney, retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, author and founder of The Attributes. Throughout his 20-year career, which includes leading SEAL Team Six selection, Rich developed a deep understanding of leadership, team dynamics and human performance. In this episode, we dive into Rich’s belief in the role of attributes over skills in determining success, his philosophy on building high performing teams and how mastering uncertainty takes performance to the next level.

In this episode of the LinkedIn Presents: Redefining Work podcast, host Lars Schmidt sits down with Ruben Harris, co-founder and CEO of Career Karma, to discuss the launch of OutRival, a no-code platform that democratizes access to AI across the enterprise. Ruben shares how OutRival empowers non-engineering teams to build AI-driven agents and solutions without technical expertise, reshaping how companies engage with customers and employees. They dive into the future of work, AI's role in personalization, and how OutRival is transforming workforce development for industries beyond tech.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rusty Ralston and Jay Patil, co-founders of Swell Venture Capital. We dive into their unique approach to venture capital, centered around identifying visionary founders and helping them build exceptional teams. Rusty and Jay share their hands-on recruitment strategies, how they assess founders’ potential, and the importance of a people-first investment philosophy. Listen in to discover how Swell VC is giving its portfolio companies a recruiting advantage and reshaping venture capital through a talent-driven lens.