Future Of Work Podcast

About This Episode  What does it mean to build a business that’s good for both people and the planet — especially when AI is part of the equation?   In this episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, Frank Cottle speaks with Kate O’Neill, CEO of KO Insights, a digital transformation strategist and author of What Matters Next. With decades of experience advising governments and Fortune 500 companies, Kate offers a compelling case for aligning AI adoption with ESG goals and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.   This conversation unpacks the risks of lip service ESG, the strategic role of meaningful data, and how companies can rethink success metrics to create value beyond profit — while staying competitive. If you're curious about how innovation and ethics can co-exist, this one’s for you. 

About This Episode  In this special Expert Insights edition of The Future of Work® Podcast, we dive deep into the evolving world of workplace wellness. Angela R. Howard, an equity-centered culture strategist and founder of Call for Culture, explains why the workplace must shift from extraction to enrichment — or risk irrelevance. Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith, a physician and burnout researcher, demystifies clinical burnout and the warning signs leaders often miss. Peggy Van de Plassche, entrepreneur and founder of The Microdose Diet, explores how microdosing and alternative wellness tools are reshaping focus, empathy, and emotional connection in the workplace. Together, these voices offer a compelling roadmap for reimagining work-life balance, preventing burnout, and building cultures that help people thrive.

In this episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, renowned Stanford economist Nick Bloom shares two decades of research into the evolving remote work landscape. As co-founder of www.wfhresearch.com and a trusted advisor to governments and companies alike, Bloom brings unmatched insight into what the data actually says about remote work.   He joins host Frank Cottle to cut through misleading headlines and reveal why remote work is here to stay. Together, they explore the economic forces behind flexible work, how companies can retain talent without sacrificing productivity, and how AI and real estate trends are shaping decisions through 2030. This episode is essential listening for leaders navigating the complex future of where — and how — we work. 

In this eye-opening episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, Dr. Jasmine Escalera, a career strategist and LinkedIn Top Voice, explores how Gen Z is reshaping the workplace from the ground up. From redefining success and demanding mental health support to leveraging TikTok for job applications, Jasmine explains why Gen Z isn't killing workplace culture — they're rebuilding it.   She also dives into the declining value of traditional education, the rise of trade and freelance jobs, and the urgent need for millennial leaders to step up as mentors. Packed with insights on AI, HR policy shifts, and generational tension, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at how the future of work is unfolding before our eyes. 

About This Episode In this episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, host Frank Cottle engages with Harun Biswas, Founder and CEO of UltraSoft Technologies and architect of UltraSoftBIS, the leading ERP‑style platform for flexible workspaces. With over three decades of experience building scalable, tech‑driven solutions for industry leaders like Regus (now IWG), Harun shares how data‑driven systems and generative AI are empowering workspace operators to transition from reactive manual effort to proactive, automated decision‑making. The conversation explores how marrying human intuition with analytics, forecasting via AI, and seamless automation allows operators to unlock profitability, resilience, and growth — offering listeners a blueprint for the future of workspace and workplace tech. 

About This Episode  In this episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, host Frank Cottle welcomes Dave Bottoms, SVP of Product and GM of Marketplace at Upwork, to discuss how the world’s largest talent platform is being reshaped by AI. With two decades of experience leading product at Meta, Dropbox, and Yahoo, Dave unpacks how platforms like Upwork are transitioning from simple job boards to intelligent, AI-powered ecosystems.  From UMA — Upwork’s AI companion — to the rise of fractional executives and agentic project orchestration, this conversation dives deep into what it means to build lean, borderless teams. Whether you’re a founder hiring globally or a freelancer navigating a shifting landscape, Dave’s insights reveal the future of digital labor and what work will look like in the AI-augmented era.

About This Episode In this deeply reflective and eye-opening conversation, The Future of Work® Podcast welcomes Kurtis Lee Thomas, founder of the Breathwork Detox modality and Just Breathe Foundation. Voted #1 Employee Wellbeing Provider by HR Magazine and trusted by organizations like NASA and Nike, Kurtis shares how breathwork is redefining workplace wellness by tackling trauma, burnout, and stress from within.  Together with host Daniel Lamadrid, they explore why stress costs companies over $300 billion annually, how trauma lives in the body long after it's forgotten, and why sighing may be the most underrated wellness tool at work. This episode offers practical tools, science-backed insights, and a radical call for leaders to prioritize well-being as essential business infrastructure — not a perk. 

About This Episode  In this episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, we sit down with Amber Wernick, award-winning designer and Practice Development Leader at Perkins&Will. With over 15 years of experience shaping workplace, education, and healthcare interiors, Amber brings a human-centered lens to space design. She unpacks how offices must evolve — from productivity-first environments to spaces that foster connection, belonging, and adaptability. From tackling the loneliness epidemic to designing flexible hubs that accommodate AI, remote work, and hybrid models, Amber shares actionable insights for leaders navigating the next chapter of office life.

About This Episode  In this enlightening episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, we delve into the evolving landscape of workspaces and organizational strategies. Our esteemed guests—Ryan Anderson, Vice President of Global Research and Insights at MillerKnoll; Melissa Marsh, Founder and CEO of PLASTARC; and Janet Pogue McLaurin, Global Director of Workplace Research at Gensler—bring a wealth of experience and insight into how workplaces are transforming to meet the needs of a dynamic workforce.  The conversation navigates through topics such as combating social isolation through co-living spaces, designing culturally attuned environments for distributed teams, leveraging data and AI to enhance employee experiences, and reimagining urban spaces in the wake of telework trends. Each expert shares practical examples and forward-thinking ideas that are redefining the purpose and design of work environments.  Whether you're a business leader, HR professional, or design enthusiast, this episode offers valuable perspectives on creating inclusive, flexible, and engaging workplaces that align with the future of work. 

About This Episode  In this episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, we welcome expert Robert E. Andrews, CEO of the Health Transformation Alliance (HTA), former U.S. Congressman, and co-author of the Affordable Care Act. Robert shares hard-won insights from his leadership of a coalition of 70+ major corporations with over $40 billion in healthcare spend. Together with host Frank Cottle, they tackle why employer-sponsored healthcare must evolve to support distributed teams, how to balance cost containment with personalization, and why empathy, listening, and trust are essential for retention in today’s workplace. From AI-assisted diagnosis to mental health gaps, this conversation unpacks bold strategies to fix healthcare and future-proof your workforce.