Future Of Work Podcast

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. 

About This Episode  In this thought-provoking episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, Andrew Farah—CEO and co-founder of Density—unpacks what organizations get wrong about hybrid work strategy. With experience analyzing workspace data for over 1.25 billion square feet worldwide, Andrew offers a candid perspective on workplace design, policy ambiguity, and the cultural and operational tradeoffs of hybrid models.  He dives deep into the concept of “freedom within constraints,” the connection between trust and team performance, and why many return-to-office policies miss the mark. With examples from companies like Uber and Shopify, and insight into Density’s cutting-edge sensor technology, this conversation challenges leaders to think critically about space, culture, and clarity in a post-pandemic workforce.  

About This Episode  Vicky Oliver, bestselling author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions and Bad Bosses, Crazy Coworkers & Other Office Idiots, joins us to expose one of the most overlooked threats to career success: self-sabotage in the workplace. Drawing on decades of experience coaching professionals and hiring talent, Vicky unpacks the subtle ways imposter syndrome, fragility, tech anxiety, and pride keep us stuck.   In this candid and empowering episode, she explores the difference between bosses, mentors, and allies—and why surrounding yourself with the right people matters more than ever in today’s evolving work environment. Whether you're struggling to step up or already leading others, this is a must-listen for anyone navigating the complex reality of work in 2025 and beyond.

About This Episode  Stephanie Chung, groundbreaking executive and bestselling author, joins us to explore how Ally Leadership is reshaping the modern workplace. Drawing from her extraordinary journey — from baggage handler to aviation company president — Stephanie shares practical, heartfelt strategies for leading today's multigenerational, diverse, and evolving workforce.  Her Ask, Listen, Learn, Act model transforms leadership into a simple, actionable path forward. In a world marked by change, remote work, AI disruption, and growing calls for inclusion, Stephanie provides leaders at every stage with a roadmap to foster belonging, drive results, and future-proof their teams. Whether you are an aspiring leader or a seasoned executive, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone ready to lead courageously in 2025 and beyond.  What You'll Learn  What Ally Leadership truly means—and why it’s crucial today. How to lead high-performing teams across generations, backgrounds, and beliefs. Practical ways to overcome unconscious bias in leadership. Why embracing privilege can empower your leadership and your team. The winning formula for creating belonging, loyalty, and next-level results. How remote and hybrid workforces are changing diversity and inclusion. Strategies for communicating more authentically across diverse teams. Why vulnerability, empathy, and action are the new cornerstones of leadership. The neuroscience behind bias—and how to "rewire" your leadership brain. A glimpse into the future of leadership—and why mediocrity won't survive. 

In this thought-provoking episode of The Future of Work® Podcast, Frank Cottle sits down with Ram Srinivasan — Executive Management Consultant, AI strategist, and AI Adoption Leader at JLL. A graduate of MIT and author of The Conscious Machine, Ram brings a rare mix of deep technical expertise, financial acumen, and human-first philosophy.  Together, they unpack the truth about AI in the workplace — what it is, what it isn’t, and what it could become. From organizational transformation to generational collaboration, this episode explores why empathy, creativity, and authenticity matter more than ever in an AI-powered world. If you care about the future of work, this conversation is your roadmap to navigating it with intelligence and intention.