The Future of Work

Hosted by UC Berkeley Extension

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Oct 2026

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About the show

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the way we worked and the skills we needed to succeed in our respective fields was shifting. Increased reliance on data to inform business decisions. The automation of job duties that made some workers redundant. The value of incorporating sustainability into everyday processes on the bottom line. And then COVID-19 shut down the world. Racism and inequalities came to dominate every conversation. And as companies grapple with DE&I initiates and engage with a remote workforce, the way we work today looks drastically different than from just a few years ago. What trends, skills, initiatives and equity will we face in the years to come? Each month, we talk with industry leaders in their fields to discuss the changing evolution of the workforce and the skills needed to stay competitive.

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52 recent

October 22, 2026Episode 445 min

Finding Your Why

Behind the promotions and relentless drive often lurks an unseen reality: burnout, identity crisis and a nervous system stuck in overdrive. When your job becomes your identity, even reaching the top can leave you wondering: Who am I without the title? We've all been asked the very American question: "What do you do?" So what happens when that job title is suddenly taken away? Or you become incredibly successful at a career you secretly dislike? Helping us untangle your self-worth from your achievements is our guest: Maximus Lerois, the Identity Architect. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4yAFBVy Read the episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/4dWL8OS

August 28, 2026Episode 341 min

Disrupted, Not Derailed

Every generation of workers has faced change. But today's professionals are navigating a lot of change, all at once: Near constant disruption, massively shifting priorities, high volume of information and, of course, a stream of new technologies. In this environment, waiting until things feel certain or comfortable is no longer an option. In this episode, we'll explore why learning to work through discomfort may be one of the most valuable professional skills of the next decade. We'll discuss how leaders and employees can distinguish healthy discomfort from toxic workplaces, make sound decisions amid uncertainty, build confidence through action rather than certainty, and develop the resilience needed to thrive in a world where ambiguity has become the norm. To discuss this topic, we're excited to welcome Izabel Loinaz, an esteemed UC Berkeley Extension instructor in the leadership and management certificate. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4y8HOYw Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4grfgDK

July 10, 2026Episode 239 min

Working With Intent Across Generations

Gen Z enters the workforce with adaptability, creativity, and native digital fluency, shaped by a lifetime of always-on social media and instant AI access. But as AI handles the technical tasks, human judgment is becoming the new corporate currency—and traditional, unwritten office rules are colliding head-on with the tech-first mindset. Success in today's office isn't about forcing conformity, relying on legacy workplace etiquette, or trading "when I was your age" lectures for text-thread emojis; it requires treating this age diversity as a two-way street. Let's look at how we can explicitly design clear communication norms, practice curious listening, and co-create an environment where every generation actively learns from one another. To discuss this evolving topic, we're excited to welcome Francesca Schuler, executive director of the Dialogue Vanderbilt Program. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3Ts5szY Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4ftswHd

June 25, 2026Episode 144 min

Purpose-Driven Careers in the Age of AI

As AI and automation rewrite the rules of work, many professionals are waking up to a sharp disconnect: They are working harder than ever, but for companies whose missions feel empty. They are asking themselves, "How do I start using my expertise to solve the problems I actually care about?" In this episode, we explore the growing "impact technology revolution" that is creating an entirely new generation of careers focused on solving real-world challenges—from sustainability and health care to education, accessibility and social innovation. We're looking at how purpose-driven work is evolving, why human-centered skills matter, and how today's learners and professionals can position themselves for careers that combine technology, impact and personal fulfillment. To discuss this topic, we're delighted to welcome Darlene Damm, author of Your Dream Job is Here: The Impact Technology Revolution and The New Jobs Saving the World . Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3SkVdx9 Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/440iLtF

May 21, 2026Episode 1252 min

AI As Your Writing Partner

AI can brainstorm at lightning speed, clean up clunky sentences and help you get unstuck when the blank page stares back. But are you losing your own brand voice and your critical-thinking skills by offloading tasks to AI? Or are you sharpening your writing and accelerating your productivity with AI assistance? In this episode, we explore using AI as your writer and editor companion. How do you decide when AI is used as a creative copilot and when human judgment is needed most? How are communicators in jobs like product development, sales, marketing and HR using AI to work faster, without—and this is key—losing authenticity, accuracy and trust? Let's talk about the art of augmentation, because the future of writing in the workplace is not human or AI. It's human with AI. To discuss this topic, we're delighted to welcome technical communications strategist Dr. Sara Faradji. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/49K0V1c Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4nGGJ69

April 22, 2026Episode 1143 min

Creating Your Agile Mindset

In this episode, we're exploring how to approach your career and job search with an Agile mindset, borrowing from both modern product development thinking and from an unexpected source of inspiration: the Japanese concept of Ikigai, a philosophy around your "reason for being" and what brings you purpose, joy and fulfillment. We talk about how small experiments can lead to big clarity, why progress beats perfection and how staying flexible helps you respond to change without losing your sense of self. To discuss this topic, we're delighted to welcome Pepe Valiente, who is a UC Berkeley Extension instructor, and global product and innovation leader with more than 25 years of experience driving complex initiatives across aerospace, the electric sector, consulting, retail and software. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4vK1m57 Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4eC2KAw

March 23, 2026Episode 1039 min

The Power of Stop

We live in a moment where speed is celebrated, productivity is prized and new tools—especially AI—promise to help us do more, faster, with less friction. But somewhere along the way, many of us have started acting like machines ourselves: optimizing every minute, competing with algorithms and measuring our worth by output alone. In today's episode, we explore a different idea: That stillness isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. It's a conscious choice to pause, assess and reconnect with what actually matters. When work is evolving faster than we can process, our mental health, our relationships and our sense of purpose are in need of TLC. So in this moment when productivity is prized, we look at moving from being a "human doing" to "human being." Let's explore how trust, wisdom and building connections—uniquely human strengths—should define our roles and how companies need to foster cultures that prioritize well-being, not burnout. To guide this conversation, we welcome Jordan Peace, co-founder and CEO of Fringe. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4uSvjj6 Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4uMuUyx

February 25, 2026Episode 936 min

AI and Personal Financial Planning

AI is changing how we think about money—from budgeting apps and digital investment assistants to tools that promise personalized financial guidance in seconds. But knowing when to use AI, when not to and when to bring in a personal financial professional isn't always obvious. In this episode, we unpack where AI truly helps with personal financial planning; where its blind spots show up; and why context, critical thinking and human judgment still matter. We also explore how today's financial planners are using AI to focus more on what clients need: clarity, confidence and guidance through life's biggest decisions. If you're navigating financial choices in an AI-powered world, this conversation will help you use the tools wisely—and know when it's time to talk to a human. To guide this conversation, we welcome Craig Kirkpatrick, who is the co-founder of Optimal AdvisorAI, the AI Learning Partner for financial services firms. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4aQnhhs Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4cdnX2L

January 16, 2026Episode 849 min

2026 Workforce Signals to Keep an Eye On

It's a new year, and if you're like us you're probably wondering what 2026 has in store for workers, job seekers and leaders. Glassdoor's latest trends show some big signals to watch: a growing disconnect between employees and leadership, mini-layoffs creating near constant anxiety and job searches stretching longer than ever. Burnout is high, trust is low and a lot of people are "job hugging"—or staying put because the market feels so uncertain. But there are also some clues about where opportunity might pop up this year, from shifting expectations around AI skills to what's really happening with remote work and promotions. To guide this conversation, we're looking at the real-world data from Glassdoor. In case you're not familiar with it, Glassdoor is a website where current and former employees anonymously review companies that they have worked for. These anonymous and candid insights into company culture, salaries and leadership from real employee experiences help job seekers make informed career decisions and help companies showcase their culture. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome back Daniel Zhao, chief economist at Glassdoor, who has been doing research on trends in the job market and workplace. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4qkZGMh Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3YFsDq7

December 23, 2025Episode 739 min

Super-Shifts—Designing Your Role in an AI-Driven Future

As we wrap up 2025 and look ahead to 2026, one thing is clear: Artificial Intelligence isn't slowing down—it's reshaping jobs, expectations, productivity and even how we see our contributions as humans. If you want insider advice on how to adapt to these shifts and hints on how to become more agile and less stressed, this conversation is a good place to start. We're discussing partnering with AI; standing out when everyone else uses AI; and growing your agency, authority and autonomy to design the future that you want. We also look into how you can become more adept at reading signals so that you can be proactive and not reactive. If you're feeling the fast pace of change in your bones, you're not alone. Let's huddle up for some practical tips on staying grounded and making sense of the constant reinvention ahead. It's all about expanding possibilities. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Steven Fisher, who helps organizations anticipate disruption and turn uncertainty into opportunity. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4b15DZR. Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4avRDY2