Working Forward

Hosted by PeopleForward Network

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Aug 2026

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Working Forward explores future-of-work trends—from AI to remote work—to help leaders plan ahead. Global experts share insights and strategies to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.

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60 recent

September 1, 202645 min

Unlocking the Impact of AI on the Future of Work | Jason Cochran on Unlocked with Skot Waldron

AI is moving fast, but the leaders who win won't be the ones who move fastest. They'll be the ones thoughtful enough to protect what makes work human. Skot Waldron sits down with Jason Cochran to explore what people-first AI adoption actually looks like. Jason challenges leaders to move beyond experimentation for experimentation's sake and start asking bigger questions: What should AI do? What should it never do? And how do we bring employees into that conversation before fear fills the communication gap? From reskilling and psychological safety to the tension between profitability and sustainability, Skot and Jason unpack why AI strategy is ultimately a people strategy. The message is clear: use AI to augment what humans do best, not outsource human connection itself. Additional Resources: Connect with Skot on LinkedIn Listen to Unlocked with Skot Waldron wherever you get your podcasts! Learn more about Skot Waldron Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: Thoughtful AI adoption starts with people, not technology. Communication reduces fear during rapid workplace transformation. Ask what AI should and should not do. Sustainability matters more than short-term AI-driven profitability. Never outsource emotional intelligence and human connection to AI.

August 4, 202654 min

To Lead is Human | Jason Cochran on Culture Starts Here with Heather Haas and BJ McKay

AI is changing how work gets done, but it's also raising the bar for leadership. In this special live episode, hosted by Jason Cochran of People Forward Network, Heather Haas and BJ McKay explore what it means to lead when AI is reshaping the workplace. While much of the work people are paid to do can now be automated, leadership is not one of those things. Together, they unpack what they're seeing across organizations today, from the growing gap between high-performing leaders and everyone else, to the lack of clarity many teams face around how AI should be used. The conversation centers on a simple idea: Leadership isn't being replaced. It's being revealed. And the leaders who bring human connection, empathy, creativity, and critical thinking to their work will shape what comes next. Additional Resources: Learn more about ADVISA's new Leading with AI training experience! Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: Leadership remains deeply human despite AI advancement AI raises expectations, not reduces leadership responsibility Human connection drives meaning, trust, and performance Slowing down improves long-term strategic decision making Self-awareness separates thriving leaders from struggling ones

July 7, 20261 hr 14 min

Leading in the Gray: Human Wisdom in an AI World with Michael Sneed and John Dugan

In this live stream episode of Working Forward, Michael Sneed and John Dugan join host Jason Cochran to explore what it means to lead wisely as artificial intelligence reshapes the business landscape. Michael, a 39-year Johnson & Johnson veteran who rose from summer intern to the executive committee, and John, a retired PwC partner with decades of healthcare consulting experience, share what's really happening in boardrooms around AI adoption. Together with Jason, they discuss why human skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and subject matter expertise are becoming more valuable, not less, and how leaders can navigate uncertainty by placing smart bets, leading with culture and values, and staying curious in a rapidly changing world. Additional Resources: Connect with Michael Sneed on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/msneed1/ Connect with John Dugan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-k-dugan-cpa-mba-970a47b/ Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Jason.Cochran Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/ Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: AI is reshaping leadership, but human skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and deep expertise are more important than ever. Effective AI strategy starts with culture and values, not technology. Smart leaders place many small bets rather than going all in on any single AI approach. The parallels between the early internet era and today's AI moment offer valuable lessons in patience and intentionality. Leading in uncertain times requires curiosity, humility, and a commitment to listening and learning alongside your team.

June 2, 20261 hr 7 min

The Entropy Era: AI, Gen Z, and Why Partnership Is the Only Way Forward with Matt Poepsel

In this episode of Working Forward, Jason Cochran sits down with Matt Poepsel, SVP of Workforce and Talent at The Predictive Index and author of multiple books on talent optimization, to explore what happens when AI disruption, generational shifts, and organizational entropy collide. Matt introduces the concept of entropy in the workplace, the natural tendency of systems to descend toward disorder, and explains why fear-driven leadership only accelerates the breakdown. They dig into why 75 percent of Gen Z workers are interested in entrepreneurship, how AI is simultaneously creating opportunity and eroding foundational skills, and why the employer-employee relationship needs a return to mutuality. Matt makes the case that partnership, not power, is the only sustainable path forward, and that leaders who practice active listening, make concessions, and invest in adaptive skills will be the ones who hold their organizations together through the turbulence ahead. Additional Resources: Connect with Matt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattpoepsel/ Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube! Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/ Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: Entropy is the silent force pulling organizations apart; without intentional leadership, trust and commitment naturally erode over time. 75 percent of Gen Z workers are interested in entrepreneurship, largely because AI has made it easier than ever to start something on your own. The pendulum of power between employers and employees swings in cycles; leaders who squeeze talent during downturns will pay for it when the market opens back up. AI is not just displacing tasks but eroding the foundational adaptive skills that those tasks used to quietly build, and leaders need to protect that development. Mutuality, the practice of genuine partnership between employers and employees, is the antidote to the fear and self-interest that drive organizational breakdown. The pace of technological change is only accelerating; leaders who bet against AI's capabilities in their industry are making a short-sighted gamble.

May 11, 202623 min

The Psychology of Swag: Quality Signals Value

What makes something feel premium the second it lands in your hands? Eric and Crissy unpack the hidden psychology of quality and why people make instant judgments about products based on weight, texture, stitching, materials, and fit-for-purpose design. From cashmere pashminas for executives to fleece-lined scarves for sports fans, Crissy shares story after story showing that quality is not just about price. It is about context, emotion, usability, and how a product makes someone feel in a specific moment. Together, they explore why the wrong "premium" item can fall flat, why cheap bags and apparel can quietly damage your brand, and how thoughtful details can turn a simple giveaway into someone's favorite thing. If you lead a brand, plan events, or want your merch to actually mean something, this conversation will change how you think about quality, value, and lasting impact. Additional Resources: Learn how to build your strategy to swag! Connect with Crissy on LinkedIn Learn more about Robertson Marketing Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Subscribe to PFN's YouTube for more insights like this! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Quality judgments happen almost instantly through the senses. Weight, texture, seams, and materials shape perceived value. Premium only works when it fits the moment. Cheap bags and apparel can damage brand trust. Favorite products balance quality, utility, and budget.

May 5, 20261 hr 3 min

Pivoting Through Crisis and Democratizing Photography with Rob Eyler

In this episode of Working Forward, Jason Cochran sits down with Rob Eyler, CEO and co-founder of Capturely, a photography platform that deploys vetted photographers for professional headshots at scale. Rob shares how he co-founded Capturely in 2019, landed LinkedIn and Facebook as early clients, then watched revenue drop to zero when COVID hit. After two difficult years of pivoting into product photography and video, the team finally launched virtual headshots in 2024, allowing anyone with a phone and a window to get studio-quality headshots in minutes with a real photographer controlling their camera remotely. Rob discusses Capturely's vision to democratize photography by building the world's first agentic AI photographer, where human creatives move up the complexity chain rather than getting replaced. He also shares why vision and communication are the two most important tools for leading through change, how routine check-ins at every level prevent teams from filling silence with fear, and why genuine human connection remains the connective tissue of effective teams, even in fully remote environments. Additional Resources: Connect with Rob on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-eyler/ Learn more about Capturely: https://www.capturely.com Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/@Jason.Cochran Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/ Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: Staying obsessed with your customer can reveal pivots hiding in plain sight, even when survival mode makes them easy to miss. AI will elevate creatives rather than replace them by automating routine tasks and moving human talent up the complexity chain. Vision and communication are the two most critical tools for leading teams through uncertainty and change. Consistency in habits, communication, and personal development will always outperform occasional great moments. Genuine human connection is the connective tissue that holds remote and distributed teams together.

May 4, 202630 min

The Psychology of Swag: The Unboxing Experience

What makes an unboxing moment feel unforgettable and why are so many companies still getting it wrong? 📦 Eric and Crissy unpack the psychology behind anticipation, belonging, curiosity, and emotional connection, and why the moments before someone opens a box can be just as powerful as what is inside. From new hire kits to influencer campaigns, Crissy shares why packaging is never separate from the gift. It is the experience, the signal, and the story all at once. Together, they explore how thoughtful unboxing can build brand love, strengthen employee connection, and create meaningful moments people actually want to share. For leaders looking to elevate onboarding, customer experience, or branded merchandise strategy, this conversation is full of practical insight and fresh perspective. Additional Resources: Learn how to build your strategy to swag! Connect with Crissy on LinkedIn Learn more about Robertson Marketing Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Subscribe to PFN's YouTube for more insights like this! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Anticipation makes unboxing emotionally powerful. Packaging shapes meaning before products are revealed. Curiosity is a powerful driver of action. Personalization strengthens belonging and brand connection. Great unboxing turns moments into earned media.

April 27, 202628 min

The Psychology of Swag: From Transaction to Transformation

What looks like a simple swag order can quietly spiral into a logistical nightmare that drains time, money, and employee energy. Eric and Crissy unpack why procurement thinking often kills the true potential of merchandise programs. Together, they explore the hidden complexity behind what many leaders treat as a commodity decision. From balloon vendors multiplying across an organization to global gifting programs that unravel without strategic alignment, Crissy reveals how merch can either strengthen culture and brand impact or create internal friction that leaders never see coming. If you are a people first leader trying to balance cost control with meaningful employee experiences, this conversation will challenge your assumptions and help you rethink what it really means to create value through branded merchandise. Additional Resources: Learn how to build your strategy to swag! Connect with Crissy on LinkedIn Learn more about Robertson Marketing Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Subscribe to PFN's YouTube for more insights like this! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Procurement focus on cost can undermine strategic merchandise value Multiple stakeholders shape merchandise outcomes across organizations Vendor partnerships should prioritize insight, not just pricing Logistics complexity increases exponentially in global programs Strategic swag programs enhance culture, efficiency, and brand consistency

April 20, 202628 min

The Psychology of Swag: The $6 Billion Waste Problem

What if the biggest branding opportunity your company has is quietly ending up in the trash? 🗑️ Eric and Crissy unpack the hidden emotional, financial, and environmental costs behind the billions spent on promotional products each year. Together they challenge the idea that branded merchandise is just a giveaway, reframing it instead as a powerful people-first experience that can shape trust, loyalty, and identity. From cultural missteps that lead to wasted budgets to the surprising science behind creating a product someone actually loves, Crissy shares actionable frameworks leaders can use to turn "brand filler" into meaningful brand equity. If you've ever questioned whether swag really matters, this conversation will change how you think about connection, strategy, and the objects that live in people's everyday lives. Additional Resources: Learn how to build your strategy to swag! Connect with Crissy on LinkedIn Learn more about Robertson Marketing Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Subscribe to PFN's YouTube for more insights like this! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Promotional waste costs companies nearly six billion dollars annually Merchandise should connect emotionally, not just functionally Culture shapes how branded products are received globally Purpose driven merch creates lasting brand equity Measure impact through usage, not just distribution

April 13, 202635 min

The Psychology of Swag: Why We Keep What We Keep

That branded mug on your desk might be doing more than holding coffee. It could be shaping memory, emotion, and loyalty in ways most leaders never stop to consider. Eric and Crissy have a fascinating conversation on the psychology behind why some merchandise becomes meaningful while most gets tossed aside. Together, they explore how neuroscience, sensory engagement, and emotional attachment influence whether a simple object turns into a lasting brand connection. From favorite pens and nostalgic mugs to innovative gifting strategies that drive real engagement, Crissy shares practical insights leaders can use to make every branded moment intentional and impactful. If you have ever wondered how to turn everyday touchpoints into powerful relationship builders, this episode will change how you think about swag, storytelling, and the small details that shape culture. Additional Resources: Learn how to build your strategy to swag! Connect with Crissy on LinkedIn Learn more about Robertson Marketing Connect with Eric on LinkedIn Subscribe to PFN's YouTube for more insights like this! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Emotional connection determines whether branded merchandise is remembered Utility increases frequency of use and brand visibility Sensory engagement strengthens memory and loyalty Choice increases perceived ownership and product value Intentional gifting drives measurable engagement and influence