The Future of Work

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

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

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

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

Leandro Cartelli, founder of a staffing agency connecting U.S. businesses with Latin American talent, shares his insights on AI in recruitment. He discusses how AI can streamline hiring but warns against its impersonal nature. Ghosting candidates and reducing culture to keywords make job searches feel like a numbers game. Leandro advocates for better candidate experiences through clear communication and human interaction. He also emphasizes the importance of cultural insights and networking strategies to stand out in a competitive market.

This month, we're looking through the eyes of recruiters to see how AI is rewriting the rules of hiring. With hundreds of resumes for every role and too few recruiters to review them, algorithms now decide who makes it through the virtual and actual door. It's efficient—but also impersonal. Candidates are ghosted, culture gets reduced to keywords, and the job search feels like a numbers game or playing the lottery where the odds are stacked against you. And even if you make the first round, it feels more like a transaction than a conversation. In this episode, we'll explore how AI is transforming recruitment—the opportunities it creates, the challenges it leaves behind and what it means for the future of work. To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Leandro Cartelli, founder of a staffing and recruiting agency specializing in connecting U.S. businesses with top Latin American talent. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/49rsSeK Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4huOKbd

Join Kate Bravery, a senior partner at Mercer and expert on workforce skills, as she unpacks the future of work. She discusses the concept of a 'digital twin' to model career paths and why traditional job descriptions may soon be obsolete. Kate highlights AI tools that redesign roles to boost productivity while reducing burnout. She also talks about talent marketplaces that democratize job opportunities. Plus, learn how employees can update their profiles, develop 'sunrise skills,' and foster trust with managers in an AI-driven world.

Join Kate Bravery, a senior partner at Mercer and expert in talent management, as she dives into how AI is redefining the workplace. She discusses the crucial skills emerging in this tech-driven era, like AI literacy and adaptability, and highlights the importance of continuous learning. Kate also explores how AI can personalize performance management and the skills needed to thrive in interviews. With a focus on collaboration and diverse mindsets, she provides insights on navigating the evolving job landscape successfully.

If you're looking to reinvent your career, reboot your confidence or rethink what's possible, we're going to give you some time, space and strategies to imagine your next move. The past is not a fortune teller. It doesn't dictate your future. The past is, however, an excellent teacher that offers useful lessons, but not limits. So how do we tackle finding our future career path with a minimum of stress and self-doubt? To talk about this, we're delighted to welcome Andrea Liebross, a results-focused business coach and life-balance architect. Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4mcLbHN Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4mcLbHN

Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation, is passionate about empowering young people, especially girls, through tech education. She discusses the transformative impact of AI on productivity while emphasizing the necessity of emotional and cognitive resilience. Tara advocates for hands-on experiences and innovative thinking to future-proof careers. She encourages universities to adapt to AI advancements and stresses the importance of addressing equity in tech. Ultimately, she envisions a world where mentoring youth can tackle global challenges with AI.