Future of Work - A Workday Podcast
Workday Podcast Network
The world of work hasn’t just changed; it’s being radically redefined. Between the surge of AI, shifting workforce expectations, and the dawn of human-machine collaboration, the old leadership playbooks are obsolete.The Future of Work Podcast moves beyond the buzzwords to deliver raw, high-stakes insights from the architects of the new work day. Each episode, we sit down with C-suite executives, AI innovators, and industry pioneers to expose the friction between legacy thinking and the future of business.We ignore the tech specs to focus on what matters: the industry trends, cultural shifts, and leadership opportunities required to thrive in an unpredictable landscape. This isn't a conversation about tools—it's a conversation about the future of your organization. Stop guessing and start leading.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 27, 2026 • 17min
Is AI Killing Human Connection? - Future of Work Podcast
Workday’s Chris Ernst and Carrie Varoquiers discuss the impact of AI on the workplace and their search for solutions to a “crisis of loneliness and disconnection.”
Jan 20, 2026 • 15min
How NatWest Group Gave Back One Million Hours With AI - Future of Work Podcast
Workday’s Ashley Goldsmith and NatWest Group’s Eleanor Priestley have a candid conversation on designing AI around people, measuring real impact, and making change stick at enterprise scale.
In this episode, Ashley Goldsmith, Chief People Officer at Workday, engages in a conversation with Eleanor Priestley, Group COO Capabilities Lead at NatWest Group, about the transformative impact of AI on business operations. They discuss how Agentic AI can streamline processes, reduce friction, and create opportunities for more meaningful work. Eleanor shares insights from her extensive experience at NatWest, highlighting the importance of HR leadership in fostering a successful human-AI partnership and the strategies employed to help employees adapt to this technological shift.
Jan 13, 2026 • 30min
Is Legal Still the "Department of No"?: Legal’s New Role in AI - Future of Work Podcast
Legal doesn’t have to be the “department of no.” Aine Lyons, senior vice president and deputy general counsel at Workday, and Vanessa Candela, chief legal and trust officer at Celonis, explore how trust-first frameworks help AI move faster and more responsibly.
Dec 16, 2025 • 18min
Is AI Taking Your Job? The Human Skills That Make You Irreplaceable - Future of Work Podcast
Workday’s Kathy Pham sits down with former IBM CHRO Diane Gherson to explore how AI can elevate human work. Together, they unpack the skills, workflows, and leadership models needed to make work more meaningful in the AI era.
Dec 9, 2025 • 31min
Why Payroll Has Earned a Seat at the Strategy Table - Future of Work Podcast
This episode explores why payroll is entering a “golden age.” Join analyst Pete A. Tiliakos and Workday’s Cristina Goldt to unpack how modern tools, workforce data, and AI are elevating payroll into a strategic driver of business performance. Learn what’s changing, why it matters, and how payroll leaders can seize the moment.
To download the report on insights to unlock your payroll engine, visit: https://forms.workday.com/en-us/reports/roi-of-modern-payroll/form.html?step=step1_default
Dec 2, 2025 • 14min
Why Your Org Chart is Obsolete - Future of Work Podcast
Workday CIO Rani Johnson and AI Advisory Board Chair Toby Stuart unpack what it really takes for CIOs to lead through the accelerating AI era. From redefining roles to rethinking ROI, they explore how to build a confident, future-ready organization.
Nov 25, 2025 • 14min
Why Your Current Leadership Model Fails Without AI - Future of Work Podcast
Censia CEO Joanna Riley joins Workday CMO Emma Chalwin to discuss how leaders can navigate AI-driven change with courage, transparency, and a vulnerable mindset. Hear how embracing experimentation and elevating “soul work” can transform teams and spark innovation.
Nov 18, 2025 • 13min
How La-Z-Boy Makes Comfort a Business Strategy - Future of Work Podcast
James Kinney, Global Chief People Officer at Media.Monks, and Jessie Heath, Director of Global Talent, La-Z-Boy, to discuss how to build a truly human-centered strategy. They reveal the surprising ROI of care, moving past buzzwords to show how prioritizing "belonging" and engagement is the only way to convince leadership and drive the bottom line.
Nov 12, 2025 • 15min
AI Adoption: Why Empathy is Your HR Strategy - Future of Work Podcast
Dow's Sarah Jo (“SJ”) Rowley explains the human-centered future of work and why AI isn't a race to automate, but a journey to elevate everyone. In conversation with Josh Tarr, she reveals how a 128-year-old company is leading the AI adoption era by anchoring its transformation in trust, skills-based frameworks, and a culture of empathy. Discover how to reframe AI from a productivity play to a cultural one, and the essential role of HR as talent advisor.
Nov 4, 2025 • 13min
The New Rules for Keeping Talent with HRManifesto’s Leigh Henderson - Future of Work Podcast
Workday’s Phil Willburn and HRManifesto’s Leigh Henderson reveal why internal mobility has stalled and how to solve the growing AI trust gap. Learn the strategic pivots needed to win back your best talent and redefine career growth by focusing on impact.
