The Future of Work

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

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

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

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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

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

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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

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.

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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

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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

This month, we continue our conversation about AI's impact on recruitment and 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.

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/3JE28xs

Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4i6uptm

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

We're continuing our conversation about AI and skills and what organizations are looking for as they develop their workforce. What skills do you need to fortify your career, and how do you demonstrate you have those skills?

From practical project-based work to the redesigning of roles, let's look under the hood of the modern workplace so we can see exactly what's driving the change and how you can stay in the driver's seat.

To get this behind-the-scenes look at what companies are prioritizing, we're delighted to welcome back Kate Bravery, senior partner and global leader of talent advisory at Mercer.

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Read the full transcript @https://bit.ly/3IG2gvN

In today's fast shifting workplace, the rules of success are being rewritten. HR leaders and executives are looking for skill sets that blend adaptability, agility,and the ability to work alongside AI, not against it. We explore the skills that are on the rise and the ones fading away. What skills do you need to fortify your career and how do you demonstrate that you have those skills?

From practical project-based work to the redesigning of roles, let's look under the hood of the modern workplace so we can see exactly what's driving the change and how you can stay in the driver's seat.

To get this behind-the-scenes look at what companies are prioritizing, we're delighted to welcome Kate Bravery, senior partner and global leader of talent advisory at Mercer.

Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4lPV2mg

Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/47To1SW

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

As AI continues to transform our workplace, it's not just about keeping up with the tech. It's about staying grounded, sharp and curious. We need to cultivate skills that allow us to adapt, recover from setbacks and navigate complexity. In this episode, we dive into why emotional and cognitive resilience are must-haves for the future and how thinking like an innovator and above your pay grade can set you apart in an AI-powered world.

To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Tara Chklovski, founder and CEO of Technovation.

Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4lJhD4D.

Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/4lJhD4D

This month, we're exploring one of the biggest shifts in the modern workplace: the move toward project-based work.

Companies are organizing their efforts around short-term, goal-driven initiatives rather than long-term roles. This evolution means that project management is no longer just a specialized function—it's becoming a core skill for everyone. Knowing how to lead a team, manage deadlines and deliver results is essential in today's fast-moving and cross-functional environment.

But equally important is skills agility—the ability to adapt quickly, learn continuously and apply your talents across different teams and challenges. In a project-based world, the most valuable professionals are the ones who can shift gears and thrive in any setting.

To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome instructor Nate Crews.

Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/4jjrQmw

Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/43PdzcI

We continue our conversation about the state of DEI and the heavy influence that AI will have on this important directive. This month, we explore the impact of AI on DEI initiatives—how it can either amplify biases or serve as a tool for equity. We look at how DEI programs play a key role in developing AI that does not cause unintended and disproportionate harms. And we will also get a sneak peek at how AI might be changing our behaviors without us knowing.

So if you're concerned about the intersection of technology and equity—and what it means for the workplaces of tomorrow—you're in the right place.

To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome back Bo Young Lee.

Read the transcript @https://bit.ly/3GE94II

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We're diving into a topic that's more urgent than ever: the current state of diversity, equity and inclusion in organizations, and the profound impact artificial intelligence is having on these initiatives. As economic pressures mount, budgets tighten and politics change, a concerning trend is emerging: Organizations are scaling back their DEI initiatives. These pullbacks are raising alarms about what the future of work will look like—especially for underrepresented groups.

And when you add in the impact of companies adopting artificial intelligence to streamline operations and make decisions, the risk of algorithmic bias becomes even more pronounced. Without strong DEI frameworks, AI systems and those who are coding them can unintentionally perpetuate inequalities—widening opportunity gaps rather than closing them.

To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Bo Young Lee.Read the transcript from this interview @https://bit.ly/428vdpP.

Learn more about UC Berkeley Extension @https://bit.ly/3XtuHkP.

In this episode, we're diving into a critical transformation happening across industries—the decline of middle management. As companies flatten their structures in pursuit of efficiency, what happens to organizational communication and workplace culture? Are we losing vital connectors who bridge leadership and employees, or is this the evolution of a more agile and collaborative workforce?

To talk about this important topic, we're delighted to welcome Ron Coverson, an executive-level human resources professional and business consultant, and is currently the Assistant Dean of Academic Personnel and Human Resources for the University of California, Berkeley Law School.

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Read this episode's transcript @https://bit.ly/3FqqyIc