In the first episode of Shift Happens: The Workforce Podcast, hosts Jeremy Friedman of Instawork and Shaun Coe, CEO of HC-Resource and Ascendium, break down how the workforce is changing in real time and what operators need to do about it.

This episode explores how AI and automation are moving from buzzwords to core infrastructure in workforce strategy. Drawing from real-world experience across hospitality, multi-unit operations, and shift-based industries, the conversation covers labor forecasting, scheduling, gig work evolution, and the lasting impact of COVID on the job market.

Jeremy and Shaun discuss why outdated workforce systems are quietly holding businesses back, how intelligent labor mapping improves decision-making, and why understanding operational pain points must come before automation. The focus is practical, honest, and grounded in frontline reality.

If you manage people, shifts, schedules, or workforce performance, this episode sets the foundation for what’s next.

Because shift happens.