Humain

Why do 70% of business transformations fail? While many blame the technology, Damian Kirk argues it is rarely a people problem—it is a design failure. 

In this episode, Damian joins us to pull back the curtain on organizational resilience. We explore why AI is currently exposing the existing cracks in leadership and how to move from "traditional management" to "modern leadership." 

Learn the 6 Foundations of Leadership, the 3 C’s of Organizational Readiness, and why the most successful leaders in the age of AI are the ones who spend 10% of their time "drinking coffee" and looking outside their own walls.

https://www.damiankirk.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/damiankirk/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

In a world that often feels "soul-tired" and overwhelmed by rapid acceleration, how do we deepen our humanity? Join host Susan Caesar and her first guest, Julie Cusmariu—an ICF Professional Certified Coach and pioneer of Dance Your Intuition—for a profound exploration of presence. With over 18 years of experience supporting change-makers, Julie discusses the "internal mountains" of transformation and why intuition remains a uniquely human domain that technology can assist, but never replace. Discover how to move from fear to flow as we navigate the connective tissue of our evolving society.

Key Takeaways for Listeners

• The "Presence Bearer" Mindset: Learn why coaching is becoming the "connective tissue" of society and how to maintain a grounded, human presence as we co-evolve with automated systems.
• Intuition vs. Artificial Intelligence: Discover the vital distinction between "System 1" (logic/patterns) and "System 2" (creativity/wisdom) thinking, and why AI can be a tool but never a relational partner.
• Moving from Fear to Flow: Julie and Susan discuss practical ways to overcome hesitancy toward new technology by viewing it as a "thought partner" or "digital assistant" rather than a competitor.
• The Ethics of Human-Centric AI: An exploration of why the word "Intelligence" might be a misnomer and how we can advocate for technology that serves the planet and future generations.
• Climbing the "Internal Mountains": Insight into the transformational journey of leaders, artists, and change-makers as they use their voices to create a meaningful impact in their communities.

About Julie Cusmariu

Julie is an ICF Professional Certified Life Coach, Executive Coach, and host of Julie in Conversation. With nearly two decades of experience, she helps leaders trust their inner wisdom and lead with purpose. She is the creator of Dance Your Intuition, an immersive experience designed to spark innovation and deep listening.

https://www.juliecusmariu.com/

https://www.humain.org/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2390159

In this episode of Humain Org, organizational psychologist Michelle Caryn Paul joins the show to discuss why the leap to Artificial Intelligence is less about software installation and more about human mindset readiness. Drawing from her roots as the daughter of a labor attorney and her career in Silicon Valley, Michelle explains why traditional, top-down digital transformation models are failing in the age of AI—where 95% of company pilots are currently struggling to see a return.

Key Conversations in this Episode:

• Mindset as Infrastructure: Why we must shift from "technology readiness" to "mindset readiness," focusing on trust, credibility, and the micro-decisions employees make every day.
• The New Leadership Playbook: Moving beyond prescriptive rollouts to creating a "self-reinforcing system" where teams use weekly showcases to share both AI wins and lessons learned.
• Ethical AI & Decision Rights: How to democratize the intake process for new tools and ensure that "escalating a problem" is celebrated as a positive organizational value.
• Women as Architects of AI: A look at the three patterns of female leadership—human outcomes, systems thinking, and coalition building—and why these are vital for successful AI adoption.
• AI as a Team Member: Exploring the "chair in the room" concept, where AI acts as a proxy for diverse customer voices and helps automate monotonous tasks to unlock human potential.

https://equifinalitysolutions.com/

https://www.womenshapingai.org/

https://www.humain.org/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

Tech veteran and AI thought leader Andy Sitison joins us to discuss his philosophy of blending human-centered design with the accelerating pace of technology.

Andy argues for a "reversed hierarchy of value," challenging the corporate world to prioritize the Planet and Society before the Economy. He explains how organizations have the opportunity to move beyond profit decisions to maximize human happiness, inclusivity, and belonging.

In this episode, we explore:

• Scale vs. Soul: The importance of design and intent when introducing AI, and how technology can actually enhance, not detract from, the human experience.
• AI for Deeper Understanding: Andy shares how he uses custom generative AI agents to analyze complex human stories, uncovering emotive patterns like joy and anxiety to understand customer needs beyond traditional surveys (including a case study on middle-aged women with Listen Ventures).
• The Trust Crisis: A candid discussion on the existential threat to trust in the digital world, the lack of societal values governing AI, and the urgent need for human agency in the age of data exploitation.
• From Global to Local: Andy’s personal journey of "redemption" and how he found grounding and purpose through local conservation work on the Chesapeake Bay, offering a powerful message to listeners on why their job "doesn't matter that much" compared to connecting locally and building a better life.

If you're looking for an inspiring perspective on how to be a "better employee," a better leader, and how to use technology to nurture both people and the planet, this conversation with Andy Sitison is essential listening.

https://sharemorestories.com/

https://www.humain.org/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

Unlocking Digital Wisdom: The Human Side of AI and Transformation

In this illuminating episode with Barbara Wittmann, founder of the Digital Wisdom Collective, we explore why most digital transformation projects fail due to people, not technology. 

Barbara introduces the concept of the Human Operating System (HOS) and reveals how organizations can shift from rigid Control to Coherence and Speed to Sense-Making. 

Learn how to identify and empower the "Ecosystem Stewards" in the middle layer of your organization, the hidden champions who cultivate the collective intelligence and ethical mindset needed to thrive in an AI-saturated world. 

This is a must-listen for leaders ready to move beyond linear thinking and embrace the human magic of the future of work.

https://www.digitalwisdomcollective.com/

https://www.humain.org/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

Guest: Dr. Justin Trombold, President and Founder of Anderson Advisors

Host: Susan Caesar, Founder of humain.org and Director of AI for ICF

What truly holds organizations back from realizing value with AI? It's not the algorithms, the data, or the tech stack, it's the alignment, ethics, and organizational clarity that makes AI work for humans.

In this candid conversation, Dr. Justin Trombold , founder of Anderson Advisors, diagnoses the gap between AI pilots and sustained performance, arguing that the biggest risk with AI is organizational self-deception, not hallucination.

We dive into:

• The Alignment Gap: Why less than one-third of organizations align their GenAI strategy with enterprise goals.
• Organizational Debt: The challenge to hierarchical, command-and-control structures posed by dynamic AI and human components.
• The 5 Principles of AI Readiness: Assessing your organization's capability across strategy, cross-functional execution, end-user proficiency, scalability/adaptability, and regulatory/ethical compliance.
• "Win Where You Are Today": The pragmatic approach to AI investment that starts with an honest look at your current capabilities.
• Freedom Within a Framework: How adaptive leadership and a culture of "confident humility" can foster trust, agency, and creativity.

If you're a leader struggling to move past pilot programs, tune in to discover why success depends as much on the internal ethics and structure of your firm as it does on the technology.

https://humain.org/

Start your own value-creating GenAI Journey with Antesyn's "rapid" diagnostic here:

https://www.antesynadvisors.com/blank-3

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

An Interview with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys of Final Spark

Step into the future of computation with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys, a neuroscientist and AI expert leading the charge in bio-computing at the Swiss startup Final Spark.

The exponential energy demands of current AI models pose a major climate challenge. The solution? Living neurons. Dr. Kurtys explains why this is the only way forward: neurons are an incredible one million times more energy efficient than digital hardware.

In this fascinating discussion, Dr. Kurtys pulls back the curtain on how Final Spark is manufacturing these new types of computers:

• From Skin to Brain: She details the process of turning commercially available human skin cells into living human neurons.
• The Neuro-Platform: Learn how these 10,000-neuron 3D structures, or neurospheres, are placed on electrodes to send and receive signals, beginning the biocomputer experiment.
• The Grand Vision: The company's ultimate goal is to build a massive bio-server, a cloud-accessible computer that could run complex AI models like large language models (LLMs).

The Road Ahead: Challenges and Ethics

Dr. Kurtys discusses the enormous 10-year project timeline, which requires a $50 million investment to accelerate research and development. But the potential reward is immense: a technology that could be 10 times cheaper to run than a digital equivalent, a huge market advantage driven by energy efficiency.

The biggest hurdle isn't engineering, but neuroscience: nobody knows how to program neurons. The team's immediate three-year focus is on solving this problem of "learning in vitro", teaching neurons to perform simple tasks.

Finally, Dr. Kurtys addresses the most common ethical question: consciousness. While currently a non-issue, she discusses why Final Spark is actively engaging philosophers to prepare for a future when bio-computers may become truly intelligent.

Listen in to discover the revolutionary work being done to create an AI infrastructure that is cheaper, greener, and built on the very stuff of life.

Curious to see it in action? Dr. Kurtys encourages listeners to check out the Final Spark website to see the "butterfly demo," a live, simple demonstration controlled by living neurons. https://butterfly.finalspark.com/

https://finalspark.com/

https://www.humain.org/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

Despite billions invested in generative AI, MIT’s State of AI in Business 2025 reveals a startling truth: 95% of organizations see zero return. 

The problem isn’t the technology, it’s leadership. In this episode of humainorg, Susan Caesar unpacks the “GenAI Divide” and shows how Humain Leadership™, leadership grounded in listening, clarity, and trust, is the missing ingredient for AI adoption that truly works.

You’ll hear:

• Why 95% of AI pilots stall, and how shadow AI is changing the workplace.
• Case studies of leaders who get it right (Johnson & Johnson, VWV Law Firm, Colgate-Palmolive).
• Practical steps to practice Humain Leadership™ and guide AI adoption ethically, safely, and human-centered.

AI’s future isn’t about mastering the tools. It’s about mastering ourselves.

https://www.humain.org/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

In this solo episode of Humain Org, Susan Caesar, Director of Artificial Intelligence at ICF, reflects on her recent presentation to the ICF Black and Indigenous People of Color Member Resource Group, led by Kaumudi Goda, with the support of Dr. Aikyna Finch, ICF VP DEIB.

Through personal storytelling and professional insight, Susan explores:

• How our identities shape the way we design and use AI
• The choice we face in coaching: replicate bias or reimagine equity
• The role of trust, integrity, and benevolence in AI coaching
• Paradigmatic shifts and the Hierarchical Complexity Model for measuring human + AI performance
• Invitation to adopt Dr Matt Barney's AI Hippocratic Oath to safeguard dignity, confidentiality, and inclusion

Susan closes with three powerful questions for the coaching and AI community:

1. Do our AI Standards and Code of Ethics fully reflect our DEIB commitments?
2. How can we influence AI providers to design for difference, including neurodiversity?
3. How do we reckon with AI’s climate impact as part of our responsibility to the planet?

Join Susan in reimagining AI through many lenses — and discover how diversity is not just an ethical imperative, but our most powerful design tool.

https://www.humain.org/

https://coachingfederation.org/resources/featured-topics/diversity-and-inclusion/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/

Navigating the AI revolution? This episode is for you. 

Join host Susan Caesar and fellow human-centric AI executive Nan Li as they explore how AI is fundamentally changing our world. 

Nan, a thought leader with two decades of experience, goes beyond the tech to discuss the four pillars of effective AI transformation, the critical ethical questions we must ask, and the four new "personas" that will define the jobs of the future. 

Discover how AI can unleash human creativity, why it's a mirror of our values, and how we can ensure this technology benefits all of humanity. Tune in for a compelling conversation that connects AI with the human heart.

https://substack.com/@nanalyticsai

https://www.humain.org/

Send us Fan Mail

https://www.humain.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/susancaesar/