Human Wise

Recommended Episodes

• Ep41: Reimagining Success Through Kindness, Connection, and Core Human Skills with Natalie Semmes
• Ep50: What Is Your Shadow at Work and Why Does It Matter?
• Ep54: Becoming Unapologetically You – Embracing Growth, Discomfort, and Authentic Leadership with Alison Maitland & Liz Walker

In a world racing toward automation, what does it truly mean to be human at work?

In this powerful and timely episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada sits down with tech humanist, author, and TEDx speaker Kate O’Neill to explore the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human meaning. As organizations invest heavily in AI and automation, Kate challenges us to pause and ask a deeper question: what human outcomes are we protecting as we scale technology?

Drawing on insights from her latest book What Matters Next and her TEDx talk We Cannot Leave Meaning to Machines, Kate shares why contextual awareness, emotional intelligence, and good judgment are becoming even more critical in an AI-driven world. Together, Helen and Kate explore the tension leaders feel between speed and reflection, efficiency and ethics, automation and authenticity.

This conversation is not about resisting technology. It is about leading it wisely. It is about ensuring that meaning, purpose, and human connection remain firmly in the driver’s seat.

Topics Discussed:

•  What it means to be a “tech humanist” 
•  Why AI is forcing us to redefine human value at work 
•  The human skills that cannot be automated 
•  Why investment in people is lagging behind investment in technology 
•  The Now–Next Continuum and disciplined reflection 
•  Using AI as a thinking partner rather than a replacement 
•  Meaning as the core human skill 
•  Purpose, values, and the power of meaningful questions 
•  Unhiding at work and bringing your whole self into professional spaces 
•  Why AI’s “averaging effect” makes human quirkiness more valuable than ever

About Kate O'Neil

Kate is the founder of KO Insights, helping leaders and organizations make future-ready, meaningful, and ethical decisions about technology and innovation. She’s a former digital strategist for Netflix and early Google, and the author of 6 books, 4 of which are in tech and business including Tech Humanist and What Matters Next.

• About page: https://www.koinsights.com/about-kate/*
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kateoneill*
• Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kate_O'Neill_(author)

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Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes

• Ep43: Finding Your Voice in Leadership – The Human Advantage of Conscious Communication with Alan Robertson
• Ep45: Building Sustainable High Performance – The Power of Human-Centred Leadership and Resilience with Lisa Boyd
• Ep57: Curiosity as Competitive Advantage – How Leaders Stay Relevant in the Age of AI with David Feavearyear

What does it really mean to support people in bringing their humanity to work? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by George Gabriel, co-founder of The Dad Shift, a UK campaign mobilising fathers to advocate for better paternity leave and greater gender equality in the workplace.

Together they explore how fatherhood, leadership and workplace culture intersect. George shares his perspective on why supporting fathers at work is not just a social issue but a leadership and organisational one. From challenging outdated policies to encouraging men to actively participate in equality conversations, this episode highlights how workplaces can evolve to better support families while strengthening performance and trust.

At the heart of the discussion is a powerful idea: when organisations enable people to show up as human beings, not just employees, everyone benefits.

Topics Discussed

• The evolving role of fathers in modern workplaces
• Why paternity leave policies matter for equality and performance
• The connection between leadership, trust and human-centred workplaces
• The impact of parenthood on leadership perspective and decision making
• How workplace culture shapes gender equality
• The barriers organisations face when implementing flexible working
• Why supporting fathers benefits businesses as well as families
• Turning conversations about equality from zero-sum to win-win outcomes

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes

• Ep43: Finding Your Voice in Leadership: The Human Advantage of Conscious Communication with Alan Robertson
• Ep44: Blending Commerciality with Humanity: How to Work with Procurement with Steve Day
• Ep56: The Human Side of Sales: Psychometrics, Authenticity and Sustainable Commercial Growth with Jim Bloomfield

What does it take to stay relevant in a world where technology is accelerating faster than ever? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by David Feavearyear, commercial leader, Chief Procurement Officer at Liberty Global, and MD of Procurement Solutions at Liberty Bloom. Together, they explore the intersection of strategy, AI, leadership and human capability.

Drawing on over 25 years of experience across commercial negotiation, procurement and enterprise technology, David shares why curiosity, long-term thinking and human judgement are becoming the true competitive differentiators. As AI increasingly handles technical and repeatable tasks, leaders must double down on the human layer. This conversation challenges leaders to rethink relevance, resilience and the way they create sustainable commercial value.

Topics Discussed

• What it means to stay relevant in the age of AI
• The difference between hard skills and human skills
• Why curiosity drives commercial growth and leadership impact
• Balancing short-term shareholder pressure with long-term strategy
• How AI creates efficiency but not connection
• Building trust in hybrid commercial relationships
• Creating space for thinking in high-pressure environments
• The link between leadership, sales and sustainable growth

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes

• Ep43: Finding Your Voice in Leadership: The Human Advantage of Conscious Communication with Alan Robertson
• Ep44: Blending Commerciality with Humanity: How to Work with Procurement with Steve Day
• Ep45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience – How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa Boyd

What if the problem with sales is not the activity itself, but the story we tell ourselves about it? In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada is joined by Jim Bloomfield, founder of Bloojam and psychometrics specialist with over 20 years’ experience developing top talent across leadership and sales.

Together, they unpack why so many professionals feel uncomfortable with selling, and how reframing sales as value creation, not self-promotion, transforms both confidence and results. Drawing on behavioural science, psychometrics, and real-world commercial experience, Jim explains why high-performing salespeople are not the most money-driven, but the most client-focused. This conversation challenges the myths around sales and shows how leadership and sales share the same human DNA.

If you work in professional services, lead a commercial team, or are building your own business, this episode will help you sell in a way that feels authentic and aligned to who you are.

Topics Discussed

• Why sales feels “icky” and where that mindset comes from
• The psychology behind high-performing salespeople
• Authenticity and trust in commercial conversations
• How psychometrics reveal sales strengths and blind spots
• Why leadership and sales skills are more aligned than we think
• Building intentional, consistent business development habits
• How AI changes sales, but does not remove the human interface
• Turning technical experts into confident business developers

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes

• Ep38: The Human Side of High Performance with Steve McCready
• Ep41: Reimagining Success Through Kindness, Connection, and Core Human Skills with Natalie Semmes
• Ep45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience – How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa Boyd

What does it truly mean to lead with purpose in a fast-paced, commercial world? In this compelling conversation, Helen Wada is joined by Dr. Corrie Block, award-winning business strategist, executive coach, and best-selling author of Love at Work and Spartan CEO. Together, they explore how leaders can balance profitability with humanity, and why authentic connection—not authority—is the true currency of leadership.

Dr. Block shares a fascinating perspective on what it means to be human at work, describing every employee as “the product of 10,000 successful iterations of survival and adaptation.” From redefining trust and vulnerability at the executive level to understanding the measurable ROI of coaching, this episode challenges leaders to think differently about performance, purpose, and the culture they create.

This is an inspiring conversation for anyone ready to lead with heart, build meaningful teams, and embrace the full human experience of work.

Topics Discussed

• What it means to lead with purpose in a commercial world
• Redefining human value and authenticity at work
• The science and psychology behind trust and credibility
• Coaching for performance and the ROI of executive growth
• Why vulnerability changes as leadership responsibility grows
• Building human-centred cultures through alignment and meaning

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

 Recommended Episodes

• Ep48: The Human Side of Risk and Relationships with Alisa Vozyana
• Ep51: The Courage to Create – Finding Your Voice and Sharing Your Wisdom with Alison Jones
• Ep42: From Self-Doubt to Self-Belief – Building Confidence and Authentic Leadership with Dr. Mary Collins 

What does it really mean to become unapologetically you — and how can embracing discomfort lead to deeper growth and authenticity?

In this inspiring episode of Human Wise, host Helen Wada sits down with Alison Maitland and Liz Walker, co-founders of Becoming International, to explore what it means to lead and live with authenticity. Together, they unpack how Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can help leaders break free from old narratives, reconnect with their values, and build the confidence to show up as their full selves — at work and in life.

Helen, Alison, and Liz dive into the uncomfortable, yet transformative, process of growth: learning to notice emotions rather than suppress them, opening the “doors of the castle” to rediscover forgotten parts of ourselves, and recognising that the most human leaders are those willing to be vulnerable.

Whether you’re navigating leadership, change, or self-doubt, this episode offers a powerful reminder that authenticity isn’t something we perform — it’s something we practise.

Topics Discussed

• What it means to be unapologetically human at work
• How Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) can support leadership growth
• The difference between horizontal and vertical development
• Embracing discomfort as a pathway to self-awareness
• Reconnecting with your body and emotions as sources of intelligence
• How authenticity transforms confidence and leadership impact

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes:

• Ep. 18: Harnessing Change Through Storytelling with Dr. Susanne Evans
• Ep. 33: Navigating Leadership in Turbulent Times with Sophie Turner
• Ep. 41: Reimagining Success Through Kindness, Connection, and Core Human Skills with Natalie Semmes

What if the fastest route to a happier life is to stop chasing happiness altogether? In this episode of Human Wise, host Helen Wada is joined by Frank Martela, Finnish philosopher, psychology researcher, and author, to explore why “maximising happiness” can backfire and what to do instead. Together they unpack how meaning is built through small daily choices, why knowing your values protects you from external noise, and how high-trust leadership can create more engaged, human workplaces. It is a grounded, thought-provoking conversation about building a good life and a healthier way of working, especially as we head into a new year.

Topics Discussed:

• Why “stop chasing happiness” is a more effective philosophy than trying to optimise it
• How to build a meaningful life through small choices, connection, and reflection
• A practical exercise to identify what you truly enjoy and where your energy goes
• The hidden cost of living to meet other people’s expectations
• Stable self-esteem, feedback, and how leaders can create safer environments
• Why human connection matters even more in the age of AI

View extended shownotes here 

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes

• Ep41: Reimagining Success Through Kindness, Connection, and Core Human Skills with Natalie Semmes
• Ep45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience: How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa Boyd
• Ep49: Leading with Humanity: Exploring Shadows at Work with Steven D’Souza

What if the real secret to high performance is not working harder, but treating yourself and others with more kindness at work?

In this episode of the Human Wise podcast, host Helen Wada sits down with Graham Allcott, author of Kind: The Quiet Power of Kindness at Work and How to Be a Productivity Ninja, to explore how kindness, psychological safety and truly human leadership can transform the way we work. Graham shares why he believes “humans are weird,” why productivity is really about doing less, not more, and how an abundance mindset changes everything from our self-talk to the way we show up for others.

Together, Helen and Graham unpack the powerful links between kindness, productivity and commercial outcomes, from reducing stress and avoiding toxic productivity to creating teams that feel safe enough to speak up, challenge decisions and share bold ideas. They also explore the difference between being “nice” and being truly kind, why leaders need to slow down to notice the small moments that matter, and how we can all start by being kinder to ourselves first.

Topics Discussed

• Human at work: why “humans are weird” and why that is our greatest strength
• Kindness and productivity: how empathy, rest and psychological safety drive performance
• Scarcity versus abundance: reframing “I am not enough” and the pressure to do more
• The ROI of kindness: stories, science and why kindness is a strategic advantage
• Nice versus kind: truth, grace and having the courageous conversations that matter

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes

• Ep41: Reimagining Success Through Kindness, Connection, and Core Human Skills with Natalie Semmes
• Ep45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience: How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa Boyd
• Ep32: Navigating Executive Coaching and Business with Bill Berman 

What does it take to have the courage to create — to find your voice, share your ideas, and turn them into something that changes lives?

In this inspiring milestone episode, Helen Wada sits down with Alison Jones, publisher, coach, and founder of Practical Inspiration Publishing, for a conversation about courage, creativity and connection. Together, they explore what happens when you stop waiting for permission to create and start turning ideas into impact — one conversation, one page, and one person at a time.

Alison shares her journey from corporate publishing to purpose-driven entrepreneurship, revealing how her coaching-led approach empowers leaders to transform expertise into influence. Helen reflects on the story behind her forthcoming book and the origins of the Human Framework — a model that brings coaching skills into commercial success by focusing on how we show up, connect, and collaborate.

It’s a powerful exchange about confidence, curiosity, and community — and a reminder that our greatest ideas don’t just build businesses, they build belonging.

Topics Discussed

• From idea to impact: how books scale wisdom and credibility
• The Human Framework: showing up, understanding others, mindset, action, next steps
• Writing as discovery: turning reflection into clear, communicable value
• Coaching skills in commercial contexts and why confidence matters
• Building communities around ideas and starting small to build momentum

View extended shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/

Recommended Episodes

• Ep44: Beyond the Numbers: Balancing Humanity and Commercial Clarity with Steve Day
•  Ep45: Human-Centred Leadership & Resilience — How to Build Sustainable High Performance with Lisa Boyd
•  Ep24: The Art of Making Human Connections in Business with Phil Smith

In a world where convenience rules and everything can be ordered at the tap of a screen, what keeps people coming back to human connection?

In this episode of Human Wise, Helen Wada speaks with Aiga Sutka, luxury retail coach and trainer, about how emotional intelligence transforms not just the client experience but the entire culture of retail. With over a decade in the luxury sector — from Louis Vuitton to Gucci — Aiga reveals that true luxury isn’t found in products or price tags, but in presence, empathy, and human touch.

Together, Helen and Aiga unpack what it means to lead and sell through emotional intelligence. They explore how self-awareness helps teams manage pressure, how coaching can shift limiting beliefs, and why resilience is the ultimate measure of success in high-performing environments.

Aiga’s insights from the shop floor bring this philosophy to life — from helping team members overcome fear and self-doubt to showing how storytelling, care, and curiosity build trust that lasts far beyond a single sale.

This episode is a celebration of human-centred service, reminding us that in every interaction — whether in luxury retail or leadership — it’s our empathy and emotional awareness that define excellence.

Topics Discussed

• Emotional intelligence as the foundation of meaningful service
• The power of empathy and connection in client relationships
• Coaching as a tool for confidence and performance
• Resilience and self-awareness in high-pressure environments
• How storytelling and authenticity elevate the luxury experience

View extended Shownotes here

Further links to follow:

Read HUMAN-WISE: How to lead from within and sell with confidence

Helen Wada: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/helen-wada

The Human Advantage: https://www.thehumanadvantage.co.uk/