Ever tried to roll out AI in HR and hit the wall of “we’re too busy for that”?

In this week’s People & Pioneers - The Podcast, I spoke with Cecily Motley, co-founder of Harriet, about why AI isn’t here to replace HR, it’s here to free it.

Cecily’s path has been anything but predictable. From the art world to building a global fashion business, to now leading an AI platform reshaping how teams work. What I loved most was her honesty about the experience: the wins, the missteps, and the emotional flak jacket she’s had to wear building from zero.

We talked about:

🎙 How Harriet HQ uses AI to remove admin and free up strategic capacity

🎙 Reframing AI fear into augmentation

🎙 Building emotional resilience as a founder (“the emotional flak jacket”)

🎙 Real-world examples of AI in action

🎙 Cecily’s personal AI stack and where HR should start

Her line that stuck with me: “We’re not taking work off your desk. We’re taking the boring stuff off your desk.”

It’s a great reminder that the future of HR isn’t less human, it’s more focused. And the leaders who get that balance right will build the leanest, most valuable teams of all.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Tamir Aldad, an addiction psychiatrist turned founder of Mindful Care, which offers same and next-day in-person or online therapy and mental health care.

We talk about his journey from academia into entrepreneurship, the patients whose lives were changed by timely intervention, and why suicide prevention and awareness of warning signs matter more than ever.

Tamir shares the lessons he’s learned along the way - from finding mentors who push you with constructive criticism, to making the tough leadership calls when a team member isn’t the right fit.

And, of course, we look ahead: the role AI might play in mental health, why it can never replace human therapists, and Tamir’s vision for making mental health resources more accessible to all.

It’s a conversation about courage, timing, and the real impact of building something people truly need.

-------------------

For helpline/resources in the US:

• Trevor Lifeline (LGBTQ+ Support): Call 1-866-488-7386
• Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741

• Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org
• Mindful Care: https://www.mindful.care/

In the UK:

• UK: Samaritans 24/7 helpline – free to call (Tel: 116123) or visit Samaritans.org

  UK: Shout – visit giveusashout.org or text 85258 for 24/7 support
  

If you or anyone you know is at risk of harm, please seek professional help immediately. In urgent situations, contact emergency services.

A whopping 80% of AI initiatives failed last year.

Not because of the tech. It’s because of how businesses approached it.

In this week’s People & Pioneers, I sit down with James Killick to uncover why so many AI projects stall, and what separates the success stories.

We cover:

• Why mindset matters often more than the model.
  

• The hidden traps that derail AI adoption.
  

• How automation can unlock, rather than replace, human creativity.
  

• What the future of work looks like in an AI-first world.
  

And, most importantly, James shares live demos from leading AI products showing what’s working in practice today.

In the latest episode of People & Pioneers, I sit down with Charlotte Ransom, former Goldman Sachs Partner and now Founder & CEO of Netwealth, the UK wealth manager that combines industry experts with advanced planning technology. 

We discuss her journey from the City to entrepreneurship, how transparent fees and a client‑first mindset are reshaping wealth management, and what it really takes to balance leadership with family life. Charlotte also shares practical advice for anyone considering the leap into entrepreneurship and reveals what’s next for Netwealth.

What can you learn from someone who scaled LinkedIn’s EMEA business from 1 office to 9, 20 people to 1,000, and revenue from millions to nearly a billion?

On this week’s People & Pioneers podcast, Ariel Eckstein shares his career journey:

From consulting → driving market entry at AOL Europe & Asia → scaling LinkedIn EMEA as MD → leading Global Clients as VP → now coaching, teaching MBA at Colgate Darden, and investing in future leaders.

We dive into:

•  Lessons from blitzscaling and smart market entry

• Why there are “no shortcuts in hiring” when building high-performance teams

• The underestimated power of listening skills in leadership

• How to prepare for an AI-driven future

• Why investing in relationships and networks pays off most in the long run

Thank you, Ariel.  I came away reminded that leadership isn’t only about scaling numbers, it’s about scaling trust, listening, and clarity of purpose.

You think you know someone, and then you see them in a completely different context.

That was the case when I sat down with my friend, Mike Astell, CEO of FCDO Services.

In this latest episode of People & Pioneers, Mike and I did a deep dive into his move from corporate to public service, and the mindset shifts that came with it.

What stood out for me:

• How to lean into your team’s cultural insight

• Disrupting without losing hearts and minds

• The power of delegation in driving acceleration

• The lasting impact of mentorship, and how it compounds growth over time

Thanks, as always, for the great conversation and insights, Mike.

Some people lift your spirits the moment you meet them and make you want to up your game. That’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Jared and John from Sennos for the latest People & Pioneers podcast.

For an hour it was pure brain food. We explored:

• “A-ha” moments that transform innovation into real-world disruption

• How to get comfortable with the “squishy” world of entrepreneurship

• The deep mutual respect that powers their partnership

• A grounded, data-driven approach to AI-enabled products, and how data scales opportunity

• ESG as the bedrock of business

• Why bold action beats over-planning and fast decisions beat perfect ones

• The simple truth that great leadership is always the sum of its parts
  

If you need a shot of inspiration, a reminder to have fun, and perhaps permission to “just go for it,” give this episode a listen.

If you're a founder who wants to understand what VCs are really looking for in AI startups, tune into the latest episode of People & Pioneers – The Podcast: Inside the VC Mind: Building, Backing, and Betting on AI.

I sat down with Curiosity VC's Elliot Schouten to explore what separates standout founders in today’s crowded, fast-moving market - from product to people, ethics to pitching, and building lasting relationships with VCs.

Plenty of sharp insight, thought-provoking perspectives, and incredibly useful takeaways for anyone building in 2025.

If you're a founder navigating the highs, lows, and everything in between, this episode of People & Pioneers is for you.

I sat down with Eleanor Ford, Chief People Officer at Zinc VC, to unpack what makes exceptional founders tick: from choosing the right co-founders and building strong teams, to navigating uncertainty and turning pain into growth.Plenty of insight on building with purpose, backing talent with ambition, and why diversity is non-negotiable in 2025.

From a high-pressure corporate background to championing mental health, Chris Pinner’s journey is a powerful reminder of the impact of psychological safety and honest conversations.

In this episode, we explore:

➡️ How high-pressure environments can drive burnout – and how to prevent it

➡️ Why delegation is key to productivity and trust

➡️ The power of performance conversations focused on strengths

➡️ Normalising tough conversations about suicide and mental health

➡️ What Gen Z really needs to thrive at work

For support:

• UK: Samaritans 24/7 helpline – free to call (Tel: 116123) or visit Samaritans.org

• UK: Shout – visit giveusashout.org or text 85258 for 24/7 support

• US: National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – call 988 or text HOME to 741741

Whether you’re a founder, leader, or navigating workplace challenges, Chris’s insights are a must-listen.