Strategic Shift

In this episode of Strategic Shift, Christy Honeycutt speaks with David Barnette, Co-Founder and President of Avant Executive Search, about the rise of fractional work and global talent. David shares how companies are rethinking traditional full-time roles, when fractional leadership makes sense, and how borderless work is expanding access to talent and opportunity around the world. 

 
Timestamps: 

00:50 Meet David Barnette 
02:13 Career Journey Highlights 
04:48 Why Private Equity Appeals 
06:17 Who Thrives in PE 
08:08 Coaching for PE Success 
10:43 Fractional Work Rising 
13:10 Fractional vs Full Time Planning 
17:13 Hybrid Remote Expectations 
19:36 Trust and Performance Management 
26:54 Borderless Work and Global Talent 

Connect with David Barnette:
Avant Executive Search & Talent Advisory 

LinkedIn 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 

Is your organization prepared for the Future of Work? Learn more: https://www.pepelwerk.com/build-my-future-workforce/ 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

In this episode of Strategic Shift, executive coach Carrie Fabris discusses the critical shift toward human-centered leadership as organizations navigate the complexities of AI, hybrid work, and shifting employee expectations. The conversation provides actionable insights for HR leaders on bridging the gap between C-suite ROI demands and the human needs of the workforce 

 
Timestamps: 

01:34 Carrie’s Background and CareerFrame 

02:32 Future of Work Culture Trends 

04:04 Leadership Buy In and ROI 

08:16 Retention and Strengths Engagement 

10:14 Job Hugging Tough Love 

13:46 Hybrid Work and AI Policies 

17:46 Staying Human With AI 

21:45 Top Skills for the Next Decade 

24:00 Finding the Right Coach 

27:30 Books and Final Takeaways 

Connect with Carrie Fabris:
CareerFrame 

LinkedIn 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 
 

Is your organization prepared for the Future of Work? Learn more: https://www.pepelwerk.com/build-my-future-workforce/ 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

Join us as Matt Baxter, CEO of WedgeHR, shares his journey from a young entrepreneur to a leader in HR tech. Discover how storytelling, authenticity, and human connection are transforming the future of hiring and why hope and trust are more vital than ever in workforce innovation. 

 
Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introducing Matt Baxter and his journey from lawn care entrepreneur to HR innovator 

00:25 - The impact of technology on remote work and hiring practices 

01:17 - The importance of storytelling and human connection in recruitment 

02:44 - How Wedge HR helps organizations recruit high-volume, customer-facing roles 

04:42 - Hiring for potential vs. skills: what stage is your company in? 

05:49 - Practical tips for job seekers: identifying what makes you irreplaceable 

08:16 - The challenge of fake applications, AI bots, and sourcing quality talent 

11:30 - Creating cultures of transparency and hope in organizations 

16:06 - The power of networking and proactive outreach during job searches 

28:04 - The role of hope and trust in the future of work 

 
Connect with Matt Baxter:
Wedge HR 

LinkedIn 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 
 

Is your organization prepared for the Future of Work? Learn more: https://www.pepelwerk.com/build-my-future-workforce/ 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of workforce strategies, AI integration, and talent mobility with Stephanie Manzelli, Chief People Officer of EMPLOY. Stephanie shares her insights on how HR can lead change, foster a human-centric approach amidst technological advancements, and adapt career evolution models to modern organizational needs. 
 

Timestamps: 

1:24 - Stephanie's Role and Company Overview 

2:11 - Workforce Trends and AI 

3:31 - Change Management and Culture 

4:25 - Recruitment and Candidate Personas 

6:13 - Unique Recruitment Processes 

8:07 - Addressing Skill Gaps 

10:50 - Guidance for Candidates 

13:02 - Caution and Boldness with AI 

18:49 - DEI Evolution 

 
Connect with Stephanie Manzelli: 

LinkedIn 

EMPLOY 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 
 

Is your organization prepared for the Future of Work?
Learn more: https://www.pepelwerk.com/build-my-future-workforce/ 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

In this episode of Strategic Shift, Christy Honeycutt sits down with Huw Newton-Hill, Managing Director of Attensi, to explore why confidence and behavior change matter more than information in workforce training. The conversation also looks ahead to the future of work, including digital twins, human-centered AI, and the growing importance of communication and problem-solving skills. 

 
Timestamps: 

00:00 - Introduction to Hugh Newton-Hill and ATTENSI’s AI-driven game-based solutions 

02:54 - Building sustainable learning with behavioral analytics 

04:44 - The value of game mechanics versus gamification in corporate training 

06:02 - Case study: Circle K’s scalable store manager simulations 

07:24 - Confidence as a cornerstone of effective workforce training 

08:21 - Keeping technology human-centric and accessible across environments 

11:31 - Addressing frontline skills gaps and onboarding overwhelm 

13:52 - Designing onboarding to foster psychological safety and confidence 

15:11 - The science of behavior change: capability, practice, and motivation 

17:24 - The impact of behavioral data on future workforce analytics 

21:07 - Innovations in skills verification and digital twins of work environments 

28:22 - The potential of creating digital twins for organizations and workforces 

29:44 - Final thoughts: movies predicting future tech and workforce modeling 

Connect with Huw Newton-Hill: 

LinkedIn  

ATTENSI 

 
 
Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 
 

Complete your FREE profile on pepelwerk.com! and get matched to jobs! 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

In this episode, discover actionable strategies to stand out in today's competitive job market, harness the power of personal branding, and leverage digital and social platforms to amplify your professional presence. Stacey Ross Cohen, CEO of Co-communications and author of Brand Up: The Ultimate Playbook for College & Career Success in the Digital World, shares her insights on self-awareness, networking, and online reputation management.
 
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction to Stacey Ross Cohen and today’s focus 

00:26 - Stacey’s background and professional journey 

01:54 - The inspiration behind Brand Up and its target audience 

02:41 - How personal branding helps stand out in a competitive job market 

03:06 - Stacey’s personal twin story and its lessons on identity and differentiation 

06:29 - The three-part framework for personal branding success 

09:13 - Networking as a necessity, not a luxury, with early skill development 

12:30 - Overcoming blinders by recognizing your true talents 

16:30 - How to make your LinkedIn profile magnetic and authentic 

31:23 - Stacey’s closing thoughts: personal branding as life-long career insurance 

Connect with Stacey Cohen: 

LinkedIn 

Brand Up: The Ultimate Playbook for College & Career Success in the Digital World 

Brand Up 2.0: Propel Your Early Career Success 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Remember, personal branding is not a luxury—it's a career insurance policy and a future of work essential. Start early, stay consistent, and be authentically you. 

Complete your FREE profile on pepelwerk.com! and get matched to jobs! 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

Discover how Jason Putnam, CEO of Vetty, is transforming talent verification, onboarding, and leadership with a focus on trust, human experience, and innovative tech. This episode explores the evolving landscape of HR, AI, candidate trust, and community building in the workforce. Whether you’re a leader, recruiter, or job seeker, the insights shared by Jason Putnam provide a roadmap for navigating change with trust and innovation. 

 
Timestamps: 
00:00 - Introduction to Jason Putnam and Vetty 
02:52 - Leadership Philosophy  
03:21 – Vetty's Unique Approach 
05:13 - Impact of AI and Technology 
06:08 - Fraud and Deep Fakes in Hiring 
12:18 - Future of Work and AI 
16:28 - Human Connection and Community 
18:09 - Marketing and Branding Strategies 
25:38 - Navigating Economic Shifts 
29:52 - Networking and Trust 

Connect with Jason Putnam: 

LinkedIn  

Vetty.co 

 
 
Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 
 

Complete your FREE profile on pepelwerk.com! and get matched to jobs! 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

In this episode of Strategic Shift, Angela Sycz, VP of People Operations at Counslr, discusses the critical importance of mental health in the workplace. She emphasizes the need for self-care, work-life harmony and the generational shifts in attitudes towards work. The conversation explores how organizations can better listen to employee sentiment, the role of AI in mental health and practical advice for job seekers navigating the modern workforce.

 
Timestamps: 
00:00 - Introduction to Angela Sycz and Counselor’s Mission 

01:53 - Emerging Workplace Trends Impacting Mental Health 

04:16 - Burnout and Compassion Fatigue Effects 

07:04 - Gen Z's Demand for Mental Health Benefits 

11:54 - Recognizing Burnout and Stress Indicators 

15:11 - Building Psychological Safety and Trust 

19:28 - AI's Role in Mental Health Trends 

22:22 - Ethical Considerations of AI in Mental Health 

29:07 - Evaluating Organizational Well-being 

35:21 - Workplace Mental Health's Ripple Effect

 
 
Connect with Angela Sycz: 

LinkedIn 

Counslr 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Join us next time as we continue exploring innovation at the intersection of work, technology, and well-being. Keep shifting! 
 

Complete your FREE profile on pepelwerk.com! and get matched to jobs! 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

We keep calling Gen Z “unprepared” … while giving them work that isn’t worth doing. L-EAF LAB co-founders Pinny Sutkin (20+ years in talent acquisition) and Simon Holzapfel (former head of school) join Strategic Shift to explain why early talent is misunderstood and how companies can stop losing great people before they even start. From “you can’t schedule innovation” to “it’s time for resumes to go bye-bye,” they break down what a purpose-driven, collaborative workplace requires and how their lab model produces graduates who can show real outcomes. 

Timestamps: 
00:00 - Introduction to L-EAF LAB 

02:28 - Backgrounds of Pinny and Simon 

03:19 - New Generation Workplace Perceptions 

04:36 - Gen Z's Automation Mindset 

05:47 - Performance Orientation in Workers 

06:30 - Viewing Young Talent Holistically 

07:07 - Purpose-Driven Work Engagement 

07:56 - Digital Literacy's Employment Impact 

08:26 - Collaboration Culture Building 

09:00 - Future of Creator Economy 

09:41 - Real Project Work Support by L-EAF LAB 

Connect with the Guests: 

Pinny Sutkin 

Simon Holzapfel 

L-EAF LAB 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 
 

Complete your FREE profile on pepelwerk.com! and get matched to jobs! 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.

In this episode of Strategic Shift, Christy Honeycutt speaks with AI strategist Tori Begg on navigating the AI shift inside modern organizations. They explore human-first AI adoption, enablement in real workflows and where leaders are seeing tangible value today. The discussion offers practical perspective for executives shaping strategy, teams and culture in an AI-driven workplace. 

Timestamps:
00:00 - Welcome and Introduction 

00:58 - Tori’s AI Background 

01:49 - AI as a Co-Pilot for Kids 

04:09 - ChatGPT for Learning 

05:24 - Discovering AI at a Party 

07:12 - AI in Sales Workflows 

09:28 - AI as an Equalizer 

12:15 - Effective Prompt Engineering 

17:22 - Change Management in AI 

28:30 - Mind and Machine Networking 

Connect with Tori Begg: 

LinkedIn 

Mind and Machine DFW 

Connect with Christy Honeycutt: 

LinkedIn 

 
Tune in for real conversations, fresh insights, and strategies that actually help you stay ahead. Follow now and start making your own strategic shift. 
 

Complete your FREE profile on pepelwerk.com! and get matched to jobs! 

Facing a strategic shift? Send us fan mail, we’d love to hear from you.