Summary

In this conversation, TJand James discuss the transformative potential of AI in education and corporate settings with CEO of Breakout Learning, Ramit Varma. They explore how AI can enhance communication, facilitate better learning experiences, and foster engagement through structured conversations. The discussion emphasizes the importance of group dynamics, optimal group sizes, and the need for inspiration in education and leadership. They also touch on the applications of these concepts in enterprise and public sector environments, highlighting the significance of feedback and community building in achieving organizational goals.

Check out www.breakoutlearning.com for more information.

In this episode of the Fractional Source Podcast, hosts TJ and James Mitchell discuss the profound impact of AI on human change management with human capital leader Mercy Noah . They explore the benefits and potential pitfalls of AI, emphasizing its role in improving productivity, communication, and strategic planning within organizations. Mercy offers insights into AI literacy, adaptation, and balancing human interaction with AI tools. The panel highlights the importance of maintaining human connection and empathy while adopting AI technologies, and provides practical advice on how organizations of all sizes can successfully implement AI to complement rather than replace human efforts.

In this episode of the Fractional Source Podcast, Joe Goodwin joins James Mitchell and TJ Kennedy to explore what real preparedness means for state and local governments. A U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Naval Intelligence Officer, Joe has led strategic initiatives at the federal, state, and local levels—serving as Pennsylvania’s Deputy Homeland Security Director and advising key programs within the Department of Homeland Security and CISA.  

Joe underscores that preparedness is not just about predicting bad events but ensuring capabilities match the risks at hand. Joe explains how a structured, data-driven approach can help governments assess threats, vulnerabilities, and consequences in a practical way. He also highlights the value of tabletop exercises, which not only expose gaps but also build critical cross-agency relationships and uncover hidden strengths.

The team stresses that even small, consistent investments can deliver major improvements for small and mid-sized communities. At the same time, senior executives must champion preparedness to make it part of the organizational culture. The key takeaway is that preparedness is everyone’s responsibility, and incremental progress can deliver extraordinary resilience dividends.

In this episode of the Fractional Source Podcast, James and TJ sit down with Eileen O’Brien Shaw, a seasoned HR executive and founder of 1EX Advisors, to explore how organizations, public and private alike, can navigate workforce disruption, succession planning, and the rapidly evolving nature of work in 2025 and beyond.

With over 30 years of experience in healthcare, finance, technology, and startups, Eileen brings a front-row perspective on today’s most pressing workforce challenges: baby boomer retirements, shrinking talent pipelines, rising expectations from younger generations, and the urgent need for succession planning amid economic uncertainty and organizational change

Bryce Stirton from Funding Navigator explains how their platform helps local governments and public safety agencies find and secure grants by streamlining the application process, managing data across multiple applications, and providing expert guidance throughout the funding lifecycle. The platform addresses critical funding challenges faced by communities experiencing budget deficits by connecting them with over 6,000 grant opportunities and alternative funding sources that many organizations, especially smaller and rural ones, might otherwise miss due to short application windows and complex requirements. Funding Navigator aims to modernize the fragmented grant industry while maintaining the human element that grantors value, ultimately helping underserved communities access crucial funding while reducing the administrative burden on already stretched public agencies.

Founder of SmartFireFighting.com, Kevin Sofen, sits down with TJ Kennedy to discuss how the fire service is adopting new technology to improve response times and quality of life for firefighters everywhere. 

Jason Karp joins TJ and James to discuss the benefits of hiring experienced professionals on a part-time basis to de-risk technical projects, improve decision-making, and provide valuable expertise in a cost-effective manner. They also explored their consulting model, emphasizing the efficiency and flexibility it offers to both clients and consultants, and discussed the mechanics of personnel placement and financial modeling.

TJ and James sit down with Jack Pellegrino to discuss the transformative changes in the public sector, the importance of integrated information systems, and the need for effective recruitment and retention strategies in city and county governments. Jack's four decades of government contracting, procurement, and supply chain management experience fueled a great discussion around some of the challenges - and opportunities - in approaching public sector contracting.