We’re kicking off Season 5 of The Future of Human Experience with a powerful conversation about building the Human Era.

My guest is Monica Villalobos, CEO of the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the leader behind Datos, the Chamber’s annual research report that turns thousands of data points into meaningful conversations and real-world action.

In this episode, we talk about why data is more than numbers, how Datos has become a blueprint for other communities, and what it means to translate information into impact. Monica also shares her perspective on leadership, legacy, and why “if you’re doing business in Arizona, you are a Hispanic business.”

This is a conversation about more than data — it’s about shaping a more promising and human-centered future. 📌 Learn more about the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce: https://azhcc.com CONNECT WITH ERIC:

Website: https://ericjrodriguez.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/

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What if the future of work isn’t about more technology, but deeper relationships?

In this episode of The Future of Human Experience, Eric J. Rodriguez sits down with Alexander-Ali Dalipi, founder of HR1 Systems, to explore why relationships—not leads—are the actual currency of business.

We talk about:

✅ How COVID and AI are “signal moments” reshaping HR and payroll

✅ Why small businesses need human-centered tech solutions

✅ Alexander-Ali’s provocative talk “Your Next HR Assistant” and what it really means

✅ The shift from the Industrial Age to the Human Era

This episode is a must-listen for HR leaders, executives, and innovators who want to harness technology without losing the human advantage.

👉 Subscribe for more conversations on innovation, leadership, and the Human Era of work.

#FutureOfWork #HumanExperience #HR #AI

CONNECT WITH ERIC: Website: https://ericjrodriguez.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/

00:00 Guiding Companies Through Digital Transformation

03:51 Empowering Small Businesses During COVID

07:44 Takeaways from SHRM Conference

10:46 "The Shift to the Human Era"

15:21 "HR Feedback Shaping Workplace Future"

16:36 Inspiring Global Conversations

Dr. Yemaya Bordain, President of the Americas at Daedalean, is helping build the first AI systems ever certified for safety-critical aircraft.

However, her story begins long before the advent of aviation AI.

She was the first Black woman to earn a PhD in Electrical & Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois. Her mission? To make sure she wouldn't be the last.

In this conversation, we talk about:

-What AI on aircraft actually means (it’s not what you think)

-Why human judgment still beats machines

-She has experience breaking barriers in academia.

-And how trust—not tech—is the foundation of autonomy

This episode is about more than flight. It’s about legacy, systems leadership, and building a future that doesn't leave people behind.

Hosted by Eric J. Rodriguez

I’m a global keynote speaker, strategist, and host of The Future of Human Experience. I work with leaders and organizations navigating rapid change—helping them center innovation around people, not just technology.

CONNECT WITH ERIC:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/

X: https://x.com/ERodrigz

What if your zip code predicted your life expectancy more than your genetics?

In this episode of The Future of Human Experience, I sit down with Tomás León, President of Equality Health Foundation, to explore how trust, not just technology, is the real driver of innovation in healthcare and community well-being. We unpack the Zip Code Exam, a powerful platform exposing how geography shapes health outcomes across America, and how equity begins with visibility, voice, and trust.

From data to dignity, Tomás shares what it takes to move from awareness to action—and why innovation only moves at the speed of trust.

In this episode:

-How zip codes reveal hidden health disparities

-Turning social determinants into actionable insights

-Why trust is more important than technology in driving change

-The role of AI in predicting outcomes and guiding interventions

-Tomás León’s journey from the barrios of Tucson to national leadership

About the Host:

I'm Eric J. Rodriguez, a former global innovation leader at Intel, now working as a keynote speaker, strategic advisor, and consultant. I help organizations and leaders navigate the human side of innovation, where exponential change meets real-world impact.

I believe the future belongs not to the tools we build, but to the trust we create.

👉 Learn more: https://ericjrodriguez.com

📍Explore the Zip Code Exam:

https://www.zipcodeexam.com

🔗 Connect with Tomás León:

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

📬 Subscribe for more episodes:

We bring you conversations with leaders who are shaping a more human future, one decision, one story, one community at a time.

#TheFutureOfHumanExperience #ZipCodeExam #TomásLeón #HealthEquity #Innovation #AI #PublicHealth #EricJRodriguez #Trust #SocialDeterminants #HumanCenteredLeadership

CONNECT WITH ERIC:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/

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Change doesn’t happen overnight—it happens gradually, then suddenly.

In this episode of The Future of Human Experience, Eric sits down with Steven Zylstra, CEO of the Arizona Technology Council, to explore how decades of collaboration, smart policy, and human-centered leadership transformed Arizona into one of the world’s fastest-growing innovation ecosystems.

They dive into how to build a thriving tech community from the ground up, the power of STEM education, and what other regions can learn from Arizona’s long game.

What you’ll learn:

• Why policy beats politics when building for the future

• How tech ecosystems grow through purpose, not just profit

• The impact of STEM education and youth leadership

• What your community can do to lead its own quiet tech revolution

Listen in and ask yourself: Are you building for the moment—or building something that lasts? Follow The Future of Human Experience and connect with Eric at ericjrodriguez.com to subscribe to the newsletter and get more insights on innovation, leadership, and purpose-driven impact.

Frankie Russo joins host Eric J. Rodriguez to deliver a bold message: if AI can take your job, let it. The real opportunity? Becoming more human than ever before.

This isn’t another tech hype conversation. It’s a reset button on how we lead, create, and show up with purpose.

Listen in as they unpack:

• Weirdness as a leadership strategy

• Vulnerability in the machine era

• Why doing the work you're meant for is the only future-proof path

Subscribe and join us in reimagining what’s possible—weird wins.

Links talked about on the podcast:

Frankie's TedX talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAA4jiYD_x0 Frankie's latest book: https://a.co/d/4Z1SdG7

CONNECT WITH ERIC: Visit the latest from Eric: https://ericjrodriguez.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/ X: https://x.com/ERodrigz

Timestamps:

00:00 "Embrace Uniqueness in AI Era"

04:26 Rediscovering Childhood Genius

08:29 "Nurturing Inner Child Creativity"

12:43 "Discovering Genius: Why Meets Weird"

16:09 Navigating AI with Vulnerability

17:03 AI: Tool or Species?

21:24 "Insight Through Personal Transcripts"

23:02 AI: Mirror of Your Relationship

26:11 "Staying Connected with Frankie"

Dive into this episode of The Future of Human Experience as Eric Rodriguez sits down with Jose Avalos, a trailblazing executive and mentor, to explore what it really means to "get in the game," build a meaningful legacy, and lead with purpose in a rapidly evolving world. Jose shares powerful lessons from his decades-long career in tech, including how he became the first Mexican-born VP at a global tech giant, and how his cultural roots shaped his leadership style. |In this episode:

✔️ Jose Avalos’s journey from immigrant beginnings to executive leadership

✔️ Why hard work alone isn’t enough — and what really drives success

✔️ How to adapt cultural and family DNA to thrive in corporate spaces

✔️ Practical insights for underrepresented professionals in tech and beyond

✔️ The power of mentorship, learning, and planting seeds for others

Subscribe for more conversations with leaders shaping the future of work, innovation, and the human experience.

00:00 "Jose's Journey to Tech Leadership" 05:43 Preparing Next Generation for AI Future 09:06 From Disappointment to Proactive Engagement 11:18 "First Mexican VP: Breaking Barriers" 15:09 Strategic Career Navigation Advice 18:25 "Billion-Dollar Digital Signage Success" 21:51 "Open Doors for Others" 25:41 Nurturing Leadership and Career Growth 28:59 Harvard Program Transformed My Approach 32:48 Life's Lessons and Parental Grace

ABOUT ERIC J. RODRIGUEZ

Eric J. Rodriguez is a keynote speaker, innovation strategist, and host of "The Future of Human Experience" podcast. Drawing from his journey as a former corporate leader at Intel and now an entrepreneur, Eric challenges organizations to lead boldly through uncertainty, change, and disruption.

His work centers on the ACT Framework, a simple yet powerful model that helps leaders and teams navigate innovation by learning to Adapt, Connect, and Translate in real-time.

Through his talks, interviews, and storytelling, Eric empowers audiences to embrace complexity, unlock human potential, and take action in a world that’s changing faster than ever.

WORK WITH ERIC

Ready to inspire your team or event audience? Book Eric for keynotes, workshops, or strategy sessions:

🌐 [www.ericjrodriguez.com](https://www.ericjrodriguez.com)

🎥 Watch Eric’s Speaker Reel:

[https://youtu.be/5LyD2nfaeMs](https://youtu.be/5LyD2nfaeMs?si=mkX4tF9gymQs7_Zo)

FOLLOW & CONNECT

🎙️ Listen to The Future of Human Experience on your favorite podcast platform

🔗 LinkedIn: [linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez](https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/)

📸 Instagram: [@eric.j.rodriguez](https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/)

✖ X (Twitter): [@ERodrigz](https://x.com/ERodrigz)

Join host Eric Rodriguez as he sits down with Dr. Barbara Whye, a retired tech executive, leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and a doctoral recipient in the Human and Social Dimensions of Science and Technology, to discuss her groundbreaking career and insights on the future of artificial intelligence. Get straight-to-the-point advice on leadership, navigating change, and building a human-centered tech future.

In this episode:

-Barbara Whye’s journey: from 35 years in tech to redefining retirement as "preferment" -Strategies for impactful leadership and building inclusive teams -Navigating the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence in the workforce -How to bring diverse voices and communities into decisions around AI and technology -Why slowing down, listening, and creating sustainable systems matter for real innovation

Don’t miss this honest, practical conversation on leading with purpose in tech’s changing landscape!

00:00 Tech Journey: Learning and Impact 06:02 Presidential Introduction Opportunity 08:57 Leadership and Presentation Insights 12:34 PhD in AI-Driven HR Analytics 15:57 Embrace and Engage with AI 19:14 Transformative Collaboration with Time 23:36 "Grounding Through Impactful Work" 25:22 Empathy and Knowledge Sharing 31:03 "AI Workshops for Generational Insights" 34:13 "Thank You, Barbara: Our Inspiration"

Eric J. Rodriguez is a human-centered futurist, keynote speaker, and host of The Future of Human Experience podcast. With a passion for innovation, leadership, and the intersection of humanity and technology, Eric empowers organizations and individuals to navigate a rapidly evolving world while keeping human values at the core.

WORK WITH ERIC: Looking to inspire your team or audience? Book Eric for keynotes, workshops, or consulting by visiting https://www.ericjrodriguez.com

Eric's Speaker Reel: https://youtu.be/5LyD2nfaeMs?si=mkX4tF9gymQs7_Zo

LISTEN AND LEARN: Don’t miss Eric’s insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of work by subscribing to The Future of Human Experience.

CONNECT WITH ERIC: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/ X: https://x.com/ERodrigz

Eric Rodriguez welcomes back Oskhar Pineda to discuss his new book, "Think Outside the Boss." In this episode, they delve into practical, human-centered leadership principles that any organization can implement immediately.

-Why "work-life balance" is a misleading trend and what to focus on instead

-The four core leadership principles from Oskhar’s book (vulnerability, communication, trust, and more)

-How building trust and fostering vulnerability can fundamentally improve company culture

-The dangers of "corporate duct tape" and the importance of moving beyond quick fixes

-Real-world advice for managers and leaders wanting to implement these principles, regardless of their position in the company

00:00 Current Leadership Trend Pitfalls 06:15 Unity Through Communication and Trust 08:41 "Building Trust in Workplaces" 10:33 Embracing Failure Over Fear 13:50 Building Trust in Organizations20:09 "Trust-Building Leadership Insights" 20:57 Initiate Leadership Conversations with Books 24:29 "Future-Focused Book Launch Gratitude"

Connect with Oskhar: https://oskharspeaks.com/

Buy his new book here: https://a.co/d/fpa32O0

Subscribe to Eric's Innovation newsletter: http://eepurl.com/jc1iXs

ABOUT ERIC J. RODRIGUEZ

Eric J. Rodriguez is a human-centered futurist, keynote speaker, and host of The Future of Human Experience podcast. With a passion for innovation, leadership, and the intersection of humanity and technology, Eric empowers organizations and individuals to navigate a rapidly evolving world while keeping human values at the core.

WORK WITH ERIC:

Looking to inspire your team or audience? Book Eric for keynotes, workshops, or consulting by visiting https://www.ericjrodriguez.com

Eric's Speaker Reel: https://youtu.be/5LyD2nfaeMs?si=mkX4tF9gymQs7_Zo

LISTEN AND LEARN:

Don’t miss Eric’s insights on leadership, innovation, and the future of work by subscribing to The Future of Human Experience.

CONNECT WITH ERIC:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/

X: https://x.com/ERodrigz

#BookLaunch #ThinkOutsideTheBoss

How do we build a healthcare system that’s both high-tech and deeply human?

In this episode, I sit down with Washington Covena from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona to explore how AI, data, and grassroots leadership are reshaping care. We discuss personalized medicine, ethical AI, community-driven innovation, and how future healthcare careers are evolving beyond the clinical space.

If you care about the future of healthcare, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

00:00 AI's Transformative Impact Today 06:09 AI's Impact on Future Healthcare 08:16 "AI Challenges in Healthcare" 12:40 Grassroots Growth through Authentic Engagement 13:35 Bottom-Up Approach for Community Solutions 19:30 Community-Centered Data Utilization 21:50 Dream Team: Rock and Lloyd

Connect with Washington: https://www.linkedin.com/in/washington-covena-a2ba4a9/

WORK WITH ERIC:

Looking to inspire your team or audience? Book Eric for keynotes, workshops, or consulting by visiting https://www.ericjrodriguez.com

CONNECT WITH ERIC:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ejrodriguez/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eric.j.rodriguez/

X: https://x.com/ERodrigz