Big Question: Why are equally qualified people getting hired (or promoted?) while you’re still waiting?

Most of us can describe Apple or Nike in three words, but freeze when we have to do the same for ourselves. Employer-branding legend James Ellis joins Rachel to flip that script and show you how to borrow branding tools from leading companies to future-proof your career.

5 Big Takeaways:

Brand = Promise. It’s the feeling you create before anyone meets you.

Narrow beats broad. Be “famously useful” to 20 hiring managers, not anonymous to a thousand.

Your resume is a commercial. Show the value you create, prove it once, then stop talking.

AI is a power-up, not a cheat. Feed ChatGPT the JD + your resume to surface hidden gaps & angles.

Every weakness hides a strength. Identify yours, rethink what strengths it provides, and lead with it.

Listen and learn ⬇️

Meet the Guest

Links & Resources

Rate & Review

The future of work isn’t coming—it’s already here. And in this new world, adaptability isn’t optional—it’s the foundation for success.

In this episode of The Shift Show, host Rachel Bourne sits down with Ross Thornley, CEO & Co-Founder of AQai, to unpack why adaptability is the single most important skill professionals need to thrive in an AI-driven, rapidly changing workplace.

Together, we explore:

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed by change, or unsure how to stay relevant in a fast-moving career landscape, this episode gives you the tools and mindset shifts you need.

🔗 Take the AQai assessment at AQai.io to discover your adaptability profile and start building your future-ready skill set.

🎥 WATCH NEXT on The Shift Show:

5 Future-Proof Skills Every Professional Needs by 2025

The Truth About AI and Career Growth: How to Stay Ahead

📌 Subscribe for more episodes on career resilience, AI fluency, and thriving in the future of work.

✨ Timestamps:

00:01:00 - Meet Ross Thornley: The Human Behind AQai

00:03:47 - The Entrepreneurial Journey and Early Lessons

00:06:39 - The Origin of AQai and Adaptability

00:13:37 - The AQai Framework: Ability, Character, Environment

00:24:23 - The Art of Unlearning: Letting Go for Growth

00:33:36 - AI, Systems, and the Next Shift in Work

00:36:17 - Audience Questions: Building Adaptability in Leaders and Teams

00:48:03 - Action Steps: Building Your Adaptability Quotient

👉 Like, comment, and share if this episode sparks ideas for your future career.

Episode 7: Tech & Data Mini-Series – Part 2

Welcome back to Part 2 of our Tech & Data Proficiency series. This episode goes beyond the buzzwords and dives into how real professionals use tech fluency and data savviness to stay visible and valuable in a world increasingly run by algorithms.

Rachel is joined again by:

Lydia Wu – HR tech strategist who calls out “tech theater” for what it is

Zack Kikendall – translating Workday AI for enterprise decision-makers

Jeet Roy – a data storyteller who makes insights actually make sense

Why resumes are broken—and what to do about it

The trust paradox of AI: how to question your tools without losing credibility

How to build real critical thinking into team workflows

Simple, everyday ways to grow your data and tech muscle (even meal planning counts!)

⏱️ Timestamps:

01:43 | Beating the bot (without beating yourself up)

07:00 | The danger of training AI on your own bias

12:38 | Creating space for healthy, skeptical thinking

22:30 | 1 habit every future-ready pro needs

27:30 | ChatGPT and the relationship-saving hack

📥 Visit www.theshiftshow.net for more information and tools

Welcome back to The Shift Show—the podcast that helps ambitious professionals future-proof their careers and lead confidently in a rapidly changing world.

This week kicks off a 2-part mini-series on one of the most misunderstood (and mission-critical) areas of work today: Tech & Data Proficiency.

In Part 1, I’m joined by Arindrajit Roy, Lydia Wu, Zack Kikendall—three powerhouse data and technology experts who bring clarity to the chaos of AI, analytics, and digital transformation.

We break down:

Tech Adaptability: What does it really mean to be tech-savvy in a non-tech role?

Data Literacy: How can you make sense of metrics without getting lost in them?

We also talk tech fatigue, red flags vs. real trends, and how to sharpen your judgment without drowning in dashboards.

If you've ever thought, “I know tech matters, but I don’t know where to start,” or "I'm just not a data person!" this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now and share it with a friend who’s navigating change in a system-driven world. And don’t forget—Part 2 drops next week, covering AI-informed decision-making and critical thinking.

Subscribe for more episodes or check out www.theshiftshow.net or @shifthappens4U on Instagram, Facebook or LinkedIn to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes from The Shift Show. 

The job market is noisy, the advice is conflicting, and burnout is real. So how do you actually stand out without losing your sanity (or your soul)?

In this episode of The Shift Show, I sit down with Anna Morgan, career coach, recruiter, and founder of Career BFF, to unpack what it really takes to succeed in today’s hiring landscape.

We tackle:

What recruiters are actually seeing behind the scenes right now

Why personal branding is no longer optional (even if you’re not an “influencer”)

Smart strategies for job seekers who feel stuck, ghosted, or just... exhausted

How to make digital networking feel human (yes, even for introverts)

What you can do this week to be more visible, valuable, and grounded

If you're navigating career uncertainty, job-search chaos, or wondering if you're “doing it right”—this one’s for you.

🎧 Listen now, subscribe, and share with a friend who’s in the thick of it.

🔗 www.theshiftshow.net

(This episode is generated using AI)

Feeling stuck or doubting your potential? In this empowering episode of The Shift Show, "AI Rachel"  breaks down 10 science-backed ways to build a resilient, future-ready growth mindset—no fluff, just real strategies that work.

[Note from Real Rachel: I couldn't talk about the future of work with AI without using it myself! I'm publishing this with AI as a baseline, and we're going to compare the technology over time - There's still some good information here and we'll do some more indepth discussions on this topic soon.]

Whether you're navigating career change, burnout, or rapid workplace transformation, this episode is packed with insights to help you reframe failure, embrace learning, and lead with confidence.

You’ll learn:

How to turn challenges into opportunities

Why effort beats talent in the long run

What it really means to “fail forward”

How to rewire your inner narrative for success

Tools to stay adaptable in a changing world

💡 Join us to build the mental muscle that powers personal and professional growth.

🔔 Subscribe to The Shift Show and share this with a friend who is looking to level up! 

#growthmindset #careerresilience #futureofwork #personaldevelopment #burnoutrecovery #leadership #selfgrowth #TheShiftShow

Level Up Without Burning Out: Personal Management and Resilience in a Changing World with guest Executive Coaches, Patti O’Neal & Dr. Bonnie Maitlen

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Shift Show, host Rachel Bourne explores the core of personal leadership with two powerhouse executive coaches, Patti O’Neal and Dr. Bonnie Maitlen. Together, they unpack what it truly means to lead yourself—especially in a world that’s constantly changing.

This season, we're exploring The Future of Work Skills Framework, and in this episode we take a deep dive into the intersection of Self+Human for Personal Management and Resilience. You’ll hear actionable insights on how to best manage yourself through change, emotional resilience, burnout recovery, growth mindset, change agility, and how leaders can model these traits in sustainable and human-centered ways.

Whether you’re on the edge of burnout or just ready to expand your personal mastery, this episode offers wisdom, relief, real tools for managing through change, and creating your own transformation.

Topics We Cover:

Key Moments & Takeaways:

Guest Bios:

Patti O’Neal is the founder of arCapa and a seasoned executive coach with 30+ years in HR, operations, and general management. She helps leaders in Fortune 500 and startup environments engage with culture and deliver exceptional results.

Dr. Bonnie Maitlen is a board-certified executive coach with a doctorate in communication and adult learning. She helps CEOs and boards align bold strategy with leadership capability—guiding teams to breakthrough performance.

Resources Mentioned:

The Authenticity Paradox by Herminia Ibarra via HBR

Cynt Marshall’s Book: You’ve Been Chosen – Thriving Through the Unexpected (affiliate link)

Thanks for listening!

If this episode resonated with you:

✅ Subscribe to The Shift Show

✅ Visit our website www.theshiftshow.net and give us some feedback to tell us what YOU want to know about

✅ Share this with someone navigating change right now

The Shift Show is your weekly guide to navigating the rapidly changing world of work — without losing your mind (or your career momentum). Hosted by Rachel Bourne, a systems architect and HR insider, this show breaks down workplace trends, AI disruption, and burnout recovery into real talk and actionable advice.

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Shift Show, host Rachel Bourne explores the core of personal leadership with two powerhouse executive coaches, Patti O’Neal and Dr. Bonnie Maitlen. Together, they unpack what it truly means to lead yourself—especially in a world that’s constantly changing.

This season, we're exploring The Future of Work Skills Framework, and in this episode we take a deep dive into the intersection of Self+Human for Personal Management and Resilience. You’ll hear actionable insights on how to best manage yourself through change, emotional resilience, burnout recovery, growth mindset, change agility, and how leaders can model these traits in sustainable and human-centered ways. Whether you’re on the edge of burnout or just ready to expand your personal mastery, this episode offers wisdom, relief, real tools for managing through change, and creating your own transformation.

Topics We Cover

Key Moments & Takeaways

Guest Bios

Patti O’Neal is the founder of arCapa and a seasoned executive coach with 30+ years in HR, operations, and general management. She helps leaders in Fortune 500 and startup environments engage with culture and deliver exceptional results.

Resources Mentioned

Thanks for listening!

If this episode resonated with you:

Level Up Without Burning Out: Personal Management and Resilience in a Changing World with guest Executive Coaches, Patti O’Neal & Dr. Bonnie Maitlen

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Shift Show, host Rachel Bourne explores the core of personal leadership with two powerhouse executive coaches, Patti O’Neal and Dr. Bonnie Maitlen. Together, they unpack what it truly means to lead yourself—especially in a world that’s constantly changing.

This season, we're exploring The Future of Work Skills Framework, and in this episode we take a deep dive into the intersection of Self+Human for Personal Management and Resilience. You’ll hear actionable insights on how to best manage yourself through change, emotional resilience, burnout recovery, growth mindset, change agility, and how leaders can model these traits in sustainable and human-centered ways. Whether you’re on the edge of burnout or just ready to expand your personal mastery, this episode offers wisdom, relief, real tools for managing through change, and creating your own transformation.

Topics We Cover

Key Moments & Takeaways

Guest Bios

Patti O’Neal is the founder of arCapa and a seasoned executive coach with 30+ years in HR, operations, and general management. She helps leaders in Fortune 500 and startup environments engage with culture and deliver exceptional results.

Resources Mentioned

Thanks for listening!

If this episode resonated with you: