Working Forward

Live from the PeopleForward Network Community, Jason sits down with Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer—aka the workplace wellbeing docs 👩‍⚕️👩‍⚕️—to talk about their new book "Leading for Wellness."

Why are employees feeling worse despite all the wellness perks? What does real support look like? And how can leaders stop burnout before it starts? This convo is packed with research, laughs, and "aha" moments on leading people-first.

Let's get well, together. 🌱

Additional Resources:

Join the PFN Community!

Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn

Connect with Katina on LinkedIn

Learn more about Workr Beeing

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube!

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Wellness programs alone don't improve employee wellbeing—leadership behaviors do.
• Authenticity and vulnerability from leaders foster trust and openness on teams.
• Leaders must proactively prioritize and manage team workload to prevent burnout.
• Understanding employee individuality is crucial—wellness is not one-size-fits-all.
• AI has the potential to help or harm wellbeing, depending on how it's integrated.

In this conversation, Jason Cochran and Josh Drean explore the rapidly changing landscape of work, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence and its implications for employment. They discuss the uncertainty surrounding AI's capabilities, the importance of human connection in the workplace, and the need for a new employment model that prioritizes meaningful work.

The conversation highlights the ethical considerations of AI integration, the challenges faced by HR, and the necessity for strategic implementation of AI tools to enhance productivity without sacrificing employee experience. In this conversation, Josh Drean and Jason Cochran explore the evolving landscape of work, focusing on the needs and expectations of the modern workforce.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Josh on LinkedIn:

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

Check out Josh's book: https://work3.me/book/

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

• The pace of change in the world feels overwhelming.
• Disengaging from news and technology may not be a solution.
• AI's development is still shrouded in mystery, even for experts.
• Honesty and transparency from tech leaders are refreshing.
• The future of work may involve more meaningful, mission-based roles.

In this episode, Nikki and Jason dive into a hot topic: how do you keep that human touch while embracing the rise of automation and AI 🤖?

They get real about what should be automated (hello, scheduling) and what should never lose the personal touch (like conflict resolution or celebrating your people).

With practical insights, core values, and a whole lot of heart, this convo will leave you rethinking how to scale without losing soul 💡💬.

Additional Resources:

Join the PFN Community!

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Define what automation and high touch mean for your organization.
• Use your core values as guardrails—don't automate what's uniquely human.
• Automate for scale, but personalize for trust to preserve authenticity.
• Design systems that create space for connection, not remove it.
• AI transformation is human transformation—prioritize alignment and communication.
• Your culture code should drive how your team shows up with new tools.

In this conversation, Jason Cochran and Chris Kluver discuss the current state of the economy, the challenges faced by business leaders, and the impact of political decisions on economic stability. They explore the role of hope in leadership, the transformative effects of AI and automation on the workforce, and the importance of life-work integration in the evolving work landscape. The discussion emphasizes the need for strategic planning in addressing job displacement and the potential for AI to create a more equitable future. In this conversation, Jason Cochran and Kris Kluver explore the evolving role of AI in our lives, particularly its impact on critical thinking skills, productivity, and collaboration.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Kris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kriskluver/

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

• There's a lot of people out there who are freaking out about the economy.
• The extinction events we're going to see in businesses is going to be massive.
• With great disruption comes great opportunity.
• Hope is now the number one trait people look for in leadership.
• We need to have a plan for those who may be displaced by AI.

In this conversation, Jason Cochran and Gianna Driver explore the evolving landscape of work, focusing on the challenges faced by HR leaders, the importance of work-life integration, and the rising significance of hope in leadership. They discuss the impact of AI on employment and the necessity for collaboration between humans and technology, emphasizing the need for workplaces to adapt to these changes while maintaining a human-centered approach. They also explore the implications of AI on critical thinking, productivity, and workplace culture.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Gianna on LinkedIn:: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gianna-driver-6183391/

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

• HR leaders are tasked with overseeing employee well-being amidst rapid changes.
• Work-life integration is more relevant than ever in today's work environment.
• Hope has become a crucial trait sought in leadership, surpassing trust.
• AI is transforming the workplace, but it should be seen as a tool, not a replacement.
• Creating a future-ready workplace requires leaders to embrace AI and its potential.

In this conversation, Jason Cochran interviews Vince Freeman, the Chief AI Implementation Officer at HardingPorman. They discuss the evolving role of AI in organizations, the challenges of implementation, and the future of work as AI becomes more integrated into various industries. Vince shares insights on the importance of education and collaboration between HR and IT, the potential economic implications of AI, and the need for individuals to find meaning beyond their jobs in an AI-driven world.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Vince on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vince-freeman-55ba152/

Join survivingtheuprising.com

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

• The role of Chief AI Implementation Officer is crucial for strategic AI integration.
• AI implementation requires a clear understanding of organizational needs.
• Education and training are essential for successful AI adoption.
• Trust between leadership and employees is vital during AI transitions.
• AI will create new job roles while displacing some existing ones.

In this episode, we dive into the power of asynchronous meetings—what they are, why they matter, and how they can revolutionize the way teams communicate.

Join Jason Cochran and Nikki Lewallen Gregory as they break down the key strategies behind effective async collaboration. From reducing meeting fatigue to ensuring every team member has a voice, this conversation is packed with insights you won't want to miss.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkilewallen/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Key Takeaways:

Boosts productivity – Reduces unnecessary meetings and Zoom fatigue. Inclusive communication – Gives everyone a chance to contribute. Clear structure matters – Set expectations and deadlines. Right tools help – Use Slack, Google Docs, or project management apps. Future of work – Async collaboration is here to stay.

In this conversation, Jason Cochran engages with futurists Steve Dowling and Craig Carroll to explore the evolving landscape of workplace communication. They discuss the profound impact of social media on communication dynamics, the rise of podcasting as a tool for corporate communication, and the implications of artificial intelligence in enhancing or complicating communication processes. The discussion highlights the challenges organizations face in adapting to new communication technologies and the potential of AI to improve feedback mechanisms and productivity, while also raising concerns about content quality in an era of easy content generation. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges of podcasting, the role of AI in content creation, and its implications for accessibility and data analysis. They explore the impact of AI on jobs and the evolving landscape of DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) in the workplace, highlighting the political pressures surrounding it. The discussion also touches on the shifting language around DEI and the importance of focusing on outcomes rather than labels. The conversation concludes with insights into their podcasting journey and the significance of effective communication in today's world.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Steve On LinkedIn

Connect with Craig On LinkedIn

Listen to their podcast: Communication Breakdown

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube!

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Social media has fundamentally changed communication dynamics.
• The rise of influencers complicates trust in information.
• Workplace communication has shifted from top-down to more collaborative.
• Podcasting offers a flexible and engaging communication tool.
• AI can enhance productivity but also presents challenges.

Workplace Revolution is back and better than ever! Andrea Brummett is joined by Jason Cochran, new host of Working Forward, to talk about the evolving role of EQ in the workplace.

Andrea breaks down the five key components of EQ—self-awareness, self-regulation, motivation, empathy, and social skills—giving real-world insights into why these skills are essential in today's rapidly changing work environment. We also dive deep into conflict resolution, leadership development, and the impact of AI on human connection.

Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or team member, this episode will challenge you to rethink how emotional intelligence impacts collaboration, decision-making, and long-term success.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Andrea: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrea-brummett-6024501/

The Pabulum Group: https://pabulumgroup.com/

reddeHR: https://reddehr.com/

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

• Self-awareness improves leadership and decision-making.
• Empathy builds trust and collaboration.
• Healthy conflict fuels growth.
• Intrinsic motivation drives success.
• EQ is a lifelong skill.

Joining me in this episode focused on the future of AI and HR are Enrique Rubio and Matt Burns.

Enrique is an HR, Tech and Future of Work expert, keynote speaker and founder of global communities. Enrique is currently an advisor to the community he built, Hacking HR, a global learning community operating at the intersection of future of work, technology, business and organizations, with thousands of members of all over the world; and the Head of Global Community at Transform. Enrique is also ranked as one of the top 100 HR global influencers.

Matt Burns is the Co-Founder & CEO of atlas copilot, the world's first AI knowledge copilot for people leaders. Atlas Copilot's mission is to fundamentally transform the way HR professionals, teams and other people leaders do their work. And increases the value they can offer by empowering them with the latest in generative AI technology.

And together, they're now doing the "AI HR" podcast, presented by Hacking HR.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all

Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/

Enrique's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubioenrique/

Matt's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattburnshr/

Check out their businesses:

https://hackinghrlab.io/ https://www.atlascopilot.com/

Check out their podcast:

https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/hacking-hr/episodes/AI-in-HR-Podcast--Episode-001--Guest-Enrique-Rubio-e2rsfqb

• There's a lot of uncertainty in the market regarding AI.
• AI will affect all job sectors, not just blue-collar jobs.
• Every job is at risk due to AI advancements.
• AI does not need to be perfect to replace human jobs.
• The gig economy is likely to grow as job security diminishes.