The Tech Humanist Show

How do our everyday digital traces—social posts, check-ins, photos—shape our identities, relationships, and the very nature of privacy in a hyper-connected world? Kate O’Neill sits down with Lee Humphreys, professor and Chair of the Department of Communication at Cornell University and author of The Qualified Self: Social Media and the Accounting of Everyday Life . The conversation explores...

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, the nation faces unprecedented challenges: political polarization, economic insecurity, climate change, and the complex influence of technology and AI. How can America rethink its long-term strategy—and rebuild trust—at this historic crossroads? Host Kate O’Neill is joined by strategist and author Patrick Doherty, co-author of “The...

Are our emotions shaped—and even expanded—by technology, or are we just becoming more disconnected and manipulated online? Dive into this episode as Kate O’Neill and Pamela Pavliscak explore the complicated emotional landscape of the digital world and what it truly means to “stay human.” Topics Covered How technology mediates and shapes emotions The evolution from tech optimism t...

How can deeper, more intentional listening help us stay human in an age of algorithm-driven music and AI-generated sound? Topics Covered: The connection between music and the human experience Defining and democratizing “musicality” Listening for versus listening to music The impact of corporate consolidation and streaming platforms on music discovery The difference between musical genr...

Are leaders thinking big enough—and human enough—in the AI era? Explore how AI and technology shape the human experience with Kate O’Neill and guest Brian Solis, Head of Global Innovation at ServiceNow. Discover the concept of cognitive Darwinism, AI transformation stories, leadership in the AI era, and how to drive growth while staying human-centric. Topics Covered: AI augmentation vs. auto...

Are you overwhelmed by nonstop change and wondering how to truly thrive in a world shaped by AI and information overload? Tune into the latest Tech Humanist Show episode, where Kate sits down with Frederick Marshall—gardener, CEO, and author of Thrive: The Antidote to Future Shock —to unearth how we can cultivate clarity, resilience, and actual human thriving in our tech-saturated world. Topics co...

How can leaders harness AI in their communication without losing their authentic human touch? Topics covered: The meaning and value of authenticity in leadership The risks and rewards of using AI for executive communication Building trust and executive presence in an AI-mediated world The difference between confidence and certainty for leaders Coaching for on-camera executive presence Communicatin...

How can organizations confront their histories of harm before being forced to reckon with them? In this episode, Kate O’Neill is joined by Sarah Federman as they explore the crucial difference between deferred and acknowledged harm, and what real accountability can look like—especially amid today’s AI boom. Topics covered: Reckoning work vs. apologies, CSR, and ESG Corporate accountability f...

Are you overwhelmed at work but can’t pinpoint why? Discover how “thought load”—not just workload—may be sabotaging productivity, innovation, and well-being in the tech-driven workplace. Kate O’Neill sits down with Liane Davey—the brilliant mind behind the new book Thought Load —to unpack why work isn’t working for so many of us. Topics covered: The concept of thought load and it...

Are we truly understanding global trade, or just reacting to headlines? Step into a timely, eye-opening conversation on trade, geopolitics, and the systems shaping our global economy with Dmitry Grozoubinski, hosted by Kate O’Neill. Topics Covered: Why global trade is more misunderstood than ever The real forces driving today’s trade tensions and disruptions How policy, politics, and economi...

Are we letting technology shape our lives, or are we actively choosing how it fits in? Dive into an essential conversation about techno-chauvinism, AI’s real-world impacts, and what responsible innovation looks like with Meredith Broussard. Topics Covered: The difference between technological and social decisions The AI hype cycle and shifting perceptions of AI Techno chauvinism and using the righ...

What happens when AI makes us more creative—does it also make us more human? Dive into this episode to explore how blending technology and creativity can unlock new potential for individuals, teams, and businesses. Topics covered: Super Creativity: Augmenting human creativity with AI Unlocking creativity in “hidden figures” and backstage roles AI’s impact on solo creators vs. tea...

What does it really mean to build ethical and inclusive AI—and who gets to decide which problems we solve with technology? Dive into this conversation with Tess Posner as she and Kate O’Neill explore how education, ethics, and diverse voices shape the future of AI. Topics covered: The intersection of AI, education, and responsible technology Early experiences shaping ethical perspectives in tech C...

What happens when technology doesn’t just restore light sensitivity, but actually brings back the ability to perceive forms, patterns, and meaning for those who’ve lost their sight? Dive into this episode as we explore how breakthroughs in retinal prostheses are reshaping human experience. Topics covered: The difference between light sensitivity and form vision How the Prima retinal pr...

What does it truly mean to see—and how close are we to restoring sight for those who have lost it? Dr. Lauren Ayton shares her journey at the frontier of vision restoration, from leading Australia’s first bionic eye trial to navigating the ethical, scientific, and personal dimensions of bringing sight back. Topics covered: The meaning of “seeing” and how the brain constructs visi...

What does it truly mean to see—and how can technology restore one of our most essential human senses? In this episode, Dr. José-Alain Sahel joins Kate O’Neill to reveal the breakthroughs in vision restoration, and how these innovations are shaping the future of human experience. Topics Covered: Optogenetic therapy and vision restoration Artificial retina technology Scientific and patient jou...

What if the real future-of-work crisis isn’t about technology replacing humans—but organizations pushing out workers just when their wisdom is needed most? In this episode, Kate O’Neill and Dan Pontefract explore the urgency of rethinking age in the workplace, longevity, and designing meaningful work for six-decade careers. Topics covered : Age and longevity in the workforce Fluid vs. crystallized...

What if the “soft skills” we often overlook are actually the most strategic—and essential—in the age of AI? In this episode, leadership expert Dr. Bushra Khan and host Kate O’Neill explore the power and business impact of emotional intelligence, challenging outdated leadership myths and redefining what skills matter most for future-ready teams. Topics Covered: Why “soft skills” s...

What are the questions only humans can ask in an age where AI seems to have all the answers? In this episode, Kate O’Neill and futurist Ben Pring dive deep into the uniquely human skills and judgments that technology can’t replicate, and explore how leaders and organizations can navigate uncertainty, ask better questions, and shape a more human-centered future. Topics covered: Placing...

What if climate action and economic growth aren’t at odds—but actually deeply aligned? In this episode, Kate O’Neill sits down with Tom Chi to challenge conventional thinking about climate solutions, innovation, and the future of planetary restoration. Topics Covered: The emotional impact of witnessing coral reef collapse Reimagining climate action through the lens of both ecology and...

What if the secret to solving your organization’s toughest problems was thinking like a 10-year-old? Discover how childlike creativity and fun can reframe complex business challenges, spark innovation, and drive real results. Topics Covered: Childlike thinking for organizational problem-solving Playful penalties to boost accountability Storytelling and translating complex issues for kids Cha...

What if the future of work means being present without actually “being” there? In this episode, Kate O’Neill and Cortney Harding dig into how AI, spatial computing, and XR are quietly reshaping both our work and our very definition of human value, beyond the headlines and hype. Topics covered: The transformative power of spatial computing and XR beyond the AI buzz How enterprises are quietly...

What’s stopping legacy companies from becoming the next Airbnb or Amazon—and how can they unlock platform thinking to transform their assets into thriving ecosystems? Dive into how established organizations can use the “Digital Phoenix” effect to fuel innovation, leverage their existing advantages, and reshape value creation with cutting-edge insights from the world of platforms. Topics covered: P...

How can AI and innovation transform not just the business side of sports, but create truly human-centered fan experiences? In this episode, Christa Stout, the Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer for the Portland Trailblazers, talks with Kate O’Neill about building people-first strategies in professional sports, using AI to impact real human experiences, and lessons in innovation from aroun...

What does it really take for organizations to thrive in an era of constant disruption and rapid technological change? In this insightful episode of the Tech Humanist Show, host Kate O’Neill sits down with innovation strategist Greg Verdino to explore the critical role of adaptability in modern business. Drawing from their experiences with digital transformation and the development of the ADA...