Accelerating Humans

Bert shares his battle with AI context windows - that frustrating moment when Claude says "start a new conversation" just as you're making progress. This sparks a deep dive into how different AI tools handle long conversations, when they drift, and practical strategies for staying organized. From creating "cheat sheets" for your AI to organizing projects, backing up your wo...

In this episode of Accelerating Humans, Julianna and Bert break down the concept of a "change script"—a practical tool for guiding people through transitions, especially when tech like AI is involved. Drawing inspiration from an MIT case study, they explore why even the smartest strategies can flop without a clear narrative. They share real-life lessons from AI rollouts and corporate tra...

What happens when a chatbot has a name and introduces itself as a team member? Bert and Julianna tackle the provocative question: Should AI agents appear on your organizational chart? From phone answering assistants named Jennifer to the "agentic era" where AI has access to company tools, this conversation explores the practical and philosophical implications of AI as a colleague. They d...

Should you build a custom solution or buy something off-the-shelf? It's one of the most common decisions facing businesses today, yet most teams approach it without a clear framework. Bert and Julianna tackle real-world scenarios from luxury hotels to trucking companies, sharing a research-backed decision tree. From the $10/month hotel checkout app to the $500K logistics platform, they break d...

Episode Summary Bill Walker—aka the Purple Squirrel—is the guy CEOs call when they’re stuck at the $10M ceiling and spreadsheets are running the show. With roots in both marketing and IT, Bill doesn’t just build systems—he diagnoses workflow dysfunction at the core. In this conversation, Bert and Julianna dig into: The myth of “just needing a better system” How to know when your tech stack is the...

AI might be great at optimization—but it still can’t look you in the eye and feel what you're going through. In this episode, Bert and Julianna explore why empathy isn’t just a soft skill anymore—it’s a power skill. From recruiting to layoffs, project planning to tech implementations, we break down how real human connection impacts business outcomes. And we ask the big question: If AI can do t...

Episode Summary You know that little voice that says, “I can’t”? We’re coming for it. In this episode, Bert and Julianna tackle the mental roadblocks that stop us before we even begin — whether it’s building a website, switching careers, or running a marathon. Bert shares how AI has become his favorite way to get unstuck: it gives you a starting point, fast feedback, and the ability to skip perfec...

Welcome to Accelerating Humans ! In this episode, Julianna and Bert tackle the beast lurking in most businesses: the Frankenstack —that overgrown mess of software, systems, and apps duct-taped together over time. They talk candidly about how teams wind up with tech stacks that don’t serve them, why chasing the newest tools (including AI) often creates more problems, and how to start unwinding the...

Tired of AI spitting out polished-but-soulless copy? In this episode of Accelerating Humans , Bert and Julianna break down how to train your AI tools so they sound like you—not like a corporate consultant or a recycled LinkedIn post. You’ll hear: How Bert built his “Bert GPT” with banned phrases, tone settings, and personality quirks. The simple, under-10-minute process to train ChatGPT (or any AI...

Episode Summary: In this candid episode, Bert and Julianna dive into the often uncomfortable topic of bias in AI. They unpack how algorithms can inherit human prejudices, why even “neutral” data isn’t neutral, and who gets to decide what’s fair in automated systems. Bert brings the tech angle—how models are trained, what’s possible (and what’s hype). Julianna grounds it in people’s real experience...

In this episode, Bert and Julianna unpack the emotional rollercoaster of tech adoption—especially AI—in the workplace. Triggered by a headline claiming AI is “already taking jobs,” they dive into the real issue: how different types of people react to technological change. From early adopters to skeptics, they break down the "change archetypes" you’ll meet in any organization and how to work with e...

What if tech didn't make life harder—but actually helped us think better, move faster, and stay human in the chaos? Welcome to Accelerating Humans , where we decode the wild intersection of AI, business, and real-life problem solving. Hosts Bert (a no-BS CTO) and Julianna (an HR/ops pro with stories for days) break down what’s real, what’s hype, and how to make smarter moves—at work and beyond...