Humain Leaders

Why do 70% of business transformations fail? While many blame the technology, Damian Kirk argues it is rarely a people problem—it is a design failure.  In this episode, Damian joins us to pull back the curtain on organizational resilience. We explore why AI is currently exposing the existing cracks in leadership and how to move from "traditional management" to "modern leadership.&qu...

In this episode of Humain Org, organizational psychologist Michelle Caryn Paul joins the show to discuss why the leap to Artificial Intelligence is less about software installation and more about human mindset readiness . Drawing from her roots as the daughter of a labor attorney and her career in Silicon Valley, Michelle explains why traditional, top-down digital transformation models are failing...

Tech veteran and AI thought leader Andy Sitison joins us to discuss his philosophy of blending human-centered design with the accelerating pace of technology. Andy argues for a "reversed hierarchy of value," challenging the corporate world to prioritize the Planet and Society before the Economy. He explains how organizations have the opportunity to move beyond profit decisions to maximiz...

Unlocking Digital Wisdom: The Human Side of AI and Transformation In this illuminating episode with Barbara Wittmann, founder of the Digital Wisdom Collective, we explore why most digital transformation projects fail due to people, not technology.  Barbara introduces the concept of the Human Operating System (HOS) and reveals how organizations can shift from rigid Control to Coherence and Speed to...

Guest: Dr. Justin Trombold, President and Founder of Anderson Advisors Host: Susan Caesar, Founder of humain.org and Director of AI for ICF What truly holds organizations back from realizing value with AI? It's not the algorithms, the data, or the tech stack, it's the alignment, ethics, and organizational clarity that makes AI work for humans. In this candid conversation, Dr. Justin Trom...

An Interview with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys of Final Spark Step into the future of computation with Dr. Ewelina Kurtys, a neuroscientist and AI expert leading the charge in bio-computing at the Swiss startup Final Spark . The exponential energy demands of current AI models pose a major climate challenge. The solution? Living neurons . Dr. Kurtys explains why this is the only way forward: neurons are an i...

Despite billions invested in generative AI, MIT’s State of AI in Business 2025 reveals a startling truth: 95% of organizations see zero return.  The problem isn’t the technology, it’s leadership. In this episode of humainorg , Susan Caesar unpacks the “GenAI Divide” and shows how Humain Leadership™, leadership grounded in listening, clarity, and trust, is the missing ingredient for AI adoption tha...

In this solo episode of Humain Org , Susan Caesar, Director of Artificial Intelligence at ICF, reflects on her recent presentation to the ICF Black and Indigenous People of Color Member Resource Group , led by Kaumudi Goda , with the support of Dr. Aikyna Finch , ICF VP DEIB. Through personal storytelling and professional insight, Susan explores: How our identities shape the way we design and use...

Navigating the AI revolution? This episode is for you.  Join host Susan Caesar and fellow human-centric AI executive Nan Li as they explore how AI is fundamentally changing our world.  Nan, a thought leader with two decades of experience, goes beyond the tech to discuss the four pillars of effective AI transformation, the critical ethical questions we must ask, and the four new "personas&quot...

A dynamic and thought-provoking conversation with AI and innovation expert Ray Waite, founder of Lighthouse Force.  Join us as we explore the evolution of AI from its early days at IBM Watson to its current transformative impact on businesses of all sizes. Ray discusses the shift from "tanker" corporations to "speedboat" startups in adapting to rapid change, the critical role o...

Step into the future of work with this special episode of HumainOrg, directly from the ICF Future Workforce Summit in Berlin! Join us as we unpack key insights from thought leaders on navigating rapid change, harnessing AI responsibly, and redefining human-centric leadership.  In this episode, you'll discover: The "Do Good Deeds" Framework: Tim Harrison's practical process for...

Join us on HumainOrg E29 as we kick off a two-part special from the ICF Future Workforce Summit in Berlin! In this captivating episode, we dive into Day 1, exploring the evolving landscape of work, technology, and human development.  Hear from thought leaders like Jonathan Reitz, who challenges us to consider the "Philosopher in the Loop" , and discover how coaches can serve as "wor...

Join us as we dive deep into the world of AI with Julian Warszawski, Principal Engineer at Shopify and former Engineering Lead at Airbnb. Julian shares his unique insights on the critical role of human understanding and critical thinking in the age of artificial intelligence. We explore the potential for bias in algorithms and the importance of defining "fairness" within specific domains...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Simon Lamb, founder and CEO of Purposeful Change and co-founder of Meaning.  With over two decades of experience, Simon is an expert in organizational development and change, deeply passionate about helping individuals, teams, and organizations not just survive, but truly thrive through periods of change. In this episode, we'll explore his insights o...

Join host Susan in a captivating conversation with Dr. Janet Pauketat, a social psychologist and researcher at the Sentience Institute, as they explore the evolving landscape of AI and moral consideration.  Dr. Pauketat delves into how our perception of "humanness" and "mind" influences our willingness to extend moral concern to artificial intelligence, highlighting the signifi...

Artificial Intelligence is here, transforming how we hire, coach, and develop the workforce. But with this rapid evolution comes a critical question: How do we embrace AI's potential while safeguarding our human values and ensuring ethical, inclusive progress? In this episode we take you inside Connections 2025, a dynamic conference in Columbus, Ohio. Hear directly from educators, HR leaders,...

Join us for a deep dive into the world of AI-driven automation with Shirish Nimgaonkar, Founder and CEO of ebliss AI. Shirish brings a wealth of experience from Silicon Valley, venture capital, and M&A advisory, to the forefront of device and infrastructure management.  In this episode, we uncover how eBlissAI is using a combination of classical AI, large language models, and AI agents to revo...

Journey into the heart of the Vatican as we explore Pope Francis's profound vision for navigating the age of Artificial Intelligence. From his final acts of compassion to his urgent call for ethical AI development, discover how his human-centered approach challenges us to redefine technology's role in our lives. This episode delves into the urgent need for human dignity, ethical guidelin...

This episode dives deep into a fascinating future where human ingenuity, artificial intelligence, and the natural world exist in harmony. Based on Susan Caesar's document from April 16th, 2025, we explore the optimistic projections of the World Economic Forum's 2025 Future of Jobs Report, which suggests AI will generate significantly more jobs globally by 2030, even while some roles are...

This podcast episode of "humainorg" hosted by Susan Caesar features Michelle Ansell, a Managing Partner at Douglas Jackson, an executive search and recruitment consultancy. Michelle is described as a leading expert in executive search with over two decades of experience helping C-Suite leaders hire impactful and diverse leaders who achieve long-term success. She specializes in senior, di...

In this thought-provoking episode, we tackle the intersection of AI and neurodiversity with three experts leading the way. Shanttel Kemawor , a Data & AI Engineer at Sage, brings her experience in building cutting-edge AI solutions and her passion for mentoring the next generation of data enthusiasts.     Josh Budd , the founder of Neuro, shares his vision for AI-powered tools that can transfo...

AI is here, and it's changing everything.  This episode explores the profound impact of artificial intelligence on the workplace, comparing its potential to the Industrial Revolution. We'll unpack the opportunities and challenges, including increased efficiency, innovation, job displacement, and the critical need for reskilling. We also delve into the nuances of remote and hybrid work mo...

Join us as Lee Gould shares her unique 'vibe coding' approach to AI, discussing its power to augment skills, revolutionize learning, and the importance of understanding AI bias. Learn how she went from experimenting with Taylor Swift lyrics to building complex AI solutions. Lee Gould brings her 'MacGyver' mindset to AI, exploring its potential to eliminate learning friction and...

This episode is a must-listen for any leader looking to navigate the complexities of today’s world and build a truly successful, human-centered organization.  Bruce calls himself a 'Human Experience Visionary' and that title is well-deserved.   For decades, Bruce has been at the forefront of helping organizations understand and better serve people – whether they're customers, employ...

I attended the AI for Animals Conference at UC Berkeley! 🤯 It was a wild ride through the intersection of tech and animal welfare. 🤖🐶 We explored how AI can help save endangered species 🐼, the ethics of using AI in farming 🐷, and even the potential for AI to give animals legal rights! ⚖️ Some highlights: Could AI help us talk to animals?! 🤯 The Earth Species Project is working on decoding an...