The Shift Show with Rachel Bourne

Why does work feel broken right now, and why does burnout feel so normal? In this episode of The Shift Show, Rachel Bourne sits down with workplace strategists and WORK then PLACE co-authors Corinne Murray and Sara Escobar to unpack why work was never truly designed for humans in the first place. Together, they explore the real reasons behind return-to-office mandates, why “behavior before buildin...

What’s the leadership shift nobody talks about — especially for women in leadership? Debbie McGee made every leadership shift the hard way. From bulldozer to builder. From control to trust. From protecting her image to radical transparency. After decades in Big Four accounting, global HR leadership across 30 countries, and navigating male-dominated industries, a corporate reorganization forced her...

In this episode of The Shift Show, we’re joined by ⁠⁠Jelena Marjanovic, PhD⁠⁠, a leader in responsible AI adoption and human-AI collaboration. Dive into what AI use really looks like in the workplace-beyond buzzwords and superficial stats, and focus on how humans can work with AI in ways that enhance judgment, trust, sustainable outcomes. This episode matters now because AI isn’t just a tool anymo...

Executive careers are being reshaped in real time. AI is compressing decision cycles, private equity is redefining leadership expectations, and traditional career paths are breaking down faster than many leaders were prepared for. For senior professionals navigating transition, often for the first time in years, the challenge isn’t just tactical. It’s emotional and identity-based. This conversatio...

“Remember, before you can be great, you’ve got to be good. Before you can be good, you’ve got to be bad. But before you can even be bad, you’ve got to try.” ― Art Williams, ⁠All You Can Do is All You Can Do⁠ Rachel's friend ⁠Lydia Wu⁠, recently shared this in her newsletter and it perfectly captures what this past year has been as a podcaster and solopreneur. Today's episode is a little different....

Most people approach executive search like a transaction: apply, wait, hope. In reality, the senior job market is relationship-first… and trust is the real currency. In this episode, Rachel Bourne sits down with executive search leader Finley Konrade to unpack how recruiter relationships actually work, what helps candidates stay top-of-mind, and why the “best” opportunities often move through cura...

How do you lead and manage change in the AI era? Leading change used to be hard. Leading change in the AI era is something else entirely. In this episode of The Shift Show, Rachel Bourne brings together three incredibly seasoned transformation leaders to break down what it really takes to help teams adapt, perform, and stay grounded when work is shifting faster than ever. Our Guests: • Hibba Ullah...

What really happens behind closed doors during an executive search? In this episode of The Shift Show, Rachel sits down with Mike Bergen, Global HR Practice Leader at Kingsley Gate, to break down the real hiring process, the unwritten rules candidates never hear, and how leaders are evaluated in a world defined by AI, disruption, and rapid change. Mike reveals how search firms assess candidates, w...

What does it mean to lead like a human in the middle of digital disruption, AI, and constant change? In this episode of The Shift Show, Rachel Bourne sits down with executive coach and bestselling author Adam Weber (Lead Like a Human) to uncover why listening (not just leading) is today’s ultimate leadership superpower. Adam shares his journey from stressed-out founder to executive coach, highligh...

Big Question: Why are equally qualified people getting hired (or promoted?) while you’re still waiting? Short Answer: They’ve turned their reputation into a brand—and James Ellis shows you how to do the same in under a week. 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 scri...

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 explor...

Episode 7: Tech & Data Mini-Series – Part 2 Title: Beating the Bot, Building Trust, and Thinking Critically in the AI Age 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: Lydi...

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...

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...

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—espe...

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. In this short trailer, Rachel gives a quick recap of what we're tackling with The Shif...

With all the headlines, hot takes, and hype, it’s hard to tell what’s actually changing at work—and what’s just another LinkedIn buzzword. In this episode of The Shift Show, Rachel Bourne cuts through the noise with a grounded, insider breakdown of the real workplace shifts professionals need to pay attention to in 2025. From the rise of task-based work and AI integration to the myths about remote...

What skills will actually matter in the future of work—and how do you start building them now? In this episode of The Shift Show, host Rachel Bourne breaks down the top future-ready skills that employers are already looking for and walks you through her signature Future of Work Skills Framework. Learn what it really takes to stay relevant in an AI-driven, rapidly changing workplace—from emotional...

Welcome to The Shift Show — the podcast for ambitious professionals who want to stay ahead of the rapidly changing world of work. Hosted by Rachel Bourne, your go-to guide for navigating the rapidly evolving world of work, this first episode lays the foundation for the season ahead. We’re talking AI disruption, career reinvention, work-life balance, and how to build a career that lasts in a landsc...