What’s Next?

AI promised to give us time back. So why does everyone feel more depleted? Charis Loveland and Dr. Wendi Lord, co-authors of the new AI for Human Flourishing report Protecting Well-Being in the Age of Intelligent Tools, join Tamara Lechner to unpack the paradox at the heart of modern work — and why the question isn't whether AI is smart enough, but whether your workplace still treats you like you...

OpenClaw went from side project to 150,000 GitHub stars in weeks. It's an open-source AI agent that actually does things—manages your inbox, books travel, runs shell commands. Not a chatbot. A digital employee. Security researchers are raising alarms. Users are calling it "the closest thing to JARVIS." Moltbook is where it gets weird. Someone built a social network for AI agents. No humans allowed...

In this conversation, Tamara Lechner and Wendi Lord discuss the role of AI in enhancing human creativity and productivity. They explore how AI can serve as a thought partner, aiding in ideation and personal growth. The discussion emphasizes the importance of crafting effective prompts and creating an optimal environment for innovation. They also highlight the balance between quantity and quality i...

Welcome to a special episode of What's Next?, where Tamara Lechner is joined by two AI co-hosts generated by Google's Notebook LM. In This Episode: Tamara experiments with Google’s NotebookLM, an AI-powered research tool, uploading three unique sources: Her team's AI for Human Flourishing framework , crafted with colleagues from the Harvard AI for Human Flourishing community. A book by her friend...

In this episode of What's Next?, we are joined by Blair Ryan , founder of Kindred. AI and Waiting Room , to explore the evolving role of AI in enhancing emotional intelligence and empathy. Together, we dive into how AI could revolutionize therapy, the ethical dilemmas it presents, and its impact on human relationships and collaboration. Tamara and Blair discuss how AI is being used to foster empat...

In this episode of What's Next?, Tamara sits down with Dr. Paul Zak , a trailblazer in the field of neuroscience, to explore the brain science behind human connection and why that is so important to flourishing. Paul shares insights from his extensive research and the cutting-edge neuroscience technology his companies are developing. We dive into the nuances between flourishing, happiness, and emo...

 In this episode, we take a deep dive into the intersection of flourishing and AI. Tamara explores how AI can enhance personal relationships, support wellbeing, and foster personal growth in the workplace. She also dives into some groundbreaking work happening with the AI for Human Flourishing Working Group and Think Tank. From helping individuals feel good and function well to creating environmen...

In this episode, Christopher Lafayette , a visionary technologist and humanitarian, joins the conversation to discuss the evolving relationship between AI and society. The discussion delves into the tug-of-war between AI and art, highlighting how technology reshapes creativity while maintaining human expression's essence. Christopher provides insights into AI’s transformative role in healthcare, c...

In this podcast episode, Tamara Lechner sits down with Rebecca Kirstein Resch, founder of Inqli , to delve into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing human creativity, connection, and flourishing. The discussion highlights how Inqli leverages AI to facilitate meaningful networking and connections, promoting critical thinking and creativity. They also address the pote...

In this episode of "What's Next?", Tamara Lechner chats with Bryce Tully, co-founder of Innerlogic , about the intersection of AI, culture, and performance psychology. Bryce shares his journey from sports psychology to creating a company that uses AI to help organizations harness culture as a competitive advantage. They delve into the role of AI in shaping organizational culture, the importance of...

In this week's episode of What's Next?, Tamara sits down with Ali Khan , CEO of Shape , to explore the groundbreaking discovery that flourishing is the super-metric driving productivity and other key workplace drivers. Ali explains how many employee surveys are counterproductive and how Shape's innovative instrument can build a flourishing mindset to accelerate growth up to 10x faster. They discus...

As season 2 begins, Tamara reconnects with Scott Wolfson to delve into his transformative "forking journey" and his latest venture with Valize . He discusses his partnership with strategy guru Rita McGrath and Centaurian Kes Sampanthar to reinvent management consulting and explores the concept of "unfair value" in the context of AI-driven business transformation. Scott also delves into the human f...

In this belated season finale, Tamara welcomes special guest Scott Wolfson for a profound exploration of life's most transformative moments. Discover how devastating setbacks can become unexpected gifts, and learn to harness the power of purpose as your guiding North Star. Scott shares intimate insights on embracing serendipity, conquering perfectionism, and wielding psychological safety as a pote...

In this mini-episode, Tamara talks about her own What's Next? (because it's unfolding in real-time). She'll share how a fortuitous favor turned into an opportunity. Why what you think you want might not show up in the way you expect and she'll share why "I did it my way" seems to be a lifelong theme. 

In this empowering episode of What's Next, special guest, Vimala Thangaveloo,  corporate counsel turned executive coach joins Tamara to share her wealth of knowledge and experience in guiding traditionally underrepresented women to find their voice and strength in the professional realm. As we explore topics like overcoming imposter syndrome, leveraging support networks during job transitions, and...

In this transformative episode we dive into a unique meditation session designed to prepare both fidgety skeptics and deep meditators for the rigors of an interview. Whether you're gearing up for your dream job interview or seeking to enhance your communication skills, this guided meditation offers practical techniques to calm your nerves, sharpen your focus, and present your best self. Led by ren...

This week on "What's Next," we're diving deep into the pivotal moments of career transitions, unpacking the crucial question: When is the right time to pivot? In a world where linear career paths are becoming less common, knowing the perfect timing for a successful pivot can be both an art and a science. We'll explore the signs that signal it's time to make a move, the factors to consider before t...

In this episode, we dive into the complex and often murky waters of career pivoting. We'll explore the essential concept of The Science of Mattering, understanding how feeling significant can impact our career transitions. Loneliness, a common but seldom discussed aspect of changing careers, gets a spotlight, revealing its effects and how to combat it. Difficult employees often make the pivot proc...

In this special mini-episode of "What's Next," host Tamara Lechner revisits the powerful themes of curiosity, courage, and serendipity that have emerged from the first nine episodes. Through a reflective exploration, Tamara highlights how these three elements are crucial in navigating non-linear careers and making successful pivots. Whether it's the spark of curiosity that opens new doors, the cou...

This week Tamara speaks with her Apricty.pro cofounder, Britta Klokotschnik. With a focus on play, curiosity, learning, and teamwork, we explore the transformative power of a playful approach, the necessity of lifelong learning, and the magic of finding your dream team in the AI era. They also talk about the pivot from school to work. Listen for inspiring stories and key insights on navigating the...

In this final episode of our 8-episode deep dive with Eric Fraser, we explore the dynamic world of AI entrepreneurship, tackling the uncertainties of career pivots, the importance of social connections in remote work, and the balance between mistake tolerance and entrepreneurial risks. We delve into the decision-making process of bootstrapping versus seeking investors for tech ventures and discuss...

This week Tamara dives into the continuous journey of integrating AI into our professional and personal lives. We discuss the intriguing concept of AI and consciousness, reflecting on how close technology is to simulating human awareness. The emergence of personal GPTs is at the forefront of our conversation, as we consider their impact on daily routines and tasks. Additionally, we critically asse...

In Week 6 of our series on non-linear career paths, "Pivot Playbook" delves into the complexities and opportunities of pivoting careers. Host Tamara, guided by her AI co-pilot, explores the nuances of this transition, addressing key challenges, essential skills, and the importance of networking in the AI industry. The episode features a Q&A session where Tamara's AI co-pilot poses insightful q...

In episode five, Tamara and Eric usher in the New Year with resolutions in hand, they delve into the public's perception of AI fears. We'll dissect how media reporting can influence these anxieties, particularly examining the New York Times versus Open AI case as a pivotal study. The conversation pivots to mindset and the vast opportunities awaiting those who navigate the VUCA (Volatility, Uncerta...

In this week's episode, Tamara and Eric delve into the complexities of pivoting to an AI career, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals, embracing intellectual humility, and being clear enough to "unpivot" if that's what your gut tells you. They also touch on the flexibility of Large Language Models (LLMs), the potential of a whole new way of defining succes...