EP15: Why Education Must Change Now — and How Work-Based Learning Delivers

What if the most important shift in education isn’t more degrees — but earlier, real-world experience? In this conversation, Jason sits down with Alexandra Levit, renowned futurist and author, and Stephanie Loeck, VP of Strategic Development at GPS Education Partners, to discuss their groundbreaking new book, Make School Work. From redefining what “success” looks like to bridging the broken signal between schools and employers, this conversation uncovers why the traditional college-or-bust mindset is becoming obsolete, how students can build confidence and agency through real-world experiences, and what needs to change—urgently—to prepare the next generation for the world ahead.

EP14: The November 2025 Reckoning: The Four Forces Reshaping Work Right Now

Is the world of work experiencing a normal cycle—or are we in the middle of a true workforce reckoning? In this solo episode of Now to Next, Jason Averbook breaks down the four converging forces that are reshaping work faster than organizations can respond: collapsing workforce engagement, real-time job and skills restructuring, and the breakdown of the early-career pipeline. Jason calls this moment the “November 2025 Reckoning”—not because of hype, but because the data, signals, and lived experiences from leaders around the world show that organizations are hitting a wall. And it’s not AI causing the storm; AI is only accelerating cracks that were already forming. Speaking directly and candidly, Jason offers clarity on what’s happening, why it matters, and what leaders must do now to prepare their workforce for what’s coming next.

EP13: From Reactive to Ready — with Alexandra Zea, HR Digital Transformation Leader at Mercer

As technology and AI reshape how organizations work, what happens when we react too late? In this episode of Now to Next, Jason Averbook sits down with Alexandra Zea, HR Digital Transformation Leader at Mercer, to talk about the danger of waiting for certainty before acting — and how to make sure people don’t become the collateral of change. Drawing on her experience helping organizations rethink HR strategy, operating models, and digital transformation, Alex shares why readiness isn’t about speed alone — it’s about balance, governance, and leading with humanity as technology accelerates.

EP12:Leading with Humanity in the Age of AI — with Patricia Frost, EVP and Chief People and Places Officer at Seagate Technology

As organizations everywhere race to adopt AI, what does it take to lead with humanity at the center? In this episode of Now to Next, Jason Averbook sits down with Patricia Frost, Chief People and Places Officer at Seagate Technology, to discuss how leaders can build trust, courage, and connection in an era defined by technology. Drawing from her 32-year career in the U.S. Army and her leadership of Seagate’s 30,000+ global employees, Patricia shares her lessons on leading with empathy through uncertainty — and how Seagate is helping every employee embrace the power of AI, without losing the human touch.

EP11: Curiosity, Change, and the Human Side of AI — with Chris Maurio, Vice President of Solutions at Argano

What happens when curiosity becomes the most powerful skill of the future? In this episode of Now to Next, Jason sits down with Chris Maurio, Vice President of Solutions at Argano, to explore how AI is reshaping the way we work, parent, and think. From building his first database in HR to helping his six-year-old son design an app, Chris shares a deeply human perspective on innovation, digital literacy, and trust in an AI-powered world.

EP10: Inertia and Incrementalism - 2 barriers to an AI mindset with Adam Holton, Chief People Officer of GE HealthCare

When the world changes faster than ever before — do we truly want exponential change, or are we still thinking in increments? In this conversation, Jason Averbook sits down with Adam Holton, Chief People Officer at GE HealthCare, to explore what it really means to lead, coach, and stay human in an age defined by artificial intelligence. From his days as a Marine and basketball coach to his role leading one of the world’s most impactful healthcare organizations, Adam shares how curiosity, courage, and a willingness to “get dirty” with new technology are shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

EP9: Johannes Sundlo — Practical AI for HR | Curiosity, Experimentation & the Future of Work

How do we move from AI hype to real, useful change at work? In this episode, Jason sits down with Johannes Sundlo, HR practitioner, speaker, and creator of FullStack HR, to unpack what “practical AI” really means for the future of work. A former HR leader at Spotify, Johannes shares how small, low-risk experiments can create big impact — and why curiosity is the most underrated skill for navigating constant change. From reskilling and automation to leading with experimentation, this episode offers a playbook for turning AI anxiety into action.

EP8: Lead With Humanity — Mercedes Sullivan on HR Transformation, AI & the Frontline Workforce

How do you lead with humanity when AI and automation are reshaping work? What does belonging look like for frontline teams who rarely see HR? In this episode Jason sits down with Mercedes Sullivan, Executive Vice President, People, Culture & Communications at McKinley Companies, to explore HR as a values-driven practice — not just tech. We talk about frontline workforce strategy, “projects → products” in HR, the ethical choice points of AI, and how leaders create belonging for people who’ve historically been left out of the HR conversation. Mercedes brings a rare blend of front-line empathy and productized HR craft. A former touring tennis player turned HR transformation leader, she explains how HR can move from checkbox transactions to human-centered product thinking, why the frontline deserves a different technology playbook, and where AI helps — and where it must be restrained.

EP7: Reinventing Recruiting with Doug Berg of Match 2

In this episode of Now to Next, Jason Averbook sits down with HR tech veteran Doug Berg, known as the “Kevin Bacon of HR Tech” for his deep connections across the industry. Doug shares his entrepreneurial journey—from building Techies.com during the dot-com boom, to founding Jobs2Web (later acquired by SAP/SuccessFactors), to creating ZapInfo (acquired by Indeed), and now his latest venture, Match 2, which aims to fix one of recruiting’s biggest problems: the broken candidate experience. Doug and Jason dive into why candidates still face repetitive, siloed processes, how companies lose great talent through poor systems, and why the future of talent acquisition must flip from job-first to candidate-first.

EP6: Why Authenticity is Overrated | Dr. Tomas Chamorro on Identity, Leadership & AI

In this episode, Jason sits down with Dr. Tomas Chamorro, psychologist, author, and Chief Innovation Officer at ManpowerGroup, to explore the provocative themes from his upcoming book Why Authenticity is Overrated. Tomas shares insights from decades of research on leadership, psychology, and human behavior—challenging the popular notion that “being yourself” is always the best advice. From the dark side of authenticity to the impact of AI on human identity and trust, this conversation unpacks what authenticity really means in today’s workplace. Tomas argues that our obligation to others often outweighs our right to self-expression, and that the path to better leadership lies in self-control, perspective-taking, and compromise.

EP5: Dr. Thomas Otter on Acquisitions, AI, and the Future of HR Tech

In this episode of Now to Next, host Jason Averbook sits down with Dr. Thomas Otter — General Partner at Acadian Ventures, longtime product leader, and one of the most outspoken thinkers in HR technology. From his career at SAP and Gartner to co-founding a VC fund, Thomas has a unique vantage point on where HR tech has been and where it’s heading. Using golf bags, buffets, and a splash of wine metaphors, he and Jason break down acquisitions, AI, and the realities of building for the future of work. This isn’t hype — it’s a candid look at what’s really happening inside the industry, who’s likely to thrive, and which players may become roadkill on the way to reinvention.

EP4: Now to Next Solo Episode: Jason Averbook Answers Your Toughest Questions

In this special solo episode of Now to Next, host Jason Averbook launches a new series — Questions from the Edge — where he takes on the toughest, most forward-looking questions from the community about HR, AI, and the future of work. Throughout the episode, Jason makes it clear: this isn’t an incremental shift — it’s a collapse moment. The winners will be those who design for intent, agent, and workflow rather than clinging to platform, process, and user. He leaves listeners with a powerful reminder: In the AI era, trust is the true competitive advantage. The technology can scale instantly, but belief and confidence cannot.

EP3: Shlomit Gruman-Navot: We’re Not Passengers in the AI Era — We’re Pilots

In this conversation with Shlomit, we cut past the surface of “AI in HR” and get to what really matters: wisdom, judgment, and the human side of transformation.

EP2: AI-First HR & Leading Through Crisis with Shirley Baumer

In this powerful episode of Now to Next, Jason Averbook sits down with Shirley Baumer—co-founder and Chief Product Officer of DreamTeam—for a raw and insightful conversation about building a company amidst war, reimagining HR tech from the ground up, and what true leadership looks like in 2025. From her early days as a journalist to scaling monday.com into a billion-dollar company, Shirley’s journey is anything but ordinary. She shares how DreamTeam was built as an AI-native, product-led people platform—not just to digitize outdated HR processes, but to rethink them entirely. You’ll hear firsthand how she and her team launched features while sheltering from missile attacks, why she believes presence is the ultimate leadership trait, and how AI should be designed not just for power—but for trust and humanity.

EP1: Jess Von Bank on Curiosity, Impact, and Redefining Work in the AI Era

In this candid first episode of Now to Next, Jason Averbook sits down with Jess Von Bank for a deeply human conversation on curiosity as a leadership superpower, why burnout is a design flaw of legacy work systems, the difference between optics and impact, a clear-eyed take on DEI and equity, and how AI’s value exchange should be measured in human impact. From growing up in rural North Dakota to building a global community, leading Diverse Daisies, raising three daughters, even racing for the “thrill of the hunt,” Jess shares how purpose, community, and reciprocity shape better systems—for people and for business.

Now To Next with Jason Averbook Intro

In this episode of Now to Next, Jason Averbook delves into the podcast's mission, emphasizing the urgency of speed in today's business environment and the importance of innovative communication channels. Drawing insights from conversations with leaders who are at the forefront of driving change, Jason explores the dynamics of transformation in the modern workplace. He also discusses the variety of content that listeners can expect, alongside notes on the publishing schedule. The episode concludes with a reflection on the journey ahead, setting the stage for future discussions that aim to reshape and redefine the business landscape.