Welcome to HeartWired! I’m Dr. MJ, and today’s episode is packed with powerful insights for anyone curious (or a little apprehensive) about navigating the intersection of AI, leadership, and being authentically human in a tech-driven world.

Hilary Bilbrey is not just an award-winning author and speaker; she’s a true thought leader in emotional intelligence, resilience, and authentic leadership. Hilary’s work especially her book The Authenticity Key challenges us all to deepen self-awareness, lead with integrity, and leverage technology as a tool for good, not as a replacement for meaningful human interaction.

In this candid conversation, Hilary and I dive into the real effects AI is having on our personal and professional lives both the exciting opportunities and the fears it brings up. We talk about the “pleasing bias” in AI, the importance of asking machines for honest feedback (instead of just flattery!), and actionable strategies for keeping our core values at the center as we embrace new technologies.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

1. AI’s Built-in Bias to Please: Hilary breaks down why AI is designed to tell users what they want to hear, and how that can limit our growth unless we intentionally ask for challenge and critique.
2. Prompting for Growth: Learn practical prompts to get AI to disagree with you, point out your blind spots, or play the role of “devil’s advocate” to strengthen your proposals, presentations, or ideas.
3. Conversational AI: Hilary shares her real-world workflow using both voice and text with AI to brainstorm, plan, and iterate, whether she’s on a walk or at her desk.
4. Self-Reflection & Capability Models: Discover how AI can serve as a tool for honest self-assessment and ongoing personal development.
5. How AI Can Enhance Our Humanity: Together, we debunk myths about AI making us less relevant, and show how it actually frees us to focus on deeper relationships, real listening, and meaningful work.
6. Authenticity in an AI World: We explore why you must know yourself your values, strengths, and leadership style before you can “train” any tool to reflect your true voice and aspirations.
7. Overcoming Fear with Curiosity: Hear Hilary’s simple, “safe” ways to start exploring AI, from vacation itineraries to finding unique gifts, before working up to using it for business decisions and coaching.

If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend or colleague who’s curious about the future of work, AI, and emotional intelligence. Be sure to subscribe to HeartWired so you never miss an episode. And if you’re ready to embrace AI as a partner in your authentic leadership journey start small, stay curious, and trust yourself.

Thanks again to Hilary Bilbrey for her wisdom. You can find more about her book The Authenticity Key wherever books are sold.

Let’s keep leading with heart, one conversation at a time!

— Dr. Mary Jean Vignone

Mentioned in this episode:

HeartWired is part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork

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Welcome back to HeartWired! I’m Dr. MJ, your host, and in this episode, I’m joined by the remarkable Dr. Gemma Sharp, a powerhouse in the worlds of epidemiology, mental health, and ethical AI innovation. Gemma is not only a professor and globally-minded researcher but also the founder of the Global Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders and CEO of her own AI mental health technology company.

In this inspiring conversation, we dive deep into the intersection of mental health care and artificial intelligence. Dr. Gemma Sharp shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship and charity leadership, all driven by her desire to create real-world impact. We discuss the importance of human-centered, co-designed AI, how to navigate conflicting stakeholder needs, and the critical ethical boundaries that must guide tech innovation in high-stakes domains like mental health.

Key Takeaways and Topics Covered

1. Why Diverse Roles Matter: Learn how Dr. Gemma Sharp integrates research, clinical experience, and tech leadership to drive meaningful change in mental health ([00:00:49]–[00:02:25]).
2. Co-Design in Practice: Discover the double diamond design model and how involving end-users from the start (those with lived experience, clinicians, advocates, and more) leads to safer, more effective AI tools ([00:05:28]–[00:07:59]).
3. Ethical Guardrails: Explore why “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” is Dr. Gemma Sharp’s mantra for AI development, and the risks of moving faster than governance and ethics allow ([00:12:22]–[00:14:28]).
4. Practical AI in Care: We differentiate between lower-risk uses (admin support, clinical notes, scheduling) and high-risk ones (AI as therapist substitutes), and why current technology is best viewed as an assistant, not a replacement ([00:15:01]–[00:17:27]).
5. Building Trust and Safety: Hear about GEM and EDS-E, two AI-driven tools Dr. Gemma Sharp has co-created, and why listening to user concerns led to “less fancy” but safer, trusted solutions ([00:17:37]–[00:19:42]).
6. Advice for Innovators: The most crucial question to answer before launching an AI mental health tool? Define safety boundaries and know exactly what’s in and out of scope ([00:20:18]–[00:21:01]).
7. Community Impact: Get introduced to the Global Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders, an inclusive, barrier-free organization aiming to welcome all voices in support and research ([00:21:21]–[00:23:23]).

If you’re a clinician, researcher, entrepreneur, or technologist curious about the future of mental health and AI, this episode is packed with wisdom, practical frameworks, and ethical insights. Dr. Gemma Sharp’s perspective balances optimism and caution, always centering technology as a support for, not a replacement of, human connection.

1. Learn more about eating disorders research or join the free Global Consortium: core-ed.com.au
2. Contact Dr. Gemma Sharp through Adelaide University, LinkedIn, or X for more on AI tools and consortium events.

If today’s conversation resonated with you, please share this episode with friends or colleagues interested in responsible AI, human-centered design, or mental health innovation. Subscribe to HeartWired for more thought leadership where tech meets human values and stay tuned for our next episode!

Thank you for being part of the HeartWired community. Your curiosity and commitment to emotional intelligence in the AI age make all the difference.

— Dr. MJ

Welcome back to another episode of HeartWired: the podcast where we explore how emotionally intelligent leadership can thrive in an AI-powered world. I’m your host, Dr. Mary Jean Vignone, and in this episode, we’re diving into the future of banking, risk, compliance, and the undeniable human element at the core of technological change.

In this insightful conversation, I sat down with Laurel Sykes, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at American Riviera Bank, a seasoned leader with over 30 years navigating regulatory shifts, mergers, and enterprise risk management in the banking sector. Together, we explore how AI is evolving the finance industry, from fraud detection to hiring practices, and how leaders can balance innovation with human empathy.

Laurel Sykes is a powerhouse when it comes to banking risk, compliance, and operational excellence. With her deep expertise in enterprise risk management, anti-money laundering, business continuity, and much more, she’s uniquely positioned to unpack how AI is reshaping financial institutions without losing sight of the very real people behind the numbers.

1. The Evolution of AI in Banking:
2. We explore how AI isn’t new to banks from algorithms powering credit decisions to today’s generative models creating content and analyzing vast data streams.
3. Balancing Innovation & Security:
4. Laurel discusses piloting AI tools like Copilot internally, focusing on privacy, security, and limiting exposure to sensitive client data.
5. AI Risks & Real-World Safeguards:
6. Practical insights into how improperly configured AI can expose confidential information or amplify fraud risks and how keeping an expert “human in the middle” is non-negotiable.
7. Fraud in the AI Age:
8. The episode covers real examples of AI-powered fraud, including deepfake scams, voice impersonation of loved ones, and evolving social engineering targeting everyone from seniors to young adults.
9. Maintaining the Human Touch:
10. Even as automation grows, banking remains a relationship business. Laurel and I discuss how authenticity, emotional intelligence, and intentional leadership keep enterprises grounded.
11. AI in Hiring & HR:
12. The challenges of AI-generated resumes and candidates using AI in interviews, plus tips for crafting behavioral interview questions that reveal true experience beyond what an algorithm can prepare.
13. Leadership in a Tech-Driven Era:
14. Advice for leaders: Pilot AI thoughtfully, treat AI like an intern—not a replacement—and always double-check results for accuracy, compliance, and tone.
15. Regulatory Insights:
16. What leaders need to know about emerging laws governing AI, automated decision-making, and consumer data protection.

As AI becomes embedded in nearly every organizational process, leaders face the dual challenge of driving efficiency while remaining vigilant stewards of data, relationships, and trust. This episode is a must-listen for financial professionals, risk officers, HR leaders, and anyone navigating technological change with a human-first mindset.

If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe to HeartWired and share this conversation with colleagues or friends who care about the intersection of tech, trust, and leadership. And if you want to stay on the cutting edge of emotionally intelligent management in an AI world, leave us a review or reach out with topics you’d like us to cover next.

Thanks again for joining me and Laurel Sykes on this journey. Remember: technology shapes the future, but heart shapes technology’s impact.

Subscribe. Share. Stay HeartWired.

Dr. MJ

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