Dr. Bryan Hughes studies something organizations often overlook: what happens after a toxic leader leaves.

In this episode of Technically Human, Bryan and I talk about why removing one person doesn’t automatically repair a damaged culture, how toxic leaders can manipulate both employees and senior executives, and why organizations have to intentionally rebuild trust and accountability.

We also explore Stephen M.R. Covey’s idea of the “trust tax” - when trust breaks down, everything takes longer and costs more - and what leaders can do to begin rebuilding it.

Then we bring the conversation into the age of AI. As technology takes over more of the dashboards, metrics, and administrative work, Brian argues that leaders have an opportunity to spend more time doing what technology cannot: knowing their people, listening, building relationships, developing others, and creating the conditions for people to do their best work.

We close with a rapid-fire leadership round, including one habit leaders should stop, one they should start, and the leadership skill Brian believes is still underrated.

“Leadership is not about controlling people. It’s about stewarding humanity.”

AI may look like a technology initiative, but Patrick Bell argues that its biggest challenges are human and managerial.

Patrick is a business-growth strategist, AI transformation practitioner, author, and doctoral researcher whose career has taken him through 55 countries and across business, education, consulting, and software. In this conversation, we explore why AI puts simultaneous pressure on leadership, teams, structures, and governance, and why small organizational “wobbles” become much harder to control when the pace accelerates.

Patrick also shares what employees can do to remain valuable, why universities should raise the standard instead of simply banning AI, how leaders can evaluate AI consultants, and what humane leadership looks like when technology changes someone’s role.

We also discuss Patrick and David Lively’s book, The Parrot and the Architect, and the difference between someone who repeats the language of AI and someone who can show what they have actually built.

Connect with Patrick: aitransformationpartner.com

Learn more about Career Compass: www.careercompassusa.com

If everyone has access to the same AI tools, what will set you apart? It probably will not be knowing the most prompts. It will be the human capabilities you bring to the work.
In this solo episode, I break down five skills that will matter most in the age of AI: adaptability, emotional intelligence, leadership and influence, critical thinking and judgment, and learning agility. I also share practical ways to strengthen each one, from asking better questions and listening more closely to testing assumptions and learning through experience.
You do not need to work on all five at once. Choose one and practice it intentionally this week. Technology may change how we work, but our humanity will determine how we lead.

What happens when a leader becomes the limit of the team?

In this episode of Technically Human, Dr. Tracy Shroyer talks with organizational development consultant Mark Vincent about succession planning, the three turns of leadership, and what it means to lead toward future value.

Mark explains why “I’ll just do it myself” may be one of the most expensive sentences a leader says, and why developing someone who can step into your work creates capacity for the organization and room for your own growth.

Tracy and Mark also explore what comes after the knowledge economy. As AI makes information easier to access, the distinctly human capabilities of judgment, creativity, deep listening, emotional intelligence, relationships, and non-anxious leadership may become more valuable than ever.

A thoughtful conversation for leaders, business owners, HR and talent professionals, and anyone considering what their next chapter of leadership requires.

Connect with Mark Vincent: https://marklvincent.com

What if finding the right career isn't just about your skills, but about understanding yourself?

In this episode of Technically Human, Dr. Tracy Shroyer continues her Career Psychology series by exploring three of the foundational thinkers who shaped modern career development: Frank Parsons, John Holland, and Donald Super.

You'll learn how career thinking has evolved from simply matching people to jobs to understanding identity, personality, life stages, and the importance of finding work that aligns with who you are.

In this episode, we explore:

• Why Frank Parsons is considered the father of career counseling
• John Holland's RIASEC theory and the importance of person-environment fit
• Donald Super's Life-Span, Life-Space Theory and Career Rainbow
• Why careers are no longer linear, and what that means for your future
• The difference between job search advice, career coaching, and career psychology
• How self-awareness can lead to more meaningful career decisions

Whether you're considering a career change, feeling stuck, navigating a layoff, or simply curious about the psychology behind work, this episode provides practical insights grounded in decades of career development research.

The world of work has changed. Understanding yourself may be the most valuable career skill you can develop.

Subscribe to Technically Human so you don't miss the next episode, where we'll dive into modern career psychology theories and explore how they apply to today's rapidly changing world of work.

Connect with Dr. Tracy Shroyer at www.careercompassusa.com or via email at learn@tracyshroyerphd.com.
#CareerPsychology #CareerDevelopment #CareerCoaching #FutureOfWork #Leadership #CareerChange #SelfAwareness #CareerGrowth #TechnicallyHuman #ProfessionalDevelopment

Artificial intelligence is changing how we work, create, andmarket ourselves, but does that mean human expertise matters less?
Quite the opposite.

In this episode of Technically Human, Dr. Tracy Shroyer sits down with Wes Towers, founder of Upward 360, to discuss how AI is changing marketing while making trust, authenticity, and human connection even more valuable.

Topics include:
• Why conversations outperform prompts
• Authenticity as a competitive advantage
• Search Everywhere Optimization
• Human-centered branding
• Emotional intelligence
• Building trust in an AI era

Learn more about Wes at https://uplift360.com.au/

I've been down a lot of learning rabbit holes over the years, but this one feels different.

Lately, I've found myself becoming increasingly curious about the field of career psychology, the study of why we think, feel, and behave the way we do in relation to our work.

In this first episode of a new series, I share a framework I've been developing that explores three layers of career development:

• Job Search Advice• Career Coaching• Career Psychology

While most career conversations focus on resumes, LinkedIn profiles, interviewing, and networking, I've started to wonder whether the real challenges many professionals face run much deeper. Questions about identity, confidence, purpose, self-trust, meaning, and career decisions may be at the heart of what keeps people feeling stuck.

Join me as I begin exploring the foundational theories, ideas, and questions behind career psychology, not as an expert with all the answers, but as a lifelong learner inviting you along for the journey.

What happens when a life-changing event forces you to question everything?

In this episode of Technically Human, I sit down with Alan Lazaros, CEO and co-founder of Next Level University, to discuss the experiences that transformed his life and career.

Alan shares his journey from corporate success and financial achievement to a devastating car accident that became a turning point. We explore finding purpose after adversity, investing in personal growth, navigating uncertainty, building resilience, and why human connection matters more than ever in an AI-driven world.

If you're facing career uncertainty, questioning your next step, or searching for greater meaning in your work and life, this conversation offers practical wisdom and honest perspective.

We talk about:

• Turning adversity into opportunity
• Discovering your purpose
• Personal development versus empty motivation
• Investing in yourself wisely
• Career transitions and reinvention
• AI, technology, and human connection
• Leadership, growth, and accountability

Whether you're navigating a career transition, recovering from a setback, or trying to determine what's next, this conversation is packed with practical insights and powerful stories.

Learn more about Alan Lazaros and Next Level University at https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/

Subscribe for more conversations exploring the intersection of technology, careers, leadership, and what it means to remain Technically Human.