Top Voice Podcast with Michael J. López

Leadership and The Future of Work in the Age of AI with Brian Elliott

Michael interviews Brian Elliott, CEO of Work Forward and former Google and Slack executive, about AI and the future of work through a human-centered lens. Elliott explains how his Future Forum research on workplace flexibility evolved into AI-focused advising, arguing that technology and policies are tools and the real work is alignment, culture, and motivating diverse teams. They discuss research showing most leaders say AI speeds work but few can prove ROI, often due to output over outcomes, poor goal alignment, and “AI work slop.” Elliott shares examples from Zapier, Guild, and Anthropic using outcome scorecards, training, leadership participation, and pathways for roles. They warn against performance-review metrics tied to AI usage and emphasize team-based learning, empathy, time for training, and listening to employees. Timestamps: 00:24  Welcome and Setup 01:23  Meet Brian Elliott 02:07  From Remote to AI 03:44  Culture Over Tools 05:24  AI ROI and Alignment 07:56 Approach Goals and Pathways 11:09  Engagement and Meta Backlash 13:45  Gen X Leadership Moment 17:18  Practical Catch Up Tactics 19:23  Performance Reviews Trap 22:15  Expertise Identity and Judgment 25:50  Empathy Time and Training 29:50  Future of Transformation 32:17  Key Takeaways and Wrap 34:08  Closing Connect with Brian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/belliott/ https://theworkforward.substack.com https://www.workforward.com Michael's National Workforce Study on Change Management: https://www.michaeljlopez.coach/research

How Generational Healing Changes What We Pass Down with Jasmine Escalera

Michael interviews Dr. Jasmine Escalera, founder of the nonprofit Institute for Generational Healing, about recognizing and breaking inherited survival patterns passed through families. Escalera explains generational healing, how cycles can provide strength yet hinder desired lives, and the science behind inherited responses through epigenetics, alongside spirituality, modeling, and conditioning. They discuss misconceptions about trauma, distinguishing big T and little T trauma, and defining trauma as the body’s response. Escalera addresses accountability, compassion toward parents as humans, how far back to explore family stories, and the loneliness and grief cycle breakers face when families resist change. She outlines the institute’s pillars—research, education (including a generational healing 101 course), and transformation through community-based modalities beyond talk therapy—and how beliefs shape relationships and workplace behavior. Escalera shares her own journey from hyper-independence, emphasizes asking what’s holding you back and where it was learned, and notes her strength in hard work while learning balance. She shares ways to follow her on LinkedIn and Instagram, with a website coming soon. Timestamps: 00:24  Welcome and Guest Intro 01:57  What Generational Healing Means 04:39  Science Behind Inherited Trauma 06:58  Responsibility to Break Cycles 10:44  Defining Trauma Big and Small 15:21  Family Stories and How Far Back 18:18  Cycle Breakers and Family Pushback 21:54  Institute Pillars and Healing Modalities 24:20  Beliefs at Work and Culture 30:30  How to Know What You Carry 34:20  Closing Connect with Jasmine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-escalera/ https://www.instagram.com/drjasmineescalera/ https://linktr.ee/drjasmineescalera Michael's National Workforce Study on Change Management: https://www.michaeljlopez.coach/research

Why Most Executives Don't Know They Have a LinkedIn Problem with Leslie Hughes.

Michael welcomes LinkedIn Top Voice, trainer, and author Leslie Hughes to discuss how LinkedIn has evolved from a job-search site into a networking and thought leadership platform, and why many executives underestimate their need for an active presence. Hughes explains that executives are forward-facing brand ambassadors and should engage with their teams, celebrate wins, build quality networks, and publish consistently (even 20 minutes a week). They cover semantic search, profile essentials (professional headshot, banner, 220-character headline, and a first-person About section with quantifiable results), balancing authenticity with professionalism, and overcoming fears of “bragging” through servant leadership framing. Hughes shares examples of executives Dwayne Green (Aviva Investors) and Charles Brown (LifeLabs), addresses AI caution in compliance-heavy industries, and encourages proactive LinkedIn investment before layoffs force reactive catch-up. Timestamps: 00:24  Welcome 01:18  Meet Leslie Hughes 02:515  LinkedIn Evolution for Execs 03:02  The Hidden LinkedIn Problem 04:41  Proactive vs Reactive Wake Up 06:06  CEO Examples Done Right 07:51  Time and Posting Cadence 09:30  Semantic Search and Discovery 11:55  Gen X Profile Refresh 13:32  Profile Essentials That Convert 16:17  Human Stories vs Bragging 19:41  Thought Leadership and Imposter Syndrome 22:36  AI Caution and Digital Twins 25:34  Overwhelm and Simple Systems 27:57  Guardrails and Brand Safety 29:42  Top Executive Takeaways 31:33  Closing Question MrBeast 34:22  Where to Find Leslie 35:18  Closing Connect with Leslie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leslie-hughes/ https://punchmedia.ca Michael's National Workforce Study on Change Management: https://www.michaeljlopez.coach/research

The Creator Economy is Dead. Long Live the IP Economy with Bia Granja

Michael talks with creator-economy builder Bia Granja about her hot take that the creator economy isn’t dead, but the attention economy that fueled it is ending as reach becomes commoditized and organic reach declines. Bia argues creators must shift from chasing virality and platform-optimized metrics to building repeatable formats, worlds, and durable IP with multiple revenue streams, while owning direct relationships with their communities through subscriptions and other channels. They discuss how AI accelerates content abundance and makes copying easier, increasing the importance of meaning, trust, critical thinking, and adaptability. Bia also explains why Wall Street, private equity, and Hollywood are focusing less on follower counts and more on underlying assets and franchisable systems. Timestamps: 00:24  Welcome 01:22  Meet Bia Granja 03:16  Attention Economy Ends 06:07  Virality vs Business 09:23  AI and Meaning 16:01  Wall Street Meets Creators 17:14  Formats Worlds and IP 21:08  Ownership and Trust 24:40  Organic Reach Is Dead 27:33  Key Takeaways for Creators 30:21  Bonus Question Adaptability 33:55  Where to Follow Bia 34:47  Closing Connect with Bia: https://www.linkedin.com/in/biagranja/ https://creatoreconomy.rocks https://povcreatoreconomy.substack.com https://www.instagram.com/biagranja/ Michael's National Workforce Study on Change Management: https://www.michaeljlopez.coach/research

How AI Is Reshaping Education Beyond the Classroom in 2026 with Christophe Zoghbi

Michael interviews Christophe “Chris” Zoghbi, founder and CEO of Zaka, about how AI is reshaping education and workplace learning, with a focus on the Middle East. Zoghbi shares his path from software engineering and early machine-learning work in 2014 to building Beirut AI and then Zaka to make AI accessible through training, consulting, development, hiring, and governance. He explains how AI is shifting education away from memorization toward practical, personalized, project-based learning, including Zaka’s Seeds K–12 program for students and educators. They discuss corporate AI adoption challenges, the need for contextual hands-on training, and Zoghbi’s mission to build local talent to solve local problems. Timestamps: 00:24  Welcome and Setup 01:28  Christophe Origin Story 05:28  AI Then vs Now 07:09  Rethinking Curriculum 09:29  K12 AI Learning Path 13:23  Corporate AI Transformation 16:34  Training for Real ROI 21:50  Global Adoption Patterns 24:23  Democratizing AI Access 27:18  Why Focus on MENA 29:09  Key Takeaways Connect with Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christophezoghbi/ https://zaka.ai Michael's National Workforce Study on Change Management: https://www.michaeljlopez.coach/research