Stay Current

Raising the Next Generation at Work: How Mentorship Has Changed

In this episode of Stay Current, we explore one of the most quietly complex shifts in today’s workforce: the emerging dynamic between Gen Z and their more senior counterparts.   As Gen Z enters the workplace, traditional mentorship models are being challenged. This generation brings new expectations around communication, boundaries, and purpose. In response, leaders are seeking to build productive partnerships with their younger mentees while helping them navigate a workplace whose foundation was laid long before they were born.   This conversation examines how mentorship has evolved from informal guidance and sink-or-swim learning to intentional support, transparency, and ongoing dialogue. We discuss what it really means to guide early-career professionals today, how to balance accountability with empathy, and where the line exists between support and enablement.  Rather than framing generational differences as a problem to solve, this episode reframes mentorship as a relationship rooted in trust, clarity, and mutual learning. The goal isn’t to bog Gen Z in our world with dated expectations, but to help them grow into capable, confident professionals in a workplace that looks very different from the one we entered.

Energy Affordability and the Utility Industry’s Next Leadership Challenge

Energy affordability isn’t just about cost—it’s about behavior, perception, and access. In this episode, we unpack how data analytics and targeted marketing are reshaping energy assistance—and why psychological barriers often matter just as much as price. From vulnerable populations navigating rising bills to the hidden energy demands of remote work, this conversation reveals what’s really driving consumption today. We explore how household dynamics, housing quality, and even comfort expectations influence usage, alongside the growing strain from data centers and aging infrastructure. The result? A system that requires smarter messaging, better program design, and a more human-centered approach. If the goal is a more equitable energy future, it starts with understanding how people actually live—not just how they’re billed.

The Silver Tsunami–Preparing Utilities for the Great Knowledge Transfer

The utility industry is facing what IUCX calls the Silver Tsunami, a wave of retirements from experienced engineers, operators, linemen, CIS experts, and leaders who have kept the grid running for decades.   In this episode of Stay Current, we explore what happens when an industry's senior employees retire, why utilities are uniquely vulnerable to workforce gaps, and how forward-thinking organizations are preparing for the next generation of talent.   From mentorship programs to new apprenticeship models, AI-enabled knowledge capture, and modern training approaches, we’ll discuss how utilities can preserve expertise, build resilient teams, and turn a looming workforce crisis into an opportunity for transformation.   Because powering the future isn’t just about technology, it’s about the people who guide it.

Why Public Speaking Makes You Better at Prompt Engineering

In this episode of Stay Current, we sit down with Shivi Deveshwar, a Data & AI Strategist at Minnesota Power, to explore how we communicate matters just as much as the AI tools we use.  Drawing from real-world leadership, public speaking, and applied AI work, the conversation breaks down how clarity, context, constraints, and iteration skills honed on stage translate directly into better prompts. Through practical examples and before-and-after scenarios, this episode offers an actionable mindset shift for energy leaders navigating AI in high-stakes, regulated environments.

An Olympic Impact: How Large-scale Events Impact Utilities and Infrastructure

This episode explores the preparations and challenges faced by Los Angeles as it gears up to host the Olympics for the third time. The discussion covers the historical context of the Olympics in LA, collaboration with federal agencies for security, operational readiness, cybersecurity, transportation innovations, sustainability initiatives, and the shift towards carbon-free energy. In this conversation, the speakers discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the city of Pasadena as it prepares for the upcoming Olympics. They highlight the importance of learning from past experiences, the need for over-preparation, and the role of collaboration among different community stakeholders. They share the importance of contingency planning, resource scaling, and effective customer communication amid increasing complexity and uncertainty. The conversation also touches on infrastructure upgrades, sustainability initiatives, and the integration of technology in utility management, emphasizing the lasting benefits these efforts will have on the community.