Professional Quotient

Laughter as a Service: How Comedy Can Power Trust, Teamwork, and Career Growth

Comedy might be the most underused business skill in your toolkit… In a world of back-to-back Zoom calls, Slack threads, and AI-generated everything, real human connection can start to feel like an afterthought. We’re moving faster than ever, but sometimes we’re listening less, reacting more, and missing the small moments that actually build trust. The truth is, most professionals are so focused on being efficient that they forget how powerful it is to simply be present, curious, and genuinely engaged. So what if the fastest way to build trust, connection, and results was by learning to use comedy as a professional skill? In this episode of Professional Quotient, we meet with Kevin Hubschmann, founder of Laugh.Events, to explore how improv and stand-up skills can transform the way we listen, lead, sell, and build teams. Kevin shares how, occasionally, “bombing” can actually sharpen your professional edge. When we embrace failure, double down on what works, and stay deeply connected to other humans in every conversation — we are bound to grow! What you’ll learn… * Why improv is really training for active listening and empathetic communication. * How “laughing and development” helps teams reconnect in an AI-heavy, transactional world. * How reps, feedback, and even missteps can raise your Professional Quotient (PQ). Memorable quote… “Failure is for everybody. Success happens only when you fail a tremendous amount of times and learn from it.” Kevin Hubschmann is the Founder and Director of Events at Laugh.Events, where he helps organizations strengthen communication, leadership, and culture through improv workshops, corporate comedy experiences, and what he calls “Laughter as a Service” (LaaS). A former enterprise SaaS salesperson and founding team member at SplashThat.com (now part of Cvent), Kevin blends deep sales and marketing expertise with over a decade of experience in stand-up and improv to deliver high-impact team development and brand engagement programs. He leads sales, business development, and operations at Laugh.Events, working with companies across industries—from tech to law to healthcare—to use humor as a practical tool for connection, trust, and professional growth.

In the Race to Build Smarter AI, Technology Leaders Shouldn’t Forget That Innovation Needs Oversight

When a résumé is filtered out, a loan is denied, or a piece of content never reaches its audience, artificial intelligence may be the unseen hand behind the outcome. As these systems spread across the tools and institutions that shape daily life, the assumptions and priorities of their designers are carried forward into decisions made at scale. The real challenge isn’t the sophistication of the technology itself, but whether accountability, care, and human judgment are being designed in alongside speed and efficiency. What happens when the race to build faster, smarter AI outruns our ability to use it responsibly? In this episode of Professional Quotient, we meet with Jasen Zubcevik, President of The American Council for Ethical AI and Chairman of The American AI Association, to explore what it really means to build and deploy ethical AI in a world that’s moving at breakneck speed. Jasen shares how his studies at MIT and Oxford opened his eyes to both the technical power of AI and the human risks when systems are built without guardrails. From privacy and data security to bias, accessibility, and AI “hallucinations,” we talk through the biggest red flags leaders should be watching for right now. We also dig into the future of work: which jobs are most vulnerable, why AI will replace some roles but not people who know how to use it well, and how each of us can start building “AI fluency” as part of our professional equity. Along the way, Jasen reflects on the relationships, resilience, and relentless curiosity that have shaped his own PQ—from launching a marketing firm in a crowded field to now convening leaders across government, tech, and nonprofits around responsible AI. What you’ll learn… * Ethical AI requires human oversight, not just technical capability. The discussion emphasizes that AI systems must remain under meaningful human control, especially as they are increasingly used in high-stakes areas like security, governance, hiring, and data analysis. Speed and efficiency alone are insufficient without accountability, transparency, and safeguards. * The biggest risks today include privacy, misinformation, and accessibility. The episode highlights red flags such as users unknowingly uploading sensitive data to cloud-based AI systems, AI hallucinations generating false or misleading information, and the risk of building systems that exclude people with disabilities or only serve limited groups. * AI will reshape work—but fluency, not fear, determines who benefits. While many roles will be replaced or transformed, individuals who understand how to use AI at a high level will become more valuable, not less. Continuous learning and adaptability are framed as essential components of long-term professional resilience. Jason Zubcevik is the President of The American Council for Ethical AI and Chairman of the American AI Association, U.S.-based nonprofits working to promote responsible and ethical AI across sectors. He has studied AI from both technical and human-centered perspectives, completing executive education at MIT and advanced studies at Oxford, where his focus shifted toward AI governance, ethics, and societal impact. Zubcevik has worked across government, technology, nonprofit, and association sectors, and now convenes leaders from organizations such as Microsoft, Amazon, Verizon, and U.S. federal agencies to address the ethical challenges emerging as AI adoption accelerates. If you’ve been wondering how to engage with AI without losing the human element, this conversation is for you.

Lights, Camera, Authenticity: Why Trusting Your Voice Is the Most Radical Move in Filmmaking Today

The entertainment industry is at a crossroads, where questions of access, authorship, and technological disruption are reshaping who gets to tell stories—and how those stories get made. From the rise of AI-assisted tools to ongoing conversations about representation and gatekeeping, filmmaking today is as much about identity and equity as it is about craft. These pressures make it especially timely to examine how creative voices are shaped, challenged, and sustained in an industry that doesn’t always reward difference. So how do creative professionals build lasting careers in an industry defined by gatekeeping—and what does it really mean to trust your voice when the system encourages conformity? Welcome to Professional Quotient. In this episode, host Jason Winningham sits down with Julia Camara, an accomplished screenwriter and filmmaker whose body of work spans award-winning films, fearless storytelling, and a deep commitment to creative authenticity. Julia shares what it takes to thrive in an industry built on gatekeeping, and why trusting your voice, even when it doesn’t sound like everyone else’s—maybe especially when it doesn’t—is the most radical move a creative professional can make. The discussion explores how professional equity plays out in entertainment, what AI means for artists, and why mentorship is more urgent than ever. She also speaks candidly about erasing her accent to fit in, discovering her worth as a multilingual creative, and how becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with time, intuition, and legacy. What you’ll learn… * Why differentiation—not assimilation—is a long-term strategy for building sustainable creative careers. * Why gatekeeping and access continue to shape careers in entertainment, and how mentorship can change that trajectory. * What emerging technologies like AI mean for artists, educators, and the future of creative work. Julia Camara is an award-winning Brazilian screenwriter, filmmaker, and professor whose work spans independent film, studio features, and global festival circuits. She has written and directed multiple acclaimed projects, including the experimental feature In Transit and the sci-fi horror film Occupants, which screened at over 150 festivals worldwide and won more than 100 awards, including a Telly Award for writing. In addition to her filmmaking career, she is a Cinematic Arts Professor at Keiser University and a screenwriting instructor and advisor for the Sundance Institute, with deep expertise in story craft, genre storytelling, and mentorship.

Why the Best Careers Are Designed Like Resilient Supply Chains

What do supply chains and community have in common? They both deliver value—when managed with purpose. At their best, they show how intentional systems [https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/business-strategy-growth/supply-chains-to-value-webs-business-trends.html], meaningful connections, and consistent action turn effort into lasting professional growth. This week on Professional Quotient [https://marketscale.com/shows/professional-quotient/], listeners hear from Nathan Chane [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathanchaney/]y, founder of Supply Chaney [https://supplychaney.com/], whose insights bridge the mechanics of logistics with the meaning of professional growth. Nathan offers more than a definition of supply chains—he reframes them as a model for how professionals can create, move, and multiply value across every stage of their career. From managing fleets and fulfillment centers to building global relationships, his career reflects the power of intentional equity-building through action, adaptability, and connection. What you’ll learn… * How supply chains mirror personal and professional transformation — showing how growth happens through stages, transitions, and deliberate handoffs rather than linear progress. * The relationship between career fulfillment and meaningful travel — examining how exposure to different places, cultures, and perspectives reshapes how professionals define success and purpose. * What it takes to evolve from operations expert to equity-centered entrepreneur — unpacking the shift from executing systems to designing them for long-term value creation. * Why every professional journey, no matter how nonlinear, holds value worth activating — reinforcing that experience compounds when individuals learn to recognize, connect, and leverage it intentionally. Nathan Chaney is a supply chain leader and entrepreneur with deep experience across logistics operations, distribution center management, transportation, and consulting, spanning roles from frontline operations to executive leadership. He is the founder of Supply Chaney, a supply chain–focused media, marketing, consulting, and logistics services firm, as well as the Supply Chain Social Club, a growing community designed to connect professionals through virtual and live events. Nathan’s career includes building and scaling warehouses, leading autonomous logistics operations, launching successful logistics branches, and leveraging media and networking to advocate for the supply chain industry and drive meaningful business connections. For anyone navigating transitions, building something new, or rethinking what it means to grow professionally, Nathan’s perspective offers both practical insight and powerful encouragement.

HR at a Crossroads: Navigating Culture, AI, and the Future of Work

The modern workplace is at a crossroads, shaped by the rapid rise of AI, shifting cultural expectations, and increasing pressure on leaders to balance efficiency with humanity. Organizations are being forced to make intentional choices about how they operate, how they lead, and how they invest in their people — choices that will define trust, performance, and relevance in the years ahead. At the same time, professionals are navigating how to build lasting career equity through adaptability, strategic thinking, mentorship, and meaningful connection, all within an environment that is changing faster than ever. In this compelling episode of the #PQpodcast, we welcome Elizabeth Jenswold, a seasoned HR executive with a global career spanning leadership roles at Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase, Toyota, and a transformative sabbatical with Jane Goodall in China. Elizabeth shares how the HR industry stands at a critical inflection point — driven by the rapid rise of AI, evolving workplace cultures, and the renewed call for people-centered leadership. Elizabeth also offers rich insight for anyone curious about entering or growing within HR, including neurodivergent professionals and those exploring career pivots. She shares how to use data for storytelling, the power of mentorship, and how women can keep one foot in the workforce while balancing family and career. Together, we dive into questions leaders must ask right now: * Should your organization adopt a people-first or agent-first (AI-driven) strategy? * How do you create a culture aligned with your values and your workforce? * What does a strategic HR framework really look like in 2026? Elizabeth Jenswold is a senior HR and organizational development consultant with executive leadership experience across Fortune 100 companies including CBRE, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Toyota, and Mary Kay, where she led global people strategies and delivered measurable business impact. Her expertise spans organizational strategy alignment, change management, executive coaching, talent management, and large-scale transformation, with leadership responsibility across more than 100 countries and teams ranging from 250 to 25,000 employees. She also brings unique global and purpose-driven experience from her work in Shanghai with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots, alongside ongoing board service and community leadership focused on education, workforce inclusion, and social impact. This conversation isn’t just for HR leaders – it’s for anyone ready to build professional equity through intentional learning, strategy, and connection.