The Future Is Human

What we gain and what we grieve when AI enters the workplace ft. Debora Gallo

To many, AI seems like the gift that keeps on giving. But the truth is, with AI in our lives, we stand to grieve just as much as we stand to gain, if not more. In this episode of The Future Is Human by Mews, host Ella McCann-Tomlin speaks with Debora Gallo, VP of Talent Development at Mews, about what it means to lead through this strange tension of fast work vs. human work, without pretending the emotional cost is not real. She reflects candidly on the first time AI felt personal, not because of what it could do, but because of what it made her feel, the fear of losing mastery, the risk of becoming too self-reliant and the quiet grief that comes when parts of your expertise become suddenly available to everyone. What You’ll Learn: * Why reinvention is becoming one of the most important skills for the future of work * How leaders can help people move towards agency without ignoring what is being lost in the process  * Why AI can feel emotionally powerful even when we know it is not human * How to protect your voice, judgment and mastery when using AI tools * Why the pressure to be “all in” on AI can make people feel ashamed of asking hard questions * How remote-first work and AI-enabled self-reliance can increase isolation if leaders are not intentional * Why the best leaders in this moment will offer more than task direction - they will offer honesty, presence and human connection Tune in for a conversation about staying human when the ground is shifting and why the organisations that keep their heart through this moment may be the most successful ones.    The Future Is Human is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

“From AI anxiety to AI agency: how design leaders can navigate the shift" ft. Melanie Yencken

The promise of AI is speed - faster builds, faster decisions and faster execution. But just because something is done fast, doesn’t mean it’s done right - we’ve learnt at least this by now. So, what happens to the role of the designer? How must it change to ensure that solutions aren’t just built fast, but built to solve the right problems? In this episode of The Future is Human by Mews, host Naomi Trickey and Melanie Yencken, Senior Director of Product Design for Growth and Premium at LinkedIn, discuss.  What You’ll Learn: * Why design earns a seat at the table by translating customer obsession into business impact * How leaders can move teams from AI anxiety to AI agency through safe experimentation * Why speed without deep thinking creates products that look the same, feel the same and solve very little * How psychological safety, rest and boundaries help teams stay creative in a high-pressure AI era * Why empathy, taste, judgment, conflict resolution and influence are becoming even more valuable * How AI can lower barriers to entry for underrepresented builders IF leaders intentionally create access The need for speed has driven some of the greatest human inventions. But with AI, it turns out, speed can be the very thing getting in the way of true progress. Tune in to find out how design teams can navigate this complex moment.  The Future Is Human is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

Why are neurodivergent women the last to get diagnosed? ft. Noemi Varhelyi

What does inclusion in the workplace REALLY look like? For Noemi Varhelyi, Customer Support Analyst at Mews, it means giving people the space to truly be themselves instead of just accommodating differences. In this eye-opening episode of The Future is Human podcast, host  Ella McCann-Tomlin sits down with Noemi to explore how organizations can build genuinely inclusive cultures. What You’ll Learn: * Are we missing a hidden gender bias that keeps professional women undiagnosed? * Why calling their skills “superpowers” is the most damaging thing you can do for neurodivergent employees. * The 3-word mantra (“Ask, Don’t Assume”) that builds instant psychological safety. * The simple solution (Remote Work) that solves the sensory barriers most leaders miss. * The dangerous thing we’re outsourcing to AI: Critical thinking and human judgment. * How a simple “User Manual” template instantly eliminates friction between neurodivergent and neurotypical teams. As the world gets more AI-driven, we ironically can't afford to get less human.  The Future Is Human is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

Should you build your leadership playbook from your worst experiences? ft. Pat Phelan

Can intentional leadership be the missing piece that boosts employee performance? In this episode of The Future Is Human podcast, host Naomi Trickey sits down with Pat Phelan, Chief Revenue Officer at GoCardless for an eye-opening conversation about what’s REALLY required from leaders today. What You’ll Learn: * The universal truth that drives all workplace behavior * Why treating employee development as a privilege transforms team performance * The three metrics that prove development drives business results * How to maintain human connection in automated, transactional environments * Why "brutal transparency" requires consistency in how you receive feedback * How to build your leadership philosophy from negative experiences * How to preserve organizational soul while scaling In today’s day and age, it can be a real struggle to balance growth with values, but ironically, it’s a non-negotiable to do so. Tune in to find out how you, as a leader, can make it a reality.  The Future Is Human is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]

Is fundraising about the pitch deck or the person? ft. Hemant Godhwani

What does human leadership look like in a world shaped by pressure, performance, and increasingly powerful technology? In this episode of The Future Is Human, host Ella McCann-Tomlin sits down with Hemant Godhwani, VP of Corporate Finance, Corporate Development, Investor Relations, and Treasury at Mews, to discuss why relationships remain irreplaceable in high-stakes fundraising, how to build authenticity while selling, and why structure matters as startups scale. What You’ll Learn: * How to build resilience through adversity * The win-win framework for sustainable high-performance cultures * How investor relationships take years to develop through consistent updates, personal connection, and genuine problem-solving support * Why selling and transparency are not contradictory  * How to develop authenticity as a non-naturally extroverted leader Hemant Godhwani is VP of Corporate Finance, Corporate Development, Investor Relations, and Treasury at Mews, bringing over a decade of investment banking experience from JPMorgan, where he executed complex transactions across Europe, the US, and Asia Pacific. With expertise spanning fundraising, investor relations, capital allocation, M&A strategy, and IPO readiness, Hemant demonstrates how human relationships and trust remain irreplaceable in high-stakes finance and tech scaling. Tune in to discover why creativity, exploration and serendipity are the one thing no machine can replicate. The Future Is Human is handcrafted by our friends over at: fame.so [https://www.fame.so/?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=masters-of-community-with-david-spinks?utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=bcast&utm_campaign=fame-client]