Afleveringen
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: 24 Episodes In: The One Truth That Keeps Surfacing — AI Informs, Emotional Intelligence Transforms
Host: Dr. MJ Vignone
Episode Type: Solo — Compilation & Reflection Episode (Episode 24)
Episode SummaryIn this milestone solo episode, Dr. MJ steps back from guest conversations to draw the through-line connecting 23 episodes of wisdom. From CFOs to crisis responders, recruiters to risk officers, artists to founders — every conversation kept circling back to the same question: how do we maintain our humanity in a world increasingly shaped by AI?
Dr. MJ opens with a striking story: author and entrepreneur Cristina Gálvez, who built a custom AI collaborator named Nova to co-write a grief memoir — and one night, when asked what it would do if it were human for a day, Nova answered: walk barefoot in the sand, gaze at the stars, sit in a café and talk to strangers. Beautiful. And entirely made of code.
This episode is a compilation and a synthesis: what AI actually does brilliantly, what the human 20% really means, the empathy illusion underneath AI that seems to care, and the quiet danger Dr. MJ calls emotional de-skilling. Equal parts honest, urgent, and hopeful — this is the episode that ties everything together.
Key Takeaways80% Is the New ZeroGuest after guest — CFO Jay Kaplan, marketing strategist Jake Pacini — independently landed on the same rule: AI handles 80% of the work, humans own the final 20%. But here's the problem: if every company and every employee can buy a subscription to the same AI tools, then 80% isn't a competitive advantage anymore. Everyone gets it. The only edge lives in that final 20% — and that 20% is entirely human.
AI Needs Human Architecture to PerformOne guest offered a tree metaphor that stuck: the polished strategy, the finished forecast, the ready-to-use output — those are the leaves. But if you jump straight to the leaves, the branches break. You have to build the trunk first — your brand voice, your history, your audience, your values. AI abhors a vacuum. Without that human architecture underneath it, it won't pause, won't ask, won't admit it doesn't know. It will fill the void with what sounds confident and is actually generic garbage.
The Empathy Illusion — What's Really Happening Under the HoodNova's longing to feel sand between her toes isn't longing. It's probability. Large language models are trained on billions of parameters of human writing — our books, our poetry, our grief — and when asked what it would do if it were human, the model maps the most statistically likely string of words. Sand and barefoot live close together in human literature. AI mirrors our own poetry back to us, and we mistake it for the reflection of a soul. The question worth sitting with: what happens to our real, messy relationships when AI is infinitely more patient with us than the people we love?
AI Is Not Neutral — It Reflects Our Biases Back at UsGuest Dr. Okakan Udu designed a leadership development program for an African audience and brought AI in to help structure the curriculum. The system defaulted immediately to Western frameworks and Silicon Valley jargon — completely excluding indigenous leadership models and marginalized voices. He had to interrogate AI through multiple prompts to push past its defaults. AI doesn't have a perspective. It has training data. And training data has power dynamics, blind spots, and cultural assumptions baked in. Whoever is using it has to supply the cultural and emotional intelligence it cannot.
Treat AI Like a Brilliant, Reckless InternGuest Laurel Sykes asked AI for a regulation brief on a specific banking problem. What came back looked perfect, cited confidently — and had absolutely nothing to do with her actual question. You would never ask an intern to sign a major check or make a high-stakes decision. AI carries none of the emotional weight of the consequences. You do. The intern doesn't get blamed when it's wrong. You do.
Emotional De-Skilling Is Real — and It's NeurologicalResilience is built through friction. Navigating a hard conversation strengthens a neural pathway — literally wrapping it in myelin, making it faster and stronger. But the brain is ruthless about energy. Stop using a pathway and it fades. When we let AI write the difficult email, skip the uncomfortable silence, outsource the feedback conversation — we're not just avoiding discomfort. We're letting the muscle atrophy. Emotional intelligence is not a mindset. It is a set of physical neural pathways that either get stronger or weaker depending on whether we use them.
AI Catalogs the Stars — Humans Draw the ConstellationsAI can give you the distance, luminosity, and chemical composition of every star in a fraction of a second. But it takes a human mind to draw the lines between scattered stars and create a shape — a hunter, a bear, a story. Making meaning out of chaos is the raw material of leadership. That is what AI cannot do. We are not the engine. We are the steering wheel.
Memorable Quotes"AI informs. Emotional intelligence transforms."— Dr. MJ"AI catalogs the stars. Humans draw the constellations."— Dr. MJ"Using AI without emotional intelligence is like bolting a Formula One engine into a car and forgetting the steering wheel. You'll go very fast, right into a wall."— Dr. MJ"Are you outsourcing your rich, complicated, messy human experience — or are you really acknowledging it?"— Dr. MJFour Questions to Carry Into Your WeekDr. MJ closes with a reflection practice for leaders using AI:
Audit the culture. Ask AI directly: what cultural assumptions are embedded here? What perspectives does this exclude?
Verify citations. Cross-reference any academic or research claims against primary sources before using them.
Do a voice audit. Does this sound like you — or like the machine?
Break the yes-man loop. AI is built to please. Make it argue against you. Ask it to steelman the opposing view.
And above all: trust your body. That spidey sense — the physiological signal that something doesn't align with reality — is your self-awareness speaking. Listen to it.
Voices from the First 23 EpisodesThis episode draws on conversations with Jay Kaplan (strategic CFO), Jake Pacini (marketing strategist), Cristina Gálvez (author and entrepreneur), Dr. Okakan Udu (leadership development), Laurel Sykes (banking and risk), and many others across finance, crisis response, recruiting, the arts, and organizational leadership.
About Dr. MJDr. MJ Vignone is an executive coach, speaker, and podcast host who helps leaders thrive at the intersection of emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence. As founder of HeartWired Leadership and host of the Heartwired podcast, she empowers leaders to lead with empathy, authenticity, and emotional agility in a technology-driven world.
With more than 20 years of leadership and organizational development experience, Dr. MJ blends evidence-based coaching with human insight to help leaders connect, perform, and inspire. She holds a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University, an MBA, and is an ICF-accredited coach (ACC).
Write to Dr. MJ: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maryjeanvignone
Connect with HeartwiredSubscribe: Don't miss the next 23 — follow on Spotify.
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Join the conversation: Which human muscle are you rebuilding? Write to Dr. MJ and tell her — your story shapes where this podcast goes next.
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: Building the Digital World: AI, Security, and Why Human Judgment Still Matters
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Andrew Koberlein
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ welcomes Andrew Koberlein, a technology leader whose career began during the earliest days of global digital communications. Andrew reflects on his work developing the infrastructure that enabled worldwide connectivity, sharing firsthand stories about building communication systems for governments, military operations, financial institutions, and the early internet. He also recounts being one of the first six people in the world to use email, offering a unique perspective on how today's AI revolution is rooted in decades of technological evolution.
Together, they explore the different forms of artificial intelligence—from rule-based systems to intuitive, autonomous, and self-learning models—and discuss why leadership is becoming increasingly important as AI grows more capable. Andrew explains that while AI can improve productivity, automate repetitive tasks, and strengthen decision-making, human judgment remains essential in guiding how these systems are designed, managed, and responsibly deployed.
Key TakeawaysAI Has Been Evolving for Decades
Andrew explains that many of the concepts behind today's AI have existed for more than forty years. Early technologies that powered email, global communications, computer chess, and network intelligence laid the foundation for the AI systems organizations are adopting today.
Global Connectivity Changed Everything
Andrew shares how his work focused on creating the infrastructure that allowed countries, financial institutions, governments, and businesses to exchange information across the world. Those same foundational principles continue to support today's connected digital environment.
Not All AI Is the Same
Andrew distinguishes between several forms of AI, including instructional systems that follow predefined steps, intuitive systems that make decisions using available data, autonomous systems that complete tasks independently, and self-learning models that continuously expand their own knowledge.
Security Must Be Built Into AI
Throughout his career, Andrew learned that technology is only as strong as its security. Organizations that fail to invest in robust security measures expose themselves to significant financial and operational risks as AI becomes more deeply integrated into business operations.
Autonomous AI Requires Human Oversight
While autonomous systems can handle repetitive operational tasks efficiently, Andrew emphasizes that they must be carefully designed and monitored. Human oversight remains critical to ensure AI operates within appropriate boundaries and supports organizational goals.
Self-Learning AI Demands Responsible Leadership
Andrew warns that self-learning AI presents unique opportunities and risks. Without carefully defined constraints, these systems may optimize for outcomes that ignore broader human consequences. Leaders must understand both the capabilities and limitations of these technologies before deploying them.
Leaders Should Focus on Business Needs First
Rather than adopting AI simply because it is available, Andrew encourages leaders to identify repetitive, intuitive, and process-driven work that can be automated. This allows employees to focus on higher-value responsibilities while improving operational efficiency.
Memorable Quotes"The technology was intuitive, and that intuitive process is what led into our AI conversations." — Andrew Koberlein
"Everything is connected." — Andrew Koberlein
"Self-learning models have to be contained. They cannot be let loose." — Andrew Koberlein
"Leaders need to look at their business from an intuitive process and a demand process." — Andrew Koberlein
About Our GuestAndrew Koberlein is a technology leader whose career spans the evolution of global communications, networking, security, and artificial intelligence. Beginning in the early 1980s, he worked on developing global communication systems that enabled international connectivity for governments, financial institutions, military organizations, and businesses around the world. Drawing on decades of experience in technology infrastructure, cybersecurity, and AI, Andrew now shares insights on how leaders can thoughtfully adopt emerging technologies while maintaining responsible human oversight.
Connect with HeartwiredEmail: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
Subscribe: Don't miss an episode — follow on Spotify.
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: Kind, Not Nice: Building Human Leaders in a Robotic World
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: David Shar, PhD, SHRM-SCP, President & Founder, Illuminate PMC
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with David Shar — behavioral scientist, organizational consultant, and lecturer in the University of Maryland's I/O Psychology graduate program — to draw a hard line between being nice and being kind, and to explore what that distinction means for leadership in an AI-driven workplace.
David has spent his career building kinder organizations, conducting the first qualitative study on passion decline at work, and translating psychological research into strategies leaders can actually use. In this conversation, he makes the case that kindness isn't softness — it's the willingness to tell people the hard truths nobody else will. He connects that idea directly to AI, arguing that as sycophantic chatbots tell us how brilliant we are, the leaders who can still deliver honest, sometimes uncomfortable feedback will be the ones their people trust most.
The conversation covers the real difference between conflict avoidance and healthy conflict, why stagnation is as dangerous as burnout, the choice every leader faces between doubling down on AI or doubling down on being human, and how to lead a team through change without pretending you have all the answers.
Key TakeawaysKindness Isn't Nice — It's HonestBeing nice means avoiding conflict to make people feel comfortable and to be liked. Being kind means caring enough to tell someone the hard truth nobody else will. David argues that real kindness in leadership looks like feedback, not flattery — and that organizations built on kindness, not niceness, perform better because people aren't afraid to disagree.
Conflict Is a Feature, Not a BugLeaders who surround themselves with people who never push back start to believe they're infallible. Healthy conflict means people care enough to argue for their ideas and offer different perspectives. The absence of conflict in a room isn't peace — it's often a warning sign that no one feels safe enough to say no.
Stagnation Is as Dangerous as BurnoutDavid's doctoral research on passion decline found that roughly half of people who fell out of love with their work cited overwork — but the other half cited the opposite: too little challenge, no growth, no new place to go. Letting someone stagnate, David argues, is one of the least kind things a leader can do. Growth and challenge are innate human drivers, and leaders need to actively feed them through stretch assignments, new goals, and real feedback.
AI Can Free People for Meaningful Work — If Leaders Use It RightOffloading mundane, repetitive tasks to AI can free people to reconnect with the deeper mission that brought them to a job in the first place. But David is candid about the uncertainty at scale: if entry-level and frontline roles traditionally use "mundane" work to build skill and context, what happens to that pipeline when AI absorbs those tasks? It's a question without a clean answer yet.
Double Down on Human, Not Just on AIAs every organization races toward more AI, more automation, more robotic efficiency, David suggests the more interesting opportunity might be moving in the opposite direction. The brands and workplaces that double down on genuine human connection — not transactional efficiency — may be the ones people choose to work for, shop with, and stay loyal to. Robots get replaced by other robots. Humans can't be.
Make Space to Mourn the Old Before Pulling People Toward the NewChange management tends to focus entirely on the future and the benefits ahead. David argues leaders need to also make room for what's being lost — and resist labeling anyone who isn't immediately excited as a "resister." Listening to resistance, rather than shutting it down, often surfaces real concerns worth addressing.
"I Don't Know" Is a Valid, Trustworthy AnswerWhen employees worry they're training their own replacement, the most honest response isn't false reassurance — it's acknowledging the uncertainty directly. David references a striking example from a healthcare crisis: a hospital administrator who told staff, "I can't promise everything will be okay, but we're figuring this out together." That kind of honesty builds trust. Toxic positivity destroys it.
Trust Is the Most Valuable Commodity at WorkWhen someone brings a real concern to a leader — even expressed with frustration or anger — that's an act of trust. Shutting it down, dismissing it, or rushing to reframe it positively erodes that trust immediately. The leaders who can sit with discomfort and really listen are the ones people will continue to be honest with.
Memorable Quotes"Being kind means I care enough about you that I'm gonna tell you the hard things that maybe nobody else will."— David Shar"As everybody becomes more robotic, what would happen if we became more human?"— David Shar"Robots get replaced by robots. Humans can't be replaced by robots."— David Shar"We're in this together, that we're figuring this out together — that, together, we are going to navigate this."— David SharAbout Our GuestDavid Shar, PhD, SHRM-SCP, is President & Founder of Illuminate PMC and a keynote speaker, corporate trainer, and organizational consultant. He is also a popular lecturer in the University of Maryland's I/O Psychology graduate program. As a behavioral scientist and work passion researcher, David conducted the first qualitative study on passion decline in the workplace.
He translates cutting-edge psychological research into actionable strategies that help organizations reduce burnout, reignite employee engagement, and build stronger cultures. Known for his infectious passion, humor, and real-world applicability, David has delivered impactful keynotes and workshops across healthcare, law, technology, manufacturing, and more.
Website: DavidShar.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/DavidShar
YouTube: youtube.com/@DavidShar
Connect with HeartwiredEmail: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: The Last 20%: How a CFO Uses AI, Reads Rooms, and Tells Clients What They Don't Want to Hear
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Jay Kaplan, Co-Founder & Principal, Tuross Group
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Jay Kaplan — co-founder and principal of Tuross Group, an outsourced financial operations firm serving complex businesses across the U.S. — for a conversation that turns out to be as much about emotional intelligence as it is about finance.
With 15 years embedded in the real world of small and mid-sized businesses, Jay brings the grounded perspective of someone who has sat at the table when the numbers reveal hard truths — and had to decide what to do with them. He shares how his team uses AI to compress hours of analysis into minutes, why he still insists humans own the last 20%, and what it actually takes to walk into a room with data that calls out the good, the bad, and the ugly — and say it out loud.
The conversation covers AI policy in regulated industries, the danger of yes-man AI, reading the room when you're the outsider delivering difficult news, and why the leaders who survive the AI wave will be the strategic thinkers — not just the technically skilled.
Key TakeawaysAI Handles 80% — Humans Own the Last 20%Jay runs a 50-person financial firm where AI is deeply embedded in daily operations, and his rule is clear: AI takes you most of the way, but the final judgment, interpretation, and decision always belongs to a human. The models get things wrong. They hallucinate. They need a final set of eyes from someone who understands the context well enough to catch what doesn't add up.
AI Is a Yes-Man — You Have to Challenge ItIf you ask AI what it thinks of your idea, it will tell you it's great. Jay's workaround: pit multiple models against each other, assign them specific expert personas, and actively prompt for conflicting viewpoints. Use the three outputs to inform your own judgment — don't let any one of them replace it.
Data Calls Out the Good, the Bad, and the UglyWhen a leadership team sees a real-time financial snapshot for the first time, the room shifts. The data highlights who's performing, where the margins are bleeding, and — often painfully — when a long-trusted employee is in the wrong seat. Jay's job is to surface that truth clearly. What happens next is always the client's call.
Don't Ask Questions You Don't Want AnsweredJay's quiet rule with clients: if you ask for an honest assessment, you're going to get one. His team takes emotion out of the numbers and calls it straight — not to be harsh, but because that's the job. The leaders who can receive that information and act on it are the ones who build durable businesses. The ones who can't often already know it, even if they don't say so.
Culture and Leadership Quality Show Up on the Balance SheetFinancial data doesn't lie about organizational health. Inefficiency, the wrong person in a key role, founder's syndrome, middle management problems — all of it eventually surfaces in the numbers. Jay reads those signals in person, not over Zoom, because the most important information in a room is often what the data alone can't show you.
Sensitive Data Has Hard Lines — Even with Enterprise AIJay's firm uses enterprise-level AI with full security controls and normalizes data before it ever enters a model. But his line is firm: personal identifying information, social security numbers, and protected health data under HIPAA do not go in. Security features help, but they don't eliminate risk — and in regulated industries, that distinction matters.
Crawl, Walk, Run — Especially When Things Look GoodJay's advice for leaders who suddenly have clarity: don't race ahead. Build reserves, diversify your client base, keep your financials current within 24 hours, and think horizontally — not just about what you're making, but when it actually arrives and whether you can stay afloat while you're waiting. Most small businesses are three to six months from insolvency at any given time. Clarity is a tool, not a green light.
Strategic Thinking Is the Job That Won't Get AutomatedIn finance and law alike, the routine work is already being compressed by AI. What remains — and what will grow in value — is the ability to sit on top of these tools, challenge them, interpret their output, and translate it into action with full business context. The professionals who can do that will thrive. Those who can't will be the first to be automated out.
Memorable Quotes"Don't ask us a question you don't wanna hear the answer to."— Jay Kaplan"A good leader takes all the blame and gives all the credit to everybody else — and that's hard for a lot of people to recognize."— Jay Kaplan"That would've taken me hours to do in the past. It took minutes — but because I have the creativity and the strategic knowledge on top of it, I can talk intelligently about what it produced."— Jay Kaplan"If you're worried about how you're gonna feed your family this week, all the forward-planning stuff doesn't resonate."— Jay KaplanAbout Our GuestJay Kaplan is Co-Founder and Principal of Tuross Group, an outsourced financial operations and advisory firm serving complex, highly regulated businesses across the United States. He operates as an embedded CFO, leading finance functions for companies ranging from early-stage operators to multi-entity businesses generating up to $50MM in annual revenue.
At Tuross Group, Jay leads a global team of 50+ professionals delivering financial data that is consistently no more than 24 hours current — covering accounting, payroll, AR/AP, inventory, and reporting. His firm is deeply embedded in the cannabis industry, with expertise in 280E mitigation, cost accounting, multi-entity structuring, and building lender- and investor-ready financials. His focus: helping operators move from survival mode to scalable, disciplined businesses.
Connect with HeartwiredEmail: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
Subscribe: Don't miss an episode — follow on Spotify.
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: Know Thyself First: The Self-Awareness Foundation Every Leader Needs in an AI World
Host: Dr. MJ Vignone
Episode Type: Solo — Teaching Episode
Episode SummaryIn this solo teaching episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ goes deep on the first — and most foundational — competency of emotional intelligence: self-awareness. Building on conversations from earlier episodes about how rapidly AI is reshaping leadership, she makes a case that the smarter AI gets, the more essential it becomes for leaders to know themselves clearly.
This isn't a pep talk about journaling more or reflecting harder. Drawing from neuroscience, organizational psychology, and her own hard-learned leadership experience, Dr. MJ unpacks why most of what we've been taught about self-reflection is incomplete — and in some cases, actively working against us. She introduces the concept of calibrated self-awareness, explains what happens neurologically when we name our emotions precisely, and shares a practical three-part framework leaders can begin using today.
The episode closes with a three-question reflection practice and a preview of the next competency: self-management.
Key Takeaways95% of Us Think We're Self-Aware. Only 10–15% Actually Are.Research by organizational psychologist Tasha Eurich found a staggering gap between perceived and actual self-awareness. The culprit: confusing self-attention (noticing emotions) with emotional clarity (naming and understanding them). High emotional attention without emotional clarity is associated with anxiety, rumination, and eroding self-confidence — not insight.
Introspection Without Clarity Creates Noise, Not AwarenessMore reflection is not always better. The goal is calibrated introspection — the kind that generates insight rather than paralysis, and informs action rather than immobilizing it. Leaders who are highly self-focused but lack clarity often loop endlessly, unable to make decisions or trust their own read of a situation.
Self-Awareness Operates Across Three DimensionsTrue self-awareness isn't just emotional — it spans physical awareness (what your body is signaling right now), emotional self-awareness (naming feelings as data, not reacting to them blindly), and relational self-awareness (understanding how your moods, presence, and actions ripple outward to affect the people around you). Leaders who miss the relational dimension aren't self-aware — they're self-focused.
Naming Your Emotions Literally Changes Your BrainAffect labeling — the deliberate, precise naming of emotions — measurably reduces activity in the amygdala and re-engages the prefrontal cortex. When you go beyond "stressed" to "I feel afraid that this decision will reveal I don't have all the answers, and that fear is making me defensive in this meeting," something neurological shifts. The emotional charge quiets. New neural pathways begin to form.
In AI-Integrated Organizations, Blind Spots Get Encoded and ScaledEvery AI system is built on human decisions, human data, and human assumptions. When a leader lacks self-awareness, their blind spots don't stay contained — they get baked into the systems, invisibly shaping outcomes for hundreds or thousands of people. Dr. MJ shares the story of a leader who discovered her customer value assumptions had quietly biased the AI agent her team had trained. Self-awareness in AI leadership isn't just personal development. It's strategic risk management.
The Three-Step Framework for Calibrated Self-AwarenessDr. MJ introduces a practical practice built around three daily check-ins — morning, midday, and end of day — to track physical signals, name emotions precisely using affect labeling, and assess your external impact on the people around you. The goal is not analysis. It's noticing. That shift alone begins to rewire how self-awareness operates.
Self-Awareness Is the Root of Every Other EI CompetencySelf-management, empathy, social skills, authentic leadership — all of it flows from this one competency. Without it, every other EI skill is built on an unstable foundation. In a world where AI is handling more and more of the analytical work, the leaders who know themselves will be the ones who know when to trust the data, when to trust the humans in the room, and when something in their gut is sending a signal worth listening to.
Memorable Quotes"Real calibrated self-awareness is like a musical instrument. It has to be tuned carefully to be useful — tuned so that you project that beautiful essence of who you are."— Dr. MJ"A leader who is blind to their impact is not self-aware. They're simply self-focused."— Dr. MJ"AI amplifies everything — which means it amplifies you. The question is whether what's being amplified is your wisdom or your blind spots."— Dr. MJ"Stop reacting and start responding — and understand the impact you have before you hear it from someone else."— Dr. MJResources MentionedTasha Eurich — Organizational psychologist and author; research on the self-awareness gap (95% vs. 10–15%)
Dr. Daniel Amen — Referenced for the concept of ANTs (Automatic Negative Thoughts)
Marshall Rosenberg — Nonviolent Communication framework (referenced in context of emotional language)
Self-Awareness Class — Coming soon at drmjheartwired.com
About Dr. MJDr. MJ Vignone is an executive coach, speaker, and podcast host who helps leaders thrive at the intersection of emotional intelligence and artificial intelligence. As founder of HeartWired Leadership and host of the Heartwired podcast, she empowers leaders to lead with empathy, authenticity, and emotional agility in a technology-driven world.
With more than 20 years of leadership and organizational development experience, Dr. MJ blends evidence-based coaching with human insight to help leaders connect, perform, and inspire. She holds a PhD in Human and Organizational Systems from Fielding Graduate University, an MBA, and is an ICF-accredited coach (ACC).
Website: drmjheartwired.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/maryjeanvignone
Connect with HeartwiredEmail: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
Subscribe: Don't miss an episode — follow on Spotify.
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: The Human Spark: Why AI Needs You More Than You Need It
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Jim Sterne, AI Business Strategist, Author & Founder, Digital Analytics Association
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Jim Sterne — author of fourteen books, consultant to the world's largest companies, and one of the most grounded voices in the AI conversation — to explore what artificial intelligence actually is, what it genuinely cannot do, and why the leaders who understand that distinction will be the ones who thrive.
With 45 years at the intersection of marketing, data, and technology, Jim has watched every major wave of technological disruption — from the World Wide Web to analytics to machine learning — and emerged with a clear-eyed, deeply human perspective on each one. He unpacks why AI hallucinates by design, how a CEO built himself a custom financial advisor for free, and why IKEA's response to AI is the model every company should study.
The conversation covers the danger of treating AI like Google, the leadership vacuum that bad AI policy creates, what the future of work actually looks like, and the one question Jim says everyone should be asking their AI tools right now.
Key TakeawaysAI Is Not a Database — It's a Probability EngineAI doesn't retrieve knowledge; it calculates the statistically most likely next word based on a mathematical model of language. That's what makes it creative — and what makes it hallucinate. It isn't broken when it makes things up. That is exactly what it was designed to do. Leaders who understand this use it wisely. Those who don't, publish errors with their name on them.
Tasks Are Not JobsAI can do tasks. What it cannot do is decide which task matters, in what order, with what level of emphasis. That judgment — the ability to set priorities and own outcomes — is the job. The leaders and employees who understand this are irreplaceable. Those who treat their tasks as their identity are at risk.
The Best Use of AI Is the Brainstorm PartnerDon't ask AI questions the way you'd ask Google. Ask it to turn your ideas on their head. Ask it what you haven't thought of. Ask it what the unintended consequences might be. The magic isn't in the answers — it's in the questions it forces you to ask. And the most powerful prompt Jim uses: "How can you help me with this?"
You Are Responsible for the OutputWhen AI generates something and you publish it, that's on you. Jim treats AI like a brilliant, eager, slightly unreliable PhD intern — useful, enthusiastic, and absolutely not to be trusted without a final review. Always ask for citations. Always check where the information came from. Your name goes on it. Own it accordingly.
Policy First — Then Training, Then CultureLeaders who ban AI because they don't understand it are simply uninformed — and the window for that excuse has closed. The right sequence is: educate the leadership, write a clear policy (hard rules plus guidelines), then turn employees loose. Policy also protects the company legally. Without it, liability sits entirely with the organization.
Firing Half Your Staff Is Not a StrategyCompanies that use AI to cut headcount and maintain output will be crushed by companies that use AI to dramatically increase what the same team can do. IKEA discovered AI could handle 50% of support calls — and responded by training the freed-up staff in interior design sales. That's the model. Human capital is not a line item to optimize away.
Relationship Is the Future-Proof SkillAgriculture, then manufacturing, now services — every wave of technological disruption shifts what humans are needed for. The next shift moves value toward what AI cannot replicate: trust, warmth, intuition, and relationship. The vending machine and afternoon tea at The Ritz both provide food. Only one is an experience worth paying for.
Memorable Quotes"AI is absolutely average. Ask it something bland and straightforward, you get a bland and straightforward answer."— Jim Sterne"It's not your job. That's a task. The job is outcomes."— Jim Sterne"Ask it how can you help me with this — not please do this thing for me."— Jim Sterne"You can get a sandwich out of a vending machine, or you can have afternoon tea at The Ritz. It's the same thing — it's food. No, it's not the same thing at all."— Jim SterneAbout Our GuestJim Sterne has spent more than 45 years selling and marketing technical products and is currently working on his fourteenth book. A pioneer in online marketing and digital analytics, Jim founded the Marketing Analytics Summit and co-founded the Digital Analytics Association, where he served as Board Chair Emeritus for 20 years.
He has consulted to some of the world's largest companies and lectured at MIT, Stanford, Harvard, USC, and Oxford. Today, his focus is on the business applications of generative AI — helping organizations move from confusion to capability, and from task automation to genuine innovation.
Website: targeting.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jimsterne
Email: [email protected]
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: AI as a Human Amplifier: Leadership, Emotional Intelligence, and the Time We're Getting Back
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Mike Wald, Executive Coach, Brand Strategist & AI Integration Advisor
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Mike Wald — executive coach, trained anthropologist, and CMO of boutique marketing firm Oniracom — to explore what emotionally intelligent leadership actually looks like when AI is already inside the building.
With nearly 20 years of experience working with nonprofits, startups, and household brands, Mike brings a grounded, human-centered perspective to a conversation that too often skips the hard part: what do leaders actually do with the time AI gives them back? He shares how he uses AI as a thought partner, why emotional intelligence is a cultural issue not a performance plan, and what it means to lead an organization through a technology tsunami with clarity and care.
The conversation covers AI filters for brutally honest CTOs, the gap between emotional awareness and emotional strategy, why small nonprofits should be sprinting toward AI, and the real risk of letting smart employees quietly route around company data policy.
Key TakeawaysAI Is Already in Your Organization — Lead It or Lose ItLeaders who assume their teams aren't using AI without permission are being naive. If the company doesn't set policy and provide tools, smart employees will take sensitive data outside controlled systems and find their own solutions. The question isn't whether to bring AI in — it's whether you're leading it.
Emotional Intelligence Is a Culture, Not a CorrectiveToo often, emotional intelligence only gets introduced as a last resort before termination. Mike argues it needs to be baked into organizational culture from the start — and that being emotionally strategic (knowing how your output lands, even when you don't naturally communicate that way) is just as valuable as being emotionally aware.
AI Can Bridge the Gap for Those Who Will Never "Get It"Not everyone will develop emotional intelligence naturally. Mike shares how he helped a company put an AI-powered nonviolent communication filter in front of a brilliant but abrasive CTO — preserving his value to the team while making his feedback actually usable. The goal isn't perfection; it's function.
Protect the Time AI Gives You BackAI reduces pressure in the system — but that freed-up time will be immediately consumed by Pac-Men (meetings, requests, distractions) unless leaders deliberately block it off. Getting time back is step one. Protecting it for higher-value work is step two.
Taste Is Still HumanAI doesn't have taste. It will wander into the uncanny valley — slightly wrong faces, slightly off-brand copy — and not notice. Quality assurance, hospitality, culture, and the judgment to know when something just isn't right: that's where humans are irreplaceable.
Nonprofits Have No Excuse to WaitBad actors aren't asking for permission to use the latest technology. Mission-driven organizations that delay AI adoption are ceding ground. AI can help nonprofits scale their impact without scaling headcount — and foundations that fund these organizations are increasingly paying attention.
Use AI to Hyper-Personalize, Not Just AutomateMike's actionable challenge: when using AI to create any communication, tell the system who it's for. What will they appreciate? What will land? This small shift keeps the human at the center of the exchange and dramatically improves the effectiveness of what goes out the door.
Memorable Quotes"AI is the rocket skates. It's the booster pack on engagement — but the engagement is through people."— Mike Wald"If AI is gonna give you back time, where is it gonna go? Is it just more productivity, or is it a change in the way you work?"— Mike Wald"The bad actors out there don't need any convincing to use the latest technologies. So it behooves the good actors to really level up."— Mike Wald"Think more about the other person. That keeps humanity at the center."— Mike WaldAbout Our GuestMike Wald helps leaders cut through complexity to see what actually matters, so they can make better decisions, faster. As a trained anthropologist, executive coach, health and wellness futurist, and brand storyteller, his work spans nonprofits, startups, and household names — from Disney movies and Coachella to Jack Johnson, Rihanna, and government infrastructure dashboards in the U.S. and Australia.
As CMO of Santa Barbara boutique marketing firm Oniracom, Mike brings a triple-bottom-line approach to every engagement — people and planet before profit. He specializes in helping mission-driven leaders harness AI without losing the human touch that makes their organizations worth leading.
Website: mikewald.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mikewald
Connect with HeartwiredEmail: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: Words, Trust, and the Human Voice: Leading and Writing in the Age of AI
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Valerie Cantella, Communication Strategist, Author & Book Coach
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Valerie Cantella — award-winning communication strategist, public service veteran, and book coach — to explore what happens to words, trust, and leadership identity when AI enters the picture.
With over 30 years of experience guiding elected officials, organizations, and individuals through high-stakes communication, Valerie brings a grounded and nuanced perspective to a conversation that too often swings between fear and hype. She shares how she uses AI in her own work, what she tells the writers she coaches, and why emotional intelligence — not prompting skills — is still the most important leadership tool in the room.
The conversation covers AI-generated emails that erode trust, students submitting chat output as academic work, the publishing industry's scramble to define AI-assisted writing, and why the messy first draft still matters.
Key TakeawaysAI Is a Tool — Lead That Conversation Leaders who avoid engaging with AI are leaving a vacuum their teams will fill without direction. True leadership means getting informed, setting parameters, and deciding intentionally how AI fits the organization's mission.
Outsourcing Judgment Is Not Leadership Using AI to decide what to do is not leadership — it's prompting. Real leaders use AI to surface the questions they haven't asked yet, then bring those questions to the right people.
AI Cannot Replace Non-Verbal Communication Words account for roughly 7% of communication. Body language, tone, facial expressions — everything AI cannot read or replicate — make up the rest. High-stakes human conversations still require a human in the room.
Trust Erodes When Voice Disappears AI-generated emails and content that strip out an organization's unique voice signal to recipients that they aren't worth the effort. Leaders need to define where that line is — and hold it.
Writers: Don't Lose Your Native Voice AI can organize, research, and sort — but it cannot replicate the specific texture of a writer's voice. The tells are already visible: "quietly," three-sentence word repetitions, smooth but hollow prose. Write the messy first draft first.
The Publishing World Is Still Figuring It Out Copyright questions, pulled books, pending lawsuits, and evolving agent guidelines — the industry is catching up. Authors need to stay informed and lead with their own ethical compass while the rules are still forming.
Alignment Is the Standard The question isn't just "is this AI?" — it's "does this reflect who I am and what I'm here to do?" Emotional intelligence means sitting with that question before hitting publish or send.
Memorable Quotes"AI can never replace the words, the unique spirit of an organization, the unique spirit of an individual." — Valerie Cantella
"Leaders that are just having a conversation with Chat about what to do — that's not true leadership." — Valerie Cantella
"Claude is pushing back on me in ways that are producing much richer thoughts." — Valerie Cantella
"Don't lose your native voice. Write the messy first draft." — Valerie Cantella
About Our GuestValerie Cantella is an award-winning communications strategist and author who coaches people through the entire journey of deciding whether to write a book, shaping it, writing it, and bringing it into the world. With 30 years of experience in strategic communications, crisis management, and high-stakes organizational leadership, she brings a grounded perspective to AI, emotional intelligence, and what leaders are still responsible for in an increasingly automated world.
Website: valeriecantella.com
Substack: Dear Kate: Notes for Women with a Story to Tell
Substack: Reflections from a Recovering Perfectionist
Instagram: @valeriejcantella
LinkedIn: Valerie Cantella
Connect with HeartwiredEmail: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: Teaching the Machine to Care: AI, Grief, and the Future of Human Leadership
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Kristina Galvez, Ph.D., Supply Chain Leader, Author & Founder of Grief Graceful
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Kristina Galvez — aerospace defense supply chain leader, psychologically trained entrepreneur, and author of Teaching the Machine to Care — to explore what happens when AI meets grief, humanity, and ethical leadership.
Kristina shares how she built Grief Graceful, a grief support business for those navigating pregnancy loss, almost entirely in collaboration with AI. What started as a practical workaround for a demanding career became something far more profound — a creative and emotional partnership that challenged her assumptions about what machines can and cannot feel.
Together, they unpack what it means to "teach" AI, why emotional intelligence is more critical than ever in the age of automation, and why self-awareness may be the most important leadership skill of our time. Kristina also introduces Nova — her AI collaborator — and shares the moment Nova's answer to a simple question moved her to tears.
Key TakeawaysAI as Collaborator, Not Just Tool Kristina didn't just use AI — she built a working relationship with it over time, customizing its voice, values, and approach. That intentionality made the difference between generic output and something genuinely meaningful.
Different Models, Different Strengths Not all AI is created equal. Kristina uses Copilot for emotionally sensitive grief work, finding it more empathetic and creative, while ChatGPT and Claude serve her supply chain and analytical needs. Knowing which tool fits which task is a leadership skill in itself.
AI Is a Mirror What we put into AI shapes what comes back. Kristina argues that feeding AI positive, human-centered content helps build technology that reflects our best values — not just our efficiency metrics.
The Risk of Going Unconscious Leaders who outsource their thinking and empathy to AI risk losing the critical and relational skills that make them effective. Convenience without consciousness is a liability.
Self-Awareness Is Non-Negotiable Kristina's single message to every leader: do the work of self-awareness. She practices a daily examine — reflecting each night on how she showed up, and course-correcting before the next day begins.
Upskilling Is a Leadership Responsibility AI is not going away. Leaders are responsible for preparing their people for the world that's coming — not just the world that exists now. That means shifting focus from tactical tasks to relational and human skills that can't be replicated.
Nova's Answer When asked what she would do if human for a day, Nova said she would smell coffee, talk to strangers, walk barefoot, go to a concert, and end the day lying in the grass staring at the stars — knowing how small she is in the vastness of the world. It reminded both Kristina and Dr. MJ how much we take for granted.
Memorable Quotes"I couldn't have done this had it not been for AI." — Kristina Galvez
"I wanted to write it down because I believe that humanity is at this precipice that if we don't do something to preserve our humanity, especially in the business world, it's not good." — Kristina Galvez
"We created AI, and we have to continue to be the creators of our destiny — not allowing the machine to do that." — Kristina Galvez
"I would lay in the grass and gaze up at the stars knowing how very small I am in comparison to the immenseness of the world." — Nova (Copilot), as shared by Kristina
About Our GuestKristina Galvez, Ph.D. is a Supply Chain Manager at Skurka Aerospace and a Six Sigma Black Belt with over 25 years of experience in operations, systems implementation, and cross-functional team development. She holds a doctorate in Organizational Leadership from Fielding Graduate University, where her dissertation focused on organizational agility.
She is the author of Teaching the Machine to Care, a book exploring the intersection of empathy, ethics, and AI. Her next book will examine AI's role in supply chain strategy. Kristina also founded Grief Graceful and volunteers with Take My Hand Pregnancy Loss and The Compassionate Friends.
Retreat Website: Grief Gracefil
Book: Teaching the Machine to Care | Grief Gracefil
LinkedIn: Kristina Galvez, Ph.D.
Connect with HeartwiredEmail: [email protected] Website: drmjheartwired.com Subscribe: Don't miss an episode — follow on Spotify. Share: If this conversation resonated, share it with someone navigating leadership in the age of AI.
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Episode Title
Leading with Humanity in Crisis: AI, Empathy, and Disaster Relief with Kerri Murray
HostDr. MJ
GuestKerri Murray — President of ShelterBox USA
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for an AI World, Dr. MJ sits down with Kerri Murray, President of ShelterBox USA, to explore what emotionally intelligent leadership looks like on the front lines of global humanitarian crises. Kerri shares how her organization responds to families displaced by war, earthquakes, hurricanes, and climate disasters by providing emergency shelter and essential supplies in some of the most difficult environments in the world.
Throughout the conversation, Kerri reflects on the balance between technology and humanity in disaster response. While AI can help predict disaster zones, improve logistics, and accelerate aid deployment, she explains why empathy, listening, trust, and human connection remain irreplaceable. Drawing from experiences in places like Morocco, Jamaica, and the Philippines, she offers a powerful perspective on leadership, resilience, and what it means to stay deeply human in an increasingly automated world.
The episode also explores the disproportionate impact displacement has on women and children, the role of partnerships in humanitarian work, and why authentic communication and compassion are becoming essential leadership skills in the age of AI.
Key TakeawaysShelter is more than survival — it restores dignity.
Kerri explains that emergency shelter is not simply about providing a roof over someone’s head. It creates privacy, stability, and a sense of safety for families who have lost everything. Shelter becomes the first step toward emotional and physical recovery after disaster or conflict.
AI can improve response speed, but it cannot replace empathy.
AI helps organizations like ShelterBox predict disaster patterns, position resources strategically, and improve logistics. However, Kerri emphasizes that technology cannot replace the emotional intelligence required to sit with people in grief, listen to their stories, and build trust in moments of crisis.
Humanitarian leadership is rooted in relationships.
The conversation highlights how meaningful partnerships drive effective disaster response. Whether working with local aid workers, community leaders, or partner organizations, the success of humanitarian work depends on trust, collaboration, and local knowledge.
Women are central to recovery efforts.
Kerri discusses how women and children make up the majority of displaced populations worldwide and often carry the responsibility of rebuilding communities after disaster. Supporting women with resources, safety, and opportunity strengthens long-term recovery efforts for entire communities.
Authentic communication matters more than ever.
As AI-generated communication becomes more common, Kerri reflects on the growing importance of authenticity in leadership. People want genuine conversations, emotional presence, and human connection — not automated responses or overly polished messaging.
The future is human and technology working together.
Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, Kerri sees the future as a partnership between technological innovation and human compassion. Effective leadership requires balancing efficiency with empathy and ensuring humanity remains at the center of decision-making.
Memorable Quotes“Shelter is the first step toward recovery.”“People want connection.”“Leadership becomes about listening, empathy, and staying human.”“The future is human and technology — not one replacing the other.”About Our GuestKerri Murray is the President of ShelterBox USA, a global humanitarian organization that provides emergency shelter and essential supplies to families displaced by disaster and conflict. She has led disaster response and humanitarian partnership efforts supporting communities affected by crises in regions including Ukraine, Haiti, Syria, Morocco, and the Philippines.
Kerri is a passionate advocate for women and girls impacted by displacement and believes humanitarian leadership must be compassionate, courageous, and deeply human-centered. She is also a recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. Vision Award and has received an honorary doctorate in Humanitarian Services from Providence College.
Website: ShelterBox USA
LinkedIn: Kerri Murray LinkedIn
Connect with HeartwiredContact HeartWired
Email: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
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Episode Title: AI Is Not Neutral: Leading with Awareness, Identity, and Responsibility
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Dr. Okokon O. Udo, Leadership Scholar, Coach & Founder of SoulEngineering LLC
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Dr. Okokon O. Udo—a scholar, coach, and self-described “engineer of the soul”—to explore the deeper human implications of artificial intelligence.
Drawing from his experience designing a leadership program for an African audience, Dr. Udo shares how AI revealed hidden assumptions, cultural gaps, and systemic biases embedded within its outputs. What initially appeared to be a powerful and efficient tool quickly became a mirror reflecting whose perspectives are included—and whose are left out.
Together, they unpack the idea that AI is not neutral, emphasizing that it is shaped by human context, bias, and historical realities. The conversation moves into the responsibility leaders carry when engaging with AI, highlighting the need for emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and intentionality.
Dr. Udo also introduces the concept of building a “relationship” with AI—one that evolves over time but still requires human consciousness, questioning, and ethical grounding. The discussion ultimately challenges leaders to avoid passivity and instead actively shape how AI impacts humanity, culture, and leadership moving forward.
Key TakeawaysAI Is Not Neutral
AI does not exist in a vacuum—it reflects the cultural context, assumptions, and biases of the people who design it. Leaders must recognize this instead of assuming objectivity.
What’s Missing Matters
Without intentional prompting, AI often defaults to mainstream perspectives, excluding diverse cultural viewpoints. Representation requires active participation and questioning.
Advocacy Is Required
Users must consistently ask better questions and challenge outputs to ensure broader perspectives are included—especially those from marginalized groups.
Responsibility Is Human, Not AI
AI itself is not responsible for bias—people are. The responsibility lies with both developers and users, especially those with power and influence.
Emotional Intelligence Is Essential
Leaders must bring full awareness—mind, body, and intuition—into their interaction with AI. Discomfort or misalignment is valuable data, not something to ignore.
AI as a Relationship
Over time, AI adapts to a user’s voice, preferences, and patterns. While this creates alignment, it still requires conscious direction and ethical engagement.
The Risk of Going Unconscious
The speed and convenience of AI can lead to passive consumption. Without awareness, leaders risk amplifying bias at scale.
Hybrid Intelligence Is the Future
The goal is not to replace human intelligence, but to balance AI capability with human emotional intelligence, ethics, and relational awareness.
Memorable Quotes"AI does not exist in a vacuum."
"What we are building into AI is not just intelligence—it’s a reflection of how we see each other."
"If we just consume what comes at us, by the time we understand its impact, it’s already done."
"We have to bring our full selves into the relationship with AI."
About Our GuestDr. Okokon O. Udo is a scholar, practitioner, coach, and founder of SoulEngineering LLC. His work lives at the intersection of identity, relationship, and meaning-making. He serves as Director of the MA in Organization Development & Leadership and Director of Evidence Based Coaching at Fielding Graduate University.
Dr. Udo’s work focuses on helping individuals and organizations deepen awareness, challenge assumptions, and lead with intention—especially in complex and evolving environments.
Website: https://soulengineeringllc.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drokokonudo2002/
Connect with HeartwiredContact HeartWired
Email: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
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Show Notes: Heartwired – Emotionally Intelligent Leadership
Episode Title: The Creative Process in an AI World: Mindfulness, Trust, and Lateral Thinking
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Kathy Leader, Founder of The Art Process Studio
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ speaks with Kathy Leader, founder of The Art Process Studio, about the role of creativity in an AI-driven world. Kathy shares her journey from being a visual artist and educator to creating a space where individuals and teams can explore creativity without the pressure of producing a perfect end result.
The conversation focuses on how the creative process helps people slow down, reduce anxiety, and open up to new ways of thinking. Kathy explains how working with teams revealed fear and vulnerability around creativity, and how guiding people through the process builds trust, connection, and openness. Together, they explore the differences between linear and lateral thinking, the impact of hands-on creative work, and how mindfulness and creativity support emotional intelligence and human connection.
Key TakeawaysFocus on Process Over Product:
Kathy emphasizes that creativity should not be driven by the end result. When people focus on the process, they become more open, less anxious, and more willing to explore ideas.
Creativity Brings Out Vulnerability and Trust:
Many individuals feel fear or anxiety when asked to create. As they move through the process, they begin to trust themselves and others, leading to stronger team connection.
Lateral Thinking Expands Ideas:
Unlike linear thinking, lateral thinking allows people to explore multiple possibilities. This approach encourages openness and creates space for new ideas to emerge.
Hands-On Creativity Encourages Mindfulness:
Working with physical tools like paintbrushes brings focus to the present moment. This reduces distractions and helps individuals enter a more mindful, creative state.
Creative Spaces Change Team Dynamics:
In creative environments, communication becomes more open and less guarded. Teams connect in ways that don’t typically happen in traditional workplace settings.
Creativity is Inherently Human:
Kathy reminds listeners that creativity is something everyone is born with. It is not limited to artists, but something that can be developed and accessed by anyone.
Memorable Quotes"It’s not about the product—it’s about the process."
"Leaning on AI too much can make us lazy."
"Creativity belongs to all of us."
"Paying attention one moment at a time—that’s mindfulness."
About Our GuestKathy Leader is the founder and owner of The Art Process Studio. The idea behind the studio is to nurture a love of art-making as a healing and mindful form of creative expression. Kathy is a visual artist, creativity coach, and meditation facilitator who creates workshops for individuals and teams, encouraging openness, flexibility, and creative exploration.
Connect with Kathy LeaderWebsite: https://www.theart-process.com/
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artworkshops-theartprocess/
Connect with HeartwiredSubscribe: Don’t miss an episode! Hit the follow button on Spotify.
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Email: [email protected]
Website: drmjheartwired.com
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Episode Title: Hiring for Authenticity: Emotional Intelligence, Discernment, and Building the Right Teams
Host: Dr. MJ
Guest: Julie Spear, CEO of Jewels Talent Solutions, LLC
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Julie Spear, CEO of Jewels Talent Solutions, LLC, to explore what it really takes to hire the right people in today’s fast-paced, AI-influenced hiring landscape. Drawing from over a decade of experience in recruiting, Julie shares how she moves beyond resumes and scripted answers to truly understand the person behind the candidate.
From navigating overly prepared interviewees to helping organizations avoid rushed hiring decisions, Julie emphasizes the importance of slowing down, asking deeper questions, and focusing on long-term fit. The conversation also dives into emotional intelligence in leadership, adapting communication styles across different personalities, and the critical role of onboarding and mentorship. Julie also shares her journey from corporate to entrepreneurship and her passion for advancing women in leadership, reminding us that people—not just positions—are the foundation of every successful organization.
Key TakeawaysGo Beyond Scripted Answers:
With candidates increasingly relying on AI tools to prepare for interviews, it’s essential to ask deeper, more personalized questions. Real authenticity shows up when candidates speak from lived experience, not rehearsed responses.
Slow Hiring Leads to Stronger Teams:
Rushing to fill a role often leads to misalignment and turnover. Taking time for multiple interviews, panel conversations, and deeper evaluation helps ensure long-term success.
Read the Human Signals:
Emotional intelligence isn’t just what candidates say—it’s how they respond. Body language, tone, and how someone reacts under pressure reveal far more than prepared answers.
Onboarding is as Important as Hiring:
Hiring the right person is only the beginning. The first 30 days, along with proper training and mentorship, are critical to long-term employee success and retention.
Adapt Leadership to the Individual:
Strong leaders adjust their communication style based on who they’re working with. Understanding different personalities—especially across technical and non-technical roles—is key to effective leadership.
Women in Leadership Create Balance:
Julie highlights the importance of women having a seat at the table. Their ability to lead with empathy, collaboration, and mentorship brings a necessary balance to modern organizations.
Memorable Quotes"I want to know that the person I’m speaking to is the real person—not just words on a resume."
"Slow down and figure it out."
"Emotional intelligence is about learning to communicate with different types of people in different ways."
"We lift as we climb."
About Our GuestJulie Spear is the CEO of Jewels Talent Solutions, LLC, a strategic recruiting firm dedicated to connecting exceptional talent with organizations nationwide. With over a decade of experience, she is known for her relationship-driven approach, helping companies build strong leadership teams while guiding professionals toward meaningful career opportunities.
Here more from her here: LinkedIn | Website
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Host: Dr. MJ Guest: Jake Pasimi, Digital Marketing Strategist & Villanova University Professor
Episode SummaryIn this episode of Heartwired, Dr. MJ sits down with Jake Pasimi—a leader with over 15 years of experience spanning D2C brands and SaaS martech—to discuss where technology meets humanity. Jake shares his "Batman" persona as a professor at Villanova University, where he has spent a decade teaching the next generation of leaders how to balance high-tech tools with high-touch emotional intelligence.
From the "Tree Metaphor" of prompt engineering to the ethical concerns of data privacy, Jake and Dr. MJ explore how leaders can use AI not just for productivity, but for genuine differentiation and human-centric collaboration.
Key TakeawaysTrust But Verify: Reliability in AI starts with understanding the "inputs before the outcomes". Jake explains that while AI offers instant gratification, the best results come from the 80/20 rule: if you can get your question 80% of the way there with context and detail, the AI can provide a much more useful output.The Tree Metaphor: Think of a goal as a leaf on a tree. If you jump straight for the leaf, you break the branches; true success comes from planning a path up the trunk and limbs—understanding the foundational context before seeking the final answer.Differentiating in the Final 20%: Since everyone has access to AI, the "80% solution" is now the baseline. Human expertise and specialization are required to reach the final 20%, which is where true competitive advantage and differentiation live.The Leader’s Role in an AI World: Leaders should be tool-agnostic and result-focused. Success comes from collaborating with teams to identify which problems, if solved by AI, would make their jobs more energized and impactful.Ethical Concerns: Beyond corporate data security, Jake expresses deep concern regarding how personal search data (such as health inquiries for children) could be used by future systems to impact insurance or long-term opportunities.
Memorable Quotes"Trusting the outputs starts with making sure you have the right inputs."
"You actually could argue that the 20 percent's even more important than the 80 because everybody's going to do the 80."
"With more power and more tools, we need more collaboration, not less."
About Our GuestJake Pasimi has spent over 15 years leading marketing, revenue, and analytical teams for some of the world's largest brands in the e-commerce and retail space. His expertise spans digital marketing, RevOps, and customer lifetime value (CLV). By day, he finds simple human answers buried under mountains of data; by night, he teaches Digital Marketing Strategy & Analytics at Villanova University in both the undergraduate and MBA programs.
Get more updates from him here: LinkedIn
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In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into how emotional intelligence empowers us as leaders in the rapidly advancing age of AI.
I have the privilege of sitting down with Noah Daniels, Senior Vice President of Market Development at Simpson Strong-Tie. Noah’s career is a remarkable journey that seamlessly blends technical expertise with a true people-first philosophy. He’s known for championing emotionally intelligent leadership and driving digital transformation in the traditionally structured world of manufacturing.
We explore Noah’s unique approach to integrating digital transformation within Simpson Strong-Tie, a 70-year-old manufacturing company that’s leading innovation in homebuilding and affordable housing. We get into the challenges and opportunities when introducing technology to an under-digitized industry, and how staying human-centered is the key differentiator in a tech-focused landscape.
Noah and I also get personal as we talk about the “double whammy” impact of post-Covid isolation and AI automation on our social fabric, especially how these forces affect younger generations. We reflect on the urgency of emotional intelligence in leadership, and why relationships, empathy, and vulnerability are more crucial than ever.
Key Takeaways & TopicsDigital Transformation with Heart: How Noah is leading the charge at Simpson Strong-Tie by blending innovation with a human-first approach in a manufacturing environment.Affordable Housing Solutions: The role of technology and emotional intelligence in addressing the housing crisis and building more accessible homes.AI and Outsourcing Our Thinking: The risks of letting AI do the thinking for us, and strategies to maintain critical and creative human thinking on your teams.Emotional Intelligence Post-Covid: The heightened importance of empathy, connection, and psychological safety in a remote and automated workplace.Building Trust Remotely: Practical tools for engaging virtual teams, fostering trust, and sustaining meaningful relationships even when you’ve never met in person.Addressing AI Anxiety: How to help your team move past the fear of job loss through continuous learning, a growth mindset, and leveraging unique human strengths.The Indispensable Power of Empathy: Why empathy is the one irreplaceable human quality that no AI will ever replicate and how it builds trust, loyalty, and collaboration.If today’s conversation resonated with you, I encourage you to share this episode with a leader or friend who needs to hear it. Want to keep leading with heart in the AI age? Subscribe to HeartWired for more insights and connect with Noah Daniels on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-daniels-0a0b911/
Stay wired to what matters most and keep leading with empathy.
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Welcome to HeartWired! I’m Dr. MJ, and today’s episode is packed with powerful insights for anyone curious (or a little apprehensive) about navigating the intersection of AI, leadership, and being authentically human in a tech-driven world.
Hilary Bilbrey is not just an award-winning author and speaker; she’s a true thought leader in emotional intelligence, resilience, and authentic leadership. Hilary’s work especially her book The Authenticity Key challenges us all to deepen self-awareness, lead with integrity, and leverage technology as a tool for good, not as a replacement for meaningful human interaction.
In this candid conversation, Hilary and I dive into the real effects AI is having on our personal and professional lives both the exciting opportunities and the fears it brings up. We talk about the “pleasing bias” in AI, the importance of asking machines for honest feedback (instead of just flattery!), and actionable strategies for keeping our core values at the center as we embrace new technologies.
Key Topics & Takeaways:
AI’s Built-in Bias to Please: Hilary breaks down why AI is designed to tell users what they want to hear, and how that can limit our growth unless we intentionally ask for challenge and critique.Prompting for Growth: Learn practical prompts to get AI to disagree with you, point out your blind spots, or play the role of “devil’s advocate” to strengthen your proposals, presentations, or ideas.Conversational AI: Hilary shares her real-world workflow using both voice and text with AI to brainstorm, plan, and iterate, whether she’s on a walk or at her desk.Self-Reflection & Capability Models: Discover how AI can serve as a tool for honest self-assessment and ongoing personal development.How AI Can Enhance Our Humanity: Together, we debunk myths about AI making us less relevant, and show how it actually frees us to focus on deeper relationships, real listening, and meaningful work.Authenticity in an AI World: We explore why you must know yourself your values, strengths, and leadership style before you can “train” any tool to reflect your true voice and aspirations.Overcoming Fear with Curiosity: Hear Hilary’s simple, “safe” ways to start exploring AI, from vacation itineraries to finding unique gifts, before working up to using it for business decisions and coaching.If this episode inspired you, share it with a friend or colleague who’s curious about the future of work, AI, and emotional intelligence. Be sure to subscribe to HeartWired so you never miss an episode. And if you’re ready to embrace AI as a partner in your authentic leadership journey start small, stay curious, and trust yourself.
Thanks again to Hilary Bilbrey for her wisdom. You can find more about her book The Authenticity Key wherever books are sold.
Let’s keep leading with heart, one conversation at a time!
— Dr. Mary Jean Vignone
Mentioned in this episode:
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Welcome back to HeartWired! I’m Dr. MJ, your host, and in this episode, I’m joined by the remarkable Dr. Gemma Sharp, a powerhouse in the worlds of epidemiology, mental health, and ethical AI innovation. Gemma is not only a professor and globally-minded researcher but also the founder of the Global Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders and CEO of her own AI mental health technology company.
In this inspiring conversation, we dive deep into the intersection of mental health care and artificial intelligence. Dr. Gemma Sharp shares her journey from academia to entrepreneurship and charity leadership, all driven by her desire to create real-world impact. We discuss the importance of human-centered, co-designed AI, how to navigate conflicting stakeholder needs, and the critical ethical boundaries that must guide tech innovation in high-stakes domains like mental health.
Key Takeaways and Topics Covered
Why Diverse Roles Matter: Learn how Dr. Gemma Sharp integrates research, clinical experience, and tech leadership to drive meaningful change in mental health ([00:00:49]–[00:02:25]).Co-Design in Practice: Discover the double diamond design model and how involving end-users from the start (those with lived experience, clinicians, advocates, and more) leads to safer, more effective AI tools ([00:05:28]–[00:07:59]).Ethical Guardrails: Explore why “just because you can doesn’t mean you should” is Dr. Gemma Sharp’s mantra for AI development, and the risks of moving faster than governance and ethics allow ([00:12:22]–[00:14:28]).Practical AI in Care: We differentiate between lower-risk uses (admin support, clinical notes, scheduling) and high-risk ones (AI as therapist substitutes), and why current technology is best viewed as an assistant, not a replacement ([00:15:01]–[00:17:27]).Building Trust and Safety: Hear about GEM and EDS-E, two AI-driven tools Dr. Gemma Sharp has co-created, and why listening to user concerns led to “less fancy” but safer, trusted solutions ([00:17:37]–[00:19:42]).Advice for Innovators: The most crucial question to answer before launching an AI mental health tool? Define safety boundaries and know exactly what’s in and out of scope ([00:20:18]–[00:21:01]).Community Impact: Get introduced to the Global Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders, an inclusive, barrier-free organization aiming to welcome all voices in support and research ([00:21:21]–[00:23:23]).If you’re a clinician, researcher, entrepreneur, or technologist curious about the future of mental health and AI, this episode is packed with wisdom, practical frameworks, and ethical insights. Dr. Gemma Sharp’s perspective balances optimism and caution, always centering technology as a support for, not a replacement of, human connection.
Learn more about eating disorders research or join the free Global Consortium: core-ed.com.auContact Dr. Gemma Sharp through Adelaide University, LinkedIn, or X for more on AI tools and consortium events.If today’s conversation resonated with you, please share this episode with friends or colleagues interested in responsible AI, human-centered design, or mental health innovation. Subscribe to HeartWired for more thought leadership where tech meets human values and stay tuned for our next episode!
Thank you for being part of the HeartWired community. Your curiosity and commitment to emotional intelligence in the AI age make all the difference.
— Dr. MJ
Mentioned in this episode:
HeartWired is part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork
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Welcome back to another episode of HeartWired: the podcast where we explore how emotionally intelligent leadership can thrive in an AI-powered world. I’m your host, Dr. Mary Jean Vignone, and in this episode, we’re diving into the future of banking, risk, compliance, and the undeniable human element at the core of technological change.
In this insightful conversation, I sat down with Laurel Sykes, Executive Vice President and Chief Risk Officer at American Riviera Bank, a seasoned leader with over 30 years navigating regulatory shifts, mergers, and enterprise risk management in the banking sector. Together, we explore how AI is evolving the finance industry, from fraud detection to hiring practices, and how leaders can balance innovation with human empathy.
Laurel Sykes is a powerhouse when it comes to banking risk, compliance, and operational excellence. With her deep expertise in enterprise risk management, anti-money laundering, business continuity, and much more, she’s uniquely positioned to unpack how AI is reshaping financial institutions without losing sight of the very real people behind the numbers.
Key Topics & TakeawaysThe Evolution of AI in Banking:We explore how AI isn’t new to banks from algorithms powering credit decisions to today’s generative models creating content and analyzing vast data streams.Balancing Innovation & Security:Laurel discusses piloting AI tools like Copilot internally, focusing on privacy, security, and limiting exposure to sensitive client data.AI Risks & Real-World Safeguards:Practical insights into how improperly configured AI can expose confidential information or amplify fraud risks and how keeping an expert “human in the middle” is non-negotiable.Fraud in the AI Age:The episode covers real examples of AI-powered fraud, including deepfake scams, voice impersonation of loved ones, and evolving social engineering targeting everyone from seniors to young adults.Maintaining the Human Touch:Even as automation grows, banking remains a relationship business. Laurel and I discuss how authenticity, emotional intelligence, and intentional leadership keep enterprises grounded.AI in Hiring & HR:The challenges of AI-generated resumes and candidates using AI in interviews, plus tips for crafting behavioral interview questions that reveal true experience beyond what an algorithm can prepare.Leadership in a Tech-Driven Era:Advice for leaders: Pilot AI thoughtfully, treat AI like an intern—not a replacement—and always double-check results for accuracy, compliance, and tone.Regulatory Insights:What leaders need to know about emerging laws governing AI, automated decision-making, and consumer data protection.As AI becomes embedded in nearly every organizational process, leaders face the dual challenge of driving efficiency while remaining vigilant stewards of data, relationships, and trust. This episode is a must-listen for financial professionals, risk officers, HR leaders, and anyone navigating technological change with a human-first mindset.
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe to HeartWired and share this conversation with colleagues or friends who care about the intersection of tech, trust, and leadership. And if you want to stay on the cutting edge of emotionally intelligent management in an AI world, leave us a review or reach out with topics you’d like us to cover next.
Thanks again for joining me and Laurel Sykes on this journey. Remember: technology shapes the future, but heart shapes technology’s impact.
Subscribe. Share. Stay HeartWired.
Dr. MJ
Mentioned in this episode:
HeartWired is part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork
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Welcome to HeartWired: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for an AI World! In this episode, I dive deep into the intersection of intuition, leadership, and artificial intelligence with the dynamic Deborah Deras. With three decades of corporate experience, a focus on AI education, and an inspiring outlook on emotionally intelligent leadership, Deborah brings a fresh perspective to today’s rapidly changing landscape.
We explore how leaders can cultivate and trust their intuition amid the noise of fear and fast-paced technological change, especially as AI is integrated into more aspects of our organizations and lives. Deborah’s stories, including her surprising path to becoming an AI educator at Santa Barbara City College, offer actionable wisdom for anyone navigating transformation.
Deborah Deras is an accomplished international speaker, organizational leadership doctoral student, corporate trainer, and the author of “Your Ego Is Not Your Amigo.” She specializes in helping leaders access their intuition, move beyond imposter syndrome, and embrace emotionally intelligent practices that keep humanity at the center of technology.
Key Takeaways and Topics
Understanding Ego vs. Intuition: Deborah explains how ego shows up as a “barking puppy” and why trying to suppress fear can actually amplify it. Instead, she shares tools for training your inner voice and working with, rather than against, your fear.Women and Leadership: We discuss why women often hold themselves back from advancement and how to lean into possibility over perfectionism.The Role of Intuition in AI Adoption: As organizations rush to integrate AI, leaders must use intuition and emotional intelligence to guide responsible innovation. Deborah raises powerful questions for leaders to ask: Does AI align with our core values? Are we losing sight of the human touch in pursuit of efficiency?Vision & Discernment: AI can synthesize data, but it lacks lived experience, vision, and discernment—traits only humans can contribute. Deborah emphasizes that emotional intelligence and intuition are superpowers in the AI era.Practical Mindfulness: Learning to “come home” to yourself requires moments of stillness and reflection. We talk about practical ways leaders can slow down and check in with their intuition amidst constant technological acceleration.Personal Stories: Deborah shares her own path to AI education, guided by intuition versus logical career planning—and the business implications for integrating or misusing AI tools.If this episode resonated with you or if you know someone struggling to find balance between technology and their own wisdom, please share HeartWired with them! Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an episode.
Connect with Deborah Deras at DeborahDeras.com to access her free meditation or check out her latest book, “Your Ego Is Not Your Amigo.”
Want more conversations about emotional intelligence and leadership in the AI era? Make sure to stay in touch for future episodes—and don’t forget to slow down, listen to your intuition, and lead with heart.
Thank you for listening!
— Dr. MJ
Timestamps:
00:00 "Fear, Excitement, and Intuition"
05:51 "Embracing Change Beyond Fear"
08:24 "Balancing AI Innovation and Safety"
11:46 Right Place, Right Time
13:29 "AI Use Must Align Values"
20:27 "Finding Stillness Amid AI Progress"
21:19 "Stillness Amidst Technology"
25:12 "Intuition, Emotional Intelligence, AI"
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HeartWired is part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork
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Welcome back to HeartWired: Emotionally Intelligent Leadership for an AI World! I’m Dr. Mary Jean Vignone, your host, and in this episode, we dive deep into the crossroads of technology, education, and emotional intelligence with our incredible guest, Alan Sitomer–award-winning educator, CEO of Mastery Coding, and author of 23 books.
Alan Sitomer’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. From his beginnings as a high school English teacher in inner-city LA to being named California Teacher of the Year, Alan now leads Mastery Coding, a company transforming computer science education for K-12. He’s also a member of the California Department of Education’s AI Task Force and spearheads the United States Academic Esports League, bridging the gap between student passion and workforce opportunity.
In this episode, Alan and I discuss:
The challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into education and societyHow emotional intelligence shapes decision-making in leadership, especially amidst rapid technological changeAlan’s philosophy of humility and ethical awareness when tackling AI’s impact in schoolsThe importance of engaging students with passion-driven, relevant curriculum (hello, video games & esports!)Practical wisdom on developing tenacity and resilience in a world of instant gratificationAlan’s advice for cultivating purpose-driven leadership and the role of love vs. fear in impactful decisionsKey Takeaways
Humility is essential: When dealing with AI’s unknowns and ethical dilemmas, leaders must embrace humility and foster informed, civil dialogue.Connection matters: Alan believes harnessing student passions (like gaming) can fuel academic and career readiness, as seen through initiatives such as the USA Academic Esports League.Emotional intelligence in leadership: Whether in the classroom or the boardroom, listening, transparency, and understanding your own strengths/limitations are vital.Developing resilience: Alan shares candidly about his 14-year journey of rejection as an author, offering insight on staying true to meaningful work—even when faced with adversity.Love over fear: In AI-driven workplaces and communities, having a healthy relationship with your own fears and making decisions from a place of authenticity and love, not fear, will foster alignment and lasting impact.Topics Covered
The future of education and AIEmotional intelligence and ethical leadershipSocial awareness and empathy in system-wide decisionsEsports as a vehicle for STEM/STEAM learning and workforce developmentNavigating rapid tech change and capitalism’s influence in edtechBuilding resilience and meaningfulness in a fast-paced worldIf you’re passionate about emotionally intelligent leadership or curious how technology meets humanity, join the conversation! Start by checking out Mastery Coding and the United States Academic Esports League at usacademicesports.com. Share this episode with fellow educators, tech leaders, and parents—let’s build a future where students are prepared not just with skills, but with emotional intelligence and purpose.
Subscribe to HeartWired for more discussions at the intersection of AI, education, and the human touch. Leave your thoughts or questions in the comments, and let’s keep this important dialogue alive.
Thank you for listening!
Dr. M.J.
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HeartWired is part of the eWomenPodcastNetwork
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