Afleveringen
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What happens when a life-changing event forces you to question everything?
In this episode of Technically Human, I sit down with Alan Lazaros, CEO and co-founder of Next Level University, to discuss the experiences that transformed his life and career.
Alan shares his journey from corporate success and financial achievement to a devastating car accident that became a turning point. We explore finding purpose after adversity, investing in personal growth, navigating uncertainty, building resilience, and why human connection matters more than ever in an AI-driven world.
If you're facing career uncertainty, questioning your next step, or searching for greater meaning in your work and life, this conversation offers practical wisdom and honest perspective.
We talk about:
Turning adversity into opportunityDiscovering your purposePersonal development versus empty motivationInvesting in yourself wiselyCareer transitions and reinventionAI, technology, and human connectionLeadership, growth, and accountabilityWhether you're navigating a career transition, recovering from a setback, or trying to determine what's next, this conversation is packed with practical insights and powerful stories.
Learn more about Alan Lazaros and Next Level University at https://www.nextleveluniverse.com/
Subscribe for more conversations exploring the intersection of technology, careers, leadership, and what it means to remain Technically Human.
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Feeling stuck in your career?
In this episode, Dr. Tracy Shroyer explores why career clarity, not more information, is often the missing piece. Drawing from her own experience navigating a layoff after 27 years in corporate America, Tracy shares the framework she now uses to help professionals gain direction, make better career decisions, and build meaningful momentum.
You'll learn:• Why so many professionals feel stuck• How clarity differs from information• The power of desires and deal breakers• The 4C Career Compass Framework• Four reflection questions to help identify your next step
Remember: waiting is not a career strategy.
Join us in the COMPASS community at www.careercompassusa.com
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Zijn er afleveringen die ontbreken?
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In this episode of Technically Human, I sit down with Leo Hoar, founder of the UXR Institute, to talk about what AI can and cannot do for students, professionals, business owners, and startup founders. Leo brings a unique perspective as a former academic, UX researcher, entrepreneur, and self-described “recovering academic” who has spent his career thinking deeply about how people learn, make decisions, and build better experiences.
Together, we explore why AI can accelerate your work, but cannot replace good thinking. Leo shares why critical thinking, communication, emotional intelligence, and learning how to learn may be more valuable than ever in an AI-driven world.
We also discuss the impact of AI on entry-level roles, education, career transitions, startups, solopreneurship, and the growing importance of human judgment.If you have ever wondered whether AI is replacing people, how to use AI without outsourcing your own thinking, or whether now is the right time to start building your own business, this conversation offers practical insight, encouragement, and a thoughtful reminder that technology is most powerful when it supports, not replaces, human intelligence.
Want to learn more about Leo or the UXR Institute?
Connect with Leo Hoar on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/leo-hoar-phd/Learn more about what Leo and his team does at https://www.uxrinstitute.com/Want to learn more about Dr. Tracy Shroyer or Career Compass?
Connect with Tracy on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracyshroyerphdLeanr more about what Career Compass offers at https://www.careercompassusa.com -
In this solo episode of the Technically Human Podcast, Dr. Tracy Shroyer breaks down five pieces of career advice that simply do not work the same way anymore in 2026. From blindly applying to hundreds of jobs to treating LinkedIn like an online resume, the rules of career growth and job searching have shifted dramatically.
Dr. Tracy explores:
Why applying everywhere leads to burnoutWhat recruiters actually look for on resumesWhy LinkedIn visibility matters more than everHow AI is reshaping the workforce (without replacing human value)Why loyalty alone no longer protects your careerThis episode is designed to help professionals navigate career change more strategically while staying grounded in who they are.
Whether you’re job searching, rethinking your direction, recovering from a layoff, or simply trying to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world of work, this conversation will help you rethink what actually matters now.
Listen in and remember: you do not have to lose yourself to adapt.
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In this episode of Technically Human, I sit down with Kristin Zhivago to explore the gap between what businesses think customers want and what buyers are actually looking for. We unpack assumptions vs. buyer truth, why so many organizations unintentionally create friction in the buying process, and how companies can better understand customer desires, concerns, and questions before a purchase ever happens.
Kristin shares insights from interviewing thousands of customers across industries, explains the hidden “sales stoppers” that quietly hurt revenue, and discusses why trust, listening, and genuine human understanding still matter deeply — even in an AI-driven world.
We also explore:
Why most companies misunderstand their customers
The difference between assumptions and real buyer insight
Desires, concerns, and questions in the buying process
Common sales stoppers hurting businesses behind the scenes
Why Amazon succeeds at reducing buyer friction
AI, automation, and the future of customer communication
The importance of trust and human connection in business
What it means to stay “technically human” in today’s world
Time Stamps:
00:00 – Introduction to the episode
01:00 – Kristin’s background and early sales experience
03:45 – Assumptions vs. buyer truth
07:30 – Why businesses waste money on marketing
08:00 – Loyalty cards, customer data, and personalization
10:00 – Relationship marketing vs. truly serving customers
11:45 – AI and the limits of customer insight automation
14:00 – How many customer interviews companies actually need
16:00 – Why messaging often fails to connect
20:30 – The biggest disconnect businesses face
22:30 – Desires, concerns, and questions in the buying process
27:30 – Reviews, Amazon, and reducing buyer friction
29:20 – Internal systems, processes, and hidden sales stoppers
35:00 – AI adoption in business: opportunities and risks
39:00 – AI in education and critical thinking
40:45 – What “Technically Human” means to KristinWant to learn more about Kristin Zhivago and her work? Visit www.ZhivagoPartners.com.
Connect with Dr. Tracy Shroyer and Career Compass for career strategy, professional growth, and resources designed to help you navigate change in an evolving world of work at www.careercompassusa.com .
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There’s a difference between being responsible… and actually advocating for yourself.
In this episode of Technically Human, I explore why so many capable people struggle to speak up, ask for what they need, acknowledge their accomplishments, or put themselves forward for opportunities, even when they’ve earned them.
We talk about:
the connection between confidence and self-advocacyimposter syndrome and self-doubtwhy many people minimize themselves without realizing ithow language shapes confidencethe idea of self-efficacy and trusting yourself to handle difficult situationswhy confidence usually comes after action, not before itThis conversation is for anyone who has ever questioned whether they were “too much,” waited for permission, or struggled to recognize their own value.
You can be humble and still speak clearly.
You can be kind and still advocate for yourself.
And you can feel nervous and still take action.
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What if the problem isn’t you… but the system you’re working in?
In this episode of Technically Human, I sit down with Simon Copsey to explore how the way organizations are structured, and the beliefs leaders hold, shape everything from productivity and burnout to team performance and decision-making.
We unpack the difference between “firefighting” and actually solving problems at their root, and why so many teams stay stuck reacting instead of preventing issues in the first place. Simon shares how systems thinking and cause-and-effect thinking can help leaders and teams move beyond surface-level fixes and start addressing what’s really driving challenges inside organizations.
We also talk about:
Why common leadership beliefs (like keeping everyone busy or adding more people to speed things up) can actually make things worseThe gap between leadership decisions and team realities, and how misalignment happensWhy most organizational problems aren’t about “bad employees,” but about the conditions people are working inHow shifting beliefs, not just behaviors, is key to meaningful, lasting changeIf you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, stuck in constant reaction mode, or frustrated by decisions that don’t seem to make sense, this conversation will help you step back, see the bigger picture, and think differently about the systems around you.
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AI is inevitable in the workplace, but how do we use it without losing our authentic voice? In this solo episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on my own journey with AI, career coaching, and hosting this podcast. We talk about why speaking your prompts into tools like ChatGPT or Manus can yield much richer results than typing, and why it is absolutely critical that you remain the final editor of your work. I share a few personal stories, including a funny moment when a simple "fat fingers" spelling error made a career coaching client think I used AI to write her resume, and why I pivoted from AI-generated images to creating my own visuals in Canva to ensure they actually looked like my brand.
We also get real about the behind-the-scenes of podcasting. I open up about the intense anxiety I feel right before hitting record with a guest, how I use AI to bridge the gap between my expertise and theirs, and the sheer excitement I feel once the conversation gets flowing. Finally, we tackle the myth of the "perfect" episode length and why a rich, 9-minute episode is infinitely better than a drawn-out 25-minute one. In this episode, we cover:
Why you should experiment and "play" with AI tools like ChatGPT, Manus, and Gamma app.The power of voice prompting vs. text prompting.The importance of auditing AI output and keeping your authentic "stamp" on your work.Real-world stories: The resume typo and the LinkedIn visual pivot.Overcoming imposter syndrome and pre-recording anxiety as a podcast host.Why curiosity and "free flow" conversations beat rigid interviews every time.A reminder that content quality and richness matter far more than episode length.If you have topics related to AI, tech, or career development that you'd love to hear covered in future solo episodes, please send me a direct message on LinkedIn or drop me an email. I would love to hear from you!
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AI isn’t new, but what’s coming next might change everything.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Craig Kaplan, an AI expert with decades of experience building intelligent systems, to unpack what most people get wrong about artificial intelligence, and what actually matters moving forward.
We talk about:
The real history of AI (and why it’s not as “new” as it seems)What AI means for jobs, careers, and business strategyWhy companies can’t afford to ignore itThe risks no one is talking about and how we can navigate themAnd what it truly means to stay human as technology becomes more intelligentIf you’ve been feeling uncertain, curious, or even overwhelmed by AI, this conversation will ground you and give you a clearer way to think about what’s ahead.
Ready to take the next step in your career with strategy and support? Explore Career Compass Pro or the Career Compass Membership. Learn more at www.careercompassusa.com.
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What does it really mean to build a career in a world that’s changing faster than ever?
In this first solo episode of The Technically Human Podcast, Dr. Tracy Shroyer shares the foundation behind the show and why now is the time to rethink how we approach our careers.
Blending insights from corporate experience, career coaching, and higher education, this episode explores the intersection of technology, career strategy, and the human experience at work.
You’ll hear what’s driving this podcast, what you can expect from future episodes, and how to begin thinking about your career through a more intentional lens, including a high level introduction to the 4C Framework: Clarify, Communicate, Connect, and Cultivate.
If you’re navigating uncertainty, considering your next move, or simply trying to make sense of where you are, this episode is your starting point.
Ready to take the next step with structure, strategy, and support? Explore tools, trainings, and resources inside Career Compass Pro or Career Compass Membership. Learn more at www.careercompassusa.com
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What does it really mean to stay human in a world that’s constantly evolving?
In this trailer for The Technically Human Podcast, Dr. Tracy Shroyer introduces a show focused on navigating career growth, change, and identity in today’s digital world of work.
If you’ve ever felt stuck, misaligned, or unsure of what’s next, this podcast is here to help you move forward with clarity, intention, and a more human approach to your career.
