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In this episode, Dan discusses becoming the future of work sherpa:

Months ago, I challenged myself to come up with a succinct value statement to explain the scope of my work. I also sought to differentiate myself from other experts in future of work.

And that is how I arrived at the notion that I am the future of work sherpa whose mission it is to help people connect with work that is profound, protects the planet, empowers people and communities, and is fun to do—meaningful work.

Although I have never mountain-climbed, I am a lifelong hiker who loves the adventure of an arduous trek. And, I have always admired the unsung heroes of the Himalayas who help others ascend the world’s highest peaks.

The challenge that people seeking future work have is that their work-journey involves more than job seeking. They must DREAM, EXPLORE, STRATEGIZE and ACT to reach their work and career goals.

Oftentimes, that is too big a lift for career seekers to do on their own. They need the future of work sherpa. And that is where I come in.

Also in this episode, we meet Larysa Kautz. She is the CEO of Melwood, a nonprofit that helps people with disabilities find and do meaningful work. Larysa is not a sherpa, and certainly not a mountain-climber. But she helps her clients summon super-human skill to do the work of their dreams.

Interview begins at 6:16

Larysa Kautz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Connecticut College and a Juris Doctorate from Yale Law School. Larysa lives and works in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.

EPISODE DATE: July 2, 2021

Social media:

– Facebook

– Instagram

– Twitter

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 29:21 — 40.4MB)

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Few professionals demonstrate the case for workplace empathy better than Hannah Jew.

Hannah Jew (last name pronounced “Joe”) is an empathy building brand strategist for Scotts Miracle-Gro, the nation’s leading lawn and garden care company.

Empathy is central to how Hannah does her job; it helps drive value for consumers who rely on her company’s products to grow flowering plants and food from seed.

During the pandemic, nearly 21 million people embraced gardening. And Hannah used her marketing and strategy skills to make consumers’ new brand experiences beneficial.

In this episode, Hannah describes:

• Scotts Miracle-Gro and her work driving brand strategy. Starts at 2:53
• What an empathetic brand strategist does. Starts at 4:18
• Her experience of taking on a new job while expecting a child. Starts at 9:53
• How management created for her a phenomenal maternity leave workaround. Starts at 12:04
• The gendered workplace experience and its impact on female professionals.  Starts at 16:00

Hannah also answers the question: should “mom” be on a résumé? Starts at 24:30

Full interview starts at 2:45

Hannah Jew makes the case for workplace empathy, a central value in the future of work.

About our guest:

Hannah Jew received Bachelor of Science and Masters of Science degrees in Advertising from the University of Texas at Austin. She lives and works in Columbus, Ohio.

EPISODE DATE: June 25, 2021

Social media and Published Work:

– Instagram

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Website (HannahJew.com)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:58 — 59.1MB)

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For many in the active workforce, project leadership drives future work.

As dramatic shifts in work behavior unfolded during the pandemic, one key insight popped out as truly meaningful.

Project leadership drives future work.

To help us explore the growing importance of project leadership, we turn to Rich Maltzman for guidance. He is a master lecturer of project management at Boston University’s Metropolitan College.

Rich is also one of the world’s leading authorities on project management, and, the co-author of two “green” project management books that help people and companies embrace the triple-bottom-line and positive social impacts.

In this episode, we explore the work of a project manager. We also discuss how project management skills empower people to be more intentional, regardless of the job title that they possess.

As we emerge from pandemic lockdown, project leadership will drive future work and enable people to own their express contributions to their team’s and organization’s success.

Interview starts at 2:23

About our guest:

Rich Maltzman is a master lecturer of administrative sciences at Boston University’s Metropolitan College. He received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and a Masters of Science from Purdue University. Rich lives and works outside of Boston, Massachusetts.

EPISODE DATE: June 18, 2021

Social media and Published Work:

– LinkedIn

– ProjectManagement.com – People, Planet, Profits and Projects Blog

– Green Project Management by Richard Maltzman and David Shirley

– Project Workflow Management: A Business Process Approach by Dan Epstein and Rich Maltzman

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:27 — 39.1MB)

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Cristina DiGiacomo applies practical philosophy for future work benefit.

An author, podcaster, and practical philosopher, Cristina draws on ancient insight to help people solve contemporary problems. And as the founder of MorAlchemy, she guides people to lead happier, more purposed lives doing meaningful work.

Skeptics may not recognize the immediate value of practical philosophy for future work. But, for every stressor, difficult workplace relationship, and vexing business problem Cristina says:

“There’s a philosophy for that.”

In this episode, Cristina describes:

• Her work through MorAlchemy and the idea of practical philosophy. Starts at 2:22
• How she gets “high flyers” to settle their minds to embrace practical philosophy. Starts at 6:03
• Overcoming skepticism. Starts at 10:33
• Her reaction to Adam Grant’s article on languishing, and ways that practical philosophy helps to overcome languishing. Starts at 13:21
• Participating in the collective goal of humanity. Starts at 19:39

Full interview starts at 2:11

Cristina demystifies the role of practical philosophy for future work. She says:

“Things like the handshake were born out of philosophical ideas. The norms that we take for granted in our society, of how we should interact with each other, all come from philosophy.”

About our guest:

Cristina DiGiacomo earned a Bachelors of Science in Communications from the State University of New York at Albany and a Masters of Science in Organizational Change Management from New School University. She lives and works in New York City.

EPISODE DATE: June 11, 2021

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Website

– WiseUp! Book Author’s Page

– WiseUp! Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 30:19 — 41.7MB)

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Career professionals are swaying to the future of work, to thrive in their roles and workplaces.

During 2020, the intense stressors of remote work sent many professionals to a panic state. But 17 months since the pandemic started, those professionals may now languish. They handle their responsibilities well and don’t feel despair, but they don’t necessarily thrive.

According to workplace futurist Denise Brouder, swaying to the future of work helps people remain effective on the job…and joyful.

Denise is also the co-founder of SWAY. Throughout the pandemic, she and her team gathered insight to understand how professionals adjusted to their highly disrupted workplaces.

In this episode, Denise discusses:

• SWAY and its unique benefit to people who work. Starts at 3:33
• The reintroduction to the workplace and the benefits of working from anywhere. Starts at 6:04
• The feeling of languishing that many who work endure. Starts at 8:33
• Traditional “command and control” management styles that don’t align with future of work. Starts at 14:56
• Gendered aspects of return to work. Starts at 16:52
• The need for hiring managers to “check in” with their people. Starts at 23:31

Full interview starts at 3:23

Swaying to the future of work is personal. And Denise Brouder and the team at SWAY are helping to make work a joyful part of the day–and not the entire day.

About our guest:

Denise Brouder earned a Bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Limerick and an MBA in International Finance from Fordham University. She lives and works in the New York City suburbs of New Jersey.

EPISODE DATE: June 4, 2021

Social media:

– Facebook

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Website

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 17:18 — 23.8MB)

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When we act on future work opportunities, we help make our career dreams come true.

Paired with dreams, exploration, and strategy, action helps us to achieve career success. These four components weave together like DNA, in countless combinations, to create a pathway for people to seek and do meaningful work.

In this episode, Dan Smolen recalls how his early career ambition benefitted from a big relocation:

“My first big career break also fulfilled the desire that my wife and I had to move to an interesting but far away part of the country. We were East Coasters. And my first agency job relocated us to Minneapolis.”

Seizing career advancement opportunities has served Dan well across all four of his career acts.

In this episode, Dan also recalls how a 20-year role in executive search exposed him to people who jumped at sudden career opportunities out of basic need. In other words, they needed immediate cash-flow to survive. Still, when money and volatility are not career-change drivers, some people act impulsively…because, that’s what they do.

Also in this episode, we meet Marti Konstant of Konstant Change. Marti is a workplace futurist who helps people employ agility to succeed in the future of work. In this interview segment, she and Dan discuss working from anywhere. Discussion starts here: 9:46About our guest:

Marti Konstant is an author, consultant, and globally recognized workplace futurist. She earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from the University of Illinois and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. Marti lives and works in Chicago.

EPISODE DATE: May 28, 2021

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– Twitter 

– Website

– Activate Your Agile Career (Book Page)

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 25:06 — 34.5MB)

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Strategize for your future work success to find and do the work of your dreams.

Paired with dreams, exploration, and action, strategy helps us to achieve career success. These four components weave together like DNA, in countless combinations, to create a pathway for people to seek and do meaningful work.

In this episode, Dan Smolen recalls an experience from his junior year of college. Back then, he engaged with Associate Professor of Advertising Howard Cogan. Howard was also a successful advertising executive who wrote, voiced, and produced radio commercials. As Dan’s mentor, Howard encouraged Dan to pursue opportunities in a channel of advertising agency work called direct marketing.

Dan recalls Howard’s sage advice to strategize for future work success:

“You’re going too need to get strategic about your career. [It looks like] you may not find your opportunity on the agency side quickly. But, perhaps you can find an entry-level assignment that’s close enough and allows you to develop direct marketing skills and talents that you will need in agency life.”

Two years into that first role, Dan had proven himself to be an on-the-job success. And the skill and experience he gained helped him land a dream agency assignment in Minneapolis/St. Paul. He was just 24 years old.

Also in this episode:

Dan speaks with Rich Gee of Rich Gee High Performance Coaching. As a nationally recognized career coach, Rich helps his clients get strategic in their career development so they may achieve phenomenal success. Interview starts at 11:47

When you strategize for future work success, your career dreams can come true.

About our guest:

Rich Gee was a successful executive in the market research space before finding his bliss as a nationally recognized career coach and principal of Rich Gee High Performance Coaching. He earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ripon College and certification from Coach University. Rich lives and works in Stamford, Connecticut.

EPISODE DATE: May 21, 2021

Social media:

– Website

– LinkedIn

– Twitter

– Rich Gee Podcast

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:44 — 39.5MB)

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Explore future work opportunities to live your dreams of doing meaningful work.

Paired with dreams, strategy, and action, exploration helps us to achieve career success. These four components weave together like DNA, in countless combinations, to create a pathway for people to seek and do meaningful work.

In this episode, Dan recalls the impact of Seventh Grade Career Day on his lifetime of work. And his guest, Professor Anne Holton of George Mason University, provides thought-leadership on how early career education can become truly meaningful. Interview starts at 12:23

Dan describes the positive impact of his first career mentor:

“[My career exploration] got its first traction because of [TV broadcast executive and former kid’s show star] Hal Shaw. Mr. Shaw was the first mentor of many to encourage me to develop my writing skills and, in high school get involved in journalism.”

When he explored future work opportunities, Dan got closer to his dreams of doing meaningful work.

About our guest:

Anne Holton grew up in a family committed to public service. Her father, Linwood Holton, is a former governor of Virginia. During her successful career, Anne served as:

• Juvenile and Domestic Relations District Court Judge for the City of Richmond, Virginia (1996-98);
• Virginia’s First Lady when her husband, Tim Kaine, was governor (2006-2009);
• Virginia’s Secretary of Education (2014-2016), and:
• Interim President of George Mason University (2019-2020).

Currently, she is Professor of Public Policy and Education for GMU’s Schar School of Policy and Government.

Anne earned a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University’s School of Public and International Affairs and a Juris Doctorate from the Harvard University School of Law. She and her husband, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, reside in Richmond, Virginia.

EPISODE DATE: May 14, 2021

Social media:

– GMU Schar School Website

– Professor Anne Holton’s Twitter Page

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 14:25 — 19.9MB)

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We discuss how dreams inspire our future work.

Dreams are part of the components that help us to seek and do meaningful work and careers.

Paired with exploration, strategy, and action, dreams help us achieve career success. These four components weave together like DNA, in countless combinations, to create a pathway for people to seek and do meaningful work.

In this episode, Dan relives his early career dreams. And his guest, Dr. Charles Glassman, recalls how well-meaning people in his teenage years tried talking him out of a medical career. Through sheer determination, he overcame average high school performance to become a well respected physician and social media’s “Coach MD.” Starts at 9:35

Since recording the podcast interview in 2019, Dr. Glassman has retired from medical practice to become CEO of wellness start-up Victor. It is developing interactive tools to channel the mind and enable people to tap into their innate abilities.

Dan compares the weaving of the four career journey components to strands of DNA:

“When I established The Dan Smolen Experience at the beginning of 2018, I had in mind a career journey model that looked like strands of DNA, made up of countless combinations of four components. And while our DNA were pre-determined at conception, the strands of our career empowerment DNA are determined by us throughout our working lives.

We get to choose what they are.”

Whether a careerist is new to work, or embarking on a new career act, their dreams inspire future work.

About our guest:

Charles Glassman earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and his M.D. from New York Medical College. Dr. Glassman’s health and wellness start-up, Victor, is based in Pomona, New York.

EPISODE DATE: May 7, 2021

Social media:

Brain Drain: The Breakthrough that will Change Your Life (Amazon.com)

Fake News Stories by Your Brain (FREE E-Book)

Coach MD Website

Coach MD YouTube Channel

Coach MD Facebook Page

Coach MD Twitter Page

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 40:46 — 56.0MB)

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Fostering a civil workplace is key to the future of work.

As organizations reintroduce their people to the workplace, they must also reckon with social responsibility.

It is one thing for management to express a desire for positive social change. It is quite another to “walk the talk” to create a civil work environment.

Sejal Thakkar understands the sting of incivility like few others. During her teenage years in the Chicago suburbs, she suffered from near daily racial prejudice and bullying.

Now, as a self-described Chief Civility Officer; Sejal uses her personal experience to provide effective workplace training that fosters civility.

In this episode, Sejal:

• Describes her role as Chief Civility Officer for TrainXtra. Starts at 2:57
• Relives growing up as a bullied “other” in the Chicago suburbs. Starts at 4:26
• Relates the experience of representing clients accused of workplace incivility, bias, and discrimination. Starts at 7:52
• Defines the term microagression. Starts at 21:58
• Pairs the civility narrative with the return to the workplace. Starts at 29:39
• Explains how fostering a civil workplace provides positive ROI benefits. Starts at 32:12

In the wake of Covid, remote work, and civil unrest, Sejal believes that we have hit an inflection point for fostering a civil workplace:

“[There have been] so many things happening in such a short period of time that people are not putting up with B.S. at work, anymore.”

About our guest:

Sejal Thakkar earned a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a Juris Doctorate from Northern Illinois University. She is a TEDx speaker focused on bias. Sejal lives and works in the Bay Area of California.

EPISODE DATE: April 30, 2021

Social media:

– LinkedIn

– TrainXtra Website

– TEDx: The Pain, Power, and Paradox of Bias