For decades, companies have been spending money on culture and training and have very little to show for it. Why? Because they have been going about it all wrong. They have been ignoring the concept that Drew Jones and others call “the collective brain” which is more organic, a lot easier, and tends to stick a whole lot more easily. Listen to the podcast on your platform of choice, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Audible, iHeart, and YouTube. Transcript Steve Let's

Have you ever thought of the word office as a verb? When you do, it changes everything, shining a light on the work we do rather than the place we do it. This is just one of many great ideas presented by futurist Bob Johansen in his new book, Office Shock. In this conversation, he shares his views on the future of work, the impact of AI on careers, the way we handle change, and much more, all through the lens of his special brand of future-back thinking. Listen to the podcast

Much has been written about great leaders, but what happens when a leader starts to poison the well? Some leaders simply do not have the right people skills, some are only in it for themselves and others actually see a merit in appearing as a saint while ruling through fear and oppression behind closed doors. It only takes one person with one drop of poison to cause enormous and lasting damage to an organization. My guest, Sean Lemson, is an expert in spotting and fixing the

Barbie Brewer has been instrumental in establishing successful hybrid work environments. Here's what she recommends for leaders who are struggling with the concept of hybrid work at their own locations. Read the transcript here or check out the episode on these platforms: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon | Audible | iHeart | YouTube Transcript Steve The ideological battle between the hybrid work movement and the return to the office movement continues. There's a social media

How Human Reflex Stands In The Way Of Digital Transformation Hidden behind the term "digital transformation" is the word “change,” but this doesn't sit well with most people, because change represents a threat that strikes at the heart of our greatest fear – losing our job. This is even more prescient in this era of AI. This is the transcript to the podcast. You can also listen to it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Audible, iHeart, and YouTube. Transcript I will confess t

In June 2023, FORTUNE magazine published a piece entitled "Bosses are fed up with remote work for four main reasons. Some of them are undeniable." Well, I'm going to deny them. This is the transcript to the podcast. You can also listen to it on g Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Audible, iHeart, and YouTube. The FORTUNE piece is just one of hundreds that come out every week on the topic of hybrid work, and they tend to flip back and forth, pro or con on the subject, often wit

There’s a big difference between “remote work” teams and “distributed teams,” and this has as much to do with workplace innovation as with how the team members interact from their separate locations. Author Alberto Silveira chats with me about his book and his career to date, and he provides timely advice on how to build successful companies by employing people who work somewhere other than the office. This is the transcript to the podcast. You can also listen to it on iAppl

A career never should be a clear, straight highway laid out by someone else for you to follow. This is increasingly true in this age where career mobility and self determination are more valuable and more appreciated than ever. But it does help to listen to trusted mentors and friends, people who have traveled this road themselves. There are so many additional items your passions, the people you meet, chance encounters and a commitment to your own self worth that are vital an

A look at how Generative AI is becoming a powerful tool for boosting human motivation, unleashing creativity, and reducing the fear of failure. This thought-provoking narrative that looks at the emotional side of creativity. Steve makes the case that the real value of generative AI lies not in replacing human effort, but in enhancing confidence, reducing creative blocks, and providing a safe, judgment-free space for people to try new ideas. Whether writing a song, designing a

In my latest episode of the CoolTimeLife podcast, I look at the often-overlooked productivity paradox of generative AI. Can AI really deliver on its promise of increased efficiency, or are we just creating more work for ourselves? Hint: have you ever heard of the term “induced demand?” This is the transcript to the podcast. You can also listen to it on iApple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon, Audible, iHeart, and YouTube. Transcript I’m going to talk about Generative AI here, but no

Saying “no” is one of the most powerful productivity skills we never get taught. In this episode of CoolTimeLife, I break down why the word feels so uncomfortable and why learning to use it strategically can protect your time, energy, and long‑term success. You’ll discover the hidden costs of always saying “yes,” how to set healthy boundaries without damaging relationships, and why “no” is actually a negotiation tool, not a rejection. I deliver some practical techniques for m

This is a crucial message for anyone navigating today’s high-risk digital world – not just yourself and co-workers, but your family too: Don’t trust. Gap It instead. With phishing attacks, social engineering scams, and emotional manipulation on the rise, your best defense isn’t a new antivirus software, it’s your brain. Or more precisely, your ability to teach your brain to overrule instinct and pause and think before reacting. This is the transcript of the podcast. You can a

Let’s look at some of the realities. The fear of artificial intelligence replacing human jobs is real, and growing. From Microsoft’s viral list of “most endangered jobs” to social media memes warning that “AI won’t take your job, but someone who knows AI will,” uncertainty is everywhere. In this episode of CoolTimeLife, Steve Prentice tackles the question head-on: should you be afraid of AI, or should you see it as the biggest career opportunity of your lifetime? This is the

Is AI going to take my job? That’s one of the most common questions people ask about the future of work. But an empowering solution is close to hand. Self-directed learning is your career insurance policy in an era of AI, automation, and constant technological change. Rather than waiting for company-prescribed formal training sessions – which are often overwhelming and inefficient, develop your own consistent learning habits. In this episode, you’ll discover why microlearning

Most people live in reaction mode, constantly responding to emails, pings, and pop-ups. But every reaction costs attention and control. Just like a traveler who touches their wallet after seeing a “Beware of pickpockets” sign, we reveal too much when we react unconsciously. Awareness starts with a pause : that split second to assess before you act. It’s how you reclaim control over your time and your decisions. Discover how to stay conscious in a world built to distract. This

In a world where work can start without you, what happens to your role, your career, and your sense of control? This episode explores the rise of Agentic AI: a new generation of artificial intelligence that doesn’t just respond to prompts, but anticipates goals, plans multi-step actions, and executes them before you even ask. We’ll look at how this technology is already reshaping workplaces, the opportunities it opens for career growth, the risks we need to manage, and a real

Sleep is often treated like a luxury—something we sacrifice in the name of productivity, responsiveness, and “being available.” But what if that thinking is exactly backward? In this episode of CoolTimeLife, I explore why sleep is the hidden engine behind clear thinking, emotional regulation, creativity, and effective leadership. From the myth of catching up on lost sleep to the real impact of late-night emails, stress, and screen time, we look at what healthy sleep actually

Generative AI often feels intelligent, personal, and proactive. So, what’s really happening behind the curtain? In this episode of CoolTimeLife, I demystify how tools like ChatGPT and Copilot really work, explaining why they can answer across so many topics, adapt to your tone, suggest next steps, and feel surprisingly human without possessing awareness or understanding. You’ll learn how generative AI is built on prediction rather than knowledge, why context and language patt

If you’ve ever wondered why modern work feels more exhausting even with better technology, this episode explains what “new burnout” really is and how to take back control. Modern burnout is no longer the old “too much work for too long” syndrome. It has evolved, accelerated by digital overload, constant notifications, and the erosion of mental downtime. Today’s workers are surrounded by tools meant to make life easier, yet we seem to be working more hours, and even vacations