As the world of work rapidly evolves, it demands new approaches to talent, performance and career growth. In this episode, we speak with Edie Goldberg, President and Founder of E. L. Goldberg & Associates, to explore how organizations can adapt to evolving employee expectations, leverage AI for talent strategies and create environments that enable people to thrive.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

01:14 The future of work requires disrupting outdated talent practices with AI.

05:44 Disrupting outdated processes is key to attracting, engaging and retaining talent.

10:22 Companies must tap into diverse talent beyond employees.

17:03 Aging populations and shifting demographics demand more flexible work options.

20:06 Tenure boosts productivity through relationships and knowledge.

25:10 Curiosity and continuous learning are essential for thriving today.

30:21 Diverse perspectives fuel innovation and better solutions.

34:01 Turning a layoff into a successful business was a defining act of courage.

Resources Mentioned:

Edie Goldberg

https://www.linkedin.com/in/edie-goldberg-phd/

E. L. Goldberg & Associates | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/e-l-goldberg-associates/

E. L. Goldberg & Associates | Website

https://www.elgoldberg.com/

"The Inside Gig" by Edie Goldberg

https://theinsidegig.com/

Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.

For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.

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#StartupCulture #OrganizationalTransformation #StrategicLeadership

The path to happiness often begins with the courage to make a change. In this episode, we sit down with Ashish Kothari, Founder and CEO of Happiness Squad, to explore how redefining success, shifting workplace mindsets and building human-centric systems can unlock both individual and organizational potential. Ashish shares his deeply personal journey from corporate leadership to founding Happiness Squad, offering transformative insights on wellbeing, leadership and the future of work. He explains why flourishing must become a strategic priority, how organizations can tackle burnout at source and how leaders at every level can create meaningful change.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

01:09 A battle with anxiety inspired Ashish to pivot his career toward well-being.

05:22 Ashish says his calling, not courage, drove his career transformation.

10:06 Burnout is often worse in nonprofit and frontline roles than in corporate jobs.

15:02 Trust, belonging and deep work fuel human energy.

19:58 One-size-fits-all programs fail; teams need tailored interventions.

25:34 Leaders can drive systemic change without top-level support.

29:59 The Eisenhower Matrix helps reset priorities and reduce overwhelm.

32:36 People want to contribute, but broken systems create changeable helplessness.

Resources Mentioned:

Ashish Kothari

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashishkothari1/

Happiness Squad | LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/company/happiness-squad/

Happiness Squad | Website

https://happinesssquad.com/

VIA Character Strengths

https://www.viacharacter.org/

World Economic Forum

https://www.weforum.org/

Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.

For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.

Want to be featured as a guest? Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrwfuBIhL1-eC5V8mUF9GJaKl3U0jI7hIEvake7wAWJF0DaA/viewform.

#StartupCulture #OrganizationalTransformation #StrategicLeadership #BusinessGrowth

Success in hospitality, like in life, often comes down to making the courageous choice. In this episode, we sit down with Vikram Sood, Managing Director of NuPala Hospitality Development, to discuss the pivotal choices that defined his journey, the lessons learned in hospitality and the importance of resilience in uncertain times. We explore what it means to take courageous steps in both career and life. From global luxury hotels to independent consulting, Vikram shares how bold decisions shape leadership, culture and long-term growth.

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction.

01:26 Reopening a long-dormant resort reshaped San Diego’s luxury scene.

05:13 Moving to Las Vegas revealed a shift from luxury hospitality to gaming priorities.

10:12 Guiding owners through new builds and strategic transitions became his focus.

14:20 Courageous choices evolve, from early experimentation to confident decisions later in life.

16:23 Rising wage ordinances challenge leaders to do more with less.

18:26 True leadership is measured by impact on people, not prestigious titles.

20:02 Entrepreneurship demands backbone, faith and resisting the easy route.

22:41 Passion, not pedigree, should guide careers through uncertainty and change.

Resources Mentioned:

Vikram Sood

https://www.linkedin.com/in/vikram-sood-33462610/

NuPala Hospitality Development

https://www.linkedin.com/company/nupala-hospitality-development/

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts

https://www.fourseasons.com/

Thanks for listening to “The Courageous Choice.” Be sure to leave us a review and subscribe so you don’t miss any conversations.

For more information, visit gigtalentagency.com or email us at podcast@gigtalentagency.com if you have any questions.

Want to be featured as a guest? Sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScrwfuBIhL1-eC5V8mUF9GJaKl3U0jI7hIEvake7wAWJF0DaA/viewform.

#StartupCulture #OrganizationalTransformation #StrategicLeadership #BusinessGrowth