The Human Capitalist

Trent Cotton & Purple Acorn Network
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What is a Human Capitalist? Well, it's the new version of Human Resources. It's time to get rid of the outdated and reactive HR and replace it with Human Capitalism. I'm Trent Cotton and I'm ready to give the HR industry the punch it needs to become more focused on Human Capital versus the old stauncy HR. I’m thrilled to have you here as we dive into the future of Human Resources together. This podcast is all about empowering HR professionals to step up as proactive consultants, using AI and cutting-edge practices to manage a company’s largest expense and highest revenue producing asset—its people. As a senior HR Executive at HatchWorks AI, I get a rare glimpse into the impact technology advancement will have on the industry. This podcast is designed to share those insights with you! I’ll show you how to turn your biggest expense into a revenue-generating powerhouse by embracing change and leading with insight. If you are ready to be a rebel in the industry and unlock the true potential of human capital, this is the channel you've been looking for.

  1. 1d ago

    IS HR BEING FIRED: The Headcount Model Is Broken. Here’s What Replaces It.

    AI isn't just changing jobs. It's changing the math behind how companies decide how many people they need. For decades, workforce planning HR has used largely followed the same formula: define the roles, establish the requirements, determine the experience needed, assign headcount, and build the budget. But skills based hiring, flexible talent models, and AI augmentation are breaking some of the assumptions behind that model. In this episode of **IS HR GETTING FIRED?**, I break down why traditional headcount planning needs a major makeover—and the new framework CEOs, CHROs, CFOs, and HR leaders should be thinking about as they plan for 2026, 2027, and beyond. **TIMESTAMPS** 00:00 Why the traditional headcount model is breaking 01:24 How workforce planning has worked for the last 50 years 01:42 The assumptions behind traditional headcount planning 02:02 IBM, Accenture, Google & the shift to skills-based hiring 02:31 Crack #1: Skill reuse across functions 03:02 Crack #2: Contractors vs. FTEs in a skills-based workforce 03:38 Crack #3: AI changes the productivity baseline 04:06 How AI becomes a skill multiplier 04:48 The shift from headcount to effective capacity 05:16 Step 1: Start with the work, not the roles 05:29 Step 2: Map the skills required 05:47 Step 3: Calculate human + AI capacity 06:17 Step 4: Determine the optimal workforce mix 06:41 Three questions every CHRO should be asking 07:12 Why the FTE model needs a major makeover 07:30 The new workforce planning framework 07:39 Take the FutHRist Self-Assessment The big shift is this: Instead of asking, **“How many people do we need?”** leaders increasingly need to ask, **“What effective capacity and skills do we need to deliver the work?”** That changes how organizations think about FTEs, contractors, internal mobility, workforce planning, and AI augmentation. **Go deeper with The FutHRist:** ▶️ Watch the full FutHRist playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt89w_O9KY0J3C66aw1g-R0uEYlm1n5OV 📊 Take the FutHRist Self-Assessment: https://www.trentcotton.com/futhrist-self-assessment 📕 **THE FUTHRIST — AVAILABLE SEPTEMBER 14, 2026** My new book, *The FutHRist*, explores the five mindsets leaders need to stay relevant in the age of AI. **The FutHRist will be available to purchase on Amazon beginning September 14, 2026.** If you're a CEO, CHRO, HR leader, or executive trying to understand what AI means for the future of your workforce, subscribe for more conversations on how we build organizations—and careers—that stay relevant in the age of AI. #FutureOfWork #HumanResources #ArtificialIntelligence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. Aug 24

    AI Isn’t the Biggest Threat to HR. This Is.

    AI isn't the biggest threat facing HR. Our refusal to change may be. In this episode of The Human Capitalist Podcast, I sit down with Tony Dina, a former corporate technology leader turned depth coach, to explore what it really takes to lead people through uncertainty, transformation, and the age of AI. We use the Hero's Journey as a framework for understanding what many HR leaders are experiencing right now: we're being called out of the known and into something new. But here's the problem: most of us don't naturally want to go. Tony and I dig into why real growth happens at the edge of discomfort, why HR shouldn't confuse psychological safety with making everything comfortable, and why human judgment becomes even more important as AI gets better. We also explore the danger of allowing AI to think for us. AI can improve efficiency and help us move faster, but creativity, judgment, connection, and the ability to coach people through uncertainty remain fundamentally important leadership capabilities. If you're an HR leader, CHRO, people leader, or executive trying to figure out what leadership looks like in the age of AI, this conversation will challenge you to think differently about your role. **In this episode, we discuss:** • Why the biggest threat to HR may not be AI • The Hero's Journey and HR's "refusal of the call" • Why great leaders intentionally create productive discomfort • The danger of deferring your judgment to AI • The four leadership archetypes: King, Warrior, Magician, and Lover • Why psychological safety doesn't mean avoiding difficult conversations • How HR can become the connective tissue of the organization • Why human capital should be viewed as a profit center • How leaders can help people discover strengths they don't see in themselves • Why transformation has to start with the leader **⏱️ TIMESTAMPS** 00:00 — Why AI may not be the biggest threat to HR 01:13 — Meet Tony Dina: From corporate tech leader to depth coach 02:27 — The Coach Mindset: Living in the uncomfortable 04:47 — Why great leaders make their teams uncomfortable 05:46 — AI, HR, and the danger of deferring human judgment 07:21 — Leadership archetypes and Carl Jung 08:13 — The King, Warrior, Magician & Lover archetypes 11:43 — AI as cognitive offloading: Where the real danger begins 14:20 — The Hero's Journey and refusing the call to change 16:33 — What leaders are struggling with in the age of AI 18:18 — Why human capital should be a profit center 23:55 — Have we confused psychological safety with comfort? 25:49 — A four-stage framework for leading people through change 28:53 — The real monster in the Hero's Journey 29:50 — What non-dualism can teach us about leadership 33:54 — 3 things leaders need to start doing today 35:22 — Where to connect with Tony 36:07 — The FutHRist: 5 Mindsets of the Future HR Pro **Connect with Tony Dina:** 🌐 crucialcanvas.com 📝 crucialcanvas.substack.com --- AI is changing the role of HR. I believe the professionals who remain relevant won't simply learn new technology — they'll develop new ways of thinking. That's the idea behind my upcoming book, *The FutHRist: The 5 Mindsets of the Future HR Pro.* I break down the five mindsets I believe HR professionals will need to thrive in the age of AI: The Architect. The CEO. The Engineer. The Scientist. The Coach. The book is available 9/14/26. Want to see where you stand across the five mindsets? Take the free FutHRist assessment at trentcotton.com. *The Human Capitalist Podcast — at the intersection of AI and HR leadership.* *Hosted by Trent Cotton, author of The FutHRist: The 5 Mindsets of the Future HR Pro — available this fall. Take your free assessment at [www.trentcotton.com](http://www.trentcotton.com)* #HumanResources #FutureOfHR #AI #HRLeadership #FutureOfWork Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Aug 17

    Gen Z Isn’t Lazy—Your Management Style Is Outdated

    Gen Z gets called lazy, entitled, difficult, and impossible to manage.But what if the real problem isn’t Gen Z?In this episode of The Human Capitalist Podcast, Trent Cotton sits down with Devin Collins, a leader managing a large team that includes dozens of Gen Z employees, to talk about what actually works.The answer isn’t lowering standards. It’s creating clearer ones.They discuss why Gen Z responds to transparency, immediate feedback, visible career paths, authentic leadership, clear boundaries, and managers who are willing to be human while still holding the line.You’ll hear how Devin approaches:Monthly career and well-being conversationsImmediate feedback instead of waiting for annual reviewsClear progression and promotion expectationsPerformance management without blindsiding employeesBalancing authenticity with professional standardsGiving Gen Z room to innovate with AICreating team environments people actually want to be part ofDeveloping early-career talent before bad habits take holdOne of the biggest lessons from the conversation: the leadership practices that work with Gen Z are often the same practices every generation should have been getting all along.And when leaders get it right, the performance follows.If you manage Gen Z—or will soon—this episode is worth watching.Subscribe for more conversations about HR, leadership, workforce strategy, AI, and the future of work.#GenZ #Leadership #HumanResources #Management #FutureOfWork #HRLeadership #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeExperience Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Aug 15

    88% of Organizations Get This Wrong About AI and Jobs

    Everyone is saying AI will replace HR. The data says something different. Every week there's another headline predicting the end of entry-level jobs, the replacement of knowledge workers, or the death of Human Resources as we know it. But is that what's actually happening? In this episode of The Human Capitalist Podcast, I sit down with Kyle Forrest, who leads Deloitte's Future of HR research, to unpack the real data behind AI, workforce demographics, talent shortages, and the future of work. We discuss why organizations are struggling to redesign work, why only 7% of companies believe they're effectively integrating humans and AI, and what HR leaders need to do today to prepare for the next decade. Whether you're an HR professional, CHRO, business leader, recruiter, or simply interested in the future of work, this conversation is packed with practical insights backed by data—not headlines. In this episode: Why AI isn't replacing HR professionals The three workforce trends every leader should understand The coming demographic shift that will reshape hiring Why Gen Z is taking ownership of career development How organizations should redesign work instead of simply automating it Why trust—not technology—is becoming the biggest AI challenge What HR leaders can do today to future-proof their careers If you enjoyed this conversation, Like, Subscribe, and share it with someone who's navigating AI and the future of work. Question for you: What do you think will have the biggest impact on HR over the next five years: AI, demographics, or leadership? Let me know in the comments. Chapters 00:00 – AI Is Replacing HR... Or Is It? 00:49 – Why I Invited Kyle Forrest 01:35 – Meet Kyle & The Future of HR 03:02 – The Three Biggest Workforce Trends 05:01 – The Coming Demographic Shift 08:10 – Why Gen Z Is Different 12:17 – Why Gen Z Is More Skeptical About AI 13:14 – The AI Trust Problem 15:47 – Is AI Really Replacing Jobs? 17:14 – The Data Most Leaders Miss 19:59 – The Hidden Cost of AI Automation 22:02 – Will There Be Enough Workers? 25:58 – How AI Will Transform HR Roles 31:03 – The Future of Human Resources 31:47 – Kyle's Mic Drop Advice 36:16 – Where to Connect with Kyle Forrest 37:36 – Final Thoughts Are you ready for the future of HR? Take the FutHRist assessment here: https://www.trentcotton.com/futhrist-start-here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Aug 5

    You Called Out HR… And You're Not Wrong

    I recently posted a video about the Bolt CEO firing HR. The comments that followed weren't just critical—they were brutal. People called HR: "Anti-worker." "The company's snitch." "Overpaid." "Only there to protect leadership." Instead of defending the profession, I decided to do something different. I agreed. Not because every criticism is fair—but because every one of those comments represents a real experience someone had with HR. And if we want to rebuild trust in this profession, we have to stop getting defensive and start listening. In this episode, I break down: Why HR earned its reputation The paradox at the center of Human Resources Why employees stopped trusting HR The four mindset shifts every FutHRist must embrace How HR can balance serving employees while protecting the business Why transparency, accountability, and measurable business value are the future of HR I also share concepts from my upcoming book, The Futurist, including why I believe the next generation of HR leaders must become strategic business leaders—not just policy managers. If you're an HR professional, I challenge you to watch this with an open mind. If you're an employee who's been burned by HR, I'd love to hear your perspective too. 👇 Drop a comment below. Has HR helped you... or hurt you? Let's have the conversation openly. If you enjoy conversations about AI, leadership, HR strategy, workforce transformation, and the future of work, be sure to Like, Subscribe, and share this video with someone who needs to see it. Chapters 00:00 The Comments That Changed My Mind 00:18 You're Not Wrong About HR 00:58 Reading the Comments 02:06 Why HR Earned This Reputation 03:36 Introducing the FutHRist Mindset 04:25 Shift #1: Transparency Over Secrecy 05:14 Shift #2: Accountability Goes Both Ways 05:54 Shift #3: Create Visible Business Value 07:49 Shift #4: HR Must Be the Voice of the Workforce 08:57 Rebuilding Trust Starts With Us 09:32 A Message to Employees Burned by HR 10:09 The Futurist Book Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 26

    The CHRO Identity Crisis: What AI Is Forcing HR to Confront (ft. Robin Schooling)

    Here's something most HR leaders won't say out loud: they don't actually know what HR is for anymore. And AI just made that impossible to hide. In this episode, I sit down with Robin Schooling, a longtime HR practitioner and one of the sharpest critics of the profession's most persistent blind spots. We dig into what AI is actually revealing about HR's purpose problem, what CHROs have to stop doing immediately, and what a healthy HR identity looks like in 2026. 📌 Topics covered: - Why AI is exposing — not causing — HR's identity crisis - The pattern that repeats every time a new HR trend hits - What CHROs get wrong about using AI to "transform" HR - How to rebuild HR's identity from the inside out - What healthy HR leadership looks like in 2026 🔍 Take the FutHRist Self-Assessment → trentcotton.com/futhrist-self-assessment Connect with Robin Schooling: linkedin.com/in/robinschooling CHAPTERS 00:00 Why AI Is Forcing HR to Change 00:57 Meet Robin Schooling 02:07 AI Is Moving Faster Than the Rules 04:10 Why HR Needs AI Governance 06:00 Who's Actually Adopting AI in HR? 09:41 AI Is Creating an HR Identity Crisis 13:18 Stop Letting Process Define HR 18:02 The Work That Actually Creates Value 20:23 Why HR Can't Be the Policy Police Anymore 23:07 3 Ways HR Leaders Should Prepare for AI 28:24 How to Evaluate AI Vendors the Right Way 31:16 Robin Schooling on Her New Book Real HR 35:04 The Biggest Mistake HR Has Made 35:27 Where to Connect with Robin Schooling #CHRO #HRLeadership #AIinHR #FutureOfWork #HumanResources #HRPodcast #WorkforceStrategy #HRTransformation #ArtificialIntelligence #PeopleLeaders Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 13

    64% of Workers Choose AI Over Humans. What Should CHROs Do?

    Why are 64% of workers saying they'd rather collaborate with AI than with a human colleague? This is data from recent research, and it has massive implications for every HR leader and CHRO watching this. In this episode, I sit down with Kelly Monahan to unpack the forces driving this shift, what it reveals about trust and collaboration in the modern workplace, and what people leaders need to do right now to stay ahead of it. What we cover: → What the 64% stat actually measures — and what it means → Why workers are making this choice and what it says about human collaboration → How CHROs should respond to this workforce signal in 2026 → What the next 12 months look like for AI in the enterprise → The one mistake HR leaders make when they see data like this Take the FutHRist Self-Assessment: Are you ready for the next wave of AI and workforce transformation? ww.trentcotton.com/futhrist-self-assessment Connect with Kelly Monahan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-monahan-ph-d-18879413/ #CHRO #FutureOfWork #AIinHR #WorkforceTransformation #HRLeadership #HumanCapitalist #FutureOfHR #ArtificialIntelligence #HRPodcast #PeopleAnalytics Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jun 29

    Episode 7: The Coach — How to Lead the Workforce Overhaul Nobody Wants

    There are two kinds of coaches. The kind that makes everyone feel supported. And the kind that makes the team win. Most organizations hire the first kind and pray they never need the second. In Episode 7 of The Five Mindsets of the Modern CHRO, we close out the framework with The Coach. Not the warm developmental coach. The hard coach. The CHRO who walks into the room, looks at everything the organization believes about how talent works, and says: we are doing this wrong, and I can prove it. This episode uses Billy Beane and the 2002 Oakland A's as the blueprint, layers in Alexander the Great burning the ships at the Hellespont, and ends with four capabilities every Coach CHRO must build, plus three action steps you can take this week. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: the two kinds of coaches 00:45 Welcome and where we are in the series 01:30 Episode setup: why this mindset is different 02:30 The Coach nobody hired 04:00 The Moneyball blueprint 08:00 What a real workforce overhaul requires 10:30 Four capabilities of the Coach 12:30 Three action steps for this week 14:00 Close: change what is possible ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ THE FOUR CAPABILITIES OF THE COACH Truth delivery without apology Conviction under pressure Talent arbitrage: find the value the market has mispriced Coaching upward: the CEO, the board, the executive committee ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ACTION STEPS FROM THIS EPISODE Identify the one conversation you have been avoiding. Schedule it this week. Run the talent arbitrage question on your own organization. What does your current model systematically undervalue? Find one place to burn the ships. Where have you made the case, the data supports you, and the organization still has not moved. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ WATCH THE FULL MODERN CHRO SERIES https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt89w_O9KY0J3C66aw1g-R0uEYlm1n5OV ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ REFERENCES Moneyball by Michael Lewis (the foundational story behind this episode) The Billy Beane / Oakland A's 2002 season — American League record 20-game winning streak Alexander the Great crossing the Hellespont, 334 BC ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ CONNECT WITH TRENT Website and newsletter: https://www.trentcotton.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentcotton/ The Human Capitalist podcast: https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/the-human-capitalist If this episode hit, drop a comment telling me which of the four capabilities you find hardest in your seat right now. I read them. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ #ModernCHRO #HumanCapitalist #CHRO #HRLeadership #TheCoach #Moneyball #TalentStrategy #FutureOfHR #WorkforceStrategy #HRTransformation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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What is a Human Capitalist? Well, it's the new version of Human Resources. It's time to get rid of the outdated and reactive HR and replace it with Human Capitalism. I'm Trent Cotton and I'm ready to give the HR industry the punch it needs to become more focused on Human Capital versus the old stauncy HR. I’m thrilled to have you here as we dive into the future of Human Resources together. This podcast is all about empowering HR professionals to step up as proactive consultants, using AI and cutting-edge practices to manage a company’s largest expense and highest revenue producing asset—its people. As a senior HR Executive at HatchWorks AI, I get a rare glimpse into the impact technology advancement will have on the industry. This podcast is designed to share those insights with you! I’ll show you how to turn your biggest expense into a revenue-generating powerhouse by embracing change and leading with insight. If you are ready to be a rebel in the industry and unlock the true potential of human capital, this is the channel you've been looking for.

Information

  • Creator
    Trent Cotton & Purple Acorn Network
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Trent Cotton & Purple Acorn Network
  • Show Website
    The Human Capitalist