What gives a story its power? In this episode of Deprecated Human, Jess Lowry sits down with strategist and storyteller Ross A. McIntyre to explore why storytelling remains one of our most essential human capabilities in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. Ross represents a generation of digital practitioners who helped build the modern technology industry before there were degree programs in product strategy, experience design, or digital transformation. They learned by doing—following curiosity, embracing interdisciplinary thinking, and solving problems that had never existed before. Together, Jess and Ross discuss the changing nature of work, the unintended consequences of AI-driven hiring, the value of generalists, and why stories are more than a communication tool—they're how we make sense of complexity, build trust, and create meaningful human experiences. As organizations race to optimize for efficiency, this conversation asks a different question: What do we lose if we stop recognizing the people whose curiosity, creativity, and humanity made the digital world possible in the first place? Whether you're navigating career transitions, building products, leading teams, or simply wondering what it means to remain human in an algorithmic world, this episode is a reminder that technology may generate content—but it's human stories that give it meaning. Podcast Guest: Ross A. McIntyre Ross A. McIntyre is a strategy and innovation leader with more than 15 years of experience turning ambiguous briefs into products, brands, and platforms that ship, sell, and scale. He has led high-impact initiatives including strategy for a Coca-Cola × Disney campaign that drove 11.9B TikTok views, contributed to a roughly 2% lift in U.S. sales, and an AI platform that saves an energy client approximately $15K per day. Currently building his consultancy, human & co., Ross has held executive strategy roles at Subvrsive, Stellar Elements, Frogslayer, Hypergiant, Fjord, and Huge, where he has guided cross-functional teams, secured tens of millions in new business, and shaped global AI vision and strategy for major brands. He is known for translating complex problems into clear narratives, experience visions, and go-to-market plans that align executives, win large deals, and accelerate delivery. Before moving into the agency and innovation world, Ross spent nearly two decades in the entertainment industry as a writer, actor, and producer in New York City, a background that underpins his approach to storytelling, audience insight, and creative leadership. He brings that creative rigor to work in AI, emerging technology, and digital transformation, helping organizations imagine what’s next and build it. Connect with Ross: Ross A. McIntyre LinkedIn Check out his work: www.rossamcintyre.com Podcast Host: Jess Lowry Jess leads the overall strategy, service design, and development of Mindful Collective—overseeing everything from organizational structure and partnerships to programming, member experience, and community growth. Connect with Jess: Jess Lowry LinkedIn Subscribe to Deprecated Human Deprecated Human is an ongoing investigation into what happens when human value is quietly redefined. The newsletter goes deeper. Subscribers receive: Research summaries and source materialKey insights from podcast episodesEmerging signals and trendsPractical recommendations for individuals and organizationsMonthly findings reports from the broader investigation This isn't another productivity newsletter. It's a research project focused on understanding how work, expertise, and human value are changing—and what we can do about it. Subscribe to the Deprecated Human Newsletter on Beehiiv