Human In The Room

Betsy Gardner

The Human in the Room podcast is for people figuring out how work actually works. Hosted by Betsy Gardner, this podcast explores the conversations, decisions, and workplace dynamics that shape modern careers. Each episode breaks down the human side of leadership development, career growth, workplace culture, people strategy, communication, and the future of work in the age of AI. Designed for emerging leaders, ambitious professionals, and anyone navigating intergenerational workplaces, Human in the Room offers practical insights on managing up, building trust, developing soft skills, leading with judgment, and growing your influence at work. Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, working in human resources, business development, or simply trying to become more effective at work, this podcast helps you build the credibility and human-centered leadership skills that matter most. Subscribe for more episodes on leadership, career growth, workplace culture, AI, and the human skills that still matter most. Learn more at humanintheroombook.com and betsygardner.com

Episodes

  1. 2d ago

    2. What Every College Graduate Needs to Hear Right Now

    Is Gen Z really unprepared for the workforce—or are we missing the bigger picture? In this episode of Human in the Room, Betsy Gardner sits down with Annie Sallick, a senior at Rollins College, collegiate tennis player, and emerging leader, to discuss what it's really like to be graduating into an economy shaped by artificial intelligence, uncertainty, and changing workplace expectations. From fears about AI replacing jobs to concerns about receiving feedback, resilience, workplace culture, and career development, Annie offers a candid look at the challenges facing her generation—and why she remains optimistic about the future. Joined by Addison Cursey, the conversation explores why employers continue to value critical thinking, communication skills, emotional intelligence, adaptability, and relationship-building over technical skills alone. In this episode, you'll learn: -Why Gen Z feels anxious about entering the workforce -The impact of AI on young professionals -What employers are actually looking for in new hires -Why resilience is the ultimate career advantage -How college athletics prepares students for leadership -The importance of receiving feedback and failing well -Why relationships still matter in a digital world -How to stand out in an AI-driven economy -What human skills will never be automated Whether you're a college student, recent graduate, parent, manager, entrepreneur, or business leader, this episode offers practical insights on navigating uncertainty and building a meaningful career in the future of work. Time Stamps: 00:00 Why Gen Z Isn't the Problem 03:12 Annie's Biggest Fear About the Future 06:41 What Does "Be Yourself at Work" Actually Mean? 09:58 The Stereotypes Facing Gen Z 13:20 How Tennis Built Resilience and Confidence 16:55 What Employers Really Want 20:15 AI, Critical Thinking & Human Skills 23:58 Why Young People Are Anxious About Work 27:35 The Truth About Feedback and Growth 31:08 What Older Generations Need to Understand 35:12 Relationships, Resilience & Career Success 38:15 The Human Skills AI Can't Replace ----------------------------------- Subscribe to Human in the Room for more conversations about leadership, career growth, workplace culture, AI, and the human skills that still matter most. Newsletter Join the Human in the Room newsletter: https://humanintheroom.myflodesk.com/subscribeWebsite Learn more at humanintheroombook.com Follow Human in the Room Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanintheroom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-in-the-room/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HumanintheRoomPodcast Follow Betsy Gardner Website: betsygardner.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsygardner22/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebetsygardner/ Buy the Book Get Human in the Room by Betsy Gardner: https://bit.ly/4uADfVt  Bring Human in the Room to Your Organization Human in the Room helps organizations build stronger leaders, healthier workplace cultures, and more effective teams through: Leadership development trainingKeynotes and speaking engagementsTeam workshops and assessmentsTopics include communication, trust, managing up, intergenerational workplaces, AI and human skills, and human-centered leadership. Bring Betsy Gardner to your organization by contacting info@humanintheroombook.com  ----------------------------------- Credits Hosted by Betsy Gardner Produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

    40 min
  2. May 29

    1. Why Work Feels Broken Right Now

    Why does work feel broken right now? Why are recent graduates losing faith in AI, leadership, and the future of work altogether? In this powerful episode of Human in the Room, Betsy explores the growing backlash against AI, the collapse of workplace mentorship, and the rising anxiety surrounding career development, remote work culture, and leadership in a post-pandemic world. As headlines continue to warn about AI replacing jobs, younger generations are entering the workforce feeling uncertain, disconnected, and overwhelmed. Meanwhile, senior leaders are struggling to adapt to rapidly shifting expectations around communication, professionalism, authenticity, trust, and workplace culture. This episode dives deep into: Why AI is triggering fear and mistrust among young professionalsThe disappearance of entry-level apprenticeship opportunitiesHow remote work disrupted mentorship and workplace cultureWhy soft skills matter more than everThe leadership gap emerging between generationsWhat “good judgment” actually looks like in the workplaceHow to build trust, presence, and credibility in your careerWhy mentorship must become intentional in today’s worldThe hidden loneliness behind modern work cultureHow young professionals can stand out in an AI-driven workforceBetsy also shares practical advice for graduates and early-career professionals on managing up, building trust with leadership, creating mentorship opportunities, and developing the human skills AI cannot replace. If you care about leadership development, workplace culture, career growth, emotional intelligence, communication skills, or the future of work, this episode is essential listening. ----------------------- Stay in the Room Subscribe to Human in the Room for more conversations about leadership, career growth, workplace culture, AI, and the human skills that still matter most. Newsletter Join the Human in the Room newsletter: https://humanintheroom.myflodesk.com/subscribe Website Learn more at humanintheroombook.com Follow Human in the Room Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/humanintheroom LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/human-in-the-room/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HumanintheRoomPodcast Follow Betsy Gardner Website: betsygardner.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/betsygardner22/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebetsygardner/ Buy the Book Get Human in the Room by Betsy Gardner: https://bit.ly/4uADfVt  Bring Human in the Room to Your Organization Human in the Room helps organizations build stronger leaders, healthier workplace cultures, and more effective teams through: Leadership development trainingKeynotes and speaking engagementsTeam workshops and assessmentsTopics include communication, trust, managing up, intergenerational workplaces, AI and human skills, and human-centered leadership. Bring Betsy Gardner to your organization by contacting info@humanintheroombook.com  ----------------------- Credits Hosted by Betsy Gardner Produced by Hi Hello Labs: https://www.hihellolabs.com/

    14 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Human in the Room podcast is for people figuring out how work actually works. Hosted by Betsy Gardner, this podcast explores the conversations, decisions, and workplace dynamics that shape modern careers. Each episode breaks down the human side of leadership development, career growth, workplace culture, people strategy, communication, and the future of work in the age of AI. Designed for emerging leaders, ambitious professionals, and anyone navigating intergenerational workplaces, Human in the Room offers practical insights on managing up, building trust, developing soft skills, leading with judgment, and growing your influence at work. Whether you're early in your career, leading a team, working in human resources, business development, or simply trying to become more effective at work, this podcast helps you build the credibility and human-centered leadership skills that matter most. Subscribe for more episodes on leadership, career growth, workplace culture, AI, and the human skills that still matter most. Learn more at humanintheroombook.com and betsygardner.com