Sh!ft Happens

Jeremy Friedman & Shaun Coe
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SHIFT HAPPENS: The Workforce Podcast We explore 360-degree workforce solutions and how thoughtful automation elevates business performance, reshapes workforce strategy, strengthens day-to-day operations, and enables leaders to refocus human capital on serving clients, guests, and employees—today and into the future. Hosted by Jeremy Friedman of Instawork and Shaun Coe, CEO of HC-Resource and Ascendium, the show delivers real-world conversations on workforce strategy, AI in staffing, labor forecasting, scheduling, and the future of the hourly and frontline workforce. Each episode features candid discussions with operators, HR leaders, and workforce technology builders navigating talent shortages, automation, gig labor, and post-pandemic workforce shifts across hospitality, healthcare, logistics, retail, and tech-enabled operations. This podcast goes beyond theory to break down what is working, what is failing, and how workforce leaders are using data, AI, and operational discipline to stabilize teams and scale efficiently. If you manage people, shifts, schedules, or workforce performance, this show is built for you. Because shift happens. Hosts: Jeremy Friedman, Instawork Shaun Coe, HC-Resource & Ascendium LLC Websites: www.Instawork.com https://www.hc-resource.com/ https://www.ascendium.tech Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-friedman-5b48089/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-coe/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/shift-happens-the-workforce-podcast/ Music: First Kiss by Ethos 2025 © That’s Rad Studio

  1. Oct 7

    Authority to Influence

    Most companies onboard new hires carefully, then promote from within and assume the learning is over. This episode covers why a promoted employee deserves the same 30, 60, 90 day runway as a new hire, how the best leaders develop people one layer at a time, and why you should manage the onboarding process instead of the person.

  2. Sep 22

    Silence is Expensive

    Conversations cost nothing, but silence is expensive: this episode unpacks how skipped conversations quietly break vendor relationships, internal teams, and revenue. It covers what actually makes a discovery call worth having, how to catch a broken feedback loop before it costs you, and why admitting a weakness and outsourcing it beats pretending you have every skill covered.

  3. Sep 9

    Team, Not Family

    Calling your workplace a family sounds supportive, but it often means nobody holds anyone accountable when it matters most. This episode makes the case for building a real team instead, one where shared goals and honest performance conversations replace loyalty that quietly turns into stagnation.

  4. Aug 26

    Building Your Bench

    Losing a manager you already trained costs more than most leaders realize, and hiring from outside rarely wins. This episode breaks down the real math on turnover and retention, and what it actually takes to build a bench worth keeping.

  5. Aug 12

    Don't Get Hired by Your Resume

    In this episode of Sh!ft Happens, Jeremy Friedman and Shaun Coe unpack one of the oldest hiring mistakes: confusing pedigree with performance. They break down why impressive resumes can still lead to bad hires, why overlooked candidates often outperform expectations, and how culture, curiosity, observation, and practical proof matter just as much as credentials. Jeremy and Shaun also share interview tactics for hiring managers and candidates, including how AI can help prepare better questions and shift the interview into a two-way conversation. Main Topics: Why pedigree and real-world performance do not always matchThe difference between credentials, skills, work ethic, and cultural fitWhy hiring is a skill, not an instinctHow managers hurt interviews by talking more than they listenWhat resume signals matter beyond polish and job titlesJeremy’s three baseline hiring filters: functional, cultural, and reliable fitWhy overlooked candidates can become top performers with coaching and gritSkills-based hiring and the value of verified practical experienceHow stage interviews reveal more than resumesWhy candidates should interview the company tooUsing AI to prepare stronger interview questions Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome back and setting up the hiring discussion 01:57 - Why pedigree and skills do not always match 03:07 - Hiring is a skill, not just a title 04:08 - College as a signal of follow-through 05:38 - Resume signals that matter more than polish 06:07 - When interviewers talk too much 07:35 - How excitement can preload the interview 08:33 - Recruiters must sell both ways 09:33 - The bad hire who looked perfect on paper 11:23 - When interview warnings get ignored 12:58 - Why long tenure can signal the next move 15:27 - Building repeatable interview habits 16:37 - Focusing on the last 15 years 17:31 - Asking what the candidate knows about the company 18:26 - Using AI to prepare for an interview 19:33 - Measuring energy, engagement, and body language 21:21 - The server who became a top performer through grit 23:42 - Skills-based hiring and practical proof 24:40 - Why stage interviews reveal more than resumes 26:26 - Turning around a market by promoting from within 29:04 - Seeing leadership before the title exists 31:37 - Why culture carriers are not always managers 33:36 - How observation reveals real leaders 35:35 - Instawork’s bar raiser model and culture fit 39:20 - Nonverbal communication and culture alignment 41:29 - Candidates should interview the company too 42:22 - Using AI to reverse the interview 43:43 - How being informed can change interview outcomes 44:32 - Knowing when a job is not the right fit 46:29 - Closing thoughts on human-centered hiring Resources & Links: Sh!ft Happens Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sh-ft-happens/id1870894885 HC-Resource: https://www.hc-resource.com HC-Core: https://app.hc-resource.com Instawork: https://www.instawork.com Connect: Jeremy Friedman Instawork Shaun Coe HC-Resource | HC-Core | #ShiftHappens #FutureOfWork #Hiring #Recruiting #SkillsBasedHiring #WorkforceStrategy #Leadership #TalentAcquisition #AI #Instawork #HCResource

  6. Jul 29

    The Leader's Core, The Middle Manager

    Building the Middle Management Bench in a Changing WorkplaceIn this episode of Sh!ft Happens, Jeremy Friedman and Shaun Coe discuss the evolving role of middle management in today’s workplace. As AI, automation, economic pressure, and workforce expectations continue to shift, middle managers remain one of the most important layers inside any organization. Jeremy and Shaun break down why managers still drive engagement, how their responsibilities are changing, and what companies can do to develop stronger internal leadership benches. Main Topics:Why middle managers play a critical role in team engagementManaging up, down, and sideways during periods of changeHow communication, filtering, and alignment impact executionThe effect of AI, automation, and economic shifts on management rolesScope creep, scope slide, and the importance of clear expectationsDeveloping internal talent instead of relying only on external hiringBuilding loyalty, trust, accountability, and positive reinforcementBurnout, anxiety, and the human side of leadershipWhy middle managers will evolve rather than disappearTimestamps:00:00 – Introduction to the human side of management 02:05 – Why middle management matters for engagement 04:07 – Communication challenges and filtering information 05:19 – Managing up, down, and sideways 06:32 – Automation, AI, and economic change 07:13 – Avoiding unrealistic scope and overburdened managers 08:07 – Aligning goals through people, product, and package 09:06 – COVID, workforce pressure, and management strain 10:23 – Organizational uncertainty and middle managers 11:01 – Scope management and clear leadership roles 12:24 – Recognition, rewards, and burnout prevention 13:46 – Building bench strength through internal talent 15:15 – Accountability, loyalty, and team performance 16:58 – Internal vs. external hiring dynamics 17:57 – Onboarding and developing middle managers 19:14 – AI’s impact on hierarchy and responsibilities 21:17 – Loyalty, transparency, and real-time feedback 22:52 – Two-way respect in management 23:45 – Building a culture around accountability and shared goals 25:44 – Boundaries, balance, and personal life 29:47 – Will AI replace middle managers? 32:13 – The future strategic value of middle management 37:50 – Final thoughts on evolving leadership roles 38:17 – Closing remarks and leadership development Resources & Links:Sh!ft Happens Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sh-ft-happens/id1870894885 HC-Resource: https://www.hc-resource.com HC-Core: https://app.hc-resource.com Instawork: https://www.instawork.com Mentioned in This Episode:Gallup’s State of the American Manager Leadership and Self-Deception AI and automation in workforce operations Building internal talent programs #ShiftHappens #FutureOfWork #MiddleManagement #LeadershipDevelopment #WorkforceStrategy #AI #Automation #EmployeeEngagement #HCResource #Instawork

  7. Jul 15

    From Operator to Authority Leader: Turning War Stories Into Influence, with Andy Knapick

    In this episode of Sh!ft Happens, Jeremy Friedman and Shaun Coe sit down with Andy Knapick to talk about workforce dynamics, entrepreneurship, restaurant operations, commercial real estate, and the changing labor market. Andy shares his path from college athletics and restaurant franchising to commercial real estate, along with lessons learned from building teams, opening stores, navigating labor challenges, and using networking and personal branding to grow a career. Main Topics:Andy’s transition from restaurant operations to commercial real estateHow operational experience improves site selection and business strategyWorkforce challenges across hospitality, manufacturing, and franchise businessesThe decline of traditional high school employmentThe impact of youth sports, NIL, and changing labor availabilityNetworking, personal branding, and authority buildingHow automation and AI support, but do not replace, human connectionPractical advice for franchisees, entrepreneurs, and business ownersTimestamps:00:00 – Introductions and workforce evolution 02:22 – Shaun’s Bar Louie turnaround story 05:11 – Financial lessons from Andy’s ventures 08:44 – Andy’s path from athletics to franchising 11:15 – Building teams at Jimmy John’s and Dunkin’ 14:25 – Moving from food service to commercial real estate 17:14 – Lessons from opening multiple retail stores 20:48 – Workforce challenges in Indiana 22:20 – High school workers, youth sports, and NIL 26:54 – Labor availability and overqualified workers 30:36 – Authority building and personal branding 35:06 – Social media, storytelling, and professional reach 40:34 – Automation, AI, and human interaction 41:32 – Final thoughts and how to connect with Andy Resources & Links:Sh!ft Happens Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sh-ft-happens/id1870894885 Taking Chances with Shaun Coe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-chances-with-shaun-coe/id1671331085 HC-Resource: https://www.hc-resource.com HC-Core: https://app.hc-resource.com Instawork: https://www.instawork.com Authority Leaders: https://authorityleaders.ai Connect:Jeremy Friedman Instawork Shaun Coe HC-Resource | HC-Core | Ascendium Guest: Andy Knapick #ShiftHappens #FutureOfWork #WorkforceStrategy #Hospitality #CommercialRealEstate #Franchising #Leadership #PersonalBranding

  8. Jul 1

    From 1776 to AI: American Innovation and the Future of Work with Matthew Bell

    In this episode of Sh!ft Happens, Jeremy Friedman sits down with Matthew Bell to connect 250 years of American innovation to the way work continues to evolve today. From interchangeable parts and the assembly line to the GI Bill, the space race, smartphones, the gig economy, and AI, this conversation looks at how friction, competition, and courage have repeatedly created new opportunities for the workforce. Main Topics:American innovation from 1776 to todayHow friction and competition drive progressManufacturing breakthroughs and workforce expansionThe impact of WWII, the GI Bill, and the space raceHospitality, transportation, and infrastructure growthThe rise of smartphones, digital platforms, and the gig economyWhy disruption often creates new workforce opportunitiesTimestamps:00:00 – Welcome and intro to American innovation 02:12 – Matthew Bell’s background and workforce perspective 03:34 – Risk, freedom, and the roots of innovation 06:27 – Early mechanical innovation and manufacturing 10:25 – Eli Whitney and interchangeable parts 12:12 – WWII manufacturing and workforce growth 13:38 – Railroads, travel, and hospitality expansion 19:05 – The light bulb and the modern workday 22:27 – Air conditioning and workforce productivity 26:16 – The GI Bill and post-war opportunity 27:14 – The space race and moon landing 30:07 – FedEx, logistics, and e-commerce 32:00 – Smartphones and digital work 33:02 – Platforms, gig work, and global labor 34:55 – Disruption and modern workforce change 38:10 – Closing thoughts on innovation and America’s future Resources & Links:Sh!ft Happens Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sh-ft-happens/id1870894885 Taking Chances with Shaun Coe: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/taking-chances-with-shaun-coe/id1671331085 HC-Resource: https://www.hc-resource.com HC-Core: https://app.hc-resource.com Instawork: https://www.instawork.com Connect:Jeremy Friedman Instawork Shaun Coe HC-Resource | HC-Core | Ascendium Guest: Matthew Bell #ShiftHappens #FutureOfWork #AmericanInnovation #WorkforceSolutions #Hospitality #AI #GigEconomy

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About

SHIFT HAPPENS: The Workforce Podcast We explore 360-degree workforce solutions and how thoughtful automation elevates business performance, reshapes workforce strategy, strengthens day-to-day operations, and enables leaders to refocus human capital on serving clients, guests, and employees—today and into the future. Hosted by Jeremy Friedman of Instawork and Shaun Coe, CEO of HC-Resource and Ascendium, the show delivers real-world conversations on workforce strategy, AI in staffing, labor forecasting, scheduling, and the future of the hourly and frontline workforce. Each episode features candid discussions with operators, HR leaders, and workforce technology builders navigating talent shortages, automation, gig labor, and post-pandemic workforce shifts across hospitality, healthcare, logistics, retail, and tech-enabled operations. This podcast goes beyond theory to break down what is working, what is failing, and how workforce leaders are using data, AI, and operational discipline to stabilize teams and scale efficiently. If you manage people, shifts, schedules, or workforce performance, this show is built for you. Because shift happens. Hosts: Jeremy Friedman, Instawork Shaun Coe, HC-Resource & Ascendium LLC Websites: www.Instawork.com https://www.hc-resource.com/ https://www.ascendium.tech Socials: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-friedman-5b48089/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-coe/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/shift-happens-the-workforce-podcast/ Music: First Kiss by Ethos 2025 © That’s Rad Studio

Information

  • Creator
    Jeremy Friedman & Shaun Coe
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    19
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Jeremy Friedman & Shaun Coe