Freeformers Unplugged

Toby Kheng
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Every week Toby Kheng and Emilie Forrest dive into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the world of work. From rethinking employee experience and organisational culture to exploring innovative strategies for leadership and learning, they bring fresh perspectives, actionable insights, and a touch of humour to each session. Whether you're a seasoned HR professional, a forward-thinking leader, or simply curious about what’s next in the workplace, this is your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired.

  1. Oct 13

    AI Adoption Isn't AI Training: Why Policies and Skills Aren't Enough

    Everyone's talking about AI adoption. But how do we know whether it's actually happening? Your employees have completed their AI training. They've signed the AI policy. You've rolled out the tools. So why isn't everyone using them? In this episode of Freeformers Unplugged, Toby Kheng and Emilie Forrest are joined by Aylia from our partners at Thrivea to explore the difference between introducing AI into an organisation and genuinely changing how people work. We discuss: Why training completion doesn't equal AI adoptionWhy signing an AI policy doesn't mean people will follow itHow leaders can create the confidence and conditions for employees to experiment with AIWhy understanding the barriers to adoption matters more than simply rolling out more trainingHow AI can enhance people's capabilities rather than simply replace their workWhat organisations should actually measure to understand whether AI is making a differenceBecause successful AI adoption isn't about how many people have access to the technology. It's about what changes as a result. And that means looking beyond the tools to the people, behaviours and working environments that determine whether AI delivers value. Freeformers Unplugged is our weekly conversation about making the world of work better for everyone. In partnership with Thrivea.

  2. Oct 8

    What Employee Data Tells Us — and What It Misses

    In this episode of Freeformers Unplugged, Toby, Emilie and Gavin explore the limits of employee engagement data, what surveys and dashboards can miss, and why understanding what really happens inside organisations matters.

  3. Oct 7

    Human-centred design without the Post-it notes

    Human-centred design is supposed to start with people, not a wall full of sticky notes. In this episode of Freeformers Unplugged, Toby Kheng and Emilie Forrest unpack what discovery is really for, why so much employee research collapses into generic pain points, and why the most useful thing HR and L&D teams can do is simply talk to real users. They explore how many people you actually need to interview, where AI can help with research without replacing the human conversation, why surveys rarely explain the why behind behaviour, and how teams can build a more systematic discovery process. The episode also connects directly to the thinking behind InsightCon 2027, Freeformers’ human-centred event for senior HR and L&D leaders. InsightCon tickets: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/insightcon-tickets-1999366942346

  4. Oct 6

    Into the Burnhamverse

    Toby Kheng and Emilie Forrest explore what leaders can learn from Andy Burnham’s communication style, social media presence and habit of working out loud. From authenticity and relevance to the very serious business of pub snacks, this episode asks what makes public communication actually connect.

  5. Sep 21

    We’ve had enough of HR & L&D conferences. So we’re making our own.

    We’re officially launching InsightCon 2027. On 18 March 2027, we’re bringing 100 HR and L&D leaders together in London for an event built around a simple idea: if we want to design better workplaces, we need to get much better at listening to the people actually experiencing them. Instead of four panels of the usual thought leaders, our conversations will be led by employees and their lived experiences, exploring the real problems shaping work today. In this Freeformers Unplugged, we're going to explore why we’re doing it, what we think is wrong with the traditional HR and L&D conference model, what InsightCon will look like, and what we hope happens when HR and L&D start designing from genuine employee insight rather than assumptions.

  6. Mar 10

    Season 2, Episode 5: Headcount to Heartcount – The Commerciality-to-Humanity Scale

    Is it possible to care about people and still run a profitable business? In this episode, Toby reunites with Emilie Forrest to explore their new framework: the Commerciality-to-Humanity Scale. It’s not just another feel-good model—it’s a radical rethinking of what leadership balance looks like. Drawing on personal insights and philosophical provocations, they dissect how leaders can navigate both bottom lines and human lives. Spoiler: it’s not a scale, it’s a spectrum—and most of us are stuck at the extremes. If you’ve ever felt caught between numbers and nuance, this one’s for you.

    Season 2, Episode 5: Headcount to Heartcount – The Commerciality-to-Humanity Scale

  7. 06/26/2025

    Season 2, Episode 4: Uncovering the Real Stories Behind Employee Insight

    Surveys are out. Stories are in. In this episode, Toby sits down with Dib Rakshit and Sonia Moore to unpack why traditional employee insight tools are fundamentally flawed—and what’s emerging in their place. From AI-powered management tools to adaptive leadership coaching, this conversation dives deep into the messy middle between data and experience. It's not just about capturing how people feel—it’s about understanding why they feel that way and what to do next. Think less spreadsheet, more storybook

    Season 2, Episode 4: Uncovering the Real Stories Behind Employee Insight

  8. 06/26/2025

    Season 2, Episode 3: Why Culture Needs a Crush – Smashing the Old Work Norm

    Get ready to bring your wrecking ball to work. In this episode, Toby is joined by Dan Dowman as they smash through outdated cultural norms that shackle innovation and suffocate authenticity. From HR’s obsession with conformity to the corporate addiction to bland sameness, they break down why culture needs a crush—not a cosy cuddle. Expect provocations, practical metaphors, and an unapologetic case for ditching legacy mindsets in favour of something real, raw, and radically human. If your workplace culture feels like a rerun of The Office, it’s time to rewrite the script.

    Season 2, Episode 3: Why Culture Needs a Crush – Smashing the Old Work Norm
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About

Every week Toby Kheng and Emilie Forrest dive into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the world of work. From rethinking employee experience and organisational culture to exploring innovative strategies for leadership and learning, they bring fresh perspectives, actionable insights, and a touch of humour to each session. Whether you're a seasoned HR professional, a forward-thinking leader, or simply curious about what’s next in the workplace, this is your chance to connect, learn, and be inspired.

Information

  • Creator
    Toby Kheng
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Toby Kheng
  • Show Website
    Freeformers Unplugged