Over 170 Redefining Work episodes. A parade of inspiring guests. A global community I couldn’t have dreamed of. The journey has been nothing short of extraordinary. Fulfillment? Absolutely. But now, it’s time to hit pause. Why? That’s a fair question. I explain in this closing episode.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Laszlo Bock, co-founder of the Berkeley Transformative CHRO Academy, former people operations leader at Google and one of the most influential voices in HR. Laszlo shares his journey from shaping Google’s data-driven HR practices to mentoring the next generation of CHROs. We dive into the power of data in decision-making, the importance of values-driven leadership, and the challenges of scaling culture in a growing organization. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on courage, culture, and the evolving role of HR.

On this episode of Redefining Work, Topaz Adizes, founder and CEO of The Skin Deep, explores the power of meaningful conversations to build trust and connection. From creating intentional spaces for vulnerability to the transformative practice of active listening, Topaz shares strategies for bridging divides in polarized times. He discusses how storytelling deepens relationships, even in professional settings, and offers practical insights for HR leaders looking to cultivate humanity and connection in the workplace. Discover how fostering authentic dialogue can transform relationships, enhance collaboration, and bring humanity back to work.

On this episode of Redefining Work, Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of FutureThink, reveals how simplification is the key to unlocking innovation. From her groundbreaking exercises like “Kill the Company” and “Kill Stupid Rules” to strategies for embedding subtraction into company culture, Lisa offers actionable advice for leaders and teams looking to reclaim their time and focus on what matters most. Discover how simplicity can transform your work, boost creativity and foster a culture of curiosity.

Career transitions are rarely neat. They're messy, they're scary, and they often come with a hefty dose of uncertainty. But, as Angela Cheng-Cimini reminded us in this week’s episode of Redefining Work, they’re also essential if we want to grow, rediscover purpose, and live a life of intention. Angela, a soon-to-be former CHRO at Harvard Business Review, joined me for a candid conversation about transitions—not just in work, but in life.  She shared her journey of stepping away from a high-profile role to prioritize what really matters. Along the way, we dove into burnout, the importance of self-disruption, and why sometimes the bravest thing you can do is simply pause.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rob Mac Giolla Phadraig, founder of SkillStack, a cutting-edge learning platform built around the power of storytelling. Rob shares his personal journey, the inspiration behind SkillStack, and the profound impact storytelling has had on his life and career. Tune in to discover how SkillStack is revolutionizing learning and development by harnessing the power of narrative to unlock human potential.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by J.P. Sanday, partner at Menlo Ventures. Throughout his career in private equity and venture capital, J.P. has gained a sharp understanding of market dynamics and early-stage growth. In this episode, we dive into his philosophy on scaling startups, assembling powerful teams and making the most of AI opportunities.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rich Diviney, retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, author and founder of The Attributes. Throughout his 20-year career, which includes leading SEAL Team Six selection, Rich developed a deep understanding of leadership, team dynamics and human performance. In this episode, we dive into Rich’s belief in the role of attributes over skills in determining success, his philosophy on building high performing teams and how mastering uncertainty takes performance to the next level.

In this episode of the LinkedIn Presents: Redefining Work podcast, host Lars Schmidt sits down with Ruben Harris, co-founder and CEO of Career Karma, to discuss the launch of OutRival, a no-code platform that democratizes access to AI across the enterprise. Ruben shares how OutRival empowers non-engineering teams to build AI-driven agents and solutions without technical expertise, reshaping how companies engage with customers and employees. They dive into the future of work, AI's role in personalization, and how OutRival is transforming workforce development for industries beyond tech.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rusty Ralston and Jay Patil, co-founders of Swell Venture Capital. We dive into their unique approach to venture capital, centered around identifying visionary founders and helping them build exceptional teams. Rusty and Jay share their hands-on recruitment strategies, how they assess founders’ potential, and the importance of a people-first investment philosophy. Listen in to discover how Swell VC is giving its portfolio companies a recruiting advantage and reshaping venture capital through a talent-driven lens.

There’s something universal in the world of work that we’ve all encountered. You’ve written it, reviewed it, probably stressed over it. Yes, I'm talking about that staple of the corporate world: the resume. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, "Really? The resume? That outdated piece of paper is still a thing?" And yes, it is—tragically. In this episode of Redefining Work Reports, host Lars Schmidt explores that antiquated hiring document known as the resume.

Today I'm sharing a very special bonus episode! Redefining Work is a part of a whole network of podcasts at LinkedIn–The LinkedIn Podcast Network. This month, their team launched a new show in partnership with iHeart Podcasts. It’s called Let’s Talk Offline and it is packed with actionable advice and engaging insight for early career development. This episode in particular feels valuable to anyone at any stage of their career: it’s all about salary negotiation. More about Let’s Talk Offline: Each week, LinkedIn's Gianna Prudente and Jamé Jackson Gadsden answer your unfiltered questions about work life, from negotiating pay to setting boundaries to navigating office friendships. Gianna – an early career development editor and resident Gen Zer – and Jamé – a community manager, workshop host, and millennial – get real about their own career experiences (spoiler: they're still figuring it out, too) and confide in expert guests who've been there, done that. Through it all, you'll learn what it takes to thrive in the early years of your career — without sacrificing your values, sanity or sleep. Listen HERE!

In this episode of Redefining Work, Lars Schmidt sits down with Kelly Scheib, Chief People Officer at Crunchbase, to explore how the company is transforming HR through innovative strategies. Kelly shares insights on spaghetti careers, a flexible benefits model, and how Crunchbase leverages AI to streamline processes while maintaining human connection. Learn how Crunchbase’s people-first culture is redefining the future of work and the role of HR in tech companies. Topics covered: Crunchbase’s "People Project Pool" and how it breaks down HR silos The Live Your Best Life flexible benefits program How Crunchbase integrates AI without losing human empathy Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging woven into people systems

This episode features the brilliant Laura Mae Martin, Executive Productivity Advisor at Google and author of "Uptime: A Practical Guide for Personal Productivity and Well-being." Laura’s insights provide a fresh take on how to balance our intentions and actions in both professional and personal spheres.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Jeffrey Pfeffer, professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University and author of “Dying for a Paycheck.” We dive into the critical topic of employee well-being and explore the harmful effects of workplace stress and poor working conditions on employee health.

Today’s episode was a deep dive into leadership, habits, and community with none other than Lan Phan. Lan is the founder of Community of Seven and the author of the book, Do This Daily: Secrets to Finding Success, Happiness, and Purpose in Work and Life. Let’s break down some of the key insights from our conversation.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Thai Randolph, media executive, entrepreneur and co-founder at Hartbeat. Join us as we dive into how Thai navigates the tricky world of creating value in today’s fragmented media scene, her incredible story of raising one of the biggest private equity rounds as a Black woman CEO and how generative AI is shaking up the creative process.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Josh Bersin, global HR analyst and founder and CEO of The Josh Bersin Company. Josh dives into the transformation of the HR function from a transactional, administrative role to a more strategic, consultative powerhouse critical to business success. Tune in to discover how HR can lead the charge in shaping the future of work.

Explore the complexities of friendships at work. Are they essential for job satisfaction, or do they pose professional risks? Discover insights and personal experiences from the latest episode of LinkedIn Presents: Redefining Work - The Riff with AJ Thomas, Q Hamirani, and Lars Schmidt. This exploration of workplace friendships was not just a discussion but a deep dive into how these relationships shape our work lives. From personal anecdotes to professional insights, we covered the spectrum of this intricate topic. As always, we encourage you to reflect on your own experiences and think about how friendships influence your work life.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Kim Scott, author of the classic, “Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity.” People need to know that you care about them, but at the same time, you do them a disservice if you don’t help them grow. Listen in to learn how to give — and receive — radical candor to help everyone on your team feel safe to grow.