The Courageous Choice

The Courageous Choice

Courageous Leadership

Every breakthrough begins with a decision — a moment of hesitation followed by a leap. “The Courageous Choice” is the podcast that explores those defining moments when leaders, entrepreneurs, changemakers, and individuals bet on themselves, defy expectations, and step into the unknown. Hosted by Jamie Jacobs, founder and CEO of Gig Talent, each episode explores bold career moves and industry-shaping innovations. We dive into the risks, the resilience, and the rewards that come with making the courageous choice. Subscribe to The Brave New World of Work LinkedIn Newsletter today.

Balancing AI Adoption With Human Connection
The Courageous ChoiceAugust 04, 202600:26:01

Balancing AI Adoption With Human Connection

What does AI actually mean for HR teams and the people they support? In this episode, Lisseth Zouhbi, Chief People and Culture Officer at Child Care Resource Center in Los Angeles, explains how to approach AI transformation without losing the human side of work. You'll learn how to decide which part...

Why AI Projects Fail Without People
The Courageous ChoiceJuly 22, 202600:14:01

Why AI Projects Fail Without People

This conversation explores why AI transformation succeeds or fails based on people and culture—not just technology. It examines why good tools get rejected, how fear of replacement fuels resistance, and what leaders can do about it. It also covers the stages of AI maturity companies typically move t...

What Great HR Leaders Do Differently
The Courageous ChoiceJuly 06, 202600:29:59

What Great HR Leaders Do Differently

This episode takes you inside the thinking of seasoned CHRO Pat Wadors, who is reshaping what high-impact HR looks like. You will learn how to apply a product mindset to HR strategy using frameworks borrowed from engineering and product development, how to practice genuine co-creation with business ...

How To Drive Real Organizational Transformation
The Courageous ChoiceJune 19, 202600:24:25

How To Drive Real Organizational Transformation

This conversation breaks down why so many AI and automation investments fail inside organizations, and what to do instead. The core idea: companies keep layering new tools on top of processes they don't actually understand end to end, which leads to wasted spend, poor workforce planning, and avoidab...

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Leading Through AI Transformation
The Courageous ChoiceJune 03, 202600:37:15

Get Comfortable Being Uncomfortable: Leading Through AI Transformation

This episode breaks down why so many organizations struggle to adopt AI and manage change, and what leaders can actually do about it. You will learn why readiness matters more than enthusiasm, why AI adoption cannot be measured like traditional software, how to get genuine buy-in before launching a ...

Leading in the Age of AI: Embracing Dual Transformation
The Courageous ChoiceMay 20, 202600:20:47

Leading in the Age of AI: Embracing Dual Transformation

Most companies treat AI as a cost-cutting tool, but the real competitive advantage comes from using it to create new products, services, and capabilities. In this conversation, Pedro Arellano, founder of Wallabi, explains the framework of dual transformation and why business leaders who only optimiz...

The Courageous Path to Purposeful Leadership
The Courageous ChoiceMay 05, 202600:29:24

The Courageous Path to Purposeful Leadership

This episode is a heart-to-heart dive into the real, raw relationship between fear and leadership. Barb Krol, Chief People Officer and seasoned coach, shares her transformative journey and powerful insights on how fear shapes us — and how embracing it can make us stronger, more authentic leaders. If...

Leadership: Beyond the Facade with Phillip Stenger of Ascent
The Courageous ChoiceApril 20, 202600:34:06

Leadership: Beyond the Facade with Phillip Stenger of Ascent

Are you tired of trying to win everyone's approval and losing your authenticity in the process? In this episode, Phillip Stenger drops truth bombs about leadership, fear, conflict, and the courage it takes to be real. Get ready to challenge everything you thought leadership should be — because real ...

Redefining Talent Access in the Age of Disruption with Tony Buffum of Human Cloud
The Courageous ChoiceMarch 11, 2026x
20
00:37:42

Redefining Talent Access in the Age of Disruption with Tony Buffum of Human Cloud

Tony Buffum, Head of Enterprise Strategy at Human Cloud, joins us on this episode to talk about the evolution of talent strategy and what it truly takes for leaders to navigate workforce transformation with courage. With more than two decades leading global HR and talent transformation initiatives, ...

Scaling With Courage and Clarity with Allie Danziger of Ascent
The Courageous ChoiceFebruary 25, 2026x
19
00:26:01

Scaling With Courage and Clarity with Allie Danziger of Ascent

Allie Danziger, Chief Marketing Officer of Ascent and former Founder and CEO of Ampersand Professionals, joins us to discuss choosing growth before certainty. From raising her hand during layoffs to selling two companies and stepping into a CMO role, Allie shares what it means to have the courage to...