Professional Quotient

Comedy might be the most underused business skill in your toolkit…In a world of back-to-back Zoom calls, Slack threads, and AI-generated everything, real human connection can start to feel like an afterthought. We’re moving faster than ever, but sometimes we’re listening less, reacting more, and missing the small moments that actually build trust. The truth is, most professionals are so focused on being efficient that they forget how powerful it is to simply be present, curious, and genuinely engaged.So what if the fastest way to build trust, connection, and results was by learning to use comedy as a professional skill?In this episode of Professional Quotient, we meet with Kevin Hubschmann, founder of Laugh.Events, to explore how improv and stand-up skills can transform the way we listen, lead, sell, and build teams.Kevin shares how, occasionally, “bombing” can actually sharpen your professional edge. When we embrace failure, double down on what works, and stay deeply connected to other humans in every conversation — we are bound to grow!What you’ll learn…Why improv is really training for active listening and empathetic communication.How “laughing and development” helps teams reconnect in an AI-heavy, transactional world.How reps, feedback, and even missteps can raise your Professional Quotient (PQ).Memorable quote…“Failure is for everybody. Success happens only when you fail a tremendous amount of times and learn from it.”Kevin Hubschmann is the Founder and Director of Events at Laugh.Events, where he helps organizations strengthen communication, leadership, and culture through improv workshops, corporate comedy experiences, and what he calls “Laughter as a Service” (LaaS). A former enterprise SaaS salesperson and founding team member at SplashThat.com (now part of Cvent), Kevin blends deep sales and marketing expertise with over a decade of experience in stand-up and improv to deliver high-impact team development and brand engagement programs. He leads sales, business development, and operations at Laugh.Events, working with companies across industries—from tech to law to healthcare—to use humor as a practical tool for connection, trust, and professional growth.

When a résumé is filtered out, a loan is denied, or a piece of content never reaches its audience, artificial intelligence may be the unseen hand behind the outcome. As these systems spread across the tools and institutions that shape daily life, the assumptions and priorities of their designers are carried forward into decisions made at scale. The real challenge isn’t the sophistication of the technology itself, but whether accountability, care, and human judgment are being designed in alongside speed and efficiency.What happens when the race to build faster, smarter AI outruns our ability to use it responsibly?In this episode of Professional Quotient, we meet with Jasen Zubcevik, President of The American Council for Ethical AI and Chairman of The American AI Association, to explore what it really means to build and deploy ethical AI in a world that’s moving at breakneck speed.Jasen shares how his studies at MIT and Oxford opened his eyes to both the technical power of AI and the human risks when systems are built without guardrails. From privacy and data security to bias, accessibility, and AI “hallucinations,” we talk through the biggest red flags leaders should be watching for right now.We also dig into the future of work: which jobs are most vulnerable, why AI will replace some roles but not people who know how to use it well, and how each of us can start building “AI fluency” as part of our professional equity.Along the way, Jasen reflects on the relationships, resilience, and relentless curiosity that have shaped his own PQ—from launching a marketing firm in a crowded field to now convening leaders across government, tech, and nonprofits around responsible AI.What you’ll learn…Ethical AI requires human oversight, not just technical capability.The discussion emphasizes that AI systems must remain under meaningful human control, especially as they are increasingly used in high-stakes areas like security, governance, hiring, and data analysis. Speed and efficiency alone are insufficient without accountability, transparency, and safeguards.The biggest risks today include privacy, misinformation, and accessibility.The episode highlights red flags such as users unknowingly uploading sensitive data to cloud-based AI systems, AI hallucinations generating false or misleading information, and the risk of building systems that exclude people with disabilities or only serve limited groups.AI will reshape work—but fluency, not fear, determines who benefits.While many roles will be replaced or transformed, individuals who understand how to use AI at a high level will become more valuable, not less. Continuous learning and adaptability are framed as essential components of long-term professional resilience.Jason Zubcevik is the President of The American Council for Ethical AI and Chairman of the American AI Association, U.S.-based nonprofits working to promote responsible and ethical AI across sectors. He has studied AI from both technical and human-centered perspectives, completing executive education at MIT and advanced studies at Oxford, where his focus shifted toward AI governance, ethics, and societal impact. Zubcevik has worked across government, technology, nonprofit, and association sectors, and now convenes leaders from organizations such as Microsoft, Amazon, Verizon, and U.S. federal agencies to address the ethical challenges emerging as AI adoption accelerates.If you’ve been wondering how to engage with AI without losing the human element, this conversation is for you.

The entertainment industry is at a crossroads, where questions of access, authorship, and technological disruption are reshaping who gets to tell stories—and how those stories get made. From the rise of AI-assisted tools to ongoing conversations about representation and gatekeeping, filmmaking today is as much about identity and equity as it is about craft. These pressures make it especially timely to examine how creative voices are shaped, challenged, and sustained in an industry that doesn’t always reward difference.So how do creative professionals build lasting careers in an industry defined by gatekeeping—and what does it really mean to trust your voice when the system encourages conformity?Welcome to Professional Quotient. In this episode, host Jason Winningham sits down with Julia Camara, an accomplished screenwriter and filmmaker whose body of work spans award-winning films, fearless storytelling, and a deep commitment to creative authenticity.Julia shares what it takes to thrive in an industry built on gatekeeping, and why trusting your voice, even when it doesn’t sound like everyone else’s—maybe especially when it doesn’t—is the most radical move a creative professional can make. The discussion explores how professional equity plays out in entertainment, what AI means for artists, and why mentorship is more urgent than ever.She also speaks candidly about erasing her accent to fit in, discovering her worth as a multilingual creative, and how becoming a mother reshaped her relationship with time, intuition, and legacy.What you’ll learn…Why differentiation—not assimilation—is a long-term strategy for building sustainable creative careers.Why gatekeeping and access continue to shape careers in entertainment, and how mentorship can change that trajectory.What emerging technologies like AI mean for artists, educators, and the future of creative work.Julia Camara is an award-winning Brazilian screenwriter, filmmaker, and professor whose work spans independent film, studio features, and global festival circuits. She has written and directed multiple acclaimed projects, including the experimental feature In Transit and the sci-fi horror film Occupants, which screened at over 150 festivals worldwide and won more than 100 awards, including a Telly Award for writing. In addition to her filmmaking career, she is a Cinematic Arts Professor at Keiser University and a screenwriting instructor and advisor for the Sundance Institute, with deep expertise in story craft, genre storytelling, and mentorship.

What do supply chains and community have in common?They both deliver value—when managed with purpose. At their best, they show how intentional systems, meaningful connections, and consistent action turn effort into lasting professional growth.This week on Professional Quotient, listeners hear from Nathan Chaney, founder of Supply Chaney, whose insights bridge the mechanics of logistics with the meaning of professional growth. Nathan offers more than a definition of supply chains—he reframes them as a model for how professionals can create, move, and multiply value across every stage of their career. From managing fleets and fulfillment centers to building global relationships, his career reflects the power of intentional equity-building through action, adaptability, and connection.What you’ll learn…How supply chains mirror personal and professional transformation — showing how growth happens through stages, transitions, and deliberate handoffs rather than linear progress.The relationship between career fulfillment and meaningful travel — examining how exposure to different places, cultures, and perspectives reshapes how professionals define success and purpose.What it takes to evolve from operations expert to equity-centered entrepreneur — unpacking the shift from executing systems to designing them for long-term value creation.Why every professional journey, no matter how nonlinear, holds value worth activating — reinforcing that experience compounds when individuals learn to recognize, connect, and leverage it intentionally.Nathan Chaney is a supply chain leader and entrepreneur with deep experience across logistics operations, distribution center management, transportation, and consulting, spanning roles from frontline operations to executive leadership. He is the founder of Supply Chaney, a supply chain–focused media, marketing, consulting, and logistics services firm, as well as the Supply Chain Social Club, a growing community designed to connect professionals through virtual and live events. Nathan’s career includes building and scaling warehouses, leading autonomous logistics operations, launching successful logistics branches, and leveraging media and networking to advocate for the supply chain industry and drive meaningful business connections.For anyone navigating transitions, building something new, or rethinking what it means to grow professionally, Nathan’s perspective offers both practical insight and powerful encouragement.

The modern workplace is at a crossroads, shaped by the rapid rise of AI, shifting cultural expectations, and increasing pressure on leaders to balance efficiency with humanity. Organizations are being forced to make intentional choices about how they operate, how they lead, and how they invest in their people — choices that will define trust, performance, and relevance in the years ahead. At the same time, professionals are navigating how to build lasting career equity through adaptability, strategic thinking, mentorship, and meaningful connection, all within an environment that is changing faster than ever.In this compelling episode of the #PQpodcast, we welcome Elizabeth Jenswold, a seasoned HR executive with a global career spanning leadership roles at Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan Chase, Toyota, and a transformative sabbatical with Jane Goodall in China.Elizabeth shares how the HR industry stands at a critical inflection point — driven by the rapid rise of AI, evolving workplace cultures, and the renewed call for people-centered leadership.Elizabeth also offers rich insight for anyone curious about entering or growing within HR, including neurodivergent professionals and those exploring career pivots. She shares how to use data for storytelling, the power of mentorship, and how women can keep one foot in the workforce while balancing family and career.Together, we dive into questions leaders must ask right now:Should your organization adopt a people-first or agent-first (AI-driven) strategy?How do you create a culture aligned with your values and your workforce?What does a strategic HR framework really look like in 2026?Elizabeth Jenswold is a senior HR and organizational development consultant with executive leadership experience across Fortune 100 companies including CBRE, JPMorgan Chase, Morgan Stanley, Toyota, and Mary Kay, where she led global people strategies and delivered measurable business impact. Her expertise spans organizational strategy alignment, change management, executive coaching, talent management, and large-scale transformation, with leadership responsibility across more than 100 countries and teams ranging from 250 to 25,000 employees. She also brings unique global and purpose-driven experience from her work in Shanghai with the Jane Goodall Institute’s Roots & Shoots, alongside ongoing board service and community leadership focused on education, workforce inclusion, and social impact.This conversation isn’t just for HR leaders – it’s for anyone ready to build professional equity through intentional learning, strategy, and connection.

Inclusion is often reduced to policies and checklists, but its true measure shows up in everyday experiences — in whether people feel seen, supported, and able to contribute without hiding parts of who they are. When organizations move beyond compliance and toward genuine understanding, they open the door to talent, perspective, and potential that too often go unnoticed. Creating spaces where difference is valued requires curiosity, intention, and a willingness to rethink what accessibility and belonging really mean.In this episode of Professional Quotient, we meet with Becky Jackson Curran — a motivational speaker and disability inclusion advocate who has built a career helping organizations see and better utilize talent that’s too often underrecognized and underutilized.Becky shares how her winding path through Hollywood and the Actors' Union shaped her approach to inclusion, what real accessibility looks like beyond compliance, and why language, curiosity, and everyday choices at work matter more than we think.Key highlights from the conversation…Inclusion goes beyond compliance. True accessibility isn’t just about meeting legal requirements — it’s about anticipating real human needs, listening to lived experience, and creating environments where people can participate fully without having to repeatedly advocate for themselves.Representation and advocacy carry both impact and weight. Being visible can open doors for others, but it also comes with pressure to represent an entire community. The conversation explores the courage it takes to speak up, the importance of self-care, and why advocacy helps shape more equitable systems for those who come next.Storytelling is a powerful tool for change. Sharing personal experiences — whether in the workplace, schools, or public forums — builds understanding, reduces stigma, and creates connection. When people tell their stories, they not only claim space for themselves but also help others feel less alone and more empowered.Becky Curran is a disability inclusion advocate, international TEDx storyteller, and Senior Director of Stakeholder Engagement at Disability:IN, where she leads corporate partnerships and has helped grow participation in the Disability Index from 110 to 542 companies since 2017. With a background in marketing and entertainment, including roles at Creative Artists Agency, CBS Television Studios, and SAG-AFTRA, she brings deep expertise in media, representation, and equity strategy. Alongside her leadership work, Becky has built a global speaking career, presenting at more than 650 venues worldwide to advance disability inclusion across education, media, and the workplace.Becky offers practical advice on sharing your story, building a speaking career, and creating cultures where people don’t have to hide parts of who they are to belong.

More and more, the creative journey looks less like a straight line and more like a series of pivots, setbacks, and surprising new opportunities. As layoffs, industry shifts, and unpredictable career turns reshape what a “typical” creative path looks like, many professionals are being pushed to turn uncertainty into momentum. Many are asking how to transform their lived experiences into something durable—real professional equity they can build on, no matter where their path leads next.Welcome to Professional Quotient. In the latest episode, host Jason Winningham talks with Cecil Cross, founder and creative director of Kindred Gent Design Studio, about how an underdog mindset, design craft, and people-first leadership can build real professional equity.Cecil traces his path from a vocational graphics class to school districts, “junk mail,” TV, telecom, and now high-trust partnerships with startup founders. He shares how he rebuilt his career after multiple layoffs, why a career path doesn’t have to be linear, and what it means to follow standards, not trends.The main topics of discussion…How Cecil turned an underdog story—and five career layoffs—into clarity, grit, and a thriving design studio.Why “don’t follow trends, follow standards” is a guiding principle in his creative work.The role of community, mentorship, and relationship-building in raising one’s Professional Quotient (PQ).Cecil Cross is a veteran creative director and brand strategist with 20+ years of experience leading global design teams and delivering high-impact brand, web, and digital experiences for B2B, technology, telecom, and software organizations. He has held senior creative leadership roles—including Senior Director of Brand, VP of Creative & Digital, and Creative Director—where he guided brand governance, web development, multimedia production, and large-scale marketing initiatives across international markets. Known for translating complex ideas into clear visual systems, mentoring emerging talent, and building design functions that scale, Cecil has also spent more than a decade consulting independently for startups and enterprise clients across multiple industries.If you’re a creative, a founder, or someone who’s been knocked down and is still moving forward, this conversation will help you see your skills, story, and relationships as assets you can design around.

In today’s whiplash workplace—where startups scale fast, funding dries up faster, and employee expectations keep evolving—HR isn’t a back-office function anymore. The rise of fractional leadership, remote teams, and constant regulatory change has forced companies to rethink how they support people while still hitting business goals. Leaders are realizing that “culture issues” often trace back to basics like security, clarity, and trust—and the cost of getting that wrong shows up in turnover, productivity, and brand reputation.What happens when HR stops being just paperwork and policies, and starts becoming a true business partner for people and performance?In this episode of Professional Quotient, Jason Winningham talks with Jen Schomer, founder of Catalyst HR and People Solutions, about what it really means to practice people-centric HR. Jen shares how she moved from business operations into HR, discovered she’s a “builder,” and developed a niche in creating order out of chaos for growing and changing organizations. Together, they unpack how HR leaders can act as builders during chaotic times—creating structure without suffocating people, translating human problems into business metrics, and shaping cultures where employees feel safe, supported, and accountable.Jen and Jason explore the difference between “old school” administrative HR and modern, forward-thinking HR that translates people metrics into real business impact, and treats employees as the company’s greatest asset instead of just a line on the P&L. Jen also talks about fractional HR, building programs in messy environments, and her advice for anyone trying to break into or grow within the HR field—starting at your level, protecting your integrity, and finding real mentorship.They also explore: How turnover, role clarity, and culture challenges tie directly to business outcomesThe growing role of fractional HR and why it’s valuable for small and mid-sized companiesThe importance of mentorship, integrity, and building a strong foundation when entering HRHow to help employees succeed by creating conditions that support safety, growth, and performanceJen Schomer is the founder of Catalyst HR and People Solutions and a Seattle-based HR consultant known for stepping into fast-moving organizations and creating order out of chaos. She began her career in business operations before transitioning into talent acquisition and broader HR leadership, where she discovered her niche as a “builder”—designing scalable recruiting systems, developing managers, and guiding organizations through change. Jen holds senior HR credentials from both SHRM and HRCI, and her work is rooted in a blend of process-driven operations thinking and deeply people-centered leadership.If you care about building workplaces where people and business both win, this conversation will give you practical insight—and a new way to think about your own PQ in HR.

Empathy has become a business competency, not a soft nice-to-have. With hybrid teams, rapid AI adoption, and a workforce increasingly vocal about identity and inclusion, companies are being pushed to rethink what effective leadership looks like right now. Research and workplace trend reports consistently show that employees who feel seen and supported are more engaged and more likely to stay—raising the stakes for leaders who are hiring, managing, and shaping culture in real time.What does empathetic marketing really look like in practice—not just as a buzzword, but as a way of working and leading?In this episode of Professional Quotient, Jason Winningham sits down with Diana Codispoti, a director of marketing who’s built a rich, non-linear career by combining curiosity, strategy, and a deep concern for people. Together, they explore what inclusive leadership looks like in practice, how to hire and build teams without ego, and why learning—especially in the age of AI—has to stay deeply personal.Diana shares how an early plan for a very different profession turned into a long-term path in marketing, what it taught her about listening first, and why hiring for personality and potential can matter just as much as technical skills.They also explore:How empathy can sharpen your marketing, not soften itThe role of self-advocacy and clear communication at workUsing tools like AI without losing the human elementBuilding your PQ through continuous learning and real relationshipsDiana Codispoti is the Director of Marketing at a Houston-based architecture firm, with more than 20 years of marketing experience spanning architecture, nonprofit disability advocacy, and television. Originally on a pre-med track toward neonatology, she pivoted after discovering graphic design and recognizing how her health journey would shape her professional path. Diana is also an identical twin, a former runner turned fitness advocate post-surgery, and a passionate voice for disability visibility and respectful representation in professional spaces. Her leadership style blends high standards, team-first collaboration, and a deep commitment to equity through understanding.If you care about doing meaningful work and treating people well along the way, this conversation is for you.

In a workplace culture increasingly shaped by rapid change, rising expectations, and new definitions of leadership, professionals are redefining success beyond titles and output. Empathy, intuition, and inner alignment — once seen as intangible “nice-to-haves” — are now emerging as competitive advantages. As recent workforce studies show that human-centered leaders drive higher engagement and retention, the question becomes clear: how do we cultivate these qualities in real time, in real workplaces, and in real moments of pressure?In this episode of Professional Quotient, host Jason Winningham sits down with Jay Berrien, an operations leader in the construction industry whose career has spanned sales, corporate coaching, culture consulting, and business operations. Jay shares how empathy — once dismissed as a “soft spot” — became one of Jay’s most powerful forms of professional equity. Jay opens up about advocating for others in high-stakes rooms, navigating bias as a Black professional in corporate spaces, and learning to trust that inner being, even when it meant taking the less conventional path.Jason and Jay explore how inner work, intuition, and creativity (including voice journaling and painting) fuel sustainable careers, not just impressive resumes. Jay also offers encouragement to early-career professionals feeling the pressure to “have it all figured out” — including a vivid warning about climbing your way to the top of the wrong building.Key highlights from the discussion…Empathy as a leadership asset: How embracing authentic sensitivity became a cornerstone of Jay’s leadership approach and a powerful form of professional equity.Courage through inner alignment: Jay reflects on moments of advocating for others in executive settings and the deep internal grounding required to speak up in challenging spaces.Sustainable growth through inner work: From journaling and walking to painting and voice recording, Jay outlines personal practices that support resilience, clarity, and consistent PQ development.Jay Berrien is an operations leader in the construction industry with a background in sales, coaching, product operations, and cultural consulting. Jay holds a bachelor’s degree from Marshall University and a master’s degree from the University of Colorado. Known for a people-first operational approach, Jay emphasizes empathy and intuition as core elements of effective professional environments.If you’ve ever wondered how to turn compassion, courage, and self-trust into real professional equity, this conversation is for you.