AI is fast transforming work as we’ve known it—and the latest data on jobs doesn’t always reflect the changes underway. “One word sums it up best: ‘uncertainty,’” says Svenja Gudell, chief economist of global employment platform Indeed. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Svenja joins McKinsey talent leaders Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock, along with Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly, to help leaders make sense of the current collision of labor market trends: generative AI, agentic AI, an aging workforce, shifting priorities, and more.

AI is fast transforming work as we&rsquo;ve known it&mdash;and the latest data on jobs doesn&rsquo;t always reflect the changes underway. &ldquo;One word sums it up best: &lsquo;uncertainty,&rsquo;&rdquo; says Svenja Gudell, chief economist of global employment platform Indeed. In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Svenja joins McKinsey talent leaders <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/brooke-weddle">Brooke Weddle</a> and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bryan-hancock">Bryan Hancock</a>, along with Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly, to help leaders make sense of the current collision of labor market trends: generative AI, agentic AI, an aging workforce, shifting priorities, and more.

Listen in to learn how to navigate a fast-changing business landscape and prepare for the future of work by turning talent into competitive advantage. McKinsey talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock lead discussions with globally recognized experts and thought leaders on talent, transformational change, and leadership development.

Listen in to learn how to navigate a fast-changing business landscape and prepare for the future of work by turning talent into competitive advantage. McKinsey talent experts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/brooke-weddle">Brooke Weddle</a> and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bryan-hancock">Bryan Hancock</a>&nbsp;lead discussions with globally recognized experts and thought leaders on talent, transformational change, and leadership development.

McKinsey talent experts Bryan Hancock, Bill Schaninger, and others on how to make the most of talent as a competitive advantage, navigate today’s fast-changing talent landscape, and prepare now for the future of work.

McKinsey Talks Talent

What the labor market isn’t telling you—yet

Many high performers think they’re doing everything right—yet still feel somehow wrong about their day-to-day. And the advent of AI means work-related decision-making is more complex than ever. As job uncertainty ups the ante, more employees might be tempted to settle for the “B+ life,” in the words of Suzy Welch, author of Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career (HarperCollins, May 2025). In this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Welch talks to McKinsey leaders and talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock, as well as Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly, about where so many successful people go awry—and more important, about how to discover work that you value, that’s economically viable, and that you’re genuinely wired to do.

Many high performers think they&rsquo;re doing everything right&mdash;yet still feel somehow wrong about their day-to-day. And the advent of AI means work-related decision-making is more complex than ever. As job uncertainty ups the ante, more employees might be tempted to settle for the &ldquo;B+ life,&rdquo; in the words of Suzy Welch, author of Becoming You: The Proven Method for Crafting Your Authentic Life and Career (HarperCollins, May 2025). In this episode of <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/mckinsey-talks-talent-podcast">McKinsey Talks Talent</a>, Welch talks to McKinsey leaders and talent experts <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/brooke-weddle">Brooke Weddle</a> and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bryan-hancock">Bryan Hancock</a>, as well as Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly, about where so many successful people go awry&mdash;and more important, about how to discover work that you value, that&rsquo;s economically viable, and that you&rsquo;re genuinely wired to do.

How smart people end up in the wrong careers

In the US, many companies still struggle to fill essential roles. What if part of the solution involves talent that has traditionally been overlooked?

Take Johanna Carbajal, who spent her adolescence shuttling between juvenile hall, foster care, and the streets before landing in prison at 18. After her release, Johanna made her way to Homeboy Industries, the Los Angeles–based organization founded by Father Greg Boyle to help formerly incarcerated and gang-involved individuals heal, find stability, and build meaningful careers.

For Johanna, finding Homeboy was a watershed moment. On this special holiday episode of McKinsey Talks Talent,  you’ll hear her—as well as Father Greg, in conversation with McKinsey talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock, and Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly—talking about what leaders can learn from the Homeboy philosophy, including the impact of thinking differently about hiring, developing skills, and creating a culture where employees feel not just safe but seen.

In the US, many companies still struggle to fill essential roles. What if part of the solution involves talent that has traditionally been overlooked?
Take Johanna Carbajal, who spent her adolescence shuttling between juvenile hall, foster care, and the streets before landing in prison at 18. After her release, Johanna made her way to Homeboy Industries, the Los Angeles&ndash;based organization founded by Father Greg Boyle to help formerly incarcerated and gang-involved individuals heal, find stability, and build meaningful careers.
For Johanna, finding Homeboy was a watershed moment. On this special holiday episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, &nbsp;you&rsquo;ll hear her&mdash;as well as Father Greg, in conversation with McKinsey talent experts <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/brooke-weddle">Brooke Weddle</a> and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bryan-hancock">Bryan Hancock</a>, and Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly&mdash;talking about what leaders can learn from the Homeboy philosophy, including the impact of thinking differently about hiring, developing skills, and creating a culture where employees feel not just <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-psychological-safety">safe</a> but seen.

What leaders can learn from Homeboy Industries

AI is ushering in a new era of work, and smart employers are staying ahead of the curve by rethinking how to cultivate the skills their organizations need to thrive. The best leaders realize they won’t be able to do it alone, according to Beth Cobert, president of affiliates and strategic partnerships at Strada Education Foundation. On this episode of McKinsey Talks Talent, Cobert joins McKinsey talent experts Brooke Weddle and Bryan Hancock, along with Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly, to discuss the kinds of cross-sector collaborations that help businesses and workers develop skills for the future—and connect education more directly to high-quality jobs.

AI is ushering in a new era of work, and smart employers are staying ahead of the curve by rethinking how to cultivate the skills their organizations need to thrive. The best leaders realize they won&rsquo;t be able to do it alone, according to Beth Cobert, president of affiliates and strategic partnerships at Strada Education Foundation. On this episode of <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/mckinsey-talks-talent-podcast">McKinsey Talks Talent</a>, Cobert joins McKinsey talent experts <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/brooke-weddle">Brooke Weddle</a> and <a href="https://www.mckinsey.com/our-people/bryan-hancock">Bryan Hancock</a>, along with Global Editorial Director Lucia Rahilly, to discuss the kinds of cross-sector collaborations that help businesses and workers develop skills for the future&mdash;and connect education more directly to high-quality jobs.

What the labor market isn’t telling you—yet

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