Podcast
The Human Protocol
Hosted by Mykel Salomon · EN
The Human Protocol Podcast is about staying human while building the future. Hosted by Mykel Salomon, each weekly episode explores the intersection of technology, leadership, and purpose — from AI transformation and innovation to the personal stories of the people shaping it all. Through honest conversations with founders, thinkers, and builders, we uncover how values, meaning, and impact endure in a world being rewritten by code. Whether you’re leading in tech, navigating change, or simply curious about the human side of progress, this is your space to reconnect with what truly matters.
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
S2E25 | Gratitude + Ambition: A Secret to Success Without Burnout w/ Jack Wagoner
2d ago00:56:13Tap to summarizeWhat happens when you achieve everything you thought would make you happy, and still feel empty? In this thought-provoking conversation, Jack Wagoner shares his journey from high-achieving entrepreneur to student of gratitude, fulfillment, and human flourishing. Together, Mykel and Jack explore the hidden gap between achievement and happiness, why ambitious people often struggle with feeling "enough," and how gratitude can become a powerful advantage rather than a limitation. They also dive into the growing role of AI, discussing how automation, productivity, and endless possibilities may reshape our sense of purpose, identity, and what it means to live a meaningful life in the future.In This Episode, You'll Learn:Why achievement alone rarely creates lasting fulfillmentHow to balance ambition and gratitude without becoming complacentThe psychological trap of always chasing the next goalHow AI is accelerating achievement—and potentially widening the fulfillment gapWhy human connection may become our most valuable asset in an AI-driven futurePractical ways to cultivate gratitude that aren't dependent on external successConnect with Jack WagonerLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jack-wagoner-speaker/Website: https://www.jackwagoner.co/Connect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E24 | Science, AI, and the Fight for the Truth with Nicholas Dirk, New York Academy of Sciences
1w ago00:51:33Tap to summarizeWhen trust in science declines, society doesn't become freer. It becomes more fragile. In this episode of The Human Protocol, host Mykel Salomon sits down with Nicholas B. Dirks, President & CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences and former Chancellor of UC Berkeley, to examine why public confidence in science and expertise has eroded, and what it will take to rebuild it. From the long American history of skepticism toward science to the communication breakdowns of the COVID era, the rise of AI-fueled misinformation, and the real-world fallout of frozen research funding, Dirks makes the case that science is not a fixed set of truths but a deeply human process of discovery, one that earns trust through humility, transparency, and connection rather than dogma.In this episode, you'll learn:Why distrust in science isn't a new phenomenon, and how it has resurfaced in roughly 20 to 30 year cycles throughout American history, from the Scopes trial to today.What the "follow the science" messaging of early COVID got wrong, and why communicating the process of discovery builds more trust than declaring fixed facts.How AI is accelerating both scientific breakthroughs and the spread of misinformation, and why that makes the question "who do you trust?" harder than ever.The real stakes behind the roughly 5,300 NIH and NSF grants frozen or canceled in 2025, and the risk of discouraging an entire generation of young scientists.Why so much of modern life, from the iPhone to vaccines to synthetic insulin, traces back to federally funded basic research, and what's lost when that pipeline is cut.How the idea of "retail science" can rebuild public trust the same way "retail politics" wins elections, by meeting people where they are and telling a human story.Why science doesn't recognize borders, and how international collaboration and open science make discovery stronger for everyone.Connect with Nicholas B. DirksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicholas-dirks-84a1ab149/Website: https://www.nyas.org/Connect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E23 | Reinvent Yourself Before AI Does It For You with Nikki Barua
2w ago00:47:51Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Human Protocol, host Mykel Solomon sits down with entrepreneur and reinvention expert Nikki Barua for an honest conversation about what it really takes to stay human while building the future with AI. Nikki shares the through line of her own life, from immigrant outsider to corporate leader to founder, and makes the case that the hardest part of reinvention is not learning new skills but unlearning the identity that made you successful in the first place. Together, they unpack why AI is the great equalizer, why your career should be treated like a portfolio rather than a ladder, and how to shift your sense of worth from effort to impact. The result is a grounded, optimistic roadmap for anyone who feels overwhelmed by the pace of change and wants to reinvent themselves before the world forces them to. In this episode, you'll learn:Why the real skill of reinvention is unlearning, not learning, and how clinging to your past identity quietly keeps you stuckHow to make authenticity your superpower instead of copying others to fit into rooms that were never yoursWhy AI is the great equalizer that removes the access barriers of knowledge, resources, and relationshipsHow to shift where you attach your value, moving from hard work and effort to real impactWhy your career is a portfolio of competencies to mix and match, not a linear ladder to climbHow to spot and tune out outdated career advice from people who peaked in the pre-AI eraWhy "curiosity over credentials" is the new measure of who stays relevantHow to reframe AI overwhelm with a sense of play and adventure rather than fearWhat stays irreplaceably human: creativity, imagination, empathy, and resilienceWhy this moment marks the end of the industrial revolution and a return to being human beings instead of human doingsConnect with Nikki BaruaLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkibarua/Website: https://www.nikkibarua.com/Connect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E22 | Data Protection as the Blueprint for Better AI with James Robson
3w ago00:56:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Human Protocol, host Mykel Salomon sits down with James Robson, former data protection officer for the UK Labour Party, Founder & CEO of Datus Longevitus, to challenge the idea that data protection is a barrier to progress. Drawing on a decade of GDPR work, James argues that governance is what actually enables innovation, comparing data safeguards to the brakes on a car that let you drive faster, not slower. The conversation moves from the differences between US and European approaches to privacy, to practical ways individuals can protect themselves online, to inspiring real-world examples of data used for public good, including a King's College London study on cash grants for people experiencing homelessness.James and Mykel also confront the darker side of the AI era, from echo chambers and self-radicalization to addictive algorithms and the erosion of critical thinking, before landing on a hopeful vision of trusted data intermediaries and an ethical, transparent future where trust becomes the real infrastructure.In this episode you'll learnWhy compliance and data protection can be the condition for innovation rather than its enemy, using the brakes-on-a-car analogyHow storytelling skills translate into understanding data systems and getting people excited about ethical data useThe key philosophical difference between US data law (consumer focused) and European GDPR (human rights focused)Practical steps individuals can take to protect their data, including ad blockers, password managers, and rejecting cookies and trackersWhat rights GDPR gives you to request your data, and how that compares to the US patchwork like the CCPA in CaliforniaHow connecting datasets responsibly can improve outcomes in social care, education, problem gambling, and homelessness preventionThe technical safeguards that make data sharing safe, including end-to-end encryption, immutable ledgers, and the UK's Five Safes frameworkWhy echo chambers can quietly radicalize people and how dependence on AI threatens independent and critical thinkingThe link between addictive algorithms, screen time, and mental health, including recent rulings against Meta and GoogleWhat a trustworthy data future could look like, from trusted data intermediaries to ethical trust scores and nutrition-label-style transparencyConcrete advice for individuals, AI leaders, and governments navigating data responsibility and AI regulationConnect with James RobsonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/-james-robson/Connect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E21 | How to Tell Your Story and Stay Relevant in the Age of AI with Sabine Hutchison
May 2700:52:27Tap to summarizeIn this rich and wide-ranging conversation, Mykel Salomon sits down with Sabine Hutchison — author, speaker, and founder of the Ripple Network — to explore what it really means to stay human in a world being rapidly reshaped by AI.Sabine draws from her diverse career, her work empowering women to find their voice, and her own hard-won lessons on identity, reinvention, and self-advocacy. Together, they challenge the myth of the straight career ladder, celebrate the messy middle of growth, and make a compelling case for why knowing yourself and being able to tell your story may be the most powerful skill anyone can develop in the age of artificial intelligence.In this episode, you'll learn:Reinvention without drama: practical steps and persistenceThe importance of storytelling and authentic communicationNavigating the in-between spaces and embracing discomfortThe role of mentorship and sponsorship for women in leadershipThe impact of AI on careers and the importance of human skillsFeedback as a gift: how to give and receive effectivelyThe power of pauses and slow speech in public speakingBalancing efficiency with quality and well-being in workConnect with Sabine HutchisonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabinehutchison/Seuss+ - https://www.seuss.plus/The Ripple Network Platform - https://theripplenetwork.comSabina Hutchinson's Book - https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Sabina+Hutchinson+bookConnect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E20 | The Discipline Protocol: Self-Leadership in the Age of AI w/ Dusty Holcomb
May 2000:52:20Tap to summarizeWhat does it take to lead others when you have not yet learned to lead yourself? In this episode of The Human Protocol, host Mykel Salomon sits down with Dusty Holcomb, a leadership coach with 28 years of executive experience, to explore the discipline behind great leadership. Dusty unpacks why self-leadership is the foundation of every high-performing team, how discipline is not punishment but alignment, and why the rise of AI is not a threat to human leaders but a mirror that exposes and sharpens them. From homeschooling roots and managing a 350-person operation at age 23, to building a personal AI chief of staff for daily reflection, Dusty delivers raw, actionable wisdom on how leaders at every level can build internal clarity, develop intentional daily habits, and master delegation to thrive in a rapidly changing world.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy self-leadership is the foundation of all great leadership and how your internal discipline directly shapes the trust, respect, and performance of your teamThe mindset shift every new leader needs to make when transitioning from individual contributor to leading and developing other peopleHow imposter syndrome shows up even at the CEO and senior executive level and what the most self-aware leaders do to manage itWhy the skills that earned you a promotion are not always the skills that will keep you successful in your new leadership roleThe simple daily calendar audit practice that helps leaders identify one task to delegate and convert it into a real growth opportunity for their teamHow artificial intelligence can sharpen your leadership rather than replace it, and what it looks like to use an AI chief of staff for daily reflection, gain assessments, and better decision-makingThe five questions every leader must help their team answer to move people from doing the minimum to bringing their full effort and purpose to their workHow to write your own personal rules of engagement in under an hour to clarify your values, set expectations for yourself, and invite genuine accountability from the people around youDusty is offering The Human Protocol listeners exclusive access to the Rules of Engagement Playbook, along with a complimentary DISC personality assessment — a $500 executive-level tool he uses with clients. It’s a practical resource designed to help you apply the self-leadership principles discussed in this episode. Access it free at myrulesofengagement.com.Connect with Dusty HolcombLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustyholcomb/Website: Arqus Group - https://arcqusgroup.com/Connect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E19 | The Identity Crisis of AI and Who Are We When Work Changes w/ Karen Lam
May 1200:54:12Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Human Protocol, host Mykel Salomon sits down with Karen Lam, Director of Customer Support at Top Hat and co-chair of the Women in Tech employee resource group, to explore one of the most urgent conversations happening right now: how artificial intelligence is not just changing what we do at work, but reshaping who we believe we are. Karen draws on the Promethean myth to explain why AI feels uniquely threatening to our sense of self, and why generations raised on the idea that hard work equals worth are struggling most with the shift.Together, Mykel and Karen unpack the gender and age disparities in AI adoption, the invisible labor that limits who gets to experiment with new tools, the "penalty" women face when using AI in the workplace, and how leaders can build a culture of psychological safety and experimentation where AI becomes an opportunity rather than a threat.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeWhy AI triggers a deeper identity crisis than previous technological shifts like the internet or even the introduction of time zonesHow the Promethean myth connects to the way people feel AI has "taken something" that was uniquely humanThe real reason negative headlines dominate the AI conversation and how that shapes fear and resistance at workWhat research reveals about gender disparities in AI adoption, particularly among female engineersHow the "penalty" for using AI at work affects women and older employees differently than their counterpartsWhy invisible labor at home limits who has time to experiment with and master AI toolsHow managers who use AI themselves rate AI-assisted work more fairly than those who do notWhat true AI adoption inside a company actually looks like, beyond opening a chat interfaceWhy experimentation and vulnerability from senior leaders are the two biggest culture drivers for AI successHow AI can actually reduce workplace inequality by removing barriers to polished communication and access to opportunitiesWhy diverse voices using and shaping AI are critical to reducing the bias baked into training dataPractical advice for individuals, companies, AI builders, and policymakers on staying human while building the futureConnect with Karen LamLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenklam/Top Hat: https://tophat.com/Connect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E18 | Your Voice Is Your IP: Staying Human in the AI Era with Alex Sanfilippo
May 600:54:33Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Human Protocol Podcast, host Mykel Salomon sits down with Alex Sanfilippo — entrepreneur, podcast advocate, and founder of PodMatch — to explore a bold idea: in the AI era, podcasting is no longer just a content strategy. It's your brand archive. Your voice, your stories, your frameworks — all of it is becoming intellectual property. So what does that mean for how we show up, build, and create?This episode goes beyond microphones and download numbers. It's about ownership, purpose, community, and the courage to stay human while building the future.What You'll Learn in This EpisodeHow PodMatch was born — from a conference stage question, hundreds of conversations, and a whiteboard session to a thriving SaaS platform connecting podcast guests and hostsThe 4-step entrepreneurial framework Alex distilled from interviewing hundreds of successful founders: find your passion → get into the community → identify the problem → deliver the fastest viable solutionWhy your "why" matters more than your follower count — and how skipping your internal and external purpose leads to brand driftThe truth about podcasting as authority-building — it's not just SEO and visibility. Being a podcast guest shapes who you are and expands your mindsetPodcasting in the AI era — will we be talking to AI avatars of real people? Alex shares where he draws the line on his own IPThe social media shift from follower-based to content-based reach — and why this changes everything for creatorsCommunity over virality — why building a real tribe of aligned listeners beats chasing viral momentsAI, automation, and reclaiming your time — how smart automation frees you to be more human, not lessWhat policymakers should focus on now — Alex's "controlled burn" analogy for getting ahead of AI regulationPodMatch's future — going deeper on community and the possibility of live in-person eventsConnect with Alex SanfilippoLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexsanfilippo/Website: https://podmatch.com/Connect with Mykel SalomonLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mykelsalomon/Website: https://thehumanprotocolgroup.com/
Transcribe →S2E17 | The AI Implementation Gap: Why Most AI Projects Fail (And How to Fix It) w/ Issac Hicks
Apr 2901:01:10Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we break down one of the most overlooked challenges in AI today: the implementation gap.AI looks perfect in demos. Clean outputs. Instant value. Seamless automation. But that’s only 5–10% of the work.The real challenge begins when organizations try to move from pilot to production.In this conversation with Issac Hicks, CEO @Autonomi, technology implementer and AI operator, we unpack why most AI projects fail not because of the technology… but because of poor planning, unclear problems, and flawed execution.We dive into:Why companies rush into AI without defining the real problemHow assumptions early in the process lead to failed outcomesThe difference between saving time vs generating real ROIWhy scaling a broken process with AI makes things worseThe importance of testing, change management, and ownershipBuild vs buy decisions and why most companies get it wrongOne of the biggest takeaways:👉 AI doesn’t fix your business.👉 It exposes it.If your foundation is weak, your processes unclear, or your teams misaligned…AI will scale those problems faster than anything else.This episode is a practical guide for leaders, founders, and operators who want to move beyond the hype and actually implement AI in a way that delivers real business value.Because the advantage won’t go to those who adopt AI first…⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 Intro – The AI implementation gap01:12 Meet Isaac Hicks (AI implementer & operator)02:12 Why AI demos are misleading (only 5–10% of the work)03:27 When companies bring in implementers (start vs rescue mode)04:41 The #1 mistake: unclear problem definition06:14 Solving the wrong problem with AI06:50 Example: scaling bad outbound with AI08:28 Why planning is everything10:43 AI ROI explained: cost savings vs value creation12:13 The real ROI: reallocating time to revenue13:26 Why AI requires ongoing maintenance16:02 Testing before go-live (UAT, anomalies, adversarial tests)17:07 Avoiding AI failures at scale18:51 Data challenges: production vs test data20:39 Why change management is critical23:14 Who owns the outcome in AI-driven processes?26:02 Managing hallucinations in AI systems30:35 Build vs Buy: why 95% of companies should not build33:46 Why in-house AI projects fail35:22 Choosing the right AI model (OpenAI, Gemini, Anthropic)40:12 Designing flexible, model-agnostic systems43:57 Cloud vs on-prem AI infrastructure47:08 Contracts, liability, and data responsibility50:43 Advice for individuals learning AI52:37 Advice for companies implementing AI55:36 Advice for policymakers and governments58:30 The future of AI systems and control01:00:28 Outro – Staying human while building the future
Transcribe →S2E16 | Transformation Isn’t What You Think | AI, CX, and Real Change w/ Sarah Caminiti
Apr 2200:51:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we challenge one of the most misunderstood ideas in business today: transformation.Most people think transformation means starting over. Burning everything down. Reinventing from scratch. But as Sarah Caminiti, Head of Business Transformation, explains, that’s not transformation, that’s destruction.Real transformation is quieter. It’s slower. It’s built on momentum, small wins, and strong foundations. It’s about rearranging what already exists, not replacing it.We go deep into what actually drives change inside organizations, from leadership behavior to team dynamics to the role of AI. Because the truth is, AI will not fix broken systems. It will expose them. If your foundation is weak, your processes unclear, or your culture misaligned, technology will amplify every gap.This conversation is a practical and human look at transformation across three dimensions: personal, structural, and technological. We explore why most transformation efforts fail, how leaders can create real momentum, and what it takes to build systems that actually work.We also unpack the biggest misconception in today’s AI-driven world: that transformation is fast, easy, and automated. It’s not. It requires clarity, ownership, and intentional design.The biggest takeaway is simple: transformation does not happen in announcements. It happens in the work no one sees.If you are leading change, building teams, or navigating AI in your organization, this episode will challenge how you think about progress, leadership, and what it really means to evolve.00:00 Intro – The truth about transformation01:05 Welcome to The Human Protocol01:45 Meet Sarah Caminiti – Head of Business Transformation04:00 Career journey and CX foundations07:50 What people get wrong about transformation08:10 Metamorphosis vs real transformation (Transformers analogy)10:30 Why transformation happens through momentum, not big moves11:40 The problem with performative transformation (LinkedIn vs reality)13:15 “I am because we are” – The power of collaboration16:20 The three pillars: personal, structural, tech transformation17:15 What leaders must shift first (taking up space)19:30 Transparency, communication, and trust in leadership23:30 Why assumptions destroy transformation efforts26:20 The importance of clear requirements and communication27:40 Why most teams skip the foundation28:50 AI is not plug-and-play – the real work behind it30:00 Building and maintaining a strong operational foundation32:00 Why AI needs ownership, maintenance, and strategy33:30 The future of roles and preserving human expertise35:00 What leaders should ask before adopting AI37:00 Where AI makes sense (and where it doesn’t)39:30 Designing experiences, not just automations41:10 How to create momentum in burned-out teams43:00 Small wins, focus time, and building confidence45:00 Why leaders must embrace failure as data47:20 Incentives and noise sabotaging CX49:30 Final advice – Trust your skills and build with intention
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