Podcast
The Sovereign Career Hub Podcast
Hosted by AI Workflows and Set-Up for Indie HR Practitioners · EN
AI workflows for independent HR practitioners - built in real time, shared honestly. Practical guides, copy-ready prompts, and no jargon. Just the real journey of figuring out AI together, from someone who's sat where you sit.
carolynshepherd.substack.com
carolynshepherd.substack.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 06: HR: Before You Transform, Get Strategic (with Nebel Crowhurst)
4d ago00:28:10Tap to summarizeNebel Crowhurst is a Fractional Chief People Officer and strategic people leader who helps organisations build workplaces where people, culture and performance thrive. She partners with CEOs and leadership teams to design people strategies that unlock potential, strengthen culture and accelerate growth, particularly during moments of transformation and scale.Her experience spans global brands and high-growth, private equity-backed businesses, including Virgin, River Island, Roche and Reward Gateway, where she led people strategy through significant growth moments.Recognised on HR Magazine's Most Influential List and a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD, Nebel is a respected voice at the intersection of people - on boards, with leadership and driving business growth.Find Nebel here:Website: https://www.nebelcrowhurst.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nebel-crowhurst/--------------------------------Introduction to this PodcastEither build strategic capability, bring it in, or both.But don’t attempt the transformation without it.That is the challenge Nebel Crowhurst brings to this conversation. And she’s passionate about it.As a fractional Chief People Officer, Nebel Crowhurst works with high-growth organisations at exactly the moment the gap between operational HR and strategic people leadership becomes impossible to ignore. She doesn’t just hold the strategic space while the transformation happens around it. She brings people with her. The mentoring relationship is built into the work itself.Four times on HR Magazine’s Most Influential list. Boardrooms. Mergers. Acquisitions. Transformations at scale. She has made the case for people strategy as commercial strategy, and she has the evidence to back it.This week she makes it again. Directly. Honestly. Without softening the edges.Because the strategic space exists in every organisation attempting AI transformation right now. And someone needs to be in it.Is that you?As usual, the companion article and a Jobscaping™ reflection resource follow later in the 7 day cycle and my solo audio closes out the ‘week’.Click play to Listen in on Substack or find the audio wherever you get your podcasts.Stay sovereign! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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WK 05 — Are You Ready to Roll Out AI?
5d ago00:14:59Tap to summarizeMost AI rollouts don’t fail because of the technology. They quietly run into trouble in the gap between what leaders assume is in place and what their people actually have waiting for them in the room. Licences that aren’t quite right. Permissions that were never updated. A SharePoint nobody’s tended to in years. A workforce that’s already using AI in ways nobody officially knows about.This week I sat down to think through what to check before the training is booked, before the licences are confirmed, before anything else.The conversation that prompted this came from a recent chat with Valerie Merrill, an L&D and Microsoft specialist who has delivered AI and Copilot training across organisations of every size. You can find Valerie at Merrill Consultants — Trainers who go the extra mile, and I’d warmly recommend her if AI training is on your horizon.What’s in this episodeI walk you through a six-part readiness framework, with one essential question per section. The downloadable resource is ready for download below and linked in the companion article - both of which flow from Episode 05 podcast with Microsoft training expert, Valerie Merrill. You don’t need to tackle all six questions today or this week or even in the next fortnight. But getting started is important. I recommend you start with whichever question feels most urgent or most uncomfortable. 1. Infrastructure. If AI ran a search across your environment right now, what would it surface?2. Licences and permissions. Has IT confirmed licence status for everyone who’ll be in the room, and does that status match what your trainer needs?3. Your people. How are people in your organisation already using AI, officially or otherwise? (Shadow AI is almost certainly already happening, and it matters more than you think.)4. Governance and policy. Do you have a clear AI policy, and do your people know where to find it?5. Pilot plan. Which team has the clearest need right now, and what’s getting in their way?6. The human element. If AI frees up time, what do you actually want your people to do with it?Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.If you’d like to talkIf you’re looking for support with any of these planning questions, or if you’d like your leaders or your wider team to have some accelerated training to familiarise them with AI and get them ready for a rollout, we would love to hear from you.Send your message to me, carolyn.shepherd@emmeline.ai and let’s have a chat.Thank you for listening. Until tomorrow, take care and stay sovereign! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Live with Danielle Shroyer
2w ago00:59:08Tap to summarizeThis is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Ep 05: The Return on Investment Gap with Valerie Merrill
2w ago00:28:11Tap to summarizeIn this episode (Ep 05), Carolyn is joined by Valerie Merrill, a London-based learning and development specialist, consultant and trainer with over 35 years’ experience across IT training , business transformation and leadership development. As Director of Merrill Consultants Ltd, she works with organisations to design and deliver bespoke learning interventions across Microsoft technologies, change programmes and people skills. An LPI Fellow (FLPI), Valerie is recognised for her contribution to the learning profession and is an active voice within the L&D community.This conversation moves beyond the question of whether to use AI, and into what happens once it’s already in place.Drawing on her experience working directly with teams, managers and leaders, Valerie shares what it looks like when AI meets real organisational conditions - where access, licensing, data and day-to-day workflows don’t always align in the way people expect.Together, they explore:Why ROI from AI can feel difficult to measure in practiceHow uneven access and licensing shape the experience of using AIThe emergence of “shadow AI” as people find their own ways of workingWhat happens when tools are in place, but the value isn’t landing evenlyThe importance of being thoughtful about how AI is used, not just that it is usedRather than offering a framework, this episode surfaces the reality of adoption as it is happening now — uneven, evolving, and often difficult to see clearly.It raises a simple but important question:If AI is already in place, what is the value actually aligned to? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Ep 04: Solving the problem first. Letting AI follow (not lead)
2w ago00:28:31Tap to summarizeThis week’s episode with transformation consultant and founder of People Efficient, Kate Maddison-Greenwell, explores what AI adoption really looks like inside organisations, beyond the headlines and into the operational realities teams are navigating every day. As part of this week’s theme, I’ll be zooming in on just one thread from that conversation: where organisations actually need to start, so look out for the deep dive article on Monday and the companion resource to help you get to grips with Kate’s advice. What comes through clearly from Kate’s experience is that many organisations begin in the wrong place. Letting AI lead the agenda is a common starting point. More effective progress begins with understanding what is getting in people’s way. From overloaded HR teams to fragmented decision-making and the quiet growth of “shadow AI”, she describes how progress happens when you focus on real problems, involve the people closest to them, and build practical solutions that free up time and rebuild trust.I’m looking forward to exploring this with you, and if you’d like these posts straight to your inbox, you’re very welcome to subscribe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Week 03: Small decisions, real judgement.
3w ago00:12:03Tap to summarizeIn this short audio, we’re focusing on a single moment that’s becoming more common in our work -deciding whether AI should be involved in a task at all, and if so, how far.The companion resource introduces a simple way to approach that decision.It starts from the idea that AI doesn’t remove decisions - it shifts them, and that most of us are still developing the judgement to know where AI is helpful, where it’s risky, and where it’s unnecessary.What you’ll hear here is a walkthrough of that resource - not as a set of rules, but as a way to help you notice those moments of hesitation, pause, and make a more deliberate call.The focus isn’t accuracy.It’s building your judgement, one decision at a time.Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Ep 03: A Conversation About Control
4w ago00:35:40Tap to summarizeThe Sovereign Career Hub is all about humans at work in the Age of AI. This podcast and its companion resources can be found at https://substack.com/@thesovereigncareerhubYour Host is Carolyn Shepherd, AI 100 UK Leader, HR Most Influential Thinker #12, LinkedIn AI Tutor (25K learners) published author and creator of Jobscaping (TM). Carolyn works from her rural home in the Lincolnshire Wolds where she continues to work on the patent pending 'Shift Signals for measuring learning' (AKA the 'Holy Grail'). She is a former Barrister and senior HR Indie.This Week's Guest is John Helmer, podcast producer and host with four learning-focused shows currently in production: the Learning Hack Podcast - ranked in the top 5% globally for listens by Listen Notes - Great Minds on Learning, Learning Leaders in association with NIIT, and Tech Imaginarium launching on 22nd May 2026: How Science Fiction Made the Modern World. With deep roots in the UK learning industry, including Head of Marketing roles with numerous learntech providers and extensive consulting work, John's particular interest lies at the intersection of learning, technology, and culture. He is also a published author of literary fiction, and quite a long while ago, a top ten recording artist.Links mentioned in the showEmpire of AI — Karen Hao (author site) [karendhao.com]The Learning Hack (official site) [learningha...odcast.com]Tech Imaginarium / “How Science Fiction Made the Modern World” See The Learning Hack pages for launch details.Learning News: Learning Hack opens new season (mentions “Sci‑fi and the Tech Imaginarium”) [learningnews.com]Great Minds on Learning (official show page) [learningha...odcast.com]Josh Bersin (official site) [joshbersin.com]Nick Chater (Warwick profile) [profiles.w...wick.ac.uk]Dr Ashwin Mehta appointed Chief AI Strategist (Learning News / LPI) [learningnews.com]Erica Farmer (World of Learning speaker page) [learnevents.com]Erica Farmer (official site) [ericafarmer.ai]Industry referencesWorld of Learning (official site) [learnevents.com]Global Sentiment Survey 2026 (Donald H. Taylor – report page) [donaldhtaylor.co.uk]Cultural references (films)I, Robot (20th Century Studios official page) [20thcentur...tudios.com]Day for Night (The Criterion Collection page) [criterion.com]Tools explicitly mentioned in the transcript (optional show-notes links)Pixelmator Pro (Apple) [apple.com]Final Cut Pro (Apple) [apple.com]Thank you for tuning in! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Week 02: The 'Confidence Booster Guide' - starting small, staying in control
4w ago00:13:44Tap to summarizeIn this short audio, I introduce the ‘Confidence Booster Guide’ and share a tried and tested way to use AI at work without feeling overwhelmed - and if you like that, join me for this event on June 10th because whether you are diagnosed neurodiverse or not you can easily rid yourself of AI overwhelm and take control of your career here.Thanks to Fay Wallis for the inspiration and thank you, for listening.PS. you can download the Guide from the link in this week’s article here.I’ll be sharing one of these each week. If you’d like them in your inbox, you’re very welcome to subscribe. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Ep 02: 'Confidence with AI grows through seeing, asking, and trying'
May 600:42:23Tap to summarizeThis week’s episode with the popular leadership coach, Fay Wallis covers a wide range of ground, from HR practice and coaching to marketing workflows and the realities of AI adoption across teams. As part of this week’s theme, I’ll be deliberately zooming in on just one thread from that conversation: how confidence with AI actually begins. So be sure to come back for the article, the resource, and the reflection audio as we explore it further.Before anyone builds systems or develops deeper expertise, they usually start by simply seeing how someone else is using AI in their day-to-day work. Drawing on her experience as a coach, Fay describes this shift clearly, from hesitation and overwhelm to curiosity sparked by watching, asking, and being shown.I’m looking forward to exploring this with you, and if you’d like these posts straight to your inbox, you’re very welcome to subscribe.Fay Wallis Bio:Fay Wallis is a career and leadership coach who specialises in supporting HR and People professionals to build successful and fulfilling careers. She is the founder of Bright Sky HR, host of the popular HR Coffee Time podcast, and creator of The Essential HR Planner, a bestselling tool designed to help HR professionals plan, prioritise, and make a meaningful impact at work.Through her coaching, podcast, and leadership development programme, Inspiring HR, Fay is passionate about making practical, high-quality development accessible - helping HR professionals feel more confident, credible, and equipped to succeed in their careers. Access Fay's products and services here:Fay's LinkedIn ProfileThe Inspiring HR Leadership ProgrammeHR Coffee time podcast The Essential HR Planner This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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Week 01: 'Power Verbs' Cheat Sheet. Ready to Use
May 500:08:47Tap to summarize📝 Show NotesA small moment from this week where AI didn’t respond as expected - and what it revealed about intent.In this short solo audio, I share a real interaction with MS Copilot that didn’t go to plan, and use it to explore a simple idea:👉 before using AI, choose the verb that names your 'intent'.This episode is a companion to the Power Verbs Cheat Sheet, designed to be used alongside a real piece of work. Theme - Using AI with Intention.Companion Podcast: https://carolynshepherd.substack.com/p/use-ai-on-your-terms-protect-whats?r=3osjv8Companion Article: https://carolynshepherd.substack.com/p/intentional-ai-users-dont-make-workslop?r=3osjv8Companion Artifact:Power Verbs Cheat SheetI share a different companion family each week to help you navigate the unfolding world of AI in a rewarding, human way. If you’d like these sibling resources straight to your inbox, you’re very welcome to subscribe to my Substack channel here: The Sovereign Career Hub This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit carolynshepherd.substack.com
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