The Human Loop Podcast

The Decision That Changed My Life: Founders 500

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I break down what it really takes to transition from being an operator to becoming an effective leader.

I share the biggest mistakes I see founders and first-time leaders make, from holding onto the “do everything” mindset to skipping the foundations that actually make teams perform.

We also get into how to build strong team cultures, hire for the right reasons, and give feedback in a way that develops people rather than demotivates them.

Chapters

00:23 Who Is Ben?

01:07 Sahara Marathon Challenge

02:26 Rugby to Career Pivot

05:42 Lockdown Decision Moment

07:04 Building a 7-Figure Business

08:13 Where Leadership Started

12:32 Biggest Leadership Mistakes

15:18 The Delegation Problem

18:15 Leadership at Every Level

20:08 How to Onboard Properly

21:11 Culture Explained Simply

26:57 Why Feedback Is Hard

27:16 The Worst Feedback Ever

30:06 How to Give Better Feedback

33:14 Difficult Conversations

Check out the Founders 500: https://founders500.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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AI in Recruitment & What Top Firms Are Doing Differently: Simon Curtis

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I sit down with Simon Curtis to explore what it really takes to make AI work inside modern businesses.

We unpack why messy data, fragmented systems, and inconsistent processes are holding companies back and why the real challenge isn’t the tech, but people and behaviour.

Simon shares where AI actually creates value, why most implementations fail, and how to think beyond revenue to the time AI can give back.

If you’re trying to figure out how AI fits into your business and how to balance automation with human input, this one’s right up your street.

Chapters

00:00 Intro: AI, Recruitment & The Human Loop

01:53 The AI Wake-Up Call for Businesses

05:12 The Hidden Behaviour Problem in Teams

06:21 Why Process Matters More Than AI Tools

12:22 The Biggest AI Mistake: Volume Over Quality

13:50 Why People Reject AI Outreach Instantly

15:09 Measuring AI ROI: Time vs Revenue

17:29 How AI Should Reshape Roles

23:34 Selection vs Attraction: What AI Can’t Replace

27:20 When AI Projects Actually Succeed

29:02 Why Most Tech Rollouts Fail

30:16 The $100K Mistake: Tools No One Uses

33:24 Why Humans Still Matter in AI

38:11 Final Thoughts: The Future of Work

Connect with Simon - https://www.linkedin.com/in/simoncurtisrec

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.getatherio.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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How AI Is Transforming Service-Based Businesses: Paul Clarke

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I sit down with Paul, founder of Ookkee, to talk about how modern service businesses are evolving, the role of AI in day-to-day operations, and what it really means to build an efficient, future-proof company.

We dive into how Ookkee operates as a bookkeeping business, how AI is being integrated into their workflow, and why the real opportunity isn’t replacing people, but enabling better decisions, faster delivery, and more value for clients. We also explore how the industry is changing and what founders need to understand to stay competitive.

If you’re building a business or trying to figure out how AI actually fits into your operations, this one’s right up your street.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction

01:20 – The Story Behind the Business

04:30 – What the Business Actually Does

08:30 – Where AI Fits Into the Business

13:00 – How AI Is Used Day-to-Day

18:30 – Efficiency vs Replacing Jobs

24:00 – Delivering More Value with AI

30:00 – How the Industry Is Changing

36:00 – The Reality of AI in Business

41:30 – Final Thoughts & Takeaways

Connect with Paul - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulclarke-ookkee

Check out ookkee - https://www.ookkee.co.uk

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager - https://www.getatherio.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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Weekly Loop: The Leadership Crisis Behind the AI Boom

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this weeks round up I discuss the critical issues facing leadership today, including high stress levels among managers, the importance of talent density, and the challenges of AI integration in organisations. He emphasizes the need for real-time engagement, effective change management, and empathetic leadership to navigate these complexities.

00:00 Introduction to The Weekly Loop

00:28 The Leadership Stress Crisis

01:07 Why Middle Management Matters More Than Ever

02:17 Talent Density and Protecting Business Margins

03:12 Real-Time Employee Engagement

03:39 The Long-Term Stress Leaders Have Faced Since 2020

04:11 How Leaders Should Handle Constant Change

05:04 Why CEOs Believe Their Jobs Depend on AI

05:41 Why 95% of AI Pilots Fail

06:29 The Change Management Mistake Companies Make

07:26 The Change Equation: Why People Resist Change

08:18 Closing the Knowing–Doing Gap

09:04 The Risk of Losing Your Best Leaders

10:02 Why Talent Density Will Define Winning Companies

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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How Smart Founders Are Using AI to Win: Ezra Chapman

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode, I sit down with Ezra, entrepreneur and multi-business founder to talk about leadership, failure, systems, and the real impact AI is about to have on modern businesses.

After being forced to shut down 65–70% of his group in 2019, Ezra rebuilt with a sharper focus on structure, accountability, and long-term competitive advantage. We explore why most founders are thinking about AI wrong, what actually creates a moat in today’s landscape and why systems matter more than chaos when scaling,

If you're building a company or trying to stay competitive in an AI-driven world, this one's right up your street!

Chapters

00:00 Systems Thinking Starts at Home

02:00 Leadership Lessons from Childhood

05:45 Chaos vs Systems in Early-Stage Founders

08:35 Why Founders Secretly Love the Mess

09:23 The Collapse: Shutting Down 65–70% of the Group

11:10 Accountability at Your Lowest Point

12:00 Why Failure Makes Better Entrepreneurs

26:01 The AI Question Most Businesses Aren’t Asking

27:42 The Real Moat: Data, Relationships & Expertise

30:40 Brand, Memory & The Human Advantage

43:19 Optimising Humans, Not Replacing Them

44:48 Turning AI Into Competitive Leverage

46:00 From Recruiter to Talent Solutions Architect

Connect with Ezra - https://ezrachapman.com

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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The Mission that Drives Me: Ben Stocken

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

I’m Ben, founder of Atherio and my mission is simple: enable the performance and wellbeing of 10 million managers in the next three years.

In this episode, I share why managers have one of the toughest jobs in business, why most don’t get the support they need, and how we’re bridging the gap between knowing what good leadership looks like and actually doing it.

From elite sport with England national rugby union team to working with global organisations, I’ve seen what makes teams flourish and what causes them to fail.

If you care about building high-performing teams without burning people out, this one’s for you.

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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How AI can Impact Your Work Life Balance: Nikki Foster

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 05:00:00 GMT

In this week’s episode of the Human in the Loop podcast, I sit down with Nikki, Managing Director of Ferox Partners, to explore what AI really means for recruitment, leadership, and the future of work.

We unpack how AI can drive speed and efficiency in hiring without losing the human relationships that build trust, culture, and performance. From cultural fit versus skill set, to offshoring, early-career development, and burnout in lean teams.

We then delve into the need for businesses to adapt to continuous change and the critical role of resilience and adaptability in maintaining high performance without leading to burnout.

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Lunch at Lashings

02:30 – Ferox Partners & Running Lean with AI

06:00 – AI in Recruitment: Efficiency vs Human Judgment

10:30 – Cultural Fit vs Skillset: What Really Matters?

14:45 – Will AI Replace Human Roles?

19:30 – Trust, Emotion & The “Bad Sandwich” Analogy

23:30 – On-Site Client Work & The Value of Human Insight

29:00 – Offshoring vs AI: The Future of Recruitment Models

36:00 – Entry-Level Jobs & The Impact of AI on Early Careers

41:30 – Education, MBAs & Preparing Graduates for AI-First Workplaces

47:00 – Parental Responsibility & Work Ethic in the Next Generation

52:00 – Burnout, Lean Teams & Manager Capability

57:00 – Risk, Development & The Future of Leadership

Connect with Nikki - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikki-foster-21014223/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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The Impact of Reactive Fixes on Your Business: Lily Kyriacou

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

In this week's episode I sit down with Lily Kyriacou to discuss the challenges of reactive fixes in business, particularly in the context of team dynamics and performance. Lily shares her experiences at Amdaris, where she observed that traditional approaches to problem-solving were inadequate in a rapidly changing environment.

We then delve into the need for businesses to adapt to continuous change and the critical role of resilience and adaptability in maintaining high performance without leading to burnout.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Business Challenges

01:23 The Impact of Reactive Fixes

05:32 Understanding Team Dynamics

10:18 The Importance of Adaptability

12:13 Exploring Solutions for Resilience

19:52 Identifying Key Behaviors in Teams

25:34 The Shift from Skills to Job Identities

30:08 Reinventing How We Approach Our People

Connect with Lilly - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lilykyriacou

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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Amplifying Project Management with AI: Ruth Oates

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 06:00:00 GMT

In this week's episode, Ruth and I discuss the importance of strategic planning for 2026, emphasising the need for business leaders to reflect on past performance and set clear goals. We explore the integration of AI in the construction industry, highlighting its potential to enhance efficiency and safety. Ruth also addresses the challenges of adopting AI, advocating for treating it as a team member and ensuring proper training for employees.

Chapters

00:00 Strategic Planning for the New Year

03:13 AI in the Construction Industry

10:01 Integrating AI as a Team Member

16:59 Enhancing Project Management with AI

21:20 The Future of AI in Construction

30:21 Transforming Construction Through Data and Automation

Connect with Ruth - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-oates-864b2b3/?originalSubdomain=uk

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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The Weekly Loop: The Power of Purpose & AI growth in Businesses

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode of the Human Loop podcast, I discuss two main topics: the importance of understanding one's purpose in leadership, inspired by a podcast featuring Tony Robbins and Alex Hormozi, and the rising adoption of AI in the workplace, as highlighted by a recent Gallup study.

Chapters

00:00 Exploring Leadership and Purpose

03:50 The Rise of AI in the Workplace

Watch the conversation with Tony & Alex referenced here: https://youtu.be/xz-ymFOhBAE?si=YZxtgVx_Y7JxGdK7

Study Mentioned: Gallup

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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Enhancing Client Experience with AI: Andrew Fahey

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 06:30:00 GMT

In this week's episode I sit down with Andrew Fahey to discuss the challenges and opportunities for CEOs in 2026, emphasising the importance of realistic optimism. We explore the role of AI in transforming professional services, the necessity of human skills in a tech-driven world, and the innovative approaches Briars is taking to enhance client experience and internal processes.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating 2026: Realistic Optimism for CEOs

02:57 Briars: Global Expansion and Professional Services

05:56 AI Disruption in Professional Services

09:00 The Human Element in AI Integration

11:47 Transforming Client Experience with AI

15:01 Internal Use Cases for AI in Leadership

19:58 The Future of Onboarding and Human Skills

24:39 Generational Challenges in Professional Services

29:48 Conclusion: Embracing Change for Success

Connect with Andrew - https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewfahey/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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Navigating AI Adoption Challenges for Your Business: Charlie Voller Barnes

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 07:00:00 GMT

In this episode I'm joined by Charlie Voller Barnes to discuss the intersection of human performance and AI, exploring the challenges organisations face in adopting AI technologies. We delve into the importance of clarity in goals, the role of people in transformation, and the necessity of continuous feedback and experimentation.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Human Performance and AI

02:03 The State of AI in Business

05:05 Understanding Transformation Failures

08:41 The Role of People in Transformation

13:31 Experimentation and Incremental Change

19:31 Communicating Change Effectively

30:03 Top Tips for Implementing AI Products

Connect with Charlie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/cvollerbarnes/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken :https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken

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Leadership in 2026: The Old Playbook Is Now a Liability

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 07:15:00 GMT

In this week's Human Loop I discuss the evolving landscape of leadership in 2026, emphasising the critical role of AI and the necessity for leaders to adapt their strategies. I highlights the importance of human skills, trust, and purpose in driving organisational performance, while also addressing the challenges posed by skill gaps in the workforce.

Chapters:

00:00 The State of Leadership in 2026

02:27 Strategic Leadership as a Core Skill

04:22 The Importance of Human Skills and Trust

07:16 Closing the Gap Between Tech and Human Capability

Studies Mentioned:

Story 1: UK business investment in AI and training

https://www.lloydsbankinggroup.com/assets/pdfs/media/press-releases/2025-press-releases/lloyds-bank/31.12.2025-lloyds-new-year-flash-business-barometer.pdf

Story 2: Survey coverage & additional context

https://www.lloydsbank.com/business/resource-centre/insight/business-barometer.html

Story 3: Skills gaps & transformation barriers

World Economic Forum summary on skills gaps and upskilling priorities

https://gloat.com/blog/ai-employment-impact

Story 4: AI in the workplace & skills obsolescence

https://www.secondtalent.com/resources/future-of-workplace-statistics-that-are-important-to-know/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken/

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The Importance of Authentic Leadership: Agni Ghosh

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 07:23:03 GMT

In this week's episode of The Human Loop, Agni and I discuss the importance of authenticity in leadership and recruitment, the role of honesty in attracting talent, and the impact of AI on the recruitment process.

Chapters

00:00 Leadership Failures and Authenticity

03:04 The Role of Honesty in Recruitment

06:04 Speed to Hire: Strategies for Success

08:45 AI Adoption in Recruitment

11:45 The Future of AI in Staffing

14:35 Human vs AI in Recruitment

17:41 Building Trust in Recruitment

20:44 The Importance of Relationships

23:48 Differentiating in a Crowded Market

26:47 Leadership Metrics: Sacrifice and Challenge

29:41 Meaningful Work and Team Success

Connect with Agni https://www.linkedin.com/in/agnighosh/

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken/

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The Weekly Loop: The Rise of AI in Business

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:00:00 GMT

In this weekly loop I discuss the latest research and trends in human performance, AI integration in business, employee engagement, and the challenges of burnout.

We highlight the significant use of AI in organizations, the concerning decline in employee engagement, and the critical need for effective communication and support for managers and employees to combat burnout and enhance productivity.

Chapters:

00:00 The Rise of AI in Business

02:47 Employee Engagement Trends

06:07 The Burnout Crisis

08:55 AI Training and HR Integration

11:48 Leadership and AI Strategy Disconnect

15:02 Key Takeaways and Future Focus

Studies Mentioned:

Story 1: The AI Value Gap

"The State of AI 2025: Agents, innovation, and transformation"

Source: McKinsey & Company

URL: https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/quantumblack/our-insights/the-state-of-ai

Story 2: Manager Engagement Crisis

"State of the Global Workplace 2025"

Source: Gallup

URL: https://www.gallup.com/workplace/state-of-global-workplace

Story 3: Burnout at All-Time High

"Workforce Trends 2026: Leaders Confront Burnout, Disengagement, and AI-Driven Change"

Source: DHR Global

URL: https://huntscanlon.com/workforce-trends-2026-leaders-confront-burnout-disengagement-and-ai-driven-change/

Story 4: The AI Training Gap

"2025 Talent Trends: Artificial Intelligence in HR"

Source: SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)

Published: February 2025

URL: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/2025-talent-trends/ai-in-hr

Story 5: The AI Strategy Illusion

"Workforce 2025 Global Insights Report"

Source: Korn Ferry

URL: https://www.kornferry.com/about-us/press/korn-ferry-reveals-workforce-2025-research

Connect with The host - Ben Stocken

https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken/

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The rise of the SuperAdapters: Miz Rahman

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this episode of the Human Loop I sit down with Mizan Rahman, co-founder of Emerge IQ and an OG of the Ai space.

We discuss the evolution of AI, the importance of human synthesis in technology, and the ethical considerations surrounding AI's role in society.

Chapters:

00:00 - Introduction to AI and Human Performance

02:30 - Exploring Human Synthesis in AI

12:38 - The Ethics of AI and Human Interaction

21:53 - AI's Impact on Leadership and Organizational Change

43:08 - Empowering Organizations through the Human Loop

Connect with Miz - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mizan-rahman

Powered By Atherio, Real-time leadership wisdom for every manager

Connect with The host - https://www.linkedin.com/in/benstocken/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Weekly Loop: AI and Leadership Insights

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 05:00:00 GMT

In this week's loop I talk about how AI, leadership, and workplace innovation all connect. I explain that AI tools can be helpful, but the real challenge is building strong leadership, because that’s what actually drives meaningful change in an organization. I share five stories that show how HR is starting to focus more on developing leaders, why workplace innovation matters, the hurdles companies face when adopting AI, and the rising issue of employee burnout. In the end, my main point is that if organizations want better productivity and more engaged employees, they need to invest in their leaders.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to The Human Loop and AI in Leadership

00:59 Workplace Innovation: The Role of Leadership

03:24 Leadership Development: A New Priority for HR

05:45 The AI Silicon Ceiling: Bridging the Gap

07:43 CEOs and Social Media: A Strategic Retreat

09:39 The Burnout Engagement Paradox

12:27 Conclusion: Leadership as the Bottleneck

Studies Mentioned:

Story 1: Workplace Innovation

Story 2: Leadership Development #1 Priority

Story 3: The AI Silicon Ceiling