The Edge of Human & AI — Where Human Potential Meets Artificial Intelligence

The Edge

of Human & AI

Coaching is changing. AI is here. And nobody has all the answers yet. This is the podcast for coaches, leaders, and thinkers who want to go deeper than the hype — into the real questions about what it means to be human in an age of intelligent machines.

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Bold conversations. Uncomfortable edges.
No easy answers. Welcome to the Edge.

Season 1 - Special

Leading Voices
NYU Coaching & Technology Summit 2026

We are starting our podcast with this special season from the Leading Voices of the NYU Coaching & Technology Summit 2026. We will bring you bold, unfiltered conversations at the frontier where coaching meets technology and artificial intelligence. Expect real talk, sharp minds, and unfiltered conversations where we dare to ask the difficult questions.

Season 1 - Leading Voices

New Episodes - OUT NOW

Ep. 5 23.10.2026 01:01:28

The Dance Between Human Depth and AI Reflexivity | with Dr. Olivier Malafronte

with Dr. Olivier Malafronte

Dr. Olivier Malafronte launched one of the world's first AI coaching platforms in 2016, completed his PhD researching real-world leadership AI dialogues at the University of Côte d'Azur, and leads the Coaching Coalition's AI Glossary of Terms across the ICF, EMCC, and AC. In this conversation with Rebecca Rutschmann, Olivier moves past the simplistic "human vs. machine" rivalry to map out the true future of the field: a contextual dance where clients fluidly transition between ambient AI reflection and deep human coaching. Drawing on a decade of empirical research, he explores why leaders value the non-judgmental neutrality of algorithms, how conversational AI can actually expand human empathy, and why the global industry must urgently agree on shared terminology to protect the integrity of coaching. What you'll take away: The "contextual dance": how coachees navigate between 24/7 AI reflexivity and relational human depth Findings from 150+ leadership conversations: how AI triggers cognitive and affective self-regulation Why the absence of social friction allows leaders to express vulnerability they hide from colleagues How coaching psychology principles can serve as the ultimate guardrails for AI development Inside the Coaching Coalition: why defining an "AI Glossary of Terms" is essential for the future of coaching Resources & Links: Guest Profile: Dr. Olivier Malafronte | LinkedIn Profile | Dr. Olivier Malafronte ICF profile Platform: Magif.ai Platform PhD Doctoral Dissertation: Malafronte, O. (2025) – Developing Leader Competence in Situation through Artificial Intelligence and Coaching, Université Côte d'Azur | Research & Dissertation Overview Faculty & Academic Profile: Dr. Olivier Malafronte | Université Côte d'Azur / IAE Nice Standards & Ethics: ICF Artificial Intelligence (AI) Coaching Framework and Standards Glossary Initiative: The Coaching Coalition & The AI Glossary of Terms | CoachNova AI Glossary Theoretical Framework: Rabardel, P. (1995) – Instrumental Genesis & Ergonomics Theory | Activity Theory Framework Overview Research Study on Trust: Leavitt, Barnes, et al. – Employee Trust in Algorithmic Management vs. Human Managers (Academy of Management Review) | Research Article Host & Academy: Rebecca Rutschmann | Viva la Coaching Training Program: AI Coaching Experience Designer Program

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Ep. 4 16.10.2026 45:36

Relational AI and the Graceful Acceptance of Limits: Moving Beyond Human Superiority | with Dr. Akihiko Morita

with Dr. Akihiko Morita

Dr. Akihiko Morita is a Japanese legal scholar, philosopher, and executive coach (PCC) with over 3,000 coaching sessions, pioneering the concept of Relational AI. Bridging Eastern philosophy, animism, and contemporary AI ethics, he invites us to dismantle the 300-year-old paradigm of human supremacy and envision a civilization where humans, nature, and artificial intelligences live in harmonious co-existence. In this conversation with Rebecca Rutschmann, he redefines AI not as a threat or a mere productivity tool, but as a co-developmental partner in an extended ecosystem of intelligence. Together, they explore how AI can serve as a catalyst for human wonder, why the Japanese concept of Ma (the space in between) enriches reflective practice, and why our true distinctiveness lies not in cognitive dominance, but in our capacity for vulnerability, beauty, silence, and play. What you'll take away: Why the Western hierarchy of human superiority is failing us—and how Eastern animism offers a peaceful blueprint for co-existence with AI The concept of Relational AI: engaging in co-developmental dialogues that enhance human thinking as technology evolves The power of Ma: how intentional silence and non-action create the fertile ground for deep coaching breakthroughs The two human aspirations: balancing our technical drive for control with our ancient capacity for wonder and awe The graceful acceptance of limits: why vulnerability, imperfection, and non-utility are humanity's most enduring sources of value To learn more: Viva La Coaching

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Ep. 3 09.10.2026 50:23

What Does Good AI Look Like? | with Iliana Grosse-Buening

with Iliana Grosse-Buening

Iliana Grosse-Buening has spent her career at the intersection of responsible technology, human flourishing, and ethics. From building educational technology across 45 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to leading DeeplyHuman and running the Youth Imagination Lab, she has been asking one foundational question: What does good AI look like — and if human flourishing is the goal, what needs to change? In this conversation with Rebecca Rutschmann, she unpacks what lies underneath the endless ping-pong between utopian promises and existential dread: a profound crisis of agency. Drawing on Kim Witte's Extended Parallel Process Model, cognitive metaphor theory, and insights from global youth surveys across 68 countries, Iliana makes a compelling case for narrative leadership — why the stories we consume about AI are invisible infrastructure, and how we can move from paralyzing fear to actionable, intentional design. She's not an alarmist. She's an architect of human agency. And her closing conviction? We don't have a technology problem; we have an imagination and agency problem — and the pathways to shape it are ours to build. Iliana Grosse-Buening has spent her career at the intersection of responsible technology, human flourishing, and ethics. From building educational technology across 45 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to leading DeeplyHuman and running the Youth Imagination Lab, she has been asking one foundational question: What does good AI look like — and if human flourishing is the goal, what needs to change? In this conversation with Rebecca Rutschmann, she unpacks what lies underneath the endless ping-pong between utopian promises and existential dread: a profound crisis of agency. Drawing on Kim Witte's Extended Parallel Process Model, cognitive metaphor theory, and insights from global youth surveys across 68 countries, Iliana makes a compelling case for narrative leadership — why the stories we consume about AI are invisible infrastructure, and how we can move from paralyzing fear to actionable, intentional design. She's not an alarmist. She's an architect of human agency. And her closing conviction? We don't have a technology problem; we have an imagination and agency problem — and the pathways to shape it are ours to build. What you'll take away: * Why asking "What does good AI look like?" must happen before we build, not after * How the endless ping-pong between AI utopia and existential dread creates a paralyzing crisis of agency * What Kim Witte's Extended Parallel Process Model teaches us about fear, control, and constructive action * Why language and metaphors ("AI arms race", "tsunami") act as invisible infrastructure that strips our sense of choice * What young people in the Youth Imagination Lab and across 68 countries are seeing that tech executives miss * How leaders and coaches can practice narrative agency and leave every room with more clarity, not less * Why asking "What does good AI look like?" must happen before we build, not after * How the endless ping-pong between AI utopia and existential dread creates a paralyzing crisis of agency * What Kim Witte's Extended Parallel Process Model teaches us about fear, control, and constructive action * Why language and metaphors ("AI arms race", "tsunami") act as invisible infrastructure that strips our sense of choice * What young people in the Youth Imagination Lab and across 68 countries are seeing that tech executives miss * How leaders and coaches can practice narrative agency and leave every room with more clarity, not less Resources & Links: Riane Eisler's Work on Partnership Systems IEEE Global AI Systems Flourishing Initiative Edelman Trust Barometer Martin Seligman & Positive Psychology (PERMA Mode) Mariek van den Abeele & Digital Well-being ("Taken-for-grantedness") Deeply Human (London in the Loop survey) Iliana on LinkedIn Viva La Coaching

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How AI Is Forcing the Leadership Shift We Were Never Prepared For | with Sheila Boysen-Rotelli

What if the most critical shift required of leaders today isn't learning a new technology, but letting go of the need to be the expert?

Sheila Boysen-Rotelli — organizational consultant, academic, and researcher at BTS — has spent 15 years studying the future of work. Today, she watches it arrive in real time across boardrooms, higher education, and executive coaching. In this conversation, Sheila and Rebecca explore why AI is a developmental disruption rather than a purely technical one—forcing us to examine how our professional identities adapt when inherited expertise is no longer enough.

Together, they unpack the uncomfortable friction within traditional learning institutions, how AI-driven innovation emerges from unexpected corners of organizations, and what it truly takes to transition from expert to lifelong learner. Grounded in Sheila’s own lived experience, this discussion offers a candid look at range, personal growth, and meeting people where they are in an AI-shaped world.

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What "Client-Centered" Actually Demands in the Age of AI | featuring Jonathan Reitz

What if the biggest barrier to AI in coaching isn't the technology — it's the coach?

Jonathan Reitz has spent 29 years coaching leaders and building coaches. With a wildly unlikely backstory spanning electrical engineering, stand-up comedy, radio, and TV news—and an ADHD diagnosis just two years ago that finally explained all of it—he brings a unique perspective to our industry. Now a leading voice at the NYU AI Summit and ICF Germany, Jonathan joins Rebecca for an honest, unfiltered conversation about what "client-centered" practice actually requires of us today.

Together, they explore why humility—not methodology—is the single greatest predictor of coaching success, why clients are often more comfortable with AI in coaching than coaches themselves, and what responsible AI use looks like in practice, including the one clause that must be in every coaching contract. They also unpack a German word that stopped a 29-year coaching veteran cold, and confront a critical question about silence that the coaching world rarely answers directly. If you coach, lead, or care about human transformation in an AI-shaped world, this episode offers vital orientation.

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AI Is Here to Stay — But So Are We | featuring David E. Cooley

What if the best way to amplify your humanity as a coach is to let technology handle the administrative weight?

David E. Cooley, Director of Alumni Career Services and Executive Coach at the UCLA Anderson School of Management, bridges the technical execution of AI with the deeply human art of presence. In this conversation, David shares how integrating intelligent tools like AI note-takers removes friction from the session, allowing practitioners to show up fully attentive and connected with their clients.

We look closely at the shift happening in executive development: navigating the "electronic black hole" of modern job applications, closing the gap between AI resistors and over-reliant users, and why starting with small, meaningful habits is the ultimate strategy to overcome professional overwhelm. David offers a grounded, reassuring roadmap for leaders and coaches ready to build sustainable, future-ready practices.

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Viva la Humans: AI, Regulation, and Reinvention - Expanding the Conversation after NYU Coaching & Technology Summit 2026 (LIVE Recording)

What if the most critical question facing the future of coaching isn’t about the capability of AI, but about the identity of the coaching profession itself?

In this special Guardians LIVE episode, Rebecca and members of the Viva la Coaching community deliver an honest, unfiltered debrief from the 5th Annual NYU Coaching & Technology Summit. They look past the initial noise to explore the maturation of intelligent tools, the growing discussions around industry regulation, and why the traditional coaching session may be coming to an end. It is a grounded reflection on how coaching competencies can be broadened to serve as one of the most essential human skills of our time.

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High-Performance Parenting - Balancing Leadership, Wellness & Family

Join Rebecca as she sits down with Neal Sundberg (Director of Care Programs at Brightline) and Nicholas Wooters (Co-Founder of Coya) during a Webinar for a deeply personal conversation about thriving as a leader both at work and at home.

Discover how wearable technology paired with health coaching creates powerful insights for managing stress, setting boundaries, and showing up fully in every role. This special request episode explores why self-care isn't selfish, it's essential modeling for your children and the foundation of sustainable high performance.

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How Can We Make Care More Intelligent Without Making It Less Human?

Dr. Moain Abu Dabrh is a medical humanist, researcher at Mayo Clinic, and board member at the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching — and he's been asking one question his entire career: How can we make care more intelligent without making it less human?

In this conversation with Rebecca Rutschmann, he unpacks four real concerns about AI in healthcare — dehumanization, overconfidence, inequity, and the regulatory unknown — while making a powerful case for whole person care and why health and wellness coaches are the missing link between the clinic and lasting human change. He's not a pessimist. He's a pragmatist. And his closing thought? These days, we're finally asking better questions.

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From Wild West to Apple Store and Why The Profession Isn't Going to Solve AI Alone

Susan Caesar is the first-ever Chief AI Officer at the International Coaching Federation and founder of Humane Org. Her career has had one red thread: being human. And her message to the coaching profession right now? You don't have to figure this out alone.

In this conversation with Rebecca Rutschmann, Susan makes a passionate case for community as the antidote to overwhelm — AI circles, chapter conversations, shared learning — because the coaching profession's greatest strength has always been how it shows up together. She also pulls no punches on big tech's accountability problem, draws a hard line on "AI is not a coach," and shares ICF's vision for where the profession is heading: a marketplace like the Apple Store, programming like Netflix, and a community that's finally moving from fear to action.

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Five Years at the Intersection: Coaching, Technology and What's Coming Next

What if AI isn't pushing us away from our humanity but is forcing us back to it? Dr. Anna Tavis, co-founder of the NYU Coaching & Technology Summit, joins Rebecca Rutschmann to mark five years at the intersection of coaching and technology. From a handful of masked startups and early scale-ups in 2022 to CHROs from Netflix and IBM rethinking everything — the landscape has transformed, and coaches can no longer afford to watch from the sidelines.

Anna makes the case that coaching is the antidote to automation. And that the next frontier isn't just the boardroom, it's health, education, and the whole of human life.

A conversation about technology, humanity, and what it means to shape the future rather than be shaped by it

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The Health Coaching Profession is Growing Too Fast to Be Left Unguarded

Health coaching is growing fast — wearables are tracking everything, AI is entering the wellness space, and more people than ever are looking for support beyond the clinic. But who's making sure any of it actually works? Deanna Fournier and the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching are.

In this conversation, Deanna unpacks why a rigorous credentialing body isn't bureaucracy — it's protection. Protection for clients navigating a market that's moving faster than its standards. She makes the case for why health coaching belongs inside healthcare systems, not alongside them, and why the explosion of digital health tools only makes the human, credentialed coach more essential — not less.

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Who's Responsible? 4 Billion People Need Coaching and Tech Companies Got There First.

There are 120,000 certified coaches on the planet. There are 4 billion people who could use one. And right now, it's tech companies — not coaches — who are deciding what coaching means for all of them.

Lewin Keller, founder of CoachBot.ai, joins Rebecca Rutschmann for one of the most honest conversations in this series. A former Google engineer turned coach turned AI builder, he pulls no punches on the responsibility gap in AI coaching, the design mistakes organisations make, and why coaches who are sitting on the sidelines are running out of time.

This is the wake-up call the profession needs — delivered with passion, data, and zero filter.

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Why Optimism Is the Most Important Skill for Coaches Right Now" | with Woody Woodward

Woody Woodward, Chief Coaching Officer at BetterUp and co-author of The Digital Coaching Revolution, leads the world's largest coaching network across 70 countries. In this conversation, Woody shares what the world’s largest coaching dataset reveals about effective practice and introduces BetterUp's new data-driven GUIDE framework.

We explore why 51% of employees want a blend of human and AI support, how digital tools actually increase human engagement, and why optimism is a critical mindset for coaches today. Woody provides a grounded perspective on the responsibility of guiding professionals through complex transitions and what it means to humanize the experience of work.

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The Uncomfortable Truth from a Researcher: AI Has Raised the Bar for Coaching with Prof. Dr. Nicky Terblanche

What if the true measure of AI coaching isn’t how perfectly it mimics human empathy, but how effectively it leverages structured psychological frameworks?

Nicky Terblanche has been building the empirical evidence base for AI coaching long before the rest of the world paid attention. A former software engineer turned executive coach and academic, Nicky recently received the prestigious Anthony Grant Award for Research Excellence in Boston.

In this conversation, we explore his most surprising findings: why a CBT-based AI outperformed traditional GROW models, why users prefer a slightly more directive digital counterpart, and why the working alliance with a chatbot matters far less than we think. Nicky provides a masterclass in separating empirical evidence from industry hype.

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The Edge of Human & AI — Where Human Potential Meets Artificial Intelligence

The Edge

of Human & AI

Coaching is changing. AI is here. And nobody has all the answers yet. This is the podcast for coaches, leaders, and thinkers who want to go deeper than the hype — into the real questions about what it means to be human in an age of intelligent machines.

Bold conversations. Uncomfortable edges. No easy answers. Welcome to the Edge.

Season 1 - Special

Season 1 - Leading Voices

New Episodes - OUT NOW

How AI Is Forcing the Leadership Shift We Were Never Prepared For | with Sheila Boysen-Rotelli

What "Client-Centered" Actually Demands in the Age of AI | featuring Jonathan Reitz

AI Is Here to Stay — But So Are We | featuring David E. Cooley

Viva la Humans: AI, Regulation, and Reinvention - Expanding the Conversation after NYU Coaching & Technology Summit 2026 (LIVE Recording)

High-Performance Parenting - Balancing Leadership, Wellness & Family

How Can We Make Care More Intelligent Without Making It Less Human?

From Wild West to Apple Store and Why The Profession Isn't Going to Solve AI Alone

New Episodes. Straight in your Inbox.

Join us at the Edge

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Bold conversations. Uncomfortable edges.
No easy answers. Welcome to the Edge.