The Psychology of Swag: The Michael Jordan Playbook for Merch
Working Forward
The best branded merch doesn’t feel like a giveaway. It feels like belonging you can wear. Using the Michael Jordan and Nike story as a jumping-off point, Nikki and Crissy explore what happens when merchandise becomes more than an expense and starts creating identity, community, and even revenue. From Air Jordan’s cultural influence to exclusive merch drops and employee gear people actually want to buy, Crissy breaks down the ingredients that give branded artifacts real meaning: quality, design, community, and exclusivity. For people-first leaders, it’s a powerful reminder that when your...
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The Psychology of Swag: Making Milestone Recognition Matter
Working Forward
Recognition shouldn’t collect dust on a shelf. It should tell a story about belonging, achievement, and why someone matters. Nikki sits down with Crissy Manwaring of Robertson Marketing to rethink milestone recognition. Crissy shares why generic gifts miss the moment and how progressive recognition, personalized merchandise, and coveted cultural artifacts can turn employee milestones into meaningful experiences. From YouTube’s Gold Button effect to challenge coins, achievement jackets, and recognition that grows alongside an employee, Crissy reveals how physical artifacts make the...
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Peering Into the Future | Jason Cochran on Lead the People
Working Forward
The future of work is coming whether we’re ready or not. The leaders who thrive won’t be the ones with the perfect prediction. They’ll be the ones willing to learn, adapt, and bring their people along for the ride. Matt Poepsel sits down with Jason Cochran to explore why mindset must come before strategy when navigating change. Jason shares why “change is kind,” how values can make teams more adaptable, and why leaders need to rethink old assumptions before they become barriers to growth. From AI and Generation Alpha to workplace flexibility and the future of meaningful work, this...
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Unlocking the Impact of AI on the Future of Work | Jason Cochran on Unlocked with Skot Waldron
Working Forward
AI is moving fast, but the leaders who win won’t be the ones who move fastest. They’ll be the ones thoughtful enough to protect what makes work human. Skot Waldron sits down with Jason Cochran to explore what people-first AI adoption actually looks like. Jason challenges leaders to move beyond experimentation for experimentation’s sake and start asking bigger questions: What should AI do? What should it never do? And how do we bring employees into that conversation before fear fills the communication gap? From reskilling and psychological safety to the tension between profitability and...
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To Lead is Human | Jason Cochran on Culture Starts Here with Heather Haas and BJ McKay
Working Forward
AI is changing how work gets done, but it’s also raising the bar for leadership. In this special live episode, hosted by Jason Cochran of People Forward Network, Heather Haas and BJ McKay explore what it means to lead when AI is reshaping the workplace. While much of the work people are paid to do can now be automated, leadership is not one of those things. Together, they unpack what they’re seeing across organizations today, from the growing gap between high-performing leaders and everyone else, to the lack of clarity many teams face around how AI should be used. The conversation centers...
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Leading in the Gray: Human Wisdom in an AI World with Michael Sneed and John Dugan
Working Forward
In this live stream episode of Working Forward, Michael Sneed and John Dugan join host Jason Cochran to explore what it means to lead wisely as artificial intelligence reshapes the business landscape. Michael, a 39-year Johnson & Johnson veteran who rose from summer intern to the executive committee, and John, a retired PwC partner with decades of healthcare consulting experience, share what's really happening in boardrooms around AI adoption. Together with Jason, they discuss why human skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and subject matter expertise are becoming more...
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The Entropy Era: AI, Gen Z, and Why Partnership Is the Only Way Forward with Matt Poepsel
Working Forward
In this episode of Working Forward, Jason Cochran sits down with Matt Poepsel, SVP of Workforce and Talent at The Predictive Index and author of multiple books on talent optimization, to explore what happens when AI disruption, generational shifts, and organizational entropy collide. Matt introduces the concept of entropy in the workplace, the natural tendency of systems to descend toward disorder, and explains why fear-driven leadership only accelerates the breakdown. They dig into why 75 percent of Gen Z workers are interested in entrepreneurship, how AI is simultaneously creating...
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The Psychology of Swag: Quality Signals Value
Working Forward
What makes something feel premium the second it lands in your hands? Eric and Crissy unpack the hidden psychology of quality and why people make instant judgments about products based on weight, texture, stitching, materials, and fit-for-purpose design. From cashmere pashminas for executives to fleece-lined scarves for sports fans, Crissy shares story after story showing that quality is not just about price. It is about context, emotion, usability, and how a product makes someone feel in a specific moment. Together, they explore why the wrong “premium” item can fall flat, why cheap bags...
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Pivoting Through Crisis and Democratizing Photography with Rob Eyler
Working Forward
In this episode of Working Forward, Jason Cochran sits down with Rob Eyler, CEO and co-founder of Capturely, a photography platform that deploys vetted photographers for professional headshots at scale. Rob shares how he co-founded Capturely in 2019, landed LinkedIn and Facebook as early clients, then watched revenue drop to zero when COVID hit. After two difficult years of pivoting into product photography and video, the team finally launched virtual headshots in 2024, allowing anyone with a phone and a window to get studio-quality headshots in minutes with a real photographer controlling...
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The Psychology of Swag: The Unboxing Experience
Working Forward
What makes an unboxing moment feel unforgettable and why are so many companies still getting it wrong? 📦 Eric and Crissy unpack the psychology behind anticipation, belonging, curiosity, and emotional connection, and why the moments before someone opens a box can be just as powerful as what is inside. From new hire kits to influencer campaigns, Crissy shares why packaging is never separate from the gift. It is the experience, the signal, and the story all at once. Together, they explore how thoughtful unboxing can build brand love, strengthen employee connection, and create meaningful...
info_outlineIn this episode, KL Shaw joins Jason Cochran to break down what it really means to own your career journey — especially in today’s uncertain job market.
From layoffs to layoffs to leaps of faith, they explore how to shift from fear into action. KL shares powerful coaching insights on getting clear about your purpose, making your impact visible, and building authentic relationships that open real doors — not just resumes. Whether you’re navigating change, burnout, or dreaming about something new, this conversation is your roadmap.
Additional Resources:
Connect with KL:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/keri-lynne-shaw/
Watch the Working Forward Podcast on YouTube!
Connect with Jason on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-d-cochran/
Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network/posts/?feedView=all
Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/
Key Takeaways:
- Take control of your career by stepping into the driver’s seat and leading your own path.
- Gain clarity by identifying what you love, what you’re great at, and how you want to make an impact.
- Keep an ongoing impact list to track your accomplishments and showcase your value.
- Focus on networking, as most job opportunities come through relationships — not online applications.
- Craft and practice a concise, compelling 90-second story about who you are and what you bring.