It’s time to regroup on ways we are keeping abreast of the world of workforce in 2026. Here are some of the sources we use!
Podcasts: (available on your favorite podcast app)
The Jobs Podcast. This podcast is from earlier in 2025 and features people talking about their jobs, including the path they took to get there. Some guests have been a Logistics Operations Manager, Audio Engineer for heavy metal bands for use on video games, K9 Police Officer, Fabricator, and Woodworker, among many others. This podcast should be on the listening list for every middle and high school student!
HBS Managing the Future of Work. This pod, which comes out about every 2 weeks, features different guests who have perspective on the implication of trends (political, business, economic, AI) on employees and workers. Its guests are diverse including business owners and leaders across a variety of sectors, academia, and workforce non-profits.
The AI Daily Brief: Artificial Intelligence News and Analysis. This was recommended to us by Tiffany Hsieh, the director of the Center for AI and the Future of Work at Jobs for the Future. Usually just under 30 min, this daily podcast is an easy way to keep abreast on all things AI; it’s also easy to just listen to those of personal interest. Check out their “50 AI Predictions for 2026” Parts 1 and 2 to see if you find it valuable.
Writing/blogs/newsletters:
Sage Economics by Zack Fritz, on Substack. I’ve just learned how many of us follow this newsletter for overall employment, business, and occupational trends. It does have a somewhat partisan bent but overall, the data and links to sources are thorough and objective. He has both paid and free content and the free content is valuable even if you don’t want to subscribe to the paid content.
ObviouslytheFuture by three venture capitalists. This is a website with content as well as a podcast, and is best for those really interested in thinking about global, massive trends. Sometimes those are connected to workforce, sometimes to other parts of our life (which are always eventually connected to workforce.) Check out the “18 Avalanches in 2025” to gauge your interest, and know you need to plan to have patience with the links to specific tech startups related to each of the trends.
Other Media Ideas:
I do like hearing directly from the Ohio General Assembly member representing our community in Columbus. Here’s a quick roundup of some of our local members who have active Instagram accounts:
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- Twrader for Rep. Tristan Rader (D-13)
- Brennanforohio for Rep. Sean Brennan (D-14)
- Repglassburn for Rep. Chris Glassburn (D-15)
- Repbridesweeney for Rep. Bride Rose Sweeney (D-16)
- Repmikedovilla for Rep. Mike Dovilla (R-17)
- Juanita_brent for Rep. Juanita Brent (D-18)
- Robinsonforoh for Rep. Phil Robinson (D- 19)
- Rep_upchurch for Rep. Terrence Upchurch (D-20)
- Ericsynenberg for Rep. Eric Synenberg (D-21)
- brewer for Rep. Darnell Brewer (D-22)
- Rep_troy for Rep. Daniel Troy (D-23)
- Nickieantonio for Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-23)
- Kentksmith for Sen. Kent Smith. (D-21)
You can also sign up for emails from many of these individuals and other General Assembly members who don’t have Instagram accounts via their pages on the Ohio Representatives and Senators webpages.
What are your must-follows?