Work Shift Podcast

The professionals who organize festivals, fundraisers, corporate conferences and more made a quick shift online when the sector shut down. Event organizers and performers were forced to ramp up their technical know-how by exploring new digital platforms and perfecting the art of the live stream. We talk to Paul Araujo, a prof at George Brown's School of Hospitality & Tourism Manage

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of smooth and easy-to-use online platforms. And the people who map out and devise these systems—user experience (UX) designers—are in growing demand. We talk to Xavier Masse and Dr. Ana Rita Morais from George Brown College's School of Design, and Peter Sicard, Co-Founder and Partner of Toronto design firm TuesdayAfternoon Me

The demand for service robots is growing in many industries. We talk to Rami Wehbe, co-founder of tech solutions provider Global DWS, about why service robots will augment human capacity, not replace it. And, we talk to Toronto restaurateur Tanya Spasic, who started using a service robot to help with deliveries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Find a full transcript and show notes at

We're all thinking more about the buildings we live and work in thanks to COVID-19. We talk to Dr. Chris Willis, a professor and program coordinator at George Brown's Angelo DelZotto School of Construction Management, and Andrew Gordon, Principal, Gordon + Gordon Group Inc., about positive changes happening in the construction industry due to COVID-19.. Find show notes and a full t

Colleges and universities are facing big challenges amid the COVID-19 pandemic. We talk to higher ed consultant Ken Steele of Eduvation and Rick Huijbregts, George Brown College's VP of Strategy & Innovation, about how institutions are responding. A transcript of this episode is available at www.georgebrown.ca/about/work-shift-podcast.

A special episode about how George Brown College made the quick transition to remote working and online and alternative program delivery amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Shawne and Ray talk to Professor Marlene Slopack and Library Services Manager Pearl Raju. Find a full transcript of this episode at www.georgebrown.ca/workshift-podcast/

Are robots coming for your food service or hotel job? How are jobs in the hospitality and travel sectors adapting to rapidly evolving tech and new online services? We talk to Donnalu Macdonald, a professor at George Brown College's School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, and Nolan Schachter, VP, Customer Success, at food service robotics company Chowbotics. Read the full tran

Ceit Butler is a blockchain architect and consultant. She's also a professor and the program coordinator for George Brown College's Blockchain Development program. She tells Shawne and Ray about the surging demand for Blockchain professionals and the massive growth potential for this technology. Ceit mentions the Bloomberg article "Palantir Knows Everything About You." Read it here

Shawne and Ray chat with RBC's Director of Early Talent Acquisition Brien Convery and George Brown College's Director of Work Integrated Learning & Experiential Education Dario Guescini about how work placement opportunities for students have evolved and why on-the-job training for students is so important when it comes to the future of work. You can find a transcript of this episo

Digital disruption. The gig economy. Artificial intelligence. There’s a lot of talk about how they're revolutionizing how we work, but what do they mean for you? George Brown College’s Shawne McKeown and Ray Harripaul are exploring the future of work and changes you can expect to see at your job. They’re talking to industry leader, working professionals and educators about ho