In this "Hot Topic" episode of Frank Talk, Dr. Cheryl Frankeny, along with guest and colleague Joe Baucum, explores the 2026 AI landscape, comparing the technology to a powerful but unpredictable stallion that must be tamed by "thought leaders". They navigate the tension between AI's massive breakthroughs—like solving protein folding mysteries with AlphaFold—and the risks of "AI slop" and legal hallucinations that have plagued major news outlets and airlines. By examining real-world success stories from companies like Starbucks and Cohere, the duo outlines how leaders can move past fear or blind gambling to implement high-value, industrial-grade AI strategies that deliver actual ROI while maintaining human oversight.

In this "Hot Topic" episode of Frank Talk, Dr. Cheryl Frankeny, along with guest and colleague Joe Baucum, explores the 2026 AI landscape, comparing the technology to a powerful but unpredictable stallion that must be tamed by "thought leaders". They navigate the tension between AI's massive breakthroughs—like solving protein folding mysteries with AlphaFold—and the risks of "AI slop" and legal hallucinations that have plagued major news outlets and airlines. By examining real-world success stories from companies like Starbucks and Cohere, the duo outlines how leaders can move past fear or blind gambling to implement high-value, industrial-grade AI strategies that deliver actual ROI while maintaining human oversight.

In this first episode of Frank Talk, Cheryl Frankeny breaks down what this podcast is all about: who it’s for, why it matters, and what leaders can expect week after week. Cheryl shares about her 20-year background as a leadership assessor, performance coach, and organizational consultant—and explains how her Leadership Model will shape the conversations ahead. If you want honest insight, real stories from real leaders, and practical tools you can use immediately, this episode lays the foundation.

In this introductory episode, Cheryl Frankeny, PhD, shares the purpose behind Frank Talk—a podcast dedicated to candid conversations about leadership, workplace culture, and the real challenges leaders face today.