Hi, we are Juan Fernandez and Cecile Munoz. We are fascinated by the intersection of business and relationships and how to thrive in your life. In this podcast, we explore issues affecting the workplace and how it impacts culture, interpersonal relationships, and how to grow as a human being. What makes us qualified? Juan Fernandez has covered some of the biggest stories in the Southland Los Angeles as part of the CBS News. His favorites include Presidential visits and the arrival of the Space Shuttle Endeavour and its final journey through the streets of Los Angeles to the California Science Center. Cecile Munoz is the president and founder of U.S. Executive Search & Consulting, a leading nationally recognized financial services recruiting and consulting firm. She’s one of a very small group of executive search firms owned and run by minority women working Wall Street investment firms.
Humans: To Think or Not To Think? That Is the AI Question
Artificial Intelligence is advancing faster than we can control, and global tech leaders are sounding the alarm about its accelerating capabilities and the real possibility that AI will soon learn everything humans can teach it. In this episode, we explore the near‑term impact already unfolding in education, where AI has upended traditional learning and triggered “cognitive surrender.” Students are relying on it for better grades while thinking less for themselves. The end result being an illusion of knowledge that weakens critical thinking, memory, and problem‑solving. We also break down an eye‑opening interview with Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X (link in show notes). He explains that modern AI is no longer “just software” but a new form of intelligence that learns, improves, and will soon act with real‑world agency through robots and autonomous systems. Gawdat warns that the biggest near‑term danger isn’t AI’s intelligence, but what humans instruct powerful systems to do and the economic turbulence that will follow as jobs and industries are reshaped. He argues the world may need to rethink capitalism in an era where efficiency drives costs toward zero. To help us prepare, he outlines five essential human skills we must strengthen to thrive in an AI‑driven world and future.
25 Jul 2026
Life Is Lifing
The human experience is full of highs and lows at every stage and at every age. There are no hacks or apps that will stop all the mistakes and pains of being human. “Life will be lifing!”, as the saying goes, in spite of the promise of a frictionless life made possible by technology and sold to us as the best way to live. Adulting is real and it never stops, and it only gets more difficult as we get older. Because everyone’s path is different, the onus is on each of us to build the emotional muscle, resilience, and know-how that is required to lead a good, happy life. Happiness is in the journey. It is not the destination. As we return to the podcast, we want to thank our listeners for your continued support and encouragement. Ends With Z was recently recognized by FeedSpot as one of the Top 5 Workplace/Relationship Podcasts and we are most appreciative!
20 Feb 2026
Workforce Woes
Today, we are experiencing a stagnant, “low hire, low fire” job market that’s making both employers and employees very nervous. An emerging new trend tells us many people are not happy in their job and yet they are holding on to them because the fear and challenge of not having one is so much greater. People are simply becoming less hopeful. We address some of the factors causing it like the increasing impact of artificial intelligence and technology in every aspect of the workforce, and discuss how human plus technology is how we must proceed going forward. We also acknowledge a major milestone for our very own host, Juan Fernandez, who just celebrated 30 years working at CBS News Los Angeles! An improbability for most people who are already in the workforce and an inconceivable concept for younger people who are entering it. Juan reflects upon his professional journey that led him from Miami to Los Angeles, the different positions he’s had at CBS - surviving lay-offs and ownership changes - and how the job market has changed over the years.
Who has been a guest on Ends with Z
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John Tsilimparis
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Arthur Brooks
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
15 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
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[Host Name] and Cecile and Juan and Shawn host the show. Published by Juan Fernandez, Cecile Munoz, Shawn Meaux.
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