What separates exceptional customer service from the ordinary? In this episode of Starborn Labs, we sit down with Tory Wiwchar—an educator, consultant, and experience designer—to explore the art and science of creating memorable customer experiences.

Tory's diverse background spans luxury hospitality, marketing management, entrepreneurship, and education, giving him unique insights into what makes experiences truly stick. As Co-Founder of Workplace Evolutions and former TED Speaker Support, he understands how to craft moments that resonate.

In this episode, we discuss:

The psychology behind memorable customer experiences

How to design experiences that create lasting emotional connections

Why experience design matters more than ever in competitive markets

Practical strategies for implementing customer-centric design

The role of empathy and human connection in service excellence

Bridging hospitality principles with modern business needs

Whether you're in hospitality, retail, SaaS, or any customer-facing industry, this conversation offers actionable insights on how to elevate your customer experience from transactional to transformational.

About Tory Wiwchar: Tory is an enthusiastic educator and consultant, designing memorable experiences that encourage human flourishing. With backgrounds in international relations, luxury hospitality, marketing management, and entrepreneurship, he brings diverse perspectives to experience design. As Co-Founder of Workplace Evolutions and author of "The Audacious Ask," Tory specializes in helping organizations develop their people and create experiences that matter.

As AI transforms the business landscape, one question remains: Are soft skills becoming obsolete, or more critical than ever?

In this inaugural episode of Starborn Labs, we sit down with Andrew Woods to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and human connection in modern business. While AI automates tasks and processes data at unprecedented speeds, the ability to communicate, empathize, and build relationships may be the ultimate competitive advantage.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why soft skills are more valuable in an AI-driven world
• The skills AI can't replicate (and probably never will)
• How to develop essential human capabilities in your team
• Real-world examples of soft skills driving business success
• The future of work: humans and AI collaboration

Whether you're a founder, executive, or professional navigating the AI revolution, this conversation offers actionable insights on staying irreplaceable in an automated world.

About Andrew Woods: DMgt. Andrew Woods is an Assistant Professor at University Canada West, Founder of Ask Us Consulting, and author of "Soft Skills in the Age of AI." Recognized as one of Canada's leading soft skills trainers, Andrew has delivered workshops in 22 countries across four continents.