Voices 031 - “We Can’t Stop Ever Thinking About People.” Retail Exec Ron Thurston on AI, Human Pride & Navigating the Job Market

Join our newsletter!Our community insights, global commerce perspectives, sent to your inbox every Weekend: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://evolvecommunity.beehiiv.com/subscribe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Want to join the #01 community of senior commerce leaders spanning 43 markets?Request your application today: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.evolve-community.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠In this episode Edilsa Bueno hosts Ron Thurston. Ron Thurston’s journey from retail executive to bestselling author is a story of self-discovery, emotional intelligence, and the courage to lead differently. With decades at brands like Apple, Gap, and Bonobos, Ron has seen firsthand how technology can either isolate or empower. In this episode, he shares how overcoming self-doubt and embracing vulnerability reshaped his approach—and why leading with humanity is more urgent than ever. We dive into his views on AI, team dynamics, and the importance of building human pride in a shifting job market.Ron is the author of Retail Pride and the forthcoming Human Pride: Optimizing Your Human Potential in a Digital Job Market (May 2025). He’s also the creator of the Retail in America podcast and tour, and serves on advisory boards for retail tech companies bridging human connection and digital innovation. For more about Ron's new book Human Pride, visit ronthurston.com.EVOLVE Voices is a flagship initiative within the EVOLVE ecosystem, dedicated to amplifying the stories, experiences, and insights of extraordinary commerce leaders and ambassadors from the EVOLVE Commerce Club. Through a dynamic blend of interviews, Voices unites diverse perspectives on Leadership, Global Commerce, Retail, Tech industry and Digital Transformation while showcasing local experts who bring unique insights from their home markets to enrich our international community.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!