What LinkedIn Knows About Talent, Mobility & Opportunity
September 29, 2026
When people have more flexibility than ever in where they live and work, what separates communities that are growing from those that are standing still?
On this episode of Talent Wars, host Patience Fairbrother Wallace sits down with Casey Weston, senior manager of public policy and economic graphs at LinkedIn, to explore what LinkedIn’s research reveals about the communities attracting talent, creating opportunity and building momentum. Drawing on LinkedIn’s Cities on the Rise research, Casey shares what fast-growing markets have in common and why successful communities are finding ways to build on their existing strengths rather than chasing the latest trends.
From the growing importance of professional and social networks to the role AI is playing in workforce development, Patience and Casey discuss how communities can create the conditions that help both people and careers thrive. They also examine why geography continues to influence career outcomes in a world shaped by remote work, digital connections and greater mobility.
Listen in to learn:
- What LinkedIn’s Cities on the Rise research reveals about emerging talent markets
- Why networks remain one of the strongest predictors of career opportunity
- How communities can strengthen their talent ecosystems through collaboration
- What LinkedIn is seeing when it comes to AI, workforce skills and future talent needs
Tune in to hear why opportunity is about more than jobs, what LinkedIn’s data reveals about the communities on the rise and how place leaders can build stronger ecosystems for talent.
Listen and subscribe to Talent Wars on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. To submit guest or episode topic ideas, email patience.fairbrother@aboutdci.com.
