HR Happy Hour Network

At Work in America, the longest running and top downloaded HR podcast, focuses on human resources, management, leadership, and workforce technology. The show is hosted by Steve Boese, the Co-Chair of the HR Technology Conference and Trish Steed, CEO of H3 HR Advisors.

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S4 · E14
Yesterday · 36 min
The Crossroads of HR: AI, Judgement, and the Future of the Profession
The Crossroads of HR: AI, Judgement, and the Future of the Profession Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen Guest: David D'Souza, Writer, keynote speaker, and advisor Summary In this episode of HR Means Business, Mervyn is joined by David D’Souza, former Director of Profession at the CIPD, for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of HR and the capabilities professionals will need to navigate what comes next. David reflects on how the profession has evolved and why HR’s value cannot be defined by HR alone. Rather than beginning with programs, best practices, or what the function believes organizations should do, he argues that HR must begin with the problems the business is trying to solve and understand how people, skills, structure, and culture can help address them. The conversation also explores the growing role of AI in HR and why automation creates both opportunity and responsibility. As technology takes on more transactional work, skills such as situational judgment, evidence-based decision-making, curiosity, adaptability, relationship building, and critical thinking become even more important. Key Takeaways HR must start with the business problem Human judgment becomes more important as AI grows Curiosity and adaptability will be essential HR skills Workforce planning must become more agile HR needs to enable change, not become the point of resistance Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Here’s a wild stat: 6 in 10 employees have never been meaningfully recognized for a work anniversary. Think about that. Five, 10, 20 years of someone’s life — and too often, the moment falls flat. Workhuman’s Service Milestones® makes recognition more personal, memorable, and impactful. Milestone tracking happens automatically through your HRIS, the right colleagues are inspired to share stories and congratulations, and employees get access to rewards they actually want. Ready to make your milestones meet the moment with Workhuman? Click the banner on this episode’s page or follow the link in the show notes to learn more.
S18 · E31
Tuesday · 44 min
Compliance Is Cool: Using AI to Make Employment Law Easier
Compliance Is Cool: Using AI to Make Employment Law Easier Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed Guest: Kimball Dean Parker, CEO at SixFifty Summary In this episode of At Work in America, Steve and Trish welcome Kimball Dean Parker, CEO of SixFifty, for a conversation about how technology and AI are changing the way organizations manage employment law and compliance. Kimball shares the story behind SixFifty and why employment law became such an important problem to solve. With regulations varying across states, cities, and counties — and changing constantly — staying current can quickly become overwhelming, particularly for organizations hiring across multiple locations. The conversation explores how AI and automation can help organizations manage everything from employee handbooks and hiring documents to required posters, training, and other compliance workflows. Kimball also explains why combining AI with established legal workflows can create more predictable and reliable outcomes rather than simply asking generative AI to produce an answer from scratch. The conversation also looks beyond risk reduction. When organizations have greater confidence in their compliance infrastructure, they can hire talent in more locations, respond more quickly to regulatory changes, and give HR leaders back time that would otherwise be spent managing administrative complexity. The group offers a practical example of where AI can create immediate value for HR: taking repeatable, time-intensive compliance work off people's plates while allowing HR professionals to focus more of their time on people, strategy, and the business. Topics include: Why employment law compliance becomes increasingly complex as organizations expand across locations How technology can help organizations stay ahead of changing employment regulations The importance of combining AI with structured, established processes How stronger compliance infrastructure can support multistate hiring and business growth How automation can give HR leaders more time for strategic work Why compliance may be one of the most practical places for organizations to begin using AI Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight. This episode of At Work in America is sponsored by Paychex, an industry-leading human capital management company that combines scale, trusted expertise, and innovation to help businesses succeed. SixFifty, by Paychex helps your business stay ahead of constantly changing laws and regulations with HR compliance software. Curated by experienced attorneys and powered by AI, SixFifty helps turn the impossible job of staying compliant with employment laws across every state into something simple, automatic, and stress-free. SixFifty is available both as a standalone solution and as an integrated offering within Paychex’s HCM platforms. To learn more about how you can make faster, more confident compliance decisions, head to sixfifty.com
S1 · E8
September 25 · 23 min
The Q4 Scramble: Setting Boundaries Before Budgeting & Open Enrollment Begin
The Q4 Scramble: Setting Boundaries Before Budgeting & Open Enrollment Begin Host: Sabrina Baker Summary September is the Sunday evening of the business calendar—summer vacations end, executive energy surges, and suddenly every department wants everything finished before December 31st. For small business HR leaders (1–500 employees) operating without a bench of specialists, handling Open Enrollment, 2027 budgeting, and performance reviews all at once can lead straight to severe Q4 burnout. In this episode of HR Connection, Sabrina breaks down how to move away from telling leadership "we're too busy"—a phrase executives often misread as a lack of time management—and start defining "busy" with concrete calendar data. Learn how to build Quarterly and Annual Roadmaps, translate HR initiatives into "time in weeks," navigate budget requests whether you have a formal HR budget or not, and execute Q4 scrappily without dropping the ball. Topics include: Use a quarterly roadmap to visualize workload and tradeoffs Build an annual roadmap to anticipate heavy periods and resource needs Create more structure and stronger boundaries around open enrollment Connect HR investments directly to time and capacity gained Streamline and automate performance review processes Avoid changing major HR processes right before launch Treat capacity management as a leadership responsibility Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight.
S18 · E30
September 22 · 42 min
Is the Culture You Have the Culture You Think You Have? How to Read the Culture Signals
Is the Culture You Have the Culture You Think You Have? How to Read the Culture Signals Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed Guest: Meisha-ann Martin, Ph.D., VP of People Research at Workhuman Summary In this episode of the HR Happy Hour Show, Steve and Trish are joined by Meisha-ann Martin, VP of People Research at Workhuman, for a conversation about moving beyond stated values and getting a clearer picture of how culture actually shows up across an organization. The conversation explores one of the biggest sources of cultural disconnect: what organizations say they value versus what they actually reward and reinforce. A company may say it values efficient execution while celebrating heroic firefighting. It may promote innovation while only recognizing successful outcomes, unintentionally discouraging thoughtful risk-taking. Or it may tolerate harmful behaviors because an employee delivers strong business results. Meisha-ann shares how recognition data can give leaders a much richer view into these patterns. She also explains how advances in people analytics and natural language processing are making it possible to uncover insights that traditional engagement surveys alone could not provide—from identifying differences in how employees are recognized to detecting language that may serve as an early warning signal for burnout. Ultimately, Meisha-ann encourages HR and business leaders to approach culture with greater intentionality: define the outcome you want, understand the behaviors that lead to it, measure what is actually happening, and continually refine the system based on what the data reveals. Topics include: Why culture is more than the values written on the wall The gap between organizational intentions and employee experiences How organizations can unintentionally reinforce the wrong behaviors The relationship among vulnerability, recognition, and psychological safety How language data can uncover burnout risk, bias, and cultural misalignment Why recognizing behaviors—not just outcomes—can improve performance Connecting leadership behaviors to organizational outcomes Why measurement should come before analytics Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight.
S4 · E9
September 18 · 36 min
Ghosting the Ghost Jobs: Navigating Today’s Hiring Nightmare
Ghosting the Ghost Jobs: Navigating Today’s Hiring Nightmare Hosts: Jack McFarlane and Nicholas Schlemmer Summary In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack and Nick dig into the increasingly complicated world of modern job hunting, beginning with the rise of ghost jobs - job postings that remain online even when an organization may not actually be hiring for the position. Jack shares his own experiences navigating job postings and discusses why organizations may keep positions listed, while Nick offers a different perspective from the golf industry, where professional credentials and industry-specific hiring networks can make the recruiting process much more targeted. Then the conversation turns to AI. With job seekers able to automate applications at massive scale and employers relying on applicant tracking systems and AI tools to sort through growing applicant pools, Jack and Nick explore what happens when hiring becomes a bot-to-bot cycle. The result can be frustrating for everyone: candidates struggle to stand out while recruiters face enormous volumes of applications from people who may not actually be qualified. So what can job seekers do differently? They talk about the continued value of human connection in the hiring process, from referrals and networking to directly contacting an organization or hiring manager. They also discuss why demonstrating an actual body of work, accomplishments, and professional presence may become increasingly important as AI makes traditional resumes easier to create and harder to evaluate. And, of course, it wouldn’t be The Play by Play without a little competition. Jack puts Nick to the test with a round of Real or Fake Job Posting, featuring some job descriptions so outrageous that figuring out which ones are legitimate turns out to be much harder than expected. Takeaways What ghost jobs are and why they create frustration for job seekers How AI is changing both sides of the recruiting process Why AI-powered screening can make hiring feel like AI competing against AI How networking and direct outreach can help candidates stand out Why a visible body of work may matter more in an AI-driven hiring environment Why staying human may be one of the most important advantages in the modern job search Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight.
S18 · E29
September 15 · 38 min
What Signals is Your Culture Sending Out into the World?
What Signals is Your Culture Sending Out into the World? Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed Guest: Saima Rashid, Chief Marketing Officer at Workhuman Summary It’s easy to point to a careers page, recruiting campaign, company values, or social media presence. But ultimately, an employer brand is shaped by something much harder to manufacture: what employees actually experience inside the organization. In this episode of the HR Happy Hour, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Saima Rashid, Chief Marketing Officer at Workhuman, for a conversation about the evolving role of employer brand and how recognition data can provide a much more authentic view of workplace culture. Saima describes employer brand as the external expression of the internal employee experience. That means organizations need real examples that demonstrate how people collaborate, contribute, support one another, and live company values every day - and recognition data can help uncover those stories. Because recognition happens in the flow of work and comes from employees across teams, roles, and functions, it can provide leaders with real-time insight into the behaviors, skills, relationships, and contributions shaping the organization. It can also reveal where recognition is missing - giving leaders an earlier indication of potential disconnects before they appear in traditional measures such as engagement, retention, or employee referrals. Steve, Trish, and Saima also explore how recognition can help new leaders understand their teams, bring greater context into performance conversations, strengthen employee advocacy, and give organizations authentic stories that employees actually want to share. And with AI making it possible to analyze large amounts of unstructured recognition data, organizations have an opportunity to uncover even deeper insights about skills, leadership, culture, and whether business values are truly showing up in the way work gets done. Topics include: Why employer brand is ultimately shaped by the lived employee experience The difference between promoting company values and demonstrating them How recognition data provides real-time, human insight into how work gets done Why specific employee stories can be more powerful than traditional employer-brand messaging How recognition can help leaders uncover skills, contributions, and relationships they may not otherwise see Why authentic employee advocacy must be earned rather than orchestrated How organizations can compare their stated values with the behaviors employees actually recognize How AI can help uncover new insights from recognition data Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight.
S4 · E13
September 11 · 33 min
Reclaiming the Plot: HR’s Role in the AI Transformation
Reclaiming the Plot: HR’s Role in the AI Transformation Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen Guest: Dr. Kelly Monahan, Future of Work and AI Advisor Summary In this episode of HR Means Business, Mervyn welcomes Dr. Kelly Monahan, future of work and AI advisor and author of Reclaim the Plot, for a conversation about what it means to redesign organizations for a world where humans and AI increasingly work together. Kelly argues that many organizations are approaching AI transformation too narrowly - focusing on efficiency and automation without thinking deeply enough about how work, organizational structures, skills, leadership, and value creation need to change. Listen in for a thoughtful conversation about AI, leadership, workforce transformation, and why HR has an important opportunity to help organizations reclaim the plot. Key Takeaways Why AI transformation may increasingly become an HR responsibility How organizations can move from short-term workforce reduction thinking to longer-term workforce redesign Why HR professionals need greater exposure to how the broader business creates value The importance of keeping humans accountable for decisions, exceptions, and moments where judgment matters How leaders can approach workforce reductions with greater transparency and humanity Why inconsistent AI adoption and invisible workflows are creating new challenges for managers How principles, learning, and shared experimentation can provide better AI guardrails What the HR function could look like as human and AI work become increasingly integrated Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight.
S18 · E28
September 8 · 36 min
Rebuilding Pathways to Work: Removing Barriers for Overlooked Talent
Rebuilding Pathways to Work: Removing Barriers for Overlooked Talent Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed Guest: Dr. Lee Bowes, CEO of America Works Summary In this episode of At Work in America, Steve and Trish speak with Dr. Lee Bowes, CEO of America Works, about what it takes to reconnect people with meaningful employment - and why employers may be overlooking individuals who have the ability and desire to contribute. Dr. Bowes shares lessons from decades of helping people navigate challenges including disabilities, employment gaps, limited transportation, justice involvement, outdated skills, and complex public-benefit systems. The conversation also examines the role employers and HR leaders can play in creating more accessible hiring processes, supporting frontline managers, and helping new employees remain successful once they are hired. Sustainable employment often requires individualized support, stronger employer partnerships, practical problem-solving, and a willingness to recognize potential that may not appear on a traditional résumé. Topics include: Why employment provides connection, dignity, and purpose in addition to income The practical barriers that prevent willing people from returning to work Transportation challenges facing workers in suburban and rural communities How complicated online applications and limited digital skills can restrict access Why employers and frontline managers also need support when hiring overlooked talent The importance of coaching, communication, and early intervention in employee retention What HR leaders can do to create more sustainable pathways into employment Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight.
S18 · E27
September 1 · 37 min
How Work Gets Done Now, and the Signals for How to Measure It
How Work Gets Done Now, and the Signals for How to Measure It Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed Guest: KeyAnna Schmeidl, Chief Human Experience Officer at Workhuman Summary Work has outgrown the org chart. Today, work moves across teams, projects, functions, technologies, and informal networks that traditional workforce metrics were never designed to capture. Headcount, turnover, productivity, and performance data still matter - but they rarely tell the full story of how work gets done or who is making it possible. In this episode of the HR Happy Hour, Steve and Trish welcome KeyAnna Schmeidl, Chief Human Experience Officer at Workhuman, for a conversation about what leaders can learn when they look beyond traditional reporting and start paying attention to the human signals inside everyday work. She explains why reporting relationships and job descriptions often reveal far less than the connections, contributions, expertise, and informal influence that move work forward. The conversation explores how organizations can move from backward-looking dashboards toward more dynamic workforce intelligence that helps leaders understand what is happening now, and make better decisions about what should happen next. One of the richest sources of that insight may already exist inside the organization: recognition data. Because recognition captures what people notice and value in one another's work, it can reveal contributors who remove roadblocks, share expertise, mentor teammates, strengthen collaboration, and influence outcomes in ways that may never appear in a traditional performance metric. Topics include: Where traditional HR and productivity metrics fall short The shift from reporting what happened to understanding what is happening Why simply replacing a departing employee with the same role may no longer make sense How recognition data can uncover hidden contributors, connectors, mentors, and emerging leaders The role recognition can play in succession planning, internal mobility, and identifying future leadership potential What "dark spots" in recognition can reveal about culture and employee visibility How leaders can build workforce dashboards that combine historical, real-time, and forward-looking information Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! Workhuman is a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. Nearly every HR leader knows the feeling: Teams are stretched thin, priorities keep shifting, and it's getting harder to see what's really going on beneath the surface. That's the subject of Workhuman's new documentary, Spotlight: The Leadership Reset, an investigation into why managers are losing visibility into their teams, and what it takes to see clearly again. Featuring Harvard’s Professor Amy Edmondson, crisis leadership expert Dr. Syra Madad, and bakery-owner-turned-business-leader Joanne Chang. The Leadership Reset premieres September 29th. Register for free today at workhuman.com/spotlight.
S1 · E7
August 28 · 21 min
The Accidental Manager Trap (And How to Fix It)
The Accidental Manager Trap (And How to Fix It) Host: Sabrina Baker Summary What happens when your top individual contributor gets promoted to manager but receives zero training on how to actually manage people? In small and mid-sized businesses (1 to 500 employees), "accidental managers" are created every day. While these star performers have great intentions, placing them in management without guardrails creates massive legal, financial, and operational risks, from wage-and-hour violations to undocumented performance issues and mishandled medical disclosures. In this episode of The HR Connection, host Sabrina Baker breaks down the hidden costs of untrained managers, walks through real-world "wrong way vs. right way" scenarios, and shares a 3-step framework to sneak high-impact leadership development into your managers' daily routine without spending a dime. Topics include: Why high-performing employees aren’t automatically prepared to become effective people managers Three major risks created by untrained managers: wage and hour violations, documentation gaps, and mishandled accommodation or leave conversations How seemingly small manager decisions can create significant legal and financial exposure The difference between how trained and untrained managers respond to common workplace situations How to create a simple set of first-30-day manager compliance guardrails Why 15-minute tactical micro-training sessions can be more effective and realistic for small organizations than traditional leadership programs How consistent manager training can improve the way performance, employee concerns, and compliance issues are handled across the organizatio Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Nearly 9 in 10 HR leaders say they don't have a strong leadership bench. Workhuman's Future Leaders gives organizations a smarter way to build one. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence solution to identify high-potential VP+ talent already within your workforce—up to four years before promotion. Using proprietary AI and real-time recognition data, it uncovers the leadership signals hidden in everyday work long before traditional succession planning can. It's a smarter, data-driven approach to building tomorrow's leaders. Learn more at Workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S18 · E26
August 25 · 44 min
Workplace Movie Hall of Fame - America's Sweethearts 2026
Workplace Movie Hall of Fame - America's Sweethearts 2026 Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed Summary In this episode of At Work in America, Steve and Trish return to Netflix’s America’s Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders to unpack the workplace lessons found throughout Season 3. Following significant changes to DCC compensation, the conversation moves beyond whether these highly visible performers are being paid fairly and into deeper questions about the employee experience. Steve and Trish explore the tension between longtime leaders and a largely Gen Z workforce, the importance of meaningful feedback and recognition, and what happens when leaders listen to employee input without truly changing how they lead. They also examine the DCC selection process, the emotional weight of hiring and termination decisions, the role experienced employees play in supporting newer team members, and the “invisible work” that often holds teams together but goes unnoticed by leadership. Along the way, Steve and Trish don’t always agree - particularly when it comes to how much credit DCC leadership deserves for adapting. But their debate raises an important question for every organization: Is changing a process enough if the underlying leadership behaviors and culture haven’t changed with it? Topics include: Why listening to employees is only meaningful when leaders are willing to act on what they hear The growing expectations Gen Z employees have around feedback, recognition, connection, and leadership Can longtime leaders successfully adapt as workplace expectations change The danger of asking employees for input when the final decision consistently ignores their perspective What the DCC audition and selection process can teach employers about recruiting, evaluation, rejection, and candidate experience How peer leaders and experienced team members often perform critical coaching, encouragement, and culture-building work Why some of the most valuable contributions employees make may be invisible to traditional performance measures Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Nearly 9 in 10 HR leaders say they don't have a strong leadership bench. Workhuman's Future Leaders gives organizations a smarter way to build one. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence solution to identify high-potential VP+ talent already within your workforce—up to four years before promotion. Using proprietary AI and real-time recognition data, it uncovers the leadership signals hidden in everyday work long before traditional succession planning can. It's a smarter, data-driven approach to building tomorrow's leaders. Learn more at Workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S4 · E8
August 21 · 35 min
Seeing the Future: Prediction Markets on the Rise With Gen Z
Seeing the Future: Prediction Markets on the Rise With Gen Z Hosts: Jack McFarlane and Nicholas Schlemmer Summary In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack and Nick break down the growing world of prediction markets and explore why platforms like Kalshi and Polymarket have captured the attention of Gen Z. They discuss how these markets work, the appeal of their stock-market-like experience, and the combination of instant gratification, financial anxiety, and easy access that may be fueling their popularity. But with the excitement comes real financial risk. Jack and Nick dig into the potential downsides of speculative trading and gambling, including the danger of dipping into savings, chasing losses, and betting money that someone can't afford to lose. Their takeaway: if you're going to participate, understand the risk and keep it to money you can genuinely afford to lose. Then the guys lighten things up with the debut of the Play by Play Prediction Market — using imaginary coins instead of real money to make their picks for the upcoming college football season. From Ohio State and Michigan to Utah, BYU, LSU, Miami, Clemson, Indiana, and Georgia, Jack and Nick put their predictions on the record for conference champions, playoff contenders, and the national championship. It's part financial trends, part Gen Z perspective, part college football preview — and 100% Play by Play. Takeaways What prediction markets are and how they work The connection between Gen Z, financial anxiety, investing, and instant gratification The financial and behavioral risks associated with gambling and speculative trading Jack and Nick's approach to responsible betting The first-ever Play by Play Prediction Market College football conference and national championship predictions A football-themed final Quote of the Show Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Nearly 9 in 10 HR leaders say they don't have a strong leadership bench. Workhuman's Future Leaders gives organizations a smarter way to build one. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence solution to identify high-potential VP+ talent already within your workforce—up to four years before promotion. Using proprietary AI and real-time recognition data, it uncovers the leadership signals hidden in everyday work long before traditional succession planning can. It's a smarter, data-driven approach to building tomorrow's leaders. Learn more at Workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S18 · E25
August 18 · 36 min
Are You Feeding AI the Wrong Data? The Leadership Signals You're Missing
Are You Feeding AI the Wrong Data? The Leadership Signals You're Missing Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed Guest: Tom Libretto, President at Workhuman Summary AI is only as powerful as the data behind it. As organizations race to deploy new AI tools, they may be overlooking one of the richest sources of workforce intelligence already available to them: the everyday moments that reveal how work actually gets done. In this HR Happy Hour episode, Steve and Trish welcome Tom Libretto, President of Workhuman, to explore why traditional HR data often tells only part of the story, and how recognition data can provide a more human, contextual view of skills, collaboration, influence, leadership potential, and organizational impact. Tom explains the value of zero-party data: information employees voluntarily share in their own words about the contributions they see happening around them. When recognition is specific and meaningful, those messages can become a powerful source of intelligence about the workforce—capturing signals that transactional HR systems were never designed to see. The conversation also explores how AI can turn those signals into actionable workforce insights. Tom shares how Workhuman is using recognition data to identify potential future leaders years before promotion, surface “talent magnets” who consistently develop others, and help organizations better understand whether employees' work is actually aligned with strategic business priorities. Topics include: Why organizations need to think as carefully about what they feed AI as they do about the AI technology itself The limitations of transactional and declarative HR data What zero-party data is and why recognition can provide an unusually rich source of human intelligence How recognition reveals skills in action, collaboration patterns, influence, values, and contribution Why the quality and specificity of recognition messages matter when using the data with AI How AI and recognition data can help identify future leaders years earlier than traditional succession planning What HR leaders should consider as they build a richer, more trustworthy data foundation for AI-powered workforce decisions Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Nearly 9 in 10 HR leaders say they don't have a strong leadership bench. Workhuman's Future Leaders gives organizations a smarter way to build one. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence solution to identify high-potential VP+ talent already within your workforce—up to four years before promotion. Using proprietary AI and real-time recognition data, it uncovers the leadership signals hidden in everyday work long before traditional succession planning can. It's a smarter, data-driven approach to building tomorrow's leaders. Learn more at Workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S18 · E24
August 11 · 40 min
Workplace Connection: What Drives Motivation, Retention, and Performance
Workplace Connection: What Drives Motivation, Retention, and Performance Host: Steve Boese Guest: Jason Lauritsen, Workplace strategist, Executive advisor, Keynote speaker, and co-author of the Human Connection Study Summary In this episode of At Work in America, Steve Boese speaks with workplace strategist, advisor, and keynote speaker Jason Lauritsen about the Human Connection Study, a large-scale research project examining how connection shapes the employee experience. The study includes responses from more than 286,000 employees across nearly 1,700 organizations, providing a deeper look at what connection is, how employees experience it, and why it matters to organizational success. Jason explains why workplace connection extends beyond relationships with managers and colleagues. Employees also need to feel that their work matters and that they understand and believe in the purpose and direction of their organization. The conversation explores the study’s most surprising findings, including why connection to organizational purpose may be even more influential than having strong workplace relationships—and what HR and business leaders can do to create the conditions where connection can flourish. Topics include: Why connection should be viewed as a driver of performance rather than simply a cultural benefit The difference between relational connection and resonance connection The four primary dimensions of workplace connection Why organizational purpose and direction have such a powerful influence on employees How connection affects motivation, retention, inclusion, and advocacy How managers can create moments where employees feel seen, heard, and understood Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Nearly 9 in 10 HR leaders say they don't have a strong leadership bench. Workhuman's Future Leaders gives organizations a smarter way to build one. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence solution to identify high-potential VP+ talent already within your workforce—up to four years before promotion. Using proprietary AI and real-time recognition data, it uncovers the leadership signals hidden in everyday work long before traditional succession planning can. It's a smarter, data-driven approach to building tomorrow's leaders. Learn more at Workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S4 · E12
August 7 · 38 min
How Culture Can Make or Break AI Adoption
How Culture Can Make or Break AI Adoption Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen Guest: Nick Holmes, VP of Learning and Culture, and Founder of Culture Nova Summary In this episode of HR Means Business, Mervyn Dinnen speaks with Nick Holmes, organizational culture researcher, VP of Learning and Culture, and founder of Culture Nova. Nick is currently completing a PhD focused on developing a clearer, more relevant definition and measurement of organizational culture. Together, they challenge the common question, “What will AI do to our culture?” Instead, Nick argues that leaders should ask, “What kind of culture do we need for AI to work?” The conversation explores why organizations often confuse familiarity with genuine understanding, how AI can expose existing weaknesses in trust and psychological safety, and why successful adoption requires far more than introducing new tools. It requires leaders to rethink how information flows, how people learn, how change is communicated, and how work itself is designed. Key Takeaways How an organization’s existing culture shapes AI adoption Why AI often amplifies cultural strengths and weaknesses What an AI-ready organizational culture looks like Why leaders must model responsible and thoughtful AI use How AI can increase workload rather than reduce it The relationship between AI adoption and psychological safety Why frontline and location-based workers must be included in the AI conversation Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Nearly 9 in 10 HR leaders say they don't have a strong leadership bench. Workhuman's Future Leaders gives organizations a smarter way to build one. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence solution to identify high-potential VP+ talent already within your workforce—up to four years before promotion. Using proprietary AI and real-time recognition data, it uncovers the leadership signals hidden in everyday work long before traditional succession planning can. It's a smarter, data-driven approach to building tomorrow's leaders. Learn more at Workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S18 · E23
August 4 · 12 min
Moments That Matter and Shape Employee Trust: Lessons from SHRM 2026
Moments That Matter and Shape Employee Trust: Lessons from SHRM 2026 Host: Steve Boese Guests: Tom Fischer, Marketing Leader Brian Elfrink, Product Leader Troy Hupp, Product Leader for Employee Verifications Erin Derby, Sr. Director, Partners and Alliances Summary In this special episode of the HR Happy Hour recorded live at SHRM 2026, Steve Boese brings together insights from four conversations with leaders from Experian Employer Services to explore how compliance, HR technology, and connected systems influence the moments employees remember most. From onboarding and employment verification to workforce compliance and HR technology ecosystems, this episode examines how organizations can reduce friction, build trust, and create better employee experiences during life's biggest moments. Whether an employee is starting a new job, buying a home, relocating, or navigating changing regulations, the systems supporting those experiences matter more than ever. Topics include: Why compliance has become an essential part of the employee experience How employment verification impacts major life events like home purchases and government benefits The growing importance of connected HR technology ecosystems Why automation should enhance—not replace—human service How organizations can balance innovation, compliance, and employee trust Practical advice for evaluating HR technology partners Why the "back office" increasingly defines the employee experience Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Nearly 9 in 10 HR leaders say they don't have a strong leadership bench. Workhuman's Future Leaders gives organizations a smarter way to build one. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence solution to identify high-potential VP+ talent already within your workforce—up to four years before promotion. Using proprietary AI and real-time recognition data, it uncovers the leadership signals hidden in everyday work long before traditional succession planning can. It's a smarter, data-driven approach to building tomorrow's leaders. Learn more at Workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S1 · E9
July 28 · 40 min
How Leaders Can Build AI-Native Organizations
How Leaders Can Build AI-Native Organizations Host: Steve Boese Guests: Brian Solis, Head of Global Innovation - Dave Wright, Chief Innovation Officer, ServiceNow Summary On this episode of System of Record, Steve Boese is joined by Dave Wright and Brian Solis, co-authors of Infinite: How Leaders Transform Businesses with AI, for a conversation about what it really takes to become an AI-native organization. Rather than focusing on AI tools alone, they explore why successful transformation requires organizations to rethink leadership, redesign workflows, and build cultures that can continuously adapt. The discussion challenges leaders to move beyond using AI solely for efficiency and begin leveraging it to create entirely new ways of working. From organizational design to workflow orchestration, the episode offers practical insights into what separates companies that simply adopt AI from those that use it to reinvent their business. Whether you're leading HR, IT, operations, or enterprise strategy, this conversation provides a thoughtful framework for preparing your organization for the next era of work. Topics include: Why AI represents a fundamentally different transformation than previous technology waves. What it means to build an "infinite company" designed for continuous adaptation. How leadership must evolve to support AI-driven organizations. Why workflow design is becoming one of the most important competitive advantages. The difference between using AI for operational efficiency and using it to drive innovation. How organizational culture, trust, and curiosity influence successful AI adoption. Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. We talk a lot on this show about where HR is headed — and one of the most exciting developments I’ve seen lately is what Workhuman is doing with Future Leaders. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence tool of its kind, helping companies identify high-potential VP+ talent already inside their organization — up to 4 years before they step into the role. And it’s not based on gut instinct or visibility. Using real-time recognition data and proprietary AI, it reveals who’s already influencing and elevating the people around them. Future Leaders from Workhuman is setting a new standard for internal talent development. Learn more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S1 · E6
July 24 · 31 min
Leadership Development, No Budget Required
Leadership Development, No Budget Required Host: Sabrina Baker Summary Small businesses run on homegrown leaders, high performers promoted into management with zero support for the completely different skill set that role actually requires. Sabrina argues that leadership development is already happening in every organization, whether intentional or not, because new leaders learn by watching everyone above them. If those role models are bad, the org just keeps reproducing the same gaps. With no budget for formal programs, she walks through ways to build leadership development into work that's already happening: asking questions instead of handing managers answers, using real business misses as leadership case studies in team meetings, running one-on-ones that surface what managers actually need, pulling engagement survey data to make the case for support, and running informal lunch-and-learns during meetings that already exist. None of it requires CEO sign-off or a line item just intention about turning everyday moments into development. Key Topics Promoting from within can enhance morale and engagement. Onboarding programs are crucial for small businesses. Leadership development can happen informally through daily interactions. Assuming individual contributors will be great leaders is a mistake. Real business problems can be used as learning opportunities. Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. We talk a lot on this show about where HR is headed — and one of the most exciting developments I’ve seen lately is what Workhuman is doing with Future Leaders. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence tool of its kind, helping companies identify high-potential VP+ talent already inside their organization — up to 4 years before they step into the role. And it’s not based on gut instinct or visibility. Using real-time recognition data and proprietary AI, it reveals who’s already influencing and elevating the people around them. Future Leaders from Workhuman is setting a new standard for internal talent development. Learn more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S18 · E22
July 21 · 35 min
AI and the Next Evolution of Performance Management
AI and the Next Evolution of Performance Management Host: Steve Boese Guest: Bryan Hancock, Partner at McKinsey & Company Summary On this episode of At Work in America, Steve Boese sits down with Bryan Hancock, Partner at McKinsey & Company, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of human resources. Rather than viewing AI as a replacement for people, Bryan explains how organizations can use it to strengthen the human side of work - from improving performance management and coaching to creating more meaningful employee experiences. The conversation explores where AI can reduce administrative burden, provide better insights for managers, and help employees grow while maintaining trust and transparency. Steve and Bryan also discuss one of the biggest challenges organizations face today: balancing personalized employee experiences with concerns around privacy, surveillance, and ethical AI use. As companies continue investing in AI-powered HR technology, leaders must ensure these tools enhance relationships instead of replacing them. Whether you're an HR leader, people manager, or executive preparing your organization for the future of work, this episode offers practical insights into using AI responsibly while keeping people at the center of every decision. Topics include: How AI is changing day-to-day HR operations Ways AI can support better coaching and manager effectiveness How organizations can build trust while introducing AI-powered tools The importance of balancing personalization with employee privacy Why successful AI adoption depends as much on culture as technology What HR leaders should be preparing for as AI capabilities continue to evolve Thank you for joining the show today! Remember to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. We talk a lot on this show about where HR is headed — and one of the most exciting developments I’ve seen lately is what Workhuman is doing with Future Leaders. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence tool of its kind, helping companies identify high-potential VP+ talent already inside their organization — up to 4 years before they step into the role. And it’s not based on gut instinct or visibility. Using real-time recognition data and proprietary AI, it reveals who’s already influencing and elevating the people around them. Future Leaders from Workhuman is setting a new standard for internal talent development. Learn more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.
S4 · E11
July 17 · 37 min
How AI and Assumptions are Shaping Hiring in 2026
How AI and Assumptions are Shaping Hiring in 2026 Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen Guest: Ken Ward, Talent Acquisition Leader Summary On this episode of HR Means Business, Mervyn is joined by talent acquisition leader Ken Ward to explore what today's hiring market looks like from the perspective of an experienced executive candidate. Drawing on more than 30 years in talent acquisition, Ken shares what he's learned while navigating his own career transition, including how AI is changing recruitment, why judgment still matters more than technology, and how senior professionals can rethink visibility, networking, and career positioning. He also discusses how studying counseling has changed the way he approaches leadership, decision-making, and professional resilience. The conversation offers a thoughtful look at hiring from both sides of the table and challenges many of the assumptions surrounding AI, executive recruiting, and the future of talent acquisition. Key Takeaways Why senior talent acquisition professionals face unique challenges in today's hiring market How AI is influencing recruiting—and where human judgment remains essential The changing role of LinkedIn, personal branding, and professional visibility Why hiring decisions should prioritize curiosity and critical thinking over certainty How counseling skills can strengthen leadership, recruiting, and career resilience Practical advice for experienced professionals navigating career transitions Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. We talk a lot on this show about where HR is headed — and one of the most exciting developments I’ve seen lately is what Workhuman is doing with Future Leaders. Future Leaders is the first talent intelligence tool of its kind, helping companies identify high-potential VP+ talent already inside their organization — up to 4 years before they step into the role. And it’s not based on gut instinct or visibility. Using real-time recognition data and proprietary AI, it reveals who’s already influencing and elevating the people around them. Future Leaders from Workhuman is setting a new standard for internal talent development. Learn more at workhuman.com. Thanks for joining us.

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