The HR Social Hour Half Hour Podcast

In our Introductory Episode our guest Jon Thurmond turns the tables and interviews me to showcase what Tom’s Engaging HR is all about.  We talk about what it takes to start a podcast, introduce the goals of the show, preview some of our upcoming guests and set the stage for Tom’s Engaging HR.  We dig into some of the trends I’m seeing in HR Today as well.  Our Guest Jon Thurmond is a HR Practition...

After 318 shows, it all ends here. We talk about why it was time to wrap the podcast, answer your questions, and thank a lot of people. Hope you'll listen to the whole episode as it has something for everyone (and not our standard bumper music). Pick up the amazing Halogi Hot Sauces at https://www.halogihotsauce.com/s/shop . This episode is sponsored by Mike Sipple, Jr. and the Talent Magnet Insti...

We welcome back our #2 fan, Steve Browne! Steve was our first guest and being our last guest seemed appropriate. We discuss the successes and challenges he's faced in redesigning LaRosa's people operations, the status of his third book, and what he's learned from the podcast over the years. This was silly, a little emotional, and all around fun. Steve's recommendation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/...

We welcome back our friend and favorite Canadian, Dr. Melanie Peacock! We talk about endings, how academia has changed during the pandemic, and our favorite in person #HRSocialHour memory. Melanie asked us not to edit out a piece of our conversation, be sure to listen to the end! Melanie's recommendation: https://twitter.com/HRODProfessor  (Bob Ficken) How to reach Melanie: https://www.linkedin.co...

Jon welcomes back Paul LaLonde and Chris Hadley to talk HR and pro wrestling!  We catch up with Chris on his work and life changes over the last year, the greatness that is MJF, and why handling investigations the right way as an HR pro is critical. Check out the video we discuss about Chris' company here:  https://www.linkedin.com/posts/choicesincommunityliving_wwe-recap-activity-6996158881957625...

It's the 5th annual Pop Culture Roundtable episode with Jon, Lorena Pabón, Michael Mullady, and Chris Orozco! We talk about changes in Lorena and Chris' lives since last year as well as some of our favorite TV shows, movies, music, and podcasts! Spoiler warnings for Star Wars, Batman, Harry Potter, and everything else discussed. Hope you discover something new to check out. How to reach Lorena: ht...

We're joined by Deborah Jeffries, Vice President of HR Answers, Inc. in Portland, OR! We talk about how she discovered HR in high school, being involved in HR organizations, and more than one issue HR pros will be facing in 2023. Deborah is now one of our "West Coast correspondents" as she shares what's going in the Pacific Northwest. Deborah's recommendation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeniferla...

We're joined by Niki Ramirez, Founder and Principal Consultant of HR Answers in Phoenix, AZ! We talk about starting your own business, challenges HR pros will face in 2023, what Niki is hearing from in person event participants when she's speaking, and more!   Niki's recommendation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkarthikramanan/  (Dr. Karthik Ramanan) How to reach Niki: https://twitter.com/AskHRAns...

Live (to tape) from Portugal, we talk to fellow HR podcasters Julie & Chad Sowash! We talk about how they both got started in the HR space, what Julie sees as the biggest DEBI challenges coming for HR, where Chad sees HR tech headed, and more. There's plenty of podcast talk and we were excited to have them on together. Julie's recommendation: linkedin.com/company/harper-slade-llc-racial-equity-adv...

We welcome back Jennifer McClure, CEO of Unbridled Talent & DisruptHR in Cincinnati, OH! We talk about the challenges she faced in the pandemic, what she thinks people leaders will be dealing with in 2023, the return of Disrupt events, and the relaunch of the Impact Makers Podcast! This is a super sized episode with one of our favorite humans with more BTS talk than you'd expect in an HR related p...

We're joined by our #1 (undisputed) fan, Mary Williams! We talk about her newest role as Head Of People with Pinnacle Advertising, the people issues we should expect in 2023, and Mary asks us a question.  Mary's recommendation: https://twitter.com/AskHRAnswers  (Niki Ramirez) How to reach Mary: https://twitter.com/conmkw https://www.linkedin.com/in/marykwilliams1743/ To sign up for the Namely/Blue...

In this special episode, we're joined by Shane Kovalsky, Co-Founder and CEO of Mystery in Seattle, WA. We talk about coming from a family of entrepreneurs, how Mystery is working with employers to make their teams engaged, and how Mystery continues to evolve. Have you had T-Pain take part in your events? A fun conversation all around. Shane's recommendation: https://twitter.com/slramirez646  (Shaw...

We're joined by Khalilah Olokunola, better known as KO, Impact Architect and Chief People Strategist in Wilmington, NC.  We talk about the recent shut down of her organization and her efforts to help employees in transition, what HR pros can do to help second chance candidates, and what KO is doing for herself in this time of change.  We also make an announcement about the future of the podcast. K...

We welcome back Trish McFarlane, Founder of H3 HR Advisors in St. Louis, MO.  We discuss what Trish learned at the latest HRTech Conference, why to prioritize and delegate as a leader, and seeing Coldplay perform at Kensington Palace in the rain.  As an OG HR podcaster, Trish also tells us how HR Happy Hour shifted during COVID.  All this, and BeReal? Trish's recommendation: https://twitter.com/fr...

We welcome back Tom Horne, Enterprise Account Executive with People Element in Denver, CO. Tom tells us what he believes HR pros will be challenged by in 2023 and what he's learned launching the "All About HR Podcast." Magic Shell, Phish...this conversation has it all!  Tom's recommendation: https://twitter.com/Humanheadhunter  (Joel Lalgee)  How to reach Tom: https://twitter.com/TomsEngagingHR ht...

We're joined by Wendy Berry, Head of HR for Rainbow Health in Minneapolis, MN.  We talk about being asked her sign in an interview, HR challenges in the nonprofit space, and how employers can improve the experience of LGBTQ+ employees.  Astrology, neurosurgery coloring books, this show has it all! Wendy's recommendation: Felicia Ring - Finance Director of Rainbow Health How to reach Wendy: http://...

We're joined by Bob Ficken, HR leader with Kodiak Aviation in Sandpoint, ID. We talk about starting his career in law enforcement, HR challenges in aviation, and why Bob is passionate about teaching. He also gives Jon the business for being noncommittal. It's a fun conversation you're sure to enjoy! Bob's recommendation: https://twitter.com/sbrownehr  (Steve Browne) How to reach Bob: https://twitt...

We welcome back Heidi Pancake, Senior People Partner with Universal Music Group in Los Angeles, CA!  We talk about HR challenges in the music industry, what Heidi learned in the pandemic, and more.  Heidi's recommendation: https://twitter.com/ayyjayHR  (Aaron Backman) How to reach Heidi: https://twitter.com/PancakeHR https://www.linkedin.com/in/heidi-pancake/ This episode is sponsored by Namely. ...

We welcome back Christie Engler, Director of People Operations and Culture for Willory in Columbus, OH! We talk about her journey to landing with Willory, what she's learned from speaking, blog writing, and Madonna.  Christie's recommendation: https://twitter.com/mandyjohnsonoz How to reach Christie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christie-engler/ https://twitter.com/christie_engler https://christiee...

In this episode, we catch up with each other as the summer has been filled with surprises both good and bad. We talk about why we took a break and what's been going on behind the scenes. There's more "Ms. Marvel" and "Beavis & Butthead" talk than you'd ever imagine in an HR show and we answer some previous guest questions along the way. Silly, serious, and even in between, that's what we do. This...

We're joined by Bonnie Natko, Brand Recruiting Team Lead with Capital One in New Windsor, NY. We talk about the challenges in hiring creative talent, what Bonnie thinks is on the horizon in Talent Acquisition, and we reminisce about the "good old days" of Twitter chats where we first met Bonnie. Remember #OMCChat? We do! Bonnie's recommendation: https://twitter.com/data_recruiter https://twitter.c...

We welcome back Jess Miller-Merrell, Founder of Workology in Austin, TX. We talk about her upcoming book on digital recruiting, what she's learned helping fellow HR pro prep for certification testing, and embracing social video. There's also talk about washing top sheets and what happened when Kerri Russell cut her hair on "Felicity." It's always a joy to have talk to Jess and this was no exceptio...

We're joined by Aura María Huot, Director of People & Culture for Lavallee Brensinger Architects in the greater Boston, MA area.  We talk about HR industry challenges, Hacking HR and launching "People & Leadership," and more! Aura's recommendations: https://twitter.com/uncommonjulie  (Julie Quinne)  #HRCommunity How to reach Aura: https://twitter.com/AuraHuot https://www.linkedin.com/in/auramariah...

We're joined by Matt Stollak, Associate Professor of Business Administration at St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI. We talk about growing up with parents in academia, how HR and not necessarily students have changed over the years, and what professors learned about education during the pandemic.  Matt also shares one of the best childhood career stories to date AND offers up 2 questions for future...

In this episode, we talk to Jenny Cotie Kangas, Vice President of Marketing for Plum in Minneapolis, MN.  We talk about Jenny's start in Talent Acquisition, the head injury that reset her life and career, universal design, and more. It's a fantastic conversation with added commentary from Jenny's dog Charlie. Jenny's recommendation: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patrickhodgdon/ How to reach Jenny: h...