Cappuccino with HR

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Johannes Füß, Senior Vice President at EGYM Wellpass, about the evolving role of wellbeing in the modern workplace. They explore how employee expectations are shifting, why wellbeing has become a strategic business decision, and how companies can design benefit programs that people actually use. The conversation covers flexibility, trust in hybrid work models...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Nadine Schomacker, Founder of People Champ, about what neuroinclusion really means in the workplace. They discuss why neurodiversity is gaining importance, where organizations should start, and how leaders can create psychologically safe environments. The conversation covers practical, easy-to-implement changes, building trust, measuring ROI, and what a truly...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Péter Töpler, Global Head of Intelligence Advisory at Randstad Enterprise, about how talent intelligence and workforce planning support better business decisions. They discuss aligning business and talent strategy, moving beyond dashboards and outdated HR KPIs, and how to pitch talent intelligence to CEOs. The conversation also covers the real role of AI, com...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Relinde Boerman , Lead Recruiter at Polarsteps , about values-based hiring and why aligning people, culture, and skills is essential for building strong, future-proof teams. They explore what values-based hiring really means in practice, how organizations can define and operationalize their values, and where values fit alongside skills in hiring decisions. Re...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer sits with Barbara Greutter, Executive Advisor and Interim CHRO , to discuss how the HR function evolves in fast-growing startups and scale-ups, and why HR must move beyond administration to become a true business partner. They discuss common HR pitfalls during rapid growth, building culture without losing agility, adapting quickly in new organizations, and the growing i...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Claudia Tattanelli, Founder and CEO of C-YourCulture, about how employer branding has evolved and why retention should be at the heart of any employer branding strategy. They discuss what employer branding really means today, why keeping people engaged and aligned matters more than pure talent attraction, and how organizations can move from gut feeling to dat...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Bianca Errigo, Founder of HumanOS, about what it truly takes to build sustainable high performance in today’s organizations. They explore why sustainable performance is grounded in science rather than perks or compensation, how wellbeing directly impacts business outcomes, and why performance cannot be separated from culture, trust, and human experience at wo...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer speaks with Alexandra Eichberger, Head of Group People Development & Culture at Erste Group, about what real transformation looks like behind the buzzwords.  They discuss why terms like “New Work” are often overused, how to balance deeply rooted values with ongoing change, and how leaders can navigate fear in times of transformation. Alexandra also touches on the di...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Ash Jones, Personal Brand Advisor and Founder of Great Influence, about building authentic and effective personal brands. They explore where to start, how to find the right focus and niche, and how to balance personal and business content without losing authenticity. Ash shares insights from over 10 years of advising entrepreneurs and leaders, including his w...

In this year end special of Cappuccino with HR, Rudi Bauer is joined by Hung Lee, Curator of Recruiting Brainfood, for a reflective look at 2025 and what it revealed about the future of HR, recruiting and work. Together they discuss the biggest surprises and disappointments of the year, the reality behind the AI hype and the trends shaping conferences, hiring and candidate experience. Hung shares...

In this episode of Cappuccino with HR, Rudi Bauer speaks with Jürgen Hartwig, CHRO and Member of the Board at Daimler Truck, about why the future of HR depends on embracing And instead of Or. They explore how HR must shift its mindset, move beyond transactional work and take a more strategic role in shaping people and culture. Jürgen shares insights on global differences, generational expectations...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Margareta Sailer , Founder and CEO of mondaysquares , about why learning and specifically unlearning are critical skills in times of constant change. Drawing on her experience as Senior Recruitment Manager EMEA at Tesla and Global Recruitment Director at Lilium Aviation, Meggy shares insights on adaptability, resilience, and leadership. They discuss why letti...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Kent Frederiksen, Vice President Rewards at the LEGO Group , about how modern reward systems go far beyond salary. They explore why flexibility and individualization are becoming essential, how companies with lower brand recognition can still build compelling reward strategies, and how transparency and EU regulations are reshaping the landscape. Kent shares i...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Katharina Baehr, Head of People & Culture Recruiting & Employer Branding at Contabo Group , about the shift from traditional HR to People & Culture and why the industry needs a new mindset. They discuss modern leadership trends, the role of individualization in people strategies, how AI can create real people moments, and why HR needs a place at t...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Andreas Mayer, Director Employee Experience & Operational Excellence at ING Deutschland , about how everyday interactions shape meaningful employee experiences.  They discuss what employee experience really means, how thoughtful process design and automation can support people better, and why leadership alignment is essential. Andreas also shares insights...

In this episode Rudi Bauer talks with business psychologist and somatic coach Kate Silber about the power of softness at work . They explore whether softness is a weakness or an essential leadership asset, how self-respect and emotional awareness build true authority, and why integrating empathy, vulnerability, and body awareness can transform individuals and organizations alike.  Kate also shares...

In this episode of Cappuccino with HR, host Rudi Bauer talks with Christine Regitz, Head of SAP Women in Tech and President of the German Informatics Society, about advancing women in technology. They discuss why progress has been slow, how early education and mentoring can inspire girls toward STEM, and what leaders can do to build confidence and inclusion in tech teams.

In this episode, Rudi Bauer speaks with Ludmila Tomperi, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner HQ at Wolt, about how resilience shapes our ability to adapt, lead, and thrive in fast-changing work environments. They explore what resilience truly means in today’s business world — from individual mindset to organizational culture — and why psychological safety, curiosity, and emotional intelligence are e...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer speaks with Ivana Spiridonovic, B2B Marketing Manager at WeAreDevelopers, about the behind-the-scenes of the WeAreDevelopers World Congress, the world’s leading event for developers, AI innovators, and tech leaders, and how the new HR track, the HR Leaders Summit, extends this vision. They explore how the summit bridges the gap between HR and developers, the surge of fe...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer speaks with Mihaela Nedelcu, Employer Branding and Culture Programs Manager , about the power of employee advocacy in building authentic employer brands. They discuss fostering trust, enabling employees to share real stories, and aligning internal culture with external branding. Mihaela shares lessons from Coca-Cola HBC, the role of feedback and capability building, and...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer speaks with Christian Wastlhuber, Fractional TA Leader & Co-Founder at The UnleashPeople, about how HR and tech are merging. They discuss building strong recruiting foundations, stepping into automation, and the recruiter’s changing role in times of rapid transformation. Christian unpacks the shifting skillsets companies need, the biggest bottleneck in people develo...

In this episode of Cappuccino with HR , Rudi Bauer, Cathrin Christ, Director at Deloitte, and Birte Reitmann , Manager Organization and Work Transformation at Deloitte, unpack Deloitte’s latest Human Capital Trends Report and explore the emerging concept of stagility, the balance between stability and agility that leaders need to navigate today’s fast-changing world of work. They discuss what stag...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Meghan Hennessy, Global People Director and former leader at Uber, Meta, and Apple, about rethinking leadership in 2025. They explore how leaders can strengthen their leadership “muscle,” navigate fear of change, and foster a culture that embraces learning from failure. The discussion also touches on AI adoption, ethical considerations, and the balance betwee...

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Nora Dietrich, mental health expert, Founder and Co-CEO of Between People, psychotherapist, and author of “Mental Health at Work” . Together, they explore how trust, awareness, and leadership shape mental health at work, and why building a sustainable culture is key to the future of work.

In this episode, Rudi Bauer talks with Margareta Sailer, Founder and CEO of Mondaysquares, about scaling talent from within and why upskilling is essential for growth. Drawing on her experience as Senior Recruitment Manager EMEA at Tesla and Global Recruitment Director at Lilium Aviation, Margareta shares how to build adaptable organizations, foster curiosity, and create safe spaces for learning. ...