HR Unplugged

What’s stopping HR leaders from being heard in the boardroom? It’s not always about strategy or experience. Often, it’s about how they communicate their value and impact. Host Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Sara Jones , CEO of InclusionPro and acclaimed TED speaker. Together, they discuss how HR professionals can grow their influence through strategic framing, storytelling, and public speaking. S...

Are your employees just working, or are they growing, too? Many people feel stuck at work because no one’s ever asked them about their dreams. But what if you made space for that conversation? Kate Volman , CEO of Floyd Consulting and author of Do What You Love , joins host Vanessa Brulotte to talk about what it means to support employees as whole people with their own dreams. Kate shares why pers...

What makes a workplace truly stand out to job seekers?  It’s not just the perks or the pay. It’s the story you tell and the experience you deliver. In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Nancy Boyce , Senior Employer Brand Manager at BambooHR. They discuss what it takes to create an authentic employer brand that connects with the right candidates and reflects the real employee exper...

What does “No Tax on Overtime” mean for your employees? With the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s changing. Colleen Rynne , Senior Manager of Payroll Services Compliance at BambooHR, joins Vanessa Brulotte to help us make sense of the new provisions on tax deductions on overtime pay and tips. This is a must-listen for those in HR and payroll, or...

AI is shaking up industries everywhere, including HR. But how much influence should technology have over the hiring process? Nancy Boyce , Senior Employer Brand Manager at BambooHR, joins host Vanessa Brulotte to explore how companies are using AI in recruiting today. With 15 years of hiring expertise, Nancy reveals when AI can help recruiters work smarter and where the human touch is still essent...

HR was always meant to be a strategic partner to businesses, but it’s not always recognized that way. In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Amy Mencarelli , Senior Director of People and Culture at Bloomerang, about how HR professionals can position themselves as key decision-makers by using data in meaningful, business-focused ways. Amy shares practical advice on how to track metrics and...

Perks and benefits are nice, but they aren’t enough to retain the best talent. According to Jon Franko , co-founder of Gorilla 76 , employees want transparency, growth opportunities, and a culture that supports their lives outside of work.  In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Jon about how building a culture based on core values and empathy can drive stronger employee retention. Jon...

Building a sense of belonging at work starts with intentional effort. It’s shaped through consistent moments of connection, shared ownership, and a clear focus on community. In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Lee Rubin , Co-Founder and CEO of Confetti. They explore practical ways HR leaders can move beyond surface-level engagement and create a stronger culture. Lee shares how to simp...

Words carry weight, and genuine appreciation goes a long way in making people feel valued and motivated. In this replay episode, BambooHR’s Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte chat with Trevor Larson , CEO at Nectar . They discuss how thoughtful recognition fuels employee engagement and helps retain your best talent. Together, they share simple ways to start a recognition program and how to make r...

Hiring the right people isn’t about luck or gut feelings. It starts with a clear, consistent process and a solid understanding of what success looks like in each role.  In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte talks with Jonathan D. Reynolds , CEO of Titus Talent Strategies. They discuss why most hiring efforts fall short and how to define measurable outcomes before bringing someone on board. Jonath...

Many of us fall into our roles without actively planning our career paths. But just because you’re in a role today doesn’t mean you’re stuck forever.  In this episode of HR Unplugged, host Vanessa Brulotte is joined by returning guest Kelsey Tarp , Director of HR Business Partners at BambooHR, and executive coach Maria Kyriakos . Together, they discuss how HR professionals can take control of...

Are you leading your team or just managing them? The difference between a manager and a mentor can make all the difference. It shapes your team’s performance and longevity in the organization. In this episode of HR Unplugged, host Vanessa Brulotte talks with Clint Pulver , speaker, author, and President of The Center for Retention, to explore the deep connection between mentorship and employee per...

HR is a strategic function, and one of the best ways to prove it is by bringing data to the table. In this episode, host Vanessa Brulotte chats with Dr. Mallory Vachon , Chief Economist at LaborIQ, about how HR professionals can use labor market insights to influence hiring, pay, and retention strategies.  With broad headlines often missing the full story, Mallory shares why labor data should...

A new hire’s first few months can make or break their long-term success at a company. This crucial period shapes their understanding of company culture, their role, and ultimately, whether they decide to stay or go.  In this replay episode of HR Unplugged, former host Anita Grantham is joined by Megan Galloway , Founder of Everleader , to discuss how onboarding can make all the difference.&nb...

Today's workplaces are more diverse than ever. With employees spanning five generations, each with unique expectations, how can companies create a culture that works for everyone? In this episode, host Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Tara Martell , Chief Customer Officer at BambooHR , and Kate Noel , SVP Head of People Operations at Morning Brew , to discuss the challenges and opportunities of man...

People spend a huge portion of their lives at work, so it’s no surprise that workplace relationships happen. But without clear policies, they can lead to conflicts of interest, unprofessional behavior, and even legal risks.   When should employees disclose a relationship? How can HR set expectations without overstepping? What role does HR play in preventing harassment at work? A good wor...

AI has been one of the biggest talking points in HR for the past five years and it has already transformed the way HR operates. Whether you are already using it in your processes or are keen to experiment, this episode offers plenty of actionable tips on the best practices and use cases for AI. Joining the episode are Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research and Advisory and Bamb...

In between ongoing technological developments, new expectations from leaders, and lurking challenges, 2025 is promising to be a big year for HR teams. But how will the average HR leadership role change in the year ahead? For this episode, we grab the crystal ball and share our top predictions on how roles like Chief People Officer and more are changing as expectations broaden and tech makes new th...

What were the hottest HR topics of 2024? From navigating tricky hiring challenges to setting employees up for success, join Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte as they break down the ten most popular conversations from HR Unplugged in 2024! We discuss everything from how the "cake” framework connects to HR strategy to attracting bilingual candidates, and why recruiters shouldn’t feel subordinate t...

From writing job descriptions to scheduling interviews, selecting applicants to assessing candidate quality, the hiring process is time-consuming and difficult. And after all that, the person who gets the job may not be the right fit! However, hiring well is vital to the ongoing success of any organization. In short, hiring needs to be done right. In this episode, we sit down with Tim Sackett, Pre...

Compensation is the reason people turn up for work. A great company culture helps, and the value of the work itself can make a difference, but realistically, money is what keeps people coming in each day. Indeed, compensation is one of the key factors in employee wellbeing, performance, and retention. However, as revealed in BambooHR's Compensation Trends for 2025 report, things are looking somewh...

Done right, 360 feedback is a great way of promoting growth in an organization, providing a more well-rounded view of individual and team performance, and strengthening collaboration. Done wrong, it can contribute to a culture of fear, lead to resentment, and be too focused on weakness rather than strength. In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Burton, Co-Founder of Talgo.io, to explore the ins...

Dopamine is one of the most important chemicals in the body, playing a role in controlling memory, mood, sleep, learning, concentration, and movement. However, the modern world is challenging for dopamine levels because of the way our environment and habits overstimulate the brain's 'reward center' while also reducing opportunities for deep, sustained satisfaction. We sit down with Scott Byrd, Co-...

From lack of budget to overbearing CEOs, there are a host of problems that HR professionals deal with every day. So, what are the red flags to look out for, and how can issues be resolved before they develop? In this episode, we sit down with Julie Turney, Founder and Chief Impact Architect at HR@Heart Consulting, for a conversation about memorable HR experiences (both good and bad!), and how to c...

No employee is the same. The evolving needs of employees demand a shift toward holistic support that spans all of life's challenges, from caregiving, to illness, to childcare. This is key to building a healthier, more resilient workforce. In this episode, we sit down with Derek Lundsten, President and Chief Culture Officer at LifeGuides, for a conversation about the different ways organizations ca...