SpeakEasy HR

Not every workplace disagreement or discomfort equals a "toxic culture." So how do we separate real toxicity from miscommunication, growth pains, or mismatched expectations? In this powerful episode of SpeakEasy HR, Keith Wilson joined me for a real, no-fluff conversation about the overuse of the word "toxic," how it's impacting workplaces, and what leaders and employees can do to create clarity,...

🎙️ SpeakEasy HR: Live from the 2025 HR Collaborative continues in the afternoon with a fresh round of impactful interviews featuring industry leaders who are shaking up how we think about recruiting, leadership, performance, and workplace culture. At 2:25, Kim Dube of ReFlex Recruiting dives into how organizations can build a Recruiting Culture of Agility, sharing strategies for staying responsive...

🎙️ SpeakEasy HR: Live from the 2025 HR Collaborative is bringing you exclusive 15-minute interviews with some of the event’s most dynamic and thought-provoking speakers. I sit down with each guest for quick, insightful conversations that dig deeper into their sessions, leadership philosophies, and real-time takeaways from the event floor. At 11:00am, Andre Young, author and keynote speaker, kicks...

🚀 Creativity in HR: Shattering Policies & Procedures 🚀Is HR stuck in a policy-and-procedure mindset? 🤔 Or is there room for creativity, innovation, and bold new approaches? This week on SpeakEasy HR, we spoke about Creativity in HR with the incredible Dr. Melanie Peacock, author of "HR Can Be Murder"! 🎙️🔥 Are policies meant to be broken?🔥 How can HR professionals rethink “the way things have...

🎙️ New Episode Alert: Ethics in Hiring & Effective Interviewing with Katherine McCord This week on SpeakEasyHR, we sit down with the incredible Katherine McCord—HR consultant, dynamic speaker, and fierce advocate for ethical, inclusive hiring. In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what it truly means to hire with integrity in today’s ever-evolving workforce. Katherine brings the heat with p...

Traci Austin, Chief Talent Officer with Elevated Talent Consulting, joined me for a game-changing conversation on Turning Complaints Into Requests. In this episode, we explored: ✅ How to shift workplace complaints into productive conversations✅ Practical strategies for leaders to foster a solutions-focused culture✅ The impact of reframing challenges on engagement and retention

Jeff Palkowski, State Director of the Wisconsin State Council SHRM, joins me to dive into The Power of Connectivity in HR and explore how building strong connections can transform workplace culture, boost engagement, and drive success.💡 What to Expect:✅ Real-world insights on the impact of networking and relationship-building in HR✅ Strategies for fostering authentic connections within your org...

In this episode, Terry Wilson joins me to explore the Seven Essential Skills for Effective Leaders. With over 40 years of experience and his current role as Training & Development Practice Manager at Clark Shaefer Strategic HR, Terry shares invaluable insights on what it takes to lead with impact in today’s ever-evolving workplace. To learn more, visit https://strategichrinc.com/

In this episode, Andy Matthews—Director of Golf Performance at Neuropeak Pro, former professional golfer, entrepreneur, and certified business coach—shared powerful insights on how mastering breathing can help leaders overcome stress and perform under pressure. Drawing from his experiences coaching elite athletes, leading businesses, and navigating his own entrepreneurial journey, Andy explains th...

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we explored the evolving landscape of HR compliance in 2025 and beyond. As a seasoned HR leader and compliance expert, Sabrina shares valuable insights on how businesses can navigate the ever-changing regulatory environment while staying proactive and prepared. To learn more about Sabrina, visit www.sabrinalouisa.com

Chris McClure, author of The Magnetic Leader, shared key insights from his book, which outlines 18 essential actions that make leaders truly inspiring and easy to follow. He discussed why magnetic leadership is more important than ever in today’s workplace, where engagement and retention are major challenges. By embodying these principles, leaders can foster stronger connections, boost team morale...

🚀 AI in HR & Talent: Are We Asking the Right Questions? 🤖Think you're up to speed on the latest AI trends in HR and talent? Tim Sackett, President of HRU Technical Resources, joined me for a deep dive into how AI is truly shaping the future of our industry. The real challenge? We haven’t been asking the right questions. In this conversation, we tackle the ones that really matter—questions that d...

Steve Browne, Chief People Officer at LaRosa’s Inc., joined me to explore the power of human connection in an AI-driven, tech-filled workplace. He is a true HR rock star and legend in the industry! 🌟 What to expect:Steve shared inspiring insights and stories about getting out from behind your desk, building genuine relationships, and truly enjoying the work you do alongside your team. Don’t miss...

Tim Hagen, President of Progress Coaching, joined me to share how leaders can coach better and partner with HR to foster a positive workplace culture—reducing conflict and driving meaningful change.

Nicole Roberts, Founder and President of People Solutions Group, joined me to talk about an important topic for managers and leaders. The Gift of Delegation, Empowering and Trusting Your Team. Delegation is a powerful tool for empowering and trusting your team. Delegation isn’t just about offloading tasks; it’s about fostering growth, building trust, and unlocking your team’s potential. We’ll disc...

Get ready for 2025! 🎉 Sammie Kelly, owner of Beyond Neurodiversity, joined me to share game-changing insights on inclusive HR strategies for the year ahead. Don’t miss this episode packed with tips to build a workplace where everyone thrives! 💡✨

In this episode, I’m joined by John Bernatovicz, founder of Willory and author of HR Like a Boss. Together, we uncover the transformative potential of HR, diving into strategies to enhance workplace experiences, reignite employee engagement, and fuel business success. John shares powerful insights on how thoughtful HR practices can extend beyond the workplace, positively impacting communities and...

Are you a member of your local Chamber of Commerce? Are you taking full advantage of the benefits it offers and actively engaging with its programs? Matt Appenzeller, President and CEO of the Southern Ohio Chamber Alliance, joined me to highlight how Chamber membership goes far beyond the basics, offering valuable opportunities and resources.

Kendra Ramirez, CEO of KR Digital Agency, joined me to talk about the future of AI and HR trends for 2025. She share details about her past and she started in the world of AI. Hope you listen and learn something to apply back to your role!

Do you recognize the signs of burnout? Struggling to proactively address burnout within your organization? In this episode, Dr. Paul DeChant shares his expert insights, drawn from over 25 years of experience in various roles, primarily within the healthcare industry. Now, Dr. DeChant focuses on combating burnout across all sectors, leveraging his wealth of knowledge and experience to make a lastin...

I had the pleasure of speaking with Michael Towers, the owner of HR Avenger, about a powerful topic: leadership and the importance of silencing the lies that hold us back from becoming our best selves. Michael is deeply committed to empowering HR professionals to confront the often-overlooked mental health challenges within their organizations. Get ready to be inspired and take actionable steps to...

If you're in HR, you won’t want to miss this fantastic episode featuring an incredible guest! Jennifer McClure, CEO of Unbridled Talent and Disrupt HR, joined me to discuss how HR can evolve beyond the role of policy enforcer and the traditional hiring and firing functions. Her insights and advice are genuinely inspiring for anyone in the HR field or those considering a career shift into this dyna...

How would you rate your culture? Does it attract top talent and help retain your best employees? Are you losing good people because of the culture? Do you know how to even address culture issues? Bruce Manchion with Trinity Advanced Leadership joined me LIVE on October 21 and provided some amazing insight to the world of culture. Make sure to contact Bruce if you liked his episode and need his hel...

What is an HR partner? What role does HR play in your organization? Jamie Bierman from HR Elements joined me to talk about why an HR Partner is so important in every business.

About my guest: Roberta Matuson has over 25 years of experience in helping Fortune 500 companies, small to medium-size businesses achieve dramatic growth and market leadership through the maximization of talent. Businesses she's worked with include General Motors, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and The Boston Beer Company. She is author of seven books on talent and leadership, and a contributor to HBR, F...