SpeakEasy HR

What does it take to keep moving forward when everything around you feels uncertain? In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, I welcome Marques Ogden—former NFL player, keynote speaker, business coach, and host of the globally ranked Get Authentic with Marques Ogden podcast. Marques shares his remarkable journey from achieving a multi-million-dollar NFL career to losing everything in just 90 days, and the...

What does the future of employee experience look like in a world increasingly driven by technology and AI? According to this week's guest, Alicia Ostermeier, it's more human than ever. In this episode, we discuss why connection, empathy, trust, and belonging are becoming the true differentiators for organizations looking to attract, engage, and retain talent. From leadership and culture to employe...

For years, professionals have blamed the LinkedIn algorithm for low engagement, limited visibility, and missed opportunities. But what if the algorithm isn't the problem anymore? In this episode, I sit down with LinkedIn strategist, executive branding expert, and founder of TNT Brand Strategist, Kevin Turner, to challenge one of the biggest myths on the platform today. Drawing from more than 20 ye...

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with executive coach Sean Olson, a leadership development expert with over 25 years of experience working with individuals, teams, universities, and organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to startups. Much of his work has focused on higher education and academic leadership, helping leaders grow in self-awareness, confidence, and impact. As an...

What if the problem isn’t Monday… but the culture we’ve created around work? In this episode, I sit down with Mary Baird — Employee Experience strategist, leadership expert, and author of Squash the Sunday Scaries — to unpack why so many professionals feel anxious, burned out, and disconnected before the workweek even begins. We dive into:1. Why trust is disappearing in the workplace2. The hidden...

In this upcoming episode, we’re joined by Andrea Adams, founder of The HR Hub and host of Canada’s largest HR-focused YouTube channel. With more than 20 years of HR experience, Andrea has worked with organizations through some of their most challenging workplace moments — and she’s learned that many of those crises are preventable when leaders focus on the human side of work. Our conversation cent...

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Kitchen to talk about “playing small” in today’s workplace and what it really takes to unlock emerging talent. We explore what it actually looks like when high-potential employees hold back, why that happens, and how much of it is driven by the individual versus the environment leaders create. We also dig into how feedback, opportunity, and organizational cul...

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with Willie Wibert—an engaging, hands-on leader known for building strong relationships, developing talent, and driving meaningful employee growth—to explore what it really means to lead with alignment instead of reaction. Willie brings a practical and people-first perspective to leadership, grounded in experience across training, engagement, and develo...

In this episode, we sit down with James "JON" Keel to tackle a challenge almost every professional faces but few openly admit—LinkedIn can feel like a grind. From inconsistent posting to low engagement and uncertainty around what actually works, the struggle is real. Jon breaks down why most people get stuck on LinkedIn and, more importantly, how to get unstuck. He shares practical strategies to s...

We’re going LIVE from the 2026 HR Collaborative with fast-paced 15-minute conversations featuring forward-thinking HR and leadership voices. This morning edition delivers real-time insights from the event floor—quick hits, big ideas, and practical takeaways you can use right away. Morning LIVE Guest Lineup: Jessica Palatka Julie Doyle Andre Young Sharon DeLay Pete Schramm

We’re going LIVE from the 2026 HR Collaborative with a fast-paced lineup of 15-minute conversations featuring leading HR and leadership voices. This afternoon edition dives into the real challenges leaders are facing today—how to better engage employees, elevate leadership impact, navigate change, and align people strategy with business outcomes. Afternoon LIVE features 4 speakers:Davis Robinson o...

AI is everywhere—but making it work inside your organization is where most leaders get stuck. In this episode, Alex Meyer brings a practical, grounded perspective on how to move beyond the hype and actually implement AI in ways that create real business value. As Founder & Partner of Dualis Studio, Alex shares what he’s seeing across organizations—where AI efforts succeed, where they fall short, a...

AI may dominate today’s HR conversations, but David Turetsky believes the real challenge for HR in 2026 isn’t artificial intelligence — it’s HR data. Many organizations are eager to adopt AI tools, yet still struggle with the fundamentals like data quality, governance, and turning workforce data into meaningful insights. In this Top Shelf discussion, we explore why HR leaders must focus on buildin...

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR HR, I sit down with Mark Lane, a corporate communications and strategic marketing executive with over 20 years of experience helping organizations strengthen their messaging, brand reputation, and employee engagement. Mark also hosts the podcast Ghosted by the Machine, where he explores the growing disconnect between job seekers and today’s AI-driven hiring process....

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we talk with Meghan Hensley, Vice President at Beech Acres Parenting Center, about how organizations can move from a culture where employees are just surviving to one where they are truly thriving. With over 20 years of experience in HR, leadership, and organizational development, Meghan shares practical insights on building authentic leadership, creating real belo...

n this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we turn up the heat on growth with our Top Shelf Topic: Ignite Your Spark: Choosing Growth Over Comfort in Times of Change featuring keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and mindset coach Todd Bertsch. Change is inevitable—but growth is a choice. Todd shares how individuals and leaders can move beyond comfort zones and embrace the opportunities that come with uncertainty....

Payroll isn’t just processing numbers — it’s building trust, culture, and stability inside your organization. In this episode, Tammy shares her powerful framework for elevating payroll from a back-office function to a strategic driver of success. From improving processes and system implementations to solving payroll challenges and mentoring the next generation of payroll pros, she makes the case f...

In this episode, we sit down with Thomas Hansen, CEO of AINIRO, a pioneer in AI chatbot solutions and intelligent web agents. With over 42 years of experience in software engineering, Thomas shares his deep insights into how AI can augment human work rather than replace it, and why this mindset is critical for the future of organizations. Thomas walks us through the practical ways AI can enhance p...

Many organizations are chasing bold outcomes with systems built for a different era—leading to burnout, broken collaboration, and rising delivery risk. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Colledge explains why these aren’t people problems, but system signals. We explore how neuro-inclusive performance infrastructure helps organizations adapt—designing ways of working that unlock diverse thinking, strengthen...

Great leadership isn’t about title—it’s about intentional action. In this episode of Top Shelf, I’m joined by Andre Young as he dives into three powerful leadership tools designed to elevate both your professional impact and personal fulfillment. Andre breaks down: The 5 Points of Your Day — Five key focus points to improve work/life harmony and help you live the life you want, both professionally...

In this episode, we sit down with Darryl Erby, a data-driven enterprise sales leader with an MBA in Data Analytics and more than a decade of experience helping AI and modern data stack companies drive real revenue growth. Darryl breaks down how job seekers can leverage free AI tools to level up every stage of the job search—from refining resumes and LinkedIn profiles to preparing for interviews, r...

AI is everywhere in HR right now—but is it actually solving the problems leaders care about most? In this episode of the SpeakEasy HR Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Eubanks to cut through the hype and get real about where technology helps, where it falls short, and why people challenges still require human leadership, clarity, and trust. We explore why organizations often look to AI as a shortcut for...

In this episode of Top Shelf Topic, we sit down with Damon Clark, Founder of Talent Optimizers, to explore how organizations can build high-performing teams by leveraging data, behavioral science, and sustainable development strategies. Damon shares his insights on how data-driven approaches can help leaders strategically prioritize focus areas, monitor progress, and maximize ROI. He explains why...

In this episode, I’m joined by Christie Engler, a passionate HR leader and champion of people-centric workplace culture, to explore why HR’s greatest advantage in 2026 won’t be technology — it will be humanity. With 20 years of hands-on HR experience across industries like manufacturing, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and nonprofit work, Christie brings real-world insight into what it trul...

We kick off 2026 with a timely conversation on career growth—and why it can no longer be owned by leaders or employees alone. I’m joined by Lisa Fain, CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence, keynote speaker, and leadership coach, to explore how mentoring, inclusion, and shared accountability create workplaces where people don’t just survive—but thrive. Lisa brings real-world experience from bu...