Talk HR: A NYC SHRM Podcast

In this season two finale of Talk HR , Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio tackle one of the biggest challenges facing employers today: the rising cost of healthcare. Despite years of cost-shifting, plan redesigns, and annual renewals, employers continue to face increasing expenses while employees experience higher deductibles, reduced affordability, and growing frustration. Joining the conver...

Global hiring has never been easier — but building a company that can actually operate globally is a different challenge entirely. In this episode, Harrison and Sam sit down with Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer at Remote, to dig into what happens when international expansion starts revealing the cracks in a company's infrastructure. From blurred ownership and compliance risk to cultural nua...

In this episode of Talk HR , Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio explore one of the most overlooked drivers of employee wellbeing: financial health. While organizations focus on mental and physical well-being, financial stress continues to quietly impact retention, productivity, and engagement across the workforce. They’re joined by Caroline Woodson from Stream, a financial well-being platform...

In this episode of Talk HR, Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio welcome Angela Finlay — HR executive, consultant, professor, and author — for a timely conversation about the future of work and why “skill stacking” may be the most important strategy for navigating it. With technology accelerating change and AI reshaping job requirements at an unprecedented speed, Angela introduces a practical f...

In this episode of Talk HR, the conversation turns to one of the biggest compliance challenges facing HR leaders in 2026: expanded pay data reporting and workforce disclosure requirements. With new federal filings, evolving state mandates, and New York City’s upcoming reporting rules, HR teams are navigating a level of complexity that demands early preparation and cross-functional coordination. Ho...

Talk HR kicks off 2026 with a timely conversation on how HR leaders can keep up with the accelerating pace of change — especially as AI evolves month-to-month and expectations around data fluency, technology, and business acumen continue to rise. Hosts Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio welcome Ben Eubanks , Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory and author of Artificial Int...

In the final episode of the year, Talk HR explores the increasingly critical intersection of HR responsibility and mental health. With wellness concerns intensifying across workplaces—and HR professionals now fielding everything from anxiety to burnout to accommodation requests—this episode examines how HR can support others without sacrificing their own wellbeing. Hosts Harrison Newman and Sam De...

Prescription drug costs aren’t just a budget line — they’re a business risk and an equity issue. In this episode, Harrison Newman and co-host Sam DiMercurio break down why pharmacy spend keeps climbing and what HR leaders can practically do about it with guest Eric Levin , Founder & CEO of Scripta Insights . They unpack PBMs, “market basket” pricing, GLP-1 access, the government’s role, and how tr...

Traditional health insurance is broken — but what’s the alternative? In this episode of Talk HR , hosts Harrison Newman and Sam DiMercurio sit down with Peter Doran, SVP at Pareto Health, to explore how group captives and self-funding models are reshaping the future of employer healthcare. Peter breaks down why the standard fully insured model no longer works, how data transparency empowers smarte...

After a summer break, Talk HR is back — and this episode is worth the wait. Harrison and Sam are joined by Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer, author of Workquake, and one of the world’s most respected voices on the future of work. Steve helped scale LinkedIn from 400 to 4,000 employees in just three and a half years, building a culture so distinctive it’s still studied at Stanford t...

As HR continues to evolve into a strategic force inside organizations, it's time to hear from a key partner: the CFO. In this mid-year finale episode of Talk HR, Harrison and Sam are joined by Maliek Branch, CFO of Greenwich House, to explore the intersection of finance and human resources in today's workplace. Maliek shares how her background in city government shaped her leadership style, what C...

On this milestone 10th episode of Talk HR, co-hosts Harrison Newman and Sam D’Arcurio reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month, the personal routines that support their own well-being, and the evolving definition of holistic employee wellness. Then, Sam welcomes Einat Steklov, co-founder and CEO of Kashable, for a candid and timely conversation about financial wellness as a mental health strategy...

In this episode, Harrison and Sam sit down with Peter Phelan — HR executive turned culture consultant and executive recruiter — to explore how companies can create thriving, people-centric workplaces. From resume tips and recruiting trends to workplace culture and DEI, Peter shares the strategies he’s seen work during his years as a Chief People Officer and now as the go-to "Culture Doctor" for st...

On this episode, Harrison and Sam dive into two major topics: supporting working parents in the workforce and navigating the global HR landscape. They discuss some of the challenges working parents face and how HR can better support them. They also provide practical strategies to help you find a better work-life balance. Later in the episode, Harrison interviews Ryan Freeman, Head of Partnerships...

On this episode of Talk HR, hosts Harrison and Sam dive into how AI will impact the workforce moving forward. They also speak to Ryan McAllister, VP of the NYC SHRM Conference and Director of People at the LGBTQ+ Community Center about the upcoming conference. Plus, they chat with Nichol Bradford, AI & HI Executive in Residence at SHRM. The episode explores key HR topics such as the evolving lands...

Did you know that employers worldwide are facing a massive talent shortage, and rethinking how they attract and retain employees could be the game changer? On this episode, Harrison and Sam are joined by Julie Develin, Senior Partner of HCM Advisory at UKG, who breaks down 2025 HR Megatrends and how HR leaders can turn challenges into opportunities. Julie discusses everything from tackling the tal...

Did you know that companies can save over a million dollars in retention costs by addressing employee burnout? On this episode, Harrison and Sam are joined by Dr. Sharon Grossman, the Burnout Doc, who shares proven strategies that not only help individuals manage stress but also lead to significant financial benefits for organizations. Plus, they chat with David Turetsky, host of the HR Data Labs...

On this episode, Harrison and Sam dive into crucial conversations surrounding women’s health, workplace civility, and the upcoming election cycle. They are joined by Georgie Kovacs from Fempower Health, who discusses the often overlooked topics of perimenopause and menopause in the workplace; Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary for SHRM, who emphasize...

On this episode, Harrison and Sam talk about some of the lessons learned at SHRM24 with Edwidge Constant, and they touch on how AI impacts today’s workforce and how it might shape the future. Plus, Harrison and Sam discuss fostering a healthy work environment with Michael Cohen, a partner at Duane Morris.   Thank you to our sponsors and friends of the pod, IncentFit, UKG, Rocket Lawyer, Supporting...

On this episode, Harrison and Sam record live from the NYC SHRM Spring Summit, plus they dive into the importance of culture and wellness and how you can be proactive in both areas.  Thank you to episode sponsors Crossover Health, Rocket Lawyer, & Aflac and the friends of the pod Brain Washed Coffee, Got Fishing, Supporting Cast & Amwins Connect Employee Benefits.    

“What you put into NYC SHRM, you get out of NYC SHRM.” - Alex Salas. On this episode, we’re talking all about leadership.  We’re starting off with an interview with the President-Elect of NYC SHRM, who telsl us about SHRM and its motto of connecting, learning, and growing. Plus, we break down some leadership lessons you can learn from Apple TV’s hit show, Ted Lasso. Then, we’ll talk to some SHRM p...

This is Talk NYC SHRM, New York City SHRM's official podcast. On this show, hosts Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio take you into the HR community in New York City, offering insights, ideas, and lessons to make you a better leader inside and outside of your organization. Subscribe now!