The State of Work Today

In this bold episode of The State of Work Today, I talk with Suzanne Lucas—better known as the Evil HR Lady—about the real state of modern HR. Suzanne doesn't hold back as we dig into where HR data fails, how AI is quietly reshaping hiring (and not always in good ways), and why storytelling and improv might be HR's most underused tools. We also get real about the gender pay gap, leadership blind s...

What if everything we’ve been taught about leadership is wrong? In this episode of The State of Work Today, I’m joined by Mark C. Crowley—leadership visionary, bestselling author of Lead from the Heart, and host of one of the world’s top-ranked podcasts. Mark’s journey from a painful childhood to a career of award-winning leadership is more than inspiring—it’s a wake-up call. We explore why fear-b...

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I talk with Felipe Pizarro about what makes the cooperative business model so unique—and how it changes the game in HR. Felipe shares his journey from ergonomics to executive leadership, what retail taught him about frontline engagement, and how North Central Co-op connects people, purpose, and performance. We dive into employee experience, succession pl...

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Dana E. Sherwin, CEO and founder of Thinking Patient LLC. With more than 35 years of experience in healthcare leadership—and a deeply personal health journey—Dana shares why patient-physician communication is broken and how we can fix it. We dive into how to prepare for medical appointments, what’s behind medication non-adherence, and how...

What if your wellness program is solving the wrong problem? In this episode of State of Work Today, I sit down with Bob Merberg—consultant, content strategist, and publisher of the HeHo newsletter—to break down what real workplace well-being looks like. We dig into the limits of health apps and step challenges, and focus on what actually drives retention, productivity, and mental health: job desig...

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Mark Mears — bestselling author, keynote speaker, and Chief Growth Officer of LEAF Growth Ventures — to talk about how leaders can go beyond managing tasks to building legacies. We dig into Mark’s LEAF model — Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Fulfillment — and why purpose is the missing ingredient in so many workplaces today. H...

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Andy Semotiuk—veteran immigration lawyer, Forbes contributor, and former UN correspondent. With over 40 years of experience and more than 10,000 clients helped, Andy unpacks the realities of U.S. and Canadian work visas, free trade immigration options, and the role immigration plays in closing critical labor gaps—especially in healthcare...

On this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Jason Lerato, a transportation industry veteran who brings a rare and valuable perspective to HR—because he’s lived both behind the wheel and behind the desk. With 20 years of hands-on experience as a long-haul driver, and a career in HR spanning recruiting, compliance, and workforce development, Jason knows what it takes to support and r...

In this must-listen episode of The State of Work Today, I speak with Rebecca Reed, global workplace wellbeing expert and founder of Siendo, who reveals her remarkable journey from corporate banking to frontline mental health care. Especially important this May and mental health awareness month in Canada, the US and the UK. Discover why your organization might be missing critical early warning sign...

What does it really take to build a world-class talent strategy? In this episode of State of Work Today, I talk with Marcus Fischer, co-founder of Time for Hires and a seasoned leader in global talent acquisition. From starting his career in HR “by accident” to shaping recruitment strategies at Audi, Volkswagen, and Swiss banks, Marcus brings two decades of lessons in recruiting, employer branding...

What happens when decades of HR expertise meet today’s most pressing workplace challenges? You get this episode. I’m joined by Michael VanDervort—labor relations expert, consultant, and co-host of two HR podcasts—for a no-nonsense look at what’s really going on inside today’s workplaces. We dig into the Starbucks union wave, how AI is rewriting HR playbooks, and what employers must do to keep trus...

In this episode of The State of Work Today podcast, I sit down with HR legend Steve Browne, Chief People Officer at LaRosa’s, to talk about what it really means to be a people-first leader. From his decades of experience across manufacturing, professional services, and hospitality, Steve shares how being present, intentional, and radically human can transform company culture, boost retention, and...

What if your dream job isn’t a title, but a feeling? On this episode of State of Work Today, I talk with Cecile Peterkin, Founder and Chief Transformation Strategist at the Leadership Coaching Center. Cecile shares her journey from science to finance to leadership coaching—driven by a deep love for people and a passion for helping others rediscover their purpose. We dig into why so many profession...

Ever feel like hiring is just a gamble? In this episode of State of Work Today, I sit down with Dr. Michael Neal—optometrist, entrepreneur, and founder of Build My Team—to unpack why most hiring processes are set up to fail. Drawing from two decades in clinical practice and a hiring method rooted in psychometrics, Dr. Neal shares how he went from constant staffing chaos to building high-performing...

Guest: Amber A. Johnson, PhD – Leadership & Strategy Consultant In this episode, I sit down with Amber Johnson, a leadership and strategy consultant with over 25 years of experience in developing leaders and driving organizational change. We get into what it really means to lead and grow people when budgets are tight and resources are limited. Amber shares smart, practical strategies for upskillin...

Hybrid work is here to stay—but are companies doing it right? In this episode, I sit down with Gary Cookson, workplace performance expert and author of Making Hybrid Working Work, to explore what it really takes to succeed in a hybrid environment. We cover why the five-day workweek is outdated, how AI is reshaping HR, and why leaders must rethink the way they manage remote teams. Gary shares pract...

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Paolo Gaudiano, chief scientist at Aleria and ARC, adjunct professor at NYU’s Stern School of Business, and author of Measuring Inclusion. With a background in neuroscience, aerospace engineering, and complexity science, Paolo has developed a data-driven approach to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) that goes beyond surface-level fix...

What does the future of work really look like? In this episode of State of Work Today, I sit down with Brian Elliott, CEO of Work Forward, a top expert on workplace transformation, and the author of How the Future Works. With experience at Google, Slack, and Salesforce, Brian shares data-driven insights on hybrid work, AI’s impact on jobs, and how leaders can build flexible, human-centered workpla...

The 4 Leadership Shifts That Separate Great Leaders from Failing Ones – with Phil Wilson Most leaders think they’re doing a good job. The truth? Many are driving their teams away without even realizing it. Phil Wilson, labor relations expert and author of The Leader Shift Playbook, has seen it all—from leadership train wrecks to companies that inspire loyalty and high performance. In this episode,...

Most leaders think change happens from the top down. That’s why most change efforts fail. In this episode, Tim Glowa sits down with Jeppe Hansgaard, CEO of InnoVisor, to discuss the hidden networks shaping every organization. They break down why just 3% of employees drive 90% of influence, how to find them, and how to use that power to make change actually stick. If you’re in HR, change management...

Is leadership really the key to high performance? Dr. James Chitwood says no. In this episode, we dive into his groundbreaking research, which reveals that leadership isn’t as statistically relevant to employee performance as we’ve all been led to believe. Instead, it’s team dynamics, culture, and operations that truly drive success. Dr. Chitwood, an expert in performance culture, shares insights...

In this must-listen episode of The State of Work Today podcast, Tim Glowa welcomes back Joelle Kaufman—CEO, bestselling author, and health advocate—to tackle an urgent reality for HR leaders and managers: 1 in 200 employees will face cancer directly this year, and countless others will be impacted indirectly.   Joelle draws from her personal experience as a cancer survivor and author of Crushing t...

In this episode of State of Work Today, Tim Glowa is joined by Michelle Rasmussen, SHRM-SCP, a seasoned HR leader and operational strategist with a rich background spanning manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, nonprofits, and more. Michelle shares her journey from operations to HR leadership, offering insights into blending operational priorities with people-centric strategies. We explore data-driv...

In this thought-provoking episode of The State of Work Today, host Tim Glowa sits down with Lorna Hagen, a transformative HR leader with experience at Guild Education, iHeart Media, and Namely. Lorna shares her fascinating career journey—from aspiring restaurateur to trailblazing HR executive—and explains how service, data, and strategy shape her innovative approach to leadership. Discover the pow...

In this episode of The State of Work Today podcast, host Tim Glowa interviews Arias Websterberry, an accomplished entrepreneur, author, and CEO of Websterberry Marketing and Ignite Funnels. Arias shares his inspiring journey, from promoting nightclubs to leading innovative marketing solutions that drive business growth. Key takeaways include: The story behind Launch Ignition AI, a platform that eq...