Épisodes

  • Improving Succession Planning: Why it Feels like a Fire Drill and How to Fix It

    Improving Succession Planning: Why it Feels like a Fire Drill and How to Fix It
    Apr 16 2026
    In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson talks with Megan Leasher, founder of Disruptive Journeys, about the challenges of succession planning in organizations. They discuss how to shift the perception of succession planning from a reactive process to a proactive strategy that involves all levels of the organization. Listeners will learn practical steps to identify critical roles, engage employees in the process, and create a culture of shared responsibility for leadership development. Understand the difference between succession planning and replacement planning. Identify critical roles that impact organizational success. Implement a committee approach to succession planning. Normalize conversations about succession planning within teams. Develop a common language to discuss succession planning effectively. 00:00 -- Introduction to the episode and guest 00:30 -- Importance of proactive succession planning 01:05 -- Personal story that sparked passion for succession planning 02:25 -- Difference between succession planning and replacement planning 04:03 -- Basketball analogy for succession planning 05:14 -- Limitations of focusing on high-level positions 07:03 -- Identifying critical roles in organizations 08:49 -- Committee approach to succession planning 10:29 -- Peer recognition in succession planning 11:24 -- Overcoming ego and turf wars in leadership 12:43 -- Common language for succession planning discussions 14:02 -- HR's role versus business leaders' responsibilities 15:02 -- Engaging employees in succession planning 16:20 -- Handling employees who are not interested in advancement 18:05 -- Ensuring fairness and equity in succession planning 20:04 -- Final thoughts and actionable question for leaders Guest: Megan Leasher, founder of Disruptive Journeys. She helps organizations strengthen leadership pipelines and develop intentional succession strategies. With extensive experience in leadership development, Megan focuses on creating proactive approaches to succession planning that involve all levels of an organization. Keywords: succession planning, leadership development, employee engagement, critical roles, committee approach, organizational culture, skills development, HR responsibilities, workforce planning, talent management
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    22 min
  • Supporting Working Parents: Practical Programs that Reduce Burnout

    Supporting Working Parents: Practical Programs that Reduce Burnout
    Apr 14 2026
    In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Dr. Rosina McAlpine, founder of Win-Win Parenting, about the challenges working parents face and how employers can better support them. The discussion highlights the misconceptions surrounding working parents and caregivers, emphasizing that the issues they encounter are systemic rather than individual. Listeners will learn actionable strategies to create a more supportive workplace environment that reduces burnout and enhances employee well-being. Understand the systemic issues affecting working parents. Recognize the importance of data in addressing employee needs. Implement targeted programs that genuinely support families. Train leaders to foster a family-friendly workplace culture. Create a community for parents to share experiences and solutions. 00:00 -- Introduction to the episode00:36 -- Rosina's personal experience as a working parent01:18 -- The realization of the need for support03:23 -- Misconceptions about working parents and caregivers05:02 -- Defining what it means to be parent-friendly07:36 -- Successful programs that prevent burnout11:16 -- The importance of flexibility in support programs12:20 -- Training managers to support employees effectively14:29 -- Creative initiatives organizations can implement16:43 -- The role of leaders in sharing personal stories17:18 -- Engaging C-suite leaders in supporting parents18:27 -- Key takeaway for organizations to support parents Guest: Dr. Rosina McAlpine, founder of Win-Win Parenting. She equips HR and leaders with research-based strategies to support working parents and reduce burnout. Rosina has over a decade of experience in developing programs that address the unique challenges faced by working families. Keywords: working parents support, employer strategies, burnout prevention, family-friendly workplace, employee well-being, leadership training, workplace culture, caregiver challenges, data-driven solutions, community for parents
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    21 min
  • Empty Cup: HR Can’t Keep Pouring Without a Refill

    Empty Cup: HR Can’t Keep Pouring Without a Refill
    Apr 9 2026
    In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Will Ortiz-Febus, HR Healing Advocate at Beyond HR podcast, about the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by HR professionals. They discuss the emotional toll of the HR role, the importance of setting boundaries, and practical strategies for maintaining well-being while supporting others. Listeners will gain insights into recognizing signs of stress in themselves and their teams, as well as actionable steps to foster a healthier workplace environment. Listener Takeaways: • Understand the unique mental health challenges HR professionals face. • Learn how to set effective boundaries in the workplace. • Identify warning signs of disengagement in HR teams. • Discover strategies for fostering emotional intelligence in leadership. • Gain insights on creating a supportive HR community. Timestamps: 00:00 -- Introduction to the episode 00:39 -- The emotional labor of HR work 01:51 -- The loneliness of being an HR professional 03:52 -- Why mental health is a hidden topic in HR 06:14 -- Importance of boundary setting in HR 09:33 -- Educating leaders on supporting HR teams 12:22 -- Unique stressors in manufacturing HR roles 14:01 -- Warning signs of disengagement in HR staff 17:10 -- Prioritization conversations with business leaders 18:34 -- Building community among HR professionals Guest: Will Ortiz-Febus, HR Healing Advocate at Beyond HR podcast. He focuses on the emotional well-being of HR professionals and the challenges they face in their roles. With over 20 years of experience in HR, he advocates for mental health awareness and support within the industry. Keywords: HR mental health, emotional labor in HR, boundary setting, HR community support, disengagement signs, emotional intelligence in leadership, HR stressors, workplace well-being, HR professional challenges, supporting HR teams
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    23 min
  • Identity Shift: Rebuilding Your Confidence After a Career Setback

    Identity Shift: Rebuilding Your Confidence After a Career Setback
    Apr 7 2026
    In this episode of HR Mixtape, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Steve Goble, Chief People Builder at The Goble Group, about the sensitive topic of employee terminations. They discuss the importance of treating employees with dignity during layoffs and how leaders can approach these difficult conversations. Listeners will gain insights into building empathy, providing support services, and fostering a culture of respect, even in challenging situations. • Understand the emotional impact of being fired and how to process it. • Learn the importance of clear communication during termination conversations. • Discover ways to provide dignity and support to employees being let go. • Recognize the long-term benefits of investing in employee relationships. • Explore how to build career resilience through continuous learning and networking. 00:00 -- Introduction to the episode 00:52 -- Steve's moment of reinvention 01:46 -- The impact of being fired 03:10 -- The importance of empathy in HR 04:55 -- Steps to rebuild confidence after termination 06:38 -- How to approach termination conversations 08:44 -- Providing support services for terminated employees 10:02 -- The role of social media in employee experiences 11:13 -- Building career resilience as an individual 13:14 -- Employer responsibilities in employee development 14:36 -- Lessons learned from past experiences 16:04 -- Advice for new leaders on making an impact 17:07 -- The value of curiosity in leadership 18:21 -- Final thoughts on relationships and support Guest: Steve Goble, Chief People Builder at The Goble Group. He helps leaders and teams improve performance through practical people strategies and real-world leadership lessons. Steve's expertise in navigating employee terminations provides valuable insights into fostering a respectful workplace culture. Keywords: employee termination, HR best practices, communication during layoffs, supporting terminated employees
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    20 min
  • Be Yourself at Work: Leading from the Heart without Losing Performance

    Be Yourself at Work: Leading from the Heart without Losing Performance
    Mar 31 2026
    In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Claude Silver about the importance of heart-led leadership in creating a psychologically safe workplace. Listeners will learn how to cultivate trust and empathy among team members, leading to improved performance and collaboration. Claude shares practical insights on how to have difficult conversations while maintaining kindness and clarity, ensuring that employees feel valued and understood. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies to enhance their leadership approach and foster a more inclusive work environment. Understand the significance of empathetic leadership in business outcomes. Learn how to create psychological safety within teams. Discover effective ways to give and receive feedback. Recognize the importance of transparent communication in leadership. Identify strategies to support both high performers and those needing improvement. 00:00 -- Introduction to heart-led leadership01:26 -- The role of emotional intelligence in leadership03:38 -- Connecting empathy to business outcomes05:42 -- Building trust through vulnerability08:24 -- The impact of communication on team dynamics10:52 -- Addressing performance issues with kindness12:47 -- The importance of regular feedback15:24 -- Managing legal risks while being human17:10 -- Engaging top performers effectively20:49 -- Essential leadership skills for the future Guest: Claude Silver, Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX. Claude focuses on fostering human-centered cultures that prioritize emotional intelligence and psychological safety. She has extensive experience in leadership development and is passionate about helping organizations create environments where employees can thrive. Keywords: psychological safety, empathetic leadership, trust in teams, feedback strategies, transparent communication, performance improvement, HR best practices, employee engagement, leadership skills, heart-led action
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    23 min
  • Hacking HR: What’s Actually Next for Work, Tech and People

    Hacking HR: What’s Actually Next for Work, Tech and People
    Mar 24 2026
    In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson talks with Enrique Rubio about the current state of work and the significant changes driven by technology, particularly AI. They discuss the challenges organizations face in adapting to these changes and the importance of creating human-centered workplaces. Listeners will gain insights into how HR can navigate these transformations and support employees in a rapidly evolving job market. Listener Takeaways • Understand the impact of AI on job security and workforce dynamics. • Learn how organizations can balance technology and human needs. • Discover strategies for HR to support employee transitions in a changing landscape. • Explore the importance of skills-based hiring and career mapping. • Recognize the need for organizations to prioritize employee well-being alongside customer focus. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the episode 00:41 – Enrique's perspective on the future of work 01:51 – The impact of AI on job loss 03:33 – Shifts in employee treatment post-pandemic 06:04 – The importance of human-centered organizations 08:04 – Skills-based hiring and its relevance 10:33 – HR's role in employee development 19:01 – Key skills HR practitioners should learn Guest(s): Enrique Rubio is the Founder of Hacking HR, bringing a global perspective on HR innovation, technology, and the future of work. He focuses on practical solutions for organizations navigating the complexities of modern employment. Keywords: future of work, HR innovation, AI impact, employee well-being, skills-based hiring, workforce transformation, human-centered organizations, career mapping, job security, organizational change
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    24 min
  • Evolving Employee Benefits for Engagement

    Evolving Employee Benefits for Engagement
    Mar 17 2026
    In this episode, we explore the evolving landscape of employee benefits and how organizations can leverage them to enhance retention and engagement. Jordan Peace, CEO of Fringe, shares insights on the importance of personalizing benefits to meet the diverse needs of employees. Listeners will learn practical strategies for creating a culture that values employee experience and how to effectively communicate the value of benefits to finance teams. Listener Takeaways Understand the shift from traditional benefits to personalized offerings that resonate with employees. Learn how to effectively communicate the value of benefits to finance executives. Discover the importance of sentiment data in assessing employee satisfaction with benefits. Explore quick wins for enhancing employee engagement through innovative perks. Recognize the role of company culture in attracting and retaining top talent. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to the episode 00:40 – Jordan's journey into the benefits space 02:27 – The shift in employee benefits over the years 03:14 – The impact of gig work on employee expectations 05:34 – The importance of understanding employee needs 08:00 – Engaging finance teams in benefits discussions 10:25 – The productivity of happy employees 12:42 – Metrics to assess benefits effectiveness 15:28 – Creating a culture of feedback 17:33 – Tactical quick wins for HR leaders 21:02 – The future of personalized benefits Guest(s): Jordan Peace is the CEO and co-founder of Fringe, where he focuses on enhancing employee experience through innovative benefits and rewards that resonate with individual needs. Keywords: employee benefits, retention strategies, personalized offerings, employee engagement, finance communication, sentiment data, company culture, quick wins, HR tactics, gig economy
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    24 min
  • People-First Leadership: Building Trust and Communication

    People-First Leadership: Building Trust and Communication
    Mar 10 2026
    In this episode, listeners will learn about the importance of people-first leadership and how it can transform workplace culture. Jeremy York discusses practical strategies for leaders to enhance communication, build trust, and prioritize employee well-being, ultimately leading to improved team performance and reduced turnover. Listener Takeaways Understand the critical role of people-first leadership in retaining talent. Learn how to shift focus from tasks to employee development. Discover practical strategies for fostering open communication and trust. Explore the impact of automation on human interactions in the workplace. Recognize the importance of setting boundaries to promote work-life balance. Timestamps 00:00 – Introduction to people-first leadership 00:36 – Importance of treating employees as individuals 01:08 – Data supporting people-first leadership 02:42 – Shifting focus from tasks to people 04:45 – Tactical advice for leaders 06:30 – The role of automation in communication 11:01 – Creating a joy-powered workplace 15:06 – Differences in leadership for frontline vs. desk employees 17:24 – Common leadership behaviors that harm culture 20:15 – Setting boundaries for work-life balance 22:06 – Final thoughts on authentic leadership Guest(s): Jeremy York is the lead consultant and president at Invigorate HR, specializing in helping leaders strengthen communication and trust within their teams. He is also a co-author of "Work on Joy." Keywords: people-first leadership, employee retention, communication strategies, trust building, work-life balance, automation in the workplace, joy-powered workplace, leadership behaviors, employee development, organizational culture
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    24 min