What’s behind the changing priorities for an HR department of one in 2025? Jennifer Currence, senior partner at HR Soul Consulting, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, to break down the results of her annual survey of small business HR professionals. She reveals why organizational effectiveness surged to the top of the list, how business acumen is becoming e ... Show More
Oct 7
Quiet Cracking — The Silent Strain That’s Breaking Workplaces
The silent threat in today’s workplaces isn’t people “quiet quitting,” or doing the bare minimum in their job. It’s employees who stay but are stuck, burned out, and silently disengaging — a newer phenomenon known as “quiet cracking.” Jared Pope, a benefits and employment law att ... Show More
31m 32s
Sep 30
Using Stay Interviews to Spot Red Flags and Boost Retention
Stay interviews go beyond job satisfaction surveys — they uncover why employees stick around, what frustrates them, and what might send them looking elsewhere. Carlyne Ervin, SHRM-CP and VP of HR at Chrysalis, a nonprofit removing barriers to work, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM ... Show More
31m 57s
Sep 23
Too Much Information? Setting Boundaries for Workplace Gossip and Oversharing
We’ve all heard it: coworkers sharing a little too much or swapping gossip while at the office. These behaviors can create tension, blur boundaries, and impact team dynamics. HR consultant Heidi Hartman, SHRM-SCP, sits down with Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to discuss practical strat ... Show More
38m 4s
Sep 5
Becoming an Employer of Choice: Lessons from Cook County
In this episode of People + Strategy, Velisha Haddox shares her journey from commercial litigator to CHRO of the Cook County Government in Illinois, revealing the critical role of consistency, transparency, and executive support in driving change. Hear how Cook County’s HR team r ... Show More
27m 48s
Jul 18
Avoiding Random Acts of AI: A CHRO’s Take on HR Innovation
In this episode of People and Strategy, Kathleen Pearson, CHRO at McDermott Will & Emery, shares AI use cases for HR professionals. Pearson shares her unique career journey from marketing to HR leadership, offers her three pillars for building high-performing teams, and shares ho ... Show More
29m 21s
Aug 29
The Power of Risk-Taking in HR Leadership and Career Growth
In this episode of People + Strategy, Stephen Childs, CHRO at Panasonic Automotive discusses the importance of embracing risk in the workplace, especially as the HR role continues to grow. Childs shares how he built influence across the C-suite and how volunteering for tough assi ... Show More
38m 21s
Aug 15
Communicating HR’s Value Through Data
In this episode of People and Strategy at SHRM25 in San Diego, Thanh Giddarie, director of HR for MIT Health at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, discusses how organizations can leverage data to communicate the value of HR. Giddarie shares her journey from marketing to H ... Show More
24m 39s
Jun 2025
3 C's for CHRO Success, with SHRM CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.
In this milestone 100th episode of People and Strategy with special guest Johnny C. Taylor Jr., CEO of SHRM, we dive into the intersection of technology and human capital, exploring how AI is reshaping HR practices and the workplace. Taylor reflects on his leadership philosophy, ... Show More
40m 48s
Aug 22
Gen Z, Unions, and the New Era of Labor Relations
In this episode of People + Strategy, labor relations expert David Rittof discusses why employees seek union representation and how organizations can respond. Discover the warning signs of union activity, common management mistakes, and the evolving attitudes of Gen Z toward unio ... Show More
29m 43s
Jan 2025
How AI is Transforming Human Resources with John Kannapell, CYPHER Learning
Discover the transformative power of artificial intelligence in HR as we explore how generative AI is reshaping the workplace. The guest this time is John Kannapell, President, COO and Board Member at CYPHER Learning, a company leading the disruption of learning platforms to unle ... Show More
23m 59s
Aug 2023
DBE 124: From Grief to Growth: How Your Mindset Can Transform Your Business With Lauren Furtado
In this episode of the Digital Business Evolution podcast, Jess is joined by CPA Lauren Furtado. Lauren, who has a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship and business, has overcome tremendous grief and emerged with a powerful mindset that drives her success. She is skilled at r ... Show More
52m 56s