Episodes

  • 067: Stop Surviving at Work & Let’s Build a Thriving Culture

    067: Stop Surviving at Work & Let’s Build a Thriving Culture
    Mar 30 2026
    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 belonging, and shaping cultures where people feel connected, valued, and inspired to bring their best to work every day. If you care about building stronger leaders and workplaces where people can truly flourish, this conversation is packed with ideas you won’t want to miss.
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    55 mins
  • 066: Ignite Your Spark - Choosing Growth Over Comfort in Times of Change

    066: Ignite Your Spark - Choosing Growth Over Comfort in Times of Change
    Mar 23 2026
    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. Drawing from his work as a Mental Fitness (PQ®) Coach, keynote speaker, and host of The BOLT Podcast, Todd explains how strengthening your mindset can help you navigate change with clarity, resilience, and purpose.In this energizing conversation, Todd discusses the power of mental fitness, why listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills, and how creating safe spaces for honest conversations can unlock untapped potential in people and organizations. He also shares practical steps to help leaders and teams shift their mindset, reignite their passion, and pursue meaningful growth—both personally and professionally.If you’re feeling stuck, facing change, or looking to spark new energy in your life or leadership, this episode will challenge you to step beyond comfort and ignite the spark that drives transformation. ⚡ If today sparked something in you. Head to Todd's landing page to download the 30-Day Playbook and take the Spark assessment to see how lit your spark is. You’ll find everything you need to keep the momentum going. https://bit.ly/4s770vQ
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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • 065: The Powerful Framework To Start Doing Payroll Like a Boss

    065: The Powerful Framework To Start Doing Payroll Like a Boss
    Mar 17 2026
    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 for why payroll deserves a seat at the leadership table. If you’re ready to see payroll differently — and start doing it like a boss — this episode is for you. New book, "Payroll Like a Boss" drops April 28!
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    51 mins
  • 064: Augment, Don’t Automate - The Future of AI at Work

    064: Augment, Don’t Automate - The Future of AI at Work
    Mar 9 2026
    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 productivity, improve decision-making, and foster creativity — all while keeping humans at the center of the workplace. He also discusses how his company’s customizable AI chatbots leverage LLMs, machine learning, and web-scraped data to engage visitors, increase conversions, and drive business growth. Beyond AI, Thomas reflects on his long career in software development, including his work with Azure DevOps, serverless computing, Docker, Kubernetes, low-code frameworks, and his groundbreaking contributions to declarative programming with Hyperlambda. From building critical enterprise software across industries like FinTech and Health, to creating automation tools for software development, Thomas shares lessons on innovation, adaptability, and designing technology that empowers people rather than replaces them. Whether you’re a leader, developer, or just curious about the future of AI at work, this episode provides actionable insights on how to embrace AI as a tool to augment human potential, not automate it away.
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    47 mins
  • 063: Future-Ready by Design, Organizational Adaptability as a North Star

    063: Future-Ready by Design, Organizational Adaptability as a North Star
    Feb 23 2026
    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 collaboration, and deliver impact without relying on heroics. To learn more about her work, go to https://www.lisacolledgeconsulting.com/
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    48 mins
  • 062: The 3 BIG Tools to Enhance Your Leadership!

    062: The 3 BIG Tools to Enhance Your Leadership!
    Feb 17 2026
    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 and personally. The 5 Types of Leaders — Learn the five leadership styles, identify your own, and understand the strengths and potential challenges of each. The Leader’s Blueprint — Discover how you prefer to be approached, questioned, and challenged—and why sharing this with your team is a game-changer for trust and communication. This conversation is packed with practical insight, self-awareness, and actionable takeaways for leaders at every stage. If you’re looking to lead with clarity, intention, and impact, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. To learn more, go to https://www.youevolvingnow.com
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 061: Using Free AI Tools for Job Search & Interviews

    061: Using Free AI Tools for Job Search & Interviews
    Feb 9 2026
    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, researching companies, and telling a compelling personal story. Drawing from his deep experience in enterprise sales, partnerships, and analytics, he shares practical, real-world strategies for standing out in a competitive, AI-driven market.We also dive into what today’s data-first companies are really looking for, how candidates can position themselves as builders—not just executors, and why understanding the modern data ecosystem (from Snowflake and Databricks to cloud security and analytics platforms) is becoming a must-have skill.This conversation is packed with actionable insights for professionals who want to work smarter, communicate their value more clearly, and approach their job search with confidence, clarity, and strategy.If you’re navigating a career transition, preparing for interviews, or curious how AI can become your personal career assistant—this episode is one you don’t want to miss.
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • 060: Why AI Won’t Fix Your People Problems

    060: Why AI Won’t Fix Your People Problems
    Feb 2 2026
    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 engagement, performance, and retention—and what gets missed when leaders try to automate what should be understood. Ben shares insights from years of research across HR, talent, and learning technologies, helping us reframe AI as a tool that supports better decisions, not a replacement for relationships, purpose, or accountability.This conversation is a must-listen for HR leaders and executives who want to use AI wisely—without losing the human edge that actually drives results.About the Guest:Ben Eubanks is a bestselling author, researcher, and award-winning speaker with more than 13 years of experience analyzing HR and talent technology trends. He speaks with 300+ vendors annually and has conducted research with tens of thousands of employers and workers, shaping insights featured in his books Artificial Intelligence for HR and Talent Scarcity. Ben is also a passionate educator, longtime HR volunteer, dad of five, and advocate for global workforce development through his support of a ministry in Guatemala. To learn more about his FREE summer school for HR professionals, visit hrsummerschool.org
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    1 hr