Episodios

  • Misty Bolt - Demystifying the Medicare Maze

    Misty Bolt - Demystifying the Medicare Maze
    Oct 2 2025
    In this episode, which was recorded live from the HR Tennessee Conference in Nashville, David welcomes Misty Bolt, also known as "Medicare Misty." Misty demystifies the complexities of Medicare, explaining what it is and how it's funded, and she explains the critical differences between it and Medicaid. She also discusses the current state of Medicare, common misconceptions employees have as they approach retirement, and why early and continuous financial education is essential for ensuring a secure future. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Misty! Today’s Topic: Demystifying Medicare and Planning for a Secure Retirement [3:16] The Current State and Future of Medicare How recent legislation is impacting Medicare Advantage plans and doctor’s funding. Navigating disruptions as some insurance plans are terminated, and the importance of open enrollment. [7:03] Why Employees Are Unprepared for Retirement Decisions How to navigate being "thrown out to the wolves" with no transitional support after decades of your company making healthcare decisions for you. The challenge of suddenly having to make complex decisions about Medicare, Social Security, and long-term care all at once. [15:58] Proactive Steps for Financial Wellness and Retirement The importance of engaging a financial advisor early in your career to plan for the future. Using financial tools like Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) as a retirement tool, not just for medical expenses. [18:15] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “[When you retire] you're thrown out to the wolves and [navigating Medicare] is . . . so hard and so complicated that nobody understands it.”
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    22 m
  • AI-Off: Part 2 - The HR Professional's Guide to Low-Code AI

    AI-Off: Part 2 - The HR Professional's Guide to Low-Code AI
    Sep 25 2025
    In this episode, David and Dwight continue their “AI-Off,” a deep dive into using AI development tools to automate everyday tasks and create custom applications for HR. They explore the concept of "vibe coding" with platforms like Replit and Base44, discussing how HR professionals can leverage natural language to build powerful tools without extensive coding knowledge. They cover the iterative development process, the importance of subject matter expertise, and the practical realities of cost and security when deploying AI solutions. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, David and Dwight! Today’s Topic: The AI-Off Part Two - Building AI Applications with Natural Language [8:19] The Pros and Cons of AI Development Tools How platforms like Replit and Base 44 handle the entire application stack, from the user experience to the backend data. The power of these tools to quickly build dashboards, scorecards, and data aggregation tools that once took significant time and effort. [17:38] How to build AI Applications with Natural Language Why subject matter expertise is crucial for guiding the AI to build a useful and accurate application. The importance of providing context to the AI, much like a product manager creates user stories for a development team. [24:09] The Reality of Building with AI: Costs, Security, and Deployment Understanding the costs associated with using these platforms and weighing them against the time and effort saved. The need for human oversight and professional review, especially for security and compliance, before deploying an application externally. [30:24] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “If you want [AI] to help you use your job better, [using tools like Replit or Base44] is potentially a really great way of being able to utilize your skills and your knowledge in this area.”
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    33 m
  • Sarah Smart - The Future of Talent Acquisition in the Age of AI

    Sarah Smart - The Future of Talent Acquisition in the Age of AI
    Sep 18 2025
    Sarah Smart, founder of Horizon Human Resources and a seasoned talent acquisition (TA) leader, joins us this episode to discuss the transformational impact of AI on talent acquisition. We explore how AI is reshaping TA roles, from coordinators to sourcers, and make the case for a fundamental shift in how organizations structure and skill their recruiting teams for the future. Sarah also provides critical advice for CHROs on adopting a skills-first strategy and integrating workforce planning directly into the TA organization to create a more predictive, data-driven, and effective hiring engine. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Sarah! Today’s Topic: The Transformation of Talent Acquisition in the Age of AI [5:28] How is AI impacting Talent Acquisition today? AI has been a part of TA for over a decade, but its implementation requires more wisdom and due diligence now than ever before. The ROI for new technology should be based on strategic outcomes, like quality of hire or speed, not just headcount reduction. [20:32] How will TA structure and skills evolve over the next two years? Sourcing will become a more strategic function, using AI to combine talent marketing with deep candidate intelligence to nurture relationships over time. Workforce planning should be owned by Talent Acquisition to enable “predictive demand control” and align hiring strategy with business capacity and needs. [36:18] What is your advice for CHROs? Effective TA organizations are no longer built on “super recruiters”; they require investment in creating metrics-driven, data-literate, and technology-fluent teams. Organizations must adopt a “skills-first” approach, mapping current capabilities to future needs to inform buy vs. build talent strategies. [44:19] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “When you flip everything on its head and think skills first, it completely changes the structure of your organization.”
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    47 m
  • AI Off: Building an HR Application Using AI – Part One

    AI Off: Building an HR Application Using AI – Part One
    Sep 11 2025
    In this special episode, David and Dwight introduce an interesting live experiment: the “AI-Off.” They’ll explore how modern AI developer tools are making it possible for anyone (regardless of their coding background) to build powerful, enterprise-level applications. Listen in as they brainstorm an HR use case and plan the process of turning a simple idea into a functional app in real-time. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, David and Dwight! Today’s Topic: The AI-Off Part One - Planning to Build an HR Application Using AI [0:26] The Power of AI in Application Development How AI developer tools are changing the game for non-programmers. Comparing traditional software development cycles to rapid AI-powered prototyping. [8:07] Brainstorming the HR Use Case Exploring different ideas, from a simple to-do list to more complex market solutions [15:46] Closing Thanks for listening, and be sure to tune into Part Two coming out soon!
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    17 m
  • David Noe - Improving Employee Experience Without Burning Out

    David Noe - Improving Employee Experience Without Burning Out
    Sep 4 2025
    In this episode, we welcome David Noe, host of the Speakeasy HR podcast and a fellow member of the WRKdefined podcast network. David Noe explains how HR leaders and managers can prioritize employee experience (EX) initiatives, even when everything feels urgent. We discuss how to improve EX without adding to already heavy workloads; the importance of effective manager training; and which small, simple changes—like a well-timed "thank you"—can have the biggest impact on employee satisfaction and morale. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, David! Today’s Topic: Prioritizing Employee Experience Without Burning Out [8:27] What employee experience initiatives should be prioritized when everything is urgent? Focus on the moments that matter most, like onboarding and manager relationships. Identify employee pain points through feedback and take small steps to fix them. [15:08] How can you improve employee experience without adding to the workload? The importance of properly training new managers instead of assuming they have the necessary skills. Using technology and data to help managers have more structured and supportive conversations with their teams. [23:29] What small changes create the biggest impact on employee satisfaction? The power of recognition, from a simple, unexpected "thank you" to a public shout-out. Fostering clear communication from leadership and respecting employees' time by eliminating unnecessary meetings. Taking the time to understand the unique motivations of all employees, from recent graduates to those nearing retirement. [31:39] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “A simple thank you goes a long way for some people, and it really can dramatically change the morale of that person.”
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    33 m
  • Katherine Jones - The Hidden Costs of AI in HR

    Katherine Jones - The Hidden Costs of AI in HR
    Aug 28 2025
    Market Analyst Dr. Katherine Marie Jones joins us this episode to discuss the pervasive nature of artificial intelligence in the modern world of business. We explore how AI is more than just office automation—it's a force reshaping industries, creating new jobs while making others obsolete, and presenting HR with the critical challenge of upskilling or reskilling the workforce. Katherine also sheds light on the often-overlooked environmental and economic costs of AI, from massive power consumption to its inflationary potential. [0:00] Introduction • Welcome, Katherine! • Today’s Topic: The Pervasive Nature of AI and Its Impact on HR [8:22] Has AI Gotten to Where It’s Touched Every Aspect of Business? • How AI has evolved from a niche topic to an inescapable part of every industry. • Why the fear of AI taking jobs is a misunderstanding of how the workforce will be reshuffled, not replaced. [23:30] What is HR's Role in Preparing for an AI-Driven Future? • The critical need for upskilling and reskilling the workforce to manage and oversee new AI technologies. • Engage in long-term, strategic workforce planning instead of focusing only on the next quarter. • Planning for the improbable and how companies can prepare for drastic but possible shifts in the global landscape. [29:57] What are the Hidden Costs of Artificial Intelligence? • The immense environmental cost of new AI technology and data centers. • How major tech companies are influencing energy costs for everyone. • Why HR leaders should be aware of the tangible costs behind the AI tools their organizations use. [37:53] Closing • Thanks for listening!
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    41 m
  • Sean Luitjens - Navigating the Mass Confusion in Compensation Today

    Sean Luitjens - Navigating the Mass Confusion in Compensation Today
    Aug 14 2025
    In this episode, we welcome back Sean Luitjens, VP of Product Strategy and Partnerships at Salary.com. Drawing from his recent conversations with over 20 WorldatWork affiliates, Sean shares his insights on the most pressing challenges and consistent messages from compensation practitioners on the front lines. He also unpacks the “mass confusion” caused by data overload and new compliance demands, the strategic allocation of limited budgets, and future of merit increases. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Sean! Today’s Topic: The Consistent Messages from WorldatWork [5:07] What are the most consistent messages you've heard from WorldatWork affiliates? Practitioners are facing “mass confusion” from the sheer volume of data, technology options, and compliance requirements. Despite increased demands, compensation budgets and headcount have not grown. [17:47] Where are compensation departments focusing their time and budgets? Technology now allows for more sophisticated segmentation and pay philosophy execution than was possible with Excel. The role of the compensation professional has expanded to include communications, as transparency makes it critical to explain the “why” behind pay decisions. [28:17] Are merit increases going away? The effectiveness of traditional merit increases vs. paying for the role and offering performance-based bonuses that are not added to base pay. The practical challenges of any model, whether it’s merit-based or role-based, often come down to inconsistent management and lack of buy-in. [34:36] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “We don’t always put ourselves in the seats of the [compensation] practitioner . . . There’s so much information coming at them from data, and the one thing that seems to not have changed in the comp budget.”
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    37 m
  • Neil Thompson - Why Your Best Tech Talent Needs Better Speaking Skills

    Neil Thompson - Why Your Best Tech Talent Needs Better Speaking Skills
    Aug 7 2025
    In this episode, we welcome Neil Thompson, founder of Teach the Geek, to discuss the critical need for developing speaker training programs for technical staff within an organization. Neil shares his personal story of struggling with public speaking as an engineer and how it inspired him to help other technical professionals improve their communication skills. He breaks down the common challenges technical experts face when presenting to non-technical audiences and offers practical strategies HR departments can implement to foster better communication across the organization. [0:00] Introduction Welcome, Neil! Today’s Topic: Developing Speaker Training Programs for Technical Staff [6:59] Why is it so important for technical staff to be strong public speakers? How a lack of communication skills can lead to being overlooked for promotions and raises. The benefit of having the person with the expertise communicate it directly, rather than risk information getting lost in translation. [13:33] What are the biggest challenges for technical people presenting to non-technical audiences? The importance of remembering what it was like before becoming a technical expert and tailoring the presentation accordingly. The challenge of making assumptions about what the audience already knows. Strategies for understanding the audience before delivering a presentation. [20:32] What role can HR play in developing presentation and communication skills for technical staff? Involving technical staff in the creation of the training or presentation to ensure it meets their needs. Using feedback questionnaires to measure the effectiveness and improvement of the training over time. [28:52] Closing Thanks for listening! Quick Quote “A lot of times, technical people, we think that us being excellent at our jobs is good enough, and unfortunately, that's not the case. If you're not good at advocating for yourself, you're not good at communicating your worth to an organization, you get overlooked.”
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    32 m