After a summer break, Talk HR is back — and this episode is worth the wait. Harrison and Sam are joined by Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer, author of Workquake, and one of the world’s most respected voices on the future of work. Steve helped scale LinkedIn from 400 to 4,000 employees in just three and a half years, building a culture so distinctive it’s still studied at Stanford today.

In this conversation, Steve shares how culture can become a company’s ultimate competitive advantage, why traditional views of career and loyalty are outdated, and why turnover—often seen as a liability—can actually be a strategic strength.

In this episode:

2:06: Introducing Steve Cadigan

3:07: Steve’s Accidental Path into HR

6:22: Scaling LinkedIn’s Culture

10:50: Redefining Culture Beyond “Pillars”

14:04: Culture in Today’s AI-Driven Workplace

22:17: A New HR Mindset

30:13: Closing Thoughts

As HR continues to evolve into a strategic force inside organizations, it's time to hear from a key partner: the CFO. In this mid-year finale episode of Talk HR, Harrison and Sam are joined by Maliek Branch, CFO of Greenwich House, to explore the intersection of finance and human resources in today's workplace. Maliek shares how her background in city government shaped her leadership style, what CFOs really think of HR-led initiatives, and why it’s time for finance and HR to stop talking past each other and start working together.

Key Moments:

• 00:06: Opening Remarks + Summer Plans
• 03:28 – Meet Maliek Branch, CFO of Greenwich House
• 04:31 – Why HR Reports to Finance at Greenwich House
• 06:43 – Finance vs. People: Finding Balance
• 08:46 – Advice for HR Professionals Building Bridges with Finance
• 10:03 – Measuring ROI on HR-Led Programs
• 14:19 – Inclusive Leadership & Pacing with Culture
• 17:01 – The Future of HR: Keeping the “HR” in “People & Culture”
• 18:12 – Advice for CFOs Working with HR
• 22:07 – About Greenwich House & How to Support

On this milestone 10th episode of Talk HR, co-hosts Harrison Newman and Sam D’Arcurio reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month, the personal routines that support their own well-being, and the evolving definition of holistic employee wellness. Then, Sam welcomes Einat Steklov, co-founder and CEO of Kashable, for a candid and timely conversation about financial wellness as a mental health strategy — and why access to low-cost credit can be transformative for employees.

Einat breaks down how Kashable partners with employers to offer fair, reliable, and data-informed credit options that reduce stress, increase productivity, and build long-term financial resilience.

Key Moments:

(01:00) Sam and Harrison discuss Mental Health Awareness Month

(03:00) How employers can support mental health beyond therapy

(05:00) The link between physical health, financial stress, and mental wellness

(09:00) Meet the guest: Einat Steklov, CEO and co-founder of Kashable

(11:00) What the credit system gets wrong — and how Kashable helps fix it

(23:00) Emergency expenses, debt cycles, and why Kashable is more than a stopgap

(27:30) Financial literacy: Why education matters — but liquidity comes first

(34:30) Final thoughts

In this episode, Harrison and Sam sit down with Peter Phelan — HR executive turned culture consultant and executive recruiter — to explore how companies can create thriving, people-centric workplaces. From resume tips and recruiting trends to workplace culture and DEI, Peter shares the strategies he’s seen work during his years as a Chief People Officer and now as the go-to "Culture Doctor" for startups and scaling companies.

Key Moments:

• Intro (0:00)
• Introducing Peter (4:01)
• What Makes a Candidate Stand Out Today (5:04)
• How to Attract a Multigenerational Workforce (8:24)
• Advice for HR Professionals Considering a Career Change (15:55)
• Reframing DEI Roles in the Job Market (20:16)
• Comedy and HR: The Surprising Connection (25:35)

On this episode, Harrison and Sam dive into two major topics: supporting working parents in the workforce and navigating the global HR landscape. They discuss some of the challenges working parents face and how HR can better support them. They also provide practical strategies to help you find a better work-life balance. Later in the episode, Harrison interviews Ryan Freeman, Head of Partnerships at Deel, to explore the benefits and challenges of hiring globally, HR compliance for international teams, and how technology is changing the shape of the global workforce.

Key Moments:

• 1:15 - Supporting Working Mothers in the Workforce
• 4:58 - Practical HR Tips for Supporting Working Parents
• 6:59 - Global HR & Remote Hiring with Ryan Freeman
• 8:25 - The Evolution of Global HR
• 11:31 - Key Considerations for Global Hiring
• 15:32 - Leveraging Technology for a Global Workforce
• 22:50 - Balancing Cultural Differences in HR Strategy
• 26:49 - The Future of Global Work & HR Trends

On this episode of Talk HR, hosts Harrison and Sam dive into how AI will impact the workforce moving forward. They also speak to Ryan McAllister, VP of the NYC SHRM Conference and Director of People at the LGBTQ+ Community Center about the upcoming conference. Plus, they chat with Nichol Bradford, AI & HI Executive in Residence at SHRM.

The episode explores key HR topics such as the evolving landscape of remote work, the role of AI in HR, and how organizations can adapt AI responsibly while maintaining employee trust.

Key Moments:

00:06 - Introduction

02:24 - NYC SHRM Conference Overview

06:01 - AI & HR: Nicole Bradford Joins the Discussion

07:21 - "AI Won’t Replace Workers, But..."

10:04 - How Should Organizations Adopt AI?

13:07 - AI Culture & Multi-Generational Workforces

18:42 - AI, Bias, Privacy, and Compliance

26:02 - Adaptability: The #1 Skill in the AI Age

30:06 - Closing & Final Thoughts

Did you know that employers worldwide are facing a massive talent shortage, and rethinking how they attract and retain employees could be the game changer? On this episode, Harrison and Sam are joined by Julie Develin, Senior Partner of HCM Advisory at UKG, who breaks down 2025 HR Megatrends and how HR leaders can turn challenges into opportunities. Julie discusses everything from tackling the talent deficit to leveraging AI for smarter, people-focused strategies.

Key Moments:

(0:00) Intro

(5:00) The 2025 HR Megatrends

(15:30) Engaging and Retaining Talent

(28:00) AI Insights

(30:00) Closing

Did you know that companies can save over a million dollars in retention costs by addressing employee burnout? On this episode, Harrison and Sam are joined by Dr. Sharon Grossman, the Burnout Doc, who shares proven strategies that not only help individuals manage stress but also lead to significant financial benefits for organizations. Plus, they chat with David Turetsky, host of the HR Data Labs Podcast about some of the lessons he's learned on his show, and they hear from Connor Buck and Rob Luneau of Imagine 360 who break down a new way to approach health insurance.

On This Episode:

(0:00) Intro

(6:15) Holiday Traditions

(12:30) Managing Stress During the Holidays

(15:45) Signs of Burnout

(20:00) Employer's Role in Preventing Burnout

(31:15) David Turetsky's Key Lessons from 2024

(40:00) Advice for HR Teams in 2025

(49:15) Understanding Reference Based Pricing

(55:00) Closing Remarks and Thank You

Thank you to Imagine 360, IncentFit, Brainwashed Coffee, Supporting Cast, Rocket Lawyer, Crossover Health, and Amwins Connect Employee Benefits.