What if your HR systems didn’t collapse under pressure—but flexed, scaled, and supported like a pro?
In this episode of The Culture Chronicles, I sit down with Austin Krogh, a human-centric systems thinker and HR transformation powerhouse, to dig into what happens when people strategy finally catches up to reality.

We’re talking agile frameworks. Scalable systems. And the real reason your fancy new HR tech still makes your employees want to scream.

From tech fatigue to AI integration to building HR that actually works in high-growth chaos, Austin breaks down how we move beyond traditional playbooks and start designing people operations for today’s world—not yesterday’s.

This isn’t about shiny tools. It’s about smart systems. And if your HR stack feels like a game of Jenga, this episode is your blueprint for building something better.

We cover:
– How agile frameworks reshape HR for speed, scale, and sanity
– What “centralization” really means when it’s done right
– Why tech fatigue isn’t about too many tools—it’s about terrible systems
– How AI can personalize HR without stripping away the human
– The danger of ignoring high performers while chasing low engagement
– Why newsletters aren’t communication—they’re just noise
– How startups can brand their people experience from day one

About Austin:

Austin Krogh is the HR Digital Content & AI Product Manager at Johnson Controls, where he’s on a mission to make HR more agile, intuitive, and human-centered. He blends systems thinking, design strategy, and AI innovation to streamline employee experiences and modernize support at scale.

With a background spanning talent strategy, product thinking, and digital transformation, Austin knows that broken HR isn’t fixed with another platform—it’s fixed with bold architecture and better thinking. Whether he’s replacing outdated help desks with automation or embedding feedback loops into comms strategy, Austin leads with clarity, empathy, and deep operational chops.

Why he matters to you:
Austin isn’t just theorizing about the future of work—he’s building it. If your HR team is stuck duct-taping solutions together or your employee experience feels more like a scavenger hunt than a support system, Austin’s insights will shift your entire approach.

🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/austin-krogh/

About your host:

Kate Ball is an international talent strategist, bestselling author, and unapologetic Bullshit Exorcist on a mission to torch performative HR and take down corporate nonsense with a smile. With 20+ years spent shaking up culture, leadership, and people strategy at giants like Amazon, Expedia, and Cision, she now runs Sparkle & Sass Consulting—helping brave companies and bolder leaders stop playing nice and start doing better.

On The Culture Chronicles, Kate calls it like it is: no jargon, no fluff, and definitely no beige. Just sharp minds, spicy takes, and real talk about what’s broken at work—and who’s bold enough to fix it.

This isn’t your HR department’s podcast. It’s the one they hope you never find.

🌐 Learn More: https://www.sparkleandsassconsulting.com
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateball1/
📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_culturechronicles/
📚 Explore The Culture Chronicles Book Series: https://www.amazon.com/author/kateball

What if your next layoff didn’t leave you spiraling—but supercharged instead?

In this episode I sit down with Jacqueline Widdis, a powerhouse mentor and product leader, to break down the mindset, strategy, and visibility it takes to be layoff ready in today’s chaotic job market.

From pacing the floor before publishing her first LinkedIn post to becoming a beacon of support for thousands of jobseekers, Jacqueline shares how she built a career safety net rooted in digital presence, bold authenticity, and proactive community building.

This isn’t about panic—this is about power. And in a market this volatile, you don’t wait to get laid off before you start showing up. You start now.

We cover:
– Why layoff readiness is about strategy, not fear
– The truth about job security (spoiler: it’s often a lie)
– How to build a personal brand before you need help
– Practical tips for growing your network—even if you’re introverted
– The stigma of layoffs and how to break through it with confidence
– What it really means to “build community” when your career’s on the line

Why this episode matters:
In a world where loyalty doesn’t guarantee security, your visibility and community are your currency. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll deal with that when I have to”—this episode is your wake-up call.

Guest Bio:

Jacqueline Widdis is a product leader, mentor, and one-woman career support engine who turned a personal layoff into a movement of visibility, strategy, and community for jobseekers navigating an unpredictable market.

After her own role at Microsoft was cut, Jacqueline didn’t just bounce back—she stepped up. She’s mentored over 1,000 professionals, built a fiercely engaged digital presence, and become a trusted voice on LinkedIn for people looking to take back control of their careers.

Jacqueline is known for keeping it real—ditching toxic positivity in favor of honest advice, practical resources, and consistent support. Whether she's sharing hard truths about the job market or uplifting someone who’s just hit “post” on their first jobseeking update, she leads with empathy, credibility, and clarity.

Why she matters to you:
Jacqueline isn’t just talking about layoff readiness—she’s lived it. Her guidance is rooted in experience, not theory. If you’ve ever wondered how to show up online without feeling like a fraud, how to network without feeling fake, or how to build resilience in the face of rejection, Jacqueline is the mentor you didn’t know you needed—until now.

Learn more about Jacqueline and her community: https://mentor.jacquelinewiddis.com

Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquelinewiddis/

Host Bio:Kate Ball is an international talent strategist, bestselling author, and unapologetic Bullshit Exorcist on a mission to torch performative HR and take down corporate nonsense with a smile. With 20+ years spent shaking up culture, leadership, and talent strategy at giants like Amazon, Expedia, and Cision, she now runs Sparkle & Sass Consulting—helping brave companies and bolder leaders stop playing nice and start doing better.

On The Culture Chronicles, Kate calls it like it is: no jargon, no fluff, and definitely no beige. Just sharp minds, spicy takes, and real talk about what’s broken at work—and who’s bold enough to fix it.

This isn’t your HR department’s podcast. It’s the one they hope you never find.

Learn More About Kate:⁠www.sparkleandsassconsulting.com⁠Connect on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateball1/⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_culturechronicles/⁠Explore The Culture Chronicles Book Series: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/author/kateball⁠

Still think HR needs to be full-time to be high-impact?
Think again.

In this episode of The Culture Chronicles, I sit down with Sarah Alaimo, a powerhouse fractional HR executive who’s redefining leadership on her own terms, minus the burnout, politics, or bloated org charts.

We’re unpacking what it really looks like when HR leads with empathy, sets boundaries like a boss, and becomes the heartbeat of culture instead of the office scapegoat. From emotional safety and expectation setting to calling out red flags and rewriting the role of HR, Sarah brings receipts, real talk, and razor-sharp insights.

If you’re still clutching your pearls at the idea of fractional HR, buckle up. This episode might just shake your definition of leadership, and show you why less really can mean more.

We cover:
– Why fractional HR isn’t a downgrade—it’s a smart, strategic power move
– The role of emotional safety in building real trust (especially remotely)
– How Sarah blends lived experience with executive savvy to lead culture-first orgs
– The green flags you should be looking for—and the red ones you should run from
– Why setting boundaries is the ultimate leadership flex
– What leaders need to know before making the leap into fractional work

Why this episode matters:
Too many companies are stuck in the past—clinging to outdated models of HR that breed burnout and bureaucracy. Sarah offers a clear, compelling look at the future of people leadership: lean, intentional, and deeply human.

About Sarah:

Sarah Alaimo is a seasoned HR executive, leadership advisor, and fractional people strategist on a mission to help companies grow without losing their soul. With a background that spans corporate HR, executive leadership, and lived experience as a recovery advocate, Sarah blends radical empathy with business savvy to create people-first cultures that actually work.

As a fractional HR leader, she partners with fast-growing startups and mission-driven organizations to build trust, establish boundaries, and elevate the employee experience—without the bloated headcount or corporate fluff. She's especially passionate about redefining what leadership looks like for women, for survivors, and for anyone who’s tired of being told they’re “too much” for the boardroom.

Why she matters to you:
Sarah proves that you don’t need to be full-time to be high-impact—and that real HR leadership doesn’t come from enforcing rules, it comes from building trust. If you’ve ever felt called to lead differently, this one’s for you.

Learn more about Sarah and her business: https://elevateconsultingcollective.com

📎 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahdalaimo/

Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahdalaimo/?hl=en

Check out Sarah's published works: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Sarah-Alaimo/author/B09CVXVMWG?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=d179f514-7606-4556-a1d0-504004da0848

Host Bio:Kate Ball is an international talent strategist, bestselling author, and unapologetic Bullshit Exorcist on a mission to torch performative HR and take down corporate nonsense with a smile. With 20+ years spent shaking up culture, leadership, and talent strategy at giants like Amazon, Expedia, and Cision, she now runs Sparkle & Sass Consulting—helping brave companies and bolder leaders stop playing nice and start doing better.On The Culture Chronicles, Kate calls it like it is: no jargon, no fluff, and definitely no beige. Just sharp minds, spicy takes, and real talk about what’s broken at work—and who’s bold enough to fix it.This isn’t your HR department’s podcast. It’s the one they hope you never find.

Learn More About Kate:⁠www.sparkleandsassconsulting.com⁠Connect on LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateball1/⁠Follow on Instagram: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/the_culturechronicles/⁠Explore The Culture Chronicles Book Series: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/author/kateball⁠