Can AI revolutionize how we lead and manage teams?

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, Laurie sits down with Jim Barnett and Marc Maloy of Wisq to explore this question. From their successful stint with Glint, where they became leaders in employee engagement, to their current mission at Wisq, Jim and Marc share how AI is opening up continuous, personalized coaching to a broader audience. This episode uncovers the pivotal manager-employee relationship and how AI can create a more dynamic and thriving workplace.

We'll also unpack the practical applications of Wisq, a groundbreaking AI tool that provides managers with personalized coaching and expert advice within platforms like Slack and Teams. By focusing on soft skills like trust, authenticity, compassion, and empathy, Wisq aims to transform managers into more effective and people-centric leaders. Jim and Marc passionately discuss how these skills can be developed with the right tools and mindset, ultimately creating better workplace dynamics.

Don't miss this deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI in leadership and management!

In this episode, you will hear:

• AI-powered coaching for managers: continuous, personalized support
• The importance of manager-employee relationships and enhancing workplace dynamics
• Introducing Wisq, an AI tool integrated with Slack and Teams for managerial coaching
• An emphasis on soft skills: trust, empathy, and a service-oriented leadership approach
• A discussion on whether good management skills are innate or can be learned
• AI's role in making difficult conversations easier and encouraging honest feedback
• Insights on the ideal customer profile for Wisq
• The impact of AI on managerial effectiveness

Resources from this Episode

• Visit the Wisq website: wisq.com 
• Connect with Marc Maloy on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/marcmaloy
• Connect with Jim Barnett on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jim-barnett-a5312

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Have you ever wondered why so many hiring processes fall short of finding the best talent?

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, Laurie welcomes recruiter Carmen Hudson, author of The Corporate Recruiter’s Playbook, who shares the secrets behind effective hiring strategies. She challenges the outdated reliance on question banks, highlighting understanding core skills and behaviors needed for a role before crafting interview questions. It is a must-listen for recruiters, leaders, and HR professionals eager to attract and assess top candidates with a balanced approach that integrates both professional and personal insights.

Carmen Hudson shares her career path, from executive search to launching her own startup, reflecting on recruiting challenges. With market variability and economic shifts constantly altering the playing field, Carmen offers an optimistic perspective on the future. She discusses the impact of AI on job availability and provides foundational principles and best practices from her book to help recruiters and leaders navigate these changes successfully.

Laurie and Carmen’s conversation covers effective recruiting techniques and the complexities of diversity hiring. Carmen provides practical strategies for developing clear, jargon-free job descriptions and moving beyond superficial diversity measures to promote genuine inclusivity at all organizational levels. We explore how recruiters and hiring managers can reshape their approach to create a more inclusive and effective hiring environment in 2024.

Don't miss this discussion with one of the industry's leading voices.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Crafting interview questions based on core skills and behaviors and challenging conventional recruitment practices
• Carmen’s career journey from executive search to entrepreneurship
• The impact of AI and market changes on recruiting
• Clear communication with hiring managers
• Moving beyond outdated interview methods
• Focusing on essential candidate qualities
• Going beyond superficial measures and promoting genuine inclusivity at all organizational levels
• The importance of understanding the recruitment process
• Integrating technology with human elements
• Aligning recruitment strategies with organizational goals
• Carmen’s perspective on question banks
• The role of AI in job availability
• The importance of candidate experience in the recruitment process
• Misconceptions around meritocracy in diversity hiring
• Practical strategies for fostering a more inclusive hiring environment

Resources from this Episode

• Visit Carmen Hudson’s website: carmenhudson.com 
• Connect with Carmen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carmenhudson
• Get The Corporate Recruiting Playbook book: amzn.to/3V3xKOr

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Ever wonder how a split-second decision could redefine safety in your life?

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, LaToya "Ladi Ammo" Workman joins Laurie to unravel the layers of personal security and empowerment, sharing her expertise in managing risk in the digital realm while advocating for physical safety. With her track record as a top-tier cybersecurity professional by day and a personal security instructor by night, LaToya offers unique strategies to fortify our daily lives, from wielding non-lethal self-defense tools to the assertive use of your voice.

Breaking barriers is second nature to LaToya, a trailblazer in IT and cybersecurity—an industry where diversity is scarce. Her story is not just about overcoming the odds as a Black woman in tech but about her relentless endeavor to mentor others following her path. Beyond her professional journey, LaToya's Woman with a Weapon initiative is revolutionizing how women approach firearms, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to safely and confidently handle a weapon, all while challenging societal assumptions.

As the conversation wraps up, LaToya and Laurie touch upon the essential conversations around responsible gun ownership and the parallels between cybersecurity and personal defense. LaToya's dedication to comprehensive education shines, advocating for readiness and responsibility over fear. Her insights extend to the importance of social media discretion and intuition to navigate potential threats, proving that knowledge is power in the quest to create safer communities.

Join us to gain an empowered perspective on personal safety that goes beyond the basics and into the heart of proactive self-defense.

In this episode, you will hear:

• LaToya "Ladi Ammo" Workman’s expertise in situational awareness and non-lethal self-defense tools
• Her advocation for education in personal and corporate security
• Overcoming challenges as a Black woman in the male-dominated fields of IT and cybersecurity
• The creation of Woman with a Weapon to mentor and empower others
• Situational awareness, responsible social media usage, and a layered defense strategy for both digital and physical safety
• Firearm safety education for women, along with secure storage
• The necessity of understanding self-defense laws and insurance
• The relevance of social engineering in security and LaToya’s experiences with navigating security checks
• Her vision for Woman with a Weapon to change societal perspectives on firearms, inspire Black women, and promote shooting as a sport and stress reliever
• The services Woman with a Weapon offers
• How Woman with a Weapon meets women at their level of experience and provides safe and supportive environments for learning about firearms and personal protection

Resources from this Episode

• Woman with a Weapon website: womanwithaweaponclt.com
• Connect with LaToya “Ladi Ammo” Workman on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/latoyaworkman
• Find Woman with a Weapon on Instagram: www.instagram.com/womanwithaweapon

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

My guest in today’s episode is Ted Nielsen, vice president of product management at UKG. Tune in as we converse about all kinds of things, from classic languages and individual motivations to ethical AI and the future of work.

Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.

To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/ethical-ai-the-future-of-work-with-ted-nielsen

In this episode, Bret Starr, founder and CEO of The Starr Conspiracy, talks about the distinction between HR and work, the future of human resources, and how adopting the “reverse mullet” concept can increase your employee’s overall happiness.

Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.

In this week's episode of Punk Rock HR, Kristy McCann Flynn shares her career journey, the exact moment she decided enough is enough in HR and why she felt compelled to go on an entrepreneurial journey to fix work at a higher level.

Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Star Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.

In this week’s episode of Punk Rock HR, I’m joined by best-selling author and repeat guest, Minda Harts. We are discussing her struggles within a broken work system, her efforts to fight against that and how she’s giving a voice to those who haven’t been heard in the past.

Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Star Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, I’m focusing on middle age and your career. Most importantly, anyone who is middle-aged can be a career-focused individual and stay on the good side of management while maintaining their dignity and fueling their soul.

In this episode of Punk Rock HR, I’m unpacking the mindset of knowing that your work is not your worth as I prepare for the launch of the paperback version of “Betting on You.”

Welcome back to Punk Rock HR! In this episode, I’m sharing why we think work sucks, plus some tips on how to turn those negative feelings into positive and effective action.

In this episode, I am joined by Dan Schawbel. He’s a New York Times bestselling author and the managing partner of Workplace Intelligence, a research and advisory firm helping HR adapt to trends, drive performance and prepare for the future.

Listening to employees and building connections encourages employees and helps them get behind a company’s vision of success. Listen to this episode to hear Dan and I discuss the foundations of trust, and how we can take those lessons into the future.

My guests today are Chas Fields and Teresa Smith. They're part of the HCM Advisory Group at the Workforce Institute at UKG, where they offer insights and advice to corporate HR leaders and business leaders just like you. Today's conversation is all about understanding big data. 

If you're on an HR journey and you're asking yourself how big data can be used as a tool for better corporate storytelling or to improve the employee experience, sit back and enjoy this conversation.

My guest today is Dr. Jarik Conrad, vice president of the Human Insights and the HCM Advisory team at UKG. Dr. Conrad is also executive director of the UKG-sponsored Equity At Work Council, an interdisciplinary group of experts and practitioners dedicated to providing evidence-based strategies to eliminate workplace inequities. Dr. Conrad discusses how we can start thinking more holistically about employee wellness and how to better connect employees to answers for their physical and emotional health needs.

Have you ever wondered if failure could be the secret ingredient to success?

On this episode of Punk Rock HR, join Laurie as she sits down with the brilliant Dr. Amy C. Edmondson, the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, and explore the essential role of failure in our professional and personal growth. Amy shares her expertise on psychological safety and how it serves as the foundation for innovation, drawing on insights from her new book, "Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing." This episode isn't just about reframing our relationship with failure; it's a roadmap for embracing the missteps that lead us to excellence.

With Amy's wealth of knowledge, we discuss the concept of intelligent failure from the scientific labs to the design studios of IDEO, revealing how setbacks can push us toward progress when we learn from them. Through her eyes, we re-examine the heart-wrenching lessons from the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters while underscoring the value of listening to those with expertise and the proactive step of conducting pre-mortems in any project.

Laurie and Amy wrap up the conversation by examining the paradox of social media as both a platform for professional networking and a potential pitfall for personal productivity. Amy's keen preference for LinkedIn as a tool for professional connections demonstrates the power of digital networks in fostering meaningful exchanges.

Tune in to this discussion that will undoubtedly alter how you perceive risk-taking and the bountiful learning that lies within our failures.

In this episode, you will hear:

• Transforming failure into success
• The importance of psychological safety in the workplace
• The role of intelligent failures in learning and growth, with examples from Jennifer Heemstra's chemistry lab and IDEO's innovation process
• Lessons from the Space Shuttle Challenger and Columbia disasters that emphasize listening to experts and the benefits of conducting pre-mortems
• LinkedIn as a platform for professional networking and its impact on work life
• Managing the risks of social media engagement
• The definition of psychological safety and the need to foster an environment where risks are communicated and managed effectively
• The distinctions between mistakes and failures
• Intelligent failure as a path to innovation and skill development
• Humility, curiosity, and situational awareness in handling failure
• How embracing intelligent failures contributes to overall success

Resources from this Episode

• Get Dr. Amy C. Edmondson’s new book: Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well: amzn.to/3tst8aW 
• Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/amycedmondson
• Visit her website: amycedmondson.com
• Find Amy on Twitter/X: twitter.com/AmyCEdmondson

Follow and Review:

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Punk Rock HR is proudly sponsored by UKG. They are an award-winning all-in-one HR platform. If you’re curious and want to fix work and do HR better, check out our sponsors at UKG.com.

This summer, I'm reissuing some of my favorite episodes of Punk Rock HR. In this episode, we revisit my conversation with Zach Nunn, a change management consultant and one of the co-founders of the podcast and movement Living Corporate. We discussed all the things that are not normally talked about at work or in diversity, equity and inclusion programs. It’s important to keep the antiracism movement from becoming another cyclical thing and make it a true reconstructive movement.

My guest today is my dear friend Vadim Liberman. He’s the editor at TLNT and ere.net. But Vadim’s on the show today not to get super-nerdy about sourcing or recruiting. Instead, he's here to talk about his mom, who has Alzheimer’s. We speak candidly today about the challenges, the pressures and the stress of being a primary caregiver.  Listen in to hear Vadim and I discuss the joys of caring for the person you love and why handling caregiver stress is so important for everyone involved.

My guest today is Mike Sipple Jr. He’s the co-founder and CEO of the Talent Magnet Institute. The Talent Magnet Institute is a membership community and a consultancy that provides leaders with tools, resources and support to develop a holistic approach to leadership. In today’s conversation, we’re talking about it all: expert talent attraction strategies, executive coaching, mentorship, proactive leadership — all with the goal of moving people and organizations to become a talent magnet.

Child care in the United States had problems before the pandemic, and it feels like it’s only gotten worse. I wanted to know what lessons we’ve learned and how HR departments can continue to move the needle forward. I sat down with Ilnort Rueda of Arvorie to talk about child care for working parents, the accessibility crisis that the pandemic brought to light and what HR departments can do to help fix it.

This summer, I'm reissuing some of my favorite episodes of Punk Rock HR. This one is my interview with Adam Alter, a professor of marketing at the NYU Stern School of Business and author of the book “Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked.”

Listen in to hear just how bad our addiction to technology has become over the years and the steps we can take to reclaim our time.

My guest today is Nick Hutchison, the founder of BookThinkers, a business dedicated to helping authors and readers make a connection in the personal development space. If you’re interested in hearing us discuss how to get the most out of personal development books, hearing about what to look for in a great book, as well as advice for authors who are trying to grow their audience, sit back and enjoy this conversation.

This summer, I'm reissuing some of my favorite episodes of Punk Rock HR. Here's a conversation I had in 2019 with Mary Ellen Slayter, the founder and CEO of Rep Cap Media. We chat about why our culture is so obsessed with the side hustle, why it is failing us and solutions for the future of work. This conversation is valuable to revisit as we emerge from the pandemic and you find yourself tempted to take on that fifth side job.

According to my guest this week, Erica Dhawan, it’s just as important to effectively master the art of digital body language as it is to master the other types of nonverbal language. Erica is the author of a tremendously valuable book on this topic, “Digital Body Language: How to Build Trust and Connection, No Matter the Distance.” If you’re leading cross-cultural teams or you’re just trying to avoid mixed messages with friends, you’ll gain important insight about modern communication from this episode.

This summer, I'll be reissuing some of my favorite episodes of Punk Rock HR. Here's a conversation I had in 2019 with Professor Amy Edmondson from Harvard Business School and author of "The Fearless Organization". Our conversation about generating psychological safety, inviting participation and using humor to destigmatize failure is still essential today. If you’re ready to empower your workforce to create and innovate, sit back and learn from Amy Edmondson.

On this episode of Corporate Drinker, uncover the potential of ketamine therapy in treating alcohol use disorder and trauma.

Laurie’s conversation with Dr. Hani El-wafi, a board-certified psychiatrist and expert in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, promises to demystify the nature of cravings and addiction, shedding light on Buddhist concepts and exploring mindfulness and nutrition in fostering healing. You will also get a firsthand account of the often daunting world of psychiatric emergency rooms, providing an understanding of how people with addictions seek relief.

Feel the difference between a psychedelic and an empathogen as we break down what it's like to experience ketamine in a supportive environment. Dr. El-wafi elucidates the profound relaxation, warmth, and tingling that signifies transitioning from "doing mind" to "being mind." Discover how ketamine can be an instrument for cultivating self-love, acceptance, and trust, and understand the pivotal relationship between one's intention and substance use. Get a glimpse of the transformative healing when someone embarks on ketamine therapy at Transformance Health.

We'll explore how Dr. El-wafi's Corporate America experience has influenced his perception of addiction and healing. Together, we'll examine the neuroscience behind neural pathways and learn how to redirect away from harmful thought processes. The corporate drinking culture of New York City comes under scrutiny as we discuss how ketamine-assisted psychotherapy can alleviate underlying feelings of boredom, stress, and worry that often lead to alcohol misuse. We'll also delve into the paradox of using substances to reduce anxiety only to end up more anxious than before.

Don't miss this in-depth exploration of alcohol's impact on the brain and how ketamine therapy can be a game changer.

• Dr. Hani El-wafi on the use of ketamine therapy in treating alcohol use disorder and trauma and its potential to demystify cravings and addiction
• The transition from a "doing mind" to a "being mind" during a ketamine experience
• Dr. El-wafi's perspective of addiction and healing, influenced by his Corporate America experience
• The impact of corporate drinking culture in New York City
• The paradox of using substances to reduce anxiety, which often leads to more anxiety
• The effects of alcohol on the brain, primarily working on the GABA receptor, and how ketamine therapy can alleviate the anxiety caused by alcohol misuse
• Ketamine therapy at Transformance Health and the need for safety, comfort, and a supportive environment
• An example of transformative healing through ketamine therapy using the case of a patient re-experiencing and gaining a new perspective on a past traumatic event

• Transformance Health website: www.transformancehealth.com

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

My guest for today is Mike Kim, author of “You Are The Brand: The 8-Step Blueprint to Showcase Your Unique Expertise and Build a Highly Profitable, Personally Fulfilling Business.” Mike’s expertise has always been invaluable, but it’s essential right now, when so many smart and talented people are pivoting in the post-COVID world. If you want to learn how to position your expertise in the most effective way possible, then listen in!

My guest for today is Dr. Amy Dufrane, the CEO of HRCI, the leading certification body for human resources — and she’s also a longtime listener of Punk Rock HR! Amy joined me to talk about on the show today to talk about the future of work, the future of human resources, and all things human capital. If you’re like Amy and me and nerd out over all things HR, this is one you don’t want to miss!

Do you have what it takes to become an entrepreneur? My guest on this week’s episode, Gino Wickman, is here to help you figure that out. He’s the author of the book “Entrepreneurial Leap: Do You Have What It Takes to Become an Entrepreneur?” He makes his point clear: becoming an entrepreneur is rewarding, but it definitely isn’t for everyone. Listen in to hear Gino break down all of the parts that make up a successful self-leader so that you can figure out if becoming an entrepreneur is right for you.

My guest this week, David Buckmaster, has a ton of experience working for corporate compensation teams. He’s a prolific writer and is the author of the new book “Fair Pay: How to Get a Raise, Close the Wage Gap, and Build Stronger Businesses.” Listen in to hear David’s solutions on providing employees with full transparency, the role that negotiation has in fair pay and HR’s role in closing the racial and gender pay gaps once and for all.

My guest today, Dr. Rebecca Heiss, uses her degrees in biology to help people overcome evolutionary limitations that are hardwired in the brain and improve their self-awareness and leadership skills. She’s also an ornithologist, which means that she can tell us what we can learn about this type of human behavior by studying birds. Listen in to discover the methods you can use to rewire your brain and live more positively, and find out how birds fit into all of this.

Do you wonder why it feels like we’re more connected than ever before, yet it feels so difficult to keep true friendships alive? In this episode, I talk to Smiley Poswolsky, author of the book “Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: An Optimist’s Guide to Connection.” We discuss the reasons why we feel so alone despite always being connected with others online, as well as how to show up as our true selves and form authentic connections.

My guest on this episode is Cyril Bouquet. He’s a professor of innovation and strategy at the Switzerland-based IMD Business School and helps executives bring progress to a changing world. He’s also the co-author of “ALIEN Thinking: The Unconventional Path to Breakthrough Ideas.” In our conversation, Cyril discusses how people can come up with truly original ideas and foster creativity, even under stress, by thinking like an ALIEN.

In this episode I’m joined by Dr. Jeffrey McCausland, a retired U.S. Army Colonel and author of the book “Battle Tested!: Gettysburg Leadership Lessons for 21st Century Leaders”. He uses the events in the Battle of Gettysburg to explain how one can be a leader in today’s corporate world. Listen to our conversation about Gettysburg and how it relates to leadership, the need for a succession plan, and the value of succinctly communicating the mission and vision of your organization.

My guest today is Mitchell Kaplan, who has been a bookseller and owner of the independent Books & Books in the Miami area for almost 40 years. We chat about what it’s like managing a small business during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with maintaining the community that he’s helped to build in the Miami literary scene. We also talk about keeping employees motivated and how pivoting can help grow your business during challenging times.

My guest today is New York Times bestselling author Julie Lythcott-Haims. She’s the author of the fantastic new book “Your Turn: How To Be An Adult.” It’s a book about adulting, but it’s also a book about overall character and integrity. She shares how you can show up and live a complete, authentic life — no matter how old you are. If you’re interested in hearing from Julie about forging an identity as an adult, learning to fend for yourself and developing character, you’re going to love this episode.

Have you ever found yourself clutching a soda at a conference or corporate event, deflecting questions about your choice of beverage? Has anyone ever guessed if you're pregnant, in recovery, or part of the LDS church?

Mary Ellen Slayter, founder and CEO of Rep Cap, knows precisely how you feel. We journey alongside her through the maze of conference lingo, unraveling the intricate ties between work, culture, and alcohol. Together, we navigate the sometimes choppy waters of gender dynamics at these events, where professional boundaries often blur into social ones.

But there's more to corporate events than just drinks. We venture into the topic of inclusivity in corporate gatherings, brainstorming ways to accommodate dietary restrictions and promote accessibility. No one should feel left out at a corporate retreat or happy hour, and we're committed to finding solutions. Lastly, we probe the idea of renegotiating our relationship with alcohol, aiming to enhance everyone's experience at these events.

Tune in for a deep dive into how we can build cultures of inclusion and belonging in the workplace, alcohol or not.

• The role of alcohol in corporate events and the need for more inclusive practices, featuring guest Mary Ellen Slayter, founder and CEO of Rep Cap
• An analysis of gender dynamics at conferences and the prevalence of alcohol consumption and its effects on professional boundaries
• How the consumption of alcohol can blur professional and social boundaries, particularly within the Human Resources industry
• Strategies to make corporate events more inclusive, including catering to dietary restrictions and offering non-alcoholic beverage options
• The impact of alcohol at corporate retreats and happy hours and the need to make these events accessible to everyone
• The idea of renegotiating our relationship with alcohol to enhance everyone's experience at work events, promoting a culture of inclusion and belonging
• Some practical advice on how employees can propose changes to work events to make them more inclusive and the importance of collective action and solution-focused approaches

• Rep Cap’s website: repcap.com
• Connect with Mary Ellen Slayter on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/maryellenslayter

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

This bonus episode is a recording of a live event hosted by Old Town Books. Join me in this conversation with Stephanie Schriock, the former president of EMILY’s List, and Christina Reynolds, vice president of communications for EMILY’s List. We discuss getting women elected to office, as well as how to ascend the ranks of the corporate ladder and finally break through that stupid glass ceiling.

This week I am joined by Whitney Herrington, an HR pro who founded Kith Republic. In my conversation with Whitney, we discuss her new company, the need for workplace coaching for professionals at all levels and the likely future of workplace coaching for needs beyond the world of HR. Listen to this episode to learn how you and your team could benefit from workplace coaching.

This week I’m joined by a fellow author, podcaster, speaker and coach, Andy Storch. In this conversation, Andy shares his experience in talent development and what led him to launch his online group, the Talent Development Think Tank Community. He also shares some ideas from his book, “Own Your Career Own Your Life,” and the challenges of launching a book while undergoing treatment for cancer. If you’re ready to shift your career and your mindset, this episode is for you.

This week, I am joined by a dear friend of mine, Doug Shaw, who is a visual artist rooted in music, self-care and speaking truth to power. Doug runs an award-winning project called “We Are All Artists,” which encourages community engagement through workshops, pop-up exhibitions and a weekly free art drop, where he hides a piece of art in his neighborhood for strangers to find. In this episode, we discuss the importance of prioritizing mental well-being and self-care, Doug’s passion project that transformed a community, and the importance of embracing our own creativity.

My guest this week is John Register, a change-mindset warrior who helps business leaders and individuals overcome adversity and fear, embrace a “new normal” mindset and win at life. John is one of those people who has an inspirational story that leaves you feeling ready to transform your outlook on life. In our conversation, John shares his story of adapting to his “new normal,” the power of storytelling, the dangers of ableism, and what all that has to do with the world of work.

My guest today is Sharlyn Lauby, author of the absolutely essential blog HR Bartender and president of ITM Group Inc. I’ve known Sharlyn for well over a decade, and I can say that her body of work just keeps getting better. Not only is she an amazing author, speaker and consultant, but she also recently became a fellow podcast host. Listen to our conversation about the ways that onboarding can be done more effectively and how companies can offer better management support.

My guest this week is Matt Johnson, a communications and change management expert. His story is rich: He’s toured in a punk rock band, worked at the Pentagon during the Obama administration and is now head of communications for Markel International. He’s also the author of a fantastic book, “Work Songs.” In it, Matt argues that song is something that is all but absent from our modern work lives. Listen to our conversation about the value that songs and storytelling provide, how they relate to the idea of perseverance, and the ways that we can tell an effective story within the corporate world to give us work songs for the modern era.

In celebration of a great Women’s History Month here on Punk Rock HR and everywhere else, I’m super excited to bring you another bonus episode to close out the month of March. My guest is Amy Guth, a Chicago-based writer, speaker, journalist, author and all-around badass. There’s still a lot that we need to accomplish in terms of how we treat women, the systemic issues at play and what we can do about it going forward. And I believe Amy can get us there.

My guest today is Ching Valdezco. She’s a global learning consultant with Exec-Comm and helps leaders and teams learn to communicate, influence and negotiate effectively. I met Ching several years ago at a conference in San Jose, and the audience (myself included) was absolutely wowed by Ching’s tips and tricks on how they could successfully negotiate their worth. It was a real pleasure to connect with her once again and hear her share truly insightful information on how you can begin sharpening your negotiation skills today.

March is Women’s History Month, and all month long, Punk Rock HR is bringing you conversations with women who are fixing the world of work. In this episode, listen to my conversation with the negotiating goddess herself, Ching Valdezco.

I’m sure you’re familiar with that feeling you get when you’re driving along peacefully and, out of nowhere, your GPS will start shouting, “Recalculating!” Sometimes this is exactly what your career path feels like, as well. 

My guest this week, Lindsey Pollak, illustrates this analogy perfectly. Lindsey is a career and workplace expert and a New York Times bestselling author with a new book titled “Recalculating: Navigate Your Career Through the Changing World of Work.” Sit back and enjoy my discussion with Lindsey about what it means to recalculate, the useful steps you need to take when going through a career change, and why mindset is key.

Before juggling a demanding career and the joys of motherhood, Karina Monesson—a Senior Manager of Human Insights, Research, and Advisory at UKG—found herself spiraling into the abyss of addiction. 

In this episode of Corporate Drinker, Karina candidly recounts her entanglement with alcohol and subsequent recovery to paint a sobering picture of addiction's effects on both personal and professional life. We also tackle the often overlooked motherhood penalty in the workplace and the balancing act of career and family life.

As we uncork the bottle on corporate culture’s relationship with alcohol, we confront the challenge of identifying substance use disorders among us. The pandemic's influence on this issue is undeniable, with an alarming surge in alcohol consumption and substance-related deaths. Corporate America's pervading "work hard, play hard" ethos comes under the microscope as we propose ideas for healthier, balanced team-building experiences. We conclude the episode with a frank discussion about the stigma surrounding addiction, its presence in the workplace, and the crucial role of managers in supporting employees battling this silent demon.

Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join us as we reveal the often-overlooked ties between work, alcohol, and addiction.

• Karina Monesson’s personal journey with alcohol addiction and recovery and how it changed in the light of her career and motherhood
• The complex relationship between corporate culture and alcohol and the rise of substance use disorder during the pandemic
• The “work hard, play hard” ethos in Corporate America and the need for healthier team-building experiences that don't revolve around alcohol
• An analysis of the often overlooked “motherhood penalty” in the workplace and the struggle of balancing career and family life
• A sobering look at addiction in the workplace, with data showing 75% of those with substance use disorder are full-time employees
• The stigma and misconceptions around addiction and the importance of managers supporting employees battling addiction
• An emphasis on fostering a solid manager-employee relationship to open up conversations about addiction and recovery

• Find Karina Monesson on Instagram: www.instagram.com/karina.monesson
• Connect with Karina on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/karina-monesson

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Episode Credits

If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

My guest this week is Rebecca Weaver, a former HR leader who is now the founder and CEO of HRuprise, a platform that connects workers who are navigating challenging issues with independent HR coaches. Sit back and enjoy my conversation with Rebecca about the challenges she faced in her career, what she hopes to accomplish through HRuprise and how HR has the opportunity to be part of the solution when done correctly.

My guest this week, Claire Wasserman, is the founder and author of Ladies Get Paid, a platform that helps women advance professionally and financially. The umbrella of her organization covers an event series, an active Slack group and now a book, providing many opportunities for women to share knowledge and support each other. Listen in to find out more about Ladies Get Paid, as well as our discussion about equal pay for equal work and advancing the rights of working women and mothers.

I’m excited to bring you this special bonus episode of Punk Rock HR, in which I speak with a woman in HR who I really respect, Susan Richards. She’s the CEO and founder of Sapient Insights Group and, above all else, describes herself as a “people fixer.” Susan and I talked about how investments in technology can help counter employee burnout, as well as the importance of focusing on well-being as part of the employee experience. Listen to our conversation and find out how HR leaders can take the lessons we learned in 2020 with them into the future.