People Person – Details, episodes & analysis

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Melissa Foster, VP Head of Enrollment at Prudential Group Insurance about best practices for HR professionals during open enrollment season.  Melissa shares some of her favorite tips for dealing with employees that miss deadlines, how to make sure your employees are aware of all the elements in a benefits package, and how HR professionals can get the best, up-to-date training on thriving during open enrollment season.  00:00: Intro  01:50: What is open enrollment  03:55: The importance of deadlines 06:15: Why you need a silent deadline 08:15: Building in year-round conversation 09:20: Tips for delivering information to employees 11:20: Benefits employees aren’t taking full advantage of 03:50: What are supplemental health benefits 14:05: How can HR pros be more well-versed in benefits offered 16:25: HR resources to help you learn about benefits  18:30: Are benefits part of a compensation package  20:55: How can HR pros leverage technology to make the process smoother 24:50: When an employee forgets to make their selections 27:55: Employees say they didn’t see messaging This episode is sponsored by Equifax. Go to http://www.equifax.com/hrbrew for more information. Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.

People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.  Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Sam DeMase, a writer, career coach, former HR exec, and current career expert at ZipRecruiter. Sam shares strategies for how HR teams can lead culture change and implement boundaries to actually achieve work-life balance, for both employees and HR teams. She also provides actionable tips on setting good examples, especially for managers and leaders, and explains why work-life balance is not just about taking your vacation days. Sam also weighs in on good and bad Out of Office messages to ensure your team can handle any problem while you’re offline!  00:00: Intro  02:09: How to define work/life balance   03:40: Is it just about time off? 04:20: How HR can set the example  08:15: Educating leadership  09:40: Are the rules different for remote or hybrid workers 12:00: What do employees want to achieve work-life balance 14:50: Easy lifts for HR to implement for balance  17:46: Managers vs. leaders 18:30: Best work perks and ideal vacation time 24:00: Setting boundaries with your Out Of Office message This episode is sponsored by Equifax. Go to http://www.equifax.com/hrbrew for more information. For more from Sam, check out her website: https://www.apowermood.com/ and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apowermood/ Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Barbra Gago, the CEO and Founder of employee progression platform, Pando. Barbra explains how Pando came to be and how it is designed to help the performance review process for both employees and HR leaders, important tips for level-setting in reviews, where she sees AI’s role in the process, and how leaders can construct better feedback for their employees.  00:00: Intro  01:05: Barbra’s first performance review:  02:56: Why she launched Pando 06:30: Tips for HR leaders introducing performance reviews 08:50: Best timing practices for reviews 11:20: The importance of leveling in performance management  12:18: What HR leaders should know about performance management 15:07: How alignment directly correlates to high performance  16:46: How does AI factor into performance reviews 22:16: Performance reviews for remote employees 24:30: Fix this Feedback: “Being too quiet in meetings” 26:55: “Not a cultural fit” 28:50: “Keep doing what you’re doing” This episode is sponsored by Equifax. Go to http://www.equifax.com/hrbrew for more information. Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Talent, Culture, and DEI Consultant Dani Herrera about navigating the company holiday party and setting the corporate holiday calendar for the year ahead. The two HR Pros discuss the ideal day to have the company party, the best terms to use so that it feels inclusive for all, and how to set employee expectations for the celebration. Dani and Kate also discuss setting the corporate holiday calendar for the year ahead, including how to choose which days are observed, implementing culture days or flexible holidays, and how to impactfully celebrate groups if time off is not an option.  00:00: Intro  01:38: Experiences with company holiday parties 05:30: What do we call the company party to be inclusive  09:10: How can HR pros be prepared for company parties  12:00: Handling issues from the party 16:00: Building an inclusive holiday calendar  18:25: How to make unlimited PTO effective  22:15: Culture day and flexible holidays  24:35: Explaining choices for the holiday calendar  27:23: Other ways to celebrate holidays besides time off  This episode is sponsored by Equifax. Go to http://www.equifax.com/hrbrew for more information. For more from Dani, check out: www.deibydani.com and her LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielagherrera/ Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Josh Reeves, CEO & Co-Founder of Gusto. They discuss how Josh made some of Gusto’s early People Ops hires, the barefoot tradition that lived on for many years, how leaders can help employees find success in their role and with conquering new skills, and the business values that Josh is also teaching his family.  00:00: Intro  01:25: The beginnings of Gusto 05:57: Gusto’s early People Ops hires 12:30: Focusing on compliance vs. culture  14:20: Performance management    15:50: Traditions at Gusto   21:10: Josh’s highlights of Gusto’s growth for employees and customers 23:10: The differences between Gusto and the small businesses it serves 26:58: How business values can translate to family values 29:20: The future of HR and AI in startups   36:30: Advice for people who want to start a business Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with HR Brew reporter Mikaela Cohen about what Gen Z wants, hopes, and expects in the modern workplace. She explains the benefits and training that can help all generations understand each other, and the simple tweaks in language and policies that can help employees of all ages feel included.  00:00: Intro  01:24: Mikaela’s recent work covering Gen Z’s workplace preferences  05:40: What different generations expect from benefits  09:00: Training for all generations  14:05: Leave of absences  22:30: Ways HR can adapt to Gen Z employees 26:30: How can HR be impactful to all generations 28:00: Generational Would You Rather? Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts. 

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with President and Co-Founder of Biller Genie, Garima Shah about setting goals for the new year. How can leaders best help their employees to set and achieve goals? Garima breaks down misconceptions about setting lofty goals, explains how micro goals are the way to go, and gives tips for setting accurate timeframes and steps to take to actually achieve those goals. She also discusses how leaders and employees can work together to track, change, and implement their goals throughout the year ahead.  00:00: Intro  01:15: Misconceptions about goal setting for the year  05:45: Implementing micro goals   06:40: Planning the timeframe for your goals  07:55: Best practices for tracking goals 12:00: Goal setting and performance reviews  14:30: Should employee or employer own goal creation 16:30: How leaders can best navigate changing goals 20:00: Thinking about goal setting in relation to regrets 23:00: Garima shares a goal that changed for her  26:25: Advice for creating impact in goal-setting  For more information on Garima, you can follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garimashah/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/princessgarima/ And check out Biller Genie: https://billergenie.com/ Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts. 

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew’s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Maceo Owens, CEO & Founder, The ERG Movement, about how companies can implement and support ERGs for maximum results — and what those results should even be. Maceo discusses how to make employee resource groups powerful and now just performative, especially without a large budget, and explains how leaders should be thinking about these groups within a company (hint: they are an internal marketing engine!). She also shares valuable advice on how involved HR should be with these groups, and tips for setting up these programs for success at your own organization.  00:00: Intro  01:15:  What separates the performative from the powerful  06:45: How can HR best support ERGs 13:40: Should ERGs be led by HR or employees 20:10: How ERGs can be impactful with low budgets    23:30: How to start and ERG at your company 27:20: Takeaways for setting up an ERG program for success Connect with Maceo on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maceoowens/ Be sure to check out: https://ergs.io/ and https://shop.theergmovement.com/products/the-erg-recipe-book Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.

Welcome to People Person! In this episode, host and Morning Brew Inc.'s SVP Head of People Operations Kate Noel, speaks with Eleni DuBois, VP of Events at Morning Brew, and Kristen Parisi, Senior Reporter at HR Brew about their different yet complementary views when it comes to HR conferences. Which ones are worth it, what should you expect, and what should you be coming away from the experience learning, feeling, and ready to implement at your company?  00:00: Intro  02:07: What is the point of HR conferences today    05:55: How are events built to be satisfying for attendees 11:30: How to best network 19:32: Is there enough representation at events  24:10: What should attendees leave with  This episode is sponsored by QuickBooks. To learn more, visit: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/workforce/ Join us at HR Brew’s first-ever Summit in NYC on April 21, 2026: The Talent 2030 Collective  https://www.hr-brew.com/events/the-talent-2030-collective?utm_campaign=hrb_me_042126&utm_content=show_notes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_source=peopleperson For all upcoming HR Brew events: https://www.hr-brew.com/events  Subscribe to the HR Brew newsletter: https://www.hr-brew.com/subscribe Watch People Person on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@hr-brew Follow HR Brew: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hr_brew/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/hrbrew/ Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to peopleperson@morningbrew.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices People Person is a candid and conversational show where People Professionals can feel seen and heard, and learn from fellow experts in their field. Host and SVP, Head of People Operations at Morning Brew Inc, Kate Noel, brings years of expertise and a healthy sense of humor to discussions about the latest developments and insights that can help others enhance their workplace and their careers.  Biweekly episodes will feature Kate speaking with entertaining and experienced professionals about everything from holidays to healthcare, and AI to onboarding, in compelling episodes available everywhere you get your favorite Morning Brew podcasts.