An unfiltered, uncut, and authentic blend of real HR talk, business challenges, and workplace solutions—served up SpeakEasy style. Join me LIVE on LinkedIn and YouTube for raw, insightful conversations tackling both the easy and tough topics shaping HR and the workplace today.
What Makes SpeakEasy HR Different?
My guests bring passion, authenticity, and deep expertise, sharing powerful personal stories and game-changing insights from their careers. Each episode is packed with real-world advice designed to challenge perspectives, spark ideas, and inspire action.
Our mission is to deliver compelling, thought-provoking content that challenges the status quo and sparks meaningful discussions within the HR and business communities. We strive to inspire innovation, encourage new perspectives, and empower our audience to think beyond the conventional to drive impactful change in their organizations and careers. At SpeakEasy HR, we are committed to igniting action and fostering a community of professionals dedicated to growth, transformation, and continuous improvement.
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In this energizing episode of SpeakEasy HR, we’re joined by the dynamic team behind "But, First Coffee"—John and Jackye—for a feel-good, real-talk conversation about something every workplace needs more of: celebration.
We dive into how leaders and teams can intentionally encourage, recognize, and celebrate the good times—big or small—and why that matters more than ever in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure work environment. From spontaneous shoutouts to structured recognition, we explore how celebration creates connection, boosts morale, and helps build resilient, people-first cultures.Plus—we’re celebrating a milestone of our own: ONE YEAR of SpeakEasy HR! 🎉
So grab your favorite cup of coffee and join us as we talk about:Why celebration isn’t fluff—it’s fuelWays to make recognition personal and meaningfulHow to celebrate without a big budgetEncouraging joy, gratitude, and connection at workBecause when we take time to celebrate what’s good, we create workplaces where people want to stay, grow, and thrive.
039: The Cornerstone of Effective Leadership
Episode 36
Monday, July 21, 2025 • Duration 55:52
What really defines effective leadership today—and how can leaders spark transformation that actually sticks?
In this powerful episode of SpeakEasy HR, we’re joined by Jordyne Carmack, the Owner & CEO of AuthentiLead, a boutique leadership development firm known for energizing teams, enhancing creativity, and achieving remarkable outcomes. Jordyne brings a fresh, engaging perspective on leadership that’s aligned, connected, and—most importantly—enjoyable.We’ll explore how values, emotional intelligence, and intentional connection create the cornerstone of strong leadership—and how even small shifts in how we lead can make a big impact on performance, culture, and morale. Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a people manager, or simply passionate about leadership growth, this conversation will challenge, encourage, and energize you.
Expect real-world stories, actionable insights, and a few laughs along the way.
LIVE from the 2025 HR Collaborative! Afternoon Session Episode
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 • Duration 01:35:54
🎙️ SpeakEasy HR: Live from the 2025 HR Collaborative continues in the afternoon with a fresh round of impactful interviews featuring industry leaders who are shaking up how we think about recruiting, leadership, performance, and workplace culture.At 2:25, Kim Dube of ReFlex Recruiting dives into how organizations can build a Recruiting Culture of Agility, sharing strategies for staying responsive and effective in a fast-changing talent landscape.
Then at 2:40, Kristie Dierig, founder of Every Spark, delivers an energizing conversation around her session It’s Time to Be Disruptive!—challenging traditional thinking and encouraging bold moves in HR.At 2:55, leadership coach and consultant Todd Bertsch explores The Power of Discomfort and Small Shifts, offering practical insights into how stepping out of our comfort zones can fuel real growth—for ourselves and our teams.After a brief break, the conversations ramp back up at 3:30 with Kathleen Snyder of Clark Schaefer Strategic HR, who shares how Targeted Skill Development can unlock higher performance and long-term retention.
Closing out the day at 3:45 is Becky Foster, also from Clark Schaefer Strategic HR, leading a meaningful discussion on Civility in the Workplace—why it matters now more than ever, and how to bring it back into our daily work culture.These 15-minute episodes are fast, focused, and full of real-world value—perfect for today’s busy HR pros. Be sure to tune in and catch the bold ideas and authentic voices shaping the future of work.
LIVE from the 2025 HR Collaborative! Morning Session Episode
Tuesday, April 29, 2025 • Duration 01:15:51
🎙️ SpeakEasy HR: Live from the 2025 HR Collaborative is bringing you exclusive 15-minute interviews with some of the event’s most dynamic and thought-provoking speakers.I sit down with each guest for quick, insightful conversations that dig deeper into their sessions, leadership philosophies, and real-time takeaways from the event floor.At 11:00am, Andre Young, author and keynote speaker, kicks things off with a powerful look at the 7 Professional Languages of Leadership, sharing how leaders can improve connection and communication across teams.
At 11:15, Kathy Seidel from MRA breaks down the key to Mastering Retention in today’s ever-shifting workforce—exploring what loyalty looks like in 2025.The momentum continues at 11:30 with Scott McGohan of one Morning, who explores why Culture is an Inside Job and how organizations can transform from the inside out.
At 11:45, Sammie Kelly, founder of Beyond Neurodiversity, shares lessons in leadership and training from the neurodiverse community—focusing on how to recognize and leverage the unique strengths of every team member.Wrapping up the live lineup at 12:00, Jen Beck of Complete Health Revolution brings fresh insight on Redefining Corporate Wellness, balancing real employee well-being with results that matter to the bottom line.These rapid-fire interviews are packed with energy, ideas, and inspiration—don’t miss this special edition of SpeakEasy HR, live from one of the year’s most impactful HR events!
030: Creativity In HR - Shattering Policies and Procedures
Monday, April 14, 2025 • Duration 01:01:37
🚀 Creativity in HR: Shattering Policies & Procedures 🚀Is HR stuck in a policy-and-procedure mindset? 🤔 Or is there room for creativity, innovation, and bold new approaches?This week on SpeakEasy HR, we spoke about Creativity in HR with the incredible Dr. Melanie Peacock, author of "HR Can Be Murder"! 🎙️🔥 Are policies meant to be broken?🔥 How can HR professionals rethink “the way things have always been done”?🔥 What happens when innovation meets compliance?Dr. Peacock shared fresh, fearless insights on balancing structure with creativity—and why breaking the mold might just be the best thing for today’s workforce.💡 HR isn’t just about policies—it’s about people, adaptability, and evolution. Let’s talk about it!
029: Ethics in Hiring & Effective Interviewing
Monday, April 7, 2025 • Duration 01:13:11
🎙️ New Episode Alert: Ethics in Hiring & Effective Interviewing with Katherine McCord
This week on SpeakEasyHR, we sit down with the incredible Katherine McCord—HR consultant, dynamic speaker, and fierce advocate for ethical, inclusive hiring.
In this episode, we pull back the curtain on what it truly means to hire with integrity in today’s ever-evolving workforce.
Katherine brings the heat with practical insights on:✅ Building fair and inclusive interview processes✅ Avoiding common hiring missteps✅ Reducing bias in decision-making✅ Creating a culture of ethical accountability from day one
Whether you're an HR leader, a hiring manager, or someone who cares about doing things the right way—this episode is for you.
028: Turning Complaints Into Requests
Monday, March 31, 2025 • Duration 01:03:01
Traci Austin, Chief Talent Officer with Elevated Talent Consulting, joined me for a game-changing conversation on Turning Complaints Into Requests.In this episode, we explored:
✅ How to shift workplace complaints into productive conversations✅ Practical strategies for leaders to foster a solutions-focused culture✅ The impact of reframing challenges on engagement and retention
027: The Power of Connectivity in HR
Monday, March 24, 2025 • Duration 55:44
Jeff Palkowski, State Director of the Wisconsin State Council SHRM, joins me to dive into The Power of Connectivity in HR and explore how building strong connections can transform workplace culture, boost engagement, and drive success.💡 What to Expect:✅ Real-world insights on the impact of networking and relationship-building in HR✅ Strategies for fostering authentic connections within your organization✅ How connectivity can be a game-changer for both HR professionals and employeesWhether you're an HR pro, a business leader, or simply passionate about creating meaningful connections at work, this episode is for you!
026: Seven Essential Skills for Effective Leaders
Monday, March 10, 2025 • Duration 53:05
In this episode, Terry Wilson joins me to explore the Seven Essential Skills for Effective Leaders. With over 40 years of experience and his current role as Training & Development Practice Manager at Clark Shaefer Strategic HR, Terry shares invaluable insights on what it takes to lead with impact in today’s ever-evolving workplace. To learn more, visit https://strategichrinc.com/
025: Breathe Better, Lead Better: Mastering Stress for Peak Performance
Monday, February 24, 2025 • Duration 51:11
In this episode, Andy Matthews—Director of Golf Performance at Neuropeak Pro, former professional golfer, entrepreneur, and certified business coach—shared powerful insights on how mastering breathing can help leaders overcome stress and perform under pressure. Drawing from his experiences coaching elite athletes, leading businesses, and navigating his own entrepreneurial journey, Andy explains the science behind stress and its impact on decision-making and performance in high-pressure situations. He introduces simple yet effective breathing techniques to help leaders stay calm, focused, and resilient, offering practical tools to enhance leadership and thrive in both business and life.
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