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 episode of Top Shelf Topic, we sit down with Damon Clark, Founder of Talent Optimizers, to explore how organizations can build high-performing teams by leveraging data, behavioral science, and sustainable development strategies.Damon shares his insights on how data-driven approaches can help leaders strategically prioritize focus areas, monitor progress, and maximize ROI. He explains why traditional development initiatives often fail and how Talent Optimizers’ programs are designed for sustained impact, integrating learning into daily practices to ensure long-term results.Listeners will also learn about the power of science-backed development, combining behavioral science and neuroscience insights to enhance outcomes, and how these programs can now train at scale, extending beyond leadership to every level of the organization to foster a shared language and culture.Whether you’re an HR leader, manager, or executive, this episode offers actionable strategies for aligning talent, optimizing team performance, and driving organizational success with data-informed insights.Tune in to discover how to move from theory to practice and create teams that don’t just perform—but thrive.
Check out the Free Talen Strategy Assessment offer! A $3000 value to SpeakEasy HR listeners.
https://www.talentoptimizers.com/free-team-strategy-session
058: Focus Forward - HR’s Human Edge in 2026
Episode 58
Monday, January 19, 2026 • Duration 54:21
In this episode, I’m joined by Christie Engler, a passionate HR leader and champion of people-centric workplace culture, to explore why HR’s greatest advantage in 2026 won’t be technology — it will be humanity.With 20 years of hands-on HR experience across industries like manufacturing, construction, healthcare, hospitality, and nonprofit work,
Christie brings real-world insight into what it truly takes to build strong teams and meaningful employee experiences. We talk about leading with intention, supporting people through change, and why putting employees first isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Christie also shares her commitment to advancing the HR profession through mentoring, speaking, and her blog Living in the Gray, along with lessons learned from being a two-time small business owner — experience that gives her a deep appreciation for the realities leaders face every day.
This conversation is honest, energizing, and forward-looking — a reminder that while tools and trends will evolve, HR’s human edge remains the differentiator.
Catch Christie on the upcoming HR Cruise!
https://hrcruise.com/2026/Cruise2/index.cfm
057: How Organizations & Employees Co-Create Career Growth
Episode 57
Monday, January 12, 2026 • Duration 48:28
We kick off 2026 with a timely conversation on career growth—and why it can no longer be owned by leaders or employees alone.I’m joined by Lisa Fain, CEO of the Center for Mentoring Excellence, keynote speaker, and leadership coach, to explore how mentoring, inclusion, and shared accountability create workplaces where people don’t just survive—but thrive. Lisa brings real-world experience from building D&I strategy, advising leaders, and helping organizations turn mentoring into a competitive advantage. This episode challenges outdated expectations and reframes career growth as a true partnership between organizations and employees—setting the tone for a smarter, more human approach to work in 2026.
To learn more and connect with Lisa,
https://linktr.ee/centerformentoringexcellence
056: The 2026 TA Forecast - What Leaders Should Expect
Episode 56
Monday, December 22, 2025 • Duration 59:23
Mike Wood from HR.com joins to discuss Talent Acquisition in our Top Shelf Topic: The 2026 TA Forecast: What Leaders Should Expect. Mike provides a forward-looking analysis of the talent acquisition landscape, highlighting emerging trends and the challenges HR leaders will face in 2026.The conversation explores strategies for attracting, engaging, and retaining top talent in a highly competitive market, including how to leverage technology, employer branding, and data-driven insights. Mike also offers practical advice on preparing your organization for shifting workforce expectations and navigating uncertainty in hiring and recruitment. This episode is a must-listen for HR professionals, talent acquisition leaders, and business executives who want to stay ahead of the curve, understand future workforce trends, and implement strategies that will drive long-term success in attracting and retaining top talent.
Catch Mike on these podcasts:
The Wrap: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7214056893361569792/
Totally Talent: https://www.hr.com/en/resources/podcasts/talent/
055: Everboarding & Leadership 2.0 - The Future of People Development
Episode 55
Monday, December 15, 2025 • Duration 52:06
In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving world of talent, leadership, and people development with Lilith Christiansen, Chief Consultant and Founder of HumanGenuity. Lilith brings years of expertise helping organizations reimagine how they onboard, engage, and continually grow their people.We unpack the concept of Everboarding—why the traditional “first 90 days” mindset is outdated, and how continuous development is becoming the new competitive advantage. Lilith shares insights on what Leadership 2.0 really looks like, how leaders can create cultures of ongoing learning, and what companies must do now to build workplaces where people thrive long-term.Whether you’re a leader, HR pro, or someone passionate about the future of work, this conversation offers fresh, practical ways to elevate your people strategy.
As a special offering from Lilith, she a 30-minute Clarity & Momentum Session. Use the link: https://calendarbridge.com/book/human-genuity/speakeasyhr
054: The Power of Visual Thinking
Episode 56
Monday, December 8, 2025 • Duration 41:07
I’m joined by Todd Cherches, CEO & Co-Founder of Big Blue Gumball, for an eye-opening conversation on the true power of visual thinking. Todd breaks down how visuals, metaphors, and simple sketches can transform the way leaders communicate, engage their teams, and bring complex ideas to life.
We explore why visual tools stick, how they boost clarity and creativity, and how anyone—no artistic talent required—can use them to become a more effective and memorable leader.
053: Designing Culture That Works — And What to Do When It Doesn’t
Episode 53
Monday, November 17, 2025 • Duration 53:47
In this episode, Jessica Noon joins us for a top-shelf conversation on what it really takes to build a workplace culture that thrives — and what leaders can do when it starts to fall apart. From intentional design to practical recovery strategies, Jessica shares her insights on aligning values, leadership, and everyday behavior to create a culture that truly works.
Tune in for a dynamic discussion packed with real-world examples, actionable advice, and a few lessons learned the hard way. To get a free strategy call with Jessica, use the link below.
https://calendly.com/daybreak-ideas/founder-strategy-sesh
052: The Culture Advantage - Building Workplaces People Love
Episode 52
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 01:03:03
SpeakEasy HR Hits the Road — Live from CincySHRM!
We broadcasting straight from MadTree Brewing for a special live episode! I was joined by Melanie Booher, Engagement & Experience Officer at Talent Magnet Institute and Amazon Best-Selling Author, as we dive into what it really takes to build workplaces people love — from the inside out.
Real talk. Real leaders. Real culture. To learn more about Melanie and her work at Talent Magnet Institute, visit www.talentmagnet.com
051: Beyond Metrics – Bringing Humanity Back to Leadership
Episode 51
Monday, November 10, 2025 • Duration 01:05:18
Tina-Marie Wohlfield is the founder and Chief People Strategist at TIMAWO, HR storyteller, author, and passionate champion of people-centered leadership.With 25+ years in HR, Tina-Marie will share insights on how leaders can move beyond metrics to bring humanity back into leadership, foster meaningful connections, and create HR partnerships that truly support their people. She’ll also highlight lessons from her book, Stop Collaborate and Listen, and her work with the HRUnite! community.This conversation is a must-listen for leaders, managers, and HR professionals who want to rethink success and prioritize people.
To learn more about her work, visit
www.timawo.com
Future events!
HRUnite! 2026
Conference https://hrunitemichigan.com/hrunite-conference
HRUnite! Awards
https://hrunitemichigan.com/awards
050: Your Personal Boardroom - Building Mentors & Mapping Careers
Episode 50
Monday, October 27, 2025 • Duration 51:15
We've made it to our 50th episode!For this milestone episode, Pete Schramm joins me to explore the power of intentional relationships in career growth. We discuss how to build your own personal boardroom — a network of mentors, coaches, and peers who guide, challenge, and champion your success. Pete shares practical strategies for identifying the right people to include, nurturing those connections over time, and aligning your boardroom with your evolving career goals.It’s a conversation about connection, purpose, and how the right people can help you reach your next level. Find more about Pete at www.golattitude.com