The Left of Boom Show – Details, episodes & analysis

CUE Inc. isn’t just a conference—it’s the go-to spot for leaders who want to build trust, truth, and transparency in employee and labor relations.

In this episode of the Left To Boom Show, host Phil Wilson interviews Elizabeth Huston, the executive director of CUE Inc., a positive employee relations organization. They discuss Elizabeth's leadership journey, the importance of community and collaboration within CUE Inc., the organization's values, and the diverse membership contributing to its mission. The conversation highlights the resources available to members, including expert panels and member-driven initiatives, and emphasizes the significance of networking and personal development opportunities within the organization. Elizabeth shares personal insights and fun anecdotes, concluding with a strong endorsement for CUE Inc. and its community.

Forget top-down programs and stale playbooks. CUE Inc. proves that the best way to drive positive employee relations is through a community built on trust, experience-sharing, and actionable tools. This conversation shows how CUE Inc. empowers ER and LR leaders across industries to support each other and build extraordinary workplaces.

Key Takeaways

🔹 CUE Inc. creates community-based support for employee relations pros.

🔹 Members crowdsource ideas and experiences across industries and roles.

🔹 Programs are peer-driven—not dictated by vendors or sponsors.

🔹 Conferences prioritize action: walk out with tools, not just ideas.

🔹 Expert panels give free access to trusted legal and consulting guidance.

🔹 Small-group Decision Dialogues build relationships and solutions fast.

🔹 Industry-specific groups like aerospace and retail support deeper connections.

🔹 An online platform helps members find peers by size, union status, and industry.

🔹 Participation leads to leadership—volunteers drive the content.

🔹 CUE supports early-career ER professionals and seasoned leaders alike.

🔹 The mission is simple: tell the truth, support each other, build better workplaces.

Connect with us here:

Check out CUE Inc.

Connect with Phillip B. Wilson

Connect with LRI Consulting Services:

Labor Relations INK

LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to CUE and Elizabeth Houston

03:13 Leadership Journey and Influential Leaders

05:53 Building Relationships in Leadership

09:01 Community and Collaboration at CUE

12:00 Values and Mission of CUE

15:02 Diversity of CUE Members and Their Impact

17:45 Resources and Support for CUE Members

21:01 Expert Panels and Knowledge Sharing

24:11 Member-Driven Initiatives and Events

27:07 Networking and Community Building

30:05 Personal Development and Leadership Opportunities

32:59 Fun and Personal Insights from Elizabeth

35:53 Closing Thoughts and Resources

What happens when economic pressure meets patient care? Lori King gives us the pulse check.

Phil Wilson sits down with Lori King—a nurse, educator, executive, and labor relations strategist, to discuss the operational storm brewing in healthcare. From staffing ratios to legislative landmines, Lori explains how hospitals navigate a system under pressure and what it takes to keep care teams functioning while balancing budgets and burnout.

This episode explores the real labor issues facing healthcare providers in both union and non-union environments. It also previews the Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference, a space designed not for grandstanding but for practical problem-solving that bridges the labor-management divide.

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare is a business — and pretending otherwise risks both care quality and workforce stability.
• Staffing ratios aren’t a silver bullet — Patient needs vary wildly, and blanket rules often do more harm than good.
• Clinicians need financial literacy — To bridge the management gap, staff must understand the economics of care.
• Unions vs. management is too simple — The real work happens when both sides sit down and discuss outcomes.
• Labor relations in healthcare are personal. Lori’s background as a provider gives her a rare, balanced view.
• Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference = big ideas — The conference brings together leaders from across the aisle to build better systems, not just battle each other.

Guest Info:

Lori King: LinkedIn | Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference

Phil Wilson: LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Healthcare Labor Relations

04:10 Understanding Diverse Perspectives in Healthcare

12:56 Key Labor Issues in Healthcare

18:30 Organizing Across Healthcare Professions

24:19 Staffing Challenges in Healthcare

26:08 Understanding Staffing Ratios in Healthcare

30:00 The Complexity of Patient Care and Staffing

32:17 Navigating Legislative Pressures in Healthcare

34:51 Innovative Staffing Solutions in Virginia

36:46 Challenges of Compliance and Penalties in Staffing

39:25 Optimism in Labor Relations and Conferences

45:23 Leadership Lessons and Effective Communication

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, we are joined by Amy Moor Gaylord, a seasoned attorney with over 25 years of experience in traditional labor and employment litigation. As a partner at Akerman LLP, Amy’s extensive knowledge spans industries like healthcare, higher education, not-for-profit organizations, public safety, and hospitality. From handling complex National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) proceedings to leading high-stakes collective bargaining negotiations, Amy brings a wealth of practical advice and expertise.

Amy shares her unique insights on key labor law issues throughout our conversation, including recent bans on captive audience meetings and their potential impact on employers, emerging legislative changes, and strategies for navigating the ever-evolving labor landscape. Drawing from her early career experiences at the NLRB and her work in both public and private sectors, Amy offers invaluable advice for employers across industries.

We also discuss sector-specific challenges, particularly within healthcare, and how Amy balances her representation of public and private clients. From her views on future labor law trends to her exciting projects, this episode is packed with insights to help employers stay ahead of the curve.

To close, we have a little fun as Amy shares which Chicago-based movie or TV show she’d love to star in and the character she’d portray!

Tune in for a comprehensive and engaging discussion on the current state of labor law.

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, we sit down with Megan Cook, co-founder and Chief Administrative Officer of Happy Companies. Join hosts Phil Wilson and Michael VanDervort as they explore a range of topics, including the challenges of bringing together diverse work styles, the role of AI in scaling leadership coaching, and how Happy Companies uses technology to foster better employee engagement and team dynamics.

Megan shares insights from her journey in business leadership, discusses the benefits of AI-powered coaching, and even answers a fun question: which TV character she would want as a coworker. Don’t miss this engaging conversation about the future of leadership, technology, and workplace culture!

Watch now to learn how employers use innovative tools to create more collaborative and successful teams.

🎙️ New Episode Alert! 🎙️

Workplace Wars: Mastering Polarization in the Modern Office

Check out the latest Left the Boom episode with Seyfarth Shaw attorney Dawn Reddy Solowey! 🌟

🔍 What we discuss:

👉Cultural Flashpoints: Practical legal tips to maintain civility and collaboration amidst workplace conflicts.

👉DEI Debates: Tackle diversity, equity, and inclusion challenges in today’s polarized environment.

👉Election-Era Tensions: Prepare for the impact of the upcoming presidential election on office dynamics.

💡 Why Listen? Whether you’re an HR hero, a business leader, or just love insightful workplace strategies, Dawn’s expertise will help you deal with cultural flashpoints in the workplace. Plus, enjoy some fun recommendations to brighten your day! 🦞⚾️🐋

🔍Don’t Miss Out! Listen now and equip yourself with the tools to create a thriving, respectful workplace.

#WorkplaceWisdom #CulturalFlashpoints #LegalAdvice #EmpLaw #DEI #Podcast

In this episode of Left of Boom, hosts Phil Wilson and Michael VanDervort interview David Wimmer, a seasoned labor and employment attorney from Swerdlow Florence Sanchez Swerdlow & Wimmer.

Known for his deep expertise in California's complex labor laws, David shares his insights on the latest legal challenges employers face in the Golden State. From navigating new wage-and-hour laws to the ongoing battle over arbitration agreements, David unpacks what’s happening on the West Coast and how these trends might impact the rest of the country.

Tune in for practical tips, candid conversations, and maybe even a surprise favorite legal drama reveal!

In this episode of The Left of Boom Show, Phil Wilson and Michael VanDervort chat with Fiona Jamison, the CEO of Spring International.

Fiona brings her vast experience in improving employee experience, engagement, and organizational change. We'll kick off by learning about Fiona’s role at Spring International and her career journey. Fiona discusses leaders as mentors who made a big impact on her career.

Then, we’ll discuss what makes a great day at work and how a company's environment affects daily employee engagement.

Fiona will share the secret sauce behind effective leadership.

We’ll then touch on the latest workplace survey tech and how AI is changing the game. Fiona explains how generative AI is reshaping roles and enhancing employee experiences, along with tips to balance tech use to keep teams thriving.

For a fun twist, Fiona will share her music preferences—American icons like the Beach Boys and Bruce Springsteen or British legends like the Beatles and Sting.

For a fun twist, Fiona will share her music preferences—American icons like the Beach Boys and Bruce Springsteen or British legends like the Beatles and Sting.

Wondering how fractional HR services are revolutionizing the workplace?

Interested in how leaders can operate more effectively?

Tune in to this episode of the Left of Boom Show, where Michael VanDervort and Phil Wilson chat with Dana Wood and Tim Fatum of Envision Strategic Services to discuss the benefits and challenges of HR on demand.

We will also hear how they built a successful consulting practice and share inspiring stories about leadership and career growth.

Plus, get a sneak peek into Dana's new book, "From The Mail Room To The Boardroom," and find out which artists they’d love to see perform together in their dream concert.

Don't miss this engaging conversation!

In this episode of the Left of Boom Show, Phil shares the intriguing story behind the show's name, offering listeners an inside look at its origin and significance.

Following this, Phil and Michael discuss the labor law landscape, exploring the far-reaching implications of the recent Chevron decision. The discussion then shifts to the current state of the NLRB, addressing the stalled nominations and the potential impact of these vacancies.

They speculate about Jennifer Abruzzo's future should the presidency change hands. They analyze the significant increase in organizing petitions year over year, offering insights into the direction of labor relations. Tune in for an enlightening conversation filled with expert analysis and timely updates.

In this episode of the Left of Boom Show, we welcome Jon Hyman, a seasoned employment and labor attorney with over 25 years of experience, to the Left of Boom Show. As the leader of the Employment & Labor Practice Group at Wickens Herzer Panza, Jon brings a wealth of knowledge on a range of employment and labor law issues.

We dive into the hot topics of the day, starting with the Supreme Court's decision involving Starbucks and the Memphis 7. We also chat about the recent legal battles involving Amazon, including the US Court of Appeals' decision to throw out a cease-and-desist order against the company. This leads us into a conversation about the challenges the NLRB faces with 10-j injunctions and what it all means in the broader context of labor relations.

With the Chevron doctrine possibly going away soon, Jon explains why this matters and how it could impact agencies like the NLRB, EEOC, and DOL. We also touch on Anchor Brewing and the complexities of asset purchases and union recognition.

Jon then shares the story behind the "Worst Employers List," why he created it as part of his blog, and why it remains relevant today.

We wrap up with some fun, talking about Jon's summer adventures with his daughter Norah, a memorable encounter with Rhett Miller of the Old 97's, and Jon’s love for Portugal.

Join us for an insightful yet relaxed conversation that blends professional expertise with personal stories, offering valuable takeaways for anyone navigating the modern workplace.