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Explore every episode of the podcast We're Only Human
Dive into the complete episode list for We're Only Human. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
| Title | Pub. Date | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| How Healthcare Teams Hire Better Talent | 13 Apr 2026 | 00:29:08 | |
In this episode, you will learn how modern talent acquisition leaders improve hiring outcomes while protecting the human side of recruiting. The conversation explores how healthcare organizations handle massive hiring volumes, why candidate experience still matters in a competitive labor market, and how recruiting teams use data to connect HR metrics to real business outcomes. Ryan Henning, Director, Talent Acquisition, Highmark Health, shares practical insights on internal mobility challenges, reducing time to fill, improving candidate experience, and how talent acquisition teams influence patient outcomes by hiring the right people faster.
Key Takeaways:
Recruiting teams can dramatically reduce time to fill while maintaining strong candidate experience.
Hiring the right people faster directly impacts patient care and operational performance in healthcare.
Internal candidates often take longer to hire than external candidates, even though they are known employees.
Talent acquisition leaders must translate HR metrics into business impact when speaking with executives.
Candidate experience matters even in uncertain job markets and should never be taken for granted.
Lowball offers or poor communication can damage employer reputation and long-term hiring success.
Data helps talent acquisition teams influence leadership decisions and demonstrate business value.
Recruiters should operate as consultants to hiring managers, not just resume processors.
Early career and high school pipeline programs are becoming critical in healthcare workforce planning.
Process improvements in interview scheduling and hiring workflows can significantly improve hiring speed.
Connect with Ryan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-henning-phr-0376901a/
Also mentioned in this conversation: Episode 180 on reducing recruiting cycle time: https://megaphone.link/DIRED7119433062
Timestamps:
00:00 Why candidate experience still matters today
02:00 Ryan Henning’s role leading talent acquisition at Highmark Health
04:00 Why healthcare organizations recruit talent starting in high school
06:00 The long-term workforce strategy behind healthcare pipelines
11:30 Hiring 10,000 employees while improving recruiting metrics
14:30 Translating HR data into business impact for executives
18:00 Why internal hiring often takes longer than external hiring
22:30 How recruiting experience affects employee performance
24:00 Fixing interview scheduling and recruiting process inefficiencies
26:00 Lessons on collaboration and knowledge sharing in recruiting
Top Keywords:
candidate experience in recruiting
healthcare talent acquisition strategy
internal mobility hiring challenges
reducing time to fill roles
healthcare recruiting pipeline
talent acquisition metrics and data
recruiting process improvement
early career healthcare programs
HR business impact of recruiting
healthcare workforce shortages | |||
| 7 Methods for How to Prevent Candidate Fraud in Hiring | 02 Mar 2026 | 00:30:36 | |
If you are wondering how AI is changing candidate fraud and what recruiters can do about it, this episode breaks it down in practical terms. In this conversation, Terry Terhark, CEO at NXTThing RPO, shares what he is seeing firsthand across enterprise recruiting teams. You will learn what candidate fraud really looks like today, how AI tools are helping applicants misrepresent skills and identity, and what talent acquisition teams can do to protect their hiring process without overreacting. The discussion includes real-world examples of fake resumes, AI-assisted interviews, dual employment, falsified references, and remote hiring risks, along with concrete steps to reduce bad hires and improve hiring integrity.
Key Takeaways
Candidate fraud today is more sophisticated and often powered by AI tools.
Fraud can include fake resumes, fake locations, fake identities, falsified work eligibility, and stand-in interviewees.
AI tools can provide real-time interview answers, making it harder to assess real capability.
Some candidates hold dual full-time remote jobs without disclosure.
The cost of hiring a fraudulent candidate is far higher than candidate ghosting.
Employers must clearly define what counts as acceptable AI
use versus cheating.
Requiring ID checks during video interviews can help verify identity.
Asking candidates to share their screen during assessments can expose AI assistance.
More companies are returning to in-person interviews to reduce fraud risk.
Training recruiters and hiring managers to spot red flags is a critical first line of defense.
Connect with Terry on e-mail: terry.terhark@nextthingrpo.com
Connect with Terry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryterhark/
Timestamps
00:00 What Is Candidate Fraud Today
04:30 AI Tools Perfecting Resumes
09:15 Real Stories of Fake Remote Hires
14:00 The True Cost of a Bad Hire
18:20 Dual Employment and Remote Risks
22:45 Practical Ways to Verify Identity
27:30 In-Person Interviews Making a Comeback
31:00 Creating Clear AI Usage Policies
35:40 Training Recruiters to Spot Fraud
39:00 The AI Arms Race in Hiring
Keywords
candidate fraud in hiring
AI in recruiting
fake resumes
AI interview cheating
remote hiring risks
dual employment fraud
identity verification in recruitment
background check best practices
AI hiring policies
talent acquisition challenges | |||
| Inside the Circle: Empowering 14,000 Employees Through Storytelling | 27 Oct 2025 | 00:22:29 | |
Episode Description
In this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Micki Sievwright of Andersen Corporation to discuss how one of America’s most recognized brands connects, engages, and empowers its 14,000+ employees across manufacturing, distribution, and corporate environments.
The conversation dives into how Andersen’s internal communication strategy bridges the gap between frontline and office workers, creating a culture where every employee feels informed, valued, and connected. Micki shares how her team uses storytelling, technology, and intentional design to build belonging at scale — and how leaders can cultivate trust even in large, distributed organizations.
You’ll hear practical lessons on improving employee communication, fostering inclusion, and using tools like MangoApps to bring people together — no matter where they work.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:15 The Challenge of Connecting 14,000 Employees 08:42 Communication That Builds Belonging 13:17 Storytelling as a Culture-Building Tool 17:29 How Technology Supports Human Connection 21:50 Engaging Frontline Workers: Lessons from Andersen 26:18 Leadership’s Role in Employee Communication 30:44 Creating an Inclusive, Connected Culture 34:57 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Links for show notes: Thanks to the team at MangoApps for connecting us with Micki and the team at Andersen Corporation for this conversation! Connect with Micki: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mickisievwright651_prsa-andersenwindows-inclusion-activity-7115015573226364929-s6X3/ Connect with MangoApps: https://www.mangoapps.com/
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Interviews as a Source of Rich, Actionable Data with BrightHire on We‘re Only Human | 07 Sep 2021 | 00:33:49 | |
"The job of a talent acquisition leader is actually like five or six functions put together. You're a marketing leader doing outbound and branding. You're a sales leader, leading a team of individuals having conversations, converting candidates, or an operations leader by coordinating and scheduling and setting up interviews through the funnel. You're an analytics leader, trying to build dashboards and reporting."
Teddy Chestnut, BrightHire
We're Only Human -- Episode 125
In the hiring process, we collect a lot of data. We look at costs, timing, responsiveness, candidate qualities, and so much more. But the majority of companies don't capture much, if anything, around interviews. And when they do, that happens on a notepad or piece of paper, which is virtually impossible to analyze.
In this episode of We're Only Human, Teddy Chestnut from BrightHire talks about how his company is enabling powerful insights from interviews at a massive scale, allowing business leaders to use that data for DEI hiring, process improvement, and so much more.
Links and resources:
Check out our most recent podcast on 20+ hiring strategies for a tight talent market
Learn more about the BrightHire team
See our show archives, get updates on We're Only Human, and more
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| 20 Hiring Strategies, Ideas, and Tips for a Tight Talent Market on We‘re Only Human | 25 Aug 2021 | 00:48:27 | |
Thousands of people have been our dataset this year that we've been talking to and analyzing and understanding what's happening. There's so much research and evidence here to help you. Transparently, I've never seen a market like we're in today. I hope this gives you some good insights and good ideas to solve for the current challenges and an extremely difficult hiring market.
Ben EubanksChief Research Officer, Lighthouse Research & Advisory Host, We're Only HumanHost, HR Tech Talks Livestream Show
We're Only Human -- Episode 124
In the rare solo episode, Ben talks directly to talent and HR leaders who are struggling to find the right staff in the unprecedented job market employers are facing. This episode brings a ton of resources to bear:
Ben's hands on experience in recruiting hard to find talent in the special operations aviation community
Interviews with more than a dozen forward-thinking talent and HR leaders that are taking a proactive approach to the current situation
Data from more than 800 employers from this year's Talent Acquisition Trends research at Lighthouse
Take notes! And if you have had a conversation with someone in the past 30 days about the challenges of hiring, take a minute to share this episode with them. After all, a rising tide lifts all ships!
Show notes/resources:
Free PDF handout: 20+ Strategies and Tips for Hiring in a Tight Market
https://upstarthr.com/talent-mobility-case-studies-and-research-podcast/
Sprint Recruiting Book: https://amzn.to/3sL6O7C
LHRA research on talent acquisition priorities for 2021/2022: https://lhra.io/blog/report-we-asked-800-employers-about-virtual-recruiting-new-research/
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Openness to Failure as a Critical HR Skill on We're Only Human | 17 Aug 2021 | 00:29:44 | |
"I think openness to failure is as important as openness to success, because if you're not open to failure, you're not open to trying new things. Full stop. You're going to keep rolling out the same trite things that maybe aren't the best things. So it's really as important to try new things, and where you give yourself the credibility is the fact that you are measuring and you are looking at whether or not this works objectively."
Caitlin Bigsby, Visier
We're Only Human -- Episode 123
Want to be more successful? Fail more often.
In a recent conversation with an executive that works with numerous high-performing organizations, he explained that the critical differentiator for the best firms is a willingness to iterate and experiment, knowing that some of those will inevitably fail.
In today's episode, Ben speaks with Caitlin Bigsby about the importance of analytics, measurement, and data when it comes to HR and talent practices. Caitlin shares how to identify problems that data can solve, what to do next, and how to leverage evidence as a powerful tool for positive change in the business.
Connect with Caitlin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlin-bigsby
Connect with Visier: https://www.visier.com/
Learn more about We're Only Human and check out our archives: https://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Digital, Secure Document Management for HR Teams on We’re Only Human | 17 Aug 2021 | 00:25:05 | |
"An HR manager can do whatever they need to do. We do have a vision, and the vision is that all administrative tasks should be done in less than 15 seconds."
Leila Laidani, Aconso
We're Only Human -- Episode 122
In the last year, companies have shifted much of their work processes to a digital format. However, legacy files and workflows don't always transition so easily.
In this episode, Ben talks with the team from Aconso about how using secure, digital storage solutions can help HR leaders to not only protect and preserve sensitive information, but use their time more effectively than shuffling paper and documents.
Learn more:
Check out the Aconso website: https://www.aconso.com/
Check out the We're Only Human archives, subscribe, and more: https://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| What's Your Culture of Health? Featuring Mobile Health on We're Only Human | 02 Aug 2021 | 00:24:43 | |
"You need to have a competitive pay and benefits offering. When you go to do that, the employer ends up paying for a lot of things that go unused just because there's too much to communicate. What's just amazing about the time and space we're in now is you can really use personalization to surface opportunities from among and within those programs and benefits at the right time, in a way where it's really a health and benefits journey of one."
John Halloran, CEO at Mobile Health
We're Only Human -- Episode 121
Each of us is unique. Our day-to-day needs, our lifestyles, and even our stress levels vary greatly. But one thing is certain: wellbeing is applicable to every single one of us.
In this episode, Ben and John discuss the importance of creating customized health journeys for employees (for instance, targeting a personalized need for mental health, fertility, or nutritional suggestions).
Beyond that, the discussion brings in ideas for how HR leaders can drive the right engagement with the workforce by leveraging wellbeing and wellness across a variety of opportunities. John brings up a powerful case study where EY and KPMG created an initiative using low-code tools from Mobile Health to engage their remote workforce, proving that these practices work for remote, hybrid, and in-office workers. In today's talent-driven market, this focus on wellbeing is a "must have," not a "nice to have."
Connect with Mobile Health:
https://www.mobilehealthconsumer.com/
Learn about Anthem Blue Cross's partnership with Mobile Health: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/mobile-health-announces-8-year-preferred-partner-agreement-with-anthem-blue-cross-and-blue-shield-301341535.html
Learn more about the We're Only Human podcast, subscribe, and see our archives: http://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| SMB Employers, Complexity, and Compliance with Jordan Conley on We're Only Human | 27 Jul 2021 | 00:30:18 | |
"I had a client that in February of last year had 72 employees, all in Boulder, Colorado. By September of last year, they eliminated their office and went remote. They went from having all their employees in one state to having those same 74 employees, but across 14 different states."
Jordan Conley, President, Obsidian HR
We're Only Human -- Episode 120
In the United States, approximately 98% of the employers that exist have fewer than 100 employees. It's easy to get caught up in the headlines that focus on enterprise companies, but a massive segment of the economy (and job market) are tied to small businesses.
In this episode, Ben talks with Jordan Conley, President of Obsidian HR, about the challenges facing small businesses today. The discussion covers topics like outsourcing for a greater focus on strategic HR, how remote work makes compliance and HR work more difficult, and more.
Connect with Jordan and Obsidian HR:
https://www.obsidianhr.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanconley/
Thanks to isolved for connecting us with Jordan!
Learn more about We're Only Human, subscribe, see our archives, and more: http://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Personalizing Talent Practices at an Individual Level with Juan Betancourt on We're Only Human | 08 Jul 2021 | 00:33:52 | |
"Companies can now optimize things like rewards and training and development. HR and the way companies communicate with employees is going to be based on personalization."
Juan Betancourt, CEO, Humantelligence
We're Only Human -- Episode 119
The "one size fits all" approach is being replaced with the "one size fits one" approach at some of the most forward-thinking companies.
In your personal life, you expect personalization. Customized movie, dining, or clothing recommendations are becoming the norm. But at work, this hasn't been the case in the past.
Now, with intelligent technologies, we can personalize how we interact with everyone at work, creating deeper levels of understanding and collaboration. In this episode of We're Only Human, Ben talks with Juan Betancourt of Humantelligence about how the company is enabling these personalized experiences for the workforce and executive leaders. Use cases for personalization include everything from who to fits a job or company to how they learn best to what kinds of rewards they want and so much more. Check out this conversation to learn how you can personalize your approach to your people.
Connect with Juan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanluisbetancourt/
Connect with Humantelligence: https://humantelligence.com/
Check out our archives and learn more about the show: https://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| How to Bring the HR Community Together with Bill Banham on We're Only Human | 28 Jun 2021 | 00:23:25 | |
"It all has to link back to practical insights and practical takeaways about how best we can come through the current crisis together."
Bill Banham, Editor, HR Gazette
We're Only Human -- Episode 118
One of the fun parts of the last year has been connecting with new people, finding new resources, and building new communities. Someone at the heart of that is Bill Banham, editor and publisher at the HR Gazette. As someone who covers things happening in the HR industry, he brings a unique and balanced perspective on what HR leaders can learn about today's business environment.
In this episode, Ben and Bill talk about the learnings of the last year, what he sees as important for HR leaders to pursue in the coming months, and more.
Check out the HR Gazette where Bill spends most of his time: https://hr-gazette.com/
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Work Has Changed at DHL - Here's How The Company is Prioritizing Talent | 10 Jun 2021 | 00:27:33 | |
"Listening without solving... Is really important, because the tendency for a lot of people is when somebody comes to you with an issue, the immediate response is to try and find a solution to the problem when in fact that may not be what you need."
Gordon Simpson, SVP Human Resources, DHL Global Forwarding
We're Only Human -- Episode 117
Work is changing. We all know it. We've seen it. Hiring is more difficult than ever, and predictions are that it will get harder. Retaining talent is critical. Development is essential.
It's easy to feel like it's a problem that nobody can solve, but in today's conversation, Ben talks with Gordon Simpson of DHL Global Forwarding about how the firm is serving its workforce by putting them first. From shifting to bring PPE into the country during COVID to health concerns with return to work, DHL is adapting to meet the challenges its people face and supporting them at the same time.
Connect with Gordon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gordon-simpson-5731736/
See episode archives and learn more about the show: http://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Don't Judge for Feelings, Judge for Actions - Featuring Faye Ekong on We're Only Human | 01 Jun 2021 | 00:25:33 | |
"There's a lot of blame going around. Rumors, gossip, people are on their guard. So this kind of hidden anger and passive aggressiveness that I have seen, [what's] always an eye-opener with clients is how many people need to be CC'd on any given email. So the more people that are CC'd in anything gives you an indication: there's a bit of fear, and so that shows that there's generally low trust."
Faye Ekong, Managing Director, RavelWorks Africa
We're Only Human -- Episode 116
In the organizational context of change management, it's easy to become frustrated or flustered with people about how they feel about policies and decisions. But as Faye Ekong so clearly illustrates in this conversation on We're Only Human, we should hold them accountable for their actions, not how they feel.
In addition, Faye shares insights on organizational health (and a lack of it) with examples that will make you smile and nod along with her. Her work in Africa in may ways reflects the work of HR leaders around the globe, and her advice is helpful for driving better change and HR outcomes.
Connect with Faye and RavelWorks:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/ravelworks/?originalSubdomain=ke
https://www.linkedin.com/in/faye-ekong/?originalSubdomain=ke
Learn more about We're Only Human, check out past episodes, and more:
http://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| The New Rules of Hiring: Tech, Trust, and the Human Touch | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:27:10 | |
Episode Description
In this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Terry Terhark of NXTThing RPO to explore how hiring is evolving faster than ever in 2025 — and why keeping the human element in recruiting still matters more than ever.
They discuss how organizations are adapting to unprecedented speed and scale in hiring, how AI and automation are reshaping recruiter roles, and where people still make the biggest impact in the process. Terry shares his unique perspective from decades in the talent space, including the balance between efficiency and empathy, the importance of culture fit, and how technology can empower — not replace — great recruiters.
You’ll hear real-world insights on candidate experience, the future of RPO partnerships, and what leaders should prioritize to stay ahead in a tech-driven talent market.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:12 Why Hiring Is Moving Faster Than Ever 09:35 The Human Element: Why It Still Matters 14:58 How AI and Automation Are Changing Recruitment 19:47 Balancing Speed, Scale, and Candidate Experience 24:26 Building Trust and Culture in High-Volume Hiring 28:53 The Future of Recruiting Partnerships (RPO Insights) 33:10 What Leaders Should Focus On in 2025 36:42 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Links for show notes: Connect with NXTThing RPO: https://nxtthingrpo.com/ Connect with Terry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryterhark/
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Workplace Performance is 90 Percent Mental with Roger Kitchen on We're Only Human | 14 May 2021 | 00:26:35 | |
"So the nerdy neuroscience about the brain is that your brain can't distinguish between a real-time event or if you visualized it. But when you when you walk yourself mentally, emotionally, visually through those things, and you just see yourself doing them and being successful, that's the really key piece."
Roger Kitchen, Mental Skills Coach
We're Only Human -- Episode 115
High-performing individuals in music, athletics, and even business use coaches to help them accomplish their goals, but have you ever thought about the importance of mental skills at work?
For knowledge workers (and HR leaders), the vast majority of performance isn't physical in nature, it's mental. And yet we let ourselves continue doing what we've always done, missing opportunities to create better performance and work habits.
In this fun interview with Roger Kitchen, a mental skills coach, Ben and Roger dive into the key aspects of creating good work habits, focusing mental performance, and driving better satisfaction and resilience.
Connect with Roger on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rogerkitchenjr/
Learn more about We're Only Human, see previous episodes, and subscribe: http://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Human Benefits for a Human Workforce with Maribeth Bearfield on We're Only Human | 06 May 2021 | 00:35:33 | |
"What I see is that we're no longer working from home. We're living at work. And so how do we help employees work differently?"
Maribeth Bearfield, Chief Human Resources Officer, Bright Horizons
We're Only Human -- Episode 114
In the last year, employers have struggled with how to support workers in a rapidly changing environment. Even today as some things change, others stay the same. During this episode, Ben talks with Maribeth Bearfield about how she looks at the human side of benefits that her team offers the workforce.
Learn about the new Horizons program that allows employees to earn a free education, creating new opportunities for the firm's diverse workforce and an exciting legacy of impact on the communities in which it serves.
Did you know that of the various assets on a balance sheet, people don't show up? After all, they aren't property, equipment, or materials. However, they do show up in the skills and innovation that they bring to the table. Maribeth also talks about the value of intangibles, which is where the value of your people really shine.
Connect with Maribeth:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maribeth-nash-bearfield-9002822/
Connect with Bright Horizons:
https://www.brighthorizons.com/
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Stop Anonymizing Employee Feedback--Insights from Joyous on We're Only Human | 26 Apr 2021 | 00:36:16 | |
"If this week a leader acknowledges [employee feedback], next week, the person is eight times more likely to participate again than if the leader said nothing the week before."
Ruby Kolesky, Co-CEO and Head of Product, Joyous
We're Only Human -- Episode 113
What's your stance on employee feedback and anonymity? In today's conversation with Mike and Ruby from Joyous, they share a bold proposal: stop making employee feedback anonymous, because you're telling them that it's something to be worried about. Instead, they advocate for open feedback that can help to identify issues, engage support, and drive the best outcomes.
In the discussion, the team talks about research they've done among employers asking for and acting upon feedback from their people, and they also talk about what it takes to create the environment where people can share their best ideas with the rest of the organization, making everyone's work (and workplace) better.
Connect with Mike and Ruby:
https://joyoushq.com/
Ben's favorite Joyous case study: https://joyoushq.com/blog/post/launching-lockdown-genesis
See the We're Only Human archives, subscribe, and learn more about the show: https://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Introversion-The HR Super Power with Tim Gardner on We're Only Human | 15 Apr 2021 | 00:31:42 | |
My preference in work was not towards optimizing machinery, but helping optimize work processes for people.
Tim Gardner, Former Organizational Development Consultant at Kimberly-Clark (retired)
We're Only Human -- Episode 112
If you're an introvert in HR, you're not alone. Recently I shared a piece on LinkedIn about introverts in HR and the value of introversion, and the piece received thousands of likes and comments. Apparently my own preference for introversion is in good company!
In today's podcast discussion, Tim Gardner, an admitted introvert and experienced organizational development leader, talks about designing work around people instead of forcing people to bend around the work. His background as an engineer (yes, really!) gives him a unique and powerful perspective on HR, process design, and business operations.
Towards the end of the discussion, I ask Tim to talk about legacy and impact, and it's a great set of ideas for all of us as we think about the lasting impressions of our work and relationships on the world.
Connect with Tim: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timjgardner/
Learn more about We're Only Human and see show archives: https://lhra.io/were-only-human-podcast/
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Hire Internal Employees to Drive Engagement and Career Ownership with Jerome Ternynck on We're Only Human | 30 Mar 2021 | 00:40:13 | |
"The platform was up and running literally weeks after the pandemic hit. And through this platform they saved 2,000 jobs, so it's also about saving jobs by redeploying people effectively when the times are needed."
Jerome Ternynck, Founder and CEO, SmartRecruiters
We're Only Human -- Episode 111
In some brand new research, we found that internal hiring and talent mobility is a key priority for employers in the coming year, and they measure success through increased diversity, lower cost to hire, and better performance and retention. These factors all feed into today's conversation.
In this interview with Jerome Ternynck, Founder and CEO of SmartRecruiters (and one of the most passionate people about hiring on the planet), we dive into what virtual recruiting looked like in 2020, how employers are adopting internal talent marketplaces to support internal hiring and employee mobility, and what it takes to lead the business as a talent acquisition leader. We also look at SmartRecruiters' intense commitment to equitable hiring and share the playbook SmartRecruiters uses to support these practices internally.
Resources:
See the DEI hiring playbook: hiringsuccess.com
Check out new research on priorities for 2021/2022 in talent acquisition: https://lhra.io/blog/new-research-virtual-hiring-recruiter-skills-and-internal-mobility/
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Owning HR's Cybersecurity Responsibilities with Erika Lance on We're Only Human | 18 Mar 2021 | 00:28:03 | |
"I think as HR leaders, one of the biggest things that we have to do is never lose sight of the people."
Erika Lance, SVP of People Operations at KnowBe4
We're Only Human -- Episode 110
According to research, organizations face an average cost of over $3 million for a cybersecurity breach.
Do we have your attention? In today's episode, Ben talks with Erika Lance of KnowBe4 about the importance of cybersecurity and how HR can play an active role in supporting this critical business issue. At the end of the day, cybersecurity is primarily a people issue more than anything else, and Erika will share tips and strategies for how to make this a priority in your organization. She will also share tips on building better stakeholder relationships with IT and information security teams, which strengthens HR's credibility with the business.
Learn more:
knowbe4.com
Connect with Erika on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/erikalance/
See our archives and subscribe: http://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Connecting Healthcare Operations and Recruiting at Mercy on We're Only Human | 08 Mar 2021 | 00:32:21 | |
"It's about understanding that workforce isn't a recruiting job. It isn't a leadership job. It's everybody's job. If you have needs in the workforce, you must communicate them. And the vehicle to do that is our recruiting team."
Betty Jo Rocchio, Chief Nursing Officer, Mercy
We're Only Human -- Episode 109
One of the consistent priorities in our research over the last few years for recruiters is to align with the business and build deep, strategic partnerships. In today's episode, you'll get unique insights from Mercy about how the talent acquisition leadership interacts and engages with its nursing operations leaders.
Ben talks with Kayla Drady and Betty Jo Rocchio about their partnership, how they interact with and support each other (especially during COVID times), and what lessons they think other talent and business leaders could use to create deeper relationships. In this episode you'll learn how to create that lasting, impactful relationship with key stakeholders, including the role of skill data, analytics tools, and more.
Learn about Mercy's recruiting activities and openings here: careers.mercy.net
Learn about Mercy's mission: mercy.net/about/
Thanks to Phenom for introducing us to Mercy!
See our episode archives for We're Only Human and subscribe: http://lhra.io/podcast
See the show archives and sign up for episode updates | |||
| Making Magic for Candidates with Paradox.ai on We're Only Human | 02 Mar 2021 | 00:25:40 | |
"We are what we call a conversational AI platform, the main product being our AI assistant, which was built with a really simple kind of mission to create magical experiences for candidates."
Josh Zywein, Paradox.ai
We're Only Human -- Episode 108
Chatbots aren't new. Most of us have used them as consumers to get support when we visit a website for a cable or mobile phone provider. Plus, in our last report on chatbots in the recruiting technology space a few years ago, we found over 25 different companies offering bots and tools to help employers automate and streamline their hiring.
But not all of them are cut from the same cloth.
In this interview with Josh Zywein from Paradox.ai, we talk about how recruiting chatbots have evolved and how the company's bot (Olivia) has served customers like Nestle, McDonald's, CVS Health, and others.
We also talk about why chatbots aren't a "DIY" project and what you can get with a dedicated, purpose-built system.
Check out the show archives, subscribe, and more
Connect with Josh, Olivia or the Paradox team:
http://paradox.ai (you can even chat w/Olivia on the website!)
Email: josh@paradox.ai
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| 3 Keys to Creating and Becoming a Best Place to Work: Angie Redmon on We're Only Human | 19 Feb 2021 | 00:26:53 | |
"What different actions can we take going forward? So whether it was an implementation to our benefits plan or whether it was rolling out a new piece to our onboarding process, let's do an analysis at the end... Is there anything that could've made this better? Just one little thing that we could tweak so that we can learn from this." Angie Redmon, striveHR
We're Only Human -- Episode 107
Today there's no shortage of employer award programs. Every magazine, business publication, website, and trade association has a version of these programs, and they all look at different elements of how employers support their people. In today's conversation, Ben talks with Angie Redmon of striveHR about how she works with employers to help them win these awards. As you'll hear in the discussion, this is about more than "teaching to the test." It's about fundamentally changing how you care for and support your people, and the journey towards that end goal is perhaps more important than the end goal itself. In the conversation you'll learn the three critical components that lead to a winning strategy over time.
Learn more about Angie and connect with her: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angieredmonbestworkplaceadvisor
Find our episode archive, subscribe options on Spotify, Google, Amazon, and more, and learn more about We're Only Human: http://lhra.io/podcast
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| What is the Extended Workforce? Insights from Utmost on We're Only Human | 12 Feb 2021 | 00:36:39 | |
"The way work is getting done is increasingly flexible and it gives the worker the power of choice. That choice serves both the worker and the end enterprise."
Dan Beck, COO of Utmost
We're Only Human -- Episode 106
Quick, your business needs to fill a talent gap you have, but you don't want to hire a new staff member. What do you do? Hire a consultant? Pick up a freelancer? Snag an independent contractor?
Historically, these activities have happened outside the realm of HR, partly due to compliance and partly due to the different approaches to bringing on that talent. In today's episode, Ben talks with Dan Beck, COO of Utmost, about how forward-thinking employers are hiring, tracking, and managing the extended workforce.
Think about it: companies today have increasing numbers of gig workers and flexible talent on the books, so why shouldn't we have insights into who they are, how we can manage them, and what that investment looks like at the highest levels of the company?
Learn more: https://utmost.co/
Connect with Dan: dan@utmost.co
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| The Future of HR: Human First, AI Second | 14 Oct 2025 | 00:14:50 | |
n this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks explores one of the biggest questions of our time: what does it really mean to be human in an age of artificial intelligence? As AI tools become faster, smarter, and more deeply integrated into the workplace, many HR leaders and employees are asking the same question — where do people fit in?
Ben unpacks why staying human-first is not just a mindset but a strategy for success. The conversation dives into how HR can balance automation with empathy, how learning and curiosity are becoming the most valuable skills, and why emotional intelligence remains a competitive advantage even when technology takes over repetitive work.
You’ll hear reflections on fear, hope, and the future of work — plus practical guidance on how to lead with humanity in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 03:15 Why “Being Human” Still Matters in an AI World 08:02 Balancing Efficiency and Empathy in HR 13:47 Automation, Learning, and the Changing Role of Work 19:11 Hope vs. Fear: How HR Can Lead the AI Conversation 24:36 The Power of Emotional Intelligence in the Machine Age 28:59 Redefining Human Value Beyond Data and Speed 33:42 How to Stay Curious, Relevant, and Human 36:18 Final Thoughts and Takeaways
Links for show notes: Check out the AI Livestream Replay: https://streamyard.com/watch/9GTfDMQ8GeTE
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| HR Analyst Day *Podcast Takeover* Featuring Engagedly on We're Only Human | 05 Feb 2021 | 00:28:29 | |
"Be gentle with yourself. I think we can all afford a little compassion and we're often able to give that to others easier than we're able to give it to ourselves. Give yourself time for introspection to understand what truly motivates you and let that be your first step."
Kristin Richter, Engagedly
We're Only Human -- Episode 105
This is a special edition of We're Only Human! Last fall Ben cohosted HR Analyst Day with Jessica from Workology (who you'll hear on today's show). They talked with a wide variety of HR tech companies covering recruiting, benefits, learning, engagement, and more. This episode was one of the outcomes from that experience. In it, Jessica interviews Kristin Richter from Engagedly about the company's focus and how it helps to create a more human-centered workplace.
Want to know more about HR Analyst Day? Check it out: https://learn.workology.com/hr-analyst-day/
Learn more about Engagedly: https://engagedly.com/
Connect with Kristin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristin-richter/
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| Engaging a Field-Based Workforce-Lessons from Nussbaum Transportation on We're Only Human | 02 Feb 2021 | 00:27:26 | |
"You can reconcile accounting, but you can't always reconcile people."
Jeremy Stickling, Chief Administrative Officer at Nussbaum Transportation
We're Only Human -- Episode 104
Turnover in some trucking and transportation companies runs nearly 100% a year, meaning they turn over virtually every employee over a 12 month period. But at Nussbaum, the turnover runs under 30% a year. What's the secret, and how can other employers with a field-based or remote workforce apply those principles to create better employment outcomes for their people? In this episode, Ben talks with Jeremy Stickling, Chief Administrative Officer at Nussbaum Transportation, about how the company has cracked this code. It's a great case study on caring for people and delivering a great experience, regardless of where employees are based.
Learn more about Nussbaum's purpose-driven culture: https://www.nussbaum.com/purposedriven/
Connect with Jeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-stickling-71a5b112/
Find out how to align your own values and work style with the kind of company you want to work with: https://mailchi.mp/upstarthr/5-hr-career-questions
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| Empowering Your Internal Experts for Better Learning Outcomes on We're Only Human | 22 Jan 2021 | 00:34:14 | |
I really do believe this is a moment for learning and training that could see a transformation that benefits learners.
Simon Greany, Elucidat
We're Only Human -- Episode 103
How many times have we in HR and learning been forced to create content in subjects we knew little to nothing about? In today's episode, Ben talks with Simon Greany from Elucidat about how the company supports employers through technology that enables subject matter experts to cocreate learning content.
At the end of the day, learning is about performance. It's not about making people happy (though that can be a byproduct). And having targeted training that meets the needs of the workforce is the best option for creating sustained performance over time.
Learn more about Elucidat: https://www.elucidat.com/
Learn about myHRfit: http://myhrfit.com
See where you can find the podcast: https://lhra.io/podcast
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| Measuring Productivity in the Modern Workplace: Prodoscore on We're Only Human | 15 Jan 2021 | 00:27:35 | |
"We can't forget about being human."
Tom Moran, Chief Strategy Officer, Prodoscore
We're Only Human -- Episode 102
When workers gathered to work on assembly lines, productivity was easy: you counted the widgets produced per hour. In the modern workplace, it's a much harder proposition. How do you know when knowledge workers are really accomplishing what they need to be?
In today's discussion, Ben dives into those questions and more with Tom Moran of Prodoscore. Prodoscore is a productivity intelligence tool designed to help companies understand how the workforce gets things done, who may need help, and where opportunities exist for smarter business practices.
Tom shares how Prodoscore helps customers measure individual worker productivity, how the data can serve as a performance coaching tool, and more.
See Prodoscore's ethical pledge: https://www.prodoscore.com/company/#pledge
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| Mediocrity, Clarity, and Personal Brand with Carla Patton on We're Only Human | 07 Jan 2021 | 00:27:55 | |
"We allow business leaders to dictate things based on who they like, who they golfed with the last weekend, and things like that when it should be: 'Who is doing the work and who is a benefit to our work environment and our culture?'" Carla Patton, HR Executive
We're Only Human -- Episode 101
One of the challenges in the last year is that the pandemic showed the cracks in the relationships created by poor leadership. In an office environment, there are enough opportunities to smooth over mediocrity from a leadership perspective, but when things are virtual, those kinds of behaviors like favoritism or simply being inept become magnified.
In this episode, Carla Patton encourages us to stop accepting mediocrity from our leaders and hold them to a higher standard. It's not just about business results--it's about the kind of environment they create for their team and whether that environment encourages performance or hinders it.
Links:
Ben on the Paychex HR Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/3F4a4zK3l0PSQEMf9wl5du
Connect with Carla on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/carlahpatton/
Check out The Career Salon podcast with the HR Twins:
https://open.spotify.com/show/0zUiPwDUotwiu5dna1WrLa
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| How Paypal Maps and Creates Employee Journeys on We're Only Human | 10 Dec 2020 | 00:32:55 | |
"We map the employee journey and experiences that an employee has. We do things where we can really hear, learn, and better understand the employee sentiment, directly from employees. We have feedback mechanisms built in that allow us to continually evolve, and we really look at that feedback that we get on our experiences as a gift. We welcome it. We want to hear 'what did we do' and 'how did it land' and 'how can we make it better?'"
Adella Bell, PayPal
We're Only Human -- Episode 100
Today, one of the most challenging pieces of supporting employees is understanding their unique journeys, identifying their needs at each step, and designing experiences that meet those needs. At PayPal, there is a clear approach that leads to better outcomes, and it hinges on employee-focused design. From how feedback is gathered to how journeys are mapped and more, every piece of this is centered on the employees and what they need.
In today's discussion, Ben talks with Ramesh Murugan and Adella Bell from PayPal's HR team to explore how PayPal designs an employee experience that is scalable and high touch, including key insights into how the HR team identifies what the workforce needs through comprehensive voice of the employee efforts.
To learn more about IBM Talent Transformation Services:http://ibm.biz/talentacquisition
Other episodes in this series on Talent Transformation:
How Takeda Radically Transformed its HR Operating Model
How to Drive Business Innovation from within HR
Learn about PayPal's commitment to and support of global intiatives in their Impact Report: https://www.paypal.com/us/webapps/mpp/globalimpact
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| Ashley Furniture Saved ~$5 Million with Employee Retention: Featuring Humantelligence on We're Only Human | 27 Nov 2020 | 00:35:31 | |
"So you're about to go into a meeting physically or remotely, you click on the team on the calendar invite and it'll pull up the culture of that meeting. Imagine EQ everywhere, and you're delivering emotional intelligence insights where every person can communicate, collaborate, and connect." Juan Betancourt, Humantelligence
We're Only Human -- Episode 99
One of the issues with the tools, the technology, and the processes we use in HR is that we sometimes get away from the human at the core of it all. This episode includes an incredible case study of how Ashley Furniture reduced turnover by approximately 30% and saved nearly $5 million in the process by focusing on the real drivers and values of each individual they hire onto their team.
In today's discussion, Ben and Juan dig into how we can use more emotional intelligence insights in everyday interactions, creating more human and people-focused workplaces. From hiring decisions to team alignment, there are many different types of opportunities to support and enable better communication and connection.
Connect with Juan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juanluisbetancourt/
Learn more about Humantelligence: https://humantelligence.com/
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| How to Drive Business Innovation from Within HR on We're Only Human | 12 Nov 2020 | 00:33:09 | |
"Human resources is ripe for innovation right now. Innovation is definitely a place of great opportunity within human capital. We should be constantly looking out for how we can leverage what others have done in other areas and apply it to human resources functions." Karin Wagner, Senior Director of Talent Transformation at UnitedHealth Group
We're Only Human -- Episode 98
If you've ever wondered why HR seems to struggle with innovation, you're not alone.
For some companies, HR expects innovation to come from other departments.
For some companies, HR tries but fails to generate the innovation it needs.
But in some firms, HR leads the charge with innovation, creating new opportunities to drive the business and demonstrate the value of HR within the organization.
In today's discussion with Karin Wagner, Senior Director of Talent Transformation at UnitedHealth Group, Ben and Karin talk about how this process works and Karin opens her playbook on how to build relationship capital in authentic ways, what it takes to go from idea to execution, and more. Karin is incredibly insightful and you don't want to miss her ideas in this special episode.
To learn more about IBM Talent Transformation Services:http://ibm.biz/talentacquisition
Connect with Karin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karin-wagner-b26500
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| How Do I Support a Remote Work Culture? A Q&A Episode on We're Only Human | 22 Oct 2020 | 00:25:50 | |
"My company is going remote because of COVID. How do I transition our culture over?"
We're Only Human -- Episode 97
In today's episode, Ben takes three audience questions:
How do we move to a remote work culture?
What payroll technology works for a smaller organization?
How do I leave a toxic workplace?
We are trying out this Q&A series and would love to hear your feedback! Let us know if you enjoy it or if you want to ask your own question. Just send it to questions@upstarthr.com or record a short voice question anonymously at http://upstarthr.com/question
Quote for today's episode by Kahlil Gibran:
Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy. For if you bake bread with indifference, you bake a bitter bread that feeds but half man's hunger. And if you grudge the crushing of the grapes, your grudge distils a poison in the wine. And if you sing though as angels, and love not the singing, you muffle man's ears to the voices of the day and the voices of the night.
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| How Takeda Radically Transformed Its HR Operating Model on We're Only Human | 15 Oct 2020 | 00:38:14 | |
"I think you can't make the mistake of designing an optimal, or academically perfect HR operating model in a vacuum. It really must be aligned with your fundamental business strategy and the overall operating model." Lauren Duprey, Takeda Pharmaceuticals
This is the first in a fascinating new series of episodes where we interview talent and HR leaders from a select set of IBM Talent and Transformation clients about their innovative practices and approaches.
We're Only Human -- Episode 96
What does it take to change the fundamental model for how HR operates in a business? In the case of Takeda, it took considerable time to settle on an approach that balanced global governance and accountability with localized, agile decision-making. The rollout of this HR transformation began in February of 2020.
Yes, right as COVID was beginning to hit.
Some would say that's the worst time, but in hindsight it might have also turned out to be the best. In the turmoil that followed globally, Takeda's HR team was set up to respond to business needs, adapt to change, and deliver service in a tailored and agile manner.
In today's discussion, Ben talks with Lauren Duprey and Dominique Brewer about the firm's shift in operating models, deep focus on equity and inclusion, and more. This session is a master class on how to design an HR model that enables the talent team to support the critical objectives of the business.
To learn more about IBM Talent Transformation Services:http://ibm.biz/talentacquisition
To see the work Takeda is doing and understand more about the firm, visit takedajobs.com
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| Behind the Front Desk: Real Stories of Frontline HR | 09 Oct 2025 | 00:20:23 | |
In this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Conrad Riddle, HR technology leader at Aimbridge Hospitality, to explore how frontline hiring and scheduling are being reimagined in today’s fast-moving workplace. They dig into the challenges of recruiting and retaining hourly workers, why scheduling is the heartbeat of retention, and how technology can empower employees while easing the load on managers.
You’ll hear practical examples of streamlining the candidate journey—from frictionless mobile applications to instant interview scheduling—plus insights on self-service scheduling tools that give employees more flexibility and control. Conrad also shares how automation is saving thousands of hours for managers, improving compliance, and transforming the onboarding experience.
Whether you’re an HR leader, a hiring manager, or simply curious about the future of frontline work, this conversation offers actionable takeaways on speed, simplicity, and employee empowerment.
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 02:01 Inside Aimbridge Hospitality: Scale and Challenges 05:18 Why Scheduling is the Core of Frontline Retention 09:01 Fixing the Candidate Experience: From Application to Interview in Minutes 13:28 Competing with Amazon and Uber: Speed Matters 17:02 Empowering Employees Through Self-Service Scheduling 22:19 Balancing Manager Control and Employee Flexibility 26:44 Automation in Onboarding: Saving 40,000+ Hours 31:12 Compliance Wins and Smarter HR Tech 34:20 Key Takeaways and Final Thoughts
Links for show notes: Thanks to the team at Fountain for connecting us with Conrad and the team at Aimbridge Hospitality for this conversation! Connect with Conrad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradriddle/ Connect with Fountain: https://www.fountain.com/
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| Why Learning is the Superpower We All Need: The Upskilling Imperative on We're Only Human | 30 Sep 2020 | 00:26:39 | |
"And to me, just hands down learning is the future of work. Let's just put a period on that. That's how I feel about this. We've entered this era of where there's continuous, rapid change. It just keeps coming for us. Every day we're faced with a new change. And the only way that we can sort of ride those changes or rise to them is through continuous learning." Shelley Osborne
We're Only Human - Episode 95
If that statement doesn't convey the sentiment of this episode, nothing will. In this discussion with Shelley Osborne, the conversation explores key points and ideas from The Upskilling Imperative, Shelley's new book.
Ben and Shelley dig into why we learn the way we do, what it takes to shake up corporate learning practices, and how to drive better outcomes with manager involvement, feedback, and so much more.
Want to get the book? Check it out here: https://amzn.to/3iG8o55
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| Your Brain on Change Management-Google's Travis Hahler on We're Only Human | 23 Sep 2020 | 00:50:36 | |
"One of the things that I find most fascinating about using neuroscience in the [change management] work that I do is that there's a lot of really common misconceptions about neuroscience." Travis Hahler, Google
We're Only Human - Episode 94
What is neuroscience and why should we be thinking about it as HR and business leaders? Neuroscience is the study of how the brain works, how we make decisions, and what drives our behaviors.
If we can understand some of the underlying evidence and contributing factors, we can change behaviors of the people we work with. It sounds easier than it is, but using neuroscience principles to guide these changes can lead to powerful outcomes. In today's discussion, Travis Hahler from Google talks with Ben about some of the elements of brain science that fit into change management and behavior modification.
This interview was recorded during the first ever virtual reality conference for HR leaders, the Global HR Summit, in September 2020.
Connect with Travis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisdhahler/
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| Groundbreaking Research on Organizational Agility with Oracle on We're Only Human | 17 Sep 2020 | 00:28:25 | |
"What we're telling customers is that we can help make work more human. First is really putting empathy at the forefront of the employee experience. It's up to HR to work with leadership and create this human experience." Munjal Munshi, Oracle
We're Only Human - Episode 93
Organizational agility is a critical part of adapting to and overcoming change. What does this mean in the context of the work HR does?
Everything.
Our newest data at Lighthouse Research & Advisory show that 96% of employers that claim to be future-ready also say that their HR technology plays a critical role in enabling that agility at an organizational level. In today's discussion, Ben talks with Munjal Munshi of Oracle to discuss the concept of organizational agility, how HR technology plays a role in that, and the practical lessons and ideas for today's business leaders.
One critical part of the talk? How HR and IT can work more closely together to create better relationships and better outcomes.
Check out the free research report: http://oracle.com/goto/lighthouse
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| Identifying the Skills of Enterprise Organizations with Starmind on We're Only Human | 10 Sep 2020 | 00:29:23 | |
"At the beginning of my career, HR was looked at as a necessary evil. Now it's completely flipped to where HR is the driving force for how companies grow and expand." Eric Storm, Starmind
We're Only Human - Episode 92
Skills are the currency of business. Research shows that in the 1980s, 85%+ of organizational value was in tangible assets (property, facilities, equipment, etc.) Today, that has shrunk to just 15% or less, and the rest of value is in intangible assets (ideas, capabilities, intellectual property, etc.)
Skills are a key part of organizational value, but very few companies know the skills inside the business well enough to leverage their value. In this interview with Starmind, Ben digs in with Eric Storm to understand how the firm offers employers a way to identify, understand, and leverage the skills of the workforce.
To learn more about Starmind, visit http://starmind.ai
Also, check out episode 24, which Ben references during the show: https://upstarthr.com/the-secret-to-great-team-performance-may-surprise-you-podcast/
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| Blockchain, Skills, and the Future of Work with the Velocity Network Foundation on We're Only Human | 03 Sep 2020 | 00:36:38 | |
"We as an industry are driving toward the cliff and the HCM [technology] vendors are competing over who offers better tire pressure." Dror Gurevich, Velocity Network Foundation
We're Only Human Podcast Episode 91
How are organizations gathering skill data inside the business? Our research shows that the most common method is also one of the most biased: manager observations. However, Velocity Network Foundation is a nonprofit organization that aims to solve the problem of unverified, unvalidated employee skills through the power of blockchain.
Dror and Ben explore what this means for the future of the business world, what it enables organizations to do from a talent perspective, and how trusted career records can change processes like hiring and training forever.
Learn more about Velocity Network Foundation: https://www.velocitynetwork.foundation/
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| Virtual Open Enrollment and Benefits Communication Strategies on We're Only Human | 28 Aug 2020 | 00:32:48 | |
"We need help communicating the benefits we pour our hearts and souls into and making them successful for our employees."
Jesse Albro, Flimp Communications
We're Only Human Episode 90
Heads up: open enrollment will happen this year. While this seems like the strangest year in, well, forever, it also has some predictable elements to it. That said, how do you plan for a virtual approach to open enrollment? How do you measure the impact of your communications/ How do you support your people as they think more carefully about health and wellness than ever before?
In today's conversation, Ben talks with Jesse Albro from Flimp about these topics and more. Jump in and learn how your company can plan and implement a more virtual and scalable approach to open enrollment.
Learn more about Flimp: http://flimp.net/
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| Combining Learning, Technology, and Culture with Christopher Lind on We're Only Human | 18 Aug 2020 | 00:28:13 | |
"For me it's always been about focusing on how we can use technology to transform the way we develop, grow, and care for our employees." Christopher Lind, learning technology leader at GE Healthcare and founder of Learning Sharks
We're Only Human episode 89
In today's discussion, host Ben Eubanks digs in with Christopher Lind on how to use technology as a piece of the bigger picture of supporting the workforce from a learning perspective. Discussion topics include knowing the business, what your learning culture looks like, and how to stay current on the technologies that enable better business performance.
Connect with Christopher on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherlind/
Learn about the Learning Health Check Assessment: http://learningsharks.com/
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| Compassion and Connection: Keys to a Better 2020 on We're Only Human | 06 Aug 2020 | 00:33:36 | |
"This year has really redefined what compassion means to me. The need to have compassion for others, whether it's wearing a mask for those at high risk when I'm going into a store or what role I can personally play in social injustice, it really is all just coming back to compassion."
Lesley Lyons, PeopleStrategy
We're Only Human - Episode 88
In this conversation Ben interviews Lesley Lyons, a marketing executive with PeopleStrategy, to talk about the themes of connection and compassion and how they play a part in helping each of us support each other during challenging times. Lesley also announces the new Antiracism Forum, a free event for business leaders to get expert insights on how to build antiracist cultures.
https://www.peoplestrategy.com/AntiracismForum
Connect with Lesley: lesley.lyons@peoplestrategy.com
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| We're Only Human 87: This Company Screens Thousands of Candidates to Improve Inclusive Hiring Outcomes | 22 Jul 2020 | 00:35:59 | |
"That hiring maanger still has a view of the candidate's abilities and skills without being exposed to their race, gender, or ethnicity." Scot Sessions, Talvista
Did you know that there are nearly 200 cognitive biases that affect our decisions every day? While a decision about where to eat or what to wear is unlikely to have negative consequences, making a biased choice in hiring can lead to negative outcomes for people of color, women, and other minorities.
In this conversation, Ben speaks with Scot Sessions and Elaine Orler from the Talvista team to understand how technology can help minimize hiring biases and lead to better, more equitable outcomes. They discuss resume blinding and how it works and other practical advice for employers looking to hire more inclusively.
Connect with the Talvista team: talvista.com
On Twitter: @scotsessions @elaineorler
To get the HR Summer School on demand replay with five separate sessions on inclusion and equity at work,visit https://www.humanresourcesacademy.org/courses/hr-summer-school-on-demand and use promo code "onlyhuman" at checkout for 20% off for being a podcast listener!
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| We're Only Human 86: Working on the HR Tasks that Matter with Amit Parmar | 15 Jul 2020 | 00:18:28 | |
"What really excites someone to join a company? Why do they stay at the company? Every person you talk to has a different story." Amit Pamar, HR executive at Unisys
This conversation happened at IAMPHENOM, one of the last live events prior to the COVID-19 shutdown.
In today's episode, Ben interviews Amit Parmar, an HR executive at Unisys, a technology firm with 20,000+ employees. Ben and Amit talk about talent, AI, analytics, digital transformation, and more. The discussion digs into why it doesn't matter if chatbots are AI or not, how personalization creates better experiences for the workforce, and how we can automate the "grunt work" of HR and focus on the strategic work we need to be doing.
To connect with Amit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/parmar79/
To get the HR Summer School replay:
Visit https://www.humanresourcesacademy.org/courses/hr-summer-school-on-demand and use promo code "onlyhuman" at checkout for 20% off for being a podcast listener
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| Seeing the HR Matrix: A Conversation with Nicole Eisdorfer on Curiosity, Data, and the Future of HR | 15 Sep 2025 | 00:33:24 | |
In this episode, Ben sits down with Nicole Eisdorfer to uncover how curiosity, courage, and creativity can reshape the world of HR. From breaking out of the “HR Matrix” to asking better questions, Nicole shares her journey from traditional reporting into human-centered, impactful work. Together, they explore how technology and data can empower—not replace—HR professionals, and why cultivating curiosity is the most critical skill for the future.
You’ll hear stories from Nicole’s experience, insights into making data meaningful, and practical guidance for rethinking how HR operates today. If you’ve ever felt stuck in dashboards, metrics, or endless processes, this episode will inspire you to step back, reimagine, and lead with curiosity.
Read Nicole's Substack: https://nicoleeisdorfer.substack.com/ Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neisdorfer/
Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:12 Nicole’s Background and HR Journey 08:47 Escaping the “HR Matrix” 13:25 Why Curiosity Is the #1 Skill for HR Professionals 17:41 From Reports to Real Impact: Making Data Useful 22:09 Technology’s Role in Supporting (Not Replacing) HR 26:55 Asking Better Questions and Driving Change 30:18 Courage and Creativity in HR Leadership 33:42 Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts
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| WOH 85: Stop Apologizing for Being in HR | 08 Jul 2020 | 00:22:48 | |
"We need to own what we do. We've been apologizing and apologetic for being in HR instead of owning what we do. Every other profession says, I'm a salesperson, I'm a finance person. I'm a marketer. We go, I'm sorry. I'm in HR." Steve Browne
In this conversation, a replay from the most popular session at HR Summer School 2020, Ben talks with Steve Browne, the most connected person in HR, about how to be an intentional connector, how to add value to relationships, and why HR is an essentially human profession.
If you enjoy the talk with Steve, his new book HR Rising is now available!
You can also see the full video replay in addition to the 50+ other speakers on HR Summer School On Demand at HumanResourcesAcademy.org here: https://www.humanresourcesacademy.org/courses/hr-summer-school-on-demand
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| We're Only Human 84: Job Seeker Nation Report Shows Anxiety and Opportunity | 01 Jul 2020 | 00:29:35 | |
"And then the other piece of it was just the fear of losing a job increased dramatically... So the top line headline was one of anxiety in the marketplace."
Jeff Rohrs, Jobvite
In recent months things have turned upside down not just for many employers but for job seekers as well. In this episode Ben talks with Jeff Rohrs of Jobvite to discuss the company's annual Job Seeker Nation study and the key findings that HR and talent leaders need to know, from how job seekers feel right now to what place internal hiring and mobility practices have in the recruiting process (hint: they are the #1 thing candidates are looking for).
Learn more at: https://www.jobvite.com/lp/2020-job-seeker-nation-report/
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| WOH 83: Balancing Candidate Experience and Objective Hiring with AI | 19 Jun 2020 | 00:27:52 | |
"The assessment traditionally has seemed a bit disconnected from the job role. This can come across as friction. You've worked hard to find a candidate and you want them to join--this can seem disjointed."
Jora Gill, SHL
Hiring is a balancing act. We want to drive candidates into the funnel, create positive experiences, and bring the best candidates into the organization, but we also need data to help make the right choice. While AI has been challenged for its impact on hiring, new evidence shows that it can help to minimize erroneous decisions. In this conversation, Ben talks with Jora Gill from SHL about how assessments can be blended into the hiring process for better, more objective decision-making without sacrificing candidate experience.
Learn more about SHL at http://shl.com
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