PODCAST · business
SpeakEasy HR
by WRKdefined Podcast Network
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
Episodes
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Top Shelf Take: You Can't Fix a Traffic Jam by Flying Over It
New technology can help us move faster, but does it actually solve the problem? In this Top Shelf Take, David Noe explores a leadership lesson inspired by the buzz around flying cars: sometimes we're so focused on finding a better way around a problem that we forget to ask why the problem exists…
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090: Ready for Change. Now What?
About Ready for Change. Now What?What happens when you know you’re ready for something different—but you’re not quite sure what that “something” is?Maybe you’ve outgrown your role. Maybe your career has taken an unexpected turn. Maybe you’re an athlete transitioning into life beyond sports. Or...
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Top Shelf Take: It’s OK to Not Be OK
About It’s OK to not be OK. In recognition of World Mental Health Day, David Noe shares a reminder that we all face challenges, asking for help is a sign of strength, and sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply listen. Because people matter—and that includes you.
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089: You Can’t Outwork Burnout
AboutWhat if the same drive that helped you succeed is also the thing driving you toward burnout?For high performers, leaders, and corporate professionals, burnout doesn’t always look like falling apart. Sometimes it looks like showing up, getting the work done, answering one more email, taking…
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Top Shelf Take: 4 Ways to Feel Less Lonely in HR
HR can be a lonely profession, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. In this Top Shelf Take, David shares four ways HR professionals can feel less isolated. Whether you’re new to HR or have been doing it for decades, connection matters. You’re human, you won’t always have the answers, and you...
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088: Fun Is the Secret Ingredient to Success
About Fun Is the Secret Ingredient to Success with Joel Zeff What if having more fun at work isn't a distraction from success—but actually a key ingredient to achieving it? In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe sits down with Joel Zeff, dynamic speaker, improvisational humorist, author, and...
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Top Shelf Take: Stay Out of the Woods
Stay Out of the Woods A class trip with 8th grade son taught David an unexpected lesson about leadership. As a chaperone, he learned his job wasn’t to do things for the students—it was to keep them safe, encourage them, and let them figure things out. Watching them struggle to build a survival...
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087: People Intelligence - The Future of HR in an AI World
About What happens to HR when artificial intelligence changes the way we work? In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe sits down with Cole Napper, a globally recognized leader, author, speaker, educator and practitioner in people intelligence, AI workforce transformation, people analytics and...
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Top Shelf Take: The Best Interview Question Isn’t a Question
About: After two decades in HR, David Noe has spent a lot of time interviewing people—and he’s been on both sides of the interview table. From recruiting and hiring to onboarding and working with employees after the interview is over, he’s seen what can make the difference between simply filling…
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086: Taking Back Your Power - Surviving the Toxic Workplace
About What happens when your workplace becomes toxic—and you feel like you’ve lost control?In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with HR leader and author Theresa Chilcoat to talk about one of the most difficult workplace experiences: surviving a toxic environment while protecting your...
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Top Shelf Take: Every Paycheck Creates Possibility
In this week’s Top Shelf Take, David Noe celebrates National Payroll Week and takes a closer look at what a paycheck really represents. Payroll isn’t just about numbers, taxes, deductions, and deadlines. Behind every paycheck is a person—and every paycheck creates possibility. David highlights…
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085: 7 Unbreakable Laws of Leadership
About In Episode 85 of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with Adam Weisner—entrepreneur, investor, executive coach, author, and business leader—for a powerful conversation around The 7 Unbreakable Laws of Leadership.With more than two decades of leadership experience across banking, manufacturing,...
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Top Shelf Take: What Labor Day Really Means
Labor Day is about more than a day off—it’s about recognizing the people behind the work. While we often focus on productivity, performance, revenue, hiring, and growth, every organization is ultimately powered by people. Labor Day gives leaders an opportunity to pause and appreciate those who...
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Top Shelf Take: Your Company Culture Is Showing
What does your company culture actually feel like? In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe takes a closer look at what really shapes workplace culture—and why culture isn’t what’s written on the wall or in the employee handbook. Culture is the experience people have every day at work. From...
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Top Shelf Take: The Interview Is a Two-Way Street
In this week’s Top Shelf Take, David challenges job seekers to rethink the traditional interview. An interview isn’t just an opportunity for a company to decide whether you’re the right candidate—it’s also your opportunity to decide whether the company, leader, team, culture, and role are right…
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Top Shelf Take: 7 Simple Ways to Stand Out in an Interview
This week’s Top Shelf Take focuses on seven simple ways job seekers can stand out in an interview—not by trying to be extraordinary, but by doing the basics exceptionally well. David is an HR leader with 20 years of experience, small business owner, recruiter, content creator, and host of…
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Top Shelf Take: If AI Gives HR More Time, What Will We Do With It?
In this episode of Top Shelf Take, David Noe explores a different way to think about AI in HR. Instead of focusing only on what AI might take away, what if we focus on what it could give back: time? With HR professionals facing increasing complexity, expectations, and pressure. HRCI’s 2026 State…
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084: The 3 Essentials of Great Leadership
About: Great leadership isn't about having the perfect title—it's about consistently demonstrating the qualities that inspire others to trust, grow, and succeed. In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we're joined by Jay Kuhns, enterprise healthcare HR executive, executive coach, keynote speaker, and...
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Top Shelf Take: One Voice. One Take.
Top Shelf Take: One Voice. One Take. A new segment of SpeakEasy HR where I step behind the mic solo for a quick five-minute conversation about one HR or workplace topic. While the podcast’s longer guest conversations aren’t going anywhere, Top Shelf Take is designed to be short, practical, and…
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083: Identity Alchemy - Unlocking Human Potential at Work
Every person brings more to work than their job title, experience, or résumé. Behind every employee is a story, a mindset, and potential that may not yet have been discovered. In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with Rocío Pérez, Founder and CEO of Veertuous, LLC, international...
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082: Leading HR in the Age of AI
Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend—it's transforming the way HR leads today. In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we're joined by Enrique Rubio, founder of Hacking HR, globally recognized AI thought leader, and author, to explore how human resources professionals can confidently lead...
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081: The Fractional Workforce - Threat or Opportunity?
The workplace is changing faster than ever, and one of the biggest shifts leaders are navigating is the rise of the fractional workforce. But is this trend a threat to traditional employment—or a powerful opportunity for organizations to access talent, expertise, and flexibility in new ways?In…
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080: Why HumoR Belongs in HR
HR is serious business—but the best HR leaders know that connection, authenticity, and even a little humor can be powerful tools for building trust. In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with two incredible voices in the HR community—Peter Phelan, Founder of ValuesCulture, and Marc S....
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079: How To Thrive Through the Eye of the Storm!
What does it take to keep moving forward when everything around you feels uncertain? In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, I welcome Marques Ogden—former NFL player, keynote speaker, business coach, and host of the globally ranked Get Authentic with Marques Ogden podcast. Marques shares his remarkable...
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078: The Future of Employee Experience Is Human
What does the future of employee experience look like in a world increasingly driven by technology and AI? According to this week's guest, Alicia Ostermeier, it's more human than ever.In this episode, we discuss why connection, empathy, trust, and belonging are becoming the true differentiators…
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077: The Algorithm Doesn’t Affect You Anymore , It’s All About Your Signal
For years, professionals have blamed the LinkedIn algorithm for low engagement, limited visibility, and missed opportunities. But what if the algorithm isn't the problem anymore?In this episode, I sit down with LinkedIn strategist, executive branding expert, and founder of TNT Brand Strategist,...
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076: The Real Path to Promotion - What High-Potential Leaders Miss
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with executive coach Sean Olson, a leadership development expert with over 25 years of experience working with individuals, teams, universities, and organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to startups. Much of his work has focused on higher...
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075: How to Squash the Sunday Scaries
What if the problem isn’t Monday… but the culture we’ve created around work?In this episode, I sit down with Mary Baird — Employee Experience strategist, leadership expert, and author of Squash the Sunday Scaries — to unpack why so many professionals feel anxious, burned out, and disconnected...
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074: Navigating Change Fatigue in the Workplace
In this upcoming episode, we’re joined by Andrea Adams, founder of The HR Hub and host of Canada’s largest HR-focused YouTube channel. With more than 20 years of HR experience, Andrea has worked with organizations through some of their most challenging workplace moments — and she’s learned that...
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073: Stop Playing Small - Unlocking Emerging Talent
In this episode, I sit down with Frank Kitchen to talk about “playing small” in today’s workplace and what it really takes to unlock emerging talent. We explore what it actually looks like when high-potential employees hold back, why that happens, and how much of it is driven by the individual...
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072: Vertical Leadership - Leading from Alignment, Not Reaction
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with Willie Wibert—an engaging, hands-on leader known for building strong relationships, developing talent, and driving meaningful employee growth—to explore what it really means to lead with alignment instead of reaction.Willie brings a practical and...
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071: The LinkedIn Struggle Is Real—Here’s What to Do
In this episode, we sit down with James "JON" Keel to tackle a challenge almost every professional faces but few openly admit—LinkedIn can feel like a grind. From inconsistent posting to low engagement and uncertainty around what actually works, the struggle is real. Jon breaks down why most…
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LIVE from 2026 HR Collaborative - Morning Session
We’re going LIVE from the 2026 HR Collaborative with fast-paced 15-minute conversations featuring forward-thinking HR and leadership voices. This morning edition delivers real-time insights from the event floor—quick hits, big ideas, and practical takeaways you can use right away. Morning LIVE...
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LIVE from 2026 HR Collaborative - Afternoon Session
We’re going LIVE from the 2026 HR Collaborative with a fast-paced lineup of 15-minute conversations featuring leading HR and leadership voices.This afternoon edition dives into the real challenges leaders are facing today—how to better engage employees, elevate leadership impact, navigate change,...
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070: Making AI Actually Work
AI is everywhere—but making it work inside your organization is where most leaders get stuck. In this episode, Alex Meyer brings a practical, grounded perspective on how to move beyond the hype and actually implement AI in ways that create real business value. As Founder & Partner of Dualis…
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069: The Big Scary Issue for HR in 2026 is NOT AI
AI may dominate today’s HR conversations, but David Turetsky believes the real challenge for HR in 2026 isn’t artificial intelligence — it’s HR data. Many organizations are eager to adopt AI tools, yet still struggle with the fundamentals like data quality, governance, and turning workforce data...
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068: Why Job Searching Feels Broken Right Now
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR HR, I sit down with Mark Lane, a corporate communications and strategic marketing executive with over 20 years of experience helping organizations strengthen their messaging, brand reputation, and employee engagement. Mark also hosts the podcast Ghosted by the...
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067: Stop Surviving at Work & Let’s Build a Thriving Culture
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we talk with Meghan Hensley, Vice President at Beech Acres Parenting Center, about how organizations can move from a culture where employees are just surviving to one where they are truly thriving.With over 20 years of experience in HR, leadership, and...
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066: Ignite Your Spark - Choosing Growth Over Comfort in Times of Change
n this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we turn up the heat on growth with our Top Shelf Topic: Ignite Your Spark: Choosing Growth Over Comfort in Times of Change featuring keynote speaker, entrepreneur, and mindset coach Todd Bertsch.Change is inevitable—but growth is a choice. Todd shares how…
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065: The Powerful Framework To Start Doing Payroll Like a Boss
Payroll isn’t just processing numbers — it’s building trust, culture, and stability inside your organization. In this episode, Tammy shares her powerful framework for elevating payroll from a back-office function to a strategic driver of success. From improving processes and system…
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064: Augment, Don’t Automate - The Future of AI at Work
In this episode, we sit down with Thomas Hansen, CEO of AINIRO, a pioneer in AI chatbot solutions and intelligent web agents. With over 42 years of experience in software engineering, Thomas shares his deep insights into how AI can augment human work rather than replace it, and why this mindset…
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063: Future-Ready by Design, Organizational Adaptability as a North Star
Many organizations are chasing bold outcomes with systems built for a different era—leading to burnout, broken collaboration, and rising delivery risk. In this episode, Dr. Lisa Colledge explains why these aren’t people problems, but system signals. We explore how neuro-inclusive performance...
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062: The 3 BIG Tools to Enhance Your Leadership!
Great leadership isn’t about title—it’s about intentional action. In this episode of Top Shelf, I’m joined by Andre Young as he dives into three powerful leadership tools designed to elevate both your professional impact and personal fulfillment.Andre breaks down: The 5 Points of Your Day — Five...
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061: Using Free AI Tools for Job Search & Interviews
In this episode, we sit down with Darryl Erby, a data-driven enterprise sales leader with an MBA in Data Analytics and more than a decade of experience helping AI and modern data stack companies drive real revenue growth.Darryl breaks down how job seekers can leverage free AI tools to level up...
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060: Why AI Won’t Fix Your People Problems
AI is everywhere in HR right now—but is it actually solving the problems leaders care about most?In this episode of the SpeakEasy HR Podcast, I’m joined by Ben Eubanks to cut through the hype and get real about where technology helps, where it falls short, and why people challenges still require...
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059: Building High-Performing Teams with Data
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...
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058: Focus Forward - HR’s Human Edge in 2026
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,...
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057: How Organizations & Employees Co-Create Career Growth
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...
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056: The 2026 TA Forecast - What Leaders Should Expect
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...
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055: Everboarding & Leadership 2.0 - The Future of People Development
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…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
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
HOSTED BY
WRKdefined Podcast Network
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does SpeakEasy HR have?
SpeakEasy HR currently has 104 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is SpeakEasy HR about?
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...
How often does SpeakEasy HR release new episodes?
SpeakEasy HR publishes regularly with 104 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to SpeakEasy HR?
You can listen to SpeakEasy HR on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts SpeakEasy HR?
SpeakEasy HR is created and hosted by WRKdefined Podcast Network.
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