Fireside Chats: Behind The Build

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Steve Boese to break down the future of HR technology, AI in the workplace, and what’s really driving employee experience today.As a co-founder of H3HR Advisors and host of leading HR podcasts, Steve shares insider insights on how organizations are adopting (and struggling to adopt) new workplace technologies. From AI and automation to payroll and benefits innovation, this conversation uncovers where HR tech is delivering value—and where it’s missing the mark.They also explore the growing impact of employee burnout, mental health, and workplace well-being, and why these issues are now central to business performance, retention, and culture.In this episode, you’ll learn: How AI is changing HR and workforce strategy Why many companies fail to adopt HR technology effectively The gap between HR tech innovation and real-world execution How leaders can improve employee engagement and retention Simple ways to gather employee feedback and build trustWhether you’re an HR leader, founder, or business operator, this episode offers practical insights on navigating HR tech, improving employee experience, and building a more resilient workforce.About Steve Boese:Steve Boese is the Co-Founder of H3 HR Advisors, a strategy, research, and advisory firm focused on the global HR and workplace technology market. Through H3 HR Advisors, Steve works with HR technology providers, investors, and enterprise leaders on market positioning, product strategy, thought leadership, and go-to-market execution. He is also the co-host of two of the most recognized long-running podcasts in the HR industry, HR Happy Hour and At Work in America, as well as H3 Live, a video series bringing real-time insight to the HCM community. A respected analyst and commentator on the future of work, Steve has spent years helping the industry cut through noise and build smarter strategies around people and technology.

Most companies think of ACA compliance as a back-office obligation but in reality, it’s a high-stakes, people-impacting system that touches everything from cost control to employee trust.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Todd Hurst, Head of ACA Sales at Equifax Workforce Solutions, to unpack why ACA compliance remains a persistent challenge more than a decade after its introduction and what employers are still getting wrong.Drawing on over 20 years in healthcare and workforce solutions, Todd breaks down the hidden complexity behind benefits administration, from fluctuating employee hours to the ripple effects of inaccurate data and manual processes. He explains why ACA isn’t just about year-end forms, but a year-round system that requires precision, consistency, and proactive management.They explore how overwhelmed HR teams - especially in small and mid-sized organizations - struggle to keep up with compliance demands, and how even minor inaccuracies can surface years later in the form of IRS penalties. Todd also shares how data-driven tools are helping organizations move beyond compliance to improve financial efficiency, benefits strategy, and overall employee experience.The conversation highlights the human side of compliance, emphasizing how benefits offerings, accuracy, and communication directly influence employee perception, retention, and trust. Todd also offers a forward-looking perspective on how AI and automation may reshape compliance workflows, helping teams identify risk faster and operate more efficiently.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators looking to simplify ACA compliance, reduce risk, and turn a traditionally reactive process into a strategic advantage.About Todd Hurst:Todd Hurst is Head of ACA Sales at Equifax Workforce Solutions, bringing more than 20 years of experience in the healthcare industry. Over the course of his career, Todd has held roles spanning Benefits Administration, Product Development, Sales, and Project and Account Management. His passion is helping clients save time managing their workforce against ACA regulations, while driving meaningful risk mitigation.

Most companies think they have a hiring problem—but what they actually have is a systems problem.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Jeffrey Shapiro, a people and talent executive known for building scalable, human-centered hiring systems, to unpack what’s really driving dysfunction in today’s job market. Drawing on his experience across startups, private equity-backed companies, and global organizations, Jeffrey explains why hiring often feels chaotic—and how most of it is preventable.They explore why the current market feels “cattywampus,” with layoffs, talent shortages, and misalignment all happening at once, and break down the growing disconnect between applicants, candidates, and employers. Jeffrey shares why poor process design—not lack of talent—is the root cause of many hiring failures, and how simple shifts in structure, accountability, and communication can dramatically improve outcomes.The conversation also dives into why “culture fit” is the wrong goal, how early attrition is often a failure of onboarding and expectation-setting, and why engagement actually begins at the very first touchpoint—not day one. Jeffrey also offers a grounded perspective on AI in hiring: where it’s adding real value, where it’s introducing risk, and how companies should be thinking about it pragmatically.This episode is a must-watch for founders, operators, and HR leaders looking to turn hiring from a reactive, inconsistent process into a strategic, repeatable system that drives better outcomes across the entire employee lifecycle.About Jeff Shapiro:Jeffrey Shapiro is a People and Talent executive who designs and scales human-centered, data-driven people systems for high-growth startups, private equity-backed companies, and global enterprises. He specializes in turning chaotic hiring and workforce challenges into repeatable, measurable systems that improve quality of hire, accelerate growth, strengthen retention, and elevate the candidate and employee experience. Known for building systems that scale without losing empathy, Jeffrey believes strong people outcomes come from clear design, disciplined execution, and continuous feedback — not shortcuts or performative culture work.

Most companies invest heavily in benefits, but employees still don’t understand or use them.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Spencer Linsley, Head of Partnerships at Bright Benefits, to explore why the gap between benefits strategy and employee experience is, in fact, a communication problem. Drawing on his journey from ski patrol to SaaS partnerships, Spencer shares how empathy and clear messaging shape employees' perception of value.They discuss why benefits often feel “broken,” even when strong packages are in place, and how a lack of understanding leads to low participation, poor utilization, and missed ROI. Spencer explains why leaders must move beyond treating benefits as a line item and instead see them as part of a broader employee value proposition.The conversation also covers how culture forms at the team level, why employees underestimate their total rewards, and how better communication can quietly improve trust, retention, and engagement.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators looking to turn benefits into a meaningful driver of culture and performance.About Spencer:Spencer Linsley is a seasoned business leader and partnership strategist with deep experience driving growth at the intersection of sales, partnerships, and tech-enabled solutions. Currently leading Partnerships at Brite Benefits, Spencer works at the forefront of modern benefits education — helping brokers, HR teams, and employers better communicate and engage around benefits in ways that are clear, confident, and impactful.Before joining Brite, Spencer spent several years shaping strategic alliances and revenue growth in the HR tech space, including leadership roles in sales and partnerships at Awardco, where he connected innovative solutions with enterprise customers and ecosystem partners.His career journey — from sales leadership to partnership development — underscores his belief in building trust, aligning cross-functional teams, and leveraging strategic collaboration to unlock long-term value.Originally from the Bay Area, Spencer now calls the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Front home. He enjoys all things outdoors — skiing, hiking, camping, and spending as much time outside as possible, especially playing and adventuring with his two daughters.

Most leaders think they know what’s happening inside their organization, but the reality is often very different.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Trish Steed, HR executive, advisor, and co-host of the HR Happy Hour network, to explore how storytelling, transparency, and honest feedback shape better workplaces. With a front-row seat to thousands of conversations across HR, tech, and business leadership, Trish brings a uniquely informed perspective on what’s actually changing and what isn’t.They discuss why employees often don’t speak up, how leaders misread engagement and retention challenges, and why many organizations ask for feedback but fail to act on it. Trish shares practical insight on building trust through vulnerability, creating space for honest dialogue, and why the biggest culture breakdowns often happen at the manager level.The conversation also explores the hidden challenges of small and mid-sized businesses, where visibility is limited, and leaders may be closest to the problem but farthest from the truth.This episode is a must-watch for founders, HR leaders, and operators who want to build more transparent, connected, and resilient teams and turn feedback into meaningful action.About Trish:Trish Steed is a seasoned HR executive and strategic advisor with a proven track record of aligning business objectives with transformative people strategies. She counsels HCM vendors on product innovation, go-to-market positioning, and brand storytelling to bridge the gap between HR professionals and technology providers. With deep expertise in market analysis and trend forecasting, Trish has guided companies navigating the evolving landscape of human capital management.A recognized influencer and analyst in the HR tech space, Trish co-hosts two of the industry’s most influential and long-running podcasts, the HR Happy Hour and At Work in America—alongside Steve Boese. Together, they spotlight the issues shaping the future of work, offering candid conversations with thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators. Trish also co-hosts H3 Live, a dynamic video series that brings fresh perspectives and real-time insights to the HCM community. All of these, along with several other related podcasts, are part of their wider HR Happy Hour Media Network.

Hiring isn’t just evolving. It’s being redefined.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Bill Mastin, CEO of Cadient, to unpack how AI is transforming hiring, retention, and workforce strategy. With 20+ years at the intersection of technology and HR, Bill brings a practical perspective to one of the most complex shifts in modern business.They explore why hiring feels broken today, from AI-generated resumes and overwhelming applicant pools to the rise of “ghost jobs.” Bill explains how organizations are using AI to screen candidates, predict retention, and rethink the role of recruiters.The conversation also covers the cultural and operational trade-offs of AI adoption, including bias, transparency, and the balance between efficiency and human connection. From AI-powered interviews to autonomous agents, Bill outlines what leaders need to understand now to stay competitive.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators navigating the future of hiring in an AI-driven world.About Bill:Bill spent the last twenty years at the intersection of technology, people, and growth, helping organizations solve their most challenging issues around hiring, onboarding, retention, and performance.As CEO of Cadient, he’s building solutions that help HR leaders move faster, scale smarter, and prepare their workforce for an AI-driven future. The belief that technology should amplify human potential, not replace it, is his DRIVE. He believes that growth is less about headcount and more about capability. And that the best leaders are the ones who stay curious, stay humble, and never stop learning.When he’s not thinking about workforce evolution, you'll find him in the mountains. He grew up moving around the US and has worked significantly in EMEA and APAC.

Franchising changed Jerry Akers’ life, and now he’s on a mission to remove unnecessary pain from the industry.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Jerry Akers — multi-unit franchise operator, author, IFA board member, and founder of Z-Dynamics — to unpack what actually separates thriving franchisees from those who struggle.Jerry shares how he grew from one underperforming acquisition to 32 Great Clips salons across two states, what scaling really requires (hint: it’s not “semi-absentee”), and why culture is the ultimate growth lever. He explains how leadership differs from management, why mindset determines franchise success, and how to build bench strength that creates true operational peace.They also explore the biggest misconceptions new franchisees bring into the system, the danger of rewriting the playbook you already paid for, and how technology and AI will reshape labor and leadership in the years ahead.Jerry’s philosophy centers around what he calls the Franchisee Trifecta: Peace, Profit, and Posterity: building a business that runs well, earns well, and lasts.If you’re a franchise operator, aspiring owner, or industry leader, this conversation is packed with practical insight and hard-earned wisdom.About Jerry:Jerry is a self-proclaimed “farm boy from Iowa” who spent 27 years in Corporate America as a turnaround expert.  During that time, he, along with his wife and now two daughters, started putting together a Company that spans two States and includes 32 Great Clips salons.  After two days of retirement, he became bored and joined The Joint Chiropractic as a Regional Developer. He now has four open Clinics and supports two franchisees, each with three of their own.  In 2020, he co-authored the best-selling book, “Live it 2 Own It,” leading to requests for him to Keynote and share his success methods for Franchisees at conventions, along with classes and work sessions, training franchisees on best practices and business-improving tactics.  Currently a State Council Member of NFIB and a member of the IFA board of Directors, Jerry spends the majority of his “retirement” time mentoring and guiding Franchisees of all brands.

Scaling a service business isn’t about leadership, trust, and clarity.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Kurt Schmidt, founder of Schmidt Consulting Group, to explore why so many agencies struggle to scale and what actually helps them move forward. Kurt shares his unconventional path from professional BMX rider to agency founder and advisor, and how those early experiences shaped his approach to leadership and resilience.The conversation dives into why many agencies don’t truly have a lead problem, but a positioning and trust problem, and how misalignment quietly leads to stalled growth and burnout. Kurt explains the risks of scaling without intention, why over-systematizing can erode value, and how leaders often get in their own way by confusing activity with strategy.They also discuss common sales mistakes, why proposals fail to close, and why leadership growth must start with honest self-reflection.This episode is a must-watch for agency founders and consultants who want to grow with intention — not ego.About Kurt:Kurt Schmidt is the founder of Schmidt Consulting Group, a business advisor, author, and former pro BMX rider with over 20 years of experience helping creative and tech companies grow through better strategy, positioning, and operations.

AI isn’t HR’s biggest challenge — confusion is.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Kyle Lagunas, founder and principal analyst at Kyle & Co., to unpack what’s really happening inside HR, talent, and people technology today. Drawing from his journey from blogger during the Great Recession to trusted industry analyst, Kyle brings clarity to one of the most overhyped conversations in business.They explore why AI adoption is moving slower than expected, why capacity and capability — not resistance — hold HR teams back, and why AI literacy has become a critical leadership skill. Kyle also explains the growing disconnect between what vendors are building and what HR teams can realistically implement, especially in lean organizations and teams of one.The conversation looks ahead to second-generation AI adoption and why leaders must shift their focus from pure efficiency to quality, experience, and human outcomes. Throughout, Kyle emphasizes partnership, trust, and creating space to think — not just react.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators who want to cut through the hype and make smarter, more human decisions about technology and the future of work.About Kyle:Kyle Lagunas is the Founder and Principal Analyst at Kyle & Co, a modern research and advisory firm rethinking how we understand transformation in HR, talent, and technology. Known for his sharp analysis, candid point of view, and practical guidance, Kyle helps HR tech and talent leaders cut through hype and build strategies that actually work.Today, he’s bringing research to reality and helping the industry tackle its biggest questions with clarity, credibility, and heart.

Performance management only works when it’s connected to how people grow and how they’re rewarded.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Satish Kumar, Head of PerformSpark at Trainery, to explore why traditional performance reviews are broken and what modern organizations need instead. Coming from a finance and private equity background, Satish brings a first-principles perspective to HR tech — questioning long-standing assumptions and rethinking how systems should actually work together.The conversation dives into why once-a-year reviews no longer make sense, how AI can surface patterns managers miss, and why learning, performance, and compensation should never live in silos. Satish also shares insights on distributed and frontline workforces, manager enablement, and why intellectual curiosity and AI fluency are quickly becoming non-negotiable skills.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators looking to move beyond fragmented tools and build talent systems designed for the future of work.About Satish:Satish helps lead PerformSpark (fka ReviewCloud), Trainery’s performance management module. His philosophy is simple: learning, performance, and pay only make sense when they’re connected.PerformSpark is the “performance” piece of that triangle — the part that makes goals, feedback, and growth feel real instead of something that just happens once a year. His job is to make the tool useful, simple, and tied to how people actually work.

Most people problems at work are really leadership problems.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Mary Stieber Reinout, ICF-certified executive coach and founder of Threshold Coaching & Consulting, to explore what truly drives leadership effectiveness in today’s workplace. Drawing on decades of experience in executive development, talent strategy, and counseling psychology, Mary shares why self-awareness — and reducing self-deception — is the foundation of great leadership.The conversation dives into why communication breakdowns derail teams, how leaders can develop healthier feedback loops, and why organizations often underinvest in leadership development. Mary also offers thoughtful insights on executive transitions, learning cultures, neuroinclusion, and what employees are really asking for in the future of work.This episode is a must-watch for leaders, HR professionals, and founders who want to build stronger relationships, more resilient teams, and workplaces where people genuinely feel seen and supported.About Mary:As an ICF-certified executive coach and talent consultant, Mary specializes in executive development, assessment, leadership effectiveness, career management, and personal life transitions. With a rich career working in a variety of environments and industries, she’s led learning functions and talent development in several organizations, including a national nonprofit. Internationally, she designed leadership development programs on multiple continents and led new executive onboarding globally. Recognized as a Top 15 Coach in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she excels in coaching leaders toward leveled-up performance, increased resilience, and adaptability. With a counseling background and commitment to psychological well-being, she customizes coaching engagements to respond to whole person needs. Finally, combined with her ability to align and mobilize teams to implement organizational change, Mary is an expert designing executive transition strategies.

Franchising only works when people come first.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Paul Ebert, Group President at Home Franchise Concepts, to explore what it really takes to scale franchise brands without losing culture, trust, or humanity. Paul shares his unconventional journey from Big Four accounting to leading multiple high-growth home services brands.The conversation dives into why franchising is fundamentally a people business, how investing in frontline workers drives customer outcomes, and what franchisors can (and can’t) do to support franchisees without crossing legal lines. Paul also explains why time — not money — is the modern customer’s most valuable currency, and how strong culture becomes a competitive advantage in labor-intensive industries.This episode is a must-watch for franchisors, franchisees, and leaders who believe long-term growth depends on building systems that work for people — not just around them.About Paul:Paul Ebert is Group President at Home Franchise Concepts, where he leads several high-growth franchised brands including Two Maids, Aussie Pet Mobile, AdvantaClean, and Lightspeed Restoration. Paul has steered impressive growth through operational excellence, innovation, and a people-first leadership style.

Skills matter, but motivation is what determines whether people actually thrive.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Ryan Dalton, co-founder of TalentMotives, to explore how intrinsic motivation shapes performance, engagement, and workplace culture. Drawing on his background in education, counseling, and behavioral science, Ryan explains how the Motivation Quotient (MQ) helps leaders understand what truly energizes — or drains — their people.The conversation dives into why disengagement often has less to do with competence and more to do with misalignment, how AI can be used to strengthen (not replace) human connection, and why self-awareness is the most underrated leadership skill. Ryan also shares how Talent Motives’ AI-powered coach, Sherpa, helps leaders communicate more effectively, build better teams, and reduce unnecessary friction at work.This episode is a must-watch for founders, HR leaders, and operators who want to move beyond surface-level engagement strategies and build workplaces where people feel understood and motivated.About Ryan:Ryan’s career began in education, helping students plan for college, where he first recognized the importance of understanding human potential. He went on to work in college counseling and career guidance, helping students and professionals find clarity and purpose. With a background in international relations and fluency in Mandarin Chinese, he gained a broader perspective on what truly motivates people across cultures. That insight led him to help architect the Motivation Quotient (MQ) and shape its impact in organizational settings. Today, as Co-Founder of TalentMotives, he leads the vision behind Sherpa—their AI-powered coach that integrates MQi into daily management and leadership.

When companies switch HR systems, critical data often gets left behind — and the consequences can be serious.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Gabe Bell, VP of Channel Sales at ResNav Solutions, to unpack why historical HR and payroll data matters more than most leaders realize. Drawing on more than 20 years in HR tech, Gabe shares what happens when organizations change platforms every few years without a clear data retention strategy.The conversation explores compliance risk, litigation exposure, M&A complexity, and why “out of sight” data can quickly become a business liability. Gabe also explains how HR, finance, and IT leaders can be more proactive during system transitions, what questions they should be asking before implementation begins, and how historical data can become a strategic asset — not just an insurance policy.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, CFOs, and operators navigating platform changes, compliance pressure, and the growing importance of people data in an AI-driven world.About Gabe:Gabe Bell is the VP of Channel Sales at ResNav Solutions, where he leads new partner development and strategy and is building out the company’s channel sales ecosystem. He began his career at ADP, where he was quickly immersed in the (ever-changing) world of employer compliance, gaining firsthand insight into the risks and challenges businesses face when managing their workforce data.Over the past 20+ years, Gabe has held sales, business development, and partnership roles at DailyPay, Jobvite, and Joynd, helping build go-to-market strategies and partner programs that deliver real impact. At ResNav, he’s focused on enabling partners to offer secure, scalable, and compliant historical data solutions to their clients.Gabe lives in Spearfish, South Dakota with his wife and three children.

In a world racing toward AI adoption, trust is quietly falling behind.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Dr. Dennis Hill — lifelong educator, technologist, author, and founder of Sagacity — for a wide-ranging conversation on leadership, learning, and the human cost of moving too fast. With more than 50 years spent helping organizations navigate change, Dennis brings a rare long-view perspective on technology, work, and society.They explore why leaders often mistake speed for progress, how unmanaged technological change erodes trust inside organizations, and why lifelong learning is the most important leadership commitment of the future. Dennis also shares thoughtful insights on data ownership, AI as a labor-displacing technology, and why wisdom — not just knowledge — must guide decision-making.This episode is essential viewing for leaders who want to navigate AI-driven change without losing trust, humanity, or perspective.About Dennis:Dr. Dennis Hill—a lifelong builder, teacher, and connector who has spent fifty years helping people make sense of change before the rest of the world even realized it was coming. He grew up in a fatherless working-class family that demanded resilience, a life approach he never abandoned. It shows in how he listens, mentors, and leads.Dennis is an engineer by training, a technologist by practice, and an objectivist at heart. As the founder of Sagacity and Chair and CEO of IHRIM (pronounced 'eye-rim'), he’s worked across industries and continents—creating strategic partnerships and shaping businesses, educational programs, and emerging workforces—always with a steady hand and a long view. He’s also an international bestselling author and editor, but what people remember most is his calm, grandfatherly way of making even the most advanced ideas feel human and accessible.At the center of everything he does is a belief he’s carried since his days as an undergrad: that lifelong learning is our greatest force for social progress. It’s not just something Dennis teaches—it’s something he lives, every day.

Employee engagement is broken, and traditional surveys aren’t helping.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Anish Satpute, founder of Reventa, to explore how AI is reshaping the way organizations understand their people. Drawing from his global upbringing, early entrepreneurship, and deep curiosity about human connection, Anish shares how personal experiences with loneliness and social dynamics led him into HR tech.The conversation dives into why legacy engagement surveys produce low-quality insights, how conversational, AI-driven feedback can uncover real root causes, and why discovery — not dashboards — is the most overlooked stage of people strategy. Anish also offers thoughtful perspectives on bias in AI, employee trust, and what HR leaders must do to stay relevant as work, roles, and organizational structures evolve.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators who want to use AI operationally and strategically to build more human workplaces.About Anish:Having grown up an introvert, Anish started his first business in an effort to deeply understand human relationships: both for himself, and then to facilitate this for others. Anish’s curiosity about changing social dynamics, including in corporate settings, led to Reventa. Reventa serves as the adoption layer for AI in the workforce, starting by reimagining employee engagement and the legacy survey model.

Franchising isn’t about systems alone. It’s about people.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with JT Thiessen, a 33-year veteran of the franchise industry who has helped grow and develop 18 different brands. JT shares how an early college project unexpectedly launched his career, why franchising is a distribution model, and what founders often misunderstand about growth.The conversation explores what makes a business truly ready to franchise, how to vet both brands and franchisees, and why listening is the most underrated leadership skill in the franchise world. JT also discusses hiring and retention challenges, the impact of AI on frontline and entry-level work, and why human skills like empathy and communication will matter more — not less — in the future of work.This episode is a must-watch for franchisors, franchisees, and operators building people-driven businesses at scale.About JT:JT is a 33-year veteran of the franchise industry, where he has had the good fortune of leading Development teams for 18 brands.  His passion for franchising stems from the positive transformations that he has witnessed in the lives of his teammates and the franchisees he put in business, including his mother, brother, sisters, and nephew.  He resides in Coto de Caza, CA, with his wife and two college-age children.

Hiring is broken for both candidates and employers.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Peter Dalton, Co-Founder and CRO of Veton, an AI-powered hiring platform that automates resume screening and early interviews while giving every candidate a fair shot.Peter shares what pulled him into HR tech after years of sales leadership, why application volume and fake candidates have become a serious problem, and how AI can help hiring teams focus on what actually matters: human connection, quality of hire, and better decision-making. The conversation explores recruiter anxiety around AI, leadership’s role in change management, and why the goal isn’t replacing recruiters — it’s freeing them from administrative overload.This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders and operators who want to use AI responsibly to improve hiring outcomes without losing trust or humanity.About Peter:Peter Dalton is Co-Founder and CRO of Veton, an AI hiring platform that automates resume screening and first-round interviews so every candidate gets a fair shot and companies reach the right people faster. Before Veton, he spent nearly two decades leading high-performing sales teams at both startups and global enterprises, known for building new revenue streams, coaching teams through rapid growth, and consistently outperforming targets. He combines deep sales leadership experience with a practical view of what it takes to scale teams today.

Anxiety doesn’t have to be a liability at work.In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Dr. David Rosmarin — Harvard Medical School psychologist, author of Thriving with Anxiety, and founder of the Center for Anxiety — to unpack how leaders can rethink stress, performance, and mental health in the workplace.Dr. Rosmarin explains the difference between clinical anxiety, which requires professional support, and everyday human anxiety, which shows up around deadlines, change, leadership decisions, and growth. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety altogether, he shares why learning to work with it can actually improve focus, connection, and resilience.The conversation also explores how AI, remote work, and constant connectivity impact stress levels, why some workplace wellness efforts miss the mark, and why meaningful change starts with leadership self-awareness and healthy relationships.This episode is a must-watch for leaders who want high performance without sacrificing humanity.About David:Dr. David Rosmarin helps corporate leaders, HR professionals, and high-performing teams leverage anxiety to drive performance, resilience, and innovation.As a Harvard Medical School psychologist, author of Thriving with Anxiety, and speaker for Fortune 500 companies, he has spent two decades translating cutting-edge mental health research into practical strategies for the workplace. His approach reframes anxiety as a leadership asset - not a liability.Whether he’s speaking on a global stage, consulting with organizations, or working one-on-one with executives, his goal is simple: to help people perform at their best without suppressing their humanity.

In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes speaks with Steven Lu, co-founder and CEO of Pin, about building recruiting technology by staying close to users. Steven traces his journey from writing code as a teenager to founding Interstellar (later acquired by Greenhouse) and launching his latest company.They discuss why sourcing software emerged from sales tools, how top recruiters really operate, and why automation should enhance personalization — not replace it. Steven also reflects on failure as a prerequisite for success, staying hands-on as a founder, and why curiosity matters more than credentials.This episode is perfect for product leaders, founders, and operators building people-focused technology.About Steven:Steve is the CEO and Co-Founder of Pin.com, a sourcing platform that's changing the way we search for candidates. Steve was also the CEO and co-founder of another sourcing platform called Interseller which later sold to Greenhouse in 2021. He entered the world of HR-tech in 2016 but still has his passion in writing code and building products.

In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes welcomes Dr. Anna Tavis — NYU professor, author, and global HR thought leader — for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of work.Dr. Tavis shares how her background in linguistics, philosophy, and global business shaped her view of HR as the place where identity, ambition, and culture converge. She reflects on navigating large-scale layoffs during the financial crisis and how that experience ultimately led her back to academia with a renewed mission: preparing leaders for complexity, ethics, and uncertainty.Together, they explore why AI will force organizations to rediscover what makes humans valuable and why leadership must evolve beyond efficiency alone.This episode challenges leaders to rethink work not just as output, but as a human system.About Anna:Dr. Anna Tavis is Clinical Professor and Chair of the Human Capital Management Department at NYU’s School of Professional Studies. As Department Chair, she leads three MS degree programs in the Human Capital Management Portfolio: Human Capital Management; Human Capital Analytics and Technology and Executive Coaching and Organizational Consulting. Additionally, Dr. Tavis manages five HCM certificate programs. She is the co-author of several books. Her newest title is The Digital Coaching Revolution.Prior to joining the NYU faculty, Dr. Tavis navigated a diverse global career in business, consulting and academia. In business, Dr. Tavis was the Head of Motorola’s EMEA OD function based in London, Nokia’s Global Head of Talent Management based in Helsinki, United Technologies Corporation’s Chief Learning Officer, and she was the Global Head of Talent and Organizational Development with AIG Investments. In academia, Dr. Travis was on the faculty at Columbia University, Williams College, and Fairfield University.Dr. Tavis is a frequent presenter at international conferences on the topics of Future of Work; People Analytics and Technology; Employee Experience; and Intelligent Automation in the Workplace. She is a Senior Fellow with the Conference Board and is the Academic in Residence with Executive Networks. She is the former Executive Editor of People+Strategy Journal, a publication of SHRM’s Executive Network and she is currently an Associate Editor of Workforce Solutions Review, a publication of the International Association for Human Resource Information Management.

Employee experience isn’t an HR problem — it’s a business one.In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes is joined by Zach Chertok, Senior Research Manager for Employee Experience at IDC and faculty member at Columbia University. Zach brings a rare perspective shaped by engineering, public policy, workforce strategy, and market research.They explore what employee experience actually means beyond surveys and perks, why stress is managed more often than measured, and how leaders can better connect data, communication, and workforce outcomes. Zach explains how vendors, buyers, and investors interpret EX differently and where organizations often get it wrong.The conversation also covers recognition as a source of performance insight, the future of work in an AI-driven world, and why leaders must focus on augmentation rather than replacement.This episode is essential for leaders who want clarity around employee experience.About Zach:Zach Chertok is the Senior Research Manager for Employee Experience at IDC. There he looks at all aspects of how organizations support, equip, and enable employee journeys to ultimately benefit from them across modeled KPIs. He has been in the labor and organizational management space for 17 years on various sides of the technology and services sectors that enable companies to optimize success with their people. In that time, Zach has had the opportunity to work in and with a lot of different industrial sectors spanning a variety of organizational sizes to understand and advise through various perspectives on tech, organizational management, project planning, and more. Today, he brings that advisory to IDC, leading IDC's EX practice while also teaching at Columbia University.

Some of the best companies aren’t planned — they’re built out of necessity.In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes talks with Marc Villella, founder and CTO of GryphonHR, about how a career in technology unexpectedly led him into the world of compliance and entrepreneurship.Marc shares how an early passion for engineering evolved into consulting, leadership, and eventually founding a work eligibility and compliance platform focused on Form I-9 and E-Verify. What started as solving real problems for real employers became a scalable SaaS business serving organizations that couldn’t afford to get compliance wrong.The conversation explores entrepreneurship after acquisition, the realities of timing, and why compliance is often underestimated until it becomes urgent. Marc also discusses balancing hands-on technical work with leadership and growth.This episode is ideal for anyone who believes the best products start with practical pain points.About Marc:Marc boasts over two decades of expertise in business and IT. His extensive background spans Form I-9 and E-Verify compliance, business management, software product development, project management, security, risk and compliance management, and continuous process improvement. Notable accomplishments include creating multimillion-dollar SaaS platforms, guiding future CEOs, and offering valuable insights into Form I-9 and E-Verify.

In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Joshua Siler, founder and CEO of HiringThing, to explore how frustration turned into a 15-year SaaS journey.Joshua shares how his background in marketing automation led him to build an internal hiring tool simply to escape email-based recruiting chaos. That side project eventually became HiringThing — now used by thousands of companies.They discuss naming a SaaS product, growing through multiple market cycles, mentoring entrepreneurs through SCORE, and why building something better often starts with refusing to accept “this is just how it works.”This conversation is a reminder that the best HR tech often comes from outsiders who see inefficiencies clearly.About Josh:Joshua Siler is the Founder & CEO of HiringThing, the award-winning recruiting platform that enables thousands of companies everywhere to tackle recruiting challenges. Joshua is highly focused on delivering great technology, and brings both an engineering and product management background to HiringThing. Prior to starting HiringThing, he served as the VP of Technology for a relationship marketing agency where he designed marketing strategies and innovative software solutions for clients. When not building great software, Joshua can be found building in the woodshop and volunteering with his local SCORE chapter.

Why don’t more HR leaders become entrepreneurs, and what happens when they do?In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with John Baldino, founder and president of Humanreso, to unpack the business side of HR leadership. With over 30 years in HR, John shares how shifting market dynamics pushed small and mid-sized organizations to compete like enterprises without enterprise resources.They explore why HR professionals often avoid sales, how relationship-driven business development shaped Humanreso’s growth, and what it really takes to build a consulting firm that scales without losing its humanity. John also reflects on the evolution of HR itself —from in-house payroll to today’s complex ecosystem of outsourced expertise.Along the way, they discuss content, community, and why humor and authenticity matter more than polish.About John:With over 30 years of human resources experience, John’s passion for setting contributors and companies up for success is still going strong.  John is a keynote for US and International Conferences where he shares content and thoughts on leadership, collaboration and innovation, employee success, organizational design and development as well as inclusion and diversity.  John has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, SHRM Publications and is a regular contributor to the Humareso Blog. John has been named one of the 2025 Top 100 HR Tech Influencers. He is, also, co-host of the wildly popular LinkedIn Live webcast, “But First Coffee.” John is currently the President of Humareso, a global human resources consulting firm, and the husband of 1 awesome wife and the dad of 3 amazing young adults.

What makes a conversation actually matter? Why do so many leaders overcomplicate it?In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes is joined by HR veteran, author, and podcast pioneer Robin Schooling. With more than 25 years in HR, Robin shares what she’s learned about community, curiosity, and the power of honest dialogue. Robin also reflects on her writing journey, including her upcoming book Real Work, and how a life-altering health scare reshaped her urgency and perspective.This conversation is a reminder that meaningful work — and meaningful leadership — doesn’t require polish. It requires humanity.About Robin:Robin Schooling is an HR leader, author of Real HR, and People + Work Strategist with advisory firm Velvet Cubicle where she helps teams and organizations turn people strategy into something real, practical, and human. A veteran of more than 25 years in HR, she’s led people and culture work across industries from healthcare to gaming and has a particular love for diving into the middle where strategy and everyday work collide. She’s co-host of the long-running Drive Thru HR podcast (on the air since 2010 and close to 1,700 episodes!), speaks to HR and Talent audiences around the world (3 continents thus far), and has, somehow, never stopped blogging. Her second book, Real Work, will be released in January 2026.

What does it take to build — and rebuild — a company when markets, technology, and customer needs keep changing?In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Ian Redlin, CEO of Octolan Technology, to talk about leadership through disruption, reinvention, and long-term resilience. With nearly 30 years in technology and supply chain automation, Ian has navigated multiple economic cycles, including the Great Recession and COVID, without losing sight of culture or people.Ian shares how his career evolved from consulting to entrepreneurship, why adaptability became a leadership skill rather than a strategy, and how trust plays a critical role when building technical teams. The conversation also explores what changes when founders move from a bootstrap environment into a publicly traded organization, and how people systems, leadership structure, and scale must evolve together.This episode is for founders, operators, and leaders who know disruption is inevitable and want to build teams that can thrive through it.About Ian:Ian Redlin is a dedicated leader and passionate advocate for entrepreneurs and owner-operators, backed by nearly three decades in supply chain automation. Throughout his career, Ian has navigated major economic shifts by reinventing his business model and launching market-defining solutions, in fields ranging from business process automation to returns processing and circular supply chains. He has held pivotal roles as consultant, VP of engineering at a publicly traded powerhouse, and, most importantly, CEO as an entrepreneur, consistently driving innovation and team success. In addition to his operational leadership, Ian actively invests in other entrepreneurs’ organizations, contributing as both a coach and financial investor to help founders accelerate their growth. Ian’s hallmark is building tenacious, supportive teams with cultures rooted in audacity and resilience, where collective achievement is always the goal, as his team can attest.

Curtis sits down with Offerday AI founder Robert Ashjian to explore how his nonlinear career—from landscaping entrepreneur to biochemist, military service, and operational excellence leader—shaped his mission to reinvent hiring. Robert shares how overwhelming applicant volume, slow processes, and subjective evaluation leave great talent unseen and how technology can help recruiting teams find the best, not simply the first, candidates who apply. They discuss the future of hiring in an AI-accelerated world, the importance of removing unconscious bias, and why HR leaders must “do technology with people, not to them” if they want change to stick.About Mark:With a career spanning various industries across large corporate organizations, the military, and various startups, Robert has gained valuable insights across many aspects of business. Having made key hiring decisions throughout his career, he is excited to change the hiring landscape. With his latest company, he is dedicated to making hiring a faster process with better quality of hire results.

In this episode, Curtis sits down with Mark Stelzner, the founder and managing principal of IA, to explore what truly drives meaningful organizational transformation. With three decades advising C-suite leaders, Mark shares how his “no-codependency” approach empowers organizations to build capability, act with courage, and pursue change without relying on consultants forever.Mark and Curtis dig into why org design is being reshaped by AI, how to uncover inefficiencies leaders often miss, and why transparency and truth-telling matter now more than ever. They also discuss employee-driven signals for change, the pitfalls of long-range planning, and the skills leaders need to navigate a rapidly shifting workplace. It’s a candid, human-centered look at what it takes to lead through uncertainty and help organizations evolve with intention.About Mark:Mark Stelzner is the founder and managing principal of IA, an advisory firm that helps organizations of all sizes and sectors achieve their transformation goals. With over 30 years of experience in the industry, Mark is a trusted advisor to C-level leaders, offering unbiased and candid guidance on complex and strategic initiatives.As a recognized thought leader in the HR technology and transformation space, he has been featured across hundreds of major media, industry, podcast, webinar, and live event platforms. Mark co-authors a monthly column on HR transformation for Human Resource Executive, has been named a Top 100 HR Technology influencer for seven consecutive years, and is passionate about fostering relationships, sharing insights, and creating value for his clients, partners, and peers.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis sits down with Brandon Amoroso—co-founder and CEO of SCALIS—to explore how broken hiring systems inspired him to build a fully integrated, AI-powered recruiting platform. After scaling and exiting a 50-person agency, Brandon saw the same pain points over and over: unqualified applicants, bad job recommendations, data loss across disconnected tools, and no feedback loops to improve match quality. Combined with his brother’s surreal job recommendations, those experiences pushed them to solve the problem at its root.Brandon shares how SCALIS consolidates sourcing, ATS, and AI-based workflows into one engine, closing the loop between recruiter actions and algorithmic learning. He also breaks down the role of Bella, their agentic AI recruiter, and the real-world challenges companies face when adopting AI in hiring. Curtis and Brandon dive into the future of HR tech, the shrinking of entry-level roles, the return of in-person interviewing, and what great leaders do to create connection in remote teams.About Brandon:Brandon Amoroso is the founder of Shopify Plus agency Electriq and a 2023 Forbes 30under30 Miami awardee. He built the agency to oversee more than 55 brands and 45 team members in just three years before DRINKS.com acquired it in April 2022. Since the acquisition, he continues to run the agency while overseeing DRINKS' strategic partnership with Shopify and the DRINKS App, the world’s first real-time alcohol tax and compliance solution integrated natively into Shopify’s checkout.Brandon is passionate about building businesses in industries that are rife with inefficiencies and legacy biases and processes. His new startup, SCALIS, was cofounded last year with his brother Parker, a recent graduate of Stanford, after Brandon’s frustrations with the hiring process and difficulty finding qualified and diverse talent, and Parker’s experience applying for internships. SCALIS is the world’s first fully-integrated job board and ATS platform, leveraging AI and machine learning to democratize hiring by matching relevant candidates with relevant employers.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis sits down with Daniel Altenburg, co-founder of ZipDev, a remote staffing company connecting U.S. and Canadian businesses with top talent across Latin America. Daniel shares his winding path from hospitality in Palm Desert to recruiting in Peru, and how a simple favor for a friend exposed a massive talent gap that sparked the idea for ZipDev. Today, ZipDev recruits across 16 countries and supports both fast-growing startups and established companies looking for long-term, culturally aligned talent.Daniel also opens up about what it takes to build a meaningful culture inside fully distributed teams. He highlights the intentional touchpoints that keep people engaged when there’s no office to gather in. He and Curtis dive deep into the future of work, from hybrid models and AI to leadership traits that still matter most: authenticity, human connection, and treating remote team members like true members of the organization.About Daniel:Daniel Altenburg is the Co-Founder of Zipdev, a remote staffing company that helps U.S. and Canadian businesses scale with top talent from Latin America. Daniel’s journey started in hospitality and recruiting, where he learned that business is built on relationships, not transactions. Over the past decade, Zipdev has been recognized on the Inc. 5000 and by the Financial Times as one of the fastest-growing companies in the Americas. At his core, Daniel is driven by connection, whether it’s leading his team, serving entrepreneurs, or being present with his family.Daniel is passionate about growth in all areas in life: always reading, learning, and pushing himself outside of his comfort zone.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, host Curtis Forbes sits down with Biz Williams, CRO at HRLogics  and founder of Ryze Credits, to explore how a designer-turned-sales-leader built one of the fastest-growing compliance and tax-credit startups in the HR tech space. Biz shares her journey from creative beginnings to closing a $1.4 million revenue run in just three months, then merging with HR Logix to expand a full suite of compliance and credit-management tools.Together, they dive into the leadership lessons behind her success—from earning trust through empathy to identifying real team players and future leaders. Biz unpacks how automation and AI are reshaping HR operations, why human judgment still matters, and what today’s executives can learn from listening to their people. Packed with insight, humor, and heart, this conversation is a masterclass in leading with transparency, scaling with purpose, and building relationships that last longer than any contract.About Biz:Elizabeth “Biz” Williams is a SaaS industry veteran with 14 years of experience in the space. She created Ryze Credits in 2024, which she sold to HRlogics in June 2025. Subsequently, she joined HRlogistics in the role of CRO.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, host Curtis Forbes talks with Summer Rogers, founder of The Product Canopy and former VP of Product at Cornerstone OnDemand. Summer shares how two decades in HR tech and B2B SaaS led her to build a consulting practice focused on helping early- and growth-stage companies connect strategy, story, and execution.She and Curtis dig into the warning signs of a “wobbly” product organization, how to balance innovation with customer needs, and why clarity in leadership communication can make or break culture. Summer also offers practical, actionable advice for leaders in this episode. It’s an engaging look at what it means to build products and teams that thrive when people can truly see both the forest and the trees.About Summer:Summer Rogers is the Founder of The Product Canopy, a boutique consulting firm that helps B2B SaaS and HR Tech companies build scalable product foundations. A seasoned product leader and former VP at Cornerstone OnDemand, Summer specializes in connecting strategy, story, and execution — guiding early and growth-stage teams from vision to velocity. Through her structured frameworks and Fractional CPO engagements, she helps founders and teams align product, go-to-market, and leadership practices for sustainable growth. Her philosophy is simple: great products — like great teams — thrive when people see both the forest and the trees.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes talks with Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of Virgil HR, a SaaS platform helping HR professionals make compliant decisions in real time. Jocelyn shares her path from philosophy major to HR executive to tech founder… and how her frustration with the complexity of labor laws sparked the idea for Virgil HR.Curtis and Jocelyn explore where companies most often go wrong—from wage errors to employee misclassification—and why compliance mistakes can be devastating for small businesses.Jocelyn also looks ahead to how AI and predictive risk tools will reshape HR, and why leaders must invest in upskilling, tech literacy, and organizational change readiness. Her practical take on building adaptable, forward-thinking teams makes this a must-listen for anyone shaping the next era of HR.About Jocelyn:Jocelyn King is the CEO and Founder of VirgilHR, a SaaS platform that helps HR professionals make compliant employment decisions in real time through an intelligent chatbot that delivers instant employment and labor law guidance. With a career dedicated to human resources, she has supported both high-growth startups and public companies, building deep expertise across all areas of HR, including serving as the Vice President of North America, Human Resources for Ocado Group and Vice President of Human Resources for Cybrary. Jocelyn is recognized for her ability to develop HR strategy, manage multi-state and global employee relations, and foster diverse, high-performing cultures. Her long-standing experience in the technology sector has strengthened her understanding of how tech and HR intersect, enabling her to lead VirgilHR into the future of HR innovation.

Greg Fulk’s career has spanned military service, commercial land development, wealth management, and even a side hustle building saunas—but it was a knock at the door from the FBI that changed everything. That moment led Greg to create OrgIQ, a proactive workforce intelligence platform that gives HR teams unprecedented visibility into what’s happening inside their organizations. In this episode, Greg shares with Curtis how a $5 million fraud case exposed blind spots in internal communication—and how AI can now uncover the patterns humans miss. He explains OrgIQ’s three-layer approach: lightning-fast search, meta-analysis of communication patterns, and sentiment tagging, which together help HR identify both risks and hidden cultural strengths. Greg also reflects on how this technology helps overcome common management biases, like recency effects in reviews, and empowers HR to act with the same clarity and foresight once reserved for compliance teams.About Greg:Greg is an accomplished executive known for blending strategic vision with hands-on leadership. He has a diverse background which ranges from military service to commercial land development to wealth management. In his current role as CEO and Founder of Org IQ, he helps HR and Execs find the very best (and very worst) of what's happening inside their company.

Zech Dahms didn’t set out to become a culture strategist. Initially fascinated by zoology, his curiosity for human behavior eventually led him to organizational psychology—and to a career centered on transforming workplace experience. As President of Achieve Engagement and Head of Community at the EX Leadership Network, Zech helps HR leaders turn strategy into measurable impact. In this conversation with Curtis, Zech traces his journey from people officer roles to advisory work to leading a global HR community, sharing how intentional design—not chance—shapes employee experience. He explains how Achieve Engagement equips leaders with frameworks, peer-to-peer learning, and strategic playbooks that help organizations tackle performance and retention challenges. They also explore the power of community as a force multiplier for HR leaders, especially those operating solo or in lean teams. Zech’s insights show how culture, when intentionally cultivated, can unlock both individual growth and organizational transformation.About Zech:Zech Dahms is President of Achieve Engagement and Head of Community & EX Strategy for the EX Leadership Network, where he helps HR leaders turn employee experience into measurable business outcomes.He has designed and led 200+ programs and convenes 75+ annual masterclasses, webcasts, and Leadership EXchanges for a 30,000+ HR community. Zech’s work focuses on building AI-enabled, skills-based organizations, strategic employee listening, and performance cultures that scale. On stage and in advisory roles, he’s known for practical frameworks, peer-to-peer learning, and bold, actionable playbooks that move teams from strategy to execution.

Nat Salvione has spent more than two decades in the gift card and rewards industry, and his passion for the work hasn’t dimmed. As Chief Commercial Officer at GiftBit, Nat leads the company’s expansion and partnerships while championing a simpler, more meaningful approach to incentives. In this episode, Nat and Curtis dive into why gift cards have a uniquely lasting impact compared to cash, drawing on compelling studies that show how employees remember not just receiving a gift card—but what they earned it for and how they used it. Nat reflects on his journey from reviewing fraud transactions in the early 2000s to shaping modern employee recognition programs, sharing personal stories that highlight the emotional resonance of well-designed rewards. Together, they examine where most recognition programs miss the mark, how companies can remove friction while staying financially sound, and why understanding individuals—not just budgets—is the key to building recognition that truly sticks.About Nat:Nat Salvione is the Chief Commercial Officer at Giftbit, a digital rewards and incentives platform that helps organizations connect more meaningfully with customers, employees, and partners. With over 20 years of experience in the industry, Nat leads Giftbit’s expansion, partnerships, and go-to-market strategy. He brings a deep passion for the gift card and rewards space, helping businesses unlock innovative ways to engage and build lasting relationships.

Jeffrey Marks’s career has taken him from the high-stakes world of M&A law to building restaurants on the Las Vegas Strip and ultimately to founding Lollipop, a workplace well-being platform that’s changing how companies support their people. In this episode, Jeffrey and Curtis explore how small, authentic gestures can have a massive impact on retention, engagement, and workplace culture. Jeffrey shares candid stories from his early legal career, his experience co-founding Titan Brands, and the personal turning points that shaped Lollipop’s mission. He explains how the platform gives managers real-time insight into employee well-being and equips them with practical tools to respond with empathy. For leaders looking to boost connection in meaningful, scalable ways, Jeffrey’s journey is both inspiring and actionable.About Jeffrrey Marks:Jeffrey Marks is a former M&A and securities attorney at a top global law firm, and the co-founder of Titan Brands, a Las Vegas-based hospitality group with four restaurants — two located inside Mandalay Bay and two off the Strip. Today, they’re the founder of Lollipop, a workplace well-being platform helping companies lead with empathy, not guesswork. Their work is rooted in the belief that small, authentic gestures can have a massive impact — and that emotional intelligence should be as actionable as any business tool.

Gonzalo “Gonzo” Sanchez, founder of Everlast, is on a mission to change how we understand and manage stress at work and in life. Drawing from his experiences at Uber, Bird, and in telemedicine, he shares how Everlast uses wearables, biomarkers, and personalized roadmaps to help people unlock better health. Gonzalo and Curtis unpack the physiology of stress, emotional regulation, and why stress isn’t just psychological — it’s deeply physical. Gonzalo shares personal stories about hitting his own limits, the inspiration behind Everlast’s name, and how his team is reimagining stress as something to understand, not just suppress. It’s a fascinating conversation that blends science, storytelling, and strategy, giving leaders and individuals alike a new lens on well-being.About Gonzalo:Gonzalo is the founder of Everlast, a digital health company that helps people unlock their stress to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. Everlast’s core belief is that stress doesn’t just live in your head—it shows up in your body. By combining biomarkers, wearable data, and lifestyle insights, the team connects the dots and delivers personalized plans that work for each member. Before launching Everlast, Gonzalo led marketplace operations in the telemedicine space, building and scaling clinician networks. Prior to that, he spent nearly a decade at Uber and Bird, where he built high-performing teams and launched marketplaces across multiple regions.

Sheila Williams brings more than 30 years of HR leadership to the table, blending her love of numbers with a deep commitment to people. Now a senior compensation consultant at VisionLink, she shares her journey from corporate America to consulting, unpacking why compensation strategy is both an art and a science. Sheila and Curtis dig into the idea of “compensation chaos” — what happens when companies lack structure — and explore how customized incentive plans can create clarity and drive growth. Sheila emphasizes the importance of transparency, communication, and designing pay strategies that reflect culture as much as spreadsheets. For leaders trying to balance budgets with employee experience, this conversation is a masterclass in getting compensation right.About Sheila:Sheila is a seasoned HR leader with over 30 years of experience who transitioned from her role as Vice President of Human Resources to pursue her passion for mentoring and making an impact beyond corporate America. Her career spans diverse industries and organizations of various sizes.  Her time in the C-suite adds a distinctive perspective to guide clients in developing HR and compensation strategies that drive competitive advantage, innovation, and sustainable growth.Known for her candid communication style and dedication to mentorship, Sheila fosters strong client relationships and takes a personalized, hands-on approach to compensation design. She believes there is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to compensation—it is too important to get wrong - it must reflect the organization's unique culture and priorities to achieve long-term success.

Christopher Mallery spent years managing bustling restaurant teams before shifting gears to help business owners reclaim their time and sanity. As the founder of Top2Bottom Business Solutions, he now supports small businesses and franchises with clean financials, smoother operations, and smarter decision-making. In this conversation, Christopher and Curtis talk candidly about turnover, leadership in high-pressure environments, and the grind of wearing a dozen hats as an owner-operator. Christopher shares what it was like to lead teams of 60–100 people in a seven-day-a-week industry, the hard lessons he learned on retention, and how those experiences now shape his approach to supporting clients. He offers a grounded, insider’s perspective on why bookkeeping and operational clarity aren’t just back-office functions — they’re the foundation of sustainable growth.About Christopher:Christopher Mallery is a seasoned restaurant industry professional who transitioned from managing high-pressure environments to helping overworked business owners streamline their operations. With hands-on experience in operations, process management, accounting, and team leadership, he understands the demands of running a business. Christopher now leverages his passion for people and expert bookkeeping skills to support small businesses, franchises, and startups across the US, helping them reclaim balance and focus on what matters most.

On this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Shawn Gulyas, founder of humanworks8, to discuss how organizations can elevate their culture by focusing on people first. Shawn introduces the eight truths that anchor his work, offering practical ways leaders can align values, strengthen performance, and simplify culture-building.The conversation also touches on the role of technology, the importance of recognition and performance management, and why confident leadership often begins with something as simple as taking a breath.About Shawn:Shawn exists to design and facilitate creative experiences that challenge one’s thinking and action – helping individuals and companies find their authenticity and elevate their people touchpoints. After a 25-year leadership career in Human Resources, Shawn founded humanworks8 to work with organizations in need of bringing their work to life through championing people.  Think of Shawn as a “jump-starter” of energy and ideas around the belief that Everyone Matters and as a leader who creates cultures and communities where values, natural instincts and well-being are the essence of success. Other things Shawn believes in: Peace, Wonder, and Yoda.

In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Ali Kraus, CFE and Chief Marketing Officer at Benetrends Financial, to explore her journey from autism educator to franchise industry leader. Alishares how her passion for people, culture, and community fuels both her marketing career and her nonprofit, Furry Frans, which brings comfort to children in crisis. She opens up about navigating stereotypes, fostering inclusive workplaces across generations, and why scaling culture takes more than HR—it takes energy, empathy, and shared leadership. Whether you’re growing a business or growing as a leader, Ali’s perspective on empowerment and authenticity will leave you inspired.About Ali:Ali Kraus, CFE, is the Chief Marketing Officer at Benetrends Financial, where she leads brand strategy, marketing, and growth initiatives for one of the franchise industry’s most trusted funding partners. She also serves as Vice-Chair of the International Franchise Association’s Women’s Franchise Committee, championing empowerment and leadership for women across franchising. Ali is the co-founder of Furry Frans, a nonprofit bringing comfort to children in crisis, and is passionate about building community, creating impact, and helping entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.

Kate Halfwassen spent years leading organizations through transformation before teaming up with her husband to co-found their boutique consultancy. Together, they help businesses sharpen their focus, align their teams, and pursue ambitious growth goals. Kate joins Curtis to discuss what it’s really like to mix marriage and entrepreneurship, how family values shape their client work, and why leading with clarity and empathy makes all the difference.About Kate:Kate Halfwassen is a proven thought partner, having held key operations and finance roles throughout her career. Her C-Suite experience provides her with a deep understanding of business from the inside. She is known for championing empowerment and guiding teams toward achieving their growth goals. Kate excels at navigating the challenges of overwhelm by offering clear, actionable insights that align strategic vision with action steps across all levels of the organization.

Curtis sits down with Rachel Aleknavicius to explore how Nava is reshaping the benefits landscape. From tackling outdated brokerage practices to creating AI-driven tools that simplify HR’s toughest challenges, Rachel sheds light on how benefits can transform from a source of frustration into a competitive advantage. She also shares why listening, transparency, and pushing back on “the way it’s always been done” are critical for organizations that want to attract and retain top talent.About Rachel:Rachel Aleknavicius is a benefits consultant with a passion for helping organizations turn their employee benefits into a true competitive advantage. With years of experience supporting large national organizations, public sector entities, and small-to-mid-sized businesses, she’s known for simplifying complex benefits challenges and delivering strategies that save money while enhancing employee satisfaction. As a proud single mother by choice, Rachel brings a deep sense of empathy and advocacy to her work, drawing on her own experiences navigating healthcare and workplace complexities. She partners closely with HR and executive teams to create innovative, sustainable benefits strategies that drive both talent retention and organizational success.

In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Meghan Focht, Human Capital Director at Concurrency, to explore the intersection of people, culture, and technology. With over 15 years of HR leadership across industries, Meghan shares candid insights on guiding organizations through digital transformation, from embracing AI tools to managing cultural resistance and fostering psychological safety. She unpacks how leaders can empower employees, build trust, and drive adoption while keeping human connection at the center of work. If you’re curious about the future of HR, organizational change, and the skills tomorrow’s leaders need most, this conversation is packed with perspective and practical takeaways.About Meghan:Meghan Focht is the Human Capital Director at Concurrency and has over 15 years of HR experience. With experience in Education, manufacturing, hospitality, and IT, Meghan has experience in various areas of HR and across multiple industries. Meghan is married to her husband Brian. She has 3 kids: John, Kate, and Jane, and a 12-year-old chocolate lab, Clarence.

In this episode of Behind the Build, host Curtis Forbes chats with Kim Walters, founder of Yes…And, LLC and cultural engagement specialist. With a background in education, leadership, and consulting, Kim shares how her journey — from teaching literacy to guiding organizations through cultural assessments — shaped her mission to help leaders “close the gaps.” Together, they explore how trust, belonging, and self-awareness drive retention and engagement, the pitfalls of minimization, and why inclusive hiring practices and reverse mentoring are critical for the future of work.About Kim:Kim Walters has been involved in education and consulting for over 20 years, working at the intersection of learning, leadership, and belonging. Her career has spanned middle-school literacy instruction, K–12 instructional coaching, and most recently, serving as Director of the Center 4All at CESA 6, where she led system-wide efforts to build inclusive, equity-centered educational environments. She is now the owner of Yes…And, LLC, where she acts as a cultural engagement specialist and helps organizations to close the gaps.

Curtis sits down with Christine Devane, CEO and founder of Brightfin, to talk about her path from English major and pie maker to fintech entrepreneur. Christine shares how her own money lessons shaped Brightfin’s simple, swipe-based budgeting app, why features like “Debt Crusher” and “YOLO” resonate with users, and how employers can play a bigger role in supporting financial wellness. She also reflects on leadership lessons around listening, vision-setting, and building strong teams.About Christine:Christine Devane is the CEO and founder of Brightfin, a fintech company dedicated to making money management simple and accessible. With a background spanning writing, marketing, and product management, Christine brings a unique perspective to building financial tools that resonate with everyday users. Her entrepreneurial journey began with launching a pie business, but it was her firsthand experience with the financial challenges of running that venture that inspired her to create Brightfin. Founded around the 10th anniversary of the financial crisis, Brightfin reflects Christine’s mission to equip people with practical, easy-to-use tools that help them take control of their finances and build lasting financial wellness.

Change doesn’t have to mean burnout or disengagement. In this episode of Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes talks with consultant and educator Summer Miller about why real growth starts with people, not processes.From her journey in jazz composition to leading people-centered consulting, Summer shares why curiosity, critical thinking, and two-way communication are the keys to thriving workplaces and how leaders can build cultures where connection beats compliance.About Summer:Summer Miller helps businesses navigate change and growth without leaving people behind. Through her work as an advisor, educator, facilitator, and speaker, she helps leaders and teams integrate people-centered practices and design to support their growth strategy. Summer holds a doctorate in organizational leadership and teaches master’s courses through the University of Minnesota and the University of Denver. She is a life-long learner with a passion for building capability and confidence in others.

In the second part of this two-part series, Curtis and Travis dive deeper into leadership, company culture, and what it really takes to scale an agency without losing sight of your values. Travis reflects on the challenges of moving from designer to CEO, how to build trust within teams, and why authenticity matters more than ever in today’s market. Packed with honest lessons and practical takeaways, this episode is a must-listen for anyone leading creative teams or growing a purpose-driven business.About Travis:Travis McAshan is founder and CEO of GLIDE, an Austin-based digital agency that creates impactful, user-centered web experiences. With nearly 20 years in the industry, he leads a team focused on ethical design and strategic innovation for startups and nonprofits. Travis combines creativity with measurable results, championing transparency and positive social impact.