By HR for HR

In this episode of By HR, For HR, Jocelyn King sits down with Tiffany English, CEO of Access Offshoring, to explore the dynamic world of global talent acquisition. Tiffany, with her extensive background in business improvement and change management, shares invaluable insights into how companies can leverage offshore talent to enhance their workforce and operational efficiency. Tiffany discusses her journey from executive management to founding Access Offshoring, a company that specializes in recruiting skilled professionals from the Philippines for a variety of technical roles. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of offshoring, especially for industries like construction, where Tiffany's company has successfully placed roles such as estimators, draftsmen, and engineers. The conversation also delves into practical advice for HR professionals and talent acquisition specialists facing challenges in hiring locally. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of clearly defining roles and understanding the scope of work when considering offshore talent. She also differentiates between outsourced models and full-time offshore employment, providing guidance on how to integrate offshore staff effectively into existing teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jocelyn King interviews Melissa Michael, Vice President of HR Systems, about the intersection of HR operations, enterprise technology transformations, and practical artificial intelligence. With more than two years of experience spanning generalist roles, compliance, and systems administration, Melissa shares insights from leading the HR track of an ongoing enterprise-wide Workday optimization project. She discusses the operational hurdles of balancing routine feature releases with user pain points, and highlights the paramount importance of change management—explaining why her team chose to push a major project to 2027 to ensure adequate training and adoption.   Melissa demystifies the day-to-day application of AI tools like Claude and Microsoft Copilot within HR functions. She provides a detailed walkthrough of how her team automated their internal affirmative action analysis, turning weeks of manual spreadsheet calculations into a process completed in minutes. Additionally, she highlights how conversational AI prompting allowed her to design a custom SharePoint tracking system for employee relations cases without incurring extra software licensing costs. Throughout these examples, Melissa stresses the importance of precise prompting, understanding data cutoff dates, and maintaining a strict "human in the loop" approach to verify output accuracy.   To wrap up the conversation, Melissa offers pragmatic advice for HR professionals looking to introduce AI into their daily routines. She encourages practitioners to start by asking AI conversational questions about workflow automation and simple task efficiency, rather than being intimidated by complex technical implementations. Reminding listeners that AI must serve as a measurable, value-add tool that frees up HR time for high-touch human interactions, Melissa delivers a clear blueprint for modernizing HR operations safely and effectively. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Jocelyn King welcomes John Horne, Vice President of People, Culture, and Development at the YMCA of Metropolitan Los Angeles, for a thought-provoking discussion on people leadership and organizational culture within mission-driven nonprofits. Bringing over 30 years of leadership experience—including 20 years in direct service program operations—John discusses the unique dynamics of supporting a workforce spread across 30 distinct community centers throughout LA County. He addresses the specific challenge of managing an organization where 80% of employees are part-time workers, explaining why traditional turnover metrics are insufficient and how focusing on engagement scores helps measure whether staff feel connected to the core mission. John reflects on his previous tenure at LA Family Housing, where the workforce nearly tripled in size, sharing the critical warning signs that signaled a need for intentional cultural alignment. He details a comprehensive three-year journey to build an equitable pay system and inclusive framework, illustrating why organizations must move beyond informal "family-style" dynamics as they scale. John highlights the hard conversations, personal reflection, and willingness to sit with discomfort that genuine diversity, equity, and inclusion work requires from leadership at every level. The episode concludes with a deep dive into servant leadership, active listening strategies, and employee performance management. John explains how his background leading frontline homeless services informs his executive HR decisions, helping him balance genuine empathy with firm organizational accountability. He shares why he empowers employees to set the agenda for their own one-on-one meetings, emphasizing that leaders must listen to understand rather than respond, receive tough feedback without defensiveness, and foster an environment where staff feel truly valued and heard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King hosts Victoria Ashton, Chief People Officer at Lob, to discuss building the HR function in high-growth technology environments and aligning people analytics directly with business objectives. Victoria shares her experience scaling early-stage startups from single-digit headcount through rapid growth, emphasizing that HR leaders must operate with "proximity and curiosity" toward executive peers. She explains how spending time with CFOs and CROs to understand P&L statements and growth models allows HR leaders to connect traditional talent metrics directly to revenue and gross profit.   Victoria provides an inside look at how Lob leverages custom AI analytics dashboards to synthesize data across fragmented HR systems. By overlaying employee engagement and attrition trends onto customer retention and point-in-time financial performance, her team builds a trusted advisor relationship with executive leadership. The conversation also covers compliance strategy, where Victoria advocates for moving beyond minimum transactional standards to craft proactive, employee-centered policies that reflect genuine cultural values.   Additionally, Victoria shares insights from her role as an advisor within a venture capital fund, detailing how people operations impact investment attractiveness and due diligence. She closes the episode by addressing the operational challenges of AI in talent acquisition. Describing the "avalanche" of AI-generated candidate spam flooding inbound job applications, Victoria offers practical advice on deploying detection tools while remaining curious, agile, and experimental in modern talent leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Matthew Owenby, Chief Human Resources Officer at Aflac, to explore how progressive benefits strategies and deep business alignment redefine modern HR leadership. Matthew outlines Aflac’s value-driven philosophy of caring for employees so they can care for the business, detailing their innovative on-site healthcare program that brings doctors, nurses, physical therapists, and mental health professionals directly to corporate campuses. He shares how offering preventative care and early medical detection yields $3 million to $6 million in avoided healthcare costs annually, providing a compelling template for HR leaders seeking to build high-impact, cost-effective wellness initiatives in their own organizations. The conversation dives into what separates administrative HR managers from strategic CHROs who hold a true seat at the executive table. Matthew emphasizes the necessity of becoming a "ferocious student of the business" by mastering corporate financial filings, listening to investor calls, and understanding key metrics like earnings per share and total shareholder return. By framing HR solutions directly around executive goals and corporate values, HR professionals can effortlessly secure CEO buy-in for bold initiatives, rather than viewing wellness and benefits solely through a traditional cost-center lens. Finally, Matthew offers a grounded, pragmatic perspective on artificial intelligence and workplace transformation. Drawing parallels to past industry hype cycles, he encourages HR practitioners to maintain a healthy skepticism toward grand vendor promises while focusing on practical AI tools that solve specific operational problems. He wraps up the episode by sharing how Aflac preserves its employee-first culture across a global footprint through long-form conversational recruiting, reminding listeners that sustainable organizational culture relies on clear human values and intentional hiring choices. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jocelyn King sits down with Theresa Hummel-Krallinger, President and Chief People Officer of High Five Performance, speaker, stand-up comedian, and author of Make Waves. Theresa discusses the core thesis of her new book, emphasizing the necessity of lifelong career ownership and employability in an evolving, AI-impacted job market. She shares how proactive career agility and continuous learning help working professionals navigate market uncertainty, while offering insights into how parents and leaders can mentor the next generation through career planning discussions.   The dialogue explores Theresa's unique dual career in organizational development and stand-up comedy, illustrating how humor serves as a serious business tool for driving workplace culture and employee resilience. She explains the physiological and psychological benefits of shared laughter in training environments, noting how humor enhances information retention and strengthens interpersonal relationships. Theresa also cautions against forced workplace fun, sharing memorable missteps where leadership failed to align culture initiatives with their specific audience, and explains how humor acts as an essential coping mechanism during times of organizational dysfunction.   Drawing on her specialized work in leadership training for highly technical staff—such as biostatisticians and pharmacologists—Theresa outlines why technically brilliant individuals often struggle when transitioning into people management. She highlights the necessity of equipping introverted, data-driven managers with concrete tools for self-awareness, active communication, and navigating difficult conversations. Closing with the story behind the Emmy Award displayed in her office, Theresa delivers an inspiring message on stepping outside comfort zones to achieve both personal and professional growth. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King connects with JJ Owen, Executive Director of Skills Jam, to explore how organizations can adapt their talent acquisition strategies to engage the next generation of skilled trades talent. JJ breaks down the fundamental shift in how Gen Z consumes information as an "algorithmic generation" that leans into platform suggestions rather than traditional search behavior. He outlines why traditional recruitment funnels—such as lengthy email campaigns and resume upload requirements—often fail with younger workers, and explains why text-based recruitment and early career exploration are far more effective for downstream hiring success. The conversation dives deep into practical content creation and campaign execution for employer branding on platforms like TikTok and YouTube Shorts. Drawing from real-world examples, including a narrative campaign with Carrier featuring a father-son HVAC team and a viral TikTok post leveraging trending Sabrina Carpenter music to highlight concert production trades, JJ demonstrates how showing real day-in-the-life work demystifies trade careers. He emphasizes that effective social content does not need to be overly polished, as authentic and unproduced footage consistently resonates better with Gen Z audiences. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King is joined by Leah Stiegler, Principal at Woods Rogers, to unpack the complex, high-stakes intersection of employment law and everyday workplace management. Together, they explore pressing compliance challenges facing modern HR teams, including the surprising rise of union organizing in non-traditional sectors like tech and healthcare driven by social media transparency and targeted digital advertising. Leah also shares critical advice on balancing corporate brand protection with employee rights, emphasizing why consistent policy enforcement is essential when managing sensitive or political online conduct. The conversation then delves into critical performance management pitfalls, breaking down why relying solely on "at-will" status fails in legal disputes and how unsupportive performance improvement plans can trigger "sham PIP" presumptions in court. Finally, Leah and Jocelyn examine the double-edged sword of AI in human resources, warning against over-reliance on generative tools for delicate employee communications while highlighting the hidden risks of unconscious bias in automated recruitment screening. Leah Stiegler is a Principal at Woods Rogers where she specializes in management-side labor and employment law, partnering with employers to navigate complex compliance, workplace investigations, and administrative agency claims before the EEOC, DOL, and NLRB. A former federal judicial clerk in Norfolk, Virginia, Leah earned her J.D. from the University of Richmond School of Law after completing her undergraduate studies at Virginia Tech. Recognized as one of Virginia Lawyers Weekly's "Influential Women of Law," Leah blends deep legal knowledge with practical corporate guidance, helping organizations manage employee relations, mitigate risk, and build resilient workplace cultures. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Peter Phelan, a former Chief People Officer turned culture strategist, executive headhunter, and HR’s resident humorist. Peter shares his journey from studying HR in Ireland during the 1990s to climbing the corporate ranks in the tech sector, before taking a leap a decade ago to found his company, Values Culture. The conversation centers on the surprising intersection of comedy and human resources. Peter discusses his unique niche performing at New York City comedy clubs and major industry events like the Transform conference in Las Vegas. He explains his strict philosophy of "HR positivity"—never self-deprecating the function, but rather using clean, empathetic humor to address the absolute chaos that HR professionals face daily. Listeners will also get an inside look at Funny HR People, an open mic night Peter co-emcees in New York that serves as a therapeutic, community-building space for local HR teams. Beyond the stage, Peter delivers practical advice on how injecting humor can serve as a catalyst for accelerating trust with corporate stakeholders, easing executive tension, and humanizing rigid workplace dynamics. He highlights the boundaries of workplace comedy, the importance of reading the room, and how to safely poke fun at overblown HR buzzwords. Finally, Peter shares a classic personal story from his time at Bloomberg, proving that even within highly intense, conservative corporate structures, a single practitioner can use wit to turn dry benefit rollouts into memorable cultural moments. Peter Phelan is the founder of Values Culture, where he specializes in culture strategy and executive search for people and talent leaders. Widely known as "The Culture Doctor," he is a passionate speaker and comedian dedicated to lifting the spirits of global HR practitioners. You can connect with Peter on LinkedIn or check out his upcoming community events at www.valuesculture.com and www.funnyhrpeople.com. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR is an HR compliance software designed by practitioners to deliver automated, instant compliance answers regarding federal, state, and local employment laws. To discover how to shield your organization from legal risk while freeing your team up for strategic initiatives, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Bethany Muzzi, an HR professional who built her leadership foundation in the high-stakes healthcare environment during COVID-19 before transitioning into the fast-paced construction industry. Bethany shares her "sink or swim" lessons and explores how human resources acts as a universal anchor across vastly different sectors. The conversation unpacks the distinct tactical shift required when recruiting frontline and blue-collar talent compared to corporate white-collar roles. Bethany explains why chasing candidates no longer works and how companies must instead transform their employer brand into a talent magnet. From replacing generic internal point systems with high-quality, branded apparel that field workers actually want, to pivoting away from transactional referral bonuses that incentivize bad hires, Bethany reveals what authentic, employee-driven engagement looks like in practice. Listeners will also discover actionable advice on how HR practitioners can advocate for themselves internally and transition from admin support to invaluable strategic operators. Bethany discusses leveraging critical business metrics like turnover to prove HR's impact on financial outcomes, managing the chaotic staffing lifecycles of project-based bidding, and using out-of-the-box creativity to stand out in competitive job markets. Bethany Muzzi is an accomplished human resources leader with a background in communications, marketing, healthcare administration, and industrial personnel management. She currently drives strategic HR, recruitment initiatives, and culture development in the construction sector. You can connect with Bethany directly via email at bmuzzi@rcconst.net or locate her professional profile on LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King connects with Kara Kelley, a fractional HR business partner, entrepreneur, and founder of the HR Consultants Mastermind Community. Kara shares her journey of launching her firm, Clinical HR, in the medical and dental compliance space right at the onset of the pandemic, navigating the chaotic waves of early COVID-19 compliance mandates, and scaling her business into a highly visible industry authority. The conversation breaks down the fundamental mistakes new HR professionals make when transitioning from corporate roles into independent consulting. Kara offers a masterclass in the power of "niching down," explaining why trying to serve every small business ultimately dilutes your message. She provides an insider perspective on escaping traditional time-for-money pricing traps, shifting instead toward value-based models that reflect the peace of mind and tangible financial risk mitigation a specialized advisor delivers. Listeners will learn what it truly means to step out from behind the laptop and evolve from a "hidden helper" into a "visible authority" through highly intentional, industry-focused networking. Kara shares practical mindset shifts for moving past layers of imposter syndrome, using a "face-it-till-you-make-it" framework built on continuous execution and pipeline consistency. Finally, she delivers a piece of brutally honest advice for anyone aspiring to build a sustainable, recurring-revenue practice: you cannot do it alone, and finding a dedicated, objective peer community is your ultimate key to long-term success. Kara Kelley is a seasoned fractional HR consultant, business advisor, and speaker specializing in culture and compliance advisory within the healthcare sector, particularly dentistry. Passionate about empowering fellow practitioners, she is the founder of the HR Consultants Mastermind Community, which supports over 3,500 aspiring and independent consultants globally. You can connect with Kara directly via email at kara@clinicalhr.com or join her thriving professional network by searching for the HR Consultants Mastermind on Facebook and LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Steve Browne, a 40-year human resources veteran, to explore the profound evolution of the profession from the restrictive, top-down days of "Personnel" to modern organizational design. Steve reflects on his expansive career and shares why he is presenting on "HR Without Boundaries" and "The Heart of HR" at the upcoming SHRM conference. The conversation dives deep into how forward-thinking companies are shifting from enforcing rigid manuals to applying purposeful, directional structures. Steve discusses his unique approach at his company, where they have completely bypassed high-potential ratings, decoupled compensation from traditional performance management, and eliminated departmental silos in favor of highly collaborative "areas of work." Listeners will also gain tactical insights into navigating technology advancements like AI. Rather than building policies out of fear or managing to the exceptions, Steve explains how leveraging tech can actively engage a modern workforce, including the youngest generations. Finally, Steve delivers a powerful reminder for anyone looking to step into a leadership role: get away from your desk, get out with your staff, and treat every workplace challenge as a human situation first. Steve Browne is a globally recognized HR leader, speaker, author, and practitioner with four decades of experience in the profession. Known for his hands-on, people-centric philosophy, he is a passionate advocate for lifting others up and driving connective communities across the global HR landscape. You can find and connect with Steve across all major social platforms, including LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and BlueSky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Elles Skony, a dynamic leader in the HR space, to explore the journey of transitioning from in-house HR leadership to entrepreneurship. Elles, who has a rich background in high-growth startups, shares her experience of founding her own business and creating Fractional People People, a thriving community for HR entrepreneurs. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of becoming an HR entrepreneur, as Elles discusses the importance of networking, building confidence, and pricing services correctly. She also delves into the creation of a supportive community for HR professionals, emphasizing the value of peer support and shared experiences in overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship. Join us as we uncover the nuances of starting a business in the HR field, learn how to navigate the tricky waters of client acquisition, and discover the strategies Elles employs to maintain a thriving business while nurturing a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR is an HR compliance software designed by practitioners to deliver automated, instant compliance answers regarding federal, state, and local employment laws. To discover how to shield your organization from legal risk while freeing your team up for strategic initiatives, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Junell Venord, a seasoned HR professional and Senior Director at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. Junell shares her unique journey through various industries, from teaching to HR leadership, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to building strong HR communities. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the importance of leveraging HR communities like D.C. SHRM for support and professional development. Junell emphasizes the need for HR professionals to connect with peers to navigate workplace challenges, particularly during times of organizational stress, such as layoffs. She also shares practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls when presenting to executives, highlighting the importance of tailoring messages to meet the audience's needs. Join us as we explore the critical role of community in HR, discuss the nuances of effective communication, and learn from Junell's experience in fostering collaboration and mentorship among HR professionals. Whether you're an HR leader or just starting in the field, this episode offers actionable takeaways to enhance your HR practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us in this enlightening episode of HRHR as we dive into the intricacies of leadership and strategy with Jen Miller, founder of Leading Edge. With a rich background as an HR leader, Jen shares her journey from corporate HR to establishing her own company focused on developing effective leadership that drives business outcomes. In this conversation, Jen discusses how she helps organizations translate business strategies into clear expectations and leadership behaviors. She emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership practices with organizational goals and the challenges of managing diverse teams. Jen offers valuable insights into addressing common leadership hurdles, such as fostering synergy among leaders and ensuring consistent discipline across teams. Listeners will gain practical advice on improving communication within organizations, especially during times of change. Jen highlights the need for HR leaders to double down on clear and consistent messaging to facilitate smoother transitions. Additionally, she explains how bridging the gap between people and processes can enhance performance management systems, making them more effective and less frustrating for employees and HR professionals alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jocelyn King sits down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, a 30-year HR veteran and current Chief People Officer at the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Angela shares her journey from full-time leadership at Harvard Business Review to fractional work, offering a masterclass on what CEOs truly expect from their HR leaders. She emphasizes that HR’s core mission is to optimize talent to deliver on organizational objectives—whether through fair pay, skill development, or building a powerful employer brand. The conversation dives deep into the "triumvirate" of leadership: the alignment between the CEO, CFO, and CHRO. Angela explains how this partnership unlocks organizational productivity by justifying ROI for people investments and ensuring strategic alignment. She also challenges the traditional concept of "employee engagement," arguing that leaders should instead strive for "employee inspiration" by creating environments rooted in transparency, compassion, and a clear, noble purpose. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tony Buffum, co-founder of The Human Cloud, joins host Jocelyn King to discuss the inevitable shift toward flexible work and the "freelance economy". Reflecting on his time at Upwork and Stanley Black & Decker, Tony explores why many HR professionals resist non-traditional staffing—citing fears of compliance, loss of control, and the "status quo" of full-time headcount. He encourages HR leaders to view themselves as the "change management function" of the organization, helping managers move from "order taking" to strategic workforce planning. Tony highlights business acumen as the key differentiator for HR professionals looking to move from administration to strategic influence. By understanding the balance sheet and partnering closely with finance, HR can transition into a "trusted advisor" or "consigliere" for the CEO. Looking ahead to the challenges of 2026, Tony advises HR practitioners to stay relevant by upskilling in agentic AI and staying hyper-aware of macroeconomic conditions to react with speed and agility. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tami Nutt, Vice President of Research and Insights for Aspect 43, shares how her 20-year career as an HR practitioner informs her current work as an industry analyst. She explains how analysts provide unbiased evaluations of technology and market trends, helping busy HR professionals connect the dots between global economics and workplace tools. Tami emphasizes that in the age of AI, HR must act as the "human experts," identifying which tasks are uniquely human and which can be handled by technology. A major theme of the discussion is the critical importance of HR compliance and change management. Tami describes compliance as the "foundation of the building"—essential for stability but often ignored until something fails. She challenges listeners to view compliance maturity not just as passing an audit, but as creating systems that make the right behaviors easy and consistent every day. Finally, she provides tips on avoiding implementation failures by making no assumptions and gathering rigorous data. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kimberly Prescott, founder of Prescott HR, joins the podcast to discuss the critical role of courage and confidence in the HR profession. Drawing from her background in the Air Force and her experience as a minority in corporate environments, Kimberly explains why HR professionals must move past the desire to "be liked" and instead focus on providing honest, fact-based feedback. She argues that avoiding difficult conversations erodes trust and lowers performance standards across the entire organization. Kimberly also introduces her "Hierarchy of Needs" for HR, asserting that strategic initiatives like culture statements cannot succeed without a solid foundation of clear policies, manager training, and consistent practices. Using the analogy of a construction site, she warns against hanging "fine art" before the drywall is up. The episode concludes with practical advice on managing investigations and coaching managers to handle conflict with clarity and accountability.Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jocelyn King sits down with Benjamin Langner to discuss the profound shifts currently hitting the HR profession, which he compares to the era when email first revolutionized communication. As a Vice President for a global recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) organization, Ben acts as "HR for 1,000 other HR professionals," giving him a unique vantage point on the "AI boom" and the evolving world of work. He shares a practical framework for HR leaders in global settings, emphasizing the need to simplify and streamline core processes like onboarding and the employee lifecycle to maintain a consistent experience across different countries while managing regional nuances. The conversation dives deep into repositioning the HR Business Partner (HRBP) from a reactive role to a proactive strategic partnership. Ben argues that the key to gaining a seat at the table is solving actual business problems—such as operational bottlenecks—rather than simply launching new HR programs in a vacuum. He provides actionable advice on tailoring ROI metrics for different C-suite stakeholders, noting that while a CFO requires data-driven facts, other leaders may respond better to storytelling. Looking toward the future, Ben predicts that as automation and AI become standard, high-value human interactions will become a "premium experience" that HR must protect and prioritize. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Erica McMannes, Chief Experience Officer at Instant Teams, joins the podcast to share her expertise in building high-performing, fully distributed workforces. Having moved 14 times as a military spouse, Erica founded Instant Teams to create a talent marketplace that connects companies with the highly skilled but often overlooked community of over 12 million military spouses. She discusses the "ethos to remote communication" that her company established long before the pandemic, highlighting that in a remote setting, connection and camaraderie do not happen by chance—they require intentional, driven structures to replace the accidental "water cooler" moments of a physical office. The episode explores the transition toward skills-based hiring and the flaws in traditional resume-focused recruitment. Erica explains how HR professionals can shift their focus to "durable" and transferable skills, using customer experience as a prime example of where military spouses excel due to their natural empathy and adaptability. For leaders struggling with distributed teams, Erica recommends "maniacal organization"—using processes and visibility systems to track productivity without resorting to micromanagement. She encourages HR to support managers through proactive communication and expectation management, ensuring that remote work environments remain transparent and trust-based. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Elowson brings over 30 years of HR experience and a specialized background in mediation to discuss the unavoidable reality of workplace conflict. Lisa explains that many professionals dread conflict because they are naturally "conflict adverse," but she argues that conflict doesn't have to be toxic if it is addressed early. She compares unresolved disputes to a "Titanic iceberg," where the hidden costs, such as mental disengagement (the "quit and stay" phenomenon), investigation time, and potential lawsuits, are often far greater than what is visible on the surface. Through the lens of a certified mediator, Lisa provides HR leaders with specific techniques to navigate high-stakes employee relations issues, such as "shuttle mediation" and active listening to uncover the "gold nuggets" of what is truly driving a disagreement. She stresses the importance of HR maintaining a neutral stance, clearly communicating to all parties that they have "no dog in the fight" other than reaching a fair resolution. Lisa challenges the traditional "handbook" approach to management, urging HR to lead by culture and respect rather than strictly by policy. By meeting people where they are and facilitating face-to-face "conscious conversations," HR can move past "win-lose" scenarios to restore functional working relationships. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Employment law is often reactive, but Joel Greenwald argues for a "preventative medicine" approach to protect businesses before litigation strikes. In this episode, Joel breaks down the most common legal pitfalls HR leaders face, including inadequate documentation and the rampant misclassification of independent contractors and exempt employees. The conversation turns to the cutting edge of HR compliance: Artificial Intelligence. Joel warns of the legal risks surrounding AI hiring tools, specifically "disparate impact" discrimination, and advises HR leaders on how to vet technology to avoid joint liability lawsuits. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From "failed tennis pro" to leading a global network of over 150 recruiters, Walter Sabrin joins Jocelyn King to explore the high-stakes world of talent acquisition. Walter discusses how Vensure Employer Solutions scaled from 120 to over 6,000 employees by treating HR as a strategic business alliance rather than a roadblock. The discussion tackles the "Empty Seat Syndrome"—the danger of hiring the wrong person out of desperation—and the critical importance of upskilling to retain top talent. Walter also provides a candid look at the current state of AI in recruiting, noting that while the industry buzz is loud, many candidates and hiring managers remain hesitant to broach the topic during interviews. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of By HR For HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Joey Price to discuss the evolution of the HR professional from administrative support to the "operating system" of modern business. Joey shares insights from his journey as an HR consultant and author, explaining why HR leaders must act as diplomats who balance the needs of employees with the strategic goals of the C-suite. The conversation also dives into the acquisition of Aspect 43 and the latest research on HR tech buying trends. With budgets flattening and C-suite executives taking a more active role in purchasing decisions, Joey reveals why 40% of HR buyers still lack a clear AI strategy and how practitioners can close that gap to remain competitive. Find out more about Joey Price on LinkedIn. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Baldino, President of Humareso, joins us live from HR Tech 2025 to discuss the evolution of the industry, from the days of "Personnel" and manual payroll to today’s data-driven people analytics. John challenges HR leaders to stop obsessing over "time to hire" and start calculating the real cost of vacancy: quantifying the lost productivity when managers have to cover open roles and the financial impact of burnout on remaining teams. He also explains why geographic cost differentials should be a primary factor in modern hiring strategies, urging leaders to look beyond major tech hubs to optimize budget. The conversation pivots to a critical struggle for many practitioners: how to move from reactive to strategic, especially within an "HR Department of One." John offers a liberating, incremental approach to shaving down the 92% of time spent on transactional tasks starting with letting employees manage their own data. He wraps up with the single most effective question HR professionals can ask managers to spark transformative, strategic partnership. It is a masterclass in proving HR’s financial value while keeping the "human" in human resources. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jessica Miller-Merrell joins us from HR Tech 2025 for a fast-moving, highly practical discussion about how HR leaders can get tech-ready in a world where AI, compliance demands, and integrations are evolving faster than most teams can keep up. Jessica shares how HR pros should approach learning new tech, the right questions to ask vendors, and the biggest mistakes she sees during vetting and implementation. She also breaks down how to build change-management muscles, why HR teams should lean on their IT partners early, and how performance management completely shifted after COVID exposed major gaps in communication and coaching. From training managers effectively to proving ROI for people programs, Jessica provides clear, actionable guidance that every HR leader, especially those in departments of one, can put into practice immediately. Find out more about Jessica Miller-Merrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Live from HR Tech 2025, Katrina Kibben brings their signature clarity and storytelling to a conversation about employer brand, EVP development, and the linguistic data that reveals what employees actually value. Katrina explains why every strong EVP starts with deep listening, not leadership soundbites, and how interviewing people across levels produces the most accurate, actionable picture of company culture. The conversation moves into the surprising history of job postings, what truly makes a compelling job description today, and how scope, scale, and impact matter far more than tired “years of experience” clichés. Katrina also shares lessons from their book The Bounce Back Factor, shaped by three years of running a business from a van, and how leaders can navigate uncertainty with more confidence and humanity. It’s a refreshing, insightful look at building clarity into your recruiting process and using language as a strategic asset. Find out more about Katrina Kibben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded live at HR Tech 2025 in Las Vegas, this conversation with Christy Honeycutt dives into twenty years of hands-on talent expertise and breaks down exactly when an RPO model makes sense and when it doesn’t. Christy walks through the questions every TA leader should be prepared to answer before talking to a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), the hidden ATS issues that quietly block candidates, and why “finding your voice” matters more than ever for HR leaders looking to influence the C-suite. She also opens up about her work as a meditation coach, how leaders can regulate themselves before showing up for their teams, and how simple, accessible wellness practices can transform employee experience. The episode rounds out with a grounded, candid look at buy-in, accountability, and how HR can shift perceptions from “soft” to “strategic” by driving real business outcomes. Find out more about Christy Honeycutt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/ and via her website: https://www.christyhoneycutt.com/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices