Episodes

  • Make the Right Choice: Choosing Fun, Fueling Passion, and Leading with Energy at Work

    Make the Right Choice: Choosing Fun, Fueling Passion, and Leading with Energy at Work
    Sep 9 2025
    In this high-energy and deeply insightful episode of Career Club Live, Bob Goodwin, President of Career Club, is joined by keynote speaker, improvisational humorist, and author Joel Zeff, to explore the surprising power of fun at work—and why it's anything but frivolous. Joel, author of Make the Right Choice: Lead with Passion, Elevate Your Team, and Unleash the Fun at Work, shares how his journey from newspaper journalist to corporate PR pro to full-time speaker began with a spontaneous invitation to play improv games at a Texas Instruments executive retreat. Since then, Joel has turned his passion for humor and performance into a thriving career helping teams and leaders inject more energy, ownership, and joy into the workplace. This episode is packed with light-hearted moments and powerful takeaways, including: What improv comedy teaches us about teamwork, communication, and leadership Why choice and attitude are at the heart of professional success How celebrating small “ta-da” wins can boost confidence and team morale The difference between skeptics and cynics—and why you shouldn't waste energy on the latter Why pursuing what’s fun for you leads to fulfilling work Whether you're navigating change, dealing with stress, or just looking for a more human way to lead, Joel’s message is a timely reminder that fun is not a luxury—it’s fuel. Key Timestamps: 3:42 – Joel’s career origin story: improv meets corporate life 10:01 – Why fun is essential, not optional 16:48 – The power of small “ta-da” moments and everyday wins 23:30 – Leadership, ownership, and creating a passionate team culture 31:05 – Why improv lessons make better leaders 41:22 – Choice vs. perfection: navigating your path with clarity 53:17 – How to stay energized and resilient during challenging times Listen to the full episode on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Learn more about Joel Zeff and his book at joelzeff.com
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    42 mins
  • Wait, Did He Just Say ‘You Should Smile More’? What Women Still Hear at Work

    Wait, Did He Just Say ‘You Should Smile More’? What Women Still Hear at Work
    Sep 2 2025
    In this episode of Career Club Live, host Bob Goodwin reconnects with two powerhouse leaders from The Band of Sisters, Lori Tauber Marcus and Cie Nicholson, both former PepsiCo executives and co-authors of You Should Smile More. This follow-up conversation explores the real-world impact their book has had since its release and dives deeper into how subtle workplace microaggressions affect women—and what everyone can do to create more inclusive environments. Lori and Cie reflect on: How the idea for the book emerged (hint: it wasn’t planned!) Why "You Should Smile More" hits women in the gut and leaves men puzzled The power of small “micro-corrections” and how they can shift culture Why allyship—especially from men—is essential, not optional What’s surprised them most since launching the book This isn’t just a conversation—it’s a playbook for action. Whether you're a leader, a peer, or early in your career, you'll walk away with practical tips to make your workplace more equitable. Key Timestamps: 00:01 – Intro & Guest Updates: Travel, anniversaries, and handstands in Portugal 03:30 – How the Book Was Born: From dinner with Indra Nooyi to microaggressions 10:50 – Microaggressions Explained: “Smile more,” “office housework,” and being called a “girl” 18:10 – Audience Reaction: Why the stories resonate across industries 24:25 – Practical Corrections: Note-taking, swag bags, and behavior patterns 30:05 – Meeting Dynamics: "Meeting before the meeting" & the role of informal norms 35:45 – Good Idea, Greg: How to support colleagues whose ideas get ignored 42:10 – What’s Changed Since Publishing: Surprising feedback from every industry 47:20 – Current DEI Landscape: Adjusting language without losing impact 51:40 – What Allyship Looks Like: Conscious action and humble curiosity 1:00:30 – What’s Next: Speaking tours and deep dives on mentorship and feedback Listen now on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/career-club-linkedin-live-with-bob-goodwin/id1609808305 ...or Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cIoFUM1yDsf6Iy1tTCuw5
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    59 mins
  • H&M's CHRO for The Americas, Chris Mikulski, on Leading with Curiosity, Credibility, and Care

    H&M's CHRO for The Americas, Chris Mikulski, on Leading with Curiosity, Credibility, and Care
    May 20 2025
    What does it take to go from working the electronics aisle at Toys R Us to leading HR for 20,000+ employees across North and Latin America? In this powerful episode of Career Club Live, host Bob Goodwin sits down with Chris Mikulski, Chief Human Resources Officer for The Americas at H&M, to talk about career growth, leadership, and the future of HR. Chris shares the lessons he’s learned on his journey—from starting out as a seasonal retail employee to becoming a strategic HR executive at one of the world’s most recognizable fashion brands. This conversation is full of practical wisdom for job seekers, HR professionals, and anyone striving to lead with purpose. Topics include: How curiosity and stretch assignments accelerated Chris’s career Why resilience isn’t just about survival—it's about growth The traits Chris looks for when hiring at H&M Why business acumen is non-negotiable for modern HR leaders The power of self-reflection, vulnerability, and forgiveness in leadership How HR can earn (and keep) a seat at the executive table The future of HR as a data-powered, people-first function Listen to gain real-world advice on how to build a career that aligns with your passion—and make a real impact while doing it. Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/career-club-linkedin-live-with-bob-goodwin/id1609808305 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1cIoFUM1yDsf6Iy1tTCuw5
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    57 mins
  • AI + Coaching: The Digital Coaching Revolution with Dr. Anna Tavis, Chair, Human Capital Management Department, NYU School of Professional Studies

    AI + Coaching: The Digital Coaching Revolution with Dr. Anna Tavis, Chair, Human Capital Management Department, NYU School of Professional Studies
    May 7 2025
    In this forward-looking conversation, Bob Goodwin sits down with Dr. Anna Tavis to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of coaching and leadership development. As the author of The Digital Coaching Revolution and a leading voice in human capital transformation, Dr. Tavis offers deep insights into how organizations can leverage AI not to replace human coaches, but to dramatically scale, personalize, and democratize coaching throughout the enterprise. Key Themes Covered: Why traditional executive coaching is not scalable—and how AI changes that The rise of AI-native platforms and their impact on performance management, onboarding, and career development How AI acts as a “practice field” for developing power skills—especially in high-stakes scenarios Why middle managers are the first—and best—place to implement AI-based coaching How tools like ChatGPT and custom-built AI coaches are enhancing, not replacing, human insight The ethical, privacy, and bias considerations organizations must address The role of digital twins and organizational simulations in strategic workforce planning Dr. Tavis also shares real-world examples from companies like Microsoft, Delta Airlines, and Mayo Clinic—demonstrating how AI coaching tools are already transforming both corporate and healthcare settings. Special Invitation: Dr. Tavis will be hosting the Coaching and Technology Summit at NYU in New York City on July 7–8, focused on the convergence of AI and executive coaching. The summit features top innovators, case studies, and cutting-edge tools redefining leadership development. Register here: https://www.sps.nyu.edu/homepage/academics/divisions-and-departments/division-of-programs-in-business/human-capital-management/coaching-and-technology-summit.html
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    51 mins
  • Why We Keep Firing the Wrong People (And What to Do Instead) with Wharton Professor & Director Peter Cappelli

    Why We Keep Firing the Wrong People (And What to Do Instead) with Wharton Professor & Director Peter Cappelli
    Apr 17 2025
    If talent is your greatest asset, why do your financials treat it like a liability? In this powerful episode of Career Club Live, Bob Goodwin sits down with Peter Cappelli—Wharton professor, HR legend, and truth-teller—to unpack the broken incentives driving modern talent decisions. They dig into: Why U.S. accounting rules *discourage* investment in people How layoffs and "rank-and-yank" tactics backfire more than they help The real cost of turnover (hint: it’s not $4,000) Why internal promotions beat external hires—on both performance *and* cost And how HR leaders can finally speak the CEO’s language to get buy-in Cappelli doesn’t just diagnose what’s broken—he offers a roadmap to fix it. From talent marketplaces to rethinking attrition, this episode will change how you think about people strategy in 2025 and beyond. If you’re tired of the hamster wheel of hiring, losing, and rehiring—this conversation is for you.
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    1 hr
  • Grace, Grit, and Getting It Done: Emily Dickens of SHRM on Leadership and the Future of Work

    Grace, Grit, and Getting It Done: Emily Dickens of SHRM on Leadership and the Future of Work
    Apr 6 2025
    In this inspiring and wide-ranging conversation, Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff and Head of Government Affairs at SHRM, joins Bob Goodwin to talk about resilience, leadership, and creating a more inclusive future of work. Emily shares her deeply personal journey—from a childhood marked by economic challenges to leading national workforce policy initiatives impacting millions. With warmth, wisdom, and wit, she discusses the power of intentional choice, the difference between management and leadership, and the importance of empathy in building strong teams. You’ll also hear how SHRM is leading the charge on issues like workforce participation, AI readiness, and the broken education-to-employment pipeline. Whether you’re an HR professional, a leader navigating change, or someone in need of motivation, this episode delivers real talk, real strategy, and real heart. Topics Include: Leading with “honey and lemon” Overcoming adversity through action Building teams with cultural alignment SHRM’s “Policy, Not Politics” approach Future-focused solutions for a broken workforce pipeline
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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Where’s the Beef? Cutting Through AI Hype with Matt Burns of Atlas Copilot

    Where’s the Beef? Cutting Through AI Hype with Matt Burns of Atlas Copilot
    Mar 20 2025
    In this episode of *Career Club Live*, host Bob Goodwin sits down with Matt Burns, co-founder of Atlas Copilot, to cut through the noise and get real about AI in HR. While many talk about AI’s potential, Matt and his team have actually built a tool that’s reshaping how HR professionals work—streamlining processes, enhancing employee engagement, and empowering leaders to focus on what matters most: people. Matt shares his journey from HR executive to AI innovator, why context is the missing piece in AI-driven workplaces, and how tools like Atlas Copilot help HR leaders reduce administrivia, improve decision-making, and even impact mental health in the workplace. He also dives into the biggest misconceptions about AI, what HR leaders need to know before AI changes the game, and why AI isn’t taking jobs—it’s making HR a more strategic force in business. Key Takeaways: • AI’s role in shifting HR from transactional to transformational • The surprising ways AI enhances cognitive engagement instead of replacing it • How HR leaders can use AI to become true business partners • What most companies are getting wrong about AI adoption Tune in to hear Matt’s insights, get practical AI strategies, and find out why AI isn’t about replacing people—it’s about freeing them to do their best work.
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    55 mins
  • Leading with Purpose: Betty Larson on HR’s Role in Business Success at Merck

    Leading with Purpose: Betty Larson on HR’s Role in Business Success at Merck
    Mar 7 2025
    In this episode of Career Club Live, host Bob Goodwin sits down with Betty Larson, EVP & CHRO at Merck, to discuss the evolving role of HR as a strategic business driver. Betty shares her career journey, insights on balancing business priorities with people development, and how HR leaders can build credibility by delivering real business impact. She also dives into the power of purpose, agility, and trust in shaping a world-class organizational culture. Tune in for a candid conversation on leadership, talent strategy, and the future of HR — plus some great takeaways for professionals looking to elevate their careers.
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    54 mins