Episodes

  • Navigating the Future of Employee Relations

    Navigating the Future of Employee Relations
    May 16 2025
    In this episode of DriveThruHR, Michael VanDervort and Robin Schooling engage with Rebecca Trotsky, Chief People Officer at HR Acuity, discussing the evolution of employee relations, the importance of talent development, and the role of technology in HR. They explore the significance of communities like empowER in improving HR practices, the necessity of continuous learning, how HR tech has changed employee relations, and the adaptability of HR professionals across various industries. The conversation ends with a fun speed round of HR-related questions, emphasizing the human aspect of HR and the employee experience. Takeaways Employee relations have evolved into a proactive partner in the employee experience. Developing talent requires more than just sending employees to training classes. Experience is the best teacher in talent development. Standardizing employee relations metrics is essential for measuring success. The Empower community provides a supportive network for HR professionals. Continuous learning is crucial for HR practitioners to stay effective. HR skills are transferable across different industries. Building relationships is key to effective leadership in HR. Daily interactions with management shape the employee experience. Community engagement helps alleviate the loneliness often felt in HR roles. Sound Bites "Experience itself is the teacher." "You learn by doing in HR." "We all need ongoing training to stay fresh."
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    28 mins
  • Real HR: Insights From Robin Schooling

    Real HR: Insights From Robin Schooling
    May 10 2025
    In this episode of DriveThruHR, Michael turns the mic on his longtime co-host, Robin Schooling, about her brand-new book, Real HR: What It Is, What It Can Be, and How to Get There. What unfolds is part interview, part therapy session, and part HR real-talk manifesto. Robin shares the behind-the-scenes journey of writing a book that doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of the HR trenches. From the lonely moments to the WTF ones, Real HR is about cutting through the corporate noise and saying the quiet parts out loud. Michael and Robin talk about why empathy matters (like, actually matters), how storytelling makes us better HR humans, and why HR pros must stop waiting for permission to lead with their values. Oh, and they also talk about burnout. (Because, duh, it’s HR.) TL;DL (Too Long; Didn’t Listen) Takeaways: Real HR is messy, human, and long overdue. Writing a book is like doing HR: it’s hard, personal, and not for the faint of heart. Storytelling isn’t fluff—it’s how people learn and connect. Tech is a tool, not a substitute for empathy. Burnout is rampant; community and reflection are survival gear. Robin’s not done writing. Stay tuned. Grab your coffee, your sense of humor, and maybe a stress ball—this one’s for anyone who’s ever been “voluntold” to fix the unfixable
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    35 mins
  • Labor Relatedly on DTHR: The First 100 Days—WTF Just Happened?

    Labor Relatedly on DTHR: The First 100 Days—WTF Just Happened?
    May 4 2025
    Labor Relatedly: The First 100 Days—What Just Happened? Jon Hyman and Michael VanDervort are back with another episode of Labor Relatedly, and this time, they’re tackling the whirlwind of labor and employment changes in the first 100 days of the Trump administration. DEI? Shifting priorities. EEOC? New leadership, new direction. NLRB? Buckle up. Jon and Michael break down what’s happening, what’s coming next, and what it all means for employers trying to keep up. No fluff, no sugarcoating—just straight talk on the evolving world of labor policy.
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    29 mins
  • The Leader Shift Playbook: Transforming Leadership with Phil Wilson

    The Leader Shift Playbook: Transforming Leadership with Phil Wilson
    Mar 14 2025
    Phil Wilson joins Robin for a conversation on leadership, culture, and what it really takes to create high-performing teams. We’re talking about The Leader Shift Playbook, the hard lessons he learned running LRI Consulting, and why the right mindset shifts can make or break a workplace. Connect with Phil on LinkedIn or check out The Leader Shift Playbook at yourleadershift.com.
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    25 mins
  • Sr. Leaders Reimagined: A New Era with Mark Fogel

    Sr. Leaders Reimagined: A New Era with Mark Fogel
    Mar 10 2025
    In this episode of Drive Thru HR, hosts Robin Schooling and Michael VanDervort welcome Mark Fogel, who describes himself as the last HR Jedi. We explore the challenges and opportunities for late career professionals in HR and discuss the importance of continuous learning, networking, and adapting to the changing workplace landscape. Mark shares insights on how to navigate ageism, the gig economy, and the need for agility in organizations as he encourages listeners to define their value proposition and leverage their networks to find new opportunities. Mark is a Director and national practice consultant for Clifton Larson Allen’s Talent Management consulting practice and a former CHRO for Leviton, Marcum, and Success Academy Charter Schools. He is a Senior Adjunct Professor of distinction at Adelphi University’s Business School leading HR classes for MBA and Undergrad students in Staffing, Selection, Compensation and Global disciplines. You can catch Mark leading a session at SHRM Talent (Nashville, March 24 – 26, 2025) or connect with him on LinkedIn.
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    27 mins
  • Host Show: Celebrating our 15th Anniversary!

    Host Show: Celebrating our 15th Anniversary!
    Feb 1 2025
    Today, February 1st, marks the anniversary of our very first show with an air date of February 1, 2010 and we take a few moments to mark the occasion. Michael and Robin also discuss the first 12 days of the Trump Administration (part deaux) including the assault on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion as well as the massive changes afoot at the NLRB and the EEOC - and we're not even in week 2 yet! So what's in store for HR over the next several months....and the next 4 years? They also chat about the need to move from DTHR's original home/platform (after 1,165 episodes and close to 1 million downloads on that platform alone) and look ahead to season 16 here at the Drive Thru!
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    29 mins
  • Drive Thru HR : A New Home

    Drive Thru HR : A New Home
    Jan 22 2025
    On February 1, 2025, Drive Thru HR will be celebrating the anniversary of our very first show - aptly titled "Everything HR." (It's also quite likely that not a single soul would have predicted we would still be here 15 years later) After 1,665 episodes and well over a million listens/downloads (across all platforms), we have migrated from Blog Talk Radio to our new home base.
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    6 mins