Episodes

  • AI and Cultural Values: A Unique Blend
    Dec 23 2025

    AI and Cultural Values: A Unique Blend

    Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

    Guest: Kamwin Story, Senior Manager, System Support at Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

    Summary

    In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed speak with Kamwin Story from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The conversation explores the transformative impact of AI on business operations, highlighting the integration of AI tools like Grow and Dynamic Skills into existing systems. They also discuss the importance of seamless functionality and collaboration with Oracle's innovation team to enhance efficiency in the workplace.

    Chapters

    • Introduction to Oracle AI World and Event Overview
    • Choctaw Nation's Unique Governance
    • Collaboration with Oracle
    • AI Integration and Benefits
    • Cultural Values and Vendor Relationships
    • Reflections and Future Prospects

    Learn about Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications HERE

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

    The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

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    18 mins
  • Human-Centered Development in a Data-Driven World
    Dec 17 2025

    Human-Centered Development in a Data-Driven World

    Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

    Guest: Matthew Daniel, Senior Principal, Talent Strategy at Guild

    Summary

    In this episode of the At Work in America show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed speak with Matthew Daniel from Guild to discuss the evolving landscape of learning and development in the workplace. They explore the importance of integrated talent strategies, the reimagining of tuition reimbursement into tuition assistance, and the value of degrees in today's job market. The conversation looks into skill acquisition, the role of AI in talent development, and the need for supportive learning environments to enhance employee retention and satisfaction. They also cover the importance of collaboration among HR leaders to tackle workforce challenges and improve talent pipelines.

    Chapters

    00:55 Exploring Learning and Development

    03:47 The Importance of Integrated Talent Strategies

    08:05 Reimagining Tuition Reimbursement

    15:42 Aligning Skills with Job Opportunities

    19:51 Managing Talent Development Effectively

    25:35 Leveraging AI in Talent Development

    29:02 Understanding Breaking Points in Learning

    34:37 Innovative Approaches to Workforce Development

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

    The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

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    43 mins
  • 2025 Year in Review
    Dec 15 2025

    2025 Year in Review

    Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

    Guest: Carleigh McFarlane

    Summary

    In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer reflect on the significant events of 2025, covering top news stories, political highlights, sports achievements, and the most streamed music and movies. They discuss the impact of AI technology on daily life and business, and share their favorite moments from the year. The conversation emphasizes community engagement and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges of the upcoming year. Listen in!

    Chapters

    0:00 Introduction

    01:53 Top News Stories of 2025

    06:14 Political Highlights and Elections

    07:20 Major Sports Trades and Events

    08:15 Most Streamed Songs and Albums

    15:25 Top Artists and Their Impact

    23:31 Personal Favorites and Closing Thoughts

    38:19 Top Businesses of 2025

    48:23 Reflections and Future Aspirations

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!


    The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

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    49 mins
  • Who’s Really Moving the Needle? How Recognition Data Reveals Hidden Talent
    Dec 9 2025

    Who’s Really Moving the Needle? How Recognition Data Reveals Hidden Talent

    Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

    Guest: Kevin Heinzelman, SVP of Product Management at Workhuman

    Summary

    In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed engage with Kevin Heinzelman from Workhuman to discuss the significance of recognition in the workplace. They explore how recognition data can unlock insights about company culture, employee engagement, and business outcomes. Kevin shares his journey at Workhuman, the role of AI in enhancing recognition programs, and how organizations can align their recognition efforts with their core values. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work environment and the transformative power of recognition data.

    Takeaways

    • Recognition data provides authentic insights into employee interactions.
    • AI enhances the understanding of recognition data.
    • Visualizing recognition data helps identify key contributors in organizations.
    • Recognition can drive significant business outcomes like retention.
    • Understanding recognition data can help align company values with actions.


    Learn More Here: How Work Gets Done (Now) and Workhuman Human Intelligence

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

    The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

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    43 mins
  • Translating Employee Data into Impact
    Dec 5 2025

    Translating Employee Data into Impact

    Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

    Guest: Kinsey Li, HR and People Analytics Leader

    Summary

    In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen interviews Kinsey Li, an HR and People Analytics leader. They discuss the evolution of people analytics from basic HR reporting to a strategic business tool, the impact of AI, and the importance of data transparency and ethical practices. Kinsey shares insights from her book, "People Analytics Explained," and emphasizes the need for a strong data foundation in organizations.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to People Analytics

    01:30 The Impact of AI

    03:45 Building a Strong Data Foundation

    06:15 Transparency and Ethics in Data

    08:30 Optimizing People Investment

    10:45 The Future of People Analytics

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!


    Welcome to HR Means Business, a part of the HR Happy Hour Network, sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

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    29 mins
  • Real-time Recognition with AI: A Game-changer for Organizations
    Nov 25 2025

    Real-time Recognition with AI: A Game-changer for Organizations

    Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

    Guest: Naomi Dishington, Consulting Director at Workhuman

    Summary

    In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed re joined by Naomi Dishington from Workhuman to discuss the transformative power of recognition data in organizations. They explore how AI and recognition platforms can unlock insights into employee performance, culture, and engagement, offering a more holistic view of employee contributions. The conversation highlights the importance of real-time recognition and its impact on organizational culture and decision-making.

    Takeaways

    • The Role of Recognition Data
    • AI and Recognition Platforms
    • Impact on Organizational Culture
    • Real-Time Recognition Benefits
    • The Future of Recognition with AI

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

    The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who’s actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here’s the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

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    35 mins
  • Responsible AI: Navigating the Hype and Reality
    Nov 21 2025

    Responsible AI: Navigating the Hype and Reality

    Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

    Guest: Martyn Redstone, AI Governance & Readiness Advisor

    Summary

    In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen talks with AI governance expert Martyn Redstone to explore the responsible use of AI in HR. They discuss the current landscape of AI adoption, common misconceptions among HR leaders, and the essential non-negotiables for implementing AI ethically. The conversation also covers the importance of vendor relationships, the risks of bias in AI, and the need for AI literacy within organizations. The discussion emphasizes the significance of augmented judgment in decision-making and outlines strategic priorities for HR leaders as they prepare for the future of work with AI.

    Chapters

    00:00 Understanding AI in HR

    03:26 AI Capability vs Competence

    06:37 Non-negotiables for Responsible AI Implementation

    08:07 Vendor Relationships and Questions to Ask

    11:17 Bias in AI

    14:13 Building Internal Support for AI Initiatives

    17:12 AI Literacy Across an Organization

    21:35 Enhancing Human Decision-Making

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

    The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who’s actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here’s the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

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    30 mins
  • Harnessing AI for Enhanced Productivity
    Nov 18 2025

    Harnessing AI for Enhanced Productivity

    Host: Steve Boese

    Guest: Emma Crockett, Head of People Insights, Atlassian

    Welcome back to the System of Record!

    In this conversation, Steve Boese engages in a dynamic conversation with Emma Crockett, Head of People Insights at Atlassian. They explore the transformative role of AI in enterprise technology, focusing on Atlassian's innovative approaches to collaboration and HR processes. Emma shares insights into Atlassian's journey to becoming a fully distributed company and the impact of AI on productivity and employee experience.

    Key highlights:

    • Atlassian's Distributed Workforce Journey
    • AI's Role in HR Transformation
    • Collaboration Tools and Team Success
    • AI-Powered Onboarding and Employee Experience
    • Future of Work with AI

    Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!


    The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who's actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here's the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

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    37 mins