Today we’re thrilled to welcome Joyce Schaefer to the podcast—someone who has truly lived out the evolving identity of HR professionals and the strategic power they can bring to the table. In this conversation, we dive into how HR leaders can move beyond traditional administrative roles and step confidently into positions of influence and impact. Joyce makes a strong case for seeing HR professionals as business leaders first, HR leaders second, reflecting a broader shift toward deeper integration within the business.

Together, we unpack the importance of clarity and communication, what it really means to have a seat at the table, and the often-overlooked role of HR as a coach and leadership developer. Joyce also shares how HR can act as a stabilizing, strategic force in talent management—and how vital that becomes in moments of change or crisis. It’s a candid, insightful, and energizing conversation about what HR leadership looks like at its best—and what it means for the future of work.

Rich Arendel of Visa with guest host Joe Kay: Dubbed, the “Pod-Father” and carrying the title of “Chief Evangelist” when Currency Cloud which was acquired by Visa in 2021. Rich tells his incredible story of carved out a unique role as an internal champion of organisational health. Working with cross functional go to market “pods” to help drive clarity and cohesion and ensure the most strategic decisions were executed well across all levels of the organization. Learn how to unlock capabilities and a line effort through his unique story – and the meaning of “meeting silence or corridor violence”.

In this episode, James and Keith go deep on the Case for Vulnerability. Having seen firsthand the transformative power of vulnerability, they share why teams that can be unguarded with one another consistently outperform those that cannot. Vulnerability accelerates the identification of issues, clears the path to more effective problem-solving, and unlocks access to a wider range of ideas. More than that, it gives people the freedom to be fully human within a team—fostering trust, authenticity, and stronger connections. Join them as they explore how embracing vulnerability isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage.