Episodes

  • Totally Rewarding Chats: Ep. 15: Payroll and Rewards

    Totally Rewarding Chats: Ep. 15: Payroll and Rewards
    Dec 18 2025
    In this conversation, Sean Luitjens, Paul Reiman, and Pete Tiliakos delve into the complexities and evolving landscape of payroll and compensation. They discuss the importance of aligning payroll with compensation strategies, the impact of technology and data on payroll processes, and the challenges faced in global payroll management. The conversation highlights the critical role payroll plays in organizational agility and the need for payroll professionals to step into leadership roles. They also touch on the implications of AI in payroll and the necessity for better understanding and collaboration between payroll and compensation teams. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Payroll Insights 03:01 The Evolution of Payroll Practices 06:07 The Intersection of Payroll and Employee Experience 08:52 The Relationship Between Payroll and Compensation 11:58 Data-Driven Payroll Strategies 14:56 Global Payroll Challenges and Solutions 19:28 The Evolution of Payroll Technology 22:11 The Impact of Globalization on Payroll 25:30 The Future of Payroll and Compensation 30:09 The Challenges of Payroll Accuracy 34:09 The Role of Payroll in Organizational Strategy 37:47 Understanding Payroll's Value in Business
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    42 mins
  • Totally Rewarding Chats | Holiday Hang

    Totally Rewarding Chats | Holiday Hang
    Dec 16 2025
    In this holiday-themed conversation, Sean and Paul discuss their personal holiday traditions, favorite festive moments, and the challenges of navigating holiday expectations in the workplace. They engage in a speed round of questions about Thanksgiving and Christmas, share their favorite holiday movies, and reflect on the importance of communication and transparency in compensation practices as they look ahead to 2026. 00:00 Holiday Spirit and Grumpiness 02:06 Speed Round Introduction 03:34 Thanksgiving and Christmas Traditions 10:13 Favorite Holiday Moments and Movies 16:39 Gifts and Expectations for 2026 20:05 Lump of Coal: Challenges Ahead
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    27 mins
  • Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 13: Working to Global Pay Equity

    Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 13: Working to Global Pay Equity
    Dec 11 2025
    In this episode, Sean and Paul sit down with Warren Mueller to unpack the evolving world of market compliance in the professional services sector. Together, they explore the increasingly competitive landscape of talent acquisition, rising client expectations, and the growing pressure to stay ahead of market demands. The conversation also dives into the complexities of pay equity, including the legal challenges organizations may face when they fall behind. 00:00 Introduction and Light Banter 04:35 Warren's Background and Career Journey 12:08 Pay Equity and Transparency Discussion1 9:25 Navigating Pay Equity and Transparency 19:59 The Importance of Pay Explainability 21:21 Global Perspectives on Pay Practices 22:08 Communication Strategies in Compensation 29:40 Key Elements for Successful Compensation Programs 31:15 The Role of Communication in Pay Transparency 34:20 Embracing Change and Finding Grace 37:02 Rethinking Performance and Compensation
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    44 mins
  • Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 12: You're a Legend, What Have You Seen

    Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 12: You're a Legend, What Have You Seen
    Dec 4 2025
    In this episode, Sean and Paul sit down with Mark Szypko to unpack why transparency and communication are the backbone of an effective compensation strategy. Mark breaks down the misconceptions that often hold organizations back and makes a compelling case for openly sharing salary ranges and pay practices to strengthen trust, confidence, and alignment across the workforce. Whether you’re refining your compensation philosophy or navigating growing transparency expectations, this conversation delivers practical insights you can put to work right away. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:35 Mark's Career Journey in Compensation 05:21 Networking and Community Building in Compensation 07:54 Insights on Compensation Practices10:33Personal Insights and Experiences 12:47 The Journey of a Compensation Expert 14:00 Key Elements of a Successful Compensation Program 17:02 The Importance of Communication in Compensation 19:39 The Evolving Role of Compensation Professionals 23:04 The Impact of Technology on Compensation 27:21 Modernizing Compensation Practices
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    33 mins
  • Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 11: Rewards and TA Partnership

    Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 11: Rewards and TA Partnership
    Nov 20 2025
    In this episode, Sean, Paul, and Holly dive into the playful—but surprisingly effective—ways teams influence leadership, from decorating the comp leader’s office to deploying well-timed snack diplomacy. Through humor and a bit of “friendly bribery,” they reveal how unconventional tactics can spark alignment, strengthen relationships, and get everyone working toward the same goals. The message: leadership influence often thrives on creativity, connection, and a well-timed laugh. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 07:27 The Importance of Data in Talent Acquisition 19:06 Building Trust and Relationships in HR 22:09 Challenges in the Partnership Between TA and Rewards 23:49 Understanding Job Architecture and Compensation 26:31 The Importance of Collaboration in HR 29:10 Navigating Leadership Dynamics 32:09 The Role of Technology in HR 34:57 Empowering Decision-Making through Technology 39:37 The Impact of Pay Transparency 42:49 The Need for Integrated HR Partnerships
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    51 mins
  • Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 10: Building a Successful Comp Program in a Sales Driven Org

    Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 10: Building a Successful Comp Program in a Sales Driven Org
    Nov 13 2025
    In this episode, Sean Luitjens, KC Weinraub, and Paul Reiman dive into the intricate world of sales compensation — where every decision creates a ripple effect. Together, they unpack why even the best-intentioned changes can lead to unexpected challenges and explore the real-world hurdles consultants face when guiding organizations through change. Through candid insights and practical examples, they reveal why understanding the “why” behind past decisions is essential to building smarter, more sustainable strategies for the future. 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:00 Sales Compensation Challenges 06:00 Building Trust and Collaboration 09:00 Role of Technology in Sales 12:00 Personal Anecdotes and Insights 15:00 Consistency and Business Strategy 18:00 Experimentation and Piloting
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    40 mins
  • Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 9: Alternative Data Sources Pros and Cons

    Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 9: Alternative Data Sources Pros and Cons
    Nov 6 2025
    In this episode, Sean and Paul chat with Cary Sparrow, CEO of Wagescape. They discuss the evolution of labor market data, the importance of transparency in pay, and the integration of various data sources for better insights in HR and recruiting. Cary emphasizes the need for HR to treat talent as a strategic asset and the role of AI in shaping future data analysis. The discussion also touches on the challenges of integrating advertised pay data with traditional survey data and the importance of accountability in HR practices. 00:00 Introduction and Background of Cary Sparrow 08:22 Understanding Labor Market Data 20:39 Evolution of Data Sources and Their Impact 28:43 Integrating Data for Better Insights 38:47 The Role of AI in Data Analysis 46:57 HR as a Strategic Asset
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    53 mins
  • Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 8: The World of Global Mobility

    Totally Rewarding Chats | Ep. 8: The World of Global Mobility
    Oct 30 2025
    In this conversation, Sean Luitjens, Paul Reiman, and Morgan Crosby unpack the evolving world of global mobility — from compensation structures and cost-of-living adjustments to the growing role of technology and strategic communication. They highlight why cross-team collaboration between compensation and mobility leaders is essential to build fair, flexible, and future-ready relocation programs. 00:00 Introduction to Global Mobility and Personal Connections 07:29 Understanding Mobility Programs and Their Structures 17:56 Designing Successful Mobility Programs 20:27 The Personalization of Mobility Packages 20:57 Understanding Cultural Context in Global Mobility 23:58 Duty of Care in Employee Relocation 27:45 Evolving Relocation Packages and Flexibility 33:19 Cost of Living Adjustments and Communication Strategies 38:10 Key Considerations in Global Mobility 42:01 The Future of HR Technology
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    42 mins