HR on the Frontline
How healthy is your company culture? Are you facing issues related to disengagement, retention, performance, or anything else?HR on the Frontline is a bi-weekly show where Guusto speaks with HR experts about some of the biggest challenges that people leaders face in frontline workforces. Through candid, honest conversations, we try to get to the heart of what causes cultural problems at companies today, and what you can do to fix them. New episodes every 2 weeks.
Platitudes are not gratitudes w/ Hayley Shelton (Mockingbird Consulting)
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Gratitude was never meant to be a checklist item.
Especially in hiring.
Candidates feel pressured to send the “perfect” thank-you note… and some managers treat it like a secret pass/fail test.
But here’s the truth: a scripted thank-you email isn’t the same as genuine appreciation — and confusing the two is hurting both candidates and companies.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful cha...
The overlooked side of DEI w/ Rachel Shaw (Rachel Shaw Inc)
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DEI is talked about constantly, but there’s a whole side of it that doesn’t get the attention it deserves.
Disability inclusion and caregiver support aren’t “nice-to-haves.” They’re a big part of the workforce and ignoring them means we’re leaving out the people who need equity and belonging the most.
Our guest today has spent her career helping organizations get this right, with practical, empathy driven strategies that support employees and protect the business.
HR on the Frontline<...
2025: A Year in Review
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As we head into 2026, we wanted to pause, not to predict what’s next, and not to replay the same trends you’ve already heard a dozen times, but to be honest about what last year actually looked like for HR and ops leaders.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at mark...
Bridging the digital divide for frontline workers w/ Victoria Dew (Dewpoint Communications)
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Frontline workers are used to feeling disconnected.
While corporate teams adapt to hybrid work, digital tools, and AI, many frontline employees are still operating in an entirely different reality, one where communication gaps, lack of access, and missed touchpoints are daily hurdles.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at ...
Stop Ignoring the Human Side of Workforce Transformation w/ Amy Bouque (Kelly)
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Workforce transformations are messy… and HR is the first to feel the heat.
Our guest today has been in the trenches, leading change at major organizations.
She’s here to share what it really takes to manage the human side of transformation with empathy, how to keep employees engaged, and how to help leaders make changes stick — all without burning out their teams.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace...
How a People-First Philosophy Shapes Teams and Products w/ Dean Mathews (OnTheClock)
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Most companies talk about values. Few actually live them.
Dean Mathews built OnTheClock into a 4.9-star workplace and a product used by thousands — without sacrificing his values or his team’s engagement.
Today, he’s sharing the surprising choices, hard lessons, and behind-the-scenes strategies that make a company and product truly work together.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you...
You can't culture your way out of bad values w/ Chloe Waind (NewLeaf)
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Culture won’t save you if your workplace is shaped by fear, control, or mixed messages.
Chloe Waind joins us to unpack how misaligned values quietly shape performance and what it takes to build a workplace people actually want to be part of.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at
What It Really Means to Be a Strategic People Leader in HR w/ Andrew Bartlow (People Leader Accelerator)
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HR needs to be more strategic— but no one tells you what that actually means.
Our guest today will. With 30 years in the seat, he’s here to break it down.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
The Case for Company-Led Wellness w/ Madison Bohannon (Chatbooks)
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We love a good wellness initiative, but if your company culture is the problem, no amount of breathwork will fix it.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
Facilitating Tech Change in HR: Building Buy-In and Champions w/ Sarah Katherine Schmidt
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Tech transformation isn’t just about the tools—it’s about the people who use them.
Today we’re joined by Sarah Katherine Schmidt, People Operations Leader and AI-for-HR Thought Leader, to explore how HR can lead meaningful, lasting tech change. We’ll dig into people-first strategies, how to build real buy-in, and ways to empower champions across your organization.
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Pitching a new program to your executive team can be daunting, but it doesn’t have to be!
With the right tools, you can...
Making Parental Leave a Competitive Advantage w/Lydia Bowser (Wave HQ)
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Today’s working parents don’t want to have to compromise their career progress for the sake of their families – or vice versa.
That’s why a good parental leave policy can actually be a competitive advantage when it comes to attracting and retaining staff.
But what goes into getting parental leave right? How do you ensure that working parents are given the support they need, both before and after their new arrivals? And how do you ensure that they get the same opportunities to grow and advance as others in...
A Manager's Role in Supporting Employee Mental Health w/ Alexandra Petrisano (Canadian Mental Health Association)
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Mental health matters—at work and beyond. As a manager, you’re often the first to notice when an employee is struggling, and you’re in a unique position to make a real difference. But how can you offer support in a way that feels genuine and effective?
Join Alexandra Petrisano from the Canadian Mental Health Association for a conversation about what it really means to support employee mental health. We’ll talk about the everyday challenges managers face, how to navigate tough conversations, and practical ways to create a suppor...
Engagement Without Wellness is a Lie: Why Your Efforts Aren’t Working w/ Alex Seiler (Alex Seiler LLC)
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Engagement efforts fail if your wellness policy is lacking— or missing all together.
Let’s find out how to make it right!
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
Rentention in Healthcare w/ Kevin Kirkpatrick (Avery Professional Group)
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On the other side of a global pandemic, if there’s one thing we learned, it’s just how vital the work of dedicated employees in the healthcare industry really is.
But the sector is facing a labour shortage crisis in the next decade, and organizations in every part of the industry are finding it increasingly difficult to attract and retain both clinical and non-clinical staff.
So how can HR leaders in healthcare help to turn the tide?
HR on the Frontline <...
Motivation Reimagined: Building a Workforce That Fits w/ Elles Skony (Organized Chaos Consulting)
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Motivation goes beyond paychecks and perks—it's about creating a workforce that fits people’s lives.
Today, we’re diving into the power of custom-fit workforces, exploring why blending full-time, part-time, fractional, and flex roles can unlock the true potential of your team.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at mar...
Protecting Managers and HR: The Secret to Sustainable Employee Wellbeing w/ Stacey Nordwall (Pyn)
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Employee wellbeing is essential, but so is protecting managers and HR.
Today, we look at how to support wellbeing while ensuring clear boundaries for those leading the way.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
Employee Appreciation Day and Beyond: Boost Retention and Morale with Big Occasions
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Is Employee Appreciation Day a standout event at your company, or does it pass by unnoticed?
Do your employees eagerly anticipate it, or is it just another day on the calendar? Beyond this single day, how else does your company celebrate and recognize its team throughout the year?
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach ou...
Teaching Managers the Power of Appreciation to Boost Engagement w/ Laura Goodridge (Laura Lille Coaching)
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Appreciation is more than just a “thank you”—it’s about recognizing what truly drives your team.
With Employee Appreciation Day coming up, we’re going to find out how managers can boost engagement and performance by mastering the art of recognition— especially for frontline teams.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anyt...
Creating a Culture of Feedback w/ Michelle Strasburger (HR Rebooted)
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Feedback isn’t just a corporate buzzword—it’s the backbone of thriving teams.
Today, we’re learning how to build a culture of feedback that aligns leadership, empowers employees, and scales across even the most complex workforces.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
Improving the Candidate Experience w/ Rachel Cupples
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Is the candidate experience broken?
Today, we’re digging into why it fails so often and what needs to change to truly respect and engage the people behind the applications.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
Employee Experience in the Frontline w/ Tracie Sponenberg (Tracie Sponenberg LLC)
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Frontline employees deserve more than just a pat on the back.
Today, we’re exploring how real manager support, recognition programs, and targeted resources can transform the day-to-day experience for the people who keep everything moving.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com<...
Reinventing Job Advertising for Frontline and Essential Workers w/ Thad Price (Talroo)
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Job ads for frontline workers are outdated and ineffective.
Today, we’re learning how to reinvent them to better connect, engage, and attract the talent that keeps everything running.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
The Role Recognition Plays in Employee Retention (Power to Fly)
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Recognition is more than just a "thank you"—it’s a proven strategy to boost retention and foster loyalty.
PowerToFly's Head of Growth, Sienna J. Brown, and Guusto's Kwesi Thomas for an interactive virtual event on how recognition can transform your workplace and increase employee retention. Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, this conversation is for you!
This episode is a previously live webinar that we have remastered for the podcast.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conve...
Have We Been Doing Frontline Recognition Wrong? w/ Morgan Williams (Peak HR)
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Are we missing the mark with frontline employee recognition?
Pizza lunches won’t cut it for those who make or break customer relationships.
Let’s explore the clear gap between corporate and frontline recognition, and why giving these workers a real voice as well as credit for their impact is essential.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us...
Adapting To Change: Strategies For Driving Employee Engagement During Times Of Uncertainty w/ Hone and Gable
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In today’s fast-changing world, keeping employees engaged and motivated can feel like an uphill battle. With companies experiencing everything from a volatile economy, budget changes, and layoffs to the rise of remote/hybrid work, navigating the era of AI, and more — change has been the only constant. And as an HR or L&D leader, you know how important it is to keep your team focused and driven, especially when everything around them is shifting.
This podcast episode was originally a webinar, hosted by Hone and featuring Gable.
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Demystifying 'Strategy' as an HR leader w/ Fay Wallis (Bright Sky Career Coaching)
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‘Strategy’ can be a broad and unspecific term.
And when it comes to HR ‘strategy’, it should mean more than surveys and benefits.
But what does great HR strategy look like?
Links mentioned:
https://www.beekeeper.io/white-paper/2024-frontline-survey/
https://brightskycareercoaching.ck.page/9eff79414a
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore...
The Art of Managing Upwards w/ Laura Lillie (Laura Lillie Coaching)
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Middle managers often spend as much time managing those above them as below.
Whether it’s managing expectations, negotiating for resources, or advocating for staff on the ground, it can be a constant balancing act that requires compromise, diplomacy, and a thick skin. So how can you as a People Leader support them?
This podcast first appeared as a live webinar.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change...
DEIB and It's Role in Employee Engagement w/ Alysha M. Campbell (CultureShift HR)
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DEIB initiatives are vital for fostering engagement.
But what makes them truly effective in creating inclusive cultures?
About HR on the Frontlines
How healthy is your company culture? Are you facing issues related to disengagement, retention, performance, or anything else?
HR on the Frontline is a bi-weekly show where Guusto speaks with HR experts about some of the biggest challenges that people leaders face in frontline workforces.
Through candid, honest conversations, we try to get to the heart of what c...
Lack of DEI at Leadership Levels w/Bria Lucas (Normative)
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Is Diversity Equity & Inclusion at your company more than just a checkbox?
We explore why diversity in leadership matters and how to achieve it.
Today we talk with Bria Lucas about how she approaches diversity as the sole HR person at Normative
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out any...
NOW of work w/ Guusto Co-Founders Skai and Joe
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Guusto Co-founders Skai and Joe, recently appeared on the NOW of work podcast, powered by Mercer.
It made for a great conversation and so we thought we would share it with you here.
"Please join us in welcoming Skai Dalziel and Joe Facciolo, Co-Founders and Co-CEOs of Guusto! Today's discussion will delve into Guusto's history of building a culture of recognition from the head office to the frontlines.
Old pals, Skai Dalziel and Joe Facciolo, go all the way back to 1988 when they grew up together in a...
Building Trust in Leadership w/ Tiff Jung (Alzheimer Society of B.C.)
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When you break down what goes into a successful leadership team, trust is a foundational piece to the puzzle.
It may seem obvious, but we want to explore why this is and furthermore, how we build trust?
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
Creating True Organizational Alignment w/ Chloe Waind (NewLeaf Performance)
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Is everyone at your company pulling in the right direction?
Does everyone work towards the same goals, or do some pursue their own agendas?
Are your core values just fancy words on the boardroom wall, or are they principles employees put into action every day?
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the sh...
Change, Embracing and Getting Ahead Of It w/ LaToya Lynn (Vidmob)
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As the saying goes, adapt or die. But there’s a bit more to it than that, right?
In today’s episode we learn about embracing change and getting ahead of it as an HR or People leader.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketi...
Safe Sounding Boards For Managers w/ Jennifer Paxton (Roofr)
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When your managers are struggling, who can they turn to?
If it's not you, should it be?
As an HR leader, equipping your managers with the tools they need to success is one of the most important things you can do.
Part of that is acting as a sounding board they can use to speak openly and honestly about the troubles they are facing.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s work...
Pitfalls to avoid when buying HR tech w/ Alison Hunter (SelectSoftware Reviews)
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Your HR tech stack can either be your best friend or your worst enemy.
Modern HR professionals make use of various software solutions for everything from managing benefits, to learning and development, to increasing engagement. But how do you make sure you have the optimal solutions for your company? How do you avoid choosing vendors that don’t fit your needs, don’t deliver quality service, or just don’t give you the best deal for your budget?
HR on the Frontline delivers real co...
A Holistic Approach to Health and Wellness at Work w/ Sheila Krueger (formerly Zoom)
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Health and wellness is at the forefront of many HR teams benefits plans these days, but are benefits enough in high-pressure workplaces?
Health and wellness is a big priority for HR teams these days, but are benefits enough in high-pressure workplaces?
If your work environment doesn’t give employees the space to take care of themselves, all the HSAs in the world won’t make a difference.
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR lead...
Executive EQ: Emotional Intelligence in Leadership w/ Elizabeth Powers (Pitch Labs)
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How emotionally intelligent are your leaders?
Do they treat their team members with empathy and care,
or do they lose sight of the person behind the employee?
And could a lack of EQ in your executives actually be hurting their bottom line?
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Re...
Leveraging the Power of Your Personal Brand, Network and Mentors w/ Dr Patti Ippoliti (Columbia University)
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Building a personal brand and professional network is becoming increasingly important in almost every career these days, and HR is no exception.
But where do you start?
How do you create a presence and grow your reputation in an overcrowded field?
And how do you build a professional network that includes the right people?
What is the role of mentors in your career? And how do you find them?
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations an...
Communicating Benefits with The Frontline w/ Leslie Carver (Carver Connections)
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HR and Total Rewards in frontline companies often don’t have much connection with frontline staff.
So how do we create benefits that these employees will really value?
And how do we communicate the value of those benefits to their frontline staff?
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anyt...
Learning Equity for Frontline Workers w/ Heather Gilmartin (RedThread)
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Are frontline companies doing enough to help their employees grow and develop?
And is everyone getting the same opportunities?
How can frontline organizations make their learning and development strategies more equitable?
HR on the Frontline delivers real conversations and practical takeaways to help HR leaders navigate today’s workplace challenges and lead meaningful change.
Have a topic you want us to explore on the show? Reach out anytime at marketing@guusto.com
