Up Next @ Work

In this "high velocity" edition of Up Next @ WorkTech, Kate Achille from The Devon Group and George LaRocque of WorkTech break down the critical intersection of legal friction, evolving corporate staffing strategies, multi-million-dollar government tech overhauls, and the sweeping shifts rewriting the rules of HR management.

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Welcome to another packed episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, the crossover podcast featuring George LaRocque and Kate Achille.

In this edition, George and Kate break down the rapidly shifting intersections of AI and the technological developments redefining the modern workplace.

The Gen Z Dilemma: The hosts dissect a recent viral commencement speech where graduates booed a corporate narrative praising AI and billionaires.

Forced Tech Adaptations: AI is reshaping academia. Princeton University has phased out its 133-year-old unproctored honor code to combat AI cheating, while a massive Instructure Canvas outage recently derailed finals week...

Kate Achille and George LaRocque are back after taking time off for travel and industry events, ready to dissect the complex, often contradictory state of the modern workplace. This latest episode of Up Next @ Work Tech dives into April's "layoff season," considering the different strategies companies are taking; the rise of token maxing and AI leaderboards; the potential impact of recent changes at DOL; and an exclusive breakdown of the Q1 WorkTech funding and M&A report.

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In the latest episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, Katie Achille and George LaRocque navigate another packed week of industry turbulence, from Workday's ongoing age-discrimination lawsuit to Senator Hassan's public rebuke of data-broker practices reaching HR Tech. Episode highlights include:

In the latest episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, Katie Achille and George LaRocque dive into the latest updates impacting the world of work, from companies like Accenture tying promotions to AI usage and Burger King's voice agent Patty tracking upsells and friendliness scores to the security risks of OpenClaw and the soon-to-be omnipresence of the AI native everything.

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Katie Achille and George LaRocque are back with a fast-moving breakdown of the changes over at Workday, the hype and hazards of vibe coding as it relates to the software market at large, findings from the latest Corporate Equality Index, and more.

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In this crossover episode, Katie Achille sits down with Pete A. Tiliakos and Julie Fernandez, hosts of the popular podcast, HR & Payroll 2.0, to discuss where public relations stands in 2026 in the HR tech space. During their rapid-fire conversation, Katie, Pete, and Julie cover everything from the value of the industry analysts to the ongoing emergence of AEO and GEO.

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2026 kicks off with a jolt as Katie Achille and George LaRocque unpack a wave of developments reshaping HR tech. They dive into the new class action lawsuit against Eightfold, exploring what it signals to the market, around AI transparency, vendor accountability, and compliance.

The conversation widens to worker power, including Microsoft's landmark agreement with Australian labor unions, and the heated rhetoric coming out of Davos about AI's impact on jobs. Katie and George also consider Apple and Google's latest partnership and the first acquisitions of the year.

As we start the New Year, Jeanne Achille welcomes guest Robert Mattson of Intrigue Communications and Coaching to Up Next @ Work. Mattson helps us understand the importance of storytelling on a corporate level, leaning into the tried-and-true three-act structure: the introduction, the conflict, and persuasive conclusion. He discusses the curse of knowledge and why storytelling from the inside out doesn’t produce optimal results.

Robert also gives us some gems from his workshops that can help all of us create the emotional connections with our target audiences through better storytelling. Bonus feature: We discuss favorite movies – the ulti...

In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne Achille speaks with Tracee Bowles, CPP, SHRM-SCP, Global Payroll & Workforce Management Advisory Practice Leader at The Hackett Group (R). Tracee’s expertise in payroll is unprecedented – whether discussing geo-fencing, mobile-based workforces, job costing in the construction industry or certified payrolls – she understands what’s complicating the inherent complexities of payroll and how to sort through them. Her career started as a practitioner, leading a team of 30 HR, payroll admin and ops, UE, IT, recordkeeping and reception professionals across 10 locations. With that strong foundation in place, she took her knowledge of how to stream...

In episode five of Up Next @ Work Tech, Katie Achille and George LaRocque talk through the turbulence defining today's labor market. From conflicting signals and the rise of AI-driven HR roles to the urgent need for thoughtful regulation, Katie and George consider how to navigate this liminal moment.

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In this installment, Katie Achille and George LaRocque dissect the paradox of HR Tech funding, Workday’s Pipedream acquisition, payroll automation failures, workplace safety concerns, and The Economist’s claim that HR has “taken over the world.”

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In this episode, George LaRocque and Katie Achille dig into another whirlwind week in HR and Work Tech, from massive valuations and new funds to geographic exits and the morass of missing data.

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Katie Achille and George LaRocque are back with another episode of Up Next @ WorkTech, and this time, they're talking about everything from the latest M&A wave to hit HR Tech to Microsoft's introduction of "Mico," the so-called Clippy of the modern era.

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In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne Achille talks to Phillip B. Wilson, labor lawyer turned leadership consultant and CEO of LRI Consulting Services. While there’s no shortage of leadership advice out there, it’s rare to find a proven framework that sticks. Drawing from his Amazon No. 1 bestseller, The Leader-Shift Playbook, Phil shares what he believes drives meaningful change in the workplace: approachable leadership. Phil also opens up about his own professional journey, including what’s worked, what failed, and how listeners can learn from it.

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In this must-listen episode, host Jeanne Achille sits down with Beth White, the dynamic founder of MeBeBot, to explore how AI is transforming the employee experience—and why HR professionals must take the lead in this shift. Beth shares her fascinating journey from decades in HR to leading enterprise retail tech sales, where she learned firsthand how consumer experience principles can and should be applied to the workplace.

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In the first episode of "Up Next @ WorkTech," George LaRocque and Katie Achille look at AI in recruiting, HR Tech lawsuits, resume optimization, applicant tracking systems (ATS), workforce planning, HR compliance, and future of work trends.

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In this episode of Up Next @ Work, Jeanne talks with Ranya Nehmeh, a senior HR strategist based in Vienna, about her latest book titled “In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work.” Co-authored with Peter Cappelli of the Wharton School, the book delivers a balanced, research-based approach to navigating the complex landscape of remote and hybrid work. Jeanne and Ranya explore when in-office works best, when fully remote is viable, and what’s required to make hybrid work.

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Recent research from Gallup puts U.S. employee engagement at only 31 percent. That means for every one of your three employees sitting around the conference room table, two of the three might be looking for a new job or doing the minimal amount of work to get by. There’s a direct correlation between engagement and culture, and Jenni Catron, author of “Culture Matters,” joins host Jeanne Achille for this episode of Up Next @ Work to explore how to help your team grow and thrive.

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In this episode of Up Next @ Work, host Katie Achille sits down with Joey Price and Tami Nutt of Aspect43 to demystify the role of the HR tech analyst in 2025. What exactly is an analyst today, and how have their responsibilities evolved?

Joey and Tami bring their decades of HR practitioner experience to the conversation – discussing how analysts serve as strategic advisors to both HR leaders and tech vendors alike. From decoding buyer sentiment and trends to helping HR teams make more informed business cases, Joey and Tami share what it really means to connect the dots be...

In this powerful episode of Up Next @ Work, Katie Achille welcomes members of Labor Tech Research Network — a transnational, member-driven community examining the intersection of labor, technology, and social justice. Katie is joined by Steph Jordan (Board Member), Winnie Poster (Director), and Karina Ripley (Lead Organizer) for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the realities of visible and invisible labor reshaping both physical and digital landscapes.

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In this thought-provoking episode, Katie Achille is joined by Mary Faulkner of IA. The two dive deep into the growing gap between AI excitement at the executive level and the real-world readiness of organizations able to implement it meaningfully. Looking at the first half of 2025, Kate and Mary unpack the disconnect between vision and execution in today's HR tech landscape.

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Up Next @ Work is back for season three! In episode one, Kate Achille sits down with Lisa Kaplowitz, co-founder and executive director of the Rutgers Center for Women in Business (CWIB), and Adam Feigenbaum, a seasoned executive and advocate for inclusion who works with CWIB. Together, they explore the evolving role of male allyship in the workplace, offering insights, personal stories, and actionable advice for anyone seeking to be a more effective partner in advancing equity. Episode highlights include:

What does it take to develop strong, adaptable leaders in today’s workplace? In this episode of Up Next at Work, host Jeanne Achille welcomes Al Dea, a renowned talent and leadership development consultant and founder of The Edge of Work. Al shares his expert insights on how organizations can effectively develop and grow their leaders, the evolving landscape of talent management, and what it takes to stay ahead in today’s rapidly changing workplace.

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How can recruitment marketing stay effective in a rapidly changing world? Gina Alioto, VP and Head of Marketing at Shaker Recruitment Marketing—and mother of 18-month-old identical twins—joins host Jeanne Achille to share insights from her journey, from consumer marketing to talent acquisition, and how the best recruitment marketing feels effortless to its audience. As a leader at Shaker, a full-service recruitment marketing agency specializing in employer branding, media strategy, and talent engagement, Gina offers a fresh perspective on the evolving industry.

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The rules of HR Tech marketing are being rewritten as companies navigate shifting priorities, faster news cycles, and new technologies like generative AI. In this episode, Michelle Meehan, founder of The Silver Thread, joins host Kate Achille to explore how marketers can keep up by adapting, taking smart risks, and standing out in an increasingly crowded marketplace. With deep experience in talent assessment and purpose-driven branding, Michelle shares why the old playbooks no longer work—and what to do instead.

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In this episode, host Jeanne Achille of The Devon Group joins Julie Pridham of Valimail to explore the growing threats businesses face from phishing, ransomware, and data breaches. Jeanne and Julie discuss how cybercriminals exploit human error to gain access to sensitive information and why organizations must integrate security into their culture and business strategy. Julie shares insights on how businesses can strengthen their defenses, from technical controls like email authentication and password management to fostering a culture of trust and awareness among employees. The two also dive into the risks posed by disgruntled former employees, the importance of...

In this thought-provoking episode, Jeanne Achille and Susan LaMotte of exaqueo dive into the profound ways employers and candidates are reshaping the hiring landscape. Together, Jeanne and Susan explore the heightened emotions in the talent market—ranging from excitement to frustration—and how these feelings are redefining candidate experiences. What’s driving this shift? Economic pressures, remote work, and the changing dynamics of employment relationships all play a role.

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In this episode, Jeanne Achille and Lydia Wu dive deep into the intersection of HR technology, data-driven decision-making, and the critical role trust plays in successful tech partnerships. Lydia takes us through her journey from corporate HR to HR tech, shedding light on her experiences navigating the complex world of vendor relationships and data analytics. From the early realization that HR tech conversations often miss the mark, to the pivotal role trust plays in buying decisions, this conversation uncovers the untold dynamics of tech selection in enterprise environments. Jeanne and Lydia explore how data can drive impactful changes in...

Jeanette Leeds, talent acquisition tech expert and co-host of the High Volume Hiring podcast, joins Jeanne Achille for an insightful conversation on the nuances of recruitment. The former CEO of Hourly by AMS, Jeanette has deep expertise in Recruitment Process Outsourcing (RPO) for high-volume scenarios such as campus recruiting and retail hiring. Drawing on Jeanette's rich background, this episode explores how processes and strategies can adapt across diverse hiring needs while maintaining efficiency and scalability.

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How are workplace culture and financial innovation shaping the future of inclusion and opportunity? On this week's episode of Up Next @ Work, Michele Bodda, President of Employer Services, Verification Solutions and Housing at Experian, joined host Jeanne Achille for an engaging discussion on Experian’s culture, innovation and the evolving role of credit in promoting financial inclusion. With 26 years at Experian, Michele shared insights from her journey, starting in a call center to becoming a senior leader driving transformative initiatives.

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Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory, joins Up Next @ Work host Jeanne Achille for an insightful conversation on the evolving HR landscape, the challenges professionals face, and innovative solutions for the future of work. With a passion for empowering HR leaders, Ben shares practical advice from his research, books, and transformative HR Summer School initiative.

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What if the secret to solving today’s hiring challenges lies not in resumes but in uncovering hidden skills and innate behaviors? In this episode, host Kate Achille sits down with Caitlin MacGregor, CEO and co-founder of Plum, to discuss how organizations can rethink their talent acquisition strategies. Caitlin introduces the concept of “gap-closers,” individuals driven to identify and fix inefficiencies in pursuit of better outcomes, and explains how adopting a skills-based hiring approach can unlock the potential of these transformative candidates.

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High-quality, accurate candidate-matching software is considered the "silver bullet" of the HR Tech world. Bridging the gap between the language of the recruiter and the language of the applicant to build the best possible candidate pool has been a puzzle the industry has been trying to crack since the mid-90s. Still, solutions are falling short of expectations. Our guest this week, Bennett Sung, draws on his nearly two decades of experience as a Product Marketing Manager and CMO in the HR/Recruiting Tech industry to discuss how solutions providers can make their products more effective for the end...

Old-school go-to-market tactics simply don’t work anymore, says our guest, Josh Schwede of Aventura Growth Labs. In this episode of Up Next @ Work, he talks about why bombarding prospects with unwanted emails, day in and day out, won’t result in a sales order. Given the extreme pressures on CEOs and founders, he recommends abandoning the harsh “grow or die” mentality and redirecting sales and marketing energy towards building loyal followings. This community-building GTM approach generates better engagement and brand awareness. Jeanne and Josh discuss:

This week on Up Next @ Work, Jeanne Achille meets the future of venture capital and HR tech as she welcomes Acadian Ventures founder and general partner Jason Corsello and his summer intern Jackson Malary. Jeanne and Jason discuss the importance of building strong connections early in your career and how he draws on his network to find exciting investment opportunities for his firm. Jackson also shares how valuable his experience interning at a smaller VC and working directly with its principals has been compared to his colleagues' internships at much larger firms. Jason also shares what trends he sees...

At a time when organizations are trying to "do more with less," how can HR and talent teams make the most of their technology investments? In this episode, Kate Achille talks to Evelyn McMullen, Research Manager, and Trevor White, Vice President, Advisory and Consulting at Nucleus Research, about the return on investment for HR tech. From the basic equation needed to determine ROI to making the business case with finance and procurement, Evelyn and Trevor share what HR professionals need to know about the changing nature of this market and how to ensure they're getting the most out of...

How does Tim Sackett, SPHR, SCP get up every morning and get the job done? By his own admission, talent acquisition has never been harder. While it’s easier to find talent – thanks to technology – it’s getting tougher to cut through the noise and forge personal connections that matter. He shares his own career journey with us, which includes staffing, corporate and blogging stints. Today, he’s a successful entrepreneur running HRU Technical Resources, a $40M IT and Engineering contract staffing firm and RPO. Every conversation with Tim is educational. Listen in to learn from this talent acquisition master.

Pay Equity That Works With Heather Bussing and Kent Plunkett

It sounds simple, but pay is far more than money. Our compensation feels like a reflection of our worth, our status, and our power. In this spirited discussion, the authors of “Get Pay Right,” employment attorney Heather Bussing and Salary.com CEO Kent Plunkett, demystify pay equity and offer a practical framework to put pay at the core of the employee experience. Not only can you order their book on Amazon, but they’ve also generously shared their recent presentation from the SHRM Conference on this same topic...

In this episode, Up Next @ Work host Kate Achille sits down with Dylan Teggart, Principal Analyst at 3Sixty Insights, to discuss the state of the employee experience in 2024. Taking a socio-political lens to what's most often seen as an HR issue, Kate and Dylan consider what factors most influence engagement rates in today's workplaces and what employers can do to understand and improve the connection to their workforce. This conversation also serves as a preview of Dylan's forthcoming research on building the employee experience from a workforce management perspective.