SpeakEasy HR

About
Grief doesn't stay at home when employees walk through the workplace doors. Yet many leaders and organizations aren't prepared to navigate its impact.

In Episode 093, I'm joined by Kim Vesey to explore how grief affects employees, workplace culture, and leadership. We'll discuss how HR professionals and business leaders can better support people through life's hardest moments and why compassion, understanding, and flexibility matter more than ever.

Kim Vesey is a retired nurse with more than 40 years of experience in hospice and grief care. She retired in 2023 as Executive Director of Ohio's...

About

What’s the difference between managing tasks and actually leading people? And why are so many managers promoted into leadership roles without ever being taught how to lead?

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe sits down with Dwight Braswell, leadership trainer, speaker, and founder of Complete Leadership Academy, to explore what it takes to turn managers into leaders who inspire accountability, ownership, and results.

Dwight believes leadership isn’t about having a title or simply getting work done. It’s about what you say and do in the everyd...

AI is changing how we work, the skills we need, and the future of jobs. So why isn’t HR always part of the conversation?

In this Top Shelf Take, David Noe explores why HR needs a seat at the table early in AI strategy, how organizations can prepare employees for evolving skill requirements, and why adopting new technology isn’t the same as transforming the way we work.

The takeaway? AI isn’t just a technology conversation. It’s a people conversation. HR has an opportunity to help leaders navigate change, develop future-ready talent, and ensu...

About

HR can’t fix every people problem—especially when leaders aren’t willing to own their part.
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe sits down with Greg Modd, founder of Penultimate People Consulting, to talk about leadership accountability, workforce strategy, and the role relationships play in building strong organizations.
Greg shares his perspective on Extreme Ownership, leadership alignment, workplace culture, and turning complex people challenges into clear, executable decisions. They also discuss why accountability has to start with leadership and what happens when HR is asked to solve problems that really belong at the...

New technology can help us move faster, but does it actually solve the problem?

In this Top Shelf Take, David Noe explores a leadership lesson inspired by the buzz around flying cars: sometimes we're so focused on finding a better way around a problem that we forget to ask why the problem exists in the first place.

From investing in new HR technology to introducing AI and addressing employee burnout, David challenges leaders to look beyond quick fixes, question broken processes, and focus on solving root causes. Because true innovation isn't just about doing things...

About

Ready for Change. Now What?
What happens when you know you’re ready for something different—but you’re not quite sure what that “something” is?
Maybe you’ve outgrown your role. Maybe your career has taken an unexpected turn. Maybe you’re an athlete transitioning into life beyond sports. Or maybe you simply know there’s more you could be doing but can’t quite articulate what that looks like.
That’s where Alex Bowden comes in.
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, Alex joins David Noe to talk about “Ready for Change. Now What?”...

About It’s OK to not be OK. In recognition of World Mental Health Day, David Noe shares a reminder that we all face challenges, asking for help is a sign of strength, and sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is simply listen. Because people matter—and that includes you.

About
What if the same drive that helped you succeed is also the thing driving you toward burnout?
For high performers, leaders, and corporate professionals, burnout doesn’t always look like falling apart. Sometimes it looks like showing up, getting the work done, answering one more email, taking on one more responsibility—and quietly running on empty.
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe sits down with Ivy Watts, mental health speaker, author, and somatic coach, for an honest conversation about burnout prevention, workplace stress, and the connection between our mental health and nervous system.
I...

HR can be a lonely profession, but you don’t have to navigate it alone.

In this Top Shelf Take, David shares four ways HR professionals can feel less isolated.

Whether you’re new to HR or have been doing it for decades, connection matters. You’re human, you won’t always have the answers, and you were never meant to do this work alone.

Book mentioned in this episode is by my good friend, Pete Schramm. https://golattitude.com/pathfinders-book/

About

Fun Is the Secret Ingredient to Success with Joel Zeff

What if having more fun at work isn't a distraction from success—but actually a key ingredient to achieving it?

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe sits down with Joel Zeff, dynamic speaker, improvisational humorist, author, and longtime advocate for bringing more energy and celebration into the workplace.

Joel shares why organizations and individuals should celebrate everyday successes and how doing so can increase collaboration, productivity, passion, creativity, and innovation.

With a career th...

Stay Out of the Woods

A class trip with 8th grade son taught David an unexpected lesson about leadership.

As a chaperone, he learned his job wasn’t to do things for the students—it was to keep them safe, encourage them, and let them figure things out. Watching them struggle to build a survival shelter reinforced a lesson that applies directly to leadership: sometimes stepping in isn’t helping.

The takeaway: Don’t confuse helping with doing. Give people room to struggle, learn, and succeed on their own.

About

What happens to HR when artificial intelligence changes the way we work?

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe sits down with Cole Napper, a globally recognized leader, author, speaker, educator and practitioner in people intelligence, AI workforce transformation, people analytics and workforce strategy.

Cole is the world's first Chief People Intelligence Officer at HRBench and brings experience spanning Fortune 500 companies, venture-backed startups and some of the leading organizations in workforce intelligence. He is also the owner of Directionally Correct, LLC, host of the world’s leading people intelligence po...

About:

After two decades in HR, David Noe has spent a lot of time interviewing people—and he’s been on both sides of the interview table. From recruiting and hiring to onboarding and working with employees after the interview is over, he’s seen what can make the difference between simply filling a position and making a successful hire.

In this Top Shelf Take, David shares one simple approach hiring managers can use to rethink the way they conduct interviews. It’s about creating a better conversation, learning more about the person sitting across the tabl...

About

What happens when your workplace becomes toxic—and you feel like you’ve lost control?
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with HR leader and author Theresa Chilcoat to talk about one of the most difficult workplace experiences: surviving a toxic environment while protecting your peace, your confidence, and your career.
With more than 15 years of HR experience, Theresa has seen the workplace from both sides. She shares what she has learned about the warning signs of employee disconnect, why people rarely disengage overnight, and how leaders can recognize the changes in e...

In this week’s Top Shelf Take, David Noe celebrates National Payroll Week and takes a closer look at what a paycheck really represents.

Payroll isn’t just about numbers, taxes, deductions, and deadlines. Behind every paycheck is a person—and every paycheck creates possibility.

David highlights the important role payroll professionals play in making sure employees are paid accurately and on time, often doing critical work behind the scenes that goes unnoticed when everything goes right.

He also challenges business leaders to take a moment this week to recognize their payroll teams and ap...

About

In Episode 85 of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with Adam Weisner—entrepreneur, investor, executive coach, author, and business leader—for a powerful conversation around The 7 Unbreakable Laws of Leadership.
With more than two decades of leadership experience across banking, manufacturing, investing, and financial technology, Adam has built and scaled organizations while staying grounded in a belief that leadership is stewardship and business can be a force for good. As President and CEO of Sherman Research, he leads a company focused on helping people make wiser financial decisions through independent research, education, and long-term thinking.

Labor Day is about more than a day off—it’s about recognizing the people behind the work.

While we often focus on productivity, performance, revenue, hiring, and growth, every organization is ultimately powered by people. Labor Day gives leaders an opportunity to pause and appreciate those who consistently show up, serve customers, solve problems, support their teammates, and make the organization better.

The challenge is simple: when everyone returns after Labor Day, identify one person who makes your organization better because they show up and do the work—and tell them.

Don't just p...

What does your company culture actually feel like?

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe takes a closer look at what really shapes workplace culture—and why culture isn’t what’s written on the wall or in the employee handbook. Culture is the experience people have every day at work.

From leadership and managers to recruiters, new hires, and every employee in the organization, everyone plays a role in shaping that experience. David explores how everyday behaviors, decisions, recognition, communication, and the people we hire can strengthen—or undermine—the culture we’re trying to bu...

In this week’s Top Shelf Take, David challenges job seekers to rethink the traditional interview. An interview isn’t just an opportunity for a company to decide whether you’re the right candidate—it’s also your opportunity to decide whether the company, leader, team, culture, and role are right for you.

David shares practical questions to ask, things to watch for during the recruiting process, and why the way a company communicates with you before you’re hired can provide valuable insight into the employee experience.

The goal isn’t simply to get the offer. It’...

This week’s Top Shelf Take focuses on seven simple ways job seekers can stand out in an interview—not by trying to be extraordinary, but by doing the basics exceptionally well.

David is an HR leader with 20 years of experience, small business owner, recruiter, content creator, and host of SpeakEasy HR.

He brings recruiting experience to highlight the importance of preparation, knowing your story, using real examples, listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, being authentically yourself, and following through professionally. He did this in one take and it's not perfect, it's authentic, and covers some amaz...

In this episode of Top Shelf Take, David Noe explores a different way to think about AI in HR. Instead of focusing only on what AI might take away, what if we focus on what it could give back: time?

With HR professionals facing increasing complexity, expectations, and pressure. HRCI’s 2026 State of HR research, which found that 41% of HR professionals are considering careers outside of HR.

The episode asks an important question: If AI can help HR work faster, how should we use the time we get back?

The answer isn't simply to...

About:

Great leadership isn't about having the perfect title—it's about consistently demonstrating the qualities that inspire others to trust, grow, and succeed.

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we're joined by Jay Kuhns, enterprise healthcare HR executive, executive coach, keynote speaker, and author of Unstoppable Power, to discuss The 3 Essentials of Great Leadership and why these principles are more important than ever in today's workplace.
With more than 25 years of leadership experience across some of the nation's most respected healthcare organizations, Jay has helped transform workforces, strengthen organizational culture, and develop high-performing leaders in...

Top Shelf Take: One Voice. One Take.

A new segment of SpeakEasy HR where I step behind the mic solo for a quick five-minute conversation about one HR or workplace topic.

While the podcast’s longer guest conversations aren’t going anywhere, Top Shelf Take is designed to be short, practical, and easy to fit into your day—with one topic, one perspective, and one takeaway you can actually use.

The first episode introduces the new format, with the next Take tackling AI and why it may not be replacing HR—but raising the bar...

Every person brings more to work than their job title, experience, or résumé. Behind every employee is a story, a mindset, and potential that may not yet have been discovered.

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with Rocío Pérez, Founder and CEO of Veertuous, LLC, international bestselling author, speaker, coach, and creator of The MindShift Experience©, to explore the power of identity, mindset, and human potential.

Rocío shares her incredible journey of overcoming adversity, transforming her own identity, and helping more than 60,000 professionals discover what they are ca...

Artificial intelligence is no longer a future trend—it's transforming the way HR leads today. In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we're joined by Enrique Rubio, founder of Hacking HR, globally recognized AI thought leader, and author, to explore how human resources professionals can confidently lead in the age of artificial intelligence.

As AI continues to reshape the workplace, HR leaders are uniquely positioned to guide organizations through one of the most significant workplace transformations in decades. Enrique shares his perspective on why AI should be viewed as a powerful tool to enhance human potential rather than re...

The workplace is changing faster than ever, and one of the biggest shifts leaders are navigating is the rise of the fractional workforce. But is this trend a threat to traditional employment—or a powerful opportunity for organizations to access talent, expertise, and flexibility in new ways?
In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with Brook Rushing, Founder of The People Collab, for a conversation about the evolving world of work, leadership, culture, and the human side of organizational change.
Brook brings nearly 20 years of HR experience, including leadership roles with organizations like Nike and NB...

HR is serious business—but the best HR leaders know that connection, authenticity, and even a little humor can be powerful tools for building trust.

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with two incredible voices in the HR community—Peter Phelan, Founder of ValuesCulture, and Marc S. Miller, President and Founder of Marc S. Miller Associates—for a conversation about the human side of HR, culture, technology, and leadership.

Peter brings more than 20 years of People & Culture leadership experience, including Chief People Officer roles at leading global technology companies. Through ValuesCulture, he helps...

What does it take to keep moving forward when everything around you feels uncertain?

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, I welcome Marques Ogden—former NFL player, keynote speaker, business coach, and host of the globally ranked Get Authentic with Marques Ogden podcast. Marques shares his remarkable journey from achieving a multi-million-dollar NFL career to losing everything in just 90 days, and the lessons he learned about resilience, accountability, and rebuilding along the way.

Together, we explore what it means to thrive through the eye of the storm, whether you're facing professional setbacks, organizational ch...

What does the future of employee experience look like in a world increasingly driven by technology and AI?

According to this week's guest, Alicia Ostermeier, it's more human than ever.
In this episode, we discuss why connection, empathy, trust, and belonging are becoming the true differentiators for organizations looking to attract, engage, and retain talent. From leadership and culture to employee well-being and workplace relationships, they explore how organizations can create experiences that put people first while preparing for the future of work.
If you're passionate about building workplaces where employees can thrive, this is...

For years, professionals have blamed the LinkedIn algorithm for low engagement, limited visibility, and missed opportunities. But what if the algorithm isn't the problem anymore?
In this episode, I sit down with LinkedIn strategist, executive branding expert, and founder of TNT Brand Strategist, Kevin Turner, to challenge one of the biggest myths on the platform today.
Drawing from more than 20 years of experience, over 7,000 optimized LinkedIn profiles, and insights gained as a LinkedIn Beta Tester since 2007, Kevin explains why visibility today is less about beating the algorithm and more about sending the right signal.
Together, we...

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with executive coach Sean Olson, a leadership development expert with over 25 years of experience working with individuals, teams, universities, and organizations ranging from Fortune 100 companies to startups. Much of his work has focused on higher education and academic leadership, helping leaders grow in self-awareness, confidence, and impact.
As an Executive Coach, Sean partners with professionals and teams to build clarity, develop leadership capability, and create practical roadmaps for success. His clients consistently credit his coaching with strengthening their leadership skills, improving their confidence, and positioning them for greater influence...

What if the problem isn’t Monday… but the culture we’ve created around work?
In this episode, I sit down with Mary Baird — Employee Experience strategist, leadership expert, and author of Squash the Sunday Scaries — to unpack why so many professionals feel anxious, burned out, and disconnected before the workweek even begins.
We dive into:
1. Why trust is disappearing in the workplace
2. The hidden causes of burnout and disengagement
3. How leaders can rebuild culture and connection
4. Practical ways to improve employee experience immediately
5. The future of AI, leadership, and workplace wellbeing
If you’...

In this upcoming episode, we’re joined by Andrea Adams, founder of The HR Hub and host of Canada’s largest HR-focused YouTube channel. With more than 20 years of HR experience, Andrea has worked with organizations through some of their most challenging workplace moments — and she’s learned that many of those crises are preventable when leaders focus on the human side of work.
Our conversation centers on “Navigating Change Fatigue in the Workplace” — a topic impacting organizations everywhere as teams continue to adapt to constant shifts in leadership, technology, expectations, and workplace culture.
Andrea shares practical insights on wh...

In this episode, I sit down with Frank Kitchen to talk about “playing small” in today’s workplace and what it really takes to unlock emerging talent. We explore what it actually looks like when high-potential employees hold back, why that happens, and how much of it is driven by the individual versus the environment leaders create. We also dig into how feedback, opportunity, and organizational culture either accelerate or limit growth.
A key focus of this conversation is the role leaders play—often unintentionally—in shaping whether people feel safe and confident enough to step into bigger opportunit...

In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, we sit down with Willie Wibert—an engaging, hands-on leader known for building strong relationships, developing talent, and driving meaningful employee growth—to explore what it really means to lead with alignment instead of reaction.
Willie brings a practical and people-first perspective to leadership, grounded in experience across training, engagement, and development. Together, the conversation unpacks how leaders can move beyond reactive decision-making and instead anchor themselves in purpose, values, and intentional action.
Willie also shares his approach to developing people, championing new initiatives, and holding high expectations while creating space for...

In this episode, we sit down with James "JON" Keel to tackle a challenge almost every professional faces but few openly admit—LinkedIn can feel like a grind. From inconsistent posting to low engagement and uncertainty around what actually works, the struggle is real.

Jon breaks down why most people get stuck on LinkedIn and, more importantly, how to get unstuck. He shares practical strategies to simplify your approach, clarify your voice, and start showing up with purpose instead of pressure. This conversation dives into building authentic content, creating meaningful connections, and using LinkedIn as a tool fo...

We’re going LIVE from the 2026 HR Collaborative with fast-paced 15-minute conversations featuring forward-thinking HR and leadership voices. This morning edition delivers real-time insights from the event floor—quick hits, big ideas, and practical takeaways you can use right away.

Morning LIVE Guest Lineup:

We’re going LIVE from the 2026 HR Collaborative with a fast-paced lineup of 15-minute conversations featuring leading HR and leadership voices.
This afternoon edition dives into the real challenges leaders are facing today—how to better engage employees, elevate leadership impact, navigate change, and align people strategy with business outcomes.
Afternoon LIVE features 4 speakers:
Davis Robinson opens with a fresh take on employee engagement, challenging organizations to rethink traditional approaches by putting the employee experience at the center—not the organization.
Todd Bertsch follows with a leadership shift from “fixer” to “influencer,” focusing on how great leaders...

AI is everywhere—but making it work inside your organization is where most leaders get stuck.

In this episode, Alex Meyer brings a practical, grounded perspective on how to move beyond the hype and actually implement AI in ways that create real business value. As Founder & Partner of Dualis Studio, Alex shares what he’s seeing across organizations—where AI efforts succeed, where they fall short, and why.

We dig into:
👉 How to align AI initiatives with real business outcomes
👉 Gaining buy-in across leadership and teams
👉 Avoiding common mistakes that stall progress<...

AI may dominate today’s HR conversations, but David Turetsky believes the real challenge for HR in 2026 isn’t artificial intelligence — it’s HR data. Many organizations are eager to adopt AI tools, yet still struggle with the fundamentals like data quality, governance, and turning workforce data into meaningful insights. In this Top Shelf discussion, we explore why HR leaders must focus on building stronger data foundations before AI can truly deliver value, and how better people analytics and data-driven decision making will shape the future of HR.

To learn more about the HR Channel: https://thehrchannel.tv/