By HR for HR https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/by-hr-for-hr en All rights reserved by WRKdefined By HR, For HR is a podcast hosted by VirgilHR CEO Jocelyn King that brings practical insights from HR leaders on recruiting, performance management, compliance, leadership, AI, and more. Each episode shares real-world lessons you can apply immediately to elevate your organization and strategy. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/2e6c6ccc-c169-11f0-96d2-abff1d250e06/image/0b6fa202e43cf91f56f0db3ad2e22dfa.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress By HR for HR https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/by-hr-for-hr episodic Powered by the WRKdefined Podcast Network WRKdefined Podcast Network By HR, For HR is a podcast hosted by VirgilHR CEO Jocelyn King that brings practical insights from HR leaders on recruiting, performance management, compliance, leadership, AI, and more. Each episode shares real-world lessons you can apply immediately to elevate your organization and strategy. By HR, For HR is a podcast hosted by VirgilHR CEO Jocelyn King that brings practical insights from HR leaders on recruiting, performance management, compliance, leadership, AI, and more. Each episode shares real-world lessons you can apply immediately to elevate your organization and strategy.

]]> WRKdefined WRKdefined@gmail.com #18 - Steve Browne: HR Without Boundaries: Leading People First over Policy In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Steve Browne, a 40-year human resources veteran, to explore the profound evolution of the profession from the restrictive, top-down days of "Personnel" to modern organizational design. Steve reflects on his expansive career and shares why he is presenting on "HR Without Boundaries" and "The Heart of HR" at the upcoming SHRM conference. The conversation dives deep into how forward-thinking companies are shifting from enforcing rigid manuals to applying purposeful, directional structures. Steve discusses his unique approach at his company, where they have completely bypassed high-potential ratings, decoupled compensation from traditional performance management, and eliminated departmental silos in favor of highly collaborative "areas of work." Listeners will also gain tactical insights into navigating technology advancements like AI. Rather than building policies out of fear or managing to the exceptions, Steve explains how leveraging tech can actively engage a modern workforce, including the youngest generations. Finally, Steve delivers a powerful reminder for anyone looking to step into a leadership role: get away from your desk, get out with your staff, and treat every workplace challenge as a human situation first. Steve Browne is a globally recognized HR leader, speaker, author, and practitioner with four decades of experience in the profession. Known for his hands-on, people-centric philosophy, he is a passionate advocate for lifting others up and driving connective communities across the global HR landscape. You can find and connect with Steve across all major social platforms, including LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and BlueSky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 04 Jun 2026 15:09:00 -0000 Steve Browne: HR Without Boundaries: Leading People First over Policy full 20 WRKdefined Podcast Network In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Steve Browne, a 40-year human resources veteran, to explore the profound evolution of the profession from the restrictive, top-down days of "Personnel" to modern organizational design. Steve reflects on his expansive career and shares why he is presenting on "HR Without Boundaries" and "The Heart of HR" at the upcoming SHRM conference. The conversation dives deep into how forward-thinking companies are shifting from enforcing rigid manuals to applying purposeful, directional structures. Steve discusses his unique approach at his company, where they have completely bypassed high-potential ratings, decoupled compensation from traditional performance management, and eliminated departmental silos in favor of highly collaborative "areas of work." Listeners will also gain tactical insights into navigating technology advancements like AI. Rather than building policies out of fear or managing to the exceptions, Steve explains how leveraging tech can actively engage a modern workforce, including the youngest generations. Finally, Steve delivers a powerful reminder for anyone looking to step into a leadership role: get away from your desk, get out with your staff, and treat every workplace challenge as a human situation first. Steve Browne is a globally recognized HR leader, speaker, author, and practitioner with four decades of experience in the profession. Known for his hands-on, people-centric philosophy, he is a passionate advocate for lifting others up and driving connective communities across the global HR landscape. You can find and connect with Steve across all major social platforms, including LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and BlueSky. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of By HR for HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Steve Browne, a 40-year human resources veteran, to explore the profound evolution of the profession from the restrictive, top-down days of "Personnel" to modern organizational design. Steve reflects on his expansive career and shares why he is presenting on "HR Without Boundaries" and "The Heart of HR" at the upcoming SHRM conference.

The conversation dives deep into how forward-thinking companies are shifting from enforcing rigid manuals to applying purposeful, directional structures. Steve discusses his unique approach at his company, where they have completely bypassed high-potential ratings, decoupled compensation from traditional performance management, and eliminated departmental silos in favor of highly collaborative "areas of work."

Listeners will also gain tactical insights into navigating technology advancements like AI. Rather than building policies out of fear or managing to the exceptions, Steve explains how leveraging tech can actively engage a modern workforce, including the youngest generations. Finally, Steve delivers a powerful reminder for anyone looking to step into a leadership role: get away from your desk, get out with your staff, and treat every workplace challenge as a human situation first.

Steve Browne is a globally recognized HR leader, speaker, author, and practitioner with four decades of experience in the profession. Known for his hands-on, people-centric philosophy, he is a passionate advocate for lifting others up and driving connective communities across the global HR landscape. You can find and connect with Steve across all major social platforms, including LinkedIn, X (Twitter), and BlueSky.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1349 #17 - Elles Skony: Building Community and Confidence in HR Entrepreneurship https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Elles Skony, a dynamic leader in the HR space, to explore the journey of transitioning from in-house HR leadership to entrepreneurship. Elles, who has a rich background in high-growth startups, shares her experience of founding her own business and creating Fractional People People, a thriving community for HR entrepreneurs. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of becoming an HR entrepreneur, as Elles discusses the importance of networking, building confidence, and pricing services correctly. She also delves into the creation of a supportive community for HR professionals, emphasizing the value of peer support and shared experiences in overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship. Join us as we uncover the nuances of starting a business in the HR field, learn how to navigate the tricky waters of client acquisition, and discover the strategies Elles employs to maintain a thriving business while nurturing a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR is an HR compliance software designed by practitioners to deliver automated, instant compliance answers regarding federal, state, and local employment laws. To discover how to shield your organization from legal risk while freeing your team up for strategic initiatives, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 14 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 Elles Skony: Building Community and Confidence in HR Entrepreneurship full 17 WRKdefined Podcast Network In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Elles Skony, a dynamic leader in the HR space, to explore the journey of transitioning from in-house HR leadership to entrepreneurship. Elles, who has a rich background in high-growth startups, shares her experience of founding her own business and creating Fractional People People, a thriving community for HR entrepreneurs. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of becoming an HR entrepreneur, as Elles discusses the importance of networking, building confidence, and pricing services correctly. She also delves into the creation of a supportive community for HR professionals, emphasizing the value of peer support and shared experiences in overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship. Join us as we uncover the nuances of starting a business in the HR field, learn how to navigate the tricky waters of client acquisition, and discover the strategies Elles employs to maintain a thriving business while nurturing a vibrant community of like-minded professionals. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR is an HR compliance software designed by practitioners to deliver automated, instant compliance answers regarding federal, state, and local employment laws. To discover how to shield your organization from legal risk while freeing your team up for strategic initiatives, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Elles Skony, a dynamic leader in the HR space, to explore the journey of transitioning from in-house HR leadership to entrepreneurship. Elles, who has a rich background in high-growth startups, shares her experience of founding her own business and creating Fractional People People, a thriving community for HR entrepreneurs.

Listeners will gain insights into the challenges and triumphs of becoming an HR entrepreneur, as Elles discusses the importance of networking, building confidence, and pricing services correctly. She also delves into the creation of a supportive community for HR professionals, emphasizing the value of peer support and shared experiences in overcoming the hurdles of entrepreneurship.

Join us as we uncover the nuances of starting a business in the HR field, learn how to navigate the tricky waters of client acquisition, and discover the strategies Elles employs to maintain a thriving business while nurturing a vibrant community of like-minded professionals.

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR is an HR compliance software designed by practitioners to deliver automated, instant compliance answers regarding federal, state, and local employment laws. To discover how to shield your organization from legal risk while freeing your team up for strategic initiatives, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1378 #16 - Junell Venord: Building HR Communities and Effective Communication https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Junell Venord, a seasoned HR professional and Senior Director at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. Junell shares her unique journey through various industries, from teaching to HR leadership, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to building strong HR communities. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the importance of leveraging HR communities like D.C. SHRM for support and professional development. Junell emphasizes the need for HR professionals to connect with peers to navigate workplace challenges, particularly during times of organizational stress, such as layoffs. She also shares practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls when presenting to executives, highlighting the importance of tailoring messages to meet the audience's needs. Join us as we explore the critical role of community in HR, discuss the nuances of effective communication, and learn from Junell's experience in fostering collaboration and mentorship among HR professionals. Whether you're an HR leader or just starting in the field, this episode offers actionable takeaways to enhance your HR practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 07 May 2026 07:00:00 -0000 Junell Venord: Building HR Communities and Effective Communication full 16 WRKdefined Podcast Network In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Junell Venord, a seasoned HR professional and Senior Director at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. Junell shares her unique journey through various industries, from teaching to HR leadership, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to building strong HR communities. Listeners will gain valuable insights into the importance of leveraging HR communities like D.C. SHRM for support and professional development. Junell emphasizes the need for HR professionals to connect with peers to navigate workplace challenges, particularly during times of organizational stress, such as layoffs. She also shares practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls when presenting to executives, highlighting the importance of tailoring messages to meet the audience's needs. Join us as we explore the critical role of community in HR, discuss the nuances of effective communication, and learn from Junell's experience in fostering collaboration and mentorship among HR professionals. Whether you're an HR leader or just starting in the field, this episode offers actionable takeaways to enhance your HR practice. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of HRHR, host Jocelyn King engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Junell Venord, a seasoned HR professional and Senior Director at the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. Junell shares her unique journey through various industries, from teaching to HR leadership, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to building strong HR communities.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into the importance of leveraging HR communities like D.C. SHRM for support and professional development. Junell emphasizes the need for HR professionals to connect with peers to navigate workplace challenges, particularly during times of organizational stress, such as layoffs. She also shares practical advice on how to avoid common pitfalls when presenting to executives, highlighting the importance of tailoring messages to meet the audience's needs.

Join us as we explore the critical role of community in HR, discuss the nuances of effective communication, and learn from Junell's experience in fostering collaboration and mentorship among HR professionals. Whether you're an HR leader or just starting in the field, this episode offers actionable takeaways to enhance your HR practice.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1486 #15 - Jen Miller: Bridging Leadership and Strategy https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Join us in this enlightening episode of HRHR as we dive into the intricacies of leadership and strategy with Jen Miller, founder of Leading Edge. With a rich background as an HR leader, Jen shares her journey from corporate HR to establishing her own company focused on developing effective leadership that drives business outcomes. In this conversation, Jen discusses how she helps organizations translate business strategies into clear expectations and leadership behaviors. She emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership practices with organizational goals and the challenges of managing diverse teams. Jen offers valuable insights into addressing common leadership hurdles, such as fostering synergy among leaders and ensuring consistent discipline across teams. Listeners will gain practical advice on improving communication within organizations, especially during times of change. Jen highlights the need for HR leaders to double down on clear and consistent messaging to facilitate smoother transitions. Additionally, she explains how bridging the gap between people and processes can enhance performance management systems, making them more effective and less frustrating for employees and HR professionals alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 30 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 Jen Miller: Bridging Leadership and Strategy full 15 WRKdefined Podcast Network Join us in this enlightening episode of HRHR as we dive into the intricacies of leadership and strategy with Jen Miller, founder of Leading Edge. With a rich background as an HR leader, Jen shares her journey from corporate HR to establishing her own company focused on developing effective leadership that drives business outcomes. In this conversation, Jen discusses how she helps organizations translate business strategies into clear expectations and leadership behaviors. She emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership practices with organizational goals and the challenges of managing diverse teams. Jen offers valuable insights into addressing common leadership hurdles, such as fostering synergy among leaders and ensuring consistent discipline across teams. Listeners will gain practical advice on improving communication within organizations, especially during times of change. Jen highlights the need for HR leaders to double down on clear and consistent messaging to facilitate smoother transitions. Additionally, she explains how bridging the gap between people and processes can enhance performance management systems, making them more effective and less frustrating for employees and HR professionals alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Join us in this enlightening episode of HRHR as we dive into the intricacies of leadership and strategy with Jen Miller, founder of Leading Edge. With a rich background as an HR leader, Jen shares her journey from corporate HR to establishing her own company focused on developing effective leadership that drives business outcomes.

In this conversation, Jen discusses how she helps organizations translate business strategies into clear expectations and leadership behaviors. She emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership practices with organizational goals and the challenges of managing diverse teams. Jen offers valuable insights into addressing common leadership hurdles, such as fostering synergy among leaders and ensuring consistent discipline across teams.

Listeners will gain practical advice on improving communication within organizations, especially during times of change. Jen highlights the need for HR leaders to double down on clear and consistent messaging to facilitate smoother transitions. Additionally, she explains how bridging the gap between people and processes can enhance performance management systems, making them more effective and less frustrating for employees and HR professionals alike.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1323 #14 - Angela Cheng-Cimini: The Triumvirate - Aligning the CEO, CFO, and CHRO https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Jocelyn King sits down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, a 30-year HR veteran and current Chief People Officer at the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Angela shares her journey from full-time leadership at Harvard Business Review to fractional work, offering a masterclass on what CEOs truly expect from their HR leaders. She emphasizes that HR’s core mission is to optimize talent to deliver on organizational objectives—whether through fair pay, skill development, or building a powerful employer brand. The conversation dives deep into the "triumvirate" of leadership: the alignment between the CEO, CFO, and CHRO. Angela explains how this partnership unlocks organizational productivity by justifying ROI for people investments and ensuring strategic alignment. She also challenges the traditional concept of "employee engagement," arguing that leaders should instead strive for "employee inspiration" by creating environments rooted in transparency, compassion, and a clear, noble purpose. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 09 Apr 2026 07:00:00 -0000 Angela Cheng-Cimini: The Triumvirate - Aligning the CEO, CFO, and CHRO full 14 WRKdefined Podcast Network Jocelyn King sits down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, a 30-year HR veteran and current Chief People Officer at the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Angela shares her journey from full-time leadership at Harvard Business Review to fractional work, offering a masterclass on what CEOs truly expect from their HR leaders. She emphasizes that HR’s core mission is to optimize talent to deliver on organizational objectives—whether through fair pay, skill development, or building a powerful employer brand. The conversation dives deep into the "triumvirate" of leadership: the alignment between the CEO, CFO, and CHRO. Angela explains how this partnership unlocks organizational productivity by justifying ROI for people investments and ensuring strategic alignment. She also challenges the traditional concept of "employee engagement," arguing that leaders should instead strive for "employee inspiration" by creating environments rooted in transparency, compassion, and a clear, noble purpose. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Jocelyn King sits down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, a 30-year HR veteran and current Chief People Officer at the Chronicle of Philanthropy. Angela shares her journey from full-time leadership at Harvard Business Review to fractional work, offering a masterclass on what CEOs truly expect from their HR leaders. She emphasizes that HR’s core mission is to optimize talent to deliver on organizational objectives—whether through fair pay, skill development, or building a powerful employer brand.

The conversation dives deep into the "triumvirate" of leadership: the alignment between the CEO, CFO, and CHRO. Angela explains how this partnership unlocks organizational productivity by justifying ROI for people investments and ensuring strategic alignment. She also challenges the traditional concept of "employee engagement," arguing that leaders should instead strive for "employee inspiration" by creating environments rooted in transparency, compassion, and a clear, noble purpose.

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1375 #13 - Tony Buffum: The Human Cloud - Driving the Future of Flexible Work https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Tony Buffum, co-founder of The Human Cloud, joins host Jocelyn King to discuss the inevitable shift toward flexible work and the "freelance economy". Reflecting on his time at Upwork and Stanley Black & Decker, Tony explores why many HR professionals resist non-traditional staffing—citing fears of compliance, loss of control, and the "status quo" of full-time headcount. He encourages HR leaders to view themselves as the "change management function" of the organization, helping managers move from "order taking" to strategic workforce planning. Tony highlights business acumen as the key differentiator for HR professionals looking to move from administration to strategic influence. By understanding the balance sheet and partnering closely with finance, HR can transition into a "trusted advisor" or "consigliere" for the CEO. Looking ahead to the challenges of 2026, Tony advises HR practitioners to stay relevant by upskilling in agentic AI and staying hyper-aware of macroeconomic conditions to react with speed and agility. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 26 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000 Tony Buffum: The Human Cloud - Driving the Future of Flexible Work full 13 WRKdefined Podcast Network Tony Buffum, co-founder of The Human Cloud, joins host Jocelyn King to discuss the inevitable shift toward flexible work and the "freelance economy". Reflecting on his time at Upwork and Stanley Black & Decker, Tony explores why many HR professionals resist non-traditional staffing—citing fears of compliance, loss of control, and the "status quo" of full-time headcount. He encourages HR leaders to view themselves as the "change management function" of the organization, helping managers move from "order taking" to strategic workforce planning. Tony highlights business acumen as the key differentiator for HR professionals looking to move from administration to strategic influence. By understanding the balance sheet and partnering closely with finance, HR can transition into a "trusted advisor" or "consigliere" for the CEO. Looking ahead to the challenges of 2026, Tony advises HR practitioners to stay relevant by upskilling in agentic AI and staying hyper-aware of macroeconomic conditions to react with speed and agility. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tony Buffum, co-founder of The Human Cloud, joins host Jocelyn King to discuss the inevitable shift toward flexible work and the "freelance economy". Reflecting on his time at Upwork and Stanley Black & Decker, Tony explores why many HR professionals resist non-traditional staffing—citing fears of compliance, loss of control, and the "status quo" of full-time headcount. He encourages HR leaders to view themselves as the "change management function" of the organization, helping managers move from "order taking" to strategic workforce planning.

Tony highlights business acumen as the key differentiator for HR professionals looking to move from administration to strategic influence. By understanding the balance sheet and partnering closely with finance, HR can transition into a "trusted advisor" or "consigliere" for the CEO. Looking ahead to the challenges of 2026, Tony advises HR practitioners to stay relevant by upskilling in agentic AI and staying hyper-aware of macroeconomic conditions to react with speed and agility.

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1716 #12 - Tami Nutt: Rethinking the Blank Page - How Analysts Bridge the Gap in HR https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Tami Nutt, Vice President of Research and Insights for Aspect 43, shares how her 20-year career as an HR practitioner informs her current work as an industry analyst. She explains how analysts provide unbiased evaluations of technology and market trends, helping busy HR professionals connect the dots between global economics and workplace tools. Tami emphasizes that in the age of AI, HR must act as the "human experts," identifying which tasks are uniquely human and which can be handled by technology. A major theme of the discussion is the critical importance of HR compliance and change management. Tami describes compliance as the "foundation of the building"—essential for stability but often ignored until something fails. She challenges listeners to view compliance maturity not just as passing an audit, but as creating systems that make the right behaviors easy and consistent every day. Finally, she provides tips on avoiding implementation failures by making no assumptions and gathering rigorous data. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 12 Mar 2026 07:00:00 -0000 Tami Nutt: Rethinking the Blank Page - How Analysts Bridge the Gap in HR full 12 WRKdefined Podcast Network Tami Nutt, Vice President of Research and Insights for Aspect 43, shares how her 20-year career as an HR practitioner informs her current work as an industry analyst. She explains how analysts provide unbiased evaluations of technology and market trends, helping busy HR professionals connect the dots between global economics and workplace tools. Tami emphasizes that in the age of AI, HR must act as the "human experts," identifying which tasks are uniquely human and which can be handled by technology. A major theme of the discussion is the critical importance of HR compliance and change management. Tami describes compliance as the "foundation of the building"—essential for stability but often ignored until something fails. She challenges listeners to view compliance maturity not just as passing an audit, but as creating systems that make the right behaviors easy and consistent every day. Finally, she provides tips on avoiding implementation failures by making no assumptions and gathering rigorous data. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Tami Nutt, Vice President of Research and Insights for Aspect 43, shares how her 20-year career as an HR practitioner informs her current work as an industry analyst. She explains how analysts provide unbiased evaluations of technology and market trends, helping busy HR professionals connect the dots between global economics and workplace tools. Tami emphasizes that in the age of AI, HR must act as the "human experts," identifying which tasks are uniquely human and which can be handled by technology.

A major theme of the discussion is the critical importance of HR compliance and change management. Tami describes compliance as the "foundation of the building"—essential for stability but often ignored until something fails. She challenges listeners to view compliance maturity not just as passing an audit, but as creating systems that make the right behaviors easy and consistent every day. Finally, she provides tips on avoiding implementation failures by making no assumptions and gathering rigorous data.

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1447 #11 - Kimberly Prescott: Facts Over Emotion - Mastering Tough Conversations and Investigations https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Kimberly Prescott, founder of Prescott HR, joins the podcast to discuss the critical role of courage and confidence in the HR profession. Drawing from her background in the Air Force and her experience as a minority in corporate environments, Kimberly explains why HR professionals must move past the desire to "be liked" and instead focus on providing honest, fact-based feedback. She argues that avoiding difficult conversations erodes trust and lowers performance standards across the entire organization. Kimberly also introduces her "Hierarchy of Needs" for HR, asserting that strategic initiatives like culture statements cannot succeed without a solid foundation of clear policies, manager training, and consistent practices. Using the analogy of a construction site, she warns against hanging "fine art" before the drywall is up. The episode concludes with practical advice on managing investigations and coaching managers to handle conflict with clarity and accountability.Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000 Kimberly Prescott: Facts Over Emotion - Mastering Tough Conversations and Investigations full 11 WRKdefined Podcast Network Kimberly Prescott, founder of Prescott HR, joins the podcast to discuss the critical role of courage and confidence in the HR profession. Drawing from her background in the Air Force and her experience as a minority in corporate environments, Kimberly explains why HR professionals must move past the desire to "be liked" and instead focus on providing honest, fact-based feedback. She argues that avoiding difficult conversations erodes trust and lowers performance standards across the entire organization. Kimberly also introduces her "Hierarchy of Needs" for HR, asserting that strategic initiatives like culture statements cannot succeed without a solid foundation of clear policies, manager training, and consistent practices. Using the analogy of a construction site, she warns against hanging "fine art" before the drywall is up. The episode concludes with practical advice on managing investigations and coaching managers to handle conflict with clarity and accountability.Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Kimberly Prescott, founder of Prescott HR, joins the podcast to discuss the critical role of courage and confidence in the HR profession. Drawing from her background in the Air Force and her experience as a minority in corporate environments, Kimberly explains why HR professionals must move past the desire to "be liked" and instead focus on providing honest, fact-based feedback. She argues that avoiding difficult conversations erodes trust and lowers performance standards across the entire organization.

Kimberly also introduces her "Hierarchy of Needs" for HR, asserting that strategic initiatives like culture statements cannot succeed without a solid foundation of clear policies, manager training, and consistent practices. Using the analogy of a construction site, she warns against hanging "fine art" before the drywall is up. The episode concludes with practical advice on managing investigations and coaching managers to handle conflict with clarity and accountability.
Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.


Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1606 #10 - Benjamin Langer: ROI or Storytime? Mastering the Language of the C-Suite https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Jocelyn King sits down with Benjamin Langner to discuss the profound shifts currently hitting the HR profession, which he compares to the era when email first revolutionized communication. As a Vice President for a global recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) organization, Ben acts as "HR for 1,000 other HR professionals," giving him a unique vantage point on the "AI boom" and the evolving world of work. He shares a practical framework for HR leaders in global settings, emphasizing the need to simplify and streamline core processes like onboarding and the employee lifecycle to maintain a consistent experience across different countries while managing regional nuances. The conversation dives deep into repositioning the HR Business Partner (HRBP) from a reactive role to a proactive strategic partnership. Ben argues that the key to gaining a seat at the table is solving actual business problems—such as operational bottlenecks—rather than simply launching new HR programs in a vacuum. He provides actionable advice on tailoring ROI metrics for different C-suite stakeholders, noting that while a CFO requires data-driven facts, other leaders may respond better to storytelling. Looking toward the future, Ben predicts that as automation and AI become standard, high-value human interactions will become a "premium experience" that HR must protect and prioritize. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 19 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000 Benjamin Langer: ROI or Storytime? Mastering the Language of the C-Suite full 10 WRKdefined Podcast Network Jocelyn King sits down with Benjamin Langner to discuss the profound shifts currently hitting the HR profession, which he compares to the era when email first revolutionized communication. As a Vice President for a global recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) organization, Ben acts as "HR for 1,000 other HR professionals," giving him a unique vantage point on the "AI boom" and the evolving world of work. He shares a practical framework for HR leaders in global settings, emphasizing the need to simplify and streamline core processes like onboarding and the employee lifecycle to maintain a consistent experience across different countries while managing regional nuances. The conversation dives deep into repositioning the HR Business Partner (HRBP) from a reactive role to a proactive strategic partnership. Ben argues that the key to gaining a seat at the table is solving actual business problems—such as operational bottlenecks—rather than simply launching new HR programs in a vacuum. He provides actionable advice on tailoring ROI metrics for different C-suite stakeholders, noting that while a CFO requires data-driven facts, other leaders may respond better to storytelling. Looking toward the future, Ben predicts that as automation and AI become standard, high-value human interactions will become a "premium experience" that HR must protect and prioritize. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Jocelyn King sits down with Benjamin Langner to discuss the profound shifts currently hitting the HR profession, which he compares to the era when email first revolutionized communication. As a Vice President for a global recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) organization, Ben acts as "HR for 1,000 other HR professionals," giving him a unique vantage point on the "AI boom" and the evolving world of work. He shares a practical framework for HR leaders in global settings, emphasizing the need to simplify and streamline core processes like onboarding and the employee lifecycle to maintain a consistent experience across different countries while managing regional nuances.

The conversation dives deep into repositioning the HR Business Partner (HRBP) from a reactive role to a proactive strategic partnership. Ben argues that the key to gaining a seat at the table is solving actual business problems—such as operational bottlenecks—rather than simply launching new HR programs in a vacuum. He provides actionable advice on tailoring ROI metrics for different C-suite stakeholders, noting that while a CFO requires data-driven facts, other leaders may respond better to storytelling. Looking toward the future, Ben predicts that as automation and AI become standard, high-value human interactions will become a "premium experience" that HR must protect and prioritize.

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1249 #9 - Erica McMannes: Tapping into the 12 Million, The Power of the Military Spouse Workforce https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Erica McMannes, Chief Experience Officer at Instant Teams, joins the podcast to share her expertise in building high-performing, fully distributed workforces. Having moved 14 times as a military spouse, Erica founded Instant Teams to create a talent marketplace that connects companies with the highly skilled but often overlooked community of over 12 million military spouses. She discusses the "ethos to remote communication" that her company established long before the pandemic, highlighting that in a remote setting, connection and camaraderie do not happen by chance—they require intentional, driven structures to replace the accidental "water cooler" moments of a physical office. The episode explores the transition toward skills-based hiring and the flaws in traditional resume-focused recruitment. Erica explains how HR professionals can shift their focus to "durable" and transferable skills, using customer experience as a prime example of where military spouses excel due to their natural empathy and adaptability. For leaders struggling with distributed teams, Erica recommends "maniacal organization"—using processes and visibility systems to track productivity without resorting to micromanagement. She encourages HR to support managers through proactive communication and expectation management, ensuring that remote work environments remain transparent and trust-based. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 12 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000 Erica McMannes: Tapping into the 12 Million, The Power of the Military Spouse Workforce full 9 WRKdefined Podcast Network Erica McMannes, Chief Experience Officer at Instant Teams, joins the podcast to share her expertise in building high-performing, fully distributed workforces. Having moved 14 times as a military spouse, Erica founded Instant Teams to create a talent marketplace that connects companies with the highly skilled but often overlooked community of over 12 million military spouses. She discusses the "ethos to remote communication" that her company established long before the pandemic, highlighting that in a remote setting, connection and camaraderie do not happen by chance—they require intentional, driven structures to replace the accidental "water cooler" moments of a physical office. The episode explores the transition toward skills-based hiring and the flaws in traditional resume-focused recruitment. Erica explains how HR professionals can shift their focus to "durable" and transferable skills, using customer experience as a prime example of where military spouses excel due to their natural empathy and adaptability. For leaders struggling with distributed teams, Erica recommends "maniacal organization"—using processes and visibility systems to track productivity without resorting to micromanagement. She encourages HR to support managers through proactive communication and expectation management, ensuring that remote work environments remain transparent and trust-based. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Erica McMannes, Chief Experience Officer at Instant Teams, joins the podcast to share her expertise in building high-performing, fully distributed workforces. Having moved 14 times as a military spouse, Erica founded Instant Teams to create a talent marketplace that connects companies with the highly skilled but often overlooked community of over 12 million military spouses. She discusses the "ethos to remote communication" that her company established long before the pandemic, highlighting that in a remote setting, connection and camaraderie do not happen by chance—they require intentional, driven structures to replace the accidental "water cooler" moments of a physical office.

The episode explores the transition toward skills-based hiring and the flaws in traditional resume-focused recruitment. Erica explains how HR professionals can shift their focus to "durable" and transferable skills, using customer experience as a prime example of where military spouses excel due to their natural empathy and adaptability. For leaders struggling with distributed teams, Erica recommends "maniacal organization"—using processes and visibility systems to track productivity without resorting to micromanagement. She encourages HR to support managers through proactive communication and expectation management, ensuring that remote work environments remain transparent and trust-based.

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1481 #8 - Lisa Elowson: Leading by Culture, Not Policy: Lessons from a Certified Mediator https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Lisa Elowson brings over 30 years of HR experience and a specialized background in mediation to discuss the unavoidable reality of workplace conflict. Lisa explains that many professionals dread conflict because they are naturally "conflict adverse," but she argues that conflict doesn't have to be toxic if it is addressed early. She compares unresolved disputes to a "Titanic iceberg," where the hidden costs, such as mental disengagement (the "quit and stay" phenomenon), investigation time, and potential lawsuits, are often far greater than what is visible on the surface. Through the lens of a certified mediator, Lisa provides HR leaders with specific techniques to navigate high-stakes employee relations issues, such as "shuttle mediation" and active listening to uncover the "gold nuggets" of what is truly driving a disagreement. She stresses the importance of HR maintaining a neutral stance, clearly communicating to all parties that they have "no dog in the fight" other than reaching a fair resolution. Lisa challenges the traditional "handbook" approach to management, urging HR to lead by culture and respect rather than strictly by policy. By meeting people where they are and facilitating face-to-face "conscious conversations," HR can move past "win-lose" scenarios to restore functional working relationships. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 05 Feb 2026 08:00:00 -0000 isa Elowson: Leading by Culture, Not Policy: Lessons from a Certified Mediator full 8 WRKdefined Podcast Network Lisa Elowson brings over 30 years of HR experience and a specialized background in mediation to discuss the unavoidable reality of workplace conflict. Lisa explains that many professionals dread conflict because they are naturally "conflict adverse," but she argues that conflict doesn't have to be toxic if it is addressed early. She compares unresolved disputes to a "Titanic iceberg," where the hidden costs, such as mental disengagement (the "quit and stay" phenomenon), investigation time, and potential lawsuits, are often far greater than what is visible on the surface. Through the lens of a certified mediator, Lisa provides HR leaders with specific techniques to navigate high-stakes employee relations issues, such as "shuttle mediation" and active listening to uncover the "gold nuggets" of what is truly driving a disagreement. She stresses the importance of HR maintaining a neutral stance, clearly communicating to all parties that they have "no dog in the fight" other than reaching a fair resolution. Lisa challenges the traditional "handbook" approach to management, urging HR to lead by culture and respect rather than strictly by policy. By meeting people where they are and facilitating face-to-face "conscious conversations," HR can move past "win-lose" scenarios to restore functional working relationships. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Lisa Elowson brings over 30 years of HR experience and a specialized background in mediation to discuss the unavoidable reality of workplace conflict. Lisa explains that many professionals dread conflict because they are naturally "conflict adverse," but she argues that conflict doesn't have to be toxic if it is addressed early. She compares unresolved disputes to a "Titanic iceberg," where the hidden costs, such as mental disengagement (the "quit and stay" phenomenon), investigation time, and potential lawsuits, are often far greater than what is visible on the surface.

Through the lens of a certified mediator, Lisa provides HR leaders with specific techniques to navigate high-stakes employee relations issues, such as "shuttle mediation" and active listening to uncover the "gold nuggets" of what is truly driving a disagreement. She stresses the importance of HR maintaining a neutral stance, clearly communicating to all parties that they have "no dog in the fight" other than reaching a fair resolution. Lisa challenges the traditional "handbook" approach to management, urging HR to lead by culture and respect rather than strictly by policy. By meeting people where they are and facilitating face-to-face "conscious conversations," HR can move past "win-lose" scenarios to restore functional working relationships.

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1259 #7 - Joel Greenwald: Preventative Medicine: Employment Law, Misclassification, and AI Liability Employment law is often reactive, but Joel Greenwald argues for a "preventative medicine" approach to protect businesses before litigation strikes. In this episode, Joel breaks down the most common legal pitfalls HR leaders face, including inadequate documentation and the rampant misclassification of independent contractors and exempt employees. The conversation turns to the cutting edge of HR compliance: Artificial Intelligence. Joel warns of the legal risks surrounding AI hiring tools, specifically "disparate impact" discrimination, and advises HR leaders on how to vet technology to avoid joint liability lawsuits. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 29 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000 Joel Greenwald: Preventative Medicine: Employment Law, Misclassification, and AI Liability full 7 WRKdefined Podcast Network https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr Employment law is often reactive, but Joel Greenwald argues for a "preventative medicine" approach to protect businesses before litigation strikes. In this episode, Joel breaks down the most common legal pitfalls HR leaders face, including inadequate documentation and the rampant misclassification of independent contractors and exempt employees. The conversation turns to the cutting edge of HR compliance: Artificial Intelligence. Joel warns of the legal risks surrounding AI hiring tools, specifically "disparate impact" discrimination, and advises HR leaders on how to vet technology to avoid joint liability lawsuits. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Employment law is often reactive, but Joel Greenwald argues for a "preventative medicine" approach to protect businesses before litigation strikes. In this episode, Joel breaks down the most common legal pitfalls HR leaders face, including inadequate documentation and the rampant misclassification of independent contractors and exempt employees.

The conversation turns to the cutting edge of HR compliance: Artificial Intelligence. Joel warns of the legal risks surrounding AI hiring tools, specifically "disparate impact" discrimination, and advises HR leaders on how to vet technology to avoid joint liability lawsuits.




Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 929 #6 - Walter Sabrin: Chief Talent Officer at Vensure Employer Solutions From "failed tennis pro" to leading a global network of over 150 recruiters, Walter Sabrin joins Jocelyn King to explore the high-stakes world of talent acquisition. Walter discusses how Vensure Employer Solutions scaled from 120 to over 6,000 employees by treating HR as a strategic business alliance rather than a roadblock. The discussion tackles the "Empty Seat Syndrome"—the danger of hiring the wrong person out of desperation—and the critical importance of upskilling to retain top talent. Walter also provides a candid look at the current state of AI in recruiting, noting that while the industry buzz is loud, many candidates and hiring managers remain hesitant to broach the topic during interviews. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 22 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000 Walter Sabrin: Chief Talent Officer at Venture Employer Solutions full 6 WRKdefined Podcast Network https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr From "failed tennis pro" to leading a global network of over 150 recruiters, Walter Sabrin joins Jocelyn King to explore the high-stakes world of talent acquisition. Walter discusses how Vensure Employer Solutions scaled from 120 to over 6,000 employees by treating HR as a strategic business alliance rather than a roadblock. The discussion tackles the "Empty Seat Syndrome"—the danger of hiring the wrong person out of desperation—and the critical importance of upskilling to retain top talent. Walter also provides a candid look at the current state of AI in recruiting, noting that while the industry buzz is loud, many candidates and hiring managers remain hesitant to broach the topic during interviews. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices From "failed tennis pro" to leading a global network of over 150 recruiters, Walter Sabrin joins Jocelyn King to explore the high-stakes world of talent acquisition. Walter discusses how Vensure Employer Solutions scaled from 120 to over 6,000 employees by treating HR as a strategic business alliance rather than a roadblock.

The discussion tackles the "Empty Seat Syndrome"—the danger of hiring the wrong person out of desperation—and the critical importance of upskilling to retain top talent. Walter also provides a candid look at the current state of AI in recruiting, noting that while the industry buzz is loud, many candidates and hiring managers remain hesitant to broach the topic during interviews.




Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1261 #5 - Joey Price: HR as the Operating System: Strategy, Data, and Diplomacy In this episode of By HR For HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Joey Price to discuss the evolution of the HR professional from administrative support to the "operating system" of modern business. Joey shares insights from his journey as an HR consultant and author, explaining why HR leaders must act as diplomats who balance the needs of employees with the strategic goals of the C-suite. The conversation also dives into the acquisition of Aspect 43 and the latest research on HR tech buying trends. With budgets flattening and C-suite executives taking a more active role in purchasing decisions, Joey reveals why 40% of HR buyers still lack a clear AI strategy and how practitioners can close that gap to remain competitive. Find out more about Joey Price on LinkedIn. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 15 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000 Joey Price: HR as the Operating System: Strategy, Data, and Diplomacy full 5 WRKdefined Podcast Network https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr In this episode of By HR For HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Joey Price to discuss the evolution of the HR professional from administrative support to the "operating system" of modern business. Joey shares insights from his journey as an HR consultant and author, explaining why HR leaders must act as diplomats who balance the needs of employees with the strategic goals of the C-suite. The conversation also dives into the acquisition of Aspect 43 and the latest research on HR tech buying trends. With budgets flattening and C-suite executives taking a more active role in purchasing decisions, Joey reveals why 40% of HR buyers still lack a clear AI strategy and how practitioners can close that gap to remain competitive. Find out more about Joey Price on LinkedIn. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices In this episode of By HR For HR, host Jocelyn King sits down with Joey Price to discuss the evolution of the HR professional from administrative support to the "operating system" of modern business. Joey shares insights from his journey as an HR consultant and author, explaining why HR leaders must act as diplomats who balance the needs of employees with the strategic goals of the C-suite.

The conversation also dives into the acquisition of Aspect 43 and the latest research on HR tech buying trends. With budgets flattening and C-suite executives taking a more active role in purchasing decisions, Joey reveals why 40% of HR buyers still lack a clear AI strategy and how practitioners can close that gap to remain competitive.


Find out more about Joey Price on LinkedIn.


Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1322 #4 - John Baldino: Stop Measuring "Time to Hire" and Start Monetizing Vacancy https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/by-hr-for-hr John Baldino, President of Humareso, joins us live from HR Tech 2025 to discuss the evolution of the industry, from the days of "Personnel" and manual payroll to today’s data-driven people analytics. John challenges HR leaders to stop obsessing over "time to hire" and start calculating the real cost of vacancy: quantifying the lost productivity when managers have to cover open roles and the financial impact of burnout on remaining teams. He also explains why geographic cost differentials should be a primary factor in modern hiring strategies, urging leaders to look beyond major tech hubs to optimize budget. The conversation pivots to a critical struggle for many practitioners: how to move from reactive to strategic, especially within an "HR Department of One." John offers a liberating, incremental approach to shaving down the 92% of time spent on transactional tasks starting with letting employees manage their own data. He wraps up with the single most effective question HR professionals can ask managers to spark transformative, strategic partnership. It is a masterclass in proving HR’s financial value while keeping the "human" in human resources. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 08 Jan 2026 08:00:00 -0000 John Baldino: Stop Measuring "Time to Hire" and Start Monetizing Vacancy full 4 WRKdefined Podcast Network John Baldino, President of Humareso, joins us live from HR Tech 2025 to discuss the evolution of the industry, from the days of "Personnel" and manual payroll to today’s data-driven people analytics. John challenges HR leaders to stop obsessing over "time to hire" and start calculating the real cost of vacancy: quantifying the lost productivity when managers have to cover open roles and the financial impact of burnout on remaining teams. He also explains why geographic cost differentials should be a primary factor in modern hiring strategies, urging leaders to look beyond major tech hubs to optimize budget. The conversation pivots to a critical struggle for many practitioners: how to move from reactive to strategic, especially within an "HR Department of One." John offers a liberating, incremental approach to shaving down the 92% of time spent on transactional tasks starting with letting employees manage their own data. He wraps up with the single most effective question HR professionals can ask managers to spark transformative, strategic partnership. It is a masterclass in proving HR’s financial value while keeping the "human" in human resources. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices John Baldino, President of Humareso, joins us live from HR Tech 2025 to discuss the evolution of the industry, from the days of "Personnel" and manual payroll to today’s data-driven people analytics. John challenges HR leaders to stop obsessing over "time to hire" and start calculating the real cost of vacancy: quantifying the lost productivity when managers have to cover open roles and the financial impact of burnout on remaining teams. He also explains why geographic cost differentials should be a primary factor in modern hiring strategies, urging leaders to look beyond major tech hubs to optimize budget.

The conversation pivots to a critical struggle for many practitioners: how to move from reactive to strategic, especially within an "HR Department of One." John offers a liberating, incremental approach to shaving down the 92% of time spent on transactional tasks starting with letting employees manage their own data. He wraps up with the single most effective question HR professionals can ask managers to spark transformative, strategic partnership. It is a masterclass in proving HR’s financial value while keeping the "human" in human resources.



Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1159 #3 - Jessica Miller-Merrell: The Manager Training Gap No One Talks About Jessica Miller-Merrell joins us from HR Tech 2025 for a fast-moving, highly practical discussion about how HR leaders can get tech-ready in a world where AI, compliance demands, and integrations are evolving faster than most teams can keep up. Jessica shares how HR pros should approach learning new tech, the right questions to ask vendors, and the biggest mistakes she sees during vetting and implementation. She also breaks down how to build change-management muscles, why HR teams should lean on their IT partners early, and how performance management completely shifted after COVID exposed major gaps in communication and coaching. From training managers effectively to proving ROI for people programs, Jessica provides clear, actionable guidance that every HR leader, especially those in departments of one, can put into practice immediately. Find out more about Jessica Miller-Merrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 18 Dec 2025 08:00:00 -0000 Jessica Miller-Merrell: The Manager Training Gap No One Talks About full WRKdefined Podcast Network Jessica Miller-Merrell joins us from HR Tech 2025 for a fast-moving, highly practical discussion about how HR leaders can get tech-ready in a world where AI, compliance demands, and integrations are evolving faster than most teams can keep up. Jessica shares how HR pros should approach learning new tech, the right questions to ask vendors, and the biggest mistakes she sees during vetting and implementation. She also breaks down how to build change-management muscles, why HR teams should lean on their IT partners early, and how performance management completely shifted after COVID exposed major gaps in communication and coaching. From training managers effectively to proving ROI for people programs, Jessica provides clear, actionable guidance that every HR leader, especially those in departments of one, can put into practice immediately. Find out more about Jessica Miller-Merrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Jessica Miller-Merrell joins us from HR Tech 2025 for a fast-moving, highly practical discussion about how HR leaders can get tech-ready in a world where AI, compliance demands, and integrations are evolving faster than most teams can keep up. Jessica shares how HR pros should approach learning new tech, the right questions to ask vendors, and the biggest mistakes she sees during vetting and implementation.

She also breaks down how to build change-management muscles, why HR teams should lean on their IT partners early, and how performance management completely shifted after COVID exposed major gaps in communication and coaching. From training managers effectively to proving ROI for people programs, Jessica provides clear, actionable guidance that every HR leader, especially those in departments of one, can put into practice immediately.


Find out more about Jessica Miller-Merrell on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jmillermerrell/

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 1125 #2 - Katrina Kibben: Why Job Descriptions Still Haven’t Evolved Live from HR Tech 2025, Katrina Kibben brings their signature clarity and storytelling to a conversation about employer brand, EVP development, and the linguistic data that reveals what employees actually value. Katrina explains why every strong EVP starts with deep listening, not leadership soundbites, and how interviewing people across levels produces the most accurate, actionable picture of company culture. The conversation moves into the surprising history of job postings, what truly makes a compelling job description today, and how scope, scale, and impact matter far more than tired “years of experience” clichés. Katrina also shares lessons from their book The Bounce Back Factor, shaped by three years of running a business from a van, and how leaders can navigate uncertainty with more confidence and humanity. It’s a refreshing, insightful look at building clarity into your recruiting process and using language as a strategic asset. Find out more about Katrina Kibben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 11 Dec 2025 08:01:00 -0000 Katrina Kibben: Why Job Descriptions Still Haven’t Evolved full WRKdefined Podcast Network Live from HR Tech 2025, Katrina Kibben brings their signature clarity and storytelling to a conversation about employer brand, EVP development, and the linguistic data that reveals what employees actually value. Katrina explains why every strong EVP starts with deep listening, not leadership soundbites, and how interviewing people across levels produces the most accurate, actionable picture of company culture. The conversation moves into the surprising history of job postings, what truly makes a compelling job description today, and how scope, scale, and impact matter far more than tired “years of experience” clichés. Katrina also shares lessons from their book The Bounce Back Factor, shaped by three years of running a business from a van, and how leaders can navigate uncertainty with more confidence and humanity. It’s a refreshing, insightful look at building clarity into your recruiting process and using language as a strategic asset. Find out more about Katrina Kibben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Live from HR Tech 2025, Katrina Kibben brings their signature clarity and storytelling to a conversation about employer brand, EVP development, and the linguistic data that reveals what employees actually value. Katrina explains why every strong EVP starts with deep listening, not leadership soundbites, and how interviewing people across levels produces the most accurate, actionable picture of company culture.

The conversation moves into the surprising history of job postings, what truly makes a compelling job description today, and how scope, scale, and impact matter far more than tired “years of experience” clichés. Katrina also shares lessons from their book The Bounce Back Factor, shaped by three years of running a business from a van, and how leaders can navigate uncertainty with more confidence and humanity. It’s a refreshing, insightful look at building clarity into your recruiting process and using language as a strategic asset.

Find out more about Katrina Kibben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/

Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit ⁠www.virgilhr.com⁠ and ⁠follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn⁠ for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

]]> 945 #1 - Christy Honeycutt: Why Your Recruiting Process Is Breaking (and How to Fix It) Recorded live at HR Tech 2025 in Las Vegas, this conversation with Christy Honeycutt dives into twenty years of hands-on talent expertise and breaks down exactly when an RPO model makes sense and when it doesn’t. Christy walks through the questions every TA leader should be prepared to answer before talking to a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), the hidden ATS issues that quietly block candidates, and why “finding your voice” matters more than ever for HR leaders looking to influence the C-suite. She also opens up about her work as a meditation coach, how leaders can regulate themselves before showing up for their teams, and how simple, accessible wellness practices can transform employee experience. The episode rounds out with a grounded, candid look at buy-in, accountability, and how HR can shift perceptions from “soft” to “strategic” by driving real business outcomes. Find out more about Christy Honeycutt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/ and via her website: https://www.christyhoneycutt.com/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Thu, 04 Dec 2025 14:41:00 -0000 Christy Honeycutt: Why Your Recruiting Process Is Breaking (and How to Fix It) full WRKdefined Podcast Network Recorded live at HR Tech 2025 in Las Vegas, this conversation with Christy Honeycutt dives into twenty years of hands-on talent expertise and breaks down exactly when an RPO model makes sense and when it doesn’t. Christy walks through the questions every TA leader should be prepared to answer before talking to a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), the hidden ATS issues that quietly block candidates, and why “finding your voice” matters more than ever for HR leaders looking to influence the C-suite. She also opens up about her work as a meditation coach, how leaders can regulate themselves before showing up for their teams, and how simple, accessible wellness practices can transform employee experience. The episode rounds out with a grounded, candid look at buy-in, accountability, and how HR can shift perceptions from “soft” to “strategic” by driving real business outcomes. Find out more about Christy Honeycutt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/ and via her website: https://www.christyhoneycutt.com/ Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Recorded live at HR Tech 2025 in Las Vegas, this conversation with Christy Honeycutt dives into twenty years of hands-on talent expertise and breaks down exactly when an RPO model makes sense and when it doesn’t. Christy walks through the questions every TA leader should be prepared to answer before talking to a recruitment process outsourcing (RPO), the hidden ATS issues that quietly block candidates, and why “finding your voice” matters more than ever for HR leaders looking to influence the C-suite.

She also opens up about her work as a meditation coach, how leaders can regulate themselves before showing up for their teams, and how simple, accessible wellness practices can transform employee experience. The episode rounds out with a grounded, candid look at buy-in, accountability, and how HR can shift perceptions from “soft” to “strategic” by driving real business outcomes.


Find out more about Christy Honeycutt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christyhoneycutt/ and via her website: https://www.christyhoneycutt.com/


Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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