Podcast · Business

What The HR!

by TCSHRM -Twin Cities Society for Human Resources Management · English · Business

What the HR! is an award-winning podcast. Presented by TCSHRM and hosted by Becky Lauseng, Jay Olson, and Lena Scullard. The podcast provides insights, strategies, and anecdotes that explore how to build better businesses through modern people practices and approaches. Topics covered include Organiz

New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 55 min
Latest: 13 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026 · 55 minNew

Episode 128: Investing in the Stock of you!

Being a Wealth Advisor is not just a career for Stacy Kupsky, it’s a deep privilege. Her passion in life is to see families, business owners, executives, and women in leadership win with money. She believes that money is a tool for stability, freedom, and ultimately impact. Stacy works with clients to articulate their financial priorities, deliver strategies centered in their values, and curate their legacy. Her goal is to empower clients by providingcustomized planning, well-formulated and tax-advantageous advice, and a dependable process. Stacy works alongside high-net worth individuals…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

E200 · 1 Oct 2026 · 1 hr 6 min
Episode 127: HR Hot Topics: Let's Dig Into the Hard Stuff
Justin Terch is the owner and principal consultant of Terch & Associates Consulting LLC, an independent human resources consulting firm serving employers throughout the upper Midwest and has offices in Duluth and St. Louis Park Minnesota. He is an experienced workplace investigator who conducts independent investigations involving employee misconduct, harassment, discrimination, and other complex employment matters and has extensive experience in partnering with corporate security. In addition to investigations, Justin advises organizations on employment law compliance, labor relations,…
E198 · 16 Sep 2026 · 58 min
Episode 126: When Speaking Up Is Hard: Tackling Workplace Bullying & Misconduct
Dr. Amy Jauman, SHRM-SCP, GPHR, is an HR professional, writer, researcher, and speaker specializing in victim-centered storytelling that fosters empathy, understanding, and meaningful change. As the HR Director for the DNA Doe Project, she applies her background in organizational development to support the volunteers and professionals working to restore names to unidentified individuals. With author Tonia Bales, she co-wrote When You See It: How I Outsmarted and Outlasted Dirty John, a narrative offering clarity and encouragement for those entangled in complex legal systems and deceptive…
E196 · 2 Sep 2026 · 53 min
Episode 125: The Gift of Volunteering - How Giving Back Becomes Growing Forward
Susie Heaver is a Human Resource professional with 25 years of experience possessing a diverse skillset including program management, recruiting, training, and overall human resource functions. A highly effective communicator with proven ability to build long term relationships with internal and external clients by establishing a high level of confidence and trust. Susie has been with Ernst & Young (EY) for 7 years and works on the Contingent Workforce Solutions team as a Program Manager. She works with engagement teams to find the best path to bring contractors onto their projects. Susie…
E194 · 5 Aug 2026 · 51 min
Episode 124: Insights on the Job Search and Surviving Unemployment
Born and raised in Minnesota, Ed Kashmarek received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Minnesota and an MBA in Finance from the Carlson School of Management. He was an economist with Wells Fargo for 10 years, working under the direction of Dr. Sung Won Sohn, Dr. Michael Swanson, Dr. Scott Anderson and Dr. Eugenio Aleman. Ed says his job was like getting paid to go to school! Ed’s commentary has appeared in ABC News, The Denver Business Journal, The San Francisco Chronicle, The Oregonian and The Star Tribune. He was also recently a guest on AM 1280 radio to talk about…
E192 · 22 Jul 2026 · 53 min
Episode 123: Why Influence Is HR's Greatest Superpower
Howie Chan is the founder and chief strategist at The Behavioring Company, applying brand science and influence psychology to change human behavior for good. He has worked with Fortune 100 companies, startups and leaders over the past decade, including a $1.5 billion spinout from Merck. Howie was named the #1 LinkedIn creator worldwide in branding by Favikon in 2024. He also hosts the #1 podcast in applied influence psychology called Influence Anyone. Outside of work, he trains for 100-mile bike rides and maintains an unreasonably high number of spicy condiments. His mission is to help 1…
E190 · 8 Jul 2026 · 47 min
Episode 122: The Shift: Accelerating Your Career with Intentional Leadership
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E188 · 17 Jun 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 121: From What If to How: Rebuilding, Reinventing, and Leading with AI
Jenny Cotie Kangas rebuilt her life from zero after a 2020 injury erased her memory, and built a methodology out of what worked. Now she runs Whiterock Road, a Builder Coach practice for applied AI, where she builds systems alongside clients and teaches them to build the next one. From what if to how. Guest: Jenny (JCK) Cotie Kangas - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcotie/ Hosts: Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/ Jay Olson | Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email…
E186 · 3 Jun 2026 · 52 min
Episode 120: A Case for Mental Health First Aid
Nicole is the Director of Human Resources at Bauer Design Build, where she leads people strategy with a focus on building people-first workplaces that align culture with business growth. Her work sits at the intersection of culture, operational reality, and mental health, creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and safe to speak up. With experience in highly structured industries and a pivot into construction, she brings a practical, real-world perspective on what actually builds trust in tough, traditional environments, and why presence matters more than programs. Nicole is…
E117 · 21 May 2026 · 1 hr 1 min
Episode 119: Slaying the Myths of Success
Scott Mason—The Myth Slayer—is a 2x TEDx speaker, executive coach, attorney, author, and former senior New York City government and nonprofit executive. A graduate of Columbia Law School, Scott spent more than two decades leading complex, high-impact initiatives across government, legal, nonprofit, and mission-driven organizations. This included serving as second-in-command of New York City’s central administrative court and as General Counsel and head of operations for the nation’s largest provider of domestic violence shelters. Today, Scott translates Greek myths into practical leadership…
E117 · 22 Apr 2026 · 50 min
Episode 118: From Performance to Purpose: What Alignment Really Means
Laura King has had over 30,000 career conversations across two decades as an executive recruiter. She's sat with leaders at every level: the ones hitting their stride, the ones grinding without traction, and the ones doing everything right on paper and still falling short. She learned that the gap between potential and performance almost always comes down to the system around people, not the people themselves. Every transformation — especially now, with AI reshaping how work gets done — has to pass through the human layer. How people make decisions. How they take ownership. How they work…
E117 · 8 Apr 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Episode 117: The Human Advantage: Leading Through Wellbeing
Nikki Peters is the Founder and CEO of Studio 9 to 5, a national workplace wellness company transforming how organizations support employee health, energy, and performance. With 20 years of experience in the corporate wellness sector, Studio 9 to 5 has partnered with companies across healthcare, government, finance, and commercial real estate to deliver programs that improve engagement, resilience, and workplace culture. Guest: Nikki Peters: Founder & CEO of Studio 9 to 5 Wellness https://www.linkedin.com/in/nikkipeters/ Hosts: Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ Lena Scullard…
E184 · 11 Mar 2026 · 1 hr 3 min
Episode 116: Bringing Emotional Intelligence to Every Conversation – Even in an AI World
Amy Jacobson is an EI and human behaviour specialist, delivering emotional intelligence programs, keynotes & workshops across Australia internationally. She is a twice Wiley-published author of 'Emotional Intelligence: A simple and actionable guide to increasing performance, engagement and ownership', and the new book ‘The Emotional Intelligence Advantage: Mastering change and difficult conversations’. Amy is a sought-after media commentator whose mission is to break down misconceptions around E.I., help people to increase their emotional intelligence and create purpose-driven teams who get…
E182 · 25 Feb 2026 · 55 min
Episode 115: Nobody Likes a Bad Manager - Not Even Your Money
Jeffery Robinson is the Senior Program Director at Build Wealth MN, where he leads financial education, coaching, workforce development, and housing counseling programs that help families build stability and generational wealth. His work is rooted in his personal mantra: “Because Somebody Did It for Me.” A graduate of the University of Minnesota–Morris, Jeffery co-founded Imani, a student organization supporting Black men on a predominantly white campus. Before joining Build Wealth, he spent over 20 years as a Senior Quality Control Mortgage Underwriter, evaluating mortgage-backed securities…
E180 · 12 Feb 2026 · 1 hr 5 min
Episode 114: Human-Centered Hiring in an AI World
Paul DeBettignies, better known online as Minnesota Headhunter, is a Minnesota IT Recruiter who builds IT teams with startups and tech companies, creates recruiting strategies for Fortune 500 clients, author of the Minnesota Headhunter blog, the longest running regional recruiter blog and an Advisor to ToggleGreen. He is a frequent local and national speaker, trainer and subject matter expert on recruiter, HR, career, networking and social media topics. Recent activities include presentations at Twin Cities Startup Week, Google for Entrepreneurs, Michigan Recruiters Conference, University of…
E178 · 28 Jan 2026 · 50 min
Episode 113: Finding the Courage to Speak Up, Stand Out, and Shine
A 6-time award-winning keynote speaker Meredith Breitstein tours the world encouraging leaders to step into their destiny, walk through fear, and SHINE by finding their courage. She specializes in helping teams, and her audiences speak up, stand out, and command a room with their presence. After coaching thousands of leaders she has learned there are 5 steps all of us can take to level UP and start right away. In her most requested Keynote Meredith teaches her 5-step frameworkto reveal how all teams and leaders can S. H. I. N. E. In Meredith's TEDx talk "Don't waste a minute, shine RIGHT…
E176 · 15 Jan 2026 · 1 hr 10 min
Episode 112: The Habits of Future-Ready Leaders: Talent, AI, and What Actually Matters
Rick Rittmaster is a Leadership and Talent Development expert who leads the Leadership Solutions practice at Strategic Talent Partners and is a Co-Founder at Groveland Leadership. With over a decade of experience partnering with CEOs and senior executives, he helps organizations enhance leadership capability and drive sustainable growth. Rick is known for his unique ability to make complex leadership strategies attainable and actionable. He designs practical solutions that not only address the root causes of leadership challenges but also resonate across organizations, bringing leadership…
E174 · 3 Dec 2025 · 53 min
Episode 111: Unlocking Human Potential: Neuroscience, Coaching, and AI for Better Leaders
Heather Polivka helps leaders create workplaces where people thrive, great talent stays, and businesses grow. Whether clients are responding to a changing talent market, fueling high growth, or navigating accelerated change, Heather guides leaders to cultivate a way of working that fuels their business and empowers their people. She has been doing that for more than two decades at companies of all sizes. Her journey includes leadership roles at major brands such as Target—where she spent a decade in product management and development—and the Lenox Group, where she served as Managing Director…
E172 · 20 Nov 2025 · 48 min
Episode 110: Getting a Handle on Handbooks
Lena Scullard and Becky Lauseng welcomed employment attorney Kate Bischoff to discuss employee handbooks, which she defined as documents setting expectations and guidance distinct from tactical policy manuals. Kate advised that HR should determine the handbook's tone to match the company culture, use the document to drive cultural change, and review the handbook annually, ideally from back to front and through the perspective of an employee needing guidance. Key recommendations included ensuring harassment and essential EEO policies are prominently featured, avoiding broad off-the-clock…
E170 · 6 Nov 2025 · 58 min
Episode 109: Great Leaders Make Sure Monday Morning Doesn't Suck
Eric Harkins is the President and Founder of GKG Search & Outplacement, a Minneapolis-based consulting firm that helps organizations Get, Keep & Grow talent. He is also an Amazon #1 best-selling author of: Great Leaders Make Sure Monday Morning Doesn’t Suck. His goal is simple: Help every company he works with make sure Monday morning doesn’t suck for their employees. Eric is a motivational speaker, consultant, executive-coach, and an expert in helping companies create a culture high performers want to be a part of. During his 25-year career in corporate America, Eric held leadership roles…
E168 · 27 Oct 2025 · 39 min
Episode 108: A Deep Dive into MN Paid Leave
Tiffany McDaniel, an Absence Consultant at Brown and Brown, explained the new Minnesota paid leave program, which takes effect on January 1st. Tiffany explained that employees are eligible for up to 20 weeks of paid time off with job and benefit protection for various reasons, including caring for a family member, bonding with a child, or their own serious health condition. Tiffany McDaniel also clarified employer options for administering the program, communication requirements, and eligibility for different family structures, including fostering, adoption, and surrogacy, addressing…
E164 · 24 Sep 2025 · 1 hr
Episode 107: Know Yourself, Know Your People: Preventing Burnout at Work
Becky Lauseng and Jay Olson introduced Keynote Speaker, Janice Litvin, who defined burnout as chronic, unmanaged work leading to complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, impacting organizational productivity and employee retention. Janice emphasized that individual awareness, effective managerial support, setting boundaries, and a top-down culture of well-being are crucial in preventing burnout. Her final message was to "know yourself and know your people," encouraging connection with professional communities. Janice Litvin, Founder of Banish Burnout Academy, is a keynote…
E162 · 11 Sep 2025 · 47 min
Episode 106: The Perfect Game Day
In this episode, we talk with J.P. Paul, Vice President of Stadium Operations for the Minnesota Vikings, now in his 23rd season with the team. J.P. has been instrumental in creating world-class game day experiences for fans, leading initiatives in food service, crowd management, and facility operations at U.S. Bank Stadium. He also plays a key role in shaping the future of TCO Stadium at Viking Lakes, driving community-focused growth and innovative events. Best known for building the Vikings’ award-winning Guest and Premium Experience teams, J.P. was a driving force behind the team’s #1…
E160 · 21 Aug 2025 · 54 min
Episode 105: Meet Our New Cohosts: Jay and Lena!
Becky Lauseng introduced Jay Olson and Lena Scullard as the new co-hosts for the "What the HR podcast," with both new co-hosts expressing enthusiasm for joining and engaging with the TCSHRM community. Jay Olson and Lena Scullard shared their non-traditional career paths into HR/Talent, their personal hobbies and passions, and their motivations for joining the podcast, with Lena Scullard aiming to maintain a strong professional network and utilize performance skills, and Jay Olson drawn to the opportunity by their natural curiosity and desire to learn. Becky Lauseng, Lena Scullard, and Jay…
E158 · 19 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 2 min
Episode 104: Energy: Emotions in Action
Kristen Brown is a Certified Speaking Professional, bestselling author, and interactive and funny keynote speaker and trainer who helps organizations unlock high-impact leadership, team engagement, and performance by harnessing the power of energy. With nearly two decades in corporate leadership and market research, she brings deep expertise in human behavior, workplace dynamics, and results-driven strategies that resonate with HR leaders and executive teams alike. Through her signature 7 Energies of Results framework, Kristen equips organizations with actionable tools to elevate motivation,…
E156 · 4 Jun 2025 · 1 hr 4 min
Episode 103: Future Ready Leadership
Dr. Rosie Ward is a fierce advocate for humanity who is sought-after to help rehumanize workplaces that free, fuel and inspire people to bring their best selves to work – and home – each day. She serves as CEO and Founder of Salveo Partners, which was awarded the 2024 Stellar Business Award for best business consulting in the United States, and focuses on future-proofing organizations by strengthening culture and equipping leaders and teams to show up courageously and more effectively navigate change and disruption. Rosie recently received a Female Voice Award as the Business Coach of the…
E154 · 21 May 2025 · 40 min
Episode 102: Return to People
John Christensen is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and the CEO of ChartHouse Learning, the company behind the globally recognized FISH! Philosophy. In 1998, during a visit to Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market, he was inspired by the fishmongers’ energetic and joyful approach to their work. This experience led him to create the FISH! video, which evolved into a worldwide movement promoting workplace engagement and positivity.Under John’s leadership, ChartHouse Learning has developed a suite of FISH! Philosophy training programs utilized by organizations across various sectors, including…
E152 · 7 May 2025 · 51 min
Episode 101: Transparency in Leadership & Culture
Mark Smith is a seasoned global talent leader with over 20 years of experience in Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, and Talent Management. Currently serving as Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic, a leading medical technology company, Mark oversees a global team that drives innovative hiring solutions to advance Medtronic's mission of alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending lives. Under his leadership, Medtronic’s TA team has consistently delivered excellence across more than 150 countries, supporting a workforce of over 90,000 professionals. Mark’s…
E150 · 7 Apr 2025 · 56 min
Episode 100: Farewell to Mike and Jessie
We’ve made it to 100 episodes of What the HR! — and we’re marking the moment with a special farewell to our original hosts, Jessie Novey and Mike Thul. Since 2019, they’ve brought thoughtful conversations, expert insights, and plenty of personality to the mic as dedicated TCSHRM volunteers. In this milestone episode, new host Becky Lauseng sits down with Mike and Jessie for an interview looking back on their journey, favorite moments, and the evolution of the podcast. Looking ahead, Becky will continue as the lead host, joined by two rotating co-hosts who will help shape the next chapter of…
E148 · 17 Mar 2025 · 1 hr 7 min
Episode 99: 2025 Employee Experience Trends Report
Dr. Benjamin Granger is Chief Workplace Psychologist and Head of EX Advisory Services. He has over a decade of experience building Experience Management (XM) programs across the globe and leads EX thought leadership and research initiatives across Qualtrics and the XM Institute. Report: https://www.qualtrics.com/ebooks-guides/2024-ex-trends-report/ Guest: Benjamin Granger: Chief Workplace Psychologist | XM Institute linkedin.com/in/benjamin-granger-7147991b Hosts: Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email…

About What The HR!

What The HR! is a English business podcast from TCSHRM -Twin Cities Society for Human Resources Management. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: TCSHRM -Twin Cities Society for Human Resources Management
Language: English
Category: Business
New episodes: Every two weeks
Typical length: 55 min
Latest episode: 13 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1479349063

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