Drive Thru HR

In this episode of DriveThruHR, hosts Robin Schooling and Michael VanDervort speak with Deb Muller, founder and CEO of HR Acuity, about the evolving landscape of employee relations as we approach 2026. The conversation covers key trends in employee relations, the impact of AI on HR functions, the im...

In this “Snackable HR” episode, Robin unpacks the real reason your team is running on empty before December even starts - and it's not the tryptophan. She examines how eleven months of "do more with less," unmet promises, and relentless pushing has left people exhausted, disengaged, and quietly chec...

Does AI free up HR to focus on strategy? Host Michael VanDervort welcomes Jessie Roberts, Head of People Business Partners at Nextdoor, for a conversation about the intersection of HR and technology. Together, they examine how artificial intelligence is transforming the HR landscape, questioning whe...

On this episode of Drive Thru HR, Robin Schooling talks with Kristen Kavanaugh, co-author of Courage Over Fear and co-founder of The Agency Initiative. Kristen shares her journey from the Marine Corps to HR leadership at Tesla, and how those experiences shaped her commitment to authenticity, agency,...

In this host-only episode of Drive Thru HR, Robin Schooling and Michael VanDervort dig into the latest 2025 U.S. jobs report that reveals virtually zero net job growth and the ripple effects of economic uncertainty on talent strategy. They unpack the simmering Starbucks union impasse and the optics ...

In this episode of Drive Thru HR, hosts Michael VanDervort and Robin Schooling welcome Clay Martin, the owner of Isla Talent, who specializes in recruiting from Puerto Rico. Clay shares his unique journey from the Peace Corps to establishing a recruiting firm that addresses labor shortages in the U....

In this conversation, Michael VanDervort and John Hyman discuss various topics related to labor relations, the current crisis within the NLRB, and the implications of political actions on workplace rights. They examine the challenges faced by unions, the significance of employee rights, and the nece...

In this episode of DriveThruHR, Michael VanDervort and Robin Schooling engage with Caitlin MacGregor, CEO and co-founder of Plum, to discuss the importance of durable skills in the hiring process and organizational culture. Caitlin explains how durable skills, such as innovation and communication, a...

In this episode of DriveThruHR, Michael VanDervort and Robin Schooling engage with Rebecca Trotsky, Chief People Officer at HR Acuity, discussing the evolution of employee relations, the importance of talent development, and the role of technology in HR. They explore the significance of communities ...

In this episode of DriveThruHR, Michael turns the mic on his longtime co-host, Robin Schooling, about her brand-new book, Real HR: What It Is, What It Can Be, and How to Get There. What unfolds is part interview, part therapy session, and part HR real-talk manifesto. Robin shares the behind-the-scen...