HR Mixtape

HR Mixtape

Human Resources and Business Leadership

HR Mixtape is a weekly human resources and business leadership podcast for HR professionals, people leaders, and executives navigating the real work of managing people. Episodes cover human resources strategy, HR compliance, workplace culture, leadership development, employee experience, payroll and HR technology, and the future of work.

Whether you work in HR, talent management, people operations, or business leadership, HR Mixtape offers practical insights, expert conversations, and real-world perspectives to help you lead with confidence in today’s evolving workplace.

Flow States: Thriving in an AI World
HR MixtapeMay 14, 2026
180
00:23:41

Flow States: Thriving in an AI World

Most leaders are quietly using AI tools to get more done, but the real question isn't whether AI can automate tasks. It's whether your team can do the work AI can't: building relationships, pushing the frontier, and creating ideas that didn't exist before. Steven Puri, founder of The Sukha Company a...

Human-Centered Leadership Strategies: Building Trust and Psychological Safety
HR MixtapeMay 12, 2026
179
00:20:28

Human-Centered Leadership Strategies: Building Trust and Psychological Safety

In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Madeline Kipperman, Human Resource Leader at Gorilla Glue, about the importance of leading with humanity in the workplace. They discuss how compassion and transparency can enhance leadership effectiveness, especially in high-pressure environments. Liste...

AI in Hiring: Legal Guardrails Leaders Can't Ignore
HR MixtapeMay 07, 2026
178
00:22:32

AI in Hiring: Legal Guardrails Leaders Can't Ignore

In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Jillian Ambrose, Counsel at Crowell, about the urgent legal and compliance risks associated with using AI in hiring processes. As organizations increasingly adopt AI tools for recruitment, understanding the evolving landscape of state laws and potential...

Culture by Design: Building Values into the Systems that Run Your Business
HR MixtapeMay 05, 2026
177
00:20:58

Culture by Design: Building Values into the Systems that Run Your Business

In this episode of the HR Mixtape, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Meghan Focht, Human Capital Director at Concurrency, about the intentional design of workplace culture. They discuss how to identify cultural strengths and weaknesses through values and behaviors, and how to implement systems that supp...

Beyond Severance: What a Truly Compassionate Layoff Package Looks Like
HR MixtapeApril 30, 2026
176
00:20:48

Beyond Severance: What a Truly Compassionate Layoff Package Looks Like

In this episode of the HR Mixtape, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Steve Jaffe, author at Jaffe Marketing and Publishing, about the emotional and practical impacts of layoffs. They discuss how to approach layoffs with empathy and the importance of understanding the stages of grief that accompany job loss....

People First: Humanity at the Center of Everything
HR MixtapeApril 28, 2026
175
00:23:24

People First: Humanity at the Center of Everything

In this episode of the HR Mixtape, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Kacy Wickenhauser, Chief HR Officer at Wolverine Power Cooperative. They discuss the importance of maintaining a human-centered approach in the workplace, especially in the context of conflict and the rise of AI. Listeners will learn prac...

Beyond the Stereotypes: Helping Gen Z and Every Generation Thrive Together
HR MixtapeApril 23, 2026
174
00:22:25

Beyond the Stereotypes: Helping Gen Z and Every Generation Thrive Together

In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Meghan Grace, consultant at the Institute for Generational Research and Education, about the challenges and opportunities of working with multiple generations in the workplace. They discuss how to address common misconceptions about Gen Z and the import...

Small Business HR Practices: Insights for Leaders in Small Companies
HR MixtapeApril 21, 2026
173
00:20:23

Small Business HR Practices: Insights for Leaders in Small Companies

In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson talks with Christy Engler about the unique HR challenges faced by small businesses and how to address them effectively. Listeners will learn why even small organizations need robust HR practices, the importance of having a solid foundation in HR, and how to foster ...

Improving Succession Planning: Why it Feels like a Fire Drill and How to Fix It
HR MixtapeApril 16, 2026
172
00:22:21

Improving Succession Planning: Why it Feels like a Fire Drill and How to Fix It

In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson talks with Megan Leasher, founder of Disruptive Journeys, about the challenges of succession planning in organizations. They discuss how to shift the perception of succession planning from a reactive process to a proactive strategy that involves all levels of the o...

Supporting Working Parents: Practical Programs that Reduce Burnout
HR MixtapeApril 14, 2026
171
00:20:31

Supporting Working Parents: Practical Programs that Reduce Burnout

In this episode, Dr. Shari Simpson speaks with Dr. Rosina McAlpine, founder of Win-Win Parenting, about the challenges working parents face and how employers can better support them. The discussion highlights the misconceptions surrounding working parents and caregivers, emphasizing that the issues ...