Pick Your Suck — The Brutal Truth About Work, Ai Evidence and Loyalty with guest Laura Azzarella | WRKdefined Podcast Network: Conversations Pushing The Boundaries of Work

AI can fake a photo, a screenshot, and even your voice—which means Laura Azzarella’s “trust but verify” rule just became non-negotiable for HR leaders, managers, and anyone handling workplace investigations. Laura breaks down several examples that most miss out on when considering investigations (related to people falsifying things) i.e. how to spot manipulated digital evidence, and how to protect yourself from bogus complaints. Our host, Tom Schin, brings the recruiting and leadership lens, while Laura - co-founder of Applied Potential Solutions - brings deep expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, and the digital-age realities employers are now facing. Together, they get into the messy intersection of AI, documentation, and judgment, including why a screenshot is only proof that a screen existed at a moment in time, not that the story behind it is true.

Let’s dive into what we discuss in this episode:

How confident are you in your human based AI detection skills?
How to sanity-check screenshots, timestamps, metadata, and Slack messages before over reacting
What EXIF data can reveal when someone tries to fake an excuse
Why “trust but verify” matters more than ever in workplace investigations
How deepfakes and voice cloning are changing the risk landscape for employers

Laura also shares the practical side of building her new content library, Applied HR, a master class in employee relations that covers positive workplace frameworks, conduct and performance, leaves of absence, and investigations in the digital age.

Beyond their nerding out. Tom and Laura get candid about loyalty, burnout, side hustles, and the reality that “pick your suck” may be the most honest leadership advice you’ll hear all year. If you’re trying to balance a W-2 with a consulting business, build boundaries around moonlighting, or figure out what you actually do and do not tolerate at work, this conversation hits home.

Keywords

HR, AI, workplace investigations, digital evidence, employee relations, professional development, HR tech, generative AI, HR courses, leadership

Key topics

AI safeguards and investigations

Digital evidence and AI-generated content

Workplace investigation best practices

HR course development and training

Career growth and side hustles in HR

Takeaways

Trust but verify digital evidence, especially with AI-generated content.

Build strong boundaries between side projects and W-2 employment.

Stay informed about AI risks like deepfakes and AI hacks.

Develop practical skills through targeted HR courses.

Leverage networking and continuous learning for career growth.

Guest

Laura Azzarella

Sound bites

"Trust but verify in digital investigations."

"AI is coming faster than we think."

"Find your passion projects and pursue them."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laura Azzarella and Tom Schin

02:08 The importance of AI safeguards in HR

03:59 AI-generated content and digital evidence

06:02 Verifying evidence in the digital age

07:59 The future of AI and workplace security

10:05 Launching HR courses and training programs

12:06 Balancing side hustles and W-2 employment

13:54 Legal considerations in HR and side projects

15:53 Networking and professional growth in HR

18:07 The impact of generational shifts on work loyalty

20:02 The importance of setting boundaries in side work

22:00 The evolving landscape of HR and technology

23:55 The role of continuous learning and adaptation

25:54 Strategies for high turnover environments

28:03 The future of work and AI integration

29:58 Closing thoughts and resources

Bio:

Laura is Co-Founder of Applied Potential Solutions, where she advises organizations and develops HR professionals through consulting, training, and certification programs focused on employee relations, workplace investigations, and the impact of technology and AI on the modern workplace.

With more than 17 years of experience spanning aerospace, manufacturing, higher education, and the public sector, Laura brings a unique combination of employment law knowledge, operational HR leadership, and technical expertise. Her work includes leading HR transformations, implementing enterprise HR systems, and developing employee relations and modern investigation practices for international organizations.

Laura is a frequent speaker on workplace investigations, digital evidence authentication, and the impact of artificial intelligence on employee relations. She is particularly known for helping HR professionals navigate complex workplace issues through the dual lens of human behavior and emerging technology. In her spare time, she volunteers as President of her regional SHRM chapter (https://www.bnhra.org ).

Links:

Web www.appliedpotentialsolutions.com

Employee Relations Courses applied-hr.trainercentralsite.com

Newsletter appliedhr.substack.com

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/laura-azzarella/

LINKS to info referenced in our episode:

https://ifamagazine.com/the-hidden-career-cost-of-hushed-coping-why-women-need-to-stop-silencing-themselves-at-work/

Name Drops of awesome people mentioned:

John Bernatovicz https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbernatovicz/

Music provided courtesy of our friends from The Break Signals. Listen or download on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA

Where you can find this show:

WrkDefined: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/this-meeting-should-have-been-a-podcast