In this episode, the boys chat with Sarah Needleman, Business Insider’s Leadership and Workplace Correspondent, formerly of the Wall Street Journal for 23 years. Her article, “If You Think Your Job Is Hard Right Now, Try Working in HR,” dives into HR’s brutal post-2020 landscape: mass layoffs (like Microsoft’s 9,000 cuts) burden HR with soul-crushing terminations, as Evan Loveless shared, facing tears and dashed hopes.

AI automation shrinks HR teams, incivility spikes with employee backlash, and return-to-office mandates spark resentment over commutes and fairness. ICE raids and immigration fears—amped by Trump’s “big beautiful bill”—disrupt workplaces, with HR crafting response plans.

Political uncertainty, like tariffs pausing hires, and H-1B visa exits to Canada/Europe strain talent pools. Interest in HR jobs is waning on Indeed, hinting at future shortages. Yet, many HR pros see this as a “calling” to shine via support and outplacement.

Two talks by Alan Watts