

“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies
HR Heretics
After a decade+ of “blitz-scaling” companies, HR, talent, and People leaders now face an uncertain economy that has already seen big booms and busts. What will it take to construct the next generation of incredible businesses – and where can people leaders have the most business impact?
Hosts Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich have been through it all, the highs and the lows – IPOs, layoffs, executive turnover, board meetings, culture changes, and more. With a lineup of industry vets and experts, Nolan and Kelli break down the nitty-gritty details, trade offs, and dynamics of constructing high performing companies. Through unfiltered conversations that can only happen between seasoned practitioners – Kelli and Nolan dive deep into the kind of leadership-level strategy that often happens behind closed doors.
This show is for those who are ready to ditch conventional wisdom and figure out from first principles what works for their culture, business model, and industry, with the goal of building a resilient and enduring company. You’ll come away with real guidance for seeing around corners, building enduring companies, and carving out an impactful career – plus a newly-honed bullshit detector.
Topics frequently touched on in this season include: building high performing cultures, compensation negotiation, performance reviews, company design, equity, M&As, recruiting the best talent, and how to manage your own psychology as a people leader. hrheretics.substack.com
Hosts Nolan Church and Kelli Dragovich have been through it all, the highs and the lows – IPOs, layoffs, executive turnover, board meetings, culture changes, and more. With a lineup of industry vets and experts, Nolan and Kelli break down the nitty-gritty details, trade offs, and dynamics of constructing high performing companies. Through unfiltered conversations that can only happen between seasoned practitioners – Kelli and Nolan dive deep into the kind of leadership-level strategy that often happens behind closed doors.
This show is for those who are ready to ditch conventional wisdom and figure out from first principles what works for their culture, business model, and industry, with the goal of building a resilient and enduring company. You’ll come away with real guidance for seeing around corners, building enduring companies, and carving out an impactful career – plus a newly-honed bullshit detector.
Topics frequently touched on in this season include: building high performing cultures, compensation negotiation, performance reviews, company design, equity, M&As, recruiting the best talent, and how to manage your own psychology as a people leader. hrheretics.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 18, 2025 • 44min
Nextdoor’s CPO on “The Great AI Divide”: Tinkerers vs Resisters
Bryan Power, Head of People at Nextdoor, brings extensive expertise in AI and people operations. He discusses the transformative potential of AI in the workplace, emphasizing the importance of treating AI as teammates. Bryan shares insights on Project Neighbor and practical strategies like scheduling one-on-ones with custom GPTs. He also advocates for hands-on AI training and low-stakes tinkering to empower employees. The conversation wraps up with a humorous segment on despised corporate jargon, blending serious insights with lighthearted fun.

8 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 23min
The Death of Traditional VC: Why Platform Shifts Demand People-First Investors, with Katelin Holloway of Seven Seven Six
Katelin Holloway, Founding Partner of Seven Seven Six, emphasizes the unmatched skills HR professionals possess for early-stage investing. She argues for their evolution from support roles to key decision-makers by fostering strong relationships with founders. The conversation touches upon creating human-centric venture capital, advocating for genuine connections in the startup ecosystem. Katelin also shares personal insights from her Pixar days, linking innovative HR practices to corporate success. Discover how people-first strategies can transform investment landscapes!

14 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 21min
Applying Design Thinking to People Operations with Iain Roberts, Airbnb
Iain Roberts, Global Head of Employee Experience at Airbnb and former IDEO designer, shares insights on transforming HR through design thinking. He discusses redefining leadership and collaboration in large organizations, showcasing how innovative structures lead to better team cohesion. Iain explores Airbnb's 'Live and Work Anywhere' policy, highlighting tailored strategies for collaboration. He also delves into evolving workforce dynamics, using AI to navigate changes in workplace approaches post-pandemic and advocating for customized employee experiences.

Sep 9, 2025 • 34min
The AI Expectations Crash with Metaview CEO Siadhal Magos
Siadhal Magos, CEO of Metaview, delves into the reality of enterprise AI adoption and its disconnect from inflated expectations. He discusses the 'Trough of Disillusionment' and the importance of understanding the journey toward productive AI use. The conversation highlights the need for incremental improvements in recruiting workflows, focusing on practical strategies for integrating AI in organizations. Siadhal emphasizes the role of human nature in technology adoption, advocating for direct engagement and demonstrations to bridge expectations.

12 snips
Sep 4, 2025 • 31min
Inside LinkedIn's First AI Agent, with Mark Lobosco
Mark Lobosco, VP of Talent Solutions at LinkedIn, leads a discussion on the groundbreaking 'Hiring Assistant', an AI tool streamlining recruitment processes. They dive into the balance between technology and human interaction in hiring, and how AI reshapes candidate requirements. The conversation also touches on the evolving importance of LinkedIn profiles in the job market, emphasizing the shift from traditional resumes to detailed online presences. Additionally, they humorously explore the role of AI in evaluating profile pictures, highlighting privacy and trust issues.

18 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 20min
Building Relationships with Board Members
Dive into the art of engaging with board members and mastering strategic communication. Explore techniques for building relationships that matter, emphasizing transparency and tailored presentations. Hear insights from David Heinemeier Hansson on critiquing woke workplace culture and championing political neutrality. Learn how HR leaders can align with CEOs while navigating complex dynamics, and discover strategies for adding value in board interactions. Perfect for anyone keen to elevate their board engagement game!

21 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 34min
40 Hours, No Meetings, No Politics: Building a Company That Actually Works with David Heinemeier Hansson (DHH)
David Heinemeier Hansson, creator of Ruby on Rails and co-owner of 37signals, dives into the essence of workplace efficiency. He passionately critiques DEI initiatives and workplace politics, advocating for political neutrality at work. DHH shares his philosophy of minimal management and creative constraints, emphasizing a 40-hour workweek devoid of meetings. He discusses the importance of clear communication in a meeting-free culture and reflects on the balance between work and life, urging organizations to prioritize productivity with integrity.

14 snips
Aug 21, 2025 • 17min
"I Live Off Intensity": Steve Cadigan on Jeff Weiner's Leadership That Built LinkedIn
Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn's first CHRO, shares insights from his experience during the company's explosive growth. He tackles the cultural challenges of scaling from 400 to 4,000 employees and emphasizes the need to shift from acquiring talent to developing it internally. Cadigan discusses the unconventional leadership style of CEO Jeff Weiner and the importance of vulnerability in crisis management. He highlights lessons learned from LinkedIn's blitzscaling phase and advocates for innovative HR practices that support adaptability and work-life balance.

Aug 19, 2025 • 18min
How AT&T's CEO Just Exposed the Engagement Survey Con Game
Kelli and Nolan dive deep into the flaws of employee engagement surveys, exposing them as mere performative exercises for executives. They argue these surveys often fail to accurately capture employee sentiment. The discussion emphasizes the need for genuine communication between leaders and frontline workers to truly enhance engagement. They also highlight the importance of shifting away from superficial metrics and instead fostering meaningful conversations that drive real organizational change.

12 snips
Aug 14, 2025 • 38min
Dave Margulius: "Starting a Company Without VC Money is Like Starting a Religion"
In this engaging discussion, Dave Margulius, co-founder of Quizlet and a serial entrepreneur, shares his journey from bootstrapping a startup with teenage partners to building a successful global education platform. He dives into the challenges of leading without VC funding, emphasizing passion as a driving force. Margulius also sheds light on the transition to board member, the importance of maintaining a mission-driven culture during growth, and the revolutionary impact of AI in recruitment. Tune in for insightful wisdom on innovation and leadership!