

“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

May 21, 2024 • 11min
What's the Deal at OpenAI?
Nolan Church discusses OpenAI's exec departures, controversies over NDAs and equity, and Scarlett Johansson's voice use. Lessons for HR leaders and founders on ethics in AI tech.

May 16, 2024 • 52min
$3B Remote CEO on Killing the Return to Office
Job van der Voort, CEO of Remote and former VP at GitLab, discusses the challenges of running an international remote company, emphasizing autonomy over surveillance, global hiring complexities, geography-based compensation, and the impact on contracts. The conversation also explores the benefits of remote work culture, transitioning to remote work, and the potential for varied lifestyles with remote work.

May 14, 2024 • 15min
Career Decisions Round 2 with Janelle Lopez
Janelle Lopez shares insights on choosing a second-in-command role at Coursera over a Chief People Officer position elsewhere, discussing networking strategies, evaluating opportunities, and lessons learned from her job search. The podcast delves into the power of honest conversations during interviews, strategic networking for career advancement, and reflections on the job market and personal values for career growth.

May 9, 2024 • 48min
Balancing Humanity and Numbers: A Michelle Weaver, CFO at Twitch
Michelle Weaver, CFO at Twitch, discusses human-first leadership, building strong relationships, selecting the right company to work for, understanding business numbers, staying grounded in high-stress environments, and navigating career growth. The podcast delves into her experiences at companies like Twitch, EA, and Gap, emphasizing the importance of empathy and authenticity in business leadership.

May 7, 2024 • 12min
Do Non-Competes Harm Tech & AI Progress?
Discussing the recent FTC ban on non-compete agreements nationwide, the implications for employers and employees, balancing trade secrets and employee freedom, and the future of tech and AI post-ban. Embracing side hustles, innovation, and the need for looser restrictions in the tech industry to enhance wages and talent dynamics.

May 3, 2024 • 50min
Getting to the Bottom of Skill Shortages, Burnout & Engagement: Kristy McCann Flynn, SkillCycle CEO
Seasoned HR professional Kristy McCann Flynn discusses the changing role of HR, importance of aligning HR initiatives with business outcomes, why HR software purchasing power might be changing, and why HR practitioners need to address the skills gap in a new way.

May 2, 2024 • 14min
Politics in the Workplace is Just Distracting
Discussions on Google firing protestors and workplace disruptions, exploring the line between protest and disruption, Google's response to the controversy, alternative ways to voice dissent, and the future of workplace politics

11 snips
Apr 26, 2024 • 51min
The Architect of the Paypal Mafia: Peterson Conway
Guest Peterson Conway, headhunter and advisor to Silicon Valley greats, shares hiring insights and stories. He emphasizes curiosity, optimism, and unconventional hiring practices. Discussions include talent profiles, personal growth, CRM exploration, and risky recruiting strategies in chaotic events.

Apr 23, 2024 • 13min
Shopify's Zero Sum Mastery Program
Nolan and Kelli discuss Shopify's Mastery Program where employee raises are tied to their mastery score, creating a competitive workplace environment. They compare this approach to traditional performance evaluation systems and delve into the implications of internal competition. The podcast explores the evolution of performance rating systems and innovative strategies for employee involvement in performance management.

Apr 18, 2024 • 47min
Leadership Development: Can We Keep Up With AI?: A Conversation with Adam Weber, Chief Evangelist at 15five
Adam Weber, Chief Evangelist at 15Five, discusses the importance of upskilling leadership development to adapt to AI in HR. He advocates for courage in business, valuing individual contributors, and building high-performance cultures. The podcast explores personal growth, leadership challenges, and the evolving role of HR in meeting business expectations.