“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
5 snips
Apr 17, 2025 • 43min
Character AI's Annie Wickman on PMF, Google's Deal, and Humu
Annie Wickman, Head of People at Character AI and former Googler, shares her unique journey from being the first non-founder at Humu to leading talent strategies at Character AI. She discusses the essential balance between product-market fit and company culture, and how this interplay affects internal dynamics. Annie also dives into her experiences with Google’s strategic deals and offers insights into rebuilding organizational trust. Additionally, she touches on the emotional challenges of leadership in venture capital and maintaining a strong team culture during transitions.
7 snips
Apr 15, 2025 • 20min
Startup Ethics: All In or Out
Explore the ethical tightrope that startups walk, where personal values clash with innovative ambition. Hear advice on whether to align with ethically questionable founders or gracefully step away. Delve into the importance of integrity in leadership and the signs of workplace toxicity. Discover insights on building supportive networks amid personal crises. Plus, learn about innovative tools that enhance workforce management, like AI-powered solutions that revolutionize recruitment processes.
Apr 10, 2025 • 46min
VC Brett Queener Unpacks AI-Native Startups and the End of Grunt Work
Brett Queener, Managing Director at Bonfire Ventures, shares insights on the evolving venture landscape and the impact of AI on software startups. He dives into the challenges of evaluating AI startups amidst the hype and stresses the importance of rapid adaptation. Queener highlights how AI is revolutionizing recruitment, making processes more efficient with tools like MetaView. He also discusses the changing nature of talent needs and the necessity for companies to embrace a mentality of continuous change in today's competitive market.
13 snips
Apr 8, 2025 • 31min
Claude's Human-Like AI & Groundbreaking Research from Anthropic with Siadhal Magos
Siadhal Magos, CEO of Metaview and an AI pioneer, joins to explore Anthropic's landmark findings on large language models. They discuss how AI doesn't just predict but can plan ahead and process multiple languages at once. The conversation delves into the paradox of powerful AI systems operating without full comprehension of their reasoning, raising safety concerns. Siadhal highlights the crucial role of human collaboration in refining AI through data annotation, shaping the way forward in hiring and technology’s impact on our work.
12 snips
Apr 4, 2025 • 52min
Solving for False Negatives in Hiring with Arthur Matuszewski
Arthur Matuszewski, a seasoned leader from Bridgewater, Better.com, and Carrara, dives into the nuances of hiring in this engaging discussion. He highlights the importance of intellectual honesty and how traditional hiring criteria often miss exceptional talent. Matuszewski shares insights on mitigating false negatives and adapting recruitment strategies to unique organizational contexts. He emphasizes the need to evaluate employees based on their actual contributions, steering away from conventional measures like titles, and fostering a culture of exploration and transparency.
27 snips
Apr 3, 2025 • 46min
Rethinking the HRBP Role with Lucy Adams, Disruptive HR
Lucy Adams, founder of Disruptive HR, shakes up conventional HR thinking with her bold insights. She critiques outdated policies, championing judgment-based systems that empower employees. The conversation dives into the evolving role of HR business partners, emphasizing trust over compliance. Adams discusses innovative strategies for creating high-performing cultures and the importance of adapting to complex workplace dynamics. Tune in for her take on fostering inclusion and the future of HR in a rapidly changing environment.
5 snips
Apr 1, 2025 • 23min
Real Personal Crises at Work
The hosts open up about deeply personal experiences caring for ill loved ones, highlighting the challenges of balancing work and trauma. They emphasize the importance of empathy and support systems in the workplace. Listeners gain insights into innovative health benefits and the need for advocacy during personal crises. Additionally, the conversation touches on transforming hiring processes using advanced technology, showcasing how thoughtful solutions can enhance both employee well-being and organizational effectiveness.
Mar 27, 2025 • 23min
HR Spy Games: Deel vs Rippling
In a thrilling tale of corporate espionage, Deel is accused of sending a spy to Rippling to steal secrets, which leads to an elaborate 'honeypot' trap. The hosts delve into how such incidents reflect the shift from private rivalry to public drama via social media. They explore the tangled web of modern workplace ethics and the importance of transparency in an era where unprofessional acts can be quickly exposed. This captivating discourse highlights the evolving complexities of corporate interactions and the role of technology in today's HR landscape.
8 snips
Mar 25, 2025 • 36min
HR Needs More Tension with David Hanrahan
David Hanrahan, the new CHRO at SolarWinds and experienced leader in organizational change, shares his insights on navigating leadership roles. He reflects on the recent Transform 2025 conference, advocating for deeper discussions in HR. The conversation reveals the challenges of fostering genuine dialogue amid cancel culture. David emphasizes the need for trust and collaboration in leadership development, especially with shifting budget constraints, underlining the importance of aligning HR strategies with business objectives.
4 snips
Mar 18, 2025 • 16min
Calibration Sessions Demystified
Dive into the intriguing world of talent calibration sessions, where clarity and transparency are key! Discover how HR can balance facilitation and objective evaluation to ensure fair assessments. The discussion reveals calibration's critical role in unifying team evaluations and enhancing decision-making. Uncover the analogy between fitness and organizational health, emphasizing the importance of clear expectations. Listen in for insights on using tools like the nine-box grid to foster employee development and engagement!
