HR Superstars

The future of work is already here, so why does HR still feel stuck in the past? Despite rising expectations, many HR teams are still relying on outdated tools like annual surveys, rigid change models, and compliance-first programs. The result: employee experiences that feel transactional instead of inspiring. In this episode, Loren Blandon joins Karina Young to talk about how HR can finally catch up to the way people actually work today. Loren is a Future of Work Strategist and Fractional HR Executive with nearly two decades of experience across industries. Loren shares why HR should borrow from marketing and brand building, how she rebuilt learning teams with human-centered design, and the importance of creating programs employees are proud to talk about outside of work. She and Karina also dig into how to get past “check-the-box” approaches, why HR leaders need to put the employee at the center of every decision, and how grassroots energy often drives change more effectively than top-down mandates. For HR leaders carrying more responsibility than ever with limited resources, this episode is a call to bring creativity, empathy, and courage to the way we design work and to step confidently into the future that’s already unfolding. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Loren Blandon (02:21) Loren’s path from psychologist to HR leader (03:41) Why traditional change models no longer work (05:19) What HR can learn from top consumer brands (08:52) Breaking free from compliance-first HR mindsets (10:45) Designing learning programs people actually want (14:06) The role of AI in today’s HR function (17:11) Addressing fear and uncertainty across every career stage (23:53) Using influencers to amplify culture and learning programs (27:26) The future of employee listening powered by AI (31:40) Practical ways HR teams are using AI today (37:00) Advice for HR leaders stepping into new roles   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee  For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Loren Blandon’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorenblandon/

Authenticity in leadership is often encouraged, but rarely modeled at the top. And in HR, the pressure to stay polished can make vulnerability feel off-limits. In this episode, Nicole DuBois joins Karina Young to reflect on what happens when people leaders stop compartmentalizing and start leading from their full selves. Nicole, CHRO at Graham Windham, opens up about publishing a memoir under a pseudonym, sharing her story publicly, and how that decision impacted her team and her career. Together, they talk about how HR teams can influence culture by showing up as humans first, what it looks like to embed compassion into strategic planning, and why trust with employees hinges on transparent follow-through. Nicole also shares how her team is building programming around vulnerability, leadership coaching, and belonging across the organization. For HR leaders looking to lead with more intention and impact, it’s a reminder that honesty isn’t a liability but a strategy.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Nicole DuBois  (01:25) The pressure to stay polished as an HR leader (03:18) Nicole’s journey from policy enforcer to strategic people partner (06:22) What to do when HR needs HR (08:15) Writing a memoir while hiding behind a pseudonym (10:11) The moment Nicole chose to show up fully (12:31) How authenticity changed her team relationships (16:28) The loneliness of leading HR without peer support (21:25) Building an annual plan rooted in compassion (23:20) Supporting employees in emotionally demanding roles (27:20) Coaching leaders stuck in outdated management styles (33:23) Turning engagement survey feedback into visible action   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Nicole DuBois ’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicole-dubois-24568510/

Psychological safety is often discussed but rarely understood as a performance driver. Too often, it’s treated like a value statement or one-time training session. In this episode, Dr. Bill Howatt joins Karina Young to discuss why that approach falls short and what needs to be done to make psychological safety measurable. Bill, Chief Mental Health Officer and Founder of Howatt Human Resources Consulting Inc., shares what most leaders miss about emotional well-being at work and how to equip managers with habits that stick. He and Karina also explore how conflict can strengthen teams, the problem with overcomplicated programs, and why less is more when it comes to learning. With clear advice on framing these conversations for executive buy-in, Bill helps HR leaders move from check-the-box efforts to culture-shaping strategy. For anyone tasked with building safer, stronger teams, this episode is a practical look at what matters most: how people feel. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Dr. Bill Howatt (01:10) Why psychological safety is still misunderstood (04:26) How employee feelings impact business outcomes (06:50) When HR strategy works in isolation (07:59) Reframing psychological safety for executive buy-in (10:15) Misconceptions about mental health in the workplace (14:58) Why most accountability efforts fall apart (19:21) Conflict is a missed opportunity (20:25) How trusted leaders navigate emotional friction (27:51) Building a real psychological safety program (34:07) Why less is more in HR training  Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Bill Howatt’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/howatthr/

High performers are often seen as the ones you don’t have to worry about. But behind consistent output and quiet competence, there can be early signs of burnout and disengagement. In this episode, Melanie Naranjo joins Karina Young to challenge how companies define top talent and why performance without support leads to retention risk. Melanie, Chief People Officer at Ethena, shares a candid perspective on why high performers need more than praise. They need space to grow, permission to speak up, and help rewiring habits that no longer serve them. Together, they explore how over-reliance on top talent can backfire, why traditional engagement strategies often miss the mark, and what managers can do to spot red flags before it's too late. Melanie also offers clear strategies for re-engaging high performers and building a culture where expectations, accountability, and care go hand in hand. For HR leaders working to retain their best people, it’s a compelling reminder: performance doesn’t mean immunity. It means opportunity. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Melanie Naranjo (01:14) The hidden costs of quiet disengagement (03:28) Rethinking what “high performer” really means (06:26) Debunking the myth of passion and performance (10:19) Building flexible perks that actually engage people (12:58) Early signs your top talent is burning out (15:19) Questions managers should ask but usually don’t (20:03) How to coach overwhelmed team members (22:30) Why surveys won’t help you retain your best people (24:17) High performers suffer when underperformers go unchecked (31:19) Re-engaging talent through targeted development plans (35:25) What to do when a high performer is a jerk (38:23) Questions every manager should ask top talent   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s The HR Leader's Guide to Reducing Regrettable Turnover:  https://www.15five.com/guide-to-reducing-regrettable-turnover?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Reducing Regrettable Turnover eBook For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Melanie Naranjo’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-naranjo/

Workplace performance isn’t just L&D’s responsibility; it belongs to the whole company.  And yet, many HR and learning teams still treat training as a standalone solution.  In this episode, Kevin Yates joins Karina Young to reframe how we think about impact, and why the question isn’t just “Did people complete the program?” but “Did anything change as a result?” Kevin, known across the industry as the “L&D Detective,” shares what he’s learned from nearly 30 years in the field and why measuring outcomes requires more than a survey or LMS report. He explains how to shift from reporting activity to proving contribution, and why L&D must be embedded in a broader performance ecosystem to make a meaningful difference. Together, they explore what most organizations overlook: how business goals get lost in translation, how legacy habits still shape how programs are designed, and how measurement can become a strategic advantage, not just a reporting requirement. Kevin also offers a practical lens for partnering across functions and building internal alignment around shared outcomes. For HR and L&D leaders navigating increasing pressure to deliver results, it’s a timely reminder: meaningful change doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes a village. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Kevin Yates (02:38) How the L&D Detective name came about (04:37) Discovering the passion for measurement in L&D (07:47) Aligning training with business goals (09:31) Breaking legacy habits in L&D practices (10:56) Shifting from order-taker to performance consultant (12:56) The workplace performance ecosystem and its importance (16:30) Why L&D can't succeed alone in impacting business goals (21:00) Operationalizing the measurement of L&D’s impact (23:28) Activity metrics vs. true performance impact (32:05) Leveraging AI tools to enhance L&D performance measurement   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/  Download 15Five’s Performance Review Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/review-process-playbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Performance For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Kevin Yates’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinmyates/

Even though people are at the heart of business outcomes, HR leaders still struggle to be seen as essential voices at the executive table. In this episode, Karina Young, VP of People at 15Five, sits down with Jeff Smith, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at 15Five, to talk about how to show up in the boardroom with clarity and confidence. Jeff shares lessons from working closely with HR leaders over the years and offers practical guidance on how to present people strategy as business strategy. They cover how to prepare for board meetings, tell compelling stories with data, and answer tough questions without losing trust. This episode offers an honest and empowering look at why HR deserves a seat at the table. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Jeff Smith (05:02) Jeff Smith on what happens inside a boardroom (07:13) Fighting for your seat at the table (08:31) How to communicate HR strategy in business terms (10:42) Organizing the data you’re presenting (13:53) The value of preparing with your peers (20:29) How to prep for tough questions in the boardroom (22:19) Avoiding common pitfalls in presentations (23:22) The power of storytelling when sharing data (26:54) Building confidence and presence ahead of high-stakes conversations   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/hr-outcomes-playbook-unlocking-the-true-business-value-of-hr/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=HR Outcomes Playbook  For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Jeff Smith’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffsmithphd

HR leaders are feeling the squeeze.  With limited resources and growing pressure to improve engagement, performance, and retention, many are tasked with building manager support systems from scratch, often without the time or tools to do it effectively. In this episode, Morgan Webb, Senior Strategic Advisor at 15Five, and Yen Tan, Evangelist, Expansion & Manager Products at 15Five, share how HR can take a more focused and sustainable approach to manager enablement. They discuss why blanket training programs rarely work, how to use data to identify where support is needed most, and why piloting and iterating can drive better results than aiming for perfection. This conversation guides HR teams ready to stop doing it all and start doing what works. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstars: Yen Tan & Morgan Webb (03:24) Yen Tan on management journey and challenges (04:43) Morgan Webb shares leadership lessons (06:55) The current state of HR and why HR owns manager enablement (10:04) Managers are the bridge between HR goals and culture (16:26) The danger of generic training and what to do instead (18:18) The 70-20-10 model and learning styles (20:01) Piloting and adapting learning based on feedback (28:01) Overcoming skepticism and finding champions (31:41) Measuring the effectiveness of manager enablement (35:12) Continuous measurement for engagement and health (37:07) Using manager meetings and existing rhythms for reinforcement Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s Manager Enablement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/content/15fives-manager-enablement-playbook-for-hr-leaders/?utm_source=&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Podcast​​  For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: here:https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo

HR teams are moving from external hiring to internal impact. Will Howard, Practice Lead at McLean & Company, shares the latest research behind HR’s shift in priorities, showing why retention and leadership now take the lead. David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at AnchorPoint Management, brings a real-world lens to the data. He explains how to move from reactive to strategic, why data literacy matters, and how to rethink people leadership from the ground up. Together, they explore how HR can stay relevant by aligning with business goals and building the kind of leadership that drives results. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstars: Will Howard & David Hawthorne (01:30) What is McLean & Company's HR Trends Report (04:29) Will Howard breaks down the new data (09:52) Turning HR’s reactive response into a proactive strategy (11:51) The risk of HR losing strategic ground (18:52) Data literacy as an opportunity for HR impact (27:12) Rethinking leadership and career paths   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s Performance Review Playbook:(https://www.15five.com/ebook/review-process-playbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Performance)  For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: here:https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Will Howard’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/williamjhoward/ David Hawthorne’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedhawthorne/ McLean & Company - https://hr.mcleanco.com/ Anchor Point Management Group - https://www.anchorpointmg.com/

Trends are everywhere, but translating them into real business impact takes more than reading a report. It takes HR leaders who understand their business and know how to turn insights into strategy. David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at Anchor Point Management Group, shares how he brings 2025 HR trends to life by aligning people strategy with business goals. He breaks down how to scale leadership, strengthen culture, and improve retention in a high-growth environment, from hiring the right people and developing frontline managers into future executives. He also explains why HR can’t operate in a silo—and how becoming a true business partner starts with knowing how your company runs.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: David Hawthorne (02:18) David Hawthorne’s HR journey at Anchor Point (05:57) Shift from hiring to leadership & retention (09:16) Understanding business to boost HR impact (18:34) Moving from tactical to strategic HR (22:46) Leadership’s role in reducing turnover (29:50) AI’s role in HR now and in the future (40:09) The risk of not evolving in HR   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Click here to download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/hr-outcomes-playbook-unlocking-the-true-business-value-of-hr/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=HR  For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here:https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo David Hawthorne’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thedhawthorne/ Anchor Point Management Group - https://www.anchorpointmg.com/

Global teams give companies access to top talent and fresh perspectives, but managing them comes with challenges—time zones, cultural differences, and keeping everyone aligned. Alexandra Erman, Chief People Officer at BforeAI, knows what it takes to lead international teams successfully. In this episode, she shares how to foster connection across borders while respecting local cultures. She explains why businesses should move beyond country-centric mindsets and build people strategies rooted in flexibility, trust, and autonomy. Alexandra also dives into the role of clear communication and pay equity in creating a strong, unified workforce. Whether you're leading a remote team or expanding globally, this conversation offers practical insights to help your people thrive.   Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Alexandra Erman (05:47) Creating unity in an international workforce (10:35) Enabling asynchronous communication across time zones (15:02) Why early HR leadership matters  (18:18) HR metrics for distributed teams (21:58) BeforeAI’s dual management system (32:20) Compensation bands and pay transparency (39:21) Intentional ways to support a global workforce   Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can’t see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina’s thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five’s Performance Review Playbook:  https://www.15five.com/ebook/review-process-playbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Performance For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here:  https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Alexandra Erman’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexandraerman/ BforeAI's Website: https://bfore.ai/