HR Superstars
HR and People Ops can be challenging, but there’s a community of others who’ve been in your shoes. HR Superstars is the podcast from 15Five that connects you with confident and respected strategic people leaders who have conquered a myriad of challenges and now have valuable and actionable insights to share.
In each episode, our host, Adam Weber, VP of Community at 15Five, will talk to some of the world’s leading innovators in the HR/People Ops space willing to share their insights and advice to help you in your journey. We get real with topics like being a strategic business partner to the rest of the organization, how to have difficult conversations while maintaining empathy, and how to make DEI a part of your cultural DNA instead of just lip service.
15Five is here to help you do what matters most—develop your workforce, create a strong employer brand, and be respected as the strategic business partner you are. Come join thousands of your fellow HR Superstars, we’re so excited to have you.
Latest episodes
May 20, 2025 • 44min
Why Retention Starts with Better Managers with David Hawthorne
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/
May 6, 2025 • 43min
Solving the Conundrum of International Distributed Teams with Alexandra Erman
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/
Apr 22, 2025 • 44min
Putting a Human Touch on Data-Driven HR with Brittany Rohde
Being data-driven doesn’t mean sacrificing the human side of HR. Data can be used to guide decisions while keeping people at the center. Brittany Rohde, Head of People at Monarch Money, believes that HR can be both analytical and people-focused. She shares how to scale sustainably by using automation wisely, bringing employees into key decisions, and building trust through transparency. Brittany also explains why data literacy is an essential skill for HR leaders—helping them make better decisions, strengthen teams, and drive long-term success. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Brittany Rohde (05:58) Building a comp plan that’s fair to everyone (09:26) Intentional scaling during rapid growth (14:32) How to get buy-in from employees (18:42) The power of transparency in open forums (22:28) Building relationships as a remote company (25:44) How to maximize employee engagement surveys (31:07) The value of mentorship for HR leaders (35:33) Setting boundaries for work-life balance 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 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 Brittany Rohde’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-rohde-970964b2/ Monarch Money’s website: https://www.monarchmoney.com/
Apr 8, 2025 • 39min
Discovering Your Leadership Voice with Susannah Robinson
What kind of leader do you want to be? Pause and really think about that. Or better yet, write it down on paper. Susannah Robinson, Founder and President of Partnership for Talent emphasizes the importance of defining your leadership vision. In this episode, she explains how self-awareness, trust, and consistency shape leadership and why your approach should evolve over time. Having guided countless leaders through this process, Susannah shares how authenticity builds trust and fosters accountability. She also gives advice to help HR leaders become more business-minded, ensuring their work drives tangible outcomes that align with company goals. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Susannah Robinson (04:38) The value of fractional HR and org design (08:45) Why leadership self-awareness matters (16:19) Evolving leadership styles over time (19:11) How to think about and handle mistakes (26:23) How to strategically embed HR into the business (31:40) Making time for leadership development (34:09) Figure out who you are as a leader 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 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 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 Susannah Robinson’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannah-robinson-ba7a581a/ Partnership for Talent: https://www.partnershipfortalent.com/ Beyond the Boxes and Lines: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Boxes-Lines-Transforming-Organizational/dp/195033693X
Mar 25, 2025 • 33min
How to Break the Burnout Cycle with Brittany Fowler and Stephanie Smith
HR teams provide emotional, mental, and strategic support to their organizations, but who’s supporting them? As burnout among HR leaders reaches alarming levels, it’s clear that those responsible for employee well-being often struggle themselves. Recorded live at the 5th HR Superstars Summit, this episode features Brittany Fowler at Kickstarter and Stephanie Smith at Tagboard as they share their personal experiences with burnout, the warning signs to watch for, and the strategies they’ve implemented to create a healthier, more sustainable approach to HR. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstars: Brittany Fowler and Stephanie Smith (03:40) Recognizing the warning signs of burnout (08:52) Challenges that overwhelm HR teams (14:35) How to support teams in times of stress (21:34) Balancing administrative tasks and strategic work (25:28) Ways to boost employee morale (27:30) Using AI for admin tasks (29:34) Mitigate burnout through engagement surveys 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: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Brittany Fowler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyfowler/ Stephanie Smith’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniergsmith/ Kickstarter’s Website: https://www.kickstarter.com/ Tagboard’s Website: https://tagboard.com/
Mar 11, 2025 • 36min
Stop the BS and Thrive at Work with Kelly Mackin
There is no magic formula for creating a happy and engaged workforce. Every employee has unique needs and values, and understanding those differences is the key to building thriving teams. Kelly Mackin, CEO of Motives Met, explains why a one-size-fits-all approach to engagement doesn’t work. Her firsthand experience in a toxic work environment inspired her to develop a framework for understanding the 28 human motives that drive well-being. By uncovering what matters most to each individual, both leaders and team members can co-create a healthy culture where everyone feels seen and supported. Kelly also shares how leaders can begin taking small but meaningful steps to create a more personalized approach to work-life harmony. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Kelly Mackin (02:02) The impact of toxic workplaces on well-being (07:52) Debunking well-being myths (10:42) How to create space to honor everyone’s needs and motives (22:42) Success story of motives being met at work (26:13) Make a work-life harmony playbook with your team (30:44) Workplace well-being is mandatory 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 Kelly Mackin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-mackin-52793110/ Motives Met assessment tool: https://www.motivesmet.com/the-motives-met-human-needs-assessment/ Work Life Well-Lived: https://www.motivesmet.com/book/
Feb 25, 2025 • 37min
Why Your Offsite Isn’t Working (Yet) with Jared Kleinert
All teams strive for stronger connections, better communication, and true alignment. Offsites can help make that happen—but only when designed with purpose. In this episode, Jared Kleinert, Founder and CEO of Offsite, shares what makes an offsite truly effective. He explains how to move beyond basic event planning and create experiences that deepen engagement, reinforce company culture, and boost retention. He also discusses how HR leaders can gain executive buy-in and ensure your offsite is more than just a line item on the budget. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Jared Kleinert (05:23) Why in-person retreats are more effective than remote meetings (07:38) The logistics behind successful offsite planning (12:58) How offsites improve company culture and strategic alignment (17:09) Employer branding and attracting a multigenerational workforce (28:05) Making the business case for offsites and long-term ROI 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 Jared Kleinert’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredkleinert/ The Offsite Blog: https://offsite.substack.com/ Offsite’s website: https://www.offsite.com/
Feb 11, 2025 • 46min
How to Lead From the Heart with Mark Crowley
How do you create a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and inspired to stay? Mark Crowley, author of Lead From the Heart and a pioneer in human-centered leadership, believes it starts with cultivating a culture of care. Drawing on groundbreaking research and decades of experience, Mark explains how emotions, trust, and belonging shape employee well-being and performance. Mark also shares the science behind the heart’s role in decision-making, revealing how positive emotions, like safety and appreciation, lead to innovation and loyalty. He shares actionable insights for managers and HR leaders on creating a thriving team dynamic—one that balances well-being and performance for long-term success. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Mark Crowley (01:25) How life shaped Mark’s leadership approach (04:28) The moment Mark recognized his leadership style (08:12) The heart’s role in leadership and performance (15:20) The “rule of four” for workplace emotions (16:53) Addressing resistance to heart-centered leadership (24:13) Tips for HR to drive meaningful change (28:28) HR needs both a heart and a backbone (31:26) Belonging’s impact on team performance (36:45) The power of one-on-ones for remote teams 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. Click here to download 15Five’s Employee Engagement Playbook! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Mark Crowley’s LinkedIn - click here!
Jan 28, 2025 • 38min
REPLAY: Finding Solid Ground Amidst Burnout with Jim Marsden
Burnout isn’t a sign of overwork—it’s a sign of internal misalignment. In this replay episode, leadership coach Jim Marsden reframes burnout as a powerful signal to realign with your values and purpose. He shares advice on how to combat burnout by embracing curiosity, reconnecting with nature, and finding small but meaningful moments of perspective. Jim also introduces his "street-of-life" metaphor, a framework for identifying stress states and shifting to a more grounded, intentional mindset. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Jim Marsden (04:09) The deep roots of burnout (07:57) Why it’s important to find perspective (13:57) The street-of-life concept for navigating stress (19:45) Supporting others during burnout (24:07) Practical steps to regain balance (32:05) Avoiding big decisions during stress and finding small wins (34:42) Dare to imagine: Aligning your work with what truly brings you alive 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. Click here to download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook! And don’t forget to sign up for the HR Superstars Summit 2025 here. For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here. Jim Marsden’s LinkedIn - click here!
Jan 14, 2025 • 35min
Passing the Mic and Introducing Karina Young as Your New Host
This episode marks an exciting new chapter for HR Superstars as Adam Weber passes the mic to Karina Young, the new host and VP of People at 15Five. Adam reflects on his journey as the podcast's host, sharing highlights, lessons, and the incredible connections he’s made with HR leaders around the world. Karina steps in to share her vision for the future of the podcast, focusing on empowering managers, navigating organizational change, and exploring cutting-edge trends in HR. With a passion for creating thriving workplaces, Karina aims to spotlight innovative strategies and foster meaningful conversations with today’s leading people leaders. Join us as we celebrate Adam’s legacy and welcome Karina’s fresh perspective on shaping the future of HR leadership. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Introduction to the episode with Karina Young (00:52) Adam reflects on his journey with HR Superstars (02:11) Meet Karina: the new host of HR Superstars (03:08) Karina’s focus on scaling and manager empowerment (07:17) How early career experiences shaped Karina’s HR approach (10:28) What excites Karina in being the host of HR Superstars (19:13) Karina interviews Adam on favorite podcast moments (24:42) Adam shares proud memories and lessons learned (29:10) Adam’s parting advice on authenticity 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. Here are Adam's favorite episodes from this season: HR Superstars LIVE From Austin! Amplifying Positivity in the Workplace with Claude Silver Finding Success in Results-Only Work Environments with Cali Ressler Finding Solid Ground Amidst Burnout with Jim Marsden Click here to download 15Five’s HR Outcomes Playbook! For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here.
