
Punk Rock HR
Welcome to the Punk Rock HR Podcast, hosted by the influential and unconventional Laurie Ruettimann. This podcast breaks away from the traditional constraints of the HR world to bring you candid and compelling conversations with some of the most disruptive and innovative minds in the business. Each episode, Laurie dives deep into critical topics surrounding the real world of work, exploring the modern workplace's nuances, and challenging the status quo of HR.Guests range from renowned thought leaders, authors, and entrepreneurs to HR professionals and individuals who have reshaped the way we approach work and organizational culture. Punk Rock HR is not your usual HR talk. It’s a blend of insight, wit, and irreverence, aiming to bring a fresh, unfiltered perspective to the challenges and opportunities facing today’s workforce.Whether you’re an HR professional looking to revamp your approach, a leader trying to understand the people side of the business better, or just someone interested in the dynamics of the modern workplace, this podcast is your ticket to engaging discussions and actionable insights. Expect energizing conversations, guests with big ideas, and a punk rock twist, with episodes released every Monday.Follow the Punk Rock HR Podcast to keep your finger on the pulse of work, leadership, and human resources. Your journey towards a more progressive and enlightened workspace starts here!
Latest episodes

Apr 18, 2022 • 22min
#202: Rethinking Recognition with Steve Sonnenberg
In this episode, my guest is Steve Sonnenberg, co-founder and CEO of Awardco, the fastest-growing rewards and recognition platform in the world, ranked by Inc. Magazine for the last three years. Steve and I are talking about all things rewards and recognition. We explore what it means to create a culture where you appreciate your employees, say thank you and how Awardco is paving the way for you to do just that.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit:https://laurieruettimann.com/rethinking-recognition

Apr 11, 2022 • 31min
#201: Crucial Conversations with Emily Gregory
My guest in this episode is Emily Gregory, vice president of design and delivery at Crucial Learning and co-author of the book Crucial Conversations: Tools For Talking When the Stakes are High. In this episode, Emily and I discuss her work and how she is helping people become better leaders through crucial conversations. We also talk about how the tools in the book can help you fix work and even yourself.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/crucial-conversations-with-emily-gregory

Apr 4, 2022 • 31min
#200: What Happens When You Call the EAP: A Conversation with Don MacPherson & Laurie Ruettimann
It’s Punk Rock HR’s 200th episode! Join me and my good friend—founder, CEO, and host of the 12 Geniuses podcast Don MacPherson. We talk about the employee assistance program (EAP), what it feels like to use it, what works, what can be improved and how it helped me get to a better place.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit:https://laurieruettimann.com/calling-the-eap

Mar 28, 2022 • 23min
#199: Coaching HR for HR with Julie Turney
Today, my guest is HR for HR coach, public speaker, host of the HR Sound Off podcast and author Julie Turney. In this episode, Julie and I talk about her business as a coach for human resources leaders worldwide, her job as a public speaker, her core beliefs on wellbeing and why she considers HR professionals to be first responders.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit:https://laurieruettimann.com/coaching-hr

Mar 21, 2022 • 28min
#198: Employer Branding Strategies with Susan LaMotte
In this episode, my guest is Susan LaMotte, CEO and founder of exaqueo. We talk about what employer branding really is and what it isn’t, and why it’s so essential for human resources professionals and HR leadership teams to be the stewards of their employer brand. I love this conversation because Susan and I also talk about the importance of being human in the workplace and what that means beyond the buzzwords.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/podcast/employer-branding-strategies

Mar 14, 2022 • 24min
#197: Show Your Ask: Self-Leadership with Joyel Crawford
I am a huge supporter of advocating for yourself in your career and life, and my guest today, Joyel Crawford, knows a thing or two about that. Joyel is a writer, keynote speaker, career coach and entrepreneur. In this episode, Joyel and I discuss self-leadership, finding a mentor, how to advocate for yourself, when to get a coach and when to go to therapy. Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over tothestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit:https://laurieruettimann.com/self-leadership-with-joyel-crawford

Mar 7, 2022 • 33min
#196: Gaining Confidence in Speaking with Page Fehling
My guest on today’s episode is a sought-after speaker, best-selling author, award-winning podcast host, and, more importantly, my friend, Page Fehling. Listen in as we talk about public speaking, including Page’s tips on how to show up at work and outside of work and communicate who you are and what you do. We also talk about the pivot she made during COVID-19 and what it was like for her.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/gaining-confidence-in-speaking-with-page-fehling

Mar 3, 2022 • 25min
Bonus: Ukraine, HR and Leadership with Baiba Žiga
Today, my guest is Baiba Žiga, founder and CEO of Lakehouse Consulting, an agency that helps build equitable and inclusive cultures where diversity thrives at other organizations.In this bonus episode of Punk Rock HR, which was recorded on Feb. 26, Baiba shares the HR guide that she created to help professionals understand how we are all connected to Russia’s war against Ukraine, how the war can be triggering and how it adds to our feelings of helplessness.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit:https://laurieruettimann.com/ukraine-hr-and-leadership

Feb 28, 2022 • 23min
#195: The Diversity Movement with Donald Thompson Jr.
My guest on this episode is Donald Thompson Jr., co-founder and CEO of The Diversity Movement, a full-service DEI consultancy with specialized technology. In this episode, Donald and I talk about things that organizations do right and wrong when talking about DE&I, go deeper into his organization and discuss how he walks the talk as a diverse and inclusive leader every day.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/the-diversity-movement-with-donald-thompson-jr

Feb 21, 2022 • 25min
#194: What the Heck is with SHRM? with Joey Price and Lars Schmidt
In this episode, we discuss that tweet, the future of work and human resources, and where an association like SHRM fits into the evolving HR space. This conversation is between three friends who are passionate about human resources and the esteemed institution SHRM. That said, we get real about the reverence and disappointment that we hold for them.Punk Rock HR is proudly underwritten by The Starr Conspiracy. The Starr Conspiracy is a B2B marketing agency for innovative brands creating the future of workplace solutions. For more information, head over to thestarrconspiracy.com.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit:https://laurieruettimann.com/what-is-with-shrm-joey-price-lars-schmidt
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