

Punk Rock HR
WRKdefined Podcast Network
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 30, 2019 • 30min
078: The Art of Mentoring with Mike Sipple, Jr.
Let’s Fix Work Episode 78One of my biggest professional regrets in the world of HR was not having a mentor. I'm not alone. Many of you don't have mentors either and I know it because you email me and ask me questions about how to find a mentor. Or you ask what to do once you have a mentor, how not to lose that person or mess that relationship up. Since I'm not qualified to answer questions about mentorship, I thought I would invite an expert onto the show who can. This week's guest is Mike Sipple, Jr. who is a mentor to mentors, seriously.Mike is the President of Centennial, Inc., the Founder and CEO of the Talent Magnet Institute and he's the host of the Talent Magnet Institute podcast. That's a lot of jobs. I don't know how this man finds time to mentor, but he does. He mentors many people within human resources and recruiting. He teaches mentorship, he instructs, he leads, and he guides. And he is working to elevate the way mentorship is delivered in organizations all across the world. So if you want to raise your game as a worker, as a leader, as a human being or maybe, as a mentor, sit tight and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work. In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why mentorship and mentoring is so important to Mike
Holistic leadership and the importance of being focused on our whole selves
What makes someone qualified to be a good mentor and Mike answers the question, “Can you be a good mentor if you are not a leader?”
Where to find a mentor and how to ask someone to be your mentor
The importance of taking an active role in learning and how to best prepare for a meeting with your mentor
The appropriate amount of meetings that you should have with a formal mentor
The difference between a mentor and a coach
Knowing when it’s time to pivot or move on from your current mentor
How to know when a mentor/mentee relationship is going well versus some signs when it’s not
“Life is not a solo sport. If you feel like you're the only one, like you're by yourself, that it is a solo sport and no one understands, now is a wonderful time to seek out a mentor.” Mike Sipple, Jr.Resources from this episode:Connect with Mike, join his community, and become a talent magnet at: www.mikesipplejr.comLaurie on InstagramRead more from LaurieWork with LaurieEpisode 76: Enterprise Podcast Strategies with Danny OzmentJennifer McClureMichael HyattJean Lauterbach***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Sep 23, 2019 • 18min
077: Modern Art and Culture with The Ruettimanns
Let’s Fix Work Episode 77This week, my guest is someone very special to me: my husband, Ken. Today we have a fun conversation about a 1998 trip we took to California and how we could not agree on modern art. Through this, we discovered how people don’t always agree on art and culture; and why we don’t actually need to agree in order to get along. So how do art and culture relate to work? Well, we also discuss hiring and culture, and how that is manifested at work. How is your company using the word “culture” within the corporate context? This topic of “culture” within the workplace needs so much attention. This episode focuses on gaining clarity on the topic of “culture” and the importance of asking the real questions you need to have answered about a company. So if you’re interested in gaining a clearer perspective on “culture” and how that can happen at your office, be sure to listen to this week’s episode of Let’s Fix Work.In this episode, you’ll hear:
Some details about our trip to California and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, as well as some of the pieces that stood out to us
The importance of culture and art with regard to differing opinions and the one piece of modern art in particular that we discussed at length that bugged my husband, Ken, and his struggle to label it is art
Ken’s view of culture at work - what it’s like to communicate with each other and be a part of the team
The importance of asking the real, specific, honest questions about work that you want answered and not to erode the meaning of the word “culture”
Some companies do not have a culture, and if they do, it varies from one location to another
The need to look at company culture honestly and why companies may need to do audits to understand culture and motivation
Resources from this episode: Hiring for Culture is Broken Presentation SFMOMA.ORGDan Flavin, the diagonal of May 25, 1963, 1963 at SFMOMA Ackland Art Museum Brittany Runs a MarathonAlamo Drafthouse Cinema - RaleighLaurie on InstagramRead more from LaurieWork with Laurie***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Sep 16, 2019 • 37min
076: Enterprise Podcast Strategies with Danny Ozment
Let’s Fix Work Episode 76This week on the podcast, we are going “meta” because my podcast producer Danny Ozment of Emerald City Productions is my special guest. If you are wondering what podcasting has to do with work, well, I often get asked questions about individual podcasting and enterprise podcasting. Questions like, “How do we do this in our organization?” “How do we have a podcast where the CEO talks to the employees, but we keep it confidential?” Or, “How do we have a podcast for the marketing department to let other departments within the organization know the cool things that we're working on?” And I don't really have any of those answers. But my fantastic podcast producer, Danny, does have the answers.So today we talk about individual and enterprise podcast strategies that work. As well as who Danny is and how he got into podcasting, we also go through some of my listeners’ questions on what this wide world of podcasting is and how it can help to fix work. So if you're interested in employee communications, if you want to help people communicate more effectively, if you want to foster creativity, collaboration, and transparency, I think podcasting might be a solution for you. So sit back, and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work.In this episode, you’ll hear:
Danny’s “why” for why he works in podcasting, why podcasts are the one good form of new media for one long conversation and for sharing real stories.
The growth and popularity of podcasting
More than 50% of Americans listen to podcasts, and that number has been rising for 10 years. Of those, 90% consume at least half of the episode.
What enterprise podcasting is and how podcasts can be protected inside a business to keep information confidential.
Why corporations are choosing podcasting as a vehicle to communicate important messages.
How a podcast happens at work and the main element needed to create one.
The basic necessary equipment and process to record and produce a podcast.
Resources from this episode:Danny Ozment’s Podcast Strategies and WebsiteEmerald City ProductionsDanny on LinkedInDanny on InstagramLaurie on InstagramRead more from LaurieWork with LaurieEdison ResearchPantsuit Politics PodcastLance Armstrong’s THEMOVE PodcastLance Armstrong’s The Forward Podcast

Sep 9, 2019 • 29min
075: Making of a Manager with Julie Zhuo
This week I’d like to introduce you to Julie Zhuo. Julie is the VP of Product Design at Facebook and the author of the new book, The Making of a Manager: What To Do When Everyone Looks to You. Julie was also the first ever intern at Facebook in 2006. Yes, that’s right! And now she's VP of Product Design. It's her job to make Facebook look great.I first met Julie almost a year ago at the Watermark Conference for Women in Silicon Valley, an event where a bunch of smart, powerful, and successful women come together to brainstorm how to take over the world. I joined Julie for a panel about “managing up,” which is basically making the people ahead of you or above you, on the organizational chart, happier. During our conversation, I was excited to learn she was writing a book about managers and knew immediately I wanted to have her on the podcast as a guest when her book came out. And, well, here we are!On today's episode, Julie and I talk about the difference between managers and leaders, as well as organizational trust. Plus, we tackle a topic that we've tackled on the show before, but Julie has some pretty specific ideas around it; and that's feedback. So if you're interested in hearing about managers, leaders, and some nuanced ideas about feedback, then sit back and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work.In this episode, you’ll hear:
What inspired Julie to write the book, “Making of a Manager”
Why people overcomplicate the world of management
How and why the lines between manager and therapist seem to be blurred these days
The difference between leadership and management
About the point in Julie’s career when she moved from manager to leader and how she knew she actually made the jump
The three things that managers should be thinking about about every day
How Julie’s book can be helpful for professionals who don't have access to management or leadership training; plus she answers the question, “Do you need to take classes in order to be a good manager?”
About how our culture doesn't know how to give feedback, discerning the good from the bad, and what great feedback looks like
Resources from this episode:The Making of a Manager: What to Do When Everyone Looks to You Power Players: the most important Facebook execs you've never heard ofJulie Zhuo’s morning routineJulie Zhuo on LinkedInJulie’s websiteWatermark Conference for WomenLaurie on Instagram Read more from LaurieWork with Laurie***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Sep 2, 2019 • 14min
074: Hard Work, The “New” Labor Day and Remembering Claudia Martinez Foster
Let’s Fix Work Episode 74We talk about and “remember” 9/11 in America in a very callous way, without truly remembering that nearly 3,000 people died at work. Nearly 3,000 people. The 2996 project aims to remember those people. For years, I've been writing about Claudia Martinez Foster. Claudia had a fun life. She wanted to start a family. She loved children. She loved makeup. She had a job on the 105th floor of Tower One, World Trade Center. And, she lost her life on September 11th, 2001, at work. I will never stop writing or talking about Claudia. This week I wanted to share with you my thoughts on old Labor Day traditions, the emergence of the “new” Labor Day and remembering 9/11. If the topic of terrorism is hard for you (as it is for many of us) or you’ve lost someone on 9/11, this episode might be one you want to skip. In this episode, you’ll hear:
My memorial to Claudia Martinez Foster
Why the idea of Labor Day as a union holiday is an old and stupid idea
The new Labor Day, a day for remembering, a day of service and moving towards self-awareness
A reminder that you have a chance to do something great, don’t blow it
Resources from this episode: Claudia Foster, 26, broker's assistant, loved children Claudia Martinez MemorialIt’s Important to Remember Cocktails Before the CollapseProject 2996And on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Project2996/ Laurie on InstagramRead more from LaurieWork with Laurie***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Aug 26, 2019 • 29min
073: Why the “Side Hustle” is Failing You, with Mary Ellen Slayter
Let’s Fix Work Episode 73Do you love having five jobs? Do you love chasing down invoices and getting four hours of sleep a night because you're worried about the future? Yeah, I didn’t think so. In fact, nobody probably really loves any part of the side hustle. More on that in a moment. But first, meet this week’s guest, Mary Ellen Slayter. She's the Founder and CEO of Rep Cap Media, a B2B Marketing agency focused on helping their clients create leads, sales, and revenue. Of course, Mary Ellen is so much more than that. She's a scientist. She's a journalist. She's a former writer at the Washington Post. And she's also a mother, a partner, and an absolute dear friend. Mary Ellen is also someone who has a strong opinion on entrepreneurship and the hustle economy. Now, I don't know when the word hustle emerged in our lexicon as a good thing, but Mary Ellen and I are here to tell you it is not a good thing. It is not a proper way to live your life. It's not a proper way to be connected to the people you love. And it certainly isn't a good way to run a business. So if you're interested in hearing about the side hustle (and why it’s actually no good) and thinking about solutions for the future of work, listen in to this episode of Let’s Fix Work. In this episode, you’ll hear:
What is causing the emergence and negative trend where we're just working all the time without stopping
The driving force behind the hustle economy
How the hustle economy affects men and women differently
Some ways that we can fight the hustle
Some sales advice from Mary Ellen
Resources from this episode:Mary Ellen Slayter on LinkedInRep Cap Mediahttps://www.12geniuses.com/https://ryanestis.com/Laurie on InstagramRead more from LaurieWork with Laurie ***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Aug 19, 2019 • 14min
072: What Makes A Great HR Professional and Why It Matters
Let’s Fix Work Episode 72This week’s episode is a bit different. Why? Well, I am the guest (and the host). I have some important things to share with you about Human Resources and I felt compelled to switch up the format a bit to get my message to you uninterrupted. I dive into what Human Resources is and how some people may have a different view of what Human Resources is supposed to look like. I also share about the four quadrants of Human Resources (what they are and why they’re needed), and what makes a great Human Resources professional. What could the world of HR be if we had nothing to lose? Find out in this unique and high energy episode of Let’s Fix Work. In this episode, you’ll hear:
What Human Resources is (and what it should be)
Some problems in HR and where they stem from
The Four Quadrants of Human Resources
What to do if you’re struggling in your career
Resources from this episode:Read more from LaurieWork with LaurieLaurie on Instagram***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Aug 12, 2019 • 45min
071: Ethical Leadership and the Society for Human Resource Management with Victorio Milian
Let’s Fix Work Episode 71This week I get to introduce you to a dear friend of mine, Victorio Milian. Some people refer to him as the most disruptive man in human resources. Is that hyperbole? Is that true? Well, on the surface, Victorio is a human resources consultant, a father, a husband, and a volunteer. He also is a hobbyist photographer. So yes, he's got a normal life. But he is also the founder of a movement called #fixitSHRM. SHRM is the Society for Human Resource Management. Why does it need to be fixed? Well, that's exactly what we're talking about today.What would you do if an association that represents you starts to behave in a way that you don't agree with? Do you stay with it? Do you leave it? Do you speak up? What happens when you try to reach out to the leadership and they don't respond? Victorio was faced with this dilemma, he made his choice and the #fixitSHRM movement was born. I will let you decide whether or not you believe Victorio is in the right or wrong. But this is for sure, our conversation is one worth listening to and worth having, without a doubt. So if you're interested in a conversation about ethical leadership and hearing about one man’s attempt to fix an organization he feels is misrepresenting HR, then sit back and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work. In this episode, you’ll hear:
Why people describe Victorio as disruptive in the world of human resources
Victorio’s definition of ethical leadership, what is it and why it matters
Leadership begins with us, it starts at a local level
SHRM and how Victorio feels about it
We discuss whether or not people need a seat at the table in Washington to truly affect change
Why Victorio feels his battle with SHRM is important
The HR workforce’s role and responsibility in the world of HR
Some parallels Victorio sees between the world of HR and the world of photography
Resources from this episode:Victorio on TwitterVictorio on LinkedInHumareso Creative Photography ConsultingSkyword Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) Articles of interest:Well-known advocate to lead White House board on historically black colleges SHRM CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. Named to Commerce Department’s American Workforce Policy Advisory Board#fixitSHRM - What It Is, And Is Not SHRM-Koch Institute Research Identifies Value of Considering People with Criminal Records for Employment***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Aug 5, 2019 • 1h 4min
070: Taking Risks and Saying Yes with Jeff Gordinier
Let’s Fix Work Episode 70This week's podcast features a guest who was a real treat for me. I’d like to introduce you to my friend, Jeff Gordinier, Food and Drinks Editor at Esquire Magazine. Jeff is also the author of a book about the most famous and most celebrated chef in the world, René Redzepi. The book, Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World, is about leadership, innovation, creativity, and saying, “Yes,” to experiences that can change your life. I mean, come on, if that doesn’t say, “Let’s Fix Work,” I don’t know what does! Whether you are reading what Jeff is writing in the New York Times or listening to our conversation about risk-change transformation and René Redzepi, you are bound to be transfixed by his witty, engaging, and creative demeanor. So if you want to hear from a disaffected Gen-X writer, go on a road-trip food tour, and enjoy a conversation about risk-change transformation, then sit back and listen to this episode of Let’s Fix Work. In this episode, you’ll hear:
Who René Redzepi is and why Jeff decided to write a book about him
About being drawn to peak experiences and to the prospect of enlightenment
Leadership in the kitchen and how it could be modeled in other businesses
The importance of creating a connected and natural work environment, and how it affects the employee experience
Why it’s good to have more diversity and inclusion in the workplace
About it being a golden moment for women and black chefs in gastronomy
How Jeff defines visionary chefs
When work is at its best, it does feel like a community
Resources from this episode:Jeff on Instagram Jeff on LinkedInJeff as Food & Drinks Editor, Esquire MagazineHungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the WorldHere She Comes Now: Women in Music Who Have Changed Our Lives X Saves the World: How Generation X Got the Shaft but Can Still Keep Everything from Sucking René RedzepiPoetryFoundation.orgNoma Restaurant (Denmark)Eleven Madison Park (NYC)Downtime: Deliciousness at Home, Nadine Levy Redzepi and René RedzepiDavid Chang and Momofuku SEIŌBO (Australia)Via Carota (NYC)Meson Sevilla (NYC)Angus Barn (North Carolina)Brooklyn MuseumHangar Studios ***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com

Jul 22, 2019 • 34min
069: Working Human and Leading from the Heart with Bill Perry
Let’s Fix Work Episode 69Bill Perry is the founder of The Innovatus Group. Bill was referred to me by one of the listeners of the show. They described him as a Sherpa. Yes, a Sherpa. While that phrase is often overused, Bill is the real deal. He offers extremely personalized executive development, coaching, and team training. The people who work with him rave about their results. Bill comes at his work from the heart. He is plainspoken. He does not use any buzzwords and he believes in a better you, better teams, better business, and better life. Bill truly believes that in order to be a good employee, you have to live with integrity. If you want to be a leader, you have to live from the inside out. Today we talk about working human and leading from the heart. So if you're interested in listening to a conversation about consulting and leadership and hearing from someone who brings his whole heart to the conversation, I know you're going to enjoy this episode of Let’s Fix Work. In this episode, you’ll hear:
Over-indexing on careers when things are broken at home or under-indexing on their careers when things are broken at work and why it happens
A conversation about integrity, Bill’s personal take on it and how he makes it a part of his work
The biggest challenge leaders are facing in order to restore integrity to themselves, plus what is holding leaders back
How self-care is important, including getting quality sleep, moving more, and eating healthy
The biggest challenges small teams face and how Bill is helping to solve them
As a coach, when do you know it’s time to send someone to a therapist versus continuing to stay along with them
We talk about how appreciation is the language of engagement, discuss our different love languages and how it all plays into fixing work
Resources from this episode:TheBillPerryShow.comInstagram: thebillperryshowTwitter: @innovatusgroupGrab Bill’s PDF Download: How To Tell If Your Top Performers Are Ready to Leave***EPISODE CREDITS:If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment.He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world.Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com