
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

Aug 7, 2023 • 35min
254: Punk Rock HR Presents Corporate Drinker - Mocktails and Bitters with Carly and Ian Blessing
Join me as I chat with Carly and Ian Blessing, founders of the alcohol-free brand “All the Bitter.” They share their candid journey from struggling with alcohol use disorder to launching their innovative brand in the cocktail scene. We explore their experiences working at The French Laundry, how they navigated their path to sobriety, and how they channeled their challenge into an opportunity.Carly and Ian give us an inside look into the world of non-alcoholic bitters, from their kitchen experiments to managing a full-blown commercial operation. We discuss how the pandemic served as a catalyst for their venture and the fascinating process behind the creation of their bitters.Tune in to this episode of Corporate Drinker as Carly and Ian emphasize the importance of a supportive community outside work and share their experiences with AA and online communities. You'll also get to hear about the growth of their family business and the recent addition of Carly's stepdad, Ed, to their team. It's a conversation that unravels a journey of resilience, enterprise, and creativity. Don't miss out on this inspiring episode as we stir up conversations around sobriety, recovery, and innovation in the cocktail industry!In this episode, you will hear:
Carly and Ian’s journey from alcohol use disorder to launching their non-alcoholic bitters brand, “All the Bitter,” influenced by their work experience at the French Laundry
The transformation of their kitchen experiments into a full-scale commercial operation, including insights into inventory management and recipe tracking
How the pandemic served as a catalyst for the idea of alcohol-free cocktail bitters, leading to the birth of their innovative product
Why you need a supportive community on the path to recovery, and Carly and Ian’s experiences with AA and an online community focused on non-alcoholic beverages
The growth of the family business and the addition of Ian's stepdad, Ed, to the team
The process of alcohol recovery in the restaurant industry
A deep dive into the world of non-alcoholic bitters, their creation, and the importance of community-building in the alcohol-free space
Resources from this EpisodeAll the Bitter - allthebitter.com Find All the Bitter on Instagram: instagram.com/allthebitterFollow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Jul 31, 2023 • 31min
253: Punk Rock HR Presents Corporate Drinker - Discovering Your Strengths in Sobriety with Jessica Winder
As a host, I’ve had the privilege of discussing many bold and brave stories. Still, this conversation with Jessica Winder, the senior vice president of people at Refine Labs and founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching, truly resonates deeply.Brace yourselves as Jessica unearths her personal confrontation with alcohol addiction, an unspoken secret in her family tree, and the lifeline she found in her career. We navigate her journey through sobriety and relapse, shedding light on how she used her professional success to mask her struggles.A poignant part of our discussion revolves around Jessica's experiences in the Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) program, where she grappled with feelings of isolation and sought solace in others. Her life took a pivotal turn when she received a DUI, a wake-up call that initiated her sober journey. Jessica also shares insights on how corporations can support sobriety and address historical trauma, a topic often overlooked in corporate conversations. In the final stages of our conversation, Jessica opens up about how her sobriety has positively impacted her personal and professional life. From strengthening her marriage to reigniting her creative spark, Jessica reveals the unexpected benefits of her recovery. She discusses her new-found passion for journaling, her ambitions for a startup, and her aspiration to author a book. Ending on a hopeful note, Jessica imparts her career coaching philosophy centered around personal resonance over financial gains.This discussion with Jessica Winder is a compelling tale of overcoming personal adversities, reaching professional success, and finding true fulfillment in one's career.In this episode, you will hear:
Jessica Winder's struggle with alcohol addiction resulting from unacknowledged addiction issues within her family
Her use of professional success as a cover-up for her addiction and proof that she was not struggling with alcoholism
Jessica’s feelings of isolation in Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings as often the only black woman in attendance.
Her recognition of her problem when she found a meeting for Black people online
How a DUI started Jessica’s sober journey, positively impacting her personal and professional life by reigniting her creative spark, strengthening her marriage, and finding a passion for journaling
The importance of corporations supporting sobriety and addressing historical trauma in the workplace
Jessica's career coaching philosophy based on personal resonance over financial gains, encouraging people to find careers they love
Resources from this EpisodeHidden Gem Career Coaching: www.hiddengemcareercoaching.comHidden Gem Career Coaching on Instagram: instagram.com/HiddenGemCC Connect with Jessica Winder on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinderGet Jessica’s book, The Hidden Gem Within: Discovering Your Strengths & Talents for a Fulfilling Career: amzn.to/3pE1MN2Follow and Review:If you haven’t yet, we’d love for you to follow us. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review,” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second, and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Jul 31, 2023 • 43min
252: Punk Rock HR Presents Corporate Drinker - The Science of Corporate Drinking with Dr. Jared Pelo
Ever wondered about the deep-rooted intersection of alcohol science and corporate culture?In this inaugural episode, I welcome Dr. Jared Pelo, a physician, executive, and entrepreneur who takes us on an insightful journey through the uncharted territories of corporate drinking and its impact on health. His experiences, including an acquisition by Microsoft, have honed his perspective on thriving amidst the complexities of corporate culture and alcohol science. As the conversation continues, we explore the progression of alcohol abuse and its ever-shifting cultural dynamics. From managing social pressure in a comfortable environment to discussing the health implications of increased alcohol consumption, we pull no punches. Add to this the accelerated narrative around suffering and despair intensified by the pandemic, and you're in for a thought-provoking discussion.Finally, we focus on fostering a workplace culture of help and health. How can corporate wellness programs, government incentives, and social media influences contribute? How can employers empower their employees, and what can individuals do to enhance their work environments? Dr. Pelo and I look honestly at complex problems like racism and gender disparity that may persist beyond our lifetime but are worth our tireless efforts. Along with Dr. Jared Pelo, let's navigate the labyrinth of corporate drinking together.In this episode, you will hear:
The complex relationship between alcohol and corporate culture
An exploration of the progression of alcohol abuse and its transformation of acceptance over the years
Strategies to navigate social pressures surrounding alcohol and the health risks associated with excessive consumption
The impact of the global pandemic on conversations around mental health, suffering, and despair
The possibilities of fostering a workplace culture that prioritizes health and assistance
A reflection on the persisting issues of racism and gender disparity within the workplace
The impacts of alcohol on our health, including damage to organs, disruption of sleep cycles, and increased risk of certain diseases
Resources from this EpisodeDr. Jared Pelo’s website: jaredpelo.com Bionic Health: www.bionichealth.com/about Connect with Dr. Pelo on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/jared-pelo-b849026 Follow and Review:We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts. Simply select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.Episode CreditsIf you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Emerald City Productions. They helped me grow and produce the podcast you are listening to right now. Find out more at https://emeraldcitypro.com Let them know we sent you.

Jun 26, 2023 • 35min
251: Make Performance Management Sticky With Betterworks’ Andrea Couto and Harini Sridharan
My guests on this episode of Punk Rock HR are both from Betterworks: Andrea Couto, head of solutions engineering and sales readiness, and Harini Sridharan, head of product marketing. We discuss the evolution of performance management into performance enablement, how small businesses can experiment with performance enablement and the role of people analytics in performance.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/make-performance-management-sticky

Jun 19, 2023 • 31min
250: Showcasing Real-Life Stories of UBI With Conrad Shaw
My guest on this episode of Punk Rock HR is Conrad Shaw. He is a writer, filmmaker, co-founder of Comingle.us and a universal basic income (UBI) researcher. Conrad is a font of wisdom about UBI, and we discuss what it is, how it works, his upcoming documentary series “Bootstraps” and more.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/showing-the-real-life-stories-of-ubi

Jun 12, 2023 • 29min
249: How Change Unlocks People’s Potential With Carlos Escobar
My guest for this episode of Punk Rock HR is my friend Carlos Escobar, who is a seasoned HR, talent development and change management leader. Tune in as we discuss how Carlos uses change management and design thinking to drive meaningful change, what he expects from AI and his personal philosophy about work.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/unlocking-peoples-potential-with-carlos-escobar

Jun 7, 2023 • 45min
Supporting Nicole Roberts: Her Fight for Her Life and Career
My guest for this episode of Punk Rock HR is Nicole Roberts, HR leader and founder and president of the People Solutions Group. She is a leader, mentor, mom and friend who's also fighting for her life and career after being laid off and diagnosed with cancer. My friend Jennifer McClure, CEO of Unbridled Talent, and I sat down with Nicole to talk about her diagnosis, how she found support through her community and the financial effects of cancer.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/supporting-nicole-roberts-her-fight-for-her-life-and-career

Jun 5, 2023 • 27min
248: Cooperation in Competition With Betterworks’ Dustin Clinard and UKG’s Mike May
My guests for this episode of Punk Rock HR are Dustin Clinard, vice president of strategic partnerships at Betterworks, and Mike May, vice president of the UKG tech partner program at UKG. In this conversation, we’re talking about the unique partnership between these HR tech companies, the trends affecting HR tech buyers and the future of performance management.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/cooperation-in-competition

May 29, 2023 • 25min
247: Pivoting to Your Purpose With Liz Vaccariello
My guest on this episode is Liz Vaccariello, who is the former editor-in-chief of Real Simple, Reader’s Digest and People magazine. Liz and I discuss why she pivoted her career to align with her purpose, the challenges of building trust over Zoom and what it really means to be a writer and editor.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/pivoting-to-your-purpose

May 22, 2023 • 27min
246: What Job Seekers Need to Know With Jeannine K. Brown
My guest on this episode of Punk Rock HR is Jeannine K. Brown. She is the CEO of Everyday Lead and the author of the book “Unstuck and Unstoppable.” Jeannine and I discuss the state of the job market, what job seekers should be doing and what to look for in a psychologically safe workplace. We also discuss how her book is helping professionals accelerate their careers.To read the full show notes for this episode, visit: https://laurieruettimann.com/what-job-seekers-need-to-know
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