We're Only Human

In this episode of We’re Only Human, Ben Eubanks talks with Travis Hunsicker about the power of curiosity, trust, and belonging in shaping great leadership. From the warehouse floor to executive coaching, Travis shares lessons on how to see people for who they can become—not just who they are today. Together, they explore why leaders must first build trust before driving performance, how genuine curiosity opens doors to growth, and what it means to create space where people truly belong.Listeners will hear practical advice on developing talent, coaching with empathy, and recognizing potential before it’s visible. Whether you’re a manager, a mentor, or simply someone who wants to lead more authentically, this conversation is a reminder that human connection is at the heart of every lasting impact.Connect with Travis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hunsicker/Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 03:15 Travis’s Journey: From Forklifts to Leadership Coaching 08:40 The Moment That Changed His Perspective on People 12:25 Why Trust Must Come Before Performance 17:42 How Curiosity Builds Stronger Leaders 22:10 Seeing Potential Before Others Do 26:35 Creating a Culture of Belonging and Growth 31:18 Coaching Conversations That Unlock Confidence 35:27 Real-World Examples of Human-Centered Leadership 39:42 Final Reflections and Key TakeawaysSee the show archives and sign up for episode updates

🎧 Episode DescriptionIn this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Jason Thrasher, one of the most inspiring voices from HR Summer School, to explore how choosing joy can transform your work, leadership, and life.Jason shares his belief that “joy is now”—not something you wait for, but something you choose every day. From his journey in HR to lessons learned from country music and Chick-fil-A, he reveals how gratitude, authenticity, and purpose can create a culture that people truly want to be part of.The conversation dives deep into the mindset of joyful leadership, practical ways to bring joy into daily work, and how self-awareness and connection empower teams. You’ll hear personal stories, actionable insights, and a reminder that owning your joy is the first step to owning your impact.Check out HR Summer School: https://hrsummerschool.org🕒 Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 01:20 Meet Jason Thrasher — From Music Dreams to HR Leadership 02:45 “Joy Is Now” — Why Joy Can’t Wait for Tomorrow 04:38 Practical Habits for Choosing Joy Every Morning 05:56 The Culture You Create Determines the Audience You Keep 07:40 Balancing Joy and Mental Health in the Workplace 09:50 Real-Life Story: “Thank You for Coming to Work Today” 11:55 How Joy Drives Engagement, Belonging, and Productivity 13:24 The Sound of Joy — How Music Changes the Atmosphere 14:35 Breaking Out of the “Check-the-Box” Mindset 15:20 Knowing Your Why and Leading with Purpose 16:40 Just Own Yourself — The Simplicity of Authentic Joy 17:35 Final Reflections and TakeawaysSee the show archives and sign up for episode updates

Episode DescriptionIn this episode, we explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the world of HR — not by replacing humans, but by amplifying what makes us uniquely effective: empathy, creativity, and connection. The conversation digs into how HR leaders can use AI responsibly to simplify workflows, enhance decision-making, and create more human-centered experiences for employees. You’ll hear how organizations can strike the right balance between automation and authenticity, and why embracing AI doesn’t mean losing the human touch.We also discuss the mindset shift HR professionals need to stay ahead in a rapidly changing world, and how curiosity and adaptability have become the most valuable leadership skills of all.Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:32 The AI Conversation: Fear vs. Opportunity 09:15 How HR Can Use AI Without Losing Humanity 14:48 Practical Examples of AI in Recruiting and Talent Development 19:56 The Mindset Shift: Curiosity, Creativity, and Adaptability 24:20 Redefining the Role of HR in an AI-Driven Workplace 28:37 Advice for Leaders Navigating Change 32:10 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysConnect with Lane: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lanem1/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

Episode DescriptionIn this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Micki Sievwright of Andersen Corporation to discuss how one of America’s most recognized brands connects, engages, and empowers its 14,000+ employees across manufacturing, distribution, and corporate environments.The conversation dives into how Andersen’s internal communication strategy bridges the gap between frontline and office workers, creating a culture where every employee feels informed, valued, and connected. Micki shares how her team uses storytelling, technology, and intentional design to build belonging at scale — and how leaders can cultivate trust even in large, distributed organizations.You’ll hear practical lessons on improving employee communication, fostering inclusion, and using tools like MangoApps to bring people together — no matter where they work.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:15 The Challenge of Connecting 14,000 Employees 08:42 Communication That Builds Belonging 13:17 Storytelling as a Culture-Building Tool 17:29 How Technology Supports Human Connection 21:50 Engaging Frontline Workers: Lessons from Andersen 26:18 Leadership’s Role in Employee Communication 30:44 Creating an Inclusive, Connected Culture 34:57 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinks for show notes: Thanks to the team at MangoApps for connecting us with Micki and the team at Andersen Corporation for this conversation! Connect with Micki: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/mickisievwright651_prsa-andersenwindows-inclusion-activity-7115015573226364929-s6X3/ Connect with MangoApps: https://www.mangoapps.com/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

Episode DescriptionIn this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Terry Terhark of NXTThing RPO to explore how hiring is evolving faster than ever in 2025 — and why keeping the human element in recruiting still matters more than ever.They discuss how organizations are adapting to unprecedented speed and scale in hiring, how AI and automation are reshaping recruiter roles, and where people still make the biggest impact in the process. Terry shares his unique perspective from decades in the talent space, including the balance between efficiency and empathy, the importance of culture fit, and how technology can empower — not replace — great recruiters.You’ll hear real-world insights on candidate experience, the future of RPO partnerships, and what leaders should prioritize to stay ahead in a tech-driven talent market.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:12 Why Hiring Is Moving Faster Than Ever 09:35 The Human Element: Why It Still Matters 14:58 How AI and Automation Are Changing Recruitment 19:47 Balancing Speed, Scale, and Candidate Experience 24:26 Building Trust and Culture in High-Volume Hiring 28:53 The Future of Recruiting Partnerships (RPO Insights) 33:10 What Leaders Should Focus On in 2025 36:42 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinks for show notes: Connect with NXTThing RPO: https://nxtthingrpo.com/ Connect with Terry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terryterhark/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

n this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks explores one of the biggest questions of our time: what does it really mean to be human in an age of artificial intelligence? As AI tools become faster, smarter, and more deeply integrated into the workplace, many HR leaders and employees are asking the same question — where do people fit in?Ben unpacks why staying human-first is not just a mindset but a strategy for success. The conversation dives into how HR can balance automation with empathy, how learning and curiosity are becoming the most valuable skills, and why emotional intelligence remains a competitive advantage even when technology takes over repetitive work.You’ll hear reflections on fear, hope, and the future of work — plus practical guidance on how to lead with humanity in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 03:15 Why “Being Human” Still Matters in an AI World 08:02 Balancing Efficiency and Empathy in HR 13:47 Automation, Learning, and the Changing Role of Work 19:11 Hope vs. Fear: How HR Can Lead the AI Conversation 24:36 The Power of Emotional Intelligence in the Machine Age 28:59 Redefining Human Value Beyond Data and Speed 33:42 How to Stay Curious, Relevant, and Human 36:18 Final Thoughts and TakeawaysLinks for show notes: Check out the AI Livestream Replay: https://streamyard.com/watch/9GTfDMQ8GeTESee the show archives and sign up for episode updates

In this episode of We’re Only Human, host Ben Eubanks sits down with Conrad Riddle, HR technology leader at Aimbridge Hospitality, to explore how frontline hiring and scheduling are being reimagined in today’s fast-moving workplace. They dig into the challenges of recruiting and retaining hourly workers, why scheduling is the heartbeat of retention, and how technology can empower employees while easing the load on managers.You’ll hear practical examples of streamlining the candidate journey—from frictionless mobile applications to instant interview scheduling—plus insights on self-service scheduling tools that give employees more flexibility and control. Conrad also shares how automation is saving thousands of hours for managers, improving compliance, and transforming the onboarding experience.Whether you’re an HR leader, a hiring manager, or simply curious about the future of frontline work, this conversation offers actionable takeaways on speed, simplicity, and employee empowerment.Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 02:01 Inside Aimbridge Hospitality: Scale and Challenges 05:18 Why Scheduling is the Core of Frontline Retention 09:01 Fixing the Candidate Experience: From Application to Interview in Minutes 13:28 Competing with Amazon and Uber: Speed Matters 17:02 Empowering Employees Through Self-Service Scheduling 22:19 Balancing Manager Control and Employee Flexibility 26:44 Automation in Onboarding: Saving 40,000+ Hours 31:12 Compliance Wins and Smarter HR Tech 34:20 Key Takeaways and Final ThoughtsLinks for show notes: Thanks to the team at Fountain for connecting us with Conrad and the team at Aimbridge Hospitality for this conversation! Connect with Conrad: https://www.linkedin.com/in/conradriddle/ Connect with Fountain: https://www.fountain.com/See the show archives and sign up for episode updates

In this episode, Ben sits down with Nicole Eisdorfer to uncover how curiosity, courage, and creativity can reshape the world of HR. From breaking out of the “HR Matrix” to asking better questions, Nicole shares her journey from traditional reporting into human-centered, impactful work. Together, they explore how technology and data can empower—not replace—HR professionals, and why cultivating curiosity is the most critical skill for the future.You’ll hear stories from Nicole’s experience, insights into making data meaningful, and practical guidance for rethinking how HR operates today. If you’ve ever felt stuck in dashboards, metrics, or endless processes, this episode will inspire you to step back, reimagine, and lead with curiosity.Read Nicole's Substack: https://nicoleeisdorfer.substack.com/ Connect with Nicole on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neisdorfer/Timestamps 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 04:12 Nicole’s Background and HR Journey 08:47 Escaping the “HR Matrix” 13:25 Why Curiosity Is the #1 Skill for HR Professionals 17:41 From Reports to Real Impact: Making Data Useful 22:09 Technology’s Role in Supporting (Not Replacing) HR 26:55 Asking Better Questions and Driving Change 30:18 Courage and Creativity in HR Leadership 33:42 Final Takeaways and Closing ThoughtsSee the show archives and sign up for episode updates

In this episode, the host explores why employee experience (EX) has become a board-level priority and how organizations can move from ideas to impact. Drawing on insights from the research report A Critical Moment: Why Employee Experience Should Be Every Company’s Priority, the conversation covers practical ways to elevate EX without massive budgets, how to measure what matters, and where AI can support (not replace) a human-centered approach. You’ll hear actionable tactics for quick wins, guidance for building leadership buy-in, and a real-world example of EX in practice.Read the research we reference during the episode: https://www.insperity.com/resources/guide/a-critical-moment-why-employee-experience-should-be-every-companys-priority/Timestamps00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup05:24 Why Employee Experience Should Be a Priority11:57 Research Highlights: Key Findings from the Report15:38 From Insight to Action: Quick Wins for EX19:13 Measuring What Matters: EX Metrics and KPIs24:47 Technology & AI: Enabling Human-Centered EX26:23 Real-World Example / Case Discussion28:46 Building Leadership Buy-In and Strong Partnerships30:40 Wrap-Up and Final TakeawaysSee the show archives and sign up for episode updates

In this episode of We're Only Human, host Ben Eubanks talks with Kelly Burlage, Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at Lineage. They discuss strategies for improving the recruitment process, creating better impacts for candidates, and the challenges faced by TA leaders today. Kelly shares insights on the role of artificial intelligence in recruitment, the importance of focusing on people, and the value of internal mobility. They also explore practical advice for leaders receiving pressure to adopt AI and the significance of building strong business partnerships within HR. Additionally, Kelly highlights the achievements of her team in transforming their reputation from order takers to valued business partners.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:09 Kelly Burlage's Background and Role at Lineage02:32 The Importance of Talent Acquisition04:15 Challenges Facing TA Leaders: AI and Innovation05:53 AI's Role in Enhancing Human Skills16:30 Internal Mobility and Talent Development23:43 Proud Achievements and Team Success26:22 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsSee the show archives and sign up for episode updates