HR Superstars - podcast cover

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.
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Episodes

HR Hotline: How HR Leaders Can Overcome Burnout

Have a burning HR or people ops question and don’t know who to turn to? Adam Weber and the HR Superstars Hotline is here to help. On this show, you get to hear from truly stellar people leaders and how they think about running extraordinary companies and cultures. While Adam occasionally shares some of his ideas alongside them, we thought we’d switch things up and give you a glimpse into how he thinks about the world of progressive HR, people operations, and doing business a little differently t...

Jul 04, 202313 min

Embracing Simplicity in HR with Dawn Mitchell and Pamela Greenberg

Are you drowning in new program roll-outs, employee relations, and change management? It’s time to put a simple, solid infrastructure in place. Hacker One ’s Chief People Officer Dawn Mitchell and Senior Manager of Talent Strategy Pamela Greenberg are prime examples of getting your foundation right. They’ve learned that building a top culture doesn’t require flashy new approaches—just a simple, transparent strategy for taking care of your people. In this episode, you’ll learn how to implement tr...

Jun 27, 202335 min

HR Hotline: Navigating the World of Unlimited PTO

Have a burning HR or people ops question and don’t know who to turn to? Adam Weber and the HR Superstars Hotline is here to help. On this show, you get to hear from truly stellar people leaders and how they think about running extraordinary companies and cultures. While Adam occasionally shares some of his ideas alongside them, we thought we’d switch things up and give you a glimpse into how he thinks about the world of progressive HR, people operations, and doing business a little differently t...

Jun 20, 20236 min

Empowerment is the Future of HR with Sarah Walker

Sarah Walker , Head of People at LTSE , has always been a few years ahead of the trends in the HR world. Years before they became macro trends, she dove into innovative strategies like putting an operational lens on HR, prioritizing wellness at work, and leveraging HR as a strategic function. Now, Sarah is focused on equipping business leaders to do things they’ve typically relied on HR to do, such as handling tough conversations with employees and noticing problems as they arise. She believes e...

Jun 13, 202330 min

HR Hotline: What Separates the Best HR Leaders?

Have a burning HR or people ops question and don’t know who to turn to? Adam Weber and the HR Superstars Hotline is here to help. On this show, you get to hear from truly stellar people leaders and how they think about running extraordinary companies and cultures. While Adam occasionally shares some of his ideas alongside them, we thought we’d switch things up and give you a glimpse into how he thinks about the world of progressive HR, people operations, and doing business a little differently t...

Jun 06, 20238 min

Creative Ways to Combat Talent Scarcity with Ben Eubanks

Employers everywhere are struggling with hiring and retention. The list of reasons for talent scarcity is long, but what’s at the heart of the issue? Ben Eubanks , Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory , and author of Talent Scarcity reveals the root problem: a lack of connection. Through his research, he’s seen many job-hoppers end up unsatisfied no matter the pay increases or lofty titles they achieve. The common thread among them is that they’re seeking – and failing to...

May 30, 202330 min

Breaking Through the Concrete Ceiling with Zee Clarke

Many people leaders today are dealing with burnout, stress, and mental health issues, but people of color are disproportionately affected. Zee Clark , author of Black People Breathe , experienced this firsthand as a young professional in Silicon Valley. Eventually, she burned out and took a sabbatical to India to heal. Along the way, she learned the life-changing mindfulness skills that she teaches today. In this episode, Zee shares her powerful story of overcoming the concrete ceiling, a phrase...

May 23, 202333 min

Integrating Cultures Through M&As with Sarika Lamont

HR leaders play a pivotal role in guiding their organizations towards strategic growth. This is particularly true when it comes to navigating the complexities of rapid growth and M&A integration where prioritizing culture and people can be the difference between success and failure. Sarika Lamont , Vice President of People & Culture at Vidyard , shares the crucial steps HR leaders can take to ensure seamless integration and drive results. She explains how she takes a proactive approach t...

May 16, 202336 min

What Neuroscience Reveals About Employee Experience with Dr. Paul Zak

Creating an extraordinary employee experience is the never-ending quest of people leaders. Thankfully, we don’t have to leave it up to luck or trial and error. In this conversation, Dr. Paul Zak , Professor, Speaker, and Co-Founder of Immersion Neuroscience , reveals the science behind exceptional employee experiences. Dr. Zak explains how to use his Immersion Framework to engage employees, increase productivity, and improve happiness. He shares his formula for creating top-notch experiences and...

May 09, 202333 min

Building a Culture of Authenticity with Tyneeha Rivers

You can’t change culture behind a desk. Tyneeha Rivers, Chief People Officer at Curaleaf, has been transforming cultures for 25 years. She knows that if you want to see a shift in your organization, you have to roll up your sleeves. In this conversation, Tyneeha breaks down the process of creating lasting cultural change to create spaces where people can be their authentic selves. As you listen, you’ll hear strategies for equipping leaders to empathetically connect with employees and techniques ...

May 02, 202331 min

HR Hotline: What are Some Good Conflict Management Strategies?

Have a burning HR or people ops question and don’t know who to turn to? Adam Weber and the HR Superstars Hotline is here to help. On this show, you get to hear from truly stellar people leaders and how they think about running extraordinary companies and cultures. While Adam occasionally shares some of his ideas alongside them, we thought we’d switch things up and give you a glimpse into how he thinks about the world of progressive HR, people operations, and doing business a little differently t...

Apr 25, 20239 min

Making a Data-Driven Case for Employee Development with David Pearson

From tuition reimbursement to creating training programs, investing in your employees’ growth can get expensive. How do you know if it’s worth it? In this conversation, David Pearson , SVP of People and Culture at Extensis HR , shares how to make a data-driven case for employee development. He shares how his organization develops its employees to ensure they are equipped to succeed at their current job and beyond. David also discusses the calm and steady presence an HR leader needs to bring to s...

Apr 18, 202330 min

Perfect Is the Enemy of Progress with Liesel Mertes

Empathy isn’t a personality trait. According to Liesel Mertes , Founder of Handle with Care Consulting , it’s an essential workplace skill we need to hone. And at the same time, people who go through disruptions and hard times have to eventually return to the office and add value to the organization. There’s a balance to having empathetic conversations and being honest about the nature of the employer/employee relationship In this episode, Liesel shares practical ways to strengthen your empathy ...

Apr 11, 202341 min

Leading Through Trauma with Tarveen Forrester

Carrying the weight of others’ trauma is one of the heaviest people leader responsibilities. If we don’t manage our own health well, we’ll burn ourselves out to the detriment of those around us. In this conversation, Tarveen Forrester , Head of People Operations and Diversity at Tastemade , shares her advice for navigating hard situations and leading others through them. After a tumultuous few years managing the pandemic and the death of an employee, she’s developed strong coping skills and boun...

Apr 04, 202324 min

Empathy & Expectations: Your First 90 Days as a People Leader

HR leaders always think of new and better ways to onboard employees, but they rarely think about onboarding themselves. Hebba Youssef, an HR leader with a mission to build strong connections with employees, joins the podcast to share what people leaders should focus on during their first 90 days. As the Chief People Officer of Workweek and creator of the popular “I Hate It Here” newsletter, she’s always looking to set her people up for success. What’s her secret? Onboarding people with equal emp...

Mar 21, 202335 min

HR’s Evolution from Cost Center to Profit Center with Jill Lehman

The world of modern HR has changed over the years, but what’s something that should always be true? Jill Lehman, the CEO of Evolve HR Services, believes that strategy should be a core focus no matter what year it is. As a former VP of HR for over 20 years, Jill spent her career learning about the importance of a people strategy and how it can positively affect an organization’s culture and environment. Listen in to learn more about how to delegate so you have time to think, what it looks like to...

Mar 14, 202344 min

People Leaders & The Weight of Keeping Secrets with Jen Paxton

Secrets can be heavy, especially when you’re carrying others’ secrets as well as your own. The unwritten job description of a people leader is the need to listen and safeguard everyone’s worries and struggles, but it can be a really lonely place. Jen Paxton is very familiar with the feeling. As a people leader, entrepreneur, and mother of two, she’s had to find ways to cope and stay motivated. In this episode she shares how secrets can impact a person’s mental health and also shares practical wa...

Mar 07, 202330 min

Unapologetically Human: Embracing Mental Health in the Workplace with Holly May

What responsibility do leaders have in the mental health of their employees? Opinions vary, but one thing is certain—authenticity and vulnerability play an important role. Holly May is a seasoned HR professional with a background in total rewards and business partnering in diversity, equity, and inclusion. She has held CHRO roles at Starbucks, Abercrombie and Fitch, and now at Walgreens Boots Alliance, where she has championed the importance of mental health strategies in the workplace. In her c...

Feb 28, 202334 min

Leading in the Midst of Chaos with Daniel Coyle

Culture isn’t magic. When you analyze organizations with great cultures, they all have similar structures to achieve success. Daniel Coyle is a renowned author and performance expert who has studied the behavior of successful groups for over a decade. His book, The Culture Code , explores the three pillars of safety, vulnerability, and direction that all successful teams use to be more than the sum of their parts. Along the way, you’ll learn how culture is more like a living set of relationships...

Feb 21, 202335 min

From Co-Founder to Life Beyond the 9 to 5 with Shane Metcalf & Adam Weber

How do you leave a legacy that outlasts your tenure? There’s no magic formula, but Shane has certainly left his mark on 15Five in his decade with the company. From “Question Fridays” to offering ketamine-assisted therapy as a benefit to employees, he’s built a culture that fosters not only the growth of the organization but also of our people themselves. As Shane transitions out of his role as Chief People Officer, we are excited to welcome Adam Weber as the new host of HR Superstars. Adam is an...

Feb 14, 202346 min

Healing Ourselves to Heal Our Teams with Mindbloom’s Kristin Arden

In recent years, talk therapy has become a more normalized benefit for many employees. But what about psychedelic-assisted therapy? Mindbloom is a mental health treatment company that provides at-home Ketamine therapy with a mission to make the treatment more approachable and affordable. In this episode, Kristin Arden , lead clinician, shares how Mindbloom is reducing barriers to accessing care and debunking the stigmas around psychedelics. Not only does she share the healing powers of Ketamine ...

Jan 31, 202336 min

Shifting from “Growth at All Costs” to Profitability with ClickUp’s Jim Bartolomea

Tech companies are in a big transition right now. They’re moving from a “growth at all costs” mentality to a focus on profitability. Part of this shift means HR teams need to think differently about headcount. We can’t hire our problems away. Instead, we need to think about new forms of leverage. How do you lead your teams to be thinking in a new way despite the whiplash speed of change? Jim Bartolomea joins the show to share the steps he’s taking to shift his focus to profitability as a people ...

Jan 17, 202329 min

How People Fuel VC Success with VMG Partners’ Brianna Rizzo

What’s the secret to venture capital (VC) success? People. Brianna Rizzo , Talent Partner at VMG Partners , joins the show to share the power of the people who fuel startups. For Brianna, it all comes down to building rapport before it’s needed, developing a strong talent network, and routing the right people to the right places. This requires getting curious, investing in relationships, and strategically balancing priorities. When done well, this talent strategy supercharges new companies and e...

Jan 10, 202347 min

Tapping into Gratitude with Shane Metcalf

On this show you get to hear from truly stellar people leaders and how they think about running extraordinary companies and cultures. While Shane occasionally shares some of his ideas alongside them, we thought we’d switch things up a bit and give you a glimpse into how he thinks about the world of progressive HR, people operations, and doing business a little differently than it's ever been done before. In this episode, Shane shares gratitude for his eclectic career journey. You’ll learn: How w...

Dec 27, 20228 min

Leading with Curiosity and Vulnerability with Crunchyroll’s Barb Bidan

If you’ve spent time with kids, you know “because I said so,” is rarely a satisfactory answer. The same is true with our teams. We’re independent people who question top-down mandates. We want to understand the logic behind a request. This simple truth has been a guiding principle for Barb Bidan , Chief People Officer at Crunchyroll . When she jumped into her role, she knew she wanted to lead with curiosity and vulnerability. She’s chosen to admit what she doesn’t know, stand firm on her convict...

Dec 20, 202245 min

Making Bold Investments in Your People with Auror’s Kirsti Grant

Rapid growth can kill company culture and employee experience. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Kirsti Grant , VP of People Experience at Auror , decided to intentionally make her team better with scale. It’s taken hard work, but it’s absolutely paid off. Kirsti joins the show to share the guiding principles that have allowed her team to create a cohesive and high-performing culture they love. She gives practical advice about ensuring everyone has the right context when decisions are made, in...

Dec 13, 202247 min

Developing a Win-Win Dynamic with Frontline Managers with HR Consultant Bonnie Curtis

What are your people passionate about? Are they engaging those passions in their jobs today? Unfortunately, most managers don’t know because they don’t have regular 1-on-1s with their people. But Bonnie Curtis is here to change that. She recently completed research on frontline managers and their relationships with their bosses. The findings are painfully obvious: as leaders, we need to ensure the basics are happening in our companies but we’re dropping the ball far too often. From career conver...

Dec 06, 202236 min

Leading with Meaning Over Mandates: Live at Thrive Gathering with Salesforce’s Karen Mangia

Whether we’re being picky eaters as kids refusing to eat our broccoli, or as grown-up employees pushing back on back-to-office rules, as humans, we resist mandates. That’s why, rather than taking a top-down authoritarian approach, Karen Mangia , VP of Customer and Market Insights at Salesforce and author of Success From Anywhere , encourages us to lead by finding shared values. Karen joined Shane for this live podcast recording at Thrive , our annual gathering of HR leaders that recently took pl...

Nov 22, 202241 min

Preserve Your Cultural “Secret Sauce” As You Grow with Rippling’s Christine Maxwell

Christine Maxwell , VP of People at Rippling , knows a thing or two about growth, as her organization has grown from 200 to 1600 in less than two years. She joins the show to share how she helps set her people up for success when they first join the team and beyond. She emphasizes the importance of intentional onboarding, using cultural rituals to reinforce company values, and humanizing executive leadership. Christine shares practices you can incorporate to cultivate strong leaders, communicate...

Nov 08, 202232 min

Tech-Enabled Coaching Creates A Work World Where Everybody Wins with 15Five’s Jon Greenawalt

Being a manager today is like taking a master class in self-development. More than any external practice, your own self-awareness and emotional intelligence are key to both your individual success and your organization’s success. When we intentionally grow in these areas, work can be a win-win paradigm where we bring our best selves to work and invite others to do the same. This all sounds great, right? But how do we actually make it happen? Jon Greenawalt , SVP of Customer Transformation at 15F...

Oct 25, 202247 min
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