This podcast episode is a special one for me, as I pay tribute to a man who was truly a force bigger than life: Tom Frank. He was an incredible storyteller and an icon, and I think of him often. This particular episode, which we originally recorded back in September 2020, features Tom discussing the culture of organizations and sharing his history as one of the original members of the P.F. Chang's team. It's especially meaningful to me to republish this episode now, five years into my podcasting...
May 27, 2025•51 min•Season 4Ep. 21
Hey humans, you won't want to miss this episode! I chat with Seth Turner from AbsenceSoft about a seriously important topic: leave management. We're digging into how we can shift our thinking from just processing paperwork to truly supporting employees during critical life moments. Seth shares his journey into this complex world and how his company is aiming to bring more humanity and efficiency to the process. We'll also touch on how technology, even AI, can play a role in making things smoothe...
May 20, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 20
In this continuing series of assuming postitive intent I'm talking to my awesome Gen Xers. We're tackling this ingrained idea from our early careers: exhaustion as a status symbol, where we equate productivity with our worth. I experienced this firsthand early in my career spent working in startups, where hustle was rewarded, hardwiring me to believe being tapped out meant I was doing well. Now I know that's not the truth. So, this week, I want you to define your own success. It should include w...
May 13, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 19
Hey humans! I was absolutely thrilled to have a fascinating conversation with Alison Coward joining us all the way from across the pond (as I finally got to say!) Alison shared her incredible human experience, tracing her journey through the worlds of fashion promotion, supporting creative practitioners, and ultimately diving deep into the power of collaboration. We kicked off by exploring Alison's path, from her early fascination with the creative industries to her pivotal Master's research foc...
May 06, 2025•30 min•Season 4Ep. 18
In this episode I explore the concept of perfectionism and offers actionable advice for overcoming it. As part of the 'Top Trends in 2025' series, I'm focusing on the importance of assuming positive intent and my aim is to highlight the detrimental effects of perfectionism on personal and professional growth. Some of the strategies includes recognizing the signs of perfectionism, embracing mistakes as learning opportunities, practicing self-compassion, focusing on progress over perfection, and s...
Apr 29, 2025•7 min•Season 4Ep. 17
Hey humans! We're still exploring those top trends for '25, and this week it's all about tackling your scarcity mindset – that feeling of "not enough" that can really hold you back. We're diving into how to challenge this by first understanding the limiting beliefs that drive it. These often come from assumptions or past experiences we treat as facts. So, your assignment this week is some self-reflection. Journal, record, jot down: what do you believe about yourself? What are your fears and doub...
Apr 22, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 16
Hey humans! Welcome back to part two of our data literacy series! In this episode, I continue my round table discussion with Jennifer Wright , Karen Brieger , and Kelly Oliver as we dive deeper into the practical aspects of HR data. We explore the critical importance of "clean data" - what it really means and why it matters so much. Kelly breaks down the three-phase framework of data engineering, data analysis, and data insights, explaining why you can't just jump straight to insights without pr...
Apr 15, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 15
Hey humans! On this part one of a two part series, I had the pleasure of hosting a fantastic round table discussion with three amazing HR professionals - Jennifer Wright , Karen Brieger , and Kelly Oliver - where we dive into the world of data literacy in human resources. Each of my guests shared their unique HR journeys and how embracing data has been a game-changer in their careers. We had a really honest conversation about how data literacy helps transform HR from being seen as just the "squi...
Apr 08, 2025•39 min•Season 4Ep. 14
This episode is the second part of a series discussing the intersection of mental health and the opioid crisis, particularly its impact on youth and families. If you haven't heard part one, I strongly encourage you to do that! We continue our examination of the topic with Kristen Genovese , CEO of Not My Kid , a nonprofit organization based in Arizona. We explore the lack of support from schools for children dealing with critical health conditions, the mental health crisis in Arizona, and the ch...
Apr 01, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 13
Hey humans, on this episode, I talk with Kristen Genovese, CEO of Not My Kid , as part one of a two-part series discussing the critical intersection of mental health, the fentanyl crisis, and its impact on children and families. Kristen shares her extensive background in behavioral health and her journey to Not My Kid , emphasizing the organization's focus on prevention and early intervention. I am on the board of Not My Kid, and as those of you who know my background, this is a critical area of...
Mar 25, 2025•23 min•Season 4Ep. 12
Hey, it's me again, diving into the human experience – you know, the real stuff, especially how it plays out in our workplaces. We're on this journey to figure out how to make things better for everyone, including ourselves. And we're really focused on the big trends for 2025, particularly this whole idea of 'inside-out' work. It's about getting our own things together so we can genuinely help others. In this episode I'm zeroing in on one thing that I believe is absolutely crucial: assuming posi...
Mar 18, 2025•6 min•Season 4Ep. 11
In this episode of the HX podcast, I talk to Tim Freestone, founder of Alooba, an AI driven skills assessment platform. Tim shares his journey into the world of recruitment and explains how his frustrations as a hiring manager led to the creation of Alooba. Our discussion highlights the biases in the hiring process and explores how AI and technology can make hiring fairer and more efficient. Tim provides some great insights from his experience and research, noting that while most companies are n...
Mar 11, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 10
Hey humans! Today, we're tackling a topic that's not just a trend for 2025, but a timeless essential: integrity. My guest, Bri Morsa and I defined integrity and its key aspects: honesty, accountability, consistency, and moral courage. We also explore workplace statistics highlighting the impact of integrity on reporting misconduct, employee turnover, and leadership trust. Integrity is a cornerstone of a healthy work environment. Bri and I had a great conversation about how integrity shows up in ...
Mar 04, 2025•37 min•Season 4Ep. 9
Hey humans! In this episode of the HX podcast, I am joined by Rhiannon Albert, the owner and founder of MyTrustedHR.com . We talk about top trends in the human experience for 2025, focusing on the importance of empathy and respect both inside and outside the workplace. With so many changes related to the political climate, mandates regarding DEI and more, we should know how to navigate that space. Rhiannon shares her insights from 23 years in HR, including practical advice for leaders to build t...
Feb 25, 2025•21 min•Season 4Ep. 8
In this episode I cover essential strategies for leading through crisis. The discussion is based on highlights from a recent event with Achieve Engagement and sponsored by HiBob. I'd love for you to listen to some of the key conversations that were part of this discussion. You can find them here . Key points include establishing consistent communication channels, supporting HR teams, recognizing and addressing burnout, and offering appropriate mental health support. I also also emphasize the imp...
Feb 18, 2025•16 min•Season 4Ep. 7
Navigating Legal Changes in 2025: An HR Perspective In this episode of the HX podcast, I explore the top legal trends anticipated for 2025 that could impact organizations nationwide. I discuss how recent administration changes, Supreme Court decisions, and evolving regulations could alter the landscape for HR and legal departments. Key topics include changes in contractor classifications, overtime exemptions, unionization efforts, OSHA standards, the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and pending li...
Feb 11, 2025•26 min•Season 4Ep. 6
Burnout at work shows up in a bunch of ways, from always feeling tired and less productive to being super cynical and detached. You might be more irritable, have trouble focusing, get headaches, feel totally drained, or just want to be left alone. Basically, it's a drag. In this episode, I'll share some thoughts about how to spot it with yourself and your teams, and what to do about it. I've also included a complete summary below. I invite you to review and hold on to these helpful tools to help...
Feb 04, 2025•24 min•Season 4Ep. 5
Hey humans! This episode is all about self-compassion and assuming positive intent, two interconnected concepts that are crucial for navigating life's challenges and building strong relationships. I'll share a personal story about my daughter's cancer journey and how it taught me the importance of prioritizing self-care and giving myself grace during difficult times. We'll also explore the power of assuming positive intent, both in our personal and professional lives, and how it can transform ou...
Jan 28, 2025•27 min•Season 4Ep. 4
Hey humans! In this episode, I'm diving deep into a topic that's close to my heart: mental health in the workplace. We'll be talking about the latest trends, the challenges we face, and some practical solutions you can implement in your organization. We'll explore the impact of remote work, the rise of burnout, and the limitations of traditional EAP programs. I'll also share some insights from my own experience in the mental health and substance use disorder space, and offer guidance on how to s...
Jan 21, 2025•34 min•Season 4Ep. 3
Hey humans! I'm so excited to kick off our fourth season with you! In this episode, I share some exciting updates about the show and dive deep into one of the biggest trends we'll be exploring in 2025: alignment. We'll be looking at how alignment impacts everything from employee well-being and mental health to the ethical use of AI and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. I'll share some real-world examples of how companies like Southwest Airlines have used alignment to drive success, a...
Jan 14, 2025•22 min•Season 4Ep. 2
Hey there, beautiful humans! Welcome to The HX podcast - and happy 2025. In this episode I kick off Season four with a bang, joined by the incredible Jenn Mason, a leader in the fight against the opioid crisis as the Executive Vice President of Operations at Community Medical Services, where we work together. We share our personal and professional journeys, the power of collaboration, trust, and resilience. We also get into the challenges and triumphs of women's health, emphasizing the importanc...
Jan 07, 2025•45 min•Season 4Ep. 1
Hey humans, it's the HX Podcast Year in Review for 2024! We've covered a lot of ground from amazing thought leaders in the Human Resources space, to meditation ideas and practice, as well as AI in HX. I hope you enjoy as I explore some of the more popular episodes and preview what is to come with the podcast for 2025. I'll also hint at a new project coming soon! Enjoy, Stacie More episodes at StacieBaird.com .
Dec 31, 2024•22 min•Season 3Ep. 52
Hey humans, it's the wrap-up of our meditation series! Over these seven episodes, we've explored a variety of meditation practices to help you step into 2025 as your most mindful, regulated, and empowered self. We began with mindfulness meditation—a simple two-minute starter to build awareness. From there, we dove into a beat-based guided meditation to connect rhythm with relaxation. We also tackled loving-kindness meditation, which, while challenging for many, opens the door to deep compassion ...
Dec 24, 2024•8 min•Season 3Ep. 51
Hey humans! Welcome back to The HX Podcast. In this episode, we're diving deep into Day 6 of our meditation challenge. We're exploring the transformative power of mantra meditation, a technique that helps you stay present and focused. Remember those mindfulness exercises we did in the beginning? This is similar, but with a twist. You'll be creating your own personal mantra – a phrase that resonates with you on a deep level. Something that empowers you, uplifts you, and brings you back to center ...
Dec 17, 2024•5 min•Season 3Ep. 50
In this ongoing meditation series of episodes of the HX podcast, I introduce a guided mindfulness and visualization meditation challenge designed to help listeners re-center. This emphasizes the importance of focusing on visual details, scents, sounds, tactile sensations, and even tastes associated with a favorite location. This meditation session encourages deep breathing and sensory immersion to promote relaxation. We're getting close to the finish of our meditation challenge, and I encourage ...
Dec 10, 2024•5 min•Season 3Ep. 49
In this episode, I took a brief break from the meditation series (we'll pick it up next Tuesday), because I had the pleasure of chatting with Barb Hyman, the founder and CEO of Sapio.ai , about something I'm deeply passionate about—the intersection of AI and the human experience. Barb and I dove into a range of topics that are so relevant right now: self-awareness, breaking through biases in hiring, and how AI is shaping organizational culture. Barb shared her personal journey from immigrant to ...
Dec 03, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 48
In this four-minute episode of the HX podcast I'll introduce you to a two-minute body scan meditation aimed at helping you identify and relieve tension in your bodies. This is episode four of the meditation series and I strongly urge you to review the previous three episodes if you haven't already. I'll talk about the versatility of this meditation practice - it can be beneficial before a sauna session, before sleep, or after a stressful meeting. And remember to note what worked and what didn't ...
Nov 26, 2024•5 min•Season 3Ep. 47
Hey humans, it's Stacie Baird, and welcome back to the HX Podcast. We're in the middle of our meditation series, and today we dove into something truly special—a practice known as Loving Kindness Meditation. I get it; this might sound a little out there at first, and even Dan Harris, the guy behind 10% Happier, once thought it was hokey too. But let me tell you, there's something profoundly transformative about spreading love and kindness, even to strangers. This is a meditation you can do while...
Nov 19, 2024•5 min•Season 3Ep. 46
In this latest episode of the HX Podcast, we're diving deeper into the challenges and opportunities of meditation with my best friend Bri Morsa. We're still in the meditation series - but I sometimes know and hear how we all cultivate certain ideas and thoughts around the mention of meditation. And I know Bri is a perfect resource to bring into this discussion at this point. This episode felt like a continuation of the journey, unpacking why so many people struggle to bring mindfulness into thei...
Nov 12, 2024•46 min•Season 3Ep. 45
In this episode of the HX podcast, I'll lead you through day two of an eight part meditation series. I'll introduces a focus meditation technique that requires only two minutes and involves using music with a beat, such as Andra Day's 'Rise Up .' The practice includes breathing exercises aligned with the beat, encouraging you to focus intensely on the music while letting go of distractions. I also suggest journaling about the experience and suggest incorporating the exercise into daily routines ...
Nov 05, 2024•6 min•Season 3Ep. 44
