HR Superstars

AI can give HR leaders what they've always wanted: more time to focus on people, not paperwork.

In this episode, Karina Young chats with Anthony Onesto and Theresa Fesinstine about how people leaders can confidently adopt AI without losing the human side of leadership.

They discuss what most teams get wrong about AI, how to start small without fear, and why a curious mindset matters more than being tech-s...

HR leaders hold immense responsibility but too often lack the authority and confidence to match.

In this episode, executive communications coach and world-champion debater Kate Mason joins Karina Young to explore how leaders can use everyday conversations to earn trust and build influence. Kate is the author of Powerfully Likable and has coached executives across industries on how to communicate with confi...

The future of work is already here, so why does HR still feel stuck in the past?

Despite rising expectations, many HR teams are still relying on outdated tools like annual surveys, rigid change models, and compliance-first programs. The result: employee experiences that feel transactional instead of inspiring.

In this episode, Loren Blandon joins Karina Young to talk about how HR can finally c...

Authenticity in leadership is often encouraged, but rarely modeled at the top.

And in HR, the pressure to stay polished can make vulnerability feel off-limits.

In this episode, Nicole DuBois joins Karina Young to reflect on what happens when people leaders stop compartmentalizing and start leading from their full selves.

Nicole, CHRO at Graham Windham, opens up about publishing a ...

Psychological safety is often discussed but rarely understood as a performance driver. Too often, it's treated like a value statement or one-time training session.

In this episode, Dr. Bill Howatt joins Karina Young to discuss why that approach falls short and what needs to be done to make psychological safety measurable.

Bill, Chief Mental Health Officer and Founder of Howatt Human Resources ...

High performers are often seen as the ones you don't have to worry about.

But behind consistent output and quiet competence, there can be early signs of burnout and disengagement.

In this episode, Melanie Naranjo joins Karina Young to challenge how companies define top talent and why performance without support leads to retention risk.

Melanie, Chief People Officer at Ethena, shar...

Workplace performance isn't just L&D's responsibility; it belongs to the whole company. 

And yet, many HR and learning teams still treat training as a standalone solution. 

In this episode, Kevin Yates joins Karina Young to reframe how we think about impact, and why the question isn't just "Did people complete the program?" but "Did anything change as a result?"

Kevi...

Even though people are at the heart of business outcomes, HR leaders still struggle to be seen as essential voices at the executive table.

In this episode, Karina Young, VP of People at 15Five, sits down with Jeff Smith, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at 15Five, to talk about how to show up in the boardroom with clarity and confidence. Jeff shares lessons from working closely with HR leaders over the ...

HR leaders are feeling the squeeze. 

With limited resources and growing pressure to improve engagement, performance, and retention, many are tasked with building manager support systems from scratch, often without the time or tools to do it effectively. In this episode, Morgan Webb, Senior Strategic Advisor at 15Five, and Yen Tan, Evangelist, Expansion & Manager Products at 15Five, share how HR ca...

HR teams are moving from external hiring to internal impact.

Will Howard, Practice Lead at McLean & Company, shares the latest research behind HR's shift in priorities, showing why retention and leadership now take the lead. David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at AnchorPoint Management, brings a real-world lens to the data. He explains how to move from reactive to strategic, why data literacy matters...

Trends are everywhere, but translating them into real business impact takes more than reading a report. It takes HR leaders who understand their business and know how to turn insights into strategy.

David Hawthorne, Chief People Officer at Anchor Point Management Group, shares how he brings 2025 HR trends to life by aligning people strategy with business goals. He breaks down how to scale leadership, stren...

Global teams give companies access to top talent and fresh perspectives, but managing them comes with challenges—time zones, cultural differences, and keeping everyone aligned.

Alexandra Erman, Chief People Officer at BforeAI, knows what it takes to lead international teams successfully. In this episode, she shares how to foster connection across borders while respecting local cultures. She explains why bu...

Being data-driven doesn't mean sacrificing the human side of HR. Data can be used to guide decisions while keeping people at the center.  

Brittany Rohde, Head of People at Monarch Money, believes that HR can be both analytical and people-focused. She shares how to scale sustainably by using automation wisely, bringing employees into key decisions, and building trust through transparency. Brittan...

What kind of leader do you want to be?  

Pause and really think about that. Or better yet, write it down on paper.  

Susannah Robinson, Founder and President of Partnership for Talent emphasizes the importance of defining your leadership vision. In this episode, she explains how self-awareness, trust, and consistency shape leadership and why your approach should evolve over...

HR teams provide emotional, mental, and strategic support to their organizations, but who's supporting them? As burnout among HR leaders reaches alarming levels, it's clear that those responsible for employee well-being often struggle themselves. 

Recorded live at the 5th HR Superstars Summit, this episode features Brittany Fowler at Kickstarter and Stephanie Smith at Tagboard as they share their pers...

There is no magic formula for creating a happy and engaged workforce. 

Every employee has unique needs and values, and understanding those differences is the key to building thriving teams. 

Kelly Mackin, CEO of Motives Met, explains why a one-size-fits-all approach to engagement doesn't work. Her firsthand experience in a toxic work environment inspired her to develop a framework fo...

All teams strive for stronger connections, better communication, and true alignment. Offsites can help make that happen—but only when designed with purpose.

In this episode, Jared Kleinert, Founder and CEO of Offsite, shares what makes an offsite truly effective. He explains how to move beyond basic event planning and create experiences that deepen engagement, reinforce company culture, and boost retention...

How do you create a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and inspired to stay?

Mark Crowley, author of Lead From the Heart and a pioneer in human-centered leadership, believes it starts with cultivating a culture of care. Drawing on groundbreaking research and decades of experience, Mark explains how emotions, trust, and belonging shape employee well-being and performance.

Mark als...

Burnout isn't a sign of overwork—it's a sign of internal misalignment.

In this replay episode, leadership coach Jim Marsden reframes burnout as a powerful signal to realign with your values and purpose. He shares advice on how to combat burnout by embracing curiosity, reconnecting with nature, and finding small but meaningful moments of p...