HR Fresh Take

AI may be the buzzword, but people are still the heartbeat of work.

In Part 2 of HR Fresh Take’s special series, The Future of HR: Beyond Tech, recorded live at the Philly SHRM Symposium, host Dr. Jo Vazquez continues the conversation on what modern HR requires in a workplace evolving at rapid speed. This episode looks beyond technology to examine how HR professionals can lead with strategy, empathy, courage, and a people-firs...

Human resources is no longer just a support function. It is a strategic driver of organizational success. Today's HR leaders are expected to deliver results that balance people, performance, and broader business outcomes.

In this special multi-part series, The Future of HR - Beyond Tech, recorded live at the 2026 Philly SHRM Symposium, we'll explore what it really means to practice modern HR in a workplace that's evolving faster tha...

Menopause and perimenopause are one of the most overlooked workplace issues. What employees are experiencing often gets misread as performance issues, poor attendance, or “burnout,”. 

For this episode, we’re taking a bit of a detour from our usual format  to bring you a conversation from the Take a Pause with MenoPalz Podcast for which I was honored to be a guest. We’ll discuss how symptoms can affe...

Think the Federal Reserve only deals with interest rates? Think again.  

In this episode, we sit down with experts from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia to reveal little‑known but powerful tools designed to support workforce and economic mobility. Deborah Diamond and Theresa Dunne break down two resources that can help HR professionals rethink talent pipelines, skills‑based hiring, and local economic impact.
Discover...

In this courageous and eye-opening episode of HR Fresh Take, host Dr. Jo sits down with survivor, advocate, and author Dr. Jennifer Gardella to explore how domestic violence—often considered a private issue—profoundly impacts the workplace. From emotional trauma to legal and financial barriers, Dr. Gardella shares her personal journey and offers actionable insights for HR professionals and organizational leaders.

We’re kicking off our 4th season by talking about neurodiversity in the workplace—what it means, why it matters, and how HR leaders can foster truly inclusive environments. 

Joining the discussion are Laura Sibbald McAnulty, Executive Director of the Neurodiversity Employment Network (NENPHL); Joseph Riddle, Director of Neurodiversity in the Workplace (NITW), and Alberta Blum, Lead Executive Talent Partner for Radia...

In our final installment of our series, HR and Age of AI Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests examine the dual impact of AI on mental health. Highlighting both the benefits and challenges it presents. 

We also discussed building cultures of care and the role of AI as a tool to enhance workplace practices.

Special Thanks to our Contributors:

Scott J Prendergast is a Professional Speaker, Certified Coach, Author,
Coll...

In the penultimate episode of our series, HR and the Age of AI: Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests discuss the importance of curiosity and adaptability in navigating AI technology.  

We also highlight the protection of sensitive data as well as the role of organizational culture in fostering a safe environment for experimentation and growth.

Special Thanks to our Contributors

Kelly Jones is the Senior Vice President ...

In part 4 of our series, HR and Age of AI - Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their perspectives on how AI is transforming HR practices from improving the employee experience to enhancing recruitment processes. 

We also discussed the importance of maintaining empathy and humanity in HR especially as AI technology advances, as well as the need for adaptability and agility among HR professionals.

Special Thanks to our ...

In part 3 of our series: HR in the Age of AI - Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their diverse perspectives on skills, tools, and relationships HR professionals need to effectively manage and lead in the age of AI. 

The conversation also touches upon overcoming the fear of AI with practical advice on low-risk initiatives and personal experimentation.

Special thanks to our contributors:

Blair Corcoran de Castillo - As ...

In Part 2 of our series, HR and the Age of AI:  Opportunities and Obstacles, our guests share their unique perspectives on how AI is transforming HR practices from creating culture to enhancing neurodiversity inclusion. 

We also discussed the need for critical thinking and human oversight in AI applications, as well as the legal implications and ethical considerations.

Special thanks to our contributors:

Michael S. Cohen Par...

Discussing the benefits and challenges of AI can help reduce anxiety around its integration and use. When HR professionals understand the advantages and limitations of AI, they can develop a balanced perspective and in turn, foster collaboration and proactive planning, ensuring that AI is integrated responsibly and ethically.

In this special multi-part series: HR in the Age of AI - Opportunities and Obstacles, recorded during the 20...

For three seasons, HR Fresh Take has covered topics that affect our business community and how HR is able to meet those challenges.  For this episode, we’d like to approach it from a different angle and take this opportunity to share the meaningful experiences of individuals who joined Philly SHRM’s HR Lift Lab in 2024. 
With a foundation of leadership self-awareness plus a balanced portfolio of effective H...

As companies strive to prioritize employee well-being, a concerning trend has emerged: “Care-washing” which is the practice of offering superficial or surface-level wellness programs that fail to address the root causes of employee stress and burnout. 

In this episode, we are in conversation with guests Nicole McNeal, Director of Wellbeing at Virtua Health and Anna Greenwald CEO/Founder of On the Goga as well as HR ...

Silos in the workplace can create divisions that hinder communication, collaboration, and innovation. They often lead to duplicated efforts, missed opportunities, and a lack of cohesion. But what causes these silos to form, and how can we break them down?

In this episode of HR Fresh Take, we’ll talk with Pat Schaeffer, co-founder of Talent Strategy Partners and Barbara Taylor, Business partner of JanBara & Associates. They...

Born between the mid 1990s and early 2010s, Gen Z is not just another demographic, they are a driving force behind many of the changes we're seeing in today's job market. The challenge for some organizations is figuring out how to engage with Gen Z effectively and how best to utilize their skills within the workforce. 

In this episode, we'll talk with Michael Brenner, founder and CEO of Right Chord Leadership.  We'...

Halloween is around the corner! So come with us as we revisit HR Fresh Take's most fun and popular episode: "An HR Halloween", where we share a few horror stories submitted by the HR community in the Philadelphia area.  The names were changed to protect the innocent AND the guilty.  We'll also discuss lessons from these cautionary tales.  Enjoy!

Business, Engagement, Human Resources, Management, Thought Leadership, Re...

Recently, DEI initiatives have faced significant challenges in boardrooms, state legislatures, and college campuses. Since 2023, 81 anti-DEI bills targeting college programs have been introduced in 28 states and in Congress, with eight signed into law in states like Texas and Florida.

Despite these challenges, a 2023 survey by the Pew Research Center found that 52% of employed U.S. adults participate in DEI trainings or meet...

With the prevailing mentality that workers should “leave life at the door”, it’s no wonder that the struggle to balance the demands of family and career has only gotten more difficult. This is especially true for employees who care for others such as children, elderly parents, and family members at home who are sick or have disabilities. According to the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), Caregivers ar...