It's About Payroll
Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III are the hosts of It’s About Payroll. Collectively, they have over 4 decades of experience in the payroll industry. This podcast was created with the intent of sharing their knowledge and attracting new talent to the payroll industry. ItsAboutPayroll.io You can access their LinkedIn profiles. https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/escobarbrian https://www.linkedin.com/mwlite/in/william-duncan-477051187
Episodes
July 14, 2025 • 58 mins
Trucking payroll isn’t just complex—it’s a moving target.
In this episode, we sit down with Michael Ritzema, President and Founder of Superior Trucking Payroll Service, to talk about the unique challenges and solutions in the world of transportation compensation. From per diem strategies and IRS Form 945 to misclassification pitfalls and garnishment headaches, Michael shares hard-earned insights from years on the road supportin...
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July 7, 2025 • 51 mins
In this episode of It’s About Payroll, we welcome Michael Steen, Client Solutions Director at Payroll Minds, for a powerful and insightful conversation on the intersection of payroll, leadership, and humanity. Michael shares his nontraditional journey from crisis intervention and mental health to global payroll consulting, and how compassion, personal branding, and listening are his keys to success.
We dive into:
What the fut...
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June 29, 2025 • 75 mins
In this episode, we hit pause to look back and talk through:
✅ What really stood out to us this season
✅ The challenges we navigated behind the scenes
✅ Powerful lessons learned along the way
✅ And most importantly—the amazing guests who brought their wisdom, energy, and heart to every conversation.
From compliance curves to pay transparency, global payroll trends to financial wellness tips, these seasons have been full ...
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June 23, 2025 • 28 mins
In this episode of It’s About Payroll, we’re joined by the brilliant Tiana Neal—a dynamic leader in global payroll and benefits operations, founder of Transcenders Consulting Group, and host of The Human Roll podcast. With deep expertise at the crossroads of compliance, care, and technology, Tiana brings a refreshing and insightful perspective to the evolving relationship between HR and Payroll.
Together, we dive into the essent...
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June 16, 2025 • 31 mins
In Episode 161 of It’s About Payroll, we dive deep into the growing conversation around cryptocurrency and fiat currency—and how both could shape the future of payroll.
We explore three major areas of debate: 🔹 Decentralization vs. Centralized Control 🔹 Inflation Resistance vs. Economic Flexibility 🔹 Transparency vs. Regulatory Protection
From the transparency and autonomy offered by blockchain, to the economic stability a...
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June 9, 2025 • 45 mins
In this episode of It’s About Payroll, we sit down with newly certified payroll pro Tasia Walker, CPP, as she shares her inspiring journey to passing the Certified Payroll Professional (CPP) exam. Tasia opens up about her study strategies, time management, the emotional rollercoaster of test prep, and what it truly takes to succeed. Whether you're thinking about getting certified or knee-deep in study guides, this episode is packed...
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In this gripping episode of It’s About Payroll, we dive into a real-life payroll fraud case straight out of Florida, where four Honduran nationals ran a years-long fake books and payroll scheme—laundering more than $100 million through shell companies and ghost employees. We walk through how the fraud worked, how they got caught, and what payroll professionals can learn from the case to better detect and prevent similar crimes in t...
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May 15, 2025 • 64 mins
Episode 157: Fraud, Forensics, and the Future of Payroll – with Brittany Furr
In this jam-packed episode of It’s About Payroll, we welcome back educator and payroll trailblazer Brittany Furr. The trio dives into the wildest payroll crimes hitting headlines—from a CEO embezzling payroll taxes for nearly 3 years to an employee claiming 9,000 fake overtime hours.
We also break down:
Why cities like Stockton are hemorrhaging money due ...
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May 5, 2025 • 62 mins
In this episode of 'It's About Payroll,' hosts Brian and Walt have an in-depth discussion with Lisa King and Kristina Vartija, co-founders of the innovative payroll management system LNKT( pronounced Linked). The conversation covers the challenges and intricacies of payroll processes, the importance of proper documentation, and how LNKT aims to revolutionize the industry by offering a collaborative and streamlined approach to payro...
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Episode 155: With Guest Kira Rubano
In this high-energy and insightful episode, we explore the unexpected, challenging, and sometimes hilarious world of payroll.
Hosts Brian and Walt kick off with a conversation about financial fitness progress and dive into fascinating payroll topics, including:
How military pay structures could reshape civilian payroll thinking
The shocking realities payroll professionals face when h...
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Episode 154: Financing Coachella Tickets, Payroll Innovation in Schools, and AI’s Future in Payroll with Gustavo Vasconcelos
In this power-packed episode of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walt uncover some eye-opening realities:
60% of Coachella attendees had to finance their tickets — highlighting America's deep paycheck-to-paycheck crisis.
We discuss why even meals are now being financed and how it ties back to broader...
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April 21, 2025 • 51 mins
In Episode 153 of It's About Payroll, hosts Walt and Brian discuss the impact of tariffs on the payroll industry, budgeting tips from a certified financial planner, and the importance of continuous education in payroll. Special guest Laurel Serra, CPP, Director of Education Services at Payroll Org, joins the conversation to share her journey in payroll, the importance of certification, and how to navigate the evolving landscape of ...
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April 15, 2025 • 30 mins
In this episode, the hosts discuss the significance of understanding and utilizing employee handbooks for payroll professionals. They highlight the benefits of maintaining updated handbooks, creating cheat sheets for quick reference, and ensuring front-line managers are on the same page. The episode also covers the financial fitness challenge updates and the importance of tracking expenses. Additionally, the hosts discuss recent pa...
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March 30, 2025 • 27 mins
Title: IAP EP 151 - Season in Review: The Truth About AI in Payroll You Need to Know
Summary:
Join Walter and Brian in this season finale of "It's About Payroll" as they dive into a comprehensive review of the season and explore the impact of AI in payroll management. They begin with casual banter about their weekends before delving into thought-provoking discussions on various topics covered in previous episodes. Highlights of th...
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March 24, 2025 • 39 mins
In this milestone 150th episode, the hosts delve into the significant role payroll plays in employee experience and retention. They discuss various aspects including financial security, compliance, onboarding, and the impact of payroll errors on employee morale. Personal stories, industry statistics, and practical advice are shared to highlight the importance of accurate and timely payroll processing. Additionally, the episode feat...
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March 16, 2025 • 17 mins
Title: IAP Ep 149 - It's About Payroll
**Summary:**
Welcome to Episode 149 of "It's About Payroll" with hosts Brian Escobar and Walter William Duncan III. Whether you're new to the world of payroll or a seasoned veteran, this episode has something for you.
https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress#:~:text=Statistics,year%20from%202019%2D20214.
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250310148527/en/ServiceNow-to-Extend-Leading-Age...
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March 10, 2025 • 33 mins
Welcome to Episode 148! Dive into a deep conversation with Pete Tiliakos, a renowned expert in payroll and HR technology. This episode covers strategies on engaging executives with payroll data, explores the impact of AI on the industry, and discusses the importance of ROI in payroll operations. Pete introduces the Payroll Professional Confidence Index and its role in changing the narrative around payroll's significance. Additional...
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March 3, 2025 • 33 mins
In this episode of 'It's About Payroll', the hosts welcome special guest Stephen Weisberg, a seasoned tax attorney. They dive into the intricacies of payroll tax debt, offering practical strategies to resolve tax issues effectively. Stephen shares his background in corporate bankruptcy and his transition to helping small businesses and self-employed individuals resolve tax debt. The episode also covers the importance of making quar...
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February 23, 2025 • 41 mins
In this episode, Brian and Walt dive into a range of topics that impact both your wallet and your mindset. They kick off by discussing the power of staying aligned and motivated, emphasizing gratitude in everyday life. From there, they jump into their ongoing Financial Fitness Challenge, sharing small but impactful strategies—from trying out money-saving apps like Fetch to investing in the stock market—that anyone can implement.
Yo...
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February 16, 2025 • 27 mins
Are your manual checks causing mayhem? Tune in for some easy solutions!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates
02:25 The Importance of Payroll Implementations
05:17 Financial Fitness Challenge Insights
08:07 National Debt and Payroll Taxes
11:01 Super Bowl Monday and Employee Attendance
13:21 Time Trak GO - Message
13:38 Manual Checks: Definition and Best Practices
19:18 Challenges of Manual Checks
22:49 Future of Manu...
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