HR Happy Hour Network

From Personal Crisis to Corporate Solution: The Story Behind Caregiving Support Innovation
Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed
Guest: Dave Jacobs, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at HomeThrive

Summary
In this episode of the At Work in America show, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Dave Jacobs, co-founder and co-CEO of Home Thrive to explore the critical issue of employee caregiving support and how organizations can make a meaningful impact. Dave shares his inspiring journey from personal experience to building scalable solutions that aid caregivers at every stage. They also discuss strategies for HR and organizational leaders to advocate for caregiving benefits as well as how normalization of caregiving support helps broaden health and well-being initiatives.

Chapters
01:00 Introduction to Caregiving in the Workforce
05:45 Overview of Home Thrive's Services and Digital Tools
09:10 The Scale of Unpaid Family Caregiving in the US
14:00 How Caregiving Affects Employee Productivity and Mental Health
16:20 Strategies to get Executive Buy-in for Caregiving Programs
19:00 Supporting Multi-generational Families and Family-centered Care
23:45 Future Trends: Integrating Caregiving into Broader Health Initiatives
28:30 Connecting Caregiving Support with Mental Health and Chronic Disease Management

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

The Hidden Power of Middle Management
Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen
Guest: Gary Cookson,

Summary
In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen speaks with Gary Cookson about the often-overlooked role of middle managers in organizations. They discuss the challenges faced by middle managers, including the emotional labor they perform, the invisible work that goes unrecognized, and the need for better preparation and support. The conversation emphasizes the importance of middle managers in navigating change, particularly in the context of AI and hybrid working environments. They also highlight the need for organizations to redefine the role of middle managers and empower them to create a positive impact on workplace culture and performance.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Middle Management Dynamics
05:15 The Emotional Reality of Middle Management
10:05 Invisible Work and Its Impact
13:21 Navigating Change and Uncertainty
21:18 Adapting to AI and Hybrid Work
25:18 Transforming Perspectives on Middle Management
27:21 The New Manager Bounce and Its Implications

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Connecting Operations and HR for the Frontline Workforce
Host: Steve Boese
Guest: Chris Kuntz, VP of Strategic Operations at Augmentir

Summary
In this conversation, Steve Boese engages with Chris Kuntz to discuss the critical role of AI in empowering frontline workers in manufacturing. They explore how Augmentir is addressing the needs of deskless workers, the importance of data-driven insights for management, and the balance between monitoring and worker empowerment. The discussion also highlights the future of AI agents in the workplace and the innovative approaches companies are taking to enhance worker experiences and operational efficiency.

Chapters
00:00 The Importance of AI for Frontline Workers
03:05 Augmentir's Role in Empowering Workers
05:57 Use Cases for AI in Manufacturing
08:57 Data-Driven Insights for Management
14:46 The Future of AI Agents in the Workplace
17:59 Innovations in Worker Empowerment
20:56 The Human Element in AI Integration

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Polymorphism at Work: A Radical New Way to Think About Organizations
Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen
Guest: Perry Timms, Chief Energy Officer and Founder: People & Transformational HR Ltd

Summary
In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen interviews Perry Timms, a thought leader in HR, about the concept of polymorphic organizations. Timms explains that polymorphism refers to the ability of organizations to adapt and change their structure and processes in response to varying demands and data. They discuss the importance of moving away from traditional, rigid organizational models to more fluid and adaptive approaches that can better meet the challenges of the modern business landscape. The conversation also touches on the role of leadership in fostering this adaptability, the implications for traditional industries, and the steps organizations can take to begin their transformation towards a polymorphic model.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Polymorphic Organisations
05:20 Understanding Polymorphism in Organisations
09:40 The Shift from Traditional to Adaptive Models
14:38 Leadership in a Polymorphic World
20:10 The Impact on Business Metrics and Shareholders
24:02 Implementing Change in SMEs
27:34 Resources for Further Learning
Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.
The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.
Thanks for joining us.

The Manager Method: Practical Strategies to Lead with Empathy and Confidence
Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed
Guest: Ashley Herd, Former Head of HR, Podcast Host and Author

Summary
In this episode of the At Work in America show, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Ashley Herd, a former head of HR, podcast host, and author, to discuss the critical role of managers in the workplace. The conversation explores the challenges managers face, particularly regarding their mental health and the impact they have on employee experiences. Ashley shares insights from her book, "The Manager Method," emphasizing the importance of communication, empathy, and proactive leadership strategies to foster a positive work environment. They discuss the common pitfalls of management, such as the tendency to avoid difficult conversations and the pressure managers feel to have all the answers. The episode ends with practical advice for managers on how to navigate stress and burnout, both for themselves and their teams, while encouraging open dialogue and collaboration. This conversation serves as a valuable resource for anyone looking to enhance their management skills and improve workplace culture.

Chapters
01:30 Welcome, updates, and introduction
04:13 The Importance of Managers
08:43 Communication Strategies for Managers
12:04 Empathy in Leadership
19:14 Managing Remote Teams
23:37 Addressing Burnout and Stress
36:23 Resources and Takeaways
Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The workplace is changing fast—and the leaders who understand what's coming will have the advantage.

Workhuman's annual Trends Webinar returns January 29th with research-backed insights on the hottest trends shaping 2026. Discover how top organizations are navigating AI, psychological safety, performance, and equity to outperform their competition—plus exclusive findings from McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2026 report.
Featuring an expert panel from McKinsey and Workhuman, you'll get the intelligence you need to lead with confidence this year.

Join the Trends Webinar live January 29th at noon Eastern, or catch the replay on demand. Register for free at Workhuman.com