Advertise on podcast: HR.Salon Podcast

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR Salon, host Andrew Biernat sits down with Ron Klinger, a Houston-based consultant who helps organizations win by unlocking the power of their people. Ron and Andrew — with matching energy and gusto — dig into why so many organizations are stuck at historic lows in engagement, and why the fix isn't a pizza party or a ping pong table. Ron and Andrew compare frameworks for defining engagement before zeroing in on the real lever for organizational change: the middle manager. Ron makes the case that mid-management is the glue holding companies together — the conduit between executive vision and frontline execution — and that most organizations set new managers up to fail by promoting their best individual contributors without ever training them to lead people. In this episode, you'll learn: Why nearly two-thirds of the global workforce is disengaged — and why that hurts the engaged one-third the mostWhy middle managers are the most critical (and most neglected) layer in any organizationThe danger of turning technical superstars into managers without training ("you just killed their career")Why the word "subordinate" should be banned from every manager's vocabularyHow generational differences — up to six generations in one workplace — complicate management todayA simple framework for effective one-on-ones: engagement score, workload check, and priority alignmentWhy self-awareness is the first domino in becoming a better manager or leaderThe "help me help you" approach to managing up and protecting your team from C-suite chaosWhy career pathing (not just paychecks) is key to closing the purpose gap between frontline workers and executivesRon's bottom-line philosophy: "Take care of your people, and they'll take care of your business"Ron Klinger helps organizations win through the power of employee engagement, retention, and people-first management. Connect with him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronklinger/ or visit his site at mtran.com. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today's guest Alan Gregerman wrote the book The Wisdom of Ignorance: Why Not Knowing Can Be the Key to Innovation in an Uncertain World. Often we seek to be the smartest or most knowledgeable person in the room. In this episode, Alan challenges that pursuit and shows us the high value that not being in the know can have on a company and on a team.  This discussion changed the way I see new hires and opened my mind to the possibilities and potential that most organizations overlook.  Check out Alan's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJJSXVGV Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this fun and insightful episode of HR Salon, host Andrew Biernat sits down with longtime HR leader and founder of Whine and Dine Networking, Keith Bogen, to talk about why real human connection still matters—and why Rochester is the next city to get its own Whine and Dine chapter. With 23 years of building connections across 19 cities, Keith has turned “networking” into something far more meaningful: making friends, sharing stories, and building community that lasts. Together, Andrew and Keith explore the lost art of conversation in an age when networking too often feels forced or self‑serving—and how to bring warmth, humor, and genuine generosity back to it. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Whine and Dine Networking is all about community, not contactsHow fewer rules and more laughter create authentic connectionThe secret to making people remember you long after the eventWhy Keith says “the value of knowing me is knowing who I know”How servant leadership strengthens relationships inside and outside of workWhat genuine generosity can do for your career and well‑beingHow to build your personal brand without a 30‑second elevator pitchWhy in‑person connection still beats any digital alternativeHow storytelling and humility attract better opportunitiesThe one daily question that keeps Keith focused on helping othersAs Whine and Dine Rochester launches, this episode is both an invitation and a reminder: real success starts with a smile, a story, and a shared glass of something good. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Rethinking Motivation and Building Sustainable Change in the Workplace Kate McCaffrey and Andrew Biernat Co-Host this joint episode of the HR.Salon and Twisting Paradigms IRL podcasts. Together they explore how motivation is an intrinsic, collaborative process rather than something imposed from the outside. They delve into practical strategies for fostering lasting engagement, addressing systemic barriers, and creating cultures that inspire energy and high performance, especially in challenging times. In this episode: The misconception that motivation is something you do to othersThe critical role of intrinsic motivators: autonomy, belonging, and competenceHow assessment tools can empower self-awareness and drive motivationThe importance of ongoing conversations and embedding motivation into team cultureStrategies for sustaining change amid organizational shifts and crisesPractical tips for leaders to create space, set boundaries, and build resilienceThe power of pre-planning for hard moments and disruptionsThe paradigm shift: influencing motivation collaboratively rather than controlling itKey language cues to retire, like "I can't" and "I'm busy," to foster growthThe significance of consistency and intentional reflection for long-term impact Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode of HR Salon, host Andrew Biernat sits down with executive coach Deborah Pratt, who has guided more than 10,000 leaders through critical career transitions. Together, they unpack why organizations spend heavily on onboarding and engagement—but often neglect the exit experience. Deborah explores how “offboarding” done poorly can damage trust, brand reputation, and long-term innovation, while human-centered approaches—like those used by the U.S. State Department and Airbnb—set both employees and organizations up for future success. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why layoffs can trigger lasting trauma for both those who leave and those who stayHow empathy and proactive planning can turn separations into powerful brand momentsWhy companies that “do the right thing” ultimately strengthen culture and resilienceWhat it means to design for the virtuous cycle instead of the vicious oneThis conversation redefines the future of work—where leaders view offboarding not as an afterthought but as an essential part of building strong, sustainable organizations. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail [This is the unabridged audio for the book The Team That Loves Mondays by Andrew Biernat.] The Cure for the Sunday Scaries. Imagine a team that starts the week with energy, not exhaustion. This book is your blueprint for transforming a burned‑out culture into one that thrives—without gimmicks or empty “engagement” campaigns. You’ll learn how to: Replace outdated performance management with real-time, energizing feedback that sparks accountability.Skip the PIP when performance slips — deliver a JOLT instead.Turn workplace friction into alignment and trust using The 10 Relationship X‑Factors.Create a team dynamic that makes motivation contagiousGrounded in research and tested in the everyday realities of modern teams, The Team That Loves Mondays gives you what every growing company needs most: a culture that fuels results and restores joy at work. Because when Mondays work, everything else does too. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR Salon, host Andrew Biernat sits down with coach and talent development expert Will Corbett for an energizing conversation about how storytelling, connection, and curiosity transform how we lead and engage at work. From the neuroscience behind employee engagement to why stories stick 22 times better than data, Will shows how leaders can create trust and alignment by sharing real, human stories — not just business plans. Together, they explore how connectedness fuels creativity, how great managers slow down to speed up results, and why every person is walking around with something valuable you don’t yet know. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why storytelling builds trust, empathy, and better leadershipHow engagement rises when people feel connected to purposeWhat great leaders do differently to stay “the right different”Simple ways to bridge the gap between productivity and presenceA refreshingly human conversation about leadership that reminds us: better business begins with better stories. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this inspiring HR Salon conversation, host Andrew Biernat sits down with Elisha Meek, corporate leader, author, and burnout coach, to explore how to end your toxic relationship with work—without quitting your job. Alicia shares her own three‑year battle with burnout, the moment that changed everything, and how a cupcake‑shop idea with her family became the spark that reignited her joy. Together, Andrew and Alicia unpack how passion projects, creative energy, and identity beyond your job can actually make you a better employee instead of a distracted one. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why burnout is less about overwork and more about emotional over‑investmentHow pursuing a “weird thing” outside of work restores balance and fulfillmentWhy creativity and purpose fuel better performance at workA simple framework—brains, body, and soul—to revive motivation and take back controlWhether you’re burned out or simply bored out, this episode proves you don’t have to torch your career to find peace. You can keep the paycheck and reclaim your joy. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR Salon, host Andrew Biernat sits down with Kevyn Rustici, COO of Boulter Industrial Contractors, to challenge one of HR’s oldest myths—that it’s a cost center. Kevin shares why he believes HR is actually a profit center, revealing how organizations that treat people as strategic assets, not overhead, outperform their peers. Together, they explore: How people analytics can predict performance and drive profitability.Why HR teams must learn to speak the language of business to earn true influence.The power of trust, communication, and feedback loops in building alignment.How talent pipelines and transparent leadership can future‑proof your organization.Whether you’re an HR leader, people manager, or executive, this discussion redefines what it means to connect human and financial performance — proving that culture and profit aren’t opposites, they’re partners. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR Salon, Andrew welcomes Laura Azzarella, President of the Buffalo Niagara HR Association and a passionate advocate for the ethical and practical use of AI in HR. With over 15 years of experience implementing HR tech, Laura brings both excitement and caution to the conversation: how do we use these tools to empower people, not replace them? In this episode, you’ll learn: Why AI can’t be trusted blindly—and how “trust but verify” should become standard HR policy.How to use AI to amplify productivity, not automate away connection or confidentiality.Why tomorrow’s best organizations will hire for soft skills like resilience, curiosity, and empathy—and build the technical skills later.This episode dives into the delicate balance between innovation and ethics, showing why the future of HR isn’t about choosing between technology and humanity—it’s about making them work better together. Check out her content on Substack: https://substack.com/@appliedhr Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR.Salon, Andrew sits down with Alyssa Wrobel, Recruiting and Onboarding Specialist at Quality Vision International, to unpack what it really takes to hire and retain great people in 2026. From navigating layoffs and shifting candidate priorities to mastering the art of consistent employer branding, Alyssa shares practical insights from the frontlines of recruiting in a market that’s equal parts cautious and competitive. In this episode, you'll learn: Why candidates crave growth and stability—and how to design roles that actually deliver both.How to use hiring tools without losing your human judgment, and the one story that proves data is never the full picture.The secret to standing out at job fairs and online: market your company like you’re recruiting future fans, not just employees.As recruiters and HR teams adapt to a shrinking pipeline and changing workforce values, the winners will be those who stay creative, curious, and connected to what people truly want from work. It’s not just about filling roles—it’s about telling the right story, to the right people, at the right time. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR.Salon, Andrew reconnects with Melanie Russo, Workforce Innovation Partner at the Greater Rochester Chamber, for a powerful conversation about how communities can build the workforce of tomorrow. They explore what it means to truly prepare for growth in the New York Smart I-Corridor—a new semiconductor tech hub linking Rochester, Buffalo, and Syracuse—and why collaboration, creativity, and compassion will define the next era of work. In this episode, you’ll learn: How public and private partnerships are reshaping workforce development to meet the demands of high-tech industries.Why businesses must adapt their hiring and retention strategies for the next generation of workers—and how to start doing it now.What it looks like when employers genuinely invest in their communities: from mentorship and education to addressing barriers like transportation, training, and poverty.Melanie reminds us that workforce innovation is about people, not programs—and that success depends on shared effort and shared outcomes. Whether you’re an employer, educator, or community leader, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how collaboration can turn regional opportunity into lasting prosperity. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR.Salon, Andrew sits down with author and marketing agency cofounder Matt Rouse, the mind behind Will AI Take My Job and its sequel. Together, they explore the accelerating tension between human expertise and automation, uncovering what the “AI arms race” means for HR leaders, employees, and the future of meaningful work. From job applicants using AI to beat hiring algorithms to companies reshaping entire workflows, this conversation blends realism, strategy, and hope. In this episode, you'll learn: How employees and companies alike are using AI—and why it’s becoming an “AI vs. AI” hiring game.Why the smartest organizations aren’t replacing people with AI but partnering with it to gain a competitive edge.What it really takes to stay employable in an AI-driven economy and how HR can lead the cultural shift.As AI continues to reshape the world of work, one truth rings clear: the winners won’t be those who resist change, but those who learn to work with it. Tune in for a grounded, thought-provoking conversation that might just reframe how you—and your organization—approach technology and talent. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The Lunchbreak crew got down to business with a hot topic this week: FEAR. There are so many ways that fear shows up in our lives and so many ways we can fight back against it. Here's what Brandon Eastman, Christine Smith, Ben Albert and I cover: 1. What happens when fear gets to live "rent free" 2. How to use your posture to fight back against fear 3. Why hyper preparation and total procrastination are two sides of the same fear based coin 4. How to use flowcharts to fight fear And so much more!! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail When Paul Angone was 22, he pursued a dream of speaking and writing despite the odds, sacrificing comfort and security in order to escape the feeling of failing at life and inspiring others to do the same; exploring the compelling central conflict of investing his attention wisely. You will learn: 1. How Paul Angone quit his job and became a successful author and keynote speaker. 2. The importance of sacrifice and taking risks in order to achieve one's dreams.  3. Why you should probably start with a side hustle before you go "all in." 4. How to resist the allure of digital distractions and invest in meaningful relationships and pursuits. Paul Angone is a father of four, keynote speaker, multi best-selling author, and entrepreneur. He is passionate about helping others overcome adversity and reach their personal growth goals. Support the show