Shows
Pulse by HRBenchTraining Is Probably Not the Answer w/ Ash PanjwaniLeadership development fails when it starts with a training request. Ash Panjwani has spent thirteen years building performance and leadership systems at VMware, Twilio, OneTrust, and Procore, and now runs Work Happy. She joins me on this episode to explain what to build instead.In this episode:Why companies are quietly dismantling their internal talent development teamsThe three-layer approach: set the standard, build the system, then bridge the gapThe calibration meeting that exposed how rarely companies define what good leadership looks...
2026-06-0931 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastPeople Insights at HP & The Value of Data Security - Amy Stevenson - #176Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Amy Stevenson, Senior Director People Insights at HP!
In this wide-ranging and highly practical conversation, Cole Napper welcomes back Amy Stevenson for a discussion that spans the evolution of people analytics, the realities of building enterprise-scale analytics capabilities, the future of AI in HR, and the leadership lessons that come from spending years turni...
2026-06-081h 05
SHRM Talent 2026Everyone’s Talking About AI. Almost Nobody Knows What Adoption Actually MeansAsk ten HR leaders about AI adoption and you’ll get ten different answers. Cole Napper argues that most AI conversations are broken because people are talking about completely different things. Personal AI tools. Vendor AI features. Enterprise AI systems. Same words. Different realities.
The gap isn’t technology. It’s understanding. AI adoption, people analytics, workforce intelligence, recruiting, skills development, HR technology. This conversation cuts through the noise and gets to what actually matters.
In this episode… Cole Napper breaks down why AI adoption conversations are so confusing, why workforce analytics is more than dashboar...
2026-06-0420 min
Pulse by HRBenchCan HR Explain How the Business Makes Money? w/Cole NapperCole Napper, the world's first Chief People Intelligence Officer, walks through his People Intelligence Manifesto, why the HR operating model is collapsing into two layers, and how HR leaders can stop losing the language battle in the boardroom.In this episode:Why the four branches of HR analytics (people analytics, workforce planning, talent intelligence, behavioral science) are collapsing into a data layer and an intelligence layerThe provocative claim that no human being should ever build another dashboardThe HR speak problem, and why HR teams confuse business...
2026-06-0139 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastThe Power of Us & Social Identity at Work - Jay Van Bavel - #175Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Jay Van Bavel, Professor of Psychology & Neural Science at NYU and Author of “The Power of Us”!
In this wide-ranging and deeply thought-provoking conversation, Cole Napper sits down with Jay Van Bavel to unpack one of the most important—and often misunderstood—forces shaping organizations, workplaces, and society today: identity. Drawing from decades of research...
2026-06-0158 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastThe Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook - David Edwards - #174Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, David Edwards, Chief Workforce Strategist at Dark Artistry, Author of "The Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook"!
In this wide-ranging and deeply practical conversation, Cole Napper sits down with David Edwards to unpack one of the most important—and often misunderstood—disciplines shaping the future of work: strategic workforce planning. Drawing from decades of experience across H...
2026-05-251h 06
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastHuman Centered Design, Coca-Cola, & People Insights - Sue Lam - #173Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Sue Lam, VP of Global People Insights, Culture, Strategy & Planning at The Coca-Cola Company!
In this wide-ranging and highly practical conversation, Cole Napper sits down with Sue Lam, VP of Global People Insights, Culture, Strategy & Planning at The Coca-Cola Company, to explore what it actually takes to turn people analytics into meaningful organizational chan...
2026-05-181h 14
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastWhat We Know About Astronauts, Artemis 2, & NASA - Suzanne Bell - #172Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Suzanne Bell, Lead Scientist, NASA’s Behavioral Health & Performance Lab!
In this wide-ranging and deeply fascinating conversation, Cole Napper sits down with Suzanne Bell to explore one of the most unique and high-stakes applications of industrial-organizational psychology in the world: preparing human beings to live, work, and thrive in space. As a lead scienti...
2026-05-111h 01
Pulse by HRBenchThree Questions That Fix the HR-Finance GapRyanMae McAvoy has worked with the same finance leader at Blackthorne for four years. They don't fight over budgets. They co-build them. In this conversation, she shares the exact approach she used to build that relationship, starting with three questions every HR leader should ask their finance partner.In this episode:The three questions RyanMae asks every department leader to understand their prioritiesWhy framing a comp tool purchase as an EBITDA play changes the conversationHow Blackthorne uses time as currency when...
2026-05-0741 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastWhat is Potential & How Do You Assess for It? - Allan Church - #171Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Allan Church, Co-Founder and Managing Partner at Maestro Consulting!
In this wide-ranging and deeply insightful conversation, Cole Napper sits down with Allan Church to unpack one of the most debated and often misunderstood topics in the field of talent management: the distinction between performance and potential. Drawing on decades of experience at PepsiCo and...
2026-05-041h 15
Pulse by HRBenchSilence Turned a Firing Into a $52M VerdictA $52 million whistleblower verdict in LA. Six years of litigation. Attorney's fees not added yet. Susanne Kleveros, founder of Don't Tell HR, joins Pulse by HRBench to unpack why employee relations just exploded, why silence after a termination is the clearest signal a lawsuit is coming, and how HR leaders at fast-paced companies can handle the hardest conversations in a way that protects both the business and the people in the room.In this episode:Why employee relations cases tripled at many companies in the last yearThe $52 million...
2026-04-2736 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastPeople Analytics is a commodity & HRBench will save it - John Barry, Matt Maguire, & Brandon Collins - #170Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guests, John Barry, Co-CEO at HRBench, Matt Maguire, CRO at HRBench and Brandon Collins, CTO at HRBench!
In this wide-ranging and highly practical conversation, host Cole Napper sits down with the leadership team behind HRBench to explore how decades of shared experience in HR tech have shaped their vision for the future of people inte...
2026-04-271h 07
The ScienceForWork PodcastExploring People Intelligence with Cole NapperCole Napper returns to ScienceForWork as the newly appointed Chief People Intelligence Officer at HR Bench, and brings a provocative claim: people analytics is now a commodity, and what comes next is something he calls people intelligence.In this conversation, Cole and Matt explore:Why the four branches of HR data — people analytics, talent intelligence, workforce planning, and behavioral science — are collapsing into a single intelligence layerHow AI is forcing a rebuild of HR from first principles, and why large enterprises may face the steepest climbThe case for "tokenomics" as the next workforce planning challenge — and why ho...
2026-04-2154 min
Pulse by HRBenchResults Don't Happen. They're Designed. w/ Dr. Tim WilliamsResults don't just happen. They're designed. Dr. Tim Williams spent his career at P&G turning that idea into operating systems that HR leaders can actually run. He joins Pulse by HRBench to unpack what changes when HR treats outcomes like engineers treat problems.In this episode:Why most HR leaders are managing, not leading, and how to flip thatThe organizational design framework behind culture and performanceThe P&G Brockville safety story: why they rehired the workers they firedHow to plan for where your org needs to be, not where it isWhy finance...
2026-04-2035 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastIs People Analytics Ready to be CHRO & Executive Search - Jennifer Wilson - #169Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect !
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Jennifer Wilson, Partner and Global Co-Head, HR Officers Practice at Heidrick & Struggles!
In this wide-ranging and deeply practical conversation, Cole Napper sits down with Jennifer Wilson to unpack how the role of the Chief Human Resources Officer is evolving in real time—and why the expectations for HR leadership have never been higher. Jenni...
2026-04-2050 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastPeople Analytics Explained, Consulting Skills & Pivot to Asia - Kinsey Li - #168Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast special guest, Kinsey Li, Author of "People Analytics Explained" and Advisor at PwC!
In this wide-ranging and deeply thoughtful conversation, host Cole Napper sits down with Kinsey to explore what it truly takes to succeed in people analytics beyond the technical skills that often dominate the narrative.
Kinsey shares the inspiration behind her book, whi...
2026-04-131h 04
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastWhat RedThread Research Says About AI & Everything Else - Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson - #167Thanks to HRBench for powering this episode. To find out more about the company building the future of people intelligence, reach out to book a demo at hrbench.com/directionallycorrect
Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guests, Stacia Garr & Dani Johnson, both are Co-Founders and Principal Analysts at RedThread Research!
In this wide-ranging and intellectually rich conversation, Cole Napper sits down with two of the most influential thinkers in the people analytics and HR research space to explore how AI, data, and evolving workforce dynamics are reshaping how organizations operate...
2026-04-061h 12
Pulse by HRBenchThe HR AI Playbook Nobody's Talking About: Automate Before You AIEveryone's being told to "use AI." But most HR teams don't have a flight plan, a pilot, or even a destination. In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we sit down with Kristin McDonald and Dani Woods, two seasoned HRIS and HR tech leaders, to talk about what AI adoption looks like inside HR departments today.They get into the real challenges: why AI tools still can't handle system-specific work like Workday configurations, how to measure AI impact beyond headcount reduction, and why automation should come before AI in...
2026-03-3026 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics PodcastScott RETURNS for a Co-Host Reunion - Scott Hines - #166Check out this episode of the #1 people analytics podcast with special guest, Scott Hines, Previous Co-Host of Directionally Correct!
In this long-awaited reunion episode, Cole and Scott reconnect after Scott's time away from the mic, diving into a candid, wide-ranging conversation that blends humor, reflection, and sharp insight on the evolving world of work, technology, and people analytics. The discussion opens with Scott’s decision to step away from the podcast, driven in part by personal reflection following the loss of his mother and a reassessment of how he spends his time. What follows is an honest lo...
2026-03-301h 10
Pulse by HRBenchHow FirstKey Homes Turned HR Data Into Manager Coaching, and Built Credibility Across the BusinessJohn Youngkrantz, Payroll & HRIS Manager at FirstKey Homes, spent years watching HR hand managers spreadsheets and call it reporting. On this episode, he breaks down exactly how his team changed that — building dashboards that give HR business partners real turnover trends, open rec data, and headcount context to bring into manager walkthroughs across 29 markets and 16 districts nationwide.John also walks through how HRBench became the single source of truth that finally got HR and Finance in the same room — and what that's done for HR's credibility across the business.In t...
2026-03-0923 min
Pulse by HRBenchHow HR Leads in an AI-First CompanyAI has officially moved past experimentation.In 2026, the real challenge is how to embed AI into your business strategy, while keeping humans firmly in the loop.In this episode of Pulse, we chat with Melissa Lemberg, VP of Digital Transformation & AI Strategy at LogicMonitor, to unpack what responsible, measurable AI adoption looks like inside complex organizations.Melissa brings nearly 30 years of experience leading large-scale, human-centered transformation across Fortune 100 and high-growth companies. Together, we explore AI through an executive and HR lens, especially for private-equity–ba...
2026-02-2334 min
Pulse by HRBenchThe Path to HR Leadership That No One Talks AboutHR professionals are told the same thing:Work hard. Gain experience. Wait your turn.But, that’s not how careers accelerate.In this episode of Pulse, Dani Woods shares what helped her move from HR assistant to director before 30, and why the title alone is not what defines success.This conversation breaks down the career moves most HR professionals overlook:Why you need to “do the job” before you have the titleHow to move from H...
2026-02-1628 min
Pulse by HRBench3 HR Analytics Pitfalls That Kill Credibility w/ Emily GranholmHR leaders have reports, but still struggle to drive action.In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Emily Granholm breaks down what it takes to make HR a strategic business function, especially inside PE-backed companies, where the board expects clear financial impact.You’ll learn the three most common analytics pitfalls that derail HR credibility, plus a practical approach to turning reports into decisions executives will fund.Emily also shares how to make insights board-ready, how to frame retention and time-to-fill in financial terms, an...
2026-02-0426 min
Pulse by HRBenchScaling in 90 Days: The HR Playbook for Efficiency, AI, and Leadership w/Kelly OliverWhat does it take to lead people in high-stakes, private-equity-backed environments, where efficiency matters, managers are underprepared, and AI is reshaping how work gets done?In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Kelly Oliver, a veteran HR and business leader whose career spans leadership roles at Microsoft, Oracle, HP, Salesforce, and most recently as Head of HR at a PE-backed cybersecurity company.In this episode we explore:Why scaling efficiently now requires HR to understand how the business makes moneyWhy most managers are unprepared for today’s environment, an...
2025-12-1542 min
Pulse by HRBenchWhy HR Must Lead the AI Conversation w/Kristin McDonaldAI is reshaping how we work, and HR should be at the forefront.In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we sit down with Kristin McDonald, a veteran HR tech strategist and self-proclaimed “HR tech nerd,” to unpack what it means for HR to lead in the age of AI.Kristin shares:Why AI literacy is now table stakes for HR leadersHow to build an AI roadmap that drives business valueWhat traps to avoid during tech implementationsHow to eval...
2025-12-0843 min
Pulse by HRBenchTrauma, Growth & Performance: Why HR Must Lead the ChangeWhat if the performance issues you’re seeing are really signs of trauma?In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, Dr. John King shares his powerful story, from surviving childhood trafficking and losing everything at age 45, to building a framework for growth, healing, and leadership in high-performance environments.This isn’t just John’s personal story. It’s a roadmap for HR.We explore:Why trauma isn’t just something that happens to you, it lives in youSmall physiological shifts that...
2025-11-3037 min
Pulse by HRBenchSpot the burnout before its turnover: Empathetic HR leadership w/ Stacie BairdIn this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we sit down with Stacie Baird, Chief People Officer at Community Medical Services, to talk about the early warning signs of burnout, and what HR can do before it turns into turnover.With over 30 years of experience in high-growth, PE-backed organizations, Stacie shares how CMS has built a proactive strategy around burnout, engagement, and retention. Reducing turnover by 27% in the process.You’ll learn:What burnout looks like in HRHow to use pul...
2025-11-2440 min
Pulse by HRBenchHow Kimray Connects Culture to EBITDA With HR Data and InsightsWhat happens when you lead with culture and back it up with real-time workforce data?In this episode, Kevin Trowbridge, Director of Compensation at Kimray, a 75-year-old manufacturing company that’s rewriting what modern HR looks like. From starting every hiring process with a culture-fit interview to implementing job families that re-energized frontline engagement, Kimray is a case study in values-led, data-powered HR.You’ll hear how they’ve achieved a 3.5% turnover rate, built internal mobility into their compensation structure, and used HRBench to empower leaders across the business. All wi...
2025-11-1726 min
Pulse by HRBenchThe HR Playbook for PE-Backed Growth: Key Lessons for HR LeadersHow should HR leaders show up in high-growth, PE-backed companies?In this episode of Pulse by HRBench, we unpack the HR playbook for private equity environments with seasoned HR leader Nicole Logue.Nicole shares lessons from operating across the entire PE lifecycle, from pre-acquisition to exit, and how HR can lead through each phase.We discuss:How HR can learn how the business makes money (and why it matters)What your role should look like at each stage of the businessHow to get...
2025-11-0338 min
Pulse by HRBenchData with Purpose: How HR Analysts Drive Executive ActionWhat does it take to turn HR data into decisions?In this episode of Pulse, we sit down with Courtney Brown, HR Analyst, to break down how she uses data to drive action across the employee lifecycle. From recruiting to onboarding and engagement surveys.Courtney shares how her early career in the CFO’s office shaped her mindset toward data integrity and decision-making, how she helped build a survey system for the entire UC system, and how she now uses onboarding checklists and hiring metrics to help managers improve th...
2025-10-2032 min
Pulse by HRBenchFrom Engagement to Execution: Making HR Insights Matter w/ Alex ThompsonIn this episode of Pulse, I speak with Alex Thompson, SHRM-CP and get his insights for making your work visible, trusted, and strategic.Alex has sat on both sides of the table, first as an HRBench customer, and now as an Implementation Manager. This provides a unique perspective, as he gets to speak with a lot of HR teams to understand what are successful strategies in the current environment.In this episode, we explore how to:Building trust with executives using consistent, defensible HR data...
2025-10-0626 min
Prompted: Builder StoriesFrom Demand Gen to DIY Agents: How Logan Rivenes Landed His Dream Role with AI - Ep 18Learn more and connect with Logan Rivenes:Logan’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/loganrivenes/Red Bike Marketing - https://redbikemarketing.com/Demand Gen Confidential Podcast - https://redbikemarketing.com/demand-gen-confidential/ HR Bench Pulse Podcast - http://www.hrbench.com/resource/pulse --Landed a Job with AI Agents“I’m of the opinion that out of the box is for amateurs.” – Logan RivenesWhen layoffs and market shifts put pressure on job seekers, Logan Rivenes, demand generation veteran and host of Demand Gen Confidential, turned to AI agents not...
2025-09-2339 min
Pulse by HRBenchNo Data, No Decisions: Dani Woods on Building Trust in HR Data & Driving StrategyWhat do executives really want from HR data — and how do you earn their trust?In this episode of Pulse, Logan talks with Dani Woods, an experienced HR leader, people strategist, and founder of Lotus Welle. Dani shares what it takes to build credibility in high-pressure environments, especially when the data is messy, the systems are disconnected, and the expectations are high.If you’ve ever been caught flat-footed in a board meeting, questioned on a report you didn’t build, or tasked with making HR strategic “yesterday” — this one’s for yo...
2025-09-2227 min
Directionally Correct, A People Analytics Podcast#142 - John Barry - HR Tech Voices Series Episode with HRBenchJohn Barry, Co-CEO of HRBench, joins the Directionally Correct podcast for our latest HR Tech Voices Episode of 2025. If you like what you hear in this episode, check out HRBench here: https://www.hrbench.com.
In this wide-ranging discussion, hosts Cole and Scott talk with John about the journey from classic-car tinkerer to a leading voice in HR technology. Along the way, you’ll hear how HRBench is helping mid-market companies and private-equity portfolios leapfrog years of technical debt and finally make people analytics practical, affordable, and strategic.
John shares how he and long-time colleague Je...
2025-09-141h 12
Texas HRS1-E7: Matt Maguire - HRBenchA conversation with Matt Maguire of HRBench on the importance and use of data and analytics for truly smart HR Management.
2025-01-2819 min