Shows
HR Confessions"It Could've Been Anyone": Close Your Security Gaps Before Marcus Finds ThemIn this jaw-dropping episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca and Kim unpack a story that will make every HR professional immediately change their passwords. When a meticulous HR manager discovers someone has been redirecting her paycheck, she uncovers a web of identity theft, pharmaceutical side hustles, and company devices being used for... let's say "extracurricular activities." Join us for a wild ride through one employee's audacious attempt to literally become their HR manager, plus actionable advice on protecting your organization from internal threats. Warning: You'll never look at password resets the same way again.Key Takeaways:2025-07-1735 min
HR ConfessionsCrisis Communications: When Every Second CountsFair warning: This episode contains nsfw content that may be offensive or uncomfortable to some listeners.But here's why it matters: When crisis strikes, you won't have time to build a plan. You need one ready NOW.In this jaw-dropping episode of HR Confessions, hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer welcome special guest Gianna Scorsone to discuss one of the most shocking workplace crises they've ever encountered. When a healthcare employee gets arrested at work for unimaginable charges, HR consultant "Jo" learns firsthand why having a solid crisis communications plan isn't optional—it's essential. This ep...2025-07-0345 minHR ConfessionsHeads Up: A Cautionary TaleWelcome back to HR Confessions Season 2! In our premiere episode, Rebecca and Kim dive into a wild story from the world of higher education featuring Chloe, a leadership team member at a closing nursing school. When a farewell party combines an open bar, glass doors, and a lapse in workers' compensation policy, things get complicated quickly. Join us for a cautionary tale about risk management, workplace friendships, and why HR professionals can never truly relax at company events. Plus, the hosts spiral into the fascinating world of workers' comp insurance (because that's what HR people do for fun).2025-06-1943 min
Truth, Lies and WorkSecret jobs, leadership mic drops and Spotify's remote gamble. PLUS! The case for gossip at work, - This Week in Work, 6th May 2025🎧 Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning psychology podcast from the HubSpot Podcast Network, hosted by Chartered Occupational Psychologist Leanne Elliott and business owner Al Elliott.
🔥 Stories Covered This Week🔥
The Rise of Overemployment: Why Some Are Working 2 or 3 Jobs Leanne explores The Times' report on workers secretly juggling multiple full-time jobs. More: https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-rise-of-polygamous-workers-and-efforts-to-catch-them-out
Klopp, Slot and a Masterclass in Succession Planning Leanne unpacks Liverpool’s near-perfect leadership handover and what it teaches businesses about humility, legacy, and culture. Watch Klopp’s farewell: https://youtu...2025-05-0652 minHR ConfessionsHello, TMI Hotline: Setting Boundaries When Employee Drama CallsWhat you'll learn in this episode:Practical strategies for maintaining professional boundaries when employees overshareThe importance of establishing clear communication protocols for personal mattersHow to handle persistent third parties without breaching confidentialityWhen and how to escalate sensitive situations to leadershipBuilding your external HR support network (because you can't process this stuff alone!)The "Ring Theory" approach to emotional support and why it matters in HRWarning signs that you're being pulled too deeply into employee personal dramaScripts for redirecting conversations when they veer into TMI territoryBetween laugh-out-loud moments and cringeworthy scenarios, this episode provides actionable...2025-04-2444 minHR ConfessionsThe Elephant in the CalendarJoin hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer as they dive into the complexities of company values, particularly transparency. In this eye-opening episode, they explore a mid-2010s startup where the value of "transparency" led to an unexpected and awkward situation for a cavalier CEO. Through this humorous yet insightful story, Rebecca and Kim discuss the importance of properly defining company values, setting appropriate boundaries, and the fine line between transparency and privacy in the workplace. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or just interested in workplace culture, this episode offers valuable perspectives on implementing values that actually work.2025-04-0946 minHR ConfessionsReading Between the Spreadsheets: How to Transform HR Data into Business ImpactIn this eye-opening episode of HR Confessions, hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer explore the all-too-familiar tale of an HR professional caught in the challenging position of identifying organizational problems without having the authority to fix them. They explore the story of Megan, a Director of People at a tech startup who finds herself playing the role of Cassandra—the Greek prophet cursed with seeing the future but never being believed. Through Megan's experience with employee disengagement, a resistant CEO, and the struggle to create meaningful change, Rebecca and Kim offer valuable insights on effective change management strategies, communication te...2025-03-2751 minHR ConfessionsA Rx for Disaster: Sliding into DM'sIn this eye-opening episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca and Kim explore a compelling case study that sits at the intersection of performance management, technology misuse, and organizational resilience. When a medical specialist crosses professional boundaries using patient portal technology, HR manager Ellen must navigate a complex crisis that tests the practice's policies, procedures, and culture. This episode offers valuable insights into how clear communication protocols, proper technology usage guidelines, and decisive crisis management contribute to organizational performance. Show NotesEllen is an HR manager at a small medical specialty practice with around 30 employeesThe p...2025-03-1239 minHR ConfessionsFrom Perks to Purpose: How One HR Leader Tripled Employee RetentionIn this episode of HR Confessions, hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer dig into the concept of "HR debt" - those redundant tools, unnecessary platforms, and excess perks that don't actually improve employee experience. They share the story of Daniela, an HR VP who inherited a toxic sales culture with 6-month average tenures and transformed it by eliminating flashy perks to fund meaningful growth opportunities. Discover how she tripled retention rates by implementing career pathing, learning programs, and rotational shadowing while saving money in the process. This episode reveals that true employee engagement often requires fewer sophisticated perks and...2025-02-2652 minHR ConfessionsHR Crisis Response: The Celebrity ShiftIn this episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca and Kim explore an unforgettable story about what happens when a routine review of customer feedback spirals into a viral sensation that tests HR policies, management skills, and career futures. The episode features a candid discussion about middle management challenges and navigating workplace incidents in the age of social media.Lessons Learned:Importance of clear policies for unusual situationsValue of strong middle managementNeed for quick crisis responseBalance between policy enforcement and understandingImpact of social media on workplace incidentsDiscussion of middle management challengesInsights on workplace incidents in the social media...2025-02-1148 minHR ConfessionsWhen the Ship Hits the FanJoin HR veterans Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer as they dive into a wild tale from the golden age of Silicon Valley startups. When a company attempts to rein in their party culture by transitioning from weekly happy hours to quarterly celebrations, what could go wrong? Follow along as they unpack a story of privilege, power dynamics, and why sometimes bringing order to chaos is harder than it seems. This episode highlights the challenges HR professionals face when caught between corporate oversight and startup culture.Show Notes:Episode Topic: Startup party culture and corporate oversight collideSetting...2025-01-2445 min
Toot or Boot: HR Edition2025 HR Predictions: Toot-worthy or Boot-worthy?In this week's special episode, your host Stacey Nordwall joins the Toot or Boot hot seat with Erica Spitale and Rebecca Taylor, and producer Lexi comes out from behind the scenes for a rapid-fire edition of Toot or Boot, all about 2025 HR predictions. Lexi reviewed 15 different predictions sources (that’s over 75 predictions) which were organized into five different themes: AI, Remote/Hybrid Work, Leadership and Organizational Change, Employee Experience and Well-being, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Unlike a usual episode of Toot or Boot, Stacey, Erica, and Rebecca had no idea what predictions/trends they...2025-01-2148 minHR ConfessionsA Toast to Awkward SilenceJoin HR professionals Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer for a cringe-worthy tale of when professional and personal lives collide in the most unexpected way. In this episode, they share the story of Grace, an HR executive whose perfect Friday evening turns into an awkward nightmare when work follows her to a friend's birthday party. Through this entertaining story, they explore the unique challenges HR professionals face when navigating social situations and maintaining professional boundaries, while offering insights into the delicate balance between personal relationships and workplace responsibilities.Show Notes:Introduction: Rebecca and Kim...2025-01-1042 minHR ConfessionsDeck the Halls with HR DramaIn this episode of HR Confessions, hosts Rebecca and Kim dive into a holiday party nightmare that puts a whole new spin on "bringing a plus one." When a VP of HR gets caught between a crying employee and a vendor with an unexpected connection, what starts as a typical corporate celebration spirals into a web of workplace drama, secret relationships, and uncomfortable revelations. Plus, hear incredible "honorable mention" holiday party horror stories and get practical advice on managing workplace celebrations without losing your sanity.📌 Main Story Highlights:A consulting company's notorious holiday party goes awry whe...2024-12-1752 minHR ConfessionsSun's Out, HR's Out: A Beach Resort StoryIn this episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca and Kim dive into a jaw-dropping story about a company offsite gone awkwardly awry. When a well-meaning executive assistant books what seems like the perfect beach resort for the company's first-ever all-hands retreat, no one bothers to Google past the first page of search results. What follows is a tale of cultural differences, workplace boundaries, and how a head of HR named Tommy learns valuable lessons about leadership, policy-making, and the delicate balance between fun and professionalism at work events. Plus, hear Kim and Rebecca's expert takes on managing company events, writing...2024-12-041h 02HR ConfessionsHR Confessions | Layoff Gone WrongSummaryIn this episode of HR Confessions, Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer discuss a layoff gone wrong, focusing on the story of Madison, a recruiter who is unexpectedly thrust into the role of delivering layoff news without any HR support. The conversation explores the complexities and emotional challenges of layoffs, the lack of preparation, and the impact on both the employees being let go and the person delivering the news. The episode highlights the importance of proper HR practices and the emotional toll of such situations. In this episode, Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer discuss the...2024-11-1539 min
HR Doesn't Like YouPrologue: HR Needs A Character ArcNot even Shakespeare himself could breathe life into HR’s storytelling. Give HR a “To be, or not to be” line, and they’d turn it into “To be aligned with the mission statement, or to not meet quarterly objectives.” The poetry of human experience gets lost somewhere between the jargon and the performance metrics. HR could have Shakespeare’s quill and still end up with an email that starts​ with, “Dear valued employee​s,” and ends with “​T​hank you for your cooperation.” No sonnet, no soliloquy—just a play written in the language of corporate policies, where every tragedy end...2024-11-1356 minHR ConfessionsHR Confessions | Episode OneAs always, our sponsor, SkillCycle, wants to talk to our audience — progressive people leaders that GET IT. Let's chat over coffee, on us, to give us some feedback on the episode and about the challenges you're facing today. You may just be the topic of our next episode! Email us today at hrconfessions@skillcycle.comToday's episode, hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer dive into the world of HR with a fresh perspective. They discuss their experiences the implications of AI in the workplace, and the importance of decision-making. The discussion transitions into a hu...2024-10-2431 min
The Even Better PodcastEmpowering Women to Take the Lead for Their CareersLaura is highly experienced in the field of HR Talent Management and Leadership Development, driven by her passion for empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. She is a Certified Coach, Consultant, Instructional Designer, and Facilitator, with a proven track record of building, managing, and delivering award-winning programs that yield tangible results. Drawing on her expertise in Career Readiness and Transitions, Leadership, and Wellbeing, Laura uses a comprehensive and professional approach to support individuals and teams in reaching their peak performance and achieving remarkable success. But that's not all! In 2021, Laura established a thriving community...2024-09-0942 min
The HR Tech Spotlight52 - Enhancing Employee Engagement and Development with SkillCycle's Kristy McCann FlynnIn this installment of the HR Tech Spotlight, we feature SkillCycle, a platform that streamlines goal setting, enhances core skills, and aligns personal ambitions with organizational targets - all through innovative technology and personalized coaching to ensure continuous growth and performance improvement. Joining the show to talk about SkillCycle is co-founder and CEO of the company, Kristy McCann Flynn.Learn more about SkillCycle. Connect with Kristy McCann Flynn on LinkedIn. Think you'd be a great guest on the show? Apply here.Want to learn more about our work at Gro...2024-08-2129 min
I Hate It HereSo Human Resources is Making You Miserable? (A BONUS Breakdown)This weekend I was featured in the New York Times article, “So Human Resources is Making You Miserable.” And NGL… I may have ruffled a few feathers. But let’s face it— the CPO/CHRO role is one of the hardest jobs out there, and there’s going to be plenty of bad days to go around.BUT that doesn’t mean HR can’t have a brat girl summer. Rebecca Taylor (Chief Customer Officer and Co-Founder of SkillCycle) joins me to discuss the state of HR and chat about how we’re fighting to battle old percepti...2024-08-0852 min
“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing CompaniesGetting to the Bottom of Skill Shortages, Burnout & Engagement: Kristy McCann Flynn, SkillCycle CEOIn this episode of HR Heretics, Kelli and Nolan are joined by Kristy McCann Flynn, a seasoned HR professional with 25 years of experience, who shares her journey from working in traditional HR roles to founding SkillCycle, a company aimed at revolutionizing talent development and performance management.The lively debate covers the evolving role of HR, why HR software purchasing power might be changing, why HR practitioners are doing it wrong if the 50% of their time is spent hearing staff concerns, and as ever, the fundamental importance of aligning HR initiatives with business outcomes.HR Heretics is...2024-05-0350 min
The TroopHR PodcastEp 8. Bridging the Gap Between HR and Business Operations: Insights from SkillCycle's Co-Founder, CCO Rebecca TaylorTaylor welcomes Rebecca Taylor, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at SkillCycle, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving role of the Chief Operating Officer (COO) and its intersection with HR leadership. Drawing from her extensive experience in both HR and business operations, Rebecca shares valuable insights on how COOs and HR leaders can effectively collaborate to drive business success while prioritizing employee needs. Key topics include aligning HR initiatives with business objectives, leveraging data to make informed decisions, navigating the challenges of layoffs, and developing essential skills for managers. Rebecca also shares her personal journey transitioning from HR to...2024-04-2231 min
The Even Better Podcast3 Top Areas Where Women Need Support in for Their CareersSinikka Waugh and Laura Casale discuss 3 Top Areas Where Women Need Support for Their Careers. Laura is highly experienced in the field of HR Talent Management and Leadership Development, driven by her passion for empowering individuals to unlock their full potential. She is a Certified Coach, Consultant, Instructional Designer, and Facilitator, with a proven track record of building, managing, and delivering award-winning programs that yield tangible results. Â Drawing on her expertise in Career Readiness and Transitions, Leadership, and Wellbeing, Laura uses a comprehensive and professional approach to support individuals and teams in reaching t...2023-08-0717 min
Connect the Dots - Lead the WayS4E8_Unlocking the Value of Learning and Development in Business_Part 2Send us a textHello Connect the Dots community!Welcome back to our 3 Part series, titled "Unlocking the Value of Learning and Development in Business," previously we dove deep into the importance of individual and collective efforts in impacting learning and development within organizations. Heather shared her top 6 takeaways from the keynote panel discussion. Today we are diving into Part 2, where Heather highlights 5 more key takeaways from various sessions she attended while at TICE. We are so glad you are back so let’s dive right in to today’s episode and don’t forg...2023-07-2630 minConnect the Dots - Lead the WayS4E8_Unlocking the Value of Learning and Development in Business_Part 2Send us a textHello Connect the Dots community!Welcome back to our 3 Part series, titled "Unlocking the Value of Learning and Development in Business," previously we dove deep into the importance of individual and collective efforts in impacting learning and development within organizations. Heather shared her top 6 takeaways from the keynote panel discussion. Today we are diving into Part 2, where Heather highlights 5 more key takeaways from various sessions she attended while at TICE. We are so glad you are back so let’s dive right in to today’s episode and don’t forg...2023-07-2630 min
The Women Talking About Learning PodcastThe Belonging OneYou can contact Women Talking About Learning through our website, womentalkingaboutlearning.com
We’re on Twitter @WTAL_Podcast
You can buy us a coffee to support Women Talking About Learning via Ko-Fi.
Or you can email us via hello@llarn.com
Â
This week’s guests are Laura Casale and Keren Eldad.
Laura is a highly experienced consultant, program manager, coach, and leader. She has had a long career in HR, primarily in Learning and Leadership Development, in both the tech and financial services industries.Â
 Laura is pass...2023-07-2533 min
People Managing PeopleHow To Win The Upskill Battle By Investing In Your Most Valuable ResourceHow can organizations ensure that their efforts to bridge these skill gaps are both effective and inclusive to all their employees?In this episode, host Becca Banyard is joined by Kristy McCann Flynn—Co-Founder & CEO at SkillCycle—to explore the advantages of upskilling, strategies for identifying emerging roles and fostering employee development, the drawbacks of annual performance reviews, and the impact of continuous feedback on productivity and engagement.Support the show2023-07-1934 min
CEO & Founder Magic16 - Navigating Talent Development by Streamlining People Ops with SkillCycle's Kristy McCann FlynnYour host, Sheila Kloefkorn, speaks to the Co-Founder and CEO of SKillCycle, Kristy McCann Flynn. SkillCycle is a learning-first talent development platform that is specifically built and designed to support the entire employee lifecycle, from beginning to end. Kristy discusses how the skills shortage affects businesses today and offers solutions for improving talent development and business growth through changes in the employee lifecycle.To learn more about Kristy's work, click HERE.If you'd like to be a guest on CEO & Founder Magic, click HERE.2023-05-1822 min
I Hate It HereS1 E7: Managing Relationships At Work Over 50% of all employees are stressed out at work. Could it have anything to do with the fact that in the same survey, 69% of managers said they felt uncomfortable actually managing them? In this live virtual event, Hebba chats with the co-founder of the employee-centric HR suite, Skillcycle, about the role that power dynamics play in the managing workplace relationships. How do you show empathy to employees who feel powerless in the workplace, and what can you do when the people without power have no one that looks like them in those positions of...2023-05-1055 min
Future-Focused with Christopher LindUnleashing the Power of Skills in Today's Business World with Kristy McCann Flynn @ SkillCycleAre you ready to revolutionize your approach to HR and People Strategy? In this eye-opening conversation, I had the pleasure of discussing the power of skills in today's fast-paced business world with Kristy McCann Flynn from SkillCycle who has worked with some of the most innovative companies out there. We dove deep into the crucial role HR plays in shaping a company's culture, retaining top talent, and driving growth.
Throughout our talk, we explored how an effective talent strategy can create a highly motivated and skilled workforce, unlocking the true potential of your employees. We shared real-life...2023-05-091h 01
Future-Focused with Christopher LindUnlock the Power of Skills & Revolutionize Organizational Performance with Kristy Flynn @ SkillCycleIn this episode, host Christopher interviews Kristy McCann, the CEO and founder of SkillCycle, about the importance of skills and organizational performance. Drawing from her own experience, Kristy shares her insights on how a lack of skills can negatively impact an organization's performance and ultimately, its legacy.
Kristy highlights the need to focus on workflows and to build and develop employee skills, rather than relying on shortcuts and technology like AI and chatbots. She emphasizes that the key to improving organizational performance is to empower employees and to ensure that they have the necessary skills and tools to succeed.
Throughout...2023-03-141h 00
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastSkillit, Deel, Clovers, Welcome to the JungleWelcome to the Jungle, a French startup, has raised $54 million (€50 million) in Series C funding. https://hrtechfeed.com/french-job-platform-raises-54-million/ NEW YORK —- Skillit, the recruiting platform for skilled, full-time construction labor, today announced its $5.1M seed round led by Building Ventures with participation from MetaProp, HOLT Ventures, Great North Ventures, 1Sharpe Ventures and Takeoff Capital. The platform is already in the hands of select ENR contractors including industry leader Messer Construction. https://hrtechfeed.com/construction-recruiting-startup-gets-5-1-million/ Deel, the global HR company, recently announced the launch of Deel HR, US Payr...2023-01-2705 min