Bringing the Human back to Human Resources

Episoder

• 279. LEGO at Work: The Team Building Approach That Actually Sticks 02.06.2026 23min

  This week's episode makes the case that your next team building session should involve a table full of LEGO bricks, and JoLynn Ledgerwood, certified LEGO Serious Play facilitator and learning and development specialist with over 25 years of experience, is here to explain exactly why.Most people have never heard of LEGO Serious Play. The ones who have? They usually want to get certified on the spot.JoLynn shares how this research-backed methodology uses hands-on building to surface what people can't always say out loud, create a genuine level playing field for every voice in the room, and reveal the limiting beliefs teams carry without ever realizing it. She also breaks down what makes LEGO Serious Play so different from the typical after-hours Topgolf outing, and why courageous leadership is the one thing every successful session requires.What We Cover:— What LEGO Serious Play actually is and why only about 100 facilitators are certified in the entire U.S.— How building with your hands activates 80% more brainpower and why that changes what comes out in the room— The tower exercise that quietly exposes every team's limiting beliefs before the session even really begins— Why introverts and extroverts finally get equal airtime in this format— How metaphor builds unlock things people didn't even know they wanted to say— What "simple guiding principles" are and how they keep momentum alive after the workshop ends— Why quarterly sessions compound the results and how new team members can catch up fast— The one thing a leader can do to kill all momentum in under ten secondsConnect with JoLynn Ledgerwood: | Elevateyourtalent.co | LinkedIn | Elevate Your Talent Blog | Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 278. Learning That Sticks: Why Most L&D Programs Stop at Content 26.05.2026 31min

  This week, Traci sits down with Chris Taylor, founder of Actionable.co, a company that helps consultants prove the impact of their programs and build deeper, longer-lasting client relationships through behavior change technology, the Impact Certainty Methodology, and a global network of peers. Chris has spent 18 years making the case that the entire L&D industry is stuck measuring the wrong things, and that closing this gap is one of the most powerful levers a business has for driving real, lasting results.FREE RESOURCE: Chris's team put together a free toolkit covering everything the data shows makes learning actually stick, with nearly an hour of training included. Grab it at ⁠toolkit.actionable.co⁠.What We Cover:The knowing-doing gap: why consuming information is step one, and what it actually takes to get people to changeWhy 96% of business stakeholders believe L&D impact should be measured, yet less than 4% of programs do it wellThe three conditions for real behavior change: knowing how, having a strong enough reason, and a path that makes change easier than staying putStarting with strategy, not tactics: how aligning learning to business priorities changes every decision that followsThe content commoditization reality: why AI has made content delivery the least valuable thing a consultant or L&D team can offerSynchronous vs. self-directed learning and why async formats make sustaining behavior change nearly impossibleSocial scaffolding: why the people participants interact with daily outweigh top-down culture in driving changeWhat 100,000 behavior change commitments reveal about human motivation and willingness to growHow frontline leaders can drive real development even inside organizations that aren't walking the walkConnect with Chris Taylor: LinkedIn | Actionable.coConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 277. Leading From Within: Self-Awareness, Collaboration, & Human Connection at Work 19.05.2026 27min

  This episode is about authentic leadership, self-awareness, and the quiet ways competition undermines collaboration in the workplace. Traci sits down with Archana Mohan, Chief Operations and Technology Officer in the finance sector and author of The Thru Line: How Understanding Who You Are Empowers How You Lead.Archana holds a BA from Brown, an MA from Columbia, and an MBA from Yale, but her most formative credential might be what she's carried from classrooms and boardrooms alike: the experience of not quite feeling like she belonged, and choosing to build something different because of it.What We Cover:Why authentic leadership starts from the inside, not from a titleThe two types of self-awareness and why most leaders only develop one of themListening as the most undervalued skill in the workplaceHow school conditioned us to chase the right answer instead of ask better questionsWhy group impact is exponential, not just additiveWhat collaboration actually looks like versus what leaders often mistake for itThe key difference between competing with someone and competing against themWhy not having the answer is just as valuable as having oneHow creating space for others to be seen fully changes what a team can achieveConnect with Archana Mohan: Archanamo.net | LinkedIn | The Thru Line: How Understanding Who You Are Empowers How You Lead.Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 276. Profit Sharing: The Business Strategy Most Leaders Overlook 12.05.2026 35min

  This week, Traci sits down with Rob Gallaher, Entrepreneur and Founder of ProfitX, to dig into how profit sharing actually works, why most businesses aren't doing it, and what it takes to build a program that genuinely transforms how a team operates.What We Cover:What profit sharing actually is and why no real how-to guide existed before Rob wrote oneWhy his first program was a complete disaster and what he rebuilt from scratchThe difference between profit sharing and employee stock ownership plansWhy monthly payouts change daily employee behavior in ways quarterly or annual bonuses simply cannotHow a profit sharing culture helps teams self-identify and resolve underperformanceThe retention math that makes profit sharing employees effectively earn above market rateWhy Christmas bonuses and annual payouts are financially inefficient for growing businessesHow companies like Procter and Gamble and Southwest Airlines approach shared success modelsThe "gas tank" analogy that explains why payout timing is everythingWhen this strategy becomes critical and why most business owners don't discover it until it's overdueConnect with Rob Gallaher: Profit Sharing, The Power of Shared Success | Website and course: https://profitx.co | Instagram and Facebook: @RobGallaher | LinkedInConnect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 275. Fighting Back on Layoffs: An Employee Advocate's Playbook 05.05.2026 47min

  This episode closes out the layoff series with a look at what employees are rarely told about severance, separation agreements, and their rights when a job ends.This week, Traci sits down with Dan Goodman, founder of Dan Goodman Employment Advisory (DGEA), a firm that has helped nearly 1,800 employees navigate some of the most high-stakes moments of their careers.What We Cover:Why severance exists and who it actually benefitsThe negotiation most employees don't know they're allowed to haveThe "pip or resign" trap and how employers use it to void unemployment eligibilityWhat to document if you suspect your termination is retaliatory or discriminatoryReview period protections based on age and layoff typeWhy at-will employment doesn't mean employers can terminate anyone for any reasonThe cost of blindsiding employees versus treating them with transparency on the way outHow former employees can become a company's greatest advocates or its most vocal criticsConnect with Dan Goodman: dangoodmanea.com | Dan Goodman Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 274. What to Do When You're The One Getting Laid Off 28.04.2026 19min

  This week's episode is part three of the layoff series, and it's focused entirely on the employee side of the experience: what to actually do when you or someone you know is the one getting laid off.Spoiler alert: Over 40% of Americans have been laid off at least once in their careers. Statistically, this conversation is more relevant than most of us want to admit.This is a greatest hits episode worth another listen because the layoff conversation almost always centers on the company executing it. Traci flips the lens and walks through what employees actually need to know in the aftermath, from the immediate questions that surface in that first conversation to negotiating your severance, protecting your intellectual property, and separating your sense of self from your employer.What We Cover:That initial shock and what it might actually be telling youThe questions you should absolutely ask in that roomSeparation agreements and why everything is negotiableThe age 40 rule that changes your review timelineHealthcare continuation and what to ask for before COBRA ever enters the pictureWhat your former employer can and can't say about why you leftThe intellectual property clause you might have already signedWhy your resume should never be an emergencyUntangling your identity from your job titleFinancial resources and moves worth having on your radarConnect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 273. What Layoffs Cost the HR Professionals Managing Them 21.04.2026 24min

  In part two of the four-part layoff series, Traci addresses what often goes unspoken in layoff conversations: the toll on the HR professionals managing them, and how to take care of yourself while taking care of everyone else. What We Cover:— The grief HR professionals carry that nobody talks about— Numbness as a warning sign, not a badge of honor— How to structure your day when the conversations are relentless— The end-of-day ritual that actually creates separation— Where to find HR peer support when you need people who get it— What survivors are feeling after the dust settles— Rebuilding morale without forcing itConnect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 272. The Layoff Playbook: Soft Landings, Survivor's Guilt, and Trust 14.04.2026 32min

  Traci sat down with Jena Dunay, founder of Recruit the Employer, to talk about conducting layoffs with dignity. We're bringing this one back as the first episode of our four-part layoff series because it's just as relevant now as it was when it first aired.What We Cover:Offboarding as seriously as onboardingWhat's at stake when there's no plan in placeWhat outplacement actually is (hint: not George Clooney in Up in the Air)The communication plan every HR leader needs before they ever need itLegal landmines to think through before a single conversation happensSurvivors' guilt and what leaders can actually do about itWhat owning leadership mistakes publicly really looks likeWhy middle management is the make-or-break layer in post-layoff recoveryConnect with Jena Dunay: RecruittheEmpoyer.com | Recruiter Unlimited | LinkedInConnect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 271. What Group Benefits Get Wrong About Fertility Coverage feat. Flora Fertility 07.04.2026 46min

  This week, Traci sits down with the co-founders of Flora Fertility to talk about why employer-sponsored fertility coverage is broken and what the first individually owned fertility insurance solution is doing to fix it.Dr. Christy Lane is a global leader in InsureTech, an investor, founder, and award-winning health scientist with expertise in AI, digital health, and wearable devices. She is the co-founder of Flora Fertility and the Stanford Wearable Health Lab, and a venture partner with IA Capital in New York. A mom of three who went through IVF herself, Dr. Lane has built her career in women's health research since the 1990s.Laura McDonald is the co-founder and CEO of Flora Fertility, the first individually owned insurance solution for fertility and women's health. She previously founded, scaled, and sold Canada's largest financial media company focused on women and wealth, and is the author of two bestselling personal finance books. A mother of four, Laura brings deep expertise in insurance, direct-to-consumer AI models, and bringing new financial products to market.What We Cover:Why fertility benefits tied to your employer are a risk most employees don't see comingThe underwriting model that makes Flora unlike any fertility product on the marketWhat most people get completely wrong about IVF and the fertility treatment spectrumEgg freezing vs. Flora and why it might not be the either/or choice you think it isHow employers can offer Flora without open enrollment, utilization risk, or complicated adminThe recent federal guidance that could change how fertility benefits are offered at workConnect with Dr. Christy Lane and Laura McDonald: HeyFlora.com | LinkedIn | IG: @heyflorahealthConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 270. The Future of Work Is Here and HR Isn't Ready 31.03.2026 47min

  This week, Traci sits down with Steve Cadigan to explore what the future of work actually demands from HR leaders and why most organizations are still building for a world that no longer exists. Steve is a globally recognized talent strategist, advisor, author, and founder of Cadigan Talent Ventures. Best known as LinkedIn's first CHRO, he helped scale the company from 400 employees through its IPO. His book Work Quake debuted as Amazon's #1 Hot New Release and a graduate-level course at Stanford was built around the culture he helped create.In this conversation, Steve shares the frameworks, hard lessons, and contrarian thinking that have shaped his career and what they mean for HR leaders navigating today's workplace.What We Cover:Why high turnover might actually be your competitive advantageThe two things every HR leader must have and why you can't have one without the otherWhat LinkedIn taught Steve about building HR completely from scratchWhy working yourself out of a job makes you more valuable, not lessThe happiness trap that's quietly leading organizations toward mediocrityWhy "Head of Diversity" might be creating more problems than it solvesWhere AI delivers the greatest leverage in HR right nowConnect with Steve Cadigan: LinkedIn | TikTok | Podcast: Workplace Weekly |  Workquake: Embracing the Aftershocks of COVID-19 to Create a Better Model of WorkingConnect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 269. The HR Words Quietly Building a Dehumanized Future feat. Joshua Berry 24.03.2026 34min

  This episode is about how the language we use to describe people at work is quietly shaping both workplace culture and the future of AI. Joshua Berry, author, speaker, and Director of Iconic, brought this conversation to the podcast last year and it has only gotten more relevant since.The business terms you've been using on autopilot (headcount, right-size, prospects) aren't neutral. They're belief systems, and they're being baked into the AI your organization will rely on tomorrow.What We Cover:Words are a symptom of your unconscious beliefs about people"Headcount" isn't neutral, and neither is "right-size"Your internal messages are actively training the next generation of AIWe're at an inflection point where conscious language can reshape what AI believes about human valueWhat HR professionals actually need to hear about AI and their jobsThe custom ChatGPT setting that flags dehumanizing language before you hit sendConnect with Joshua Berry: LinkedIn | Iconic Website | JoshuaBerry.comConnect with Traci here:
• 268. The Execution Gap Your Leadership Training Isn't Closing 17.03.2026 32min

  This week, Traci sits down with Stephen Flanagan to tackle one of the most persistent problems in growing organizations: the gap between strategy set in the boardroom and what actually gets executed on the ground.Stephen Flanagan is the founder of Seeks Consulting, a firm dedicated to helping lean, fast-growing companies scale leadership by turning mid-level managers into execution-ready leaders. He spent the last decade in learning and development across high-growth organizations, and his flagship program, the Performance Booster, has helped hundreds of leaders drive measurable business impact.What We Cover:Why 60% of strategic goals never translate into results, and what HR leaders say the real number isTranslation, communication, and adoption — the three forces driving or stalling executionWhy mid-level managers are the most critical leverage point in any organizationThe "when instead of I will" framework and how it turns strategy into simple, triggerable daily habitsWhy starting laughably small leads to a 75-85% habit adoption rateHow workplace habits spill into personal life, improving stress, presence, and performance at homeConnect with Stephen Flanagan: LinkedIn | Seeks ConsultingConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 267. Listen Like a Researcher: The Human-Centered Leadership Edge 10.03.2026 32min

  This week, Traci sits down with James Warren, founder and CEO of ShareMore Stories, to explore how storytelling, emotional intelligence, and human experience research are reshaping the way organizations understand their employees, and themselves.James brings nearly 30 years across marketing, insights, and strategy, blending storytelling and AI through his company's SEEQ platform to help leaders listen more deeply and act with more impact.In this episode:The hidden truths your employees are carrying into work every dayThe fishbowl nobody warns leaders aboutThe power imbalance every employee feels but nobody talks aboutWhy failure is actually the belonging signal you've been missingThe one reframe that changes how your whole team takes risksWhy you're shaping your culture faster than you thinkConnect with James Warren: LinkedIn | ShareMoreStories.com | IG and YT: @warrenjwricConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 267. Stop Misreading Your Gen Z Employees feat. Dr. Meghan Grace 03.03.2026 38min

  This week's greatest hits replay features generational researcher Dr. Meghan Grace breaking down who Gen Z actually is, what drives them at work, and how leaders can better engage and retain them.Dr. Meghan Grace is a leading generational researcher, host of the Hashtag Gen Z podcast, and co-author of three books on Generation Z. She co-leads the Institute for Generational Research and Education, where she's spent the last decade helping companies, universities, and associations around the world understand generations and work better together.- The Generation That Refuses to Be Scammed- Why They Question Everything (And Why That's Actually Good News)- The Trait Gen Z Values Most — And the One Thing That Unlocks It- Where the Real Tension Comes From- What HR Can Actually Do Differently- The 10-Minute Habit That Builds More Loyalty Than Any PerkKey Quote: "You don't find connection over spreadsheets. I'm sorry, you just don't." — Dr. Meghan GraceConnect with Dr. Meghan Grace: MeganmGrace.com | LinkedIn | Instagram/Threads: @meghangrace | institute4gens.com Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 265. From Perks to Purpose: Building Culture That Actually Sticks 24.02.2026 34min

  This week, Traci sits down with Brett Hoogeveen, co-founder of Better Culture, to pull apart what culture actually is, why perks and benefits aren't it, and what organizations can do right now to build something that lasts.Brett shares the philosophy behind Better Culture's 20 Tenets of Culture, a research-backed framework built around the attitudes and behaviors that define high-performing, healthy teams, this episode gives you a practical, no-fluff roadmap for making culture something your whole organization actually feels.What We Cover:Culture is invisible, and that's exactly why we keep getting it wrongFoosball tables aren't culture (neither are your benefits)The iceberg problem: what's lurking beneath your company's surfacePride, appreciation, and investment, the three questions worth measuringWhy recognition events miss the point and what to do insteadThe 20 Tenets of Culture and why "be coachable" comes firstAssume positive intent: the two words that dissolve workplace dramaBottom-up culture building and how to reach every employee, not just leadersWhy your core values might be doing absolutely nothingThe Culture Kickstarter Pack, a free tool to get your team startedFREE GIFT: Visit betterculture.com/HRTraci to download Brett's free Culture Kickstarter Pack, which includes self-assessments, coaching videos, and team exercises built around two of the 20 Tenets of Culture.Connect with Brett Hoogeveen: LinkedIn: Brett Hoogeveen | betterculture.com | The Better Culture PodcastConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• Emotional Integrity: The Real Reason You're Burning Out 16.02.2026 39min

  This week on a replay episode, Traci welcomes Bianca Best to discuss what actually stops burnout and why values alignment matters more than sleep, exercise, or vitamins.Bianca Best is a globally recognized speaker, author, and strategist whose career includes collaborations with Google, Amazon, Deloitte, Barclays, and Unilever. She's dedicated to empowering professionals to achieve extraordinary results without sacrificing their health or happiness. Her book Big Impact Without Burnout offers actionable strategies to help leaders align purpose with performance while thriving sustainably.(00:00) Meet Bianca and What This Episode Is Really About(03:11) From Side Hustle to Entrepreneurship: How the Burnout Cycle Started(08:14) Why Your Last Burnout Happened in 2015—And What Changed(10:30) The Missing Piece Nobody Talks About(15:10) That Feeling in Your Gut That Something's Wrong(22:08) Energy Management as Your Foundation(24:16) Why Where You Work Actually Matters(26:24) How Gender Changes the Burnout Equation(30:32) What the Workforce Is About to Look Like(34:27) The One Question That Changes Everything About Your CareerThis conversation will change how you think about your career, your values, and what burnout really costs you. If you're feeling stuck between ambition and exhaustion, this is for you. Connect with Bianca Best: Website: BiancaBest.com  Book: Big Impact Without Burnout (endorsed by Arianna Huffington)Connect with Traci: https://linktr.ee/HRTraci Don't forget to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen. Share this with someone on your team who's running on empty.Disclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 263. Leaders Need Cynics: Here's Why Most Organizations Fire Them 10.02.2026 28min

  This week on the Traci explores what it really means to be cynical at work with Hywel Berry, CEO and founder of Alicorn Learning. A veteran of corporate leadership, sales, and organizational training, Hywel challenges the narrative that cynicism is inherently toxic—and argues that some of the most valuable people in your organization might just be the ones asking tough questions.Throughout this conversation, you'll discover how to harness skepticism as a leadership tool, understand why tone matters more than words, and learn what "realistic optimism" actually looks like when everything feels impossible.What we cover:The cynic paradoxChallenging without being dismissiveTone as strategyRealistic optimism in actionThe role of the natural cynicSpeaking up safelyFeedback meets cynicisIIntention versus impactCode switching for leadersMoving the needle forwardConnect with Hywel Berry:Website: alicornlearning.com | LinkedIn Connect with Traci:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 262. The Champions List: How Your Network Actually Lands Jobs feat. Karen Worthy 03.02.2026 27min

  This week, Traci welcomes Karen Worthy, an executive career transition coach who helps leaders accelerate their job search and land their dream roles often in half the time of their peers.Karen unpacks why building community and leveraging your network is the most powerful tool in your career transition toolkit. What We Cover:Your personal "champions list" and how it opens doors across companies, not just within themWhy the person you talked to three years ago at a training class can be your secret career weaponThe three communities you should be part of at any given timeHow to network when you're terrified of reaching out to someone you barely rememberThe transferable skills framework that helped Karen go from engineering to HRBreaking into HR (or any new field) when job postings require experience you don't have yetWhy "applying off the street" is only 5-10% successful and what actually worksThe gym buddy, the neighbor's son, and other weak ties that landed real interviewsHow to identify and articulate your transferable skills in a new careerThe difference between having one amazing mentor and building multiple supportive communitiesConnect with Karen Worthy:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karenworthy/Website: https://www.worthycareerp­aths.com/Connect with Traci here:https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 261. Greatest Hit: We Own Our Own Career Development 27.01.2026 35min

  This episode is all about taking control of your own career development instead of waiting for your manager to hand you opportunities. Traci shares personal lessons learned from influential leaders and her own journey as both an HR professional and podcast founder. You'll walk away understanding that career growth—whether vertical promotions or horizontal skill-building—is ultimately your responsibility, not your manager's.As part of our greatest hits replay series, we're revisiting this powerful solo episode that continues to resonate with our audience about owning your career destiny.Spoiler alert: The best way to get promoted isn't to ask your manager to promote you. It's to demonstrate you're already ready for more.What We Cover:– Your development is your own—taking ownership as the first step toward growth– Why managers can't (and shouldn't) solve your career problems for you– The distinction between vertical growth and horizontal growth—and why you need both– How to shift from "I want more" to "Here's what I'm doing to get there"– The role of self-awareness and honest feedback partners in identifying your gaps– Mentorship, stretch assignments, and seeking feedback as accelerators– Why advocating for yourself matters—especially when negotiating salary– Setting boundaries without sacrificing your value or contribution– Aligning your career vision with your life goals so they work together, not against each other– How filling your own tank outside of work fuels your performance inside of workKey Quote: "Our development is our own. We own every stage of our development. If I want to do more, I can do more. If I want to go beyond the scope of my role, I can go beyond the scope of my role."Connect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.
• 260. The Fiduciary Duty Conversation HR Leaders Need to Have 20.01.2026 39min

  Traci sits down with Chris Hamilton, a benefits consultant who specializes in helping employers cut through the noise of rising healthcare costs, to dig into what's really driving the hardest insurance market in 15 years.  If you sat through open enrollment this year wondering why insurance premiums jumped 20% when you thought it would be single digits, this episode reveals why—and what you can actually do about it.Chris walks through the misaligned incentives that make traditional insurance companies profit when your costs rise, exposes waste hiding in your current plan (like medications available for $300 being charged at $1,000), and breaks down why Wells Fargo and Johnson & Johnson ended up in fiduciary duty lawsuits over benefits decisions. But the real value is the concrete timeline and strategy for what to do starting this month—not waiting until August—to completely reshape your 2026 renewal and actually improve coverage while reducing costs.Contact Information:Connect with Chris Hamilton: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube | The Insider PlaybookConnect with Traci here: https://linktr.ee/HRTraciDisclaimer: Thoughts, opinions, and statements made on this podcast are not a reflection of the thoughts, opinions, and statements of the Company by whom Traci Chernoff is actively employed.Please note that this episode may contain paid endorsements and advertisements for products or services. Individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.