In this episode of the Cohesion Podcast, Miriam Connaughton speaks with Jim O’Gorman, Chief People Officer at Included Health, about designing belonging and connectedness in a distributed healthcare workforce. Jim shares how his team reinvested office savings into ERGs and in-person experiences, how they separate orientation from onboarding, and why psychological safety matters more than ever in a dispersed workforce.

From playlists and Slack channels to leadership development and DEI strategy, this episode offers practical guidance on how to build a people-first culture—with intention.

Episode Segments:

1. Getting to Know Jim

00:00: From Hulu to healthcare—Jim shares career highlights, personal stories, and a favorite show.

2. Rethinking Belonging

04:53: Why employees feel lonelier than ever—and how we’ve misunderstood engagement.

3. Leading a Remote Culture

08:09: How Included Health uses travel, ERGs, and curated moments to foster connection.

4. Generational Diversity in the Workplace

18:06: What really divides (and unites) different generations—and how to focus on what matters.

5. Onboarding with Purpose

21:31: Why onboarding and orientation should be separate—and how to create early connection.

6. Inclusion & Performance

28:04: Beyond checkboxes—how DEI connects to performance, safety, and true belonging.

7. Equipping Leaders

32:00: Why junior managers are under pressure—and how to support them in a remote world.

8. Tech That Connects

35:11: Using tools like Slack, playlists, and walk-on songs to scale human connection.

“We need to stop running from connectedness. Remote work requires more—not less—humanity in how we lead.” – Jim O’Gorman

🔔 Subscribe to the Cohesion Podcast for more expert insights on employee experience, internal communications, and culture.

🌐 Learn more about Simpplr: www.simpplr.com

📎 Connect with Jim: LinkedIn

#EmployeeExperience #BelongingAtWork #RemoteLeadership #HybridWorkforce #HealthcareCulture #InternalComms #PeopleStrategy #LeadershipEnablement

In this insightful episode of the Cohesion Podcast, Miriam Connaughton (Chief People Officer at Simpplr) sits down with Edie Goldberg, Ph.D., founder of E. L. Goldberg & Associates and renowned future of work thought leader. With over 30 years of experience in HR strategy, talent management, and organizational effectiveness, Edie has helped countless organizations evolve how they attract, engage, and retain talent.

Edie shares why traditional performance management systems fail both employees and organizations — and offers a vision for what she calls performance enablement. Drawing on research, her own practice, and her forthcoming book, she explains why ratings don’t tell the full story, how intrinsic motivation drives better outcomes, and why it’s time to shift from managing people to enabling their best performance.

From reframing feedback and recognition to embracing AI-enabled coaching and real-time insights, Edie’s perspective is both bold and practical — ideal for HR leaders, managers, and anyone ready to leave outdated practices behind.

If you’re tired of the annual eye-roll that comes with performance reviews, this conversation will inspire you to reimagine what’s possible.

Topics Covered:

• Why traditional performance management systems fail to engage or improve performance
• The unintended consequences of ratings and rankings
• How to shift focus from backward-looking reviews to forward-looking enablement
• Why development, recognition, and alignment to purpose matter more than ever
• The role of managers in fostering culture and performance — and how to equip them
• How AI, analytics, and real-time feedback are transforming the field
• Edie’s greatest hope — and fear — for the future of performance management

Connect with Edie Goldberg: LinkedIn | elgoldberg.com

Subscribe to get the latest conversations on employee experience, change leadership, and internal communications.

In this thought-provoking episode of the Cohesion Podcast, Miriam Connaughton (Chief People Officer at Simpplr) sits down with Gianna Driver, Chief People Officer at Lattice. A serial CPO with deep experience in the tech sector, Gianna brings a fresh perspective to one of HR’s most persistent questions: how should we really be measuring employee experience and performance?

With engagement scores stagnating for decades and workforces becoming more distributed and diverse, Gianna challenges conventional wisdom on employee engagement—and explores what might come next. Drawing on data, lived experience, and her people-first philosophy, she shares what she believes leaders should be measuring, and why metrics alone can fail to capture belonging, mental health, and true organizational health.

From rethinking engagement surveys to navigating the risks and opportunities of AI in the workplace, this episode is packed with strategic insights and human nuance.

If you’re reimagining how to support and measure your people in a hybrid, high-change world, this conversation is for you.

Topics Covered:

• Why employee engagement scores have flatlined for 20 years
• What HR teams might measure instead of—or in addition to—engagement
• How hybrid and remote work reshape connection and culture
• The generational shifts redefining what employees value most
• Insights from the disengaged: what outliers can tell us
• Balancing AI, analytics, and human empathy in employee experience
• Moving from individual-level fixes to systemic, structural solutions

Connect with Gianna Driver: LinkedIn

Subscribe to get the latest conversations on employee experience, change leadership, and internal communications.

In this inspiring episode of the Cohesion Podcast, Carolyn Clark (VP of Employee Experience Strategy & Transformation at Simpplr) sits down with Sarah Kaplan, Director of Internal Communications at Smarsh. With a unique background in opera performance and a keen instinct for people-first storytelling, Sarah has led major internal transformation at Smarsh—starting from scratch just before a company acquisition and CEO transition.

Sarah shares how she evolved the internal comms function from a team of one to a strategic partner to executive leadership. From ruthless prioritization to launching a global employee event across time zones, Sarah’s story is full of practical insights and human depth.

If you’re building a comms team, navigating rapid organizational change, or just curious how opera can shape a corporate career—this one’s for you.

Topics Covered:

• Building an internal comms function from zero
• Becoming a strategic partner to leadership
• Balancing trust with clarity during acquisitions and CEO change
• Leading hybrid transitions and global engagement events
• How performance arts skills translate to leadership and empathy

Connect with Sarah Kaplan: LinkedIn

Subscribe to get the latest conversations on employee experience, change leadership, and internal communications.

In this episode, we sit down with Kelly Clarke, a seasoned internal communications leader with experience at Cisco, Meta, and Gong, to explore how endurance and empathy power executive presence in times of transformation. With a foundation in PR and a heart for human-centered leadership, Kelly shares how she’s guided companies through crises, culture shifts, and massive change—always with transparency and trust at the core.

Simpplr’s Carolyn Clark, VP of Employee Experience Strategy & Transformation, joins the conversation to uncover how internal comms can drive clarity, connection, and courage at every level of an organization.

In This Episode, We Cover:

1. Leadership Lessons from Endurance

Kelly draws parallels between her long-distance running journey and her leadership style—revealing how consistency, mental toughness, and recovery fuel her ability to lead through complexity.

2. Building Comms Functions in Times of Change

From high-growth startups to global tech firms, Kelly shares how she’s built and scaled internal communications during reorgs, rebrands, and remote work pivots—always keeping the employee experience front and center.

3. Coaching Leaders to Show Up Authentically

Great comms start with great leadership. Kelly discusses how she partners with executives to cultivate transparency, vulnerability, and intentional messaging—making leaders more relatable and impactful.

4. Life Lessons from Girls on the Run

As a coach for Girls on the Run, Kelly reflects on what mentoring young girls taught her about confidence, community, and purpose—and how those same lessons show up in the workplace.

This episode features an interview with Lisa Colella, Managing Director of Strategic Communications & Leadership Advisory at CRA Admired Leadership. With more than 18 years of professional experience, Lisa has worked with clients across agency, consultancy, and in-house settings. Her portfolio spans multiple industries, including fast-moving consumer goods, financial services, healthcare, and more. Previously, she was the Founder and CEO of a boutique consultancy and Global Head of Talent Communications and Marketing at Philips.

In this episode, Simpplr’s Vice President of Corporate Communications and Employee Experience Strategy, Carolyn Clark, and Lisa discuss balancing formal and informal communication for effective leadership, the challenges and benefits of integrating AI tools into leadership practices, and how behavioral science and creativity can improve communication strategies.

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“ The people that excel at creating meaning, not just transmitting information, they understand that communication isn't about just town halls and emails. But, really how they show up every day and that there is science to say if they show up in a way that is credible, they're highly competent. That they're likable in one way, shape, or form, generally likable and they are consistent. That they have a frequently and predictable drumbeat of presence that people can create what we call parasocial relationships. Which is, everyone feels like they have a relationship with the CEO, even though they might see them in a town hall once a year.” – Lisa Colella

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Episode Timestamps:

*(02:33): Getting to know Lisa

*(07:27): Lisa’s career journey

*(12:42): Balancing informal and formal communication

*(19:12): How psychology influences communication

*(32:24): How CRA is navigating the AI space 

*(38:29): Blending science and creativity for better communication strategies

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Links:

Connect with Lisa on LinkedIn

Learn more about CRA Admired Leadership

Subscribe to Admired Leadership Field Notes Newsletter

Try Alex

Subscribe to Confluence Newsletter

Connect with Carolyn on LinkedIn

Cohesion Podcast

About Simpplr

This episode features an interview with Matt Rivera, Chief Marketing Officer at Day & Zimmermann and Gary Sevounts, Chief Marketing Officer at Simpplr. Matt has worked for Day & Zimmermann for 34 years, from payroll administrator to the first person in the marketing department. He leads a diverse team of marketers and communications professionals who contribute to a cohesive, professional and high-performing marketing organization. Gary is a veteran CMO with a track record of building high-growth demand and revenue engines, effective marketing teams, differentiated brands, and establishing categories. Previously, he was CMO at Malwarebytes, Socure, and Equifax’s Identity and Fraud Division.

In this episode, Miriam, Matt, and Gary explore the connection between customer experience and employee experience, the importance of authenticity and transparency in storytelling, and leveraging AI to enhance communication and measurement.

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“ With the automation that we have today for the employee experience, you can do that and then transfer it right over into the external marketing. You're tweaking the message. But it's the same types of messaging. It's the same campaigns. We're looking at the same analytics. All of those things really start connecting a lot. I think, in a lot of cases, the employee experience and what you're doing there, if you're doing it right, it's authentic, can really drive some of the marketing stuff too.” – Matt Rivera

“ Brand starts internally.  It starts with a mission and starts with the employees believing in why. Why did we start the company? Why are we doing what we're doing all day long? Why are we passionate about it? In the companies that I worked with and I dealt with, when there is that connection and it's genuine, employees become ambassadors. In the companies where that connection doesn't exist, people don't believe it and it’s just words, then it can take a negative turn really quickly.” – Gary Sevounts

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Episode Timestamps:

*(02:51): Matt and Gary’s career journeys

*(07:01): Getting to know Matt and Gary

*(08:41): Exploring the connection between CX and EX

*(12:56): The art of great storytelling 

*(24:15): Marketing strategies for Internal Communications

*(35:36): Leveraging technology for employee engagement

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Links:

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn

Learn more about Day & Zimmermann

Connect with Gary on LinkedIn

Connect with Miriam on LinkedIn

Cohesion Podcast

About Simpplr

This episode features an interview with Pat Wadors, Chief Human Resources Officer at Intuitive, where she leads a global organization responsible for all aspects of the company’s employee experience. Prior to joining Intuitive, Pat was the Chief People Officer at UKG and Procore Technologies. She also held multiple leadership roles at ServiceNow, LinkedIn, and Yahoo!

In this episode, Miriam sits down with Pat to discuss her book Unlock Your Leadership Story, the evolution of DEI in the workplace, and the importance of storytelling for fostering connection among employees.

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“ Words may change, but the intent of creating a high-performing, healthy company that can do their thing, be it a service, a product development, innovate, requires diversity of thought. You look at the past and say, ‘If I hire from this school or from this industry, chances of failure of that candidate are reduced.’ But are you hiring the best? Maybe not. You're de-risking, you're not optimizing. If you slow your neurological roll, if you look at exactly what you need in the future, not just for today, you can create a healthier company.” – Pat Wadors

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Episode Timestamps:

*(03:55): Getting to know Pat

*(06:31): Pat discusses her book Unlock Your Leadership Story

*(19:42): Pat breaks down personal scorecards 

*(24:12): The evolution of DEI in the workplace 

*(28:59): The importance of storytelling in creating connection

*(35:56): A lesson Pat learned in her career

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Links:

Connect with Pat on LinkedIn

Email Pat

Visit Pat’s website

Order Pat’s Book Unlock Your Leadership Story

Connect with Miriam on LinkedIn

Cohesion Podcast

About Simpplr

This episode features an interview with Keri-Lynn Pajer, Vice President of HR Business Partnerships and Change Initiatives at Agero. Keri-Lynn is a Strategy and Planning Executive with expertise in aligning organizational needs to the delivery of complex business solutions and expanded capabilities. At Agero, she previously served as the Senior Director of Internal Communications and Change Initiatives, and was the Director of Transformation Strategy at Staples. 

In this episode, Miriam and Keri-Lynn discuss the importance of listening to employees, the balancing act of integrating AI while maintaining human connections, and the continuous effort to maintain a culture of trust and engagement.

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“ I think the secret sauce is the employee. It's ensuring that you have a really structured, intentional employee listening program. What we like to say here is that we don't ever ask a question that we don't plan on or don't have the ability to make changes to. It's this one small act of change. Understanding what the employee needs and wants and really taking that information and trying to take one small step forward every time you hear something. Communication is a huge part of that.” – Keri-Lynn Pajer

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Episode Timestamps:

*(03:07): Getting to know Keri-Lynn

*(07:00): Defining and enhancing employee engagement

*(09:06): The secret sauce to high engagement

*(16:57): Building connectivity and trust

*(27:26): Adapting to hybrid and remote work

*(35:35): The role of AI in connectivity

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Links:

Connect with Keri-Lynn on LinkedIn

Learn more about Agero

Connect with Miriam on LinkedIn

Cohesion Podcast

About Simpplr

This episode features an interview with Laura Wall Klieves, Head of People at Malwarebytes. Laura’s career began in automotive advertising before she pivoted to Learning & Development. At Malwarebytes, Laura leads L&D and drives internal communications initiatives by weaving together her knowledge of visual storytelling and learning to elevate the organization's leadership and management teams. 

In this episode, Simpplr’s Chief People Officer, Miriam Connaughton and Laura discuss HR trends for 2025. They explore strategies for improving employee engagement post-pandemic, the balance between remote work and return-to-office mandates, and the responsible integration of AI in HR processes.

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“ There is something intangible about being next to another human being, whether they're on your team or on a cross-functional team. There's something about being able to say to, as I call a 3D person, live and in-person, ‘Hey, how are you?’ Those spontaneous connections. We're not dictating five days a week, but we do want to encourage, at least, our managers and our senior leaders to get back into the office a little bit more. The other thing that I think we see, but also I would imagine a lot of companies are seeing, is especially for new employees, that learning about the company, making those initial connections when you first are hired doesn't happen when we're all sitting at home.” – Laura Wall Klieves

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Episode Timestamps:

*(04:19): Getting to know Laura

*(04:27): Laura’s priorities for 2025

*(07:06): How Laura is approaching return-to-office mandates

*(12:46): Strategies for enhancing employee engagement

*(24:16): The role of AI in HR

*(33:57): Future HR trends and predictions

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Links:

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn

Connect with Miriam on LinkedIn

Cohesion Podcast

About Simpplr