Fireside Chats: Behind The Build

Most companies invest heavily in benefits, but employees still don’t understand or use them.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Spencer Linsley, Head of Partnerships at Bright Benefits, to explore why the gap between benefits strategy and employee experience is, in fact, a communication problem. Drawing on his journey from ski patrol to SaaS partnerships, Spencer shares how empathy and clear messaging shape employees' perception of value.

They discuss why benefits often feel “broken,” even when strong packages are in place, and how a lack of understanding leads to low participation, poor utilization, and missed ROI. Spencer explains why leaders must move beyond treating benefits as a line item and instead see them as part of a broader employee value proposition.

The conversation also covers how culture forms at the team level, why employees underestimate their total rewards, and how better communication can quietly improve trust, retention, and engagement.

This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators looking to turn benefits into a meaningful driver of culture and performance.

About Spencer:

Spencer Linsley is a seasoned business leader and partnership strategist with deep experience driving growth at the intersection of sales, partnerships, and tech-enabled solutions. Currently leading Partnerships at Brite Benefits, Spencer works at the forefront of modern benefits education — helping brokers, HR teams, and employers better communicate and engage around benefits in ways that are clear, confident, and impactful.

Before joining Brite, Spencer spent several years shaping strategic alliances and revenue growth in the HR tech space, including leadership roles in sales and partnerships at Awardco, where he connected innovative solutions with enterprise customers and ecosystem partners.

His career journey — from sales leadership to partnership development — underscores his belief in building trust, aligning cross-functional teams, and leveraging strategic collaboration to unlock long-term value.

Originally from the Bay Area, Spencer now calls the Salt Lake Valley and Wasatch Front home. He enjoys all things outdoors — skiing, hiking, camping, and spending as much time outside as possible, especially playing and adventuring with his two daughters.

Most leaders think they know what’s happening inside their organization, but the reality is often very different.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Trish Steed, HR executive, advisor, and co-host of the HR Happy Hour network, to explore how storytelling, transparency, and honest feedback shape better workplaces. With a front-row seat to thousands of conversations across HR, tech, and business leadership, Trish brings a uniquely informed perspective on what’s actually changing and what isn’t.

They discuss why employees often don’t speak up, how leaders misread engagement and retention challenges, and why many organizations ask for feedback but fail to act on it. Trish shares practical insight on building trust through vulnerability, creating space for honest dialogue, and why the biggest culture breakdowns often happen at the manager level.

The conversation also explores the hidden challenges of small and mid-sized businesses, where visibility is limited, and leaders may be closest to the problem but farthest from the truth.

This episode is a must-watch for founders, HR leaders, and operators who want to build more transparent, connected, and resilient teams and turn feedback into meaningful action.

About Trish:

Trish Steed is a seasoned HR executive and strategic advisor with a proven track record of aligning business objectives with transformative people strategies. She counsels HCM vendors on product innovation, go-to-market positioning, and brand storytelling to bridge the gap between HR professionals and technology providers. With deep expertise in market analysis and trend forecasting, Trish has guided companies navigating the evolving landscape of human capital management.

A recognized influencer and analyst in the HR tech space, Trish co-hosts two of the industry’s most influential and long-running podcasts, the HR Happy Hour and At Work in America—alongside Steve Boese. Together, they spotlight the issues shaping the future of work, offering candid conversations with thought leaders, practitioners, and innovators. Trish also co-hosts H3 Live, a dynamic video series that brings fresh perspectives and real-time insights to the HCM community. All of these, along with several other related podcasts, are part of their wider HR Happy Hour Media Network.

Hiring isn’t just evolving. It’s being redefined.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Bill Mastin, CEO of Cadient, to unpack how AI is transforming hiring, retention, and workforce strategy. With 20+ years at the intersection of technology and HR, Bill brings a practical perspective to one of the most complex shifts in modern business.

They explore why hiring feels broken today, from AI-generated resumes and overwhelming applicant pools to the rise of “ghost jobs.” Bill explains how organizations are using AI to screen candidates, predict retention, and rethink the role of recruiters.

The conversation also covers the cultural and operational trade-offs of AI adoption, including bias, transparency, and the balance between efficiency and human connection. From AI-powered interviews to autonomous agents, Bill outlines what leaders need to understand now to stay competitive.

This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators navigating the future of hiring in an AI-driven world.

About Bill:

Bill spent the last twenty years at the intersection of technology, people, and growth, helping organizations solve their most challenging issues around hiring, onboarding, retention, and performance.

As CEO of Cadient, he’s building solutions that help HR leaders move faster, scale smarter, and prepare their workforce for an AI-driven future. The belief that technology should amplify human potential, not replace it, is his DRIVE. He believes that growth is less about headcount and more about capability. And that the best leaders are the ones who stay curious, stay humble, and never stop learning.

When he’s not thinking about workforce evolution, you'll find him in the mountains. He grew up moving around the US and has worked significantly in EMEA and APAC.

Franchising changed Jerry Akers’ life, and now he’s on a mission to remove unnecessary pain from the industry.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Jerry Akers — multi-unit franchise operator, author, IFA board member, and founder of Z-Dynamics — to unpack what actually separates thriving franchisees from those who struggle.

Jerry shares how he grew from one underperforming acquisition to 32 Great Clips salons across two states, what scaling really requires (hint: it’s not “semi-absentee”), and why culture is the ultimate growth lever. He explains how leadership differs from management, why mindset determines franchise success, and how to build bench strength that creates true operational peace.

They also explore the biggest misconceptions new franchisees bring into the system, the danger of rewriting the playbook you already paid for, and how technology and AI will reshape labor and leadership in the years ahead.

Jerry’s philosophy centers around what he calls the Franchisee Trifecta: Peace, Profit, and Posterity: building a business that runs well, earns well, and lasts.

If you’re a franchise operator, aspiring owner, or industry leader, this conversation is packed with practical insight and hard-earned wisdom.

About Jerry:

Jerry is a self-proclaimed “farm boy from Iowa” who spent 27 years in Corporate America as a turnaround expert.  During that time, he, along with his wife and now two daughters, started putting together a Company that spans two States and includes 32 Great Clips salons.  After two days of retirement, he became bored and joined The Joint Chiropractic as a Regional Developer. He now has four open Clinics and supports two franchisees, each with three of their own.  In 2020, he co-authored the best-selling book, “Live it 2 Own It,” leading to requests for him to Keynote and share his success methods for Franchisees at conventions, along with classes and work sessions, training franchisees on best practices and business-improving tactics.  Currently a State Council Member of NFIB and a member of the IFA board of Directors, Jerry spends the majority of his “retirement” time mentoring and guiding Franchisees of all brands.

Scaling a service business isn’t about leadership, trust, and clarity.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Kurt Schmidt, founder of Schmidt Consulting Group, to explore why so many agencies struggle to scale and what actually helps them move forward. Kurt shares his unconventional path from professional BMX rider to agency founder and advisor, and how those early experiences shaped his approach to leadership and resilience.

The conversation dives into why many agencies don’t truly have a lead problem, but a positioning and trust problem, and how misalignment quietly leads to stalled growth and burnout. Kurt explains the risks of scaling without intention, why over-systematizing can erode value, and how leaders often get in their own way by confusing activity with strategy.

They also discuss common sales mistakes, why proposals fail to close, and why leadership growth must start with honest self-reflection.

This episode is a must-watch for agency founders and consultants who want to grow with intention — not ego.

About Kurt:

Kurt Schmidt is the founder of Schmidt Consulting Group, a business advisor, author, and former pro BMX rider with over 20 years of experience helping creative and tech companies grow through better strategy, positioning, and operations.

AI isn’t HR’s biggest challenge — confusion is.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Kyle Lagunas, founder and principal analyst at Kyle & Co., to unpack what’s really happening inside HR, talent, and people technology today. Drawing from his journey from blogger during the Great Recession to trusted industry analyst, Kyle brings clarity to one of the most overhyped conversations in business.

They explore why AI adoption is moving slower than expected, why capacity and capability — not resistance — hold HR teams back, and why AI literacy has become a critical leadership skill. Kyle also explains the growing disconnect between what vendors are building and what HR teams can realistically implement, especially in lean organizations and teams of one.

The conversation looks ahead to second-generation AI adoption and why leaders must shift their focus from pure efficiency to quality, experience, and human outcomes. Throughout, Kyle emphasizes partnership, trust, and creating space to think — not just react.

This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators who want to cut through the hype and make smarter, more human decisions about technology and the future of work.

About Kyle:

Kyle Lagunas is the Founder and Principal Analyst at Kyle & Co, a modern research and advisory firm rethinking how we understand transformation in HR, talent, and technology. Known for his sharp analysis, candid point of view, and practical guidance, Kyle helps HR tech and talent leaders cut through hype and build strategies that actually work.

Today, he’s bringing research to reality and helping the industry tackle its biggest questions with clarity, credibility, and heart.

Performance management only works when it’s connected to how people grow and how they’re rewarded.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Satish Kumar, Head of PerformSpark at Trainery, to explore why traditional performance reviews are broken and what modern organizations need instead. Coming from a finance and private equity background, Satish brings a first-principles perspective to HR tech — questioning long-standing assumptions and rethinking how systems should actually work together.

The conversation dives into why once-a-year reviews no longer make sense, how AI can surface patterns managers miss, and why learning, performance, and compensation should never live in silos. Satish also shares insights on distributed and frontline workforces, manager enablement, and why intellectual curiosity and AI fluency are quickly becoming non-negotiable skills.

This episode is a must-watch for HR leaders, founders, and operators looking to move beyond fragmented tools and build talent systems designed for the future of work.

About Satish:

Satish helps lead PerformSpark (fka ReviewCloud), Trainery’s performance management module. His philosophy is simple: learning, performance, and pay only make sense when they’re connected.

PerformSpark is the “performance” piece of that triangle — the part that makes goals, feedback, and growth feel real instead of something that just happens once a year. His job is to make the tool useful, simple, and tied to how people actually work.

Most people problems at work are really leadership problems.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Mary Stieber Reinout, ICF-certified executive coach and founder of Threshold Coaching & Consulting, to explore what truly drives leadership effectiveness in today’s workplace. Drawing on decades of experience in executive development, talent strategy, and counseling psychology, Mary shares why self-awareness — and reducing self-deception — is the foundation of great leadership.

The conversation dives into why communication breakdowns derail teams, how leaders can develop healthier feedback loops, and why organizations often underinvest in leadership development. Mary also offers thoughtful insights on executive transitions, learning cultures, neuroinclusion, and what employees are really asking for in the future of work.

This episode is a must-watch for leaders, HR professionals, and founders who want to build stronger relationships, more resilient teams, and workplaces where people genuinely feel seen and supported.

About Mary:

As an ICF-certified executive coach and talent consultant, Mary specializes in executive development, assessment, leadership effectiveness, career management, and personal life transitions. With a rich career working in a variety of environments and industries, she’s led learning functions and talent development in several organizations, including a national nonprofit. Internationally, she designed leadership development programs on multiple continents and led new executive onboarding globally. Recognized as a Top 15 Coach in Saint Paul, Minnesota, she excels in coaching leaders toward leveled-up performance, increased resilience, and adaptability. With a counseling background and commitment to psychological well-being, she customizes coaching engagements to respond to whole person needs. Finally, combined with her ability to align and mobilize teams to implement organizational change, Mary is an expert designing executive transition strategies.

Franchising only works when people come first.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Paul Ebert, Group President at Home Franchise Concepts, to explore what it really takes to scale franchise brands without losing culture, trust, or humanity. Paul shares his unconventional journey from Big Four accounting to leading multiple high-growth home services brands.

The conversation dives into why franchising is fundamentally a people business, how investing in frontline workers drives customer outcomes, and what franchisors can (and can’t) do to support franchisees without crossing legal lines. Paul also explains why time — not money — is the modern customer’s most valuable currency, and how strong culture becomes a competitive advantage in labor-intensive industries.

This episode is a must-watch for franchisors, franchisees, and leaders who believe long-term growth depends on building systems that work for people — not just around them.

About Paul:

Paul Ebert is Group President at Home Franchise Concepts, where he leads several high-growth franchised brands including Two Maids, Aussie Pet Mobile, AdvantaClean, and Lightspeed Restoration. Paul has steered impressive growth through operational excellence, innovation, and a people-first leadership style.

Skills matter, but motivation is what determines whether people actually thrive.

In this episode of MustardHub Voices: Behind the Build, Curtis Forbes sits down with Ryan Dalton, co-founder of TalentMotives, to explore how intrinsic motivation shapes performance, engagement, and workplace culture. Drawing on his background in education, counseling, and behavioral science, Ryan explains how the Motivation Quotient (MQ) helps leaders understand what truly energizes — or drains — their people.

The conversation dives into why disengagement often has less to do with competence and more to do with misalignment, how AI can be used to strengthen (not replace) human connection, and why self-awareness is the most underrated leadership skill. Ryan also shares how Talent Motives’ AI-powered coach, Sherpa, helps leaders communicate more effectively, build better teams, and reduce unnecessary friction at work.

This episode is a must-watch for founders, HR leaders, and operators who want to move beyond surface-level engagement strategies and build workplaces where people feel understood and motivated.

About Ryan:

Ryan’s career began in education, helping students plan for college, where he first recognized the importance of understanding human potential. He went on to work in college counseling and career guidance, helping students and professionals find clarity and purpose. With a background in international relations and fluency in Mandarin Chinese, he gained a broader perspective on what truly motivates people across cultures. That insight led him to help architect the Motivation Quotient (MQ) and shape its impact in organizational settings. Today, as Co-Founder of TalentMotives, he leads the vision behind Sherpa—their AI-powered coach that integrates MQi into daily management and leadership.