What if the key to better hiring, onboarding, and managing people is just making the complex simple? Erin Goodey shares real-world strategies to strip away unnecessary friction, leverage automation, and build resilient, scalable teams especially in a global context.

01:25 - Intro & icebreakers

04:45 - Email sign-off culture across countries

07:48 - Rapid fire: culture, RTO mandates & the future of work

09:28 - From criminology to HR: Erin's career journey

13:15 - Joining Oyster and building global HR from scratch

16:34 - Advising customers on complex global hiring strategy

18:20 - Work from anywhere: risk, maturity & legal exposure

20:32 - How Oyster sets standards while adapting to each client

25:18 - Heat maps, country selection & avoiding costly mistakes
26:45 - Planning for offboarding before you celebrate onboarding

29:33 - Pod countries: a smarter approach to global expansion

31:31 - Best entry points for companies new to international hiring

34:03 - Making the complex simple: automation & human-centered HR

37:16 - Lessons for fractional HR leaders

41:32 - Universal truths about the people profession

45:55 - The power of community & the "Unblock Me" channel

48:35 - What's on Erin's mind: geopolitics, complexity & building ahead

50:00 - Reimagining HR processes with AI from the ground up

51:38 - Pearl Diver: how Oyster saved 420 hours with an AI bot

55:56 - AI as a creative opportunity, not just a cost-cutting tool

58:37 - Who Erin's watching: companies pioneering AI-driven HR

1:00:21 - Final thoughts & close

In this episode, we explore how role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons can transform team building, leadership, and organizational culture through immersive, hands-on learning. By using play as a tool, teams can build trust, improve communication, and uncover hidden dynamics that traditional methods often miss. The conversation highlights how experiential learning creates deeper connections, encourages authentic collaboration, and helps individuals develop skills in a low-pressure environment that translates directly into the workplace.

00:00 – Introduction & Laura Khalil background
02:00 – D&D and tabletop games explained
07:00 – Games as a model for team roles & dynamics
12:00 – Using game mechanics in real work (Stars & Wishes) 
16:30 – Why games reveal real personality traits
20:30 – Corporate dysfunction & lack of collaboration
23:00 – Discovery of D&D’s team-building potential
27:00 – Real business impact: building connections across teams
31:30 – Why play is critical for learning & development
35:30 – Leadership, vulnerability & “looking silly”
40:00 – Using games to diagnose team dynamics
45:30 – Breaking hierarchy & titles through gameplay
48:30 – Google study: what makes high-performing teams
50:30 – Where to find Laura & closing thoughts 

In this episode, Sarah Ennor shares her journey with ADHD, debunks common myths, and offers practical advice for workplaces to support neurodiverse employees. Discover how understanding and accommodating different brain types can boost organizational performance and inclusivity.

00:00 – Introduction & Sarah Ennor overview
02:00 – What ADHD really means at work
06:20 – “People over policy” hot take
10:30 – Why employees don’t disclose ADHD
14:00 – Better approach: ask for outcomes, not labels
19:00 – Making invisible differences visible
23:50 – Biggest myth: ADHD ≠ laziness
29:00 – Sarah’s ADHD diagnosis story
33:30 – Understanding ADHD differences & self-awareness
36:30 – Rethinking work structures (time, productivity)
41:30 – Challenging norms like punctuality
48:20 – How companies can unlock performance
51:00 – One key fix: believe your employees
56:50 – Why this matters for business (cost + growth)
1:02:50 – Closing & where to find Sarah 

In this episode, Jason Silver, a former Airbnb country manager turned author, shares eye-opening insights on rethinking productivity, leadership, and purpose. He reveals how scaling at breakneck speed taught him that focusing on culture and values especially the ones you pay a price for, can make or break your success. And he challenges the widely held myth that job satisfaction is about finding your passion it's about practicing it, day by day, task by task.

00:00 – Introduction & Jason Silver background
02:30 – From child actor to Airbnb: unconventional career path
06:10 – Inside Airbnb’s hypergrowth (400 → 2500 employees)
09:30 – “Don’t f*** up the culture”: lessons on scaling companies
12:30 – Why company values fail (and how to make them real)
17:00 – The book Your Grass is Greener explained
20:00 – Personal turning point: loss, perspective & mindset shift
23:30 – The “enjoyment → success” reversal (core philosophy)
28:30 – You have more control over your work than you think
42:30 – Practical exercise: redesign your work using enjoyment
47:15 – HR dilemma: misaligned roles & how to fix them
50:15 – Change HOW you work, not WHAT you do
53:00 – Small tweaks that compound into career satisfaction
59:30 – The future of work: danger of chasing “perfect jobs”
1:03:30 – Final insights on values, work, and fulfillment 

In this insightful interview, Mark Goad, GM of Allen Canada, shares his journey through the tech and health sectors, discusses the future of healthcare and benefits in Canada, and explores the transformative role of AI in medicine and insurance.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
01:51 Music Preferences and Personal Interests
03:54 Early Career and First Job as Skate Instructor
05:02 Career Journey: From Strategy Consulting to Venture Capital
06:31 Experience in Silicon Valley and Tech Ecosystem
07:19 Canada's Tech Ecosystem vs Silicon Valley
09:09 Returning to Canada and Bringing Back Experience
10:54 Canadian Innovation and Ecosystem Strengths
12:02 Joining Alan and Healthcare Innovation
16:17 Motivation for Focusing on Healthcare
18:55 Impact of CAMH and Mental Health Initiatives
20:39 Trends in Employee Benefits and Healthcare Needs
27:17 Disconnect Between Employer Perceptions and Employee Needs
31:09 Evolving Employee Expectations in Benefits
33:55 Future of Benefits: Flexibility and Personalization
35:48 Long-term Vision for Healthcare and Benefits
38:14 Role of AI in Healthcare and Insurance
41:28 AI Adoption Timeline and Future Outlook
43:24 Personal Reflections on AI and Healthcare Innovation
47:06 Future of AI-Driven Health Insurance and Benefits
49:18 The Purple Marmot and Branding Strategy

In this episode, HR leader Karam Tawfiq shares insights on the evolving landscape of human resources, the impact of AI on work, and the importance of authenticity and mentorship in career growth. Discover how to adapt, stay curious, and build genuine human connections in a rapidly changing world.

01:33 – Introduction and episode overview
02:01 – The production process and expectations for content sharing
02:37 – Reconnecting with Karam Tawfiq and his career journey
03:16 – Personal anecdotes and perseverance in podcasting
04:09 – Favorite music artists: Olivia Dean and Adele
05:09 – Midnight snack preferences: pasta vs. chicken nuggets
08:01 – Defining superpowers: caring as a fundamental trait
08:59 – Mentorship moments that shaped Karam’s career
10:19 – Hot takes on HR’s identity and purpose
14:48 – Karam’s career beginnings and unexpected career shifts
17:00 – Lessons from mentors and critical moments of growth
19:37 – The significance of mentorship and support in leadership
22:16 – Authenticity, curiosity, and staying true to oneself
24:06 – Experience vs. AI in building frameworks
26:15 – The future of work, AI’s influence, and societal impacts
29:37 – AI challenges and opportunities for HR and organizations
34:42 – Building genuine relationships and mentorship through support
38:17 – Curiosity about people and avoiding transactional interactions
42:43 – Understanding human motivation and egocentric behavior
45:21 – Societal systems that create transactional mindsets
46:55 – Concerns about AI reshaping roles and societal norms
50:28 – Continuous learning amid rapid technological change
54:06 – Strategies to stay grounded in the AI era
55:43 – Final reflections and appreciation 

In this engaging conversation, L. David Kingsley, Chief People Officer at Illumio, shares insights from his diverse career journey, including his early days in management consulting, his transition to HR, and the lessons learned from military service. He emphasizes the importance of understanding organizational change, the significance of personal 'why', and how to navigate the evolving landscape of HR, especially with the advent of AI. Kingsley also discusses the need for optimism in challenging times and the role of leadership in fostering a supportive workplace culture.

Chapters
01:49 Introduction to L. David Kingsley 
04:01 Career Beginnings and Transition to HR 

06:15 Lessons from Management Consulting

16:15 Navigating Organisational Change & Growth Inflection Points 

22:24 The Journey to Illumio
26:27 Military Lessons Applied to Business

32:57 The Importance of Personal ‘Why’ 

36:22 Staying Optimistic in Tough Times 

40:52 Future Trends in HR and AI 

In this episode, Josh Domingues shares the journey from hockey and finance to building Flashfood and launching MedWallet, offering an honest look at startup leadership, hiring, and building culture while scaling fast. The conversation explores how intuition, transparency, and human connection shape both product decisions and team dynamics, especially during moments of crisis and rapid growth. Josh also challenges traditional workplace practices like job descriptions and performance reviews while sharing his vision for the future of healthcare powered by AI.

00:00 - Introduction
04:22 - From Hockey Player to Finance to Consulting to Startups
09:50 - First Startup Failure
10:43 - Flashfood Idea: Solving Food Waste
11:45 - Scaling Flashfood & Raising $25M 
17:23 - Founder Intuition & Being Early to Big Trends
20:23 - Building Culture & Motivating Frontline Workers
21:45 - COVID Crisis
24:05 - Leadership Lessons From Supporting Employees
28:00 - Why Companies Are Teams, Not Families
30:54 - Flashfood Culture, Systems & Rituals
32:55 - Why Performance Reviews Don’t Work
35:16 - How to Grow Fast in a Startup (Ignore Job Descriptions)
38:10 - Leadership Style: Strong Opinions Loosely Held
40:10 - Psychological Safety & Firing a Toxic Manager
43:52 - Spotting Bad Teammates (Sports → Business)
46:51 - MedWallet Origin Story
49:19 - Healthcare System Problems & Personal Experiences
49:50 - MedWallet Product Explained
52:20 - AI + Healthcare Future
53:30 - Final Advice: Authenticity in the AI Era

In this podcast episode, Martin Hauck interviews Lorena Scott, a seasoned Chief People Officer, about her unconventional career journey, the influence of her father's resilience, and her insights on leadership and people operations. Lorena shares her experiences from investment banking to private equity, and ultimately to her current role at Relay, where she emphasizes the importance of culture, curiosity, and the impact of AI in the workplace. The conversation highlights the challenges and joys of scaling teams, navigating mergers and acquisitions, and the significance of serving small businesses.

 01:23 Introduction
 02:54 Lorena’s Unconventional Path to People Leadership
 04:49 Inspiration from Family and Early Aspirations
 06:25 Resilience and Reinvention: A Father’s Influence
 09:04 First Jobs and Early Career Experiences
 10:38 Investment Banking as a Learning Bootcamp
 13:28 Transition to Private Equity and Understanding Culture
 20:08 The Shift into People Operations
 23:38 Curiosity as a Key Leadership Trait
 26:10 Testing for Curiosity in Hiring
 28:27 Reflections on Executive Roles in People Ops
 29:57 Scaling, Global Growth, and Career Transitions
 31:53 Navigating Mergers and Acquisitions
 38:10 Finding Fulfillment in Work
 42:17 Scaling Culture While Growing Fast
 47:06 Embracing AI in People Operations
 52:03 Lessons Learned in People Leadership
 57:04 Final Career Advice and Closing Thoughts 

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Topaz Adidas, an Emmy award-winning experience design architect, shares his journey of exploring human connection in the digital age. He discusses the evolution of emotional experiences due to technology, the importance of authentic conversations, and how to create safe spaces for vulnerability. Topaz emphasizes the significance of asking the right questions and the impact of AI on human interaction. He reflects on balancing artistry with business and the future of The Skin Deep, a platform dedicated to fostering meaningful connections.

Chapters
01:23 Introduction to Topaz Adidas and His Work
04:24 The Evolution of Human Connection in the Digital Age
07:24 The Role of Music and Personal Experiences
10:14 Navigating Early Career Challenges and Self-Discovery
13:00 The Importance of Authentic Conversations
15:58 Capturing Human Emotion Through Film
18:54 The Patterns of Human Interaction
21:38 Creating Safe Spaces for Vulnerable Conversations
24:32 The Power of Intentions in Conversations
27:24 Building Trust in Professional Settings
30:12 The Impact of AI on Human Interaction
33:07 The Importance of Asking the Right Questions
36:19 Balancing Artistry and Business
39:00 The Future of The Skin Deep and Community Engagement
42:01 Final Thoughts and How to Connect with Topaz