2025 Year in Review

Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

Guest: Carleigh McFarlane

Summary

In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer reflect on the significant events of 2025, covering top news stories, political highlights, sports achievements, and the most streamed music and movies. They discuss the impact of AI technology on daily life and business, and share their favorite moments from the year. The conversation emphasizes community engagement and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges of the upcoming year. Listen in!

Chapters

0:00 Introduction 

01:53 Top News Stories of 2025

06:14 Political Highlights and Elections

07:20 Major Sports Trades and Events

08:15 Most Streamed Songs and Albums

15:25 Top Artists and Their Impact

23:31 Personal Favorites and Closing Thoughts

38:19 Top Businesses of 2025

48:23 Reflections and Future Aspirations

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. 

Who’s Really Moving the Needle? How Recognition Data Reveals Hidden Talent

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Kevin Heinzelman, SVP of Product Management at Workhuman

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed engage with Kevin Heinzelman from Workhuman to discuss the significance of recognition in the workplace. They explore how recognition data can unlock insights about company culture, employee engagement, and business outcomes. Kevin shares his journey at Workhuman, the role of AI in enhancing recognition programs, and how organizations can align their recognition efforts with their core values. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work environment and the transformative power of recognition data.

Takeaways

• Recognition data provides authentic insights into employee interactions.
• AI enhances the understanding of recognition data.
• Visualizing recognition data helps identify key contributors in organizations.
• Recognition can drive significant business outcomes like retention.
• Understanding recognition data can help align company values with actions.
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Learn More Here: How Work Gets Done (Now) and Workhuman Human Intelligence

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. 

Translating Employee Data into Impact

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Kinsey Li, HR and People Analytics Leader

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen interviews Kinsey Li, an HR and People Analytics leader. They discuss the evolution of people analytics from basic HR reporting to a strategic business tool, the impact of AI, and the importance of data transparency and ethical practices. Kinsey shares insights from her book, "People Analytics Explained," and emphasizes the need for a strong data foundation in organizations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to People Analytics

01:30 The Impact of AI

03:45 Building a Strong Data Foundation

06:15 Transparency and Ethics in Data

08:30 Optimizing People Investment

10:45 The Future of People Analytics

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

Welcome to HR Means Business, a part of the HR Happy Hour Network, sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network. 

Real-time Recognition with AI: A Game-changer for Organizations

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Naomi Dishington, Consulting Director at Workhuman

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed re joined by Naomi Dishington from Workhuman to discuss the transformative power of recognition data in organizations. They explore how AI and recognition platforms can unlock insights into employee performance, culture, and engagement, offering a more holistic view of employee contributions. The conversation highlights the importance of real-time recognition and its impact on organizational culture and decision-making.

Takeaways

• The Role of Recognition Data
• AI and Recognition Platforms
• Impact on Organizational Culture
• Real-Time Recognition Benefits
• The Future of Recognition with AI

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who’s actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here’s the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

Responsible AI: Navigating the Hype and Reality

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Martyn Redstone, AI Governance & Readiness Advisor

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen talks with AI governance expert Martyn Redstone to explore the responsible use of AI in HR. They discuss the current landscape of AI adoption, common misconceptions among HR leaders, and the essential non-negotiables for implementing AI ethically. The conversation also covers the importance of vendor relationships, the risks of bias in AI, and the need for AI literacy within organizations. The discussion emphasizes the significance of augmented judgment in decision-making and outlines strategic priorities for HR leaders as they prepare for the future of work with AI.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding AI in HR

03:26 AI Capability vs Competence

06:37 Non-negotiables for Responsible AI Implementation

08:07 Vendor Relationships and Questions to Ask

11:17 Bias in AI

14:13 Building Internal Support for AI Initiatives

17:12 AI Literacy Across an Organization

21:35 Enhancing Human Decision-Making

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who’s actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here’s the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

Harnessing AI for Enhanced Productivity

Host: Steve Boese

Guest: Emma Crockett, Head of People Insights, Atlassian

Welcome back to the System of Record!

In this conversation, Steve Boese engages in a dynamic conversation with Emma Crockett, Head of People Insights at Atlassian. They explore the transformative role of AI in enterprise technology, focusing on Atlassian's innovative approaches to collaboration and HR processes. Emma shares insights into Atlassian's journey to becoming a fully distributed company and the impact of AI on productivity and employee experience.

Key highlights:

• Atlassian's Distributed Workforce Journey
• AI's Role in HR Transformation
• Collaboration Tools and Team Success
• AI-Powered Onboarding and Employee Experience
• Future of Work with AI

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who's actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here's the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

Splitting the Bill: How BNPL is Changing Young Consumer Spending

Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

Summary

In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer iscuss the growing trend of Buy Now Pay Later (BNPL) services, particularly among Gen Z consumers. They explore how BNPL works, its popularity, personal experiences, and the associated risks, including loan stacking and phantom debt. The conversation emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and the need for businesses to educate their employees about these financial tools. The episode concludes with a cautionary note about the potential pitfalls of BNPL services. Listen in!

Chapters

0:00 Welcome & Exploring BNPL

04:59 Gen Z's Adoption of BNPL Services

07:45 Personal Experiences with BNPL

10:35 Risks and Downsides of BNPL

16:31 BNPL Usage Across Incomes Levels

19:45 The Impact of Life Events on Financial Decisions

21:50 Educating the Workforce on Financial Tools

23:52 Cautionary Insights on BNPL Services

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who's actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here's the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

AI and the Future of Collaboration

Host: Steve Boese

Guest: Snorre Kjesbu, SVP/GM of Cisco Collaboration, Cisco

Welcome back to the System of Record!

In this conversation, Steve Boese and Snorre Kjesbu discuss the evolving landscape of work, particularly focusing on collaboration and the integration of AI technologies. They explore how the pandemic has shifted collaboration from a useful tool to a mission-critical necessity, emphasizing the importance of seamless connections in hybrid work environments.

Snorre introduces the concept of 'Distance Zero' to describe the goal of removing barriers in communication and collaboration. The discussion also looks into the complexities organizations face with AI adoption, the need for clear strategies, and the evolving role of leadership in navigating these changes. Together, they discuss Cisco's innovative AI solutions designed to enhance the employee experience and improve collaboration.

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts! 

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who's actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here's the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!

Behind the Scenes of HR: Burnout, Balance, and Belonging

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Ryan Tahmassebi, People Science Director at Workbuzz

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen chats with Ryan Tahmassebi about the latest research on employee well-being, engagement, and the evolving priorities within HR. They discuss the importance of aligning HR with executive leadership, the challenges of communication, the role of AI in HR practices, and the need for emotional connections in understanding employee experiences. The conversation highlights the pressing issues facing HR professionals today and the strategies they can employ to foster a healthier workplace culture.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Employee Well-being Priorities

04:05 The Shift in DEI Focus

07:04 Aligning HR and Executive Leadership

10:20 Communication in Leadership

16:16 Addressing Employee Well=being and Workload Challenges

22:07 The Need for Emotional Connection in HR Metrics

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

he HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here’s the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman’s AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network. 

AI Revolution: Transforming Employee Experience

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Trilok Manchinila, VP, Enterprise Architecture and Data of ABM Industries

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed discuss the excitement surrounding AI at Oracle AI World with Trilok Manchinila, VP of Enterprise Architecture and Data at ABM Industries. They explore the role of technology in enhancing employee experience, the importance of empathy in the workplace, and how AI can serve as a translator for better communication. The conversation also touches on the significance of safety and retention for frontline workers, the value of data integrity, and the future of partnerships in the tech landscape.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to Oracle AI World: The Excitement of AI

01:08 Understanding ABM Industries

02:59 The Role of Technology in Employee Experience

05:56 AI as a Translator

08:41 Empathy in Technology: Bridging Gaps

12:00 The Importance of Safety and Retention

14:45 Data Integrity and AI

17:46 Partnerships and Future Innovations

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

he HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman. It’s officially spooky season, but work shouldn’t feel a nightmare. If yours feels haunted by burnout and disengagement, try Workhuman. Workhuman’s #1-rated employee recognition platform connects work cultures through gratitude. Employees thank each other for great work and redeem those thanks for millions of items and experiences – keeping them engaged and productive. But here’s the coolest part: These recognition messages contain rich data. Workhuman’s AI mines it to identify quiet leaders, match mentors, and reveal team skills—enabling smarter talent decisions that generate guaranteed ROI. It’s good for people and good for business. All treats, no tricks. Visit workhuman.com to learn more. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the Happy Hour Podcast Network.