“HR Heretics” | How CPOs, CHROs, Founders, and Boards Build High Performing Companies

Are digital workers coming for your job? In this episode, Metaview CEO Siadhal Magos— our resident AI expert— breaks down the rise of AI-powered SDRs and what it means for the future of work.

From 11x.ai's $75M raise to replace human sales reps, to broader implications for recruiting and tech roles, discover why VCs are betting big on AI labor. This is a candid discussion about job displacement, productivity gains, and why getting your hands dirty with AI might be your best career move.

Discover how top HR leaders transformed from "the team in the corner" to invaluable business partners – and how you can, too.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH SIADHAL, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Siadhal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/siadhal/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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CHECK OUT:

Metaview: https://www.metaview.ai/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) 11x.ai and Their Products (Alice & Mike)

(02:03) Discussion of VCs' Interest in AI Labor Market

(03:43) Labor vs Software Market Size Comparison

(05:37) Evolution of Software Sales Models

(07:18) Current State and Limitations of AI SDRs

(08:15) Discussion of AI Job Displacement

(09:01) Types of Roles Most Affected by AI

(12:42) Historical Context of Automation in Tech

(14:12) Future of Work and AI Integration

(16:39) Sponsor: Metaview

(17:59) Company Spending and Hiring Philosophy

(20:00) Future of Recruiting and AI Integration

(23:21) Historical Job Evolution and Future Opportunities

(25:15) Importance of Hands-on AI Experience

(26:24) Impact of AI on Engineering Productivity

(27:05) AI's Effect on Recruiter Efficiency

(27:53) Wrap

Ever wondered why your HR team feels like a bunch of separate countries? Tune in as Kelli and Nolan reveal why mixing your People Ops like finger paint might be the secret sauce to scaling – and why that messy feeling means you're actually crushing it.

Discover how top HR leaders transformed from "the team in the corner" to invaluable business partners – and how you can, too.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:21) Dear Heretics Question: Cross-Functional HR Collaboration

(01:11) The Missing Link in HR Teams

(02:42) DoorDash's GM Model & Early Learnings

(04:36) The Weekly Business Review Magic

(05:13) Building One Cohesive HR Experience

(07:09) The Color Gradient Approach to HR

(08:01) Sponsor: Metaview

(09:42) Pod Structure: SWAT Teams for People Ops

(10:38) Embracing Regular Reorgs

(11:44) Why Messy HR is Good HR

(12:29) Mobility as a Silo-Breaker

(13:05) Wrap

Chris Yeh – author, venture partner, and co-writer of Blitzscaling (with Reid Hoffman) – shares insights from his multifaceted career as a Silicon Valley insider. Yeh discusses staying relevant in tech, the necessary skill of unlearning, and why traveling with potential partners might be the best way to assess compatibility. Yeh gives our listeners a masterclass in adaptability and authentic leadership.

Discover how top HR leaders transformed from "the team in the corner" to invaluable business partners – and how you can, too.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at

https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH CHRIS, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Chris: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisyeh

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

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RELATED LINKS:

* Infinite Learning - Why Unlearning Is The Critical Learning Skill | Chris Yeh | TEDxGrandviewHeights

* The Lightning-Fast Path to Building Massively Valuable Companies: https://www.blitzscaling.com/

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:20) Chris's Palpable Energy

(02:54) Passion vs Skill

(04:08) Charisma in Leadership

(08:09) Unlearning Old Things

(14:29) Sponsor: Metaview

(15:41) Writing a Book with Reid Hoffman

(23:57) Picking and Prioritizing Projects

(24:58) Staying Relevant

(27:15) Blitzscaling: Adaptability & Resilience

(32:21) What Would Chris Take Back from Blitzscaling?

(37:01) Picking Companies as an Employee

(40:25) Assessing a Founder

(43:15) Bias in Assessments

(45:16) Negotiating Founder Shares

(51:55) Choosing Principles over Numbers

(51:55) Offer Package Hack

(53:28) Wrap

Tired of hearing "HR needs to be more business-focused" without any real direction?

In this episode, Kelli and Nolan cut through the noise with actionable insights from veteran CPO Jeff Diana. Learn why joining sales calls, understanding your P&L, and getting your hands dirty in customer support might be your secret weapons.

Discover how top HR leaders transformed from "the team in the corner" to invaluable business partners – and how you can, too.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at

https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH JEFF, NOLAN + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Jeff: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-diana-a1906212/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:14) HR is a Business Function: Action vs. Rhetoric

(02:09) The Business-First Approach Do's and Don'ts

(04:19) Fostering a Deeper Understanding of the Business

(06:01) Product Certification and Experiential Learning

(06:57) Understanding a Founder's Emotional Investment (even if it seems irrational)

(08:52) Knowing the Numbers

(13:14) Strategic Time Investment and Knowledge Acquisition

(15:56) Including Customer Success in Knowledge Gathering

(16:18) Sponsor: Metaview

(17:38) Internal Reviews and Cross-Functional Collaboration

(19:01) Internal Best Practices and Efficiency

(20:47) Growing Fluidity Between HR and other Business Functions

(21:14) Wrap

Ever wonder what happens when HR leaders get real about C-suite scrutiny?

Join Kelli, Nolan and friend of the podcast, Colleen McCreary, as they spill the tea on transforming those dreaded "show me the numbers" moments into power moves. Turns out, the secret sauce isn't hiding from spreadsheets—it's owning them with style.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:14) Increasing Scrutiny of HR budgets from CEOs, CFOs, and Board Members

(01:50) Stakeholder Management and Proactive Planning

(04:42) Assume Good Intent and Take Ownership

(06:35) Earned Trust and Common Experience

(08:05) Sponsor: Metaview

(09:12) New Roles and Re-establishing Credibility and the CFOs Perspective

(10:36) Advice and Next Steps

(12:07) Closing and Outro

From pioneering parental leave strategies to 3 AM workout sessions, Warner Bros Discovery's SVP of People Donald Knight reveals how vulnerability, authenticity, and physical discipline shape exceptional leadership.

Donald joins Kelli and Nolan in a candid conversation about evolving HR, squandered DEI opportunities, and building lasting relationships in hyper-growth environments.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.

_

KEEP UP WITH DIDIER, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Donald: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donaldfknight/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:39) Donald's initial reluctance to join HR and his perspective shift

(02:32) Evolution of the HR profession

(04:06) Pushback against employee-centric HR practices

(07:22) The "war for talent" and its aftermath

(10:53) The focus on immutable traits in diversity initiatives

(14:05) Sponsor: Metaview

(15:17) Importance of company stances and differentiation

(19:15) Donald's paternity leave plan and its impact

(25:35) The recruiting process and its unexpected outcomes

(32:45) Donald's experience working with founders

(39:50) Donald's favorite interview questions and their rationale

(44:30) Donald's fitness journey and its importance

(49:20) Wrap

Didier Elzinga, Culture Amp's CEO, drops bombshell insights about why most leaders get growth wrong, reveals shocking data about manager vs. leader impact, and explains why treating feedback like an all-you-can-eat menu is destroying companies.

Didier sits down with Kelli Dragovich and Nolan Church for a conversation about company culture, data, and mapping the world of work on two axes—trust versus mission.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

RECOMMENDED PODCAST:

🎙️ Unpack Pricing - Dive into the dark arts of SaaS pricing with Metronome CEO Scott Woody and tech leaders. Learn how strategic pricing drives explosive revenue growth in today's biggest companies like Snowflake, Cockroach Labs, Dropbox and more.

_

KEEP UP WITH DIDIER, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Didier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/didierelzinga

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(02:50) From Harry Potter to CultureAmp CEO

(04:51) CultureAmp in the Film Industry & Anonymous Feedback

(08:40) Culture-First Companies & the Importance of Resilience

(13:24) Current Trends in Employee Engagement & Expectations

(15:12) Sponsor: Metaview

(16:24) The Future of Employer-Employee Relationships

(19:20) Enduring Truths in Culture & Growth

(21:13) Growth, Ambiguity, and Leadership

(23:54) Data-Driven Insights & Addressing Gender Gaps

(27:20) The Director to VP Transition & Hard Lessons

(31:45) Influencing Change & the Power of Data

(33:55) The Value & Limitations of Engagement Surveys

(37:45) Defining Strategy & the Feedback "Workout"

(39:01) CultureAmp's Non-Negotiables & Growth

(43:07) The Power of Storytelling & Authenticity

(46:32) Wrap

How do you navigate a founding CTO's transition when they're struggling to scale? Kelli and Nolan share hard-won wisdom on avoiding common pitfalls: don't rush to judgment, build trust first, and respect the deep bonds between founders. Instead of plotting replacements, focus on supporting growth - and remember that even the best transitions happen through relationships, not force.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:52) Avoid Premature Judgments

(04:43) Nuance and Relationship Building

(07:43) Sponsor Message: Metaview

(08:55) Further Discussion: Investing in Existing Leadership

(11:25) Additional Insights: Truth and Trust

(13:02) The Risk of Premature Action

(14:23) Summary and Emotional Dynamics

(14:46) Board Involvement and Conclusion

(15:37) Wrap

Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer at Ethena, joins Kelli and Nolan to tackle the surge in employee litigation facing modern companies.

In an era where employees are increasingly using legal terms like 'discrimination' and 'retaliation,' how can companies balance protecting themselves from frivolous lawsuits while ensuring legitimate grievances are properly addressed?

Explore how social media, changing workplace expectations, and generational shifts are fueling this trend, while offering practical insights on navigating these challenges. The conversation balances protecting employee rights with managing unfounded claims, providing valuable perspectives for HR professionals and business leaders trying to build fair, transparent workplaces.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH MELANIE, NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Melanie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-naranjo/

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:10) Rising Employee Litigation

(03:25) Traditional & Contrarian Responses

(06:10) Deeper Issues & Lack of Transparency

(07:30) Subjectivity & Company Liability

(09:30) Litigation as a Trend & Setting Expectations

(11:40) Employee Perspective & Open Dialogue

(15:40) Company Burden & Employee Expectations

(15:43) Sponsor: Metaview

(18:10) Clear Expectations & Self-Selection

(21:40) Internal Training & Consistency

(23:20) Value of Community & Legal Counsel

(26:10) Key Takeaways & The Bambi Golden Rule

(28:08) Wrap

Today Kelli and Nolan tackle a real-world HR career challenge: a candidate who received feedback that while they could handle their current role, the hiring manager was unsure about their ability to scale with company growth.

Drawing from their extensive backgrounds in recruiting and HR leadership, they help listeners navigate everything from interview feedback to career growth, offering insider perspectives that challenge traditional HR thinking and empower professionals to take control of their career narrative.

*Email us your questions or topics for Kelli & Nolan: [email protected]

For coaching and advising inquire at

https://kellidragovich.com/

HR Heretics is a podcast from Turpentine.

—

📰 Be notified early when Turpentine's drops new publication: https://www.turpentine.co/exclusiveaccess

Support HR Heretics Sponsor:

Metaview is the AI assistant for interviewing. Metaview completely removes the need for recruiters and hiring managers to take notes during interviews—because their AI is designed to take world-class interview notes for you. Team builders at companies like Brex, Hellofresh, and Quora say Metaview has changed the game—see the magic for yourself: https://www.metaview.ai/heretics

KEEP UP WITH NOLAN, + KELLI ON LINKEDIN

Nolan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nolan-church/

Kelli: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellidragovich/

—

TIMESTAMPS:

(00:00) Intro

(01:00) Dear Heretics Question - Scaling HR

(02:45) Understanding Hiring Manager Requirements

(04:24) Focus on Aptitude and Mindset

(04:58) Recruiters' Current Challenges

(06:13) Anticipate Feedback and Be Proactive

(07:00) Highlight Strengths and Address Gaps

(07:35) Proactive Preparation for Interviews

(08:22) "Show Up With A Solution"

(08:40) Sponsor: Metaview

(09:52) Value of HRBP Experience

(10:47) Don't Underestimate Your Experience

(11:02) Narrative is Key

(11:25) HR and Sales Parallels

(11:46) Focus on Personal Narrative

(12:13) Gain Experience Inside Your Company

(13:36) Turn Feedback into Growth

(14:05) Architect Your Own Experience

(14:18) Wrap