HR Unplugged

What’s stopping HR leaders from being heard in the boardroom?

It’s not always about strategy or experience. Often, it’s about how they communicate their value and impact.

Host Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Sara Jones, CEO of InclusionPro and acclaimed TED speaker. Together, they discuss how HR professionals can grow their influence through strategic framing, storytelling, and public speaking. Sara shares success stories from the leaders she’s coached, proving that with the right approach, HR’s influence can extend across the entire organization.

Key takeaways:

• How to frame HR work in terms of business value and impact
• Why storytelling is a powerful tool for influencing executives
• How to practice before stepping into high-stakes conversations

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Sara Jones

(02:54) Finding your voice 

(05:51) Evolving into a strategic partner

(08:07) How to speak the executives’ language

(09:35) Telling stories that highlight your accomplishments

(15:27) Turning data into a memorable message

(19:59) How to build confidence for public speaking

(23:13) Easy tips for giving better presentations

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Analyze Data That Measures HR Impact: Free HR Report Checklist”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/analyze-data-hr-report-template

Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Get Over Fear of Public Speaking”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/fear-of-public-speaking

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Sara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saradansiejones/

Are your employees just working, or are they growing, too?

Many people feel stuck at work because no one’s ever asked them about their dreams. But what if you made space for that conversation?

Kate Volman, CEO of Floyd Consulting and author of Do What You Love, joins host Vanessa Brulotte to talk about what it means to support employees as whole people with their own dreams. Kate shares why personal dreams belong in the workplace and how they can be a secret weapon for retention, culture, and performance. She also discusses how leaders can ask questions that boost engagement, build trust, and create a culture where people feel seen.

Key takeaways:

• Why conversations about dreams help reduce turnover
• What it means to be a great coach in the workplace
• What HR teams can do today to support both personal and professional development

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Kate Volman

(02:38) The link between disengagement and purpose

(05:17) How leaders can support personal growth

(07:09) Real stories from The Dream Manager program

(10:46) Coaching vs. managing: what’s the difference?

(14:28) Helping employees hit personal milestones

(22:29) How to introduce dream conversations at work

(31:24) A powerful story about trust and belonging

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Leadership vs. Management: 5 Tips to Become a Better Leader”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/leadership-vs-authority 

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Transparency in Leadership: How Open Communication Builds Trust in the Workplace”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/importance-of-transparency-in-leadership 

Read BambooHR’s blog, “10 Management Styles, Ranked from Best to Worst”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/learn-management-style 

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Kate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katevolman/

What makes a workplace truly stand out to job seekers? 

It’s not just the perks or the pay. It’s the story you tell and the experience you deliver.

In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Nancy Boyce, Senior Employer Brand Manager at BambooHR. They discuss what it takes to create an authentic employer brand that connects with the right candidates and reflects the real employee experience.

You’ll learn the difference between corporate and employer branding, the role of employee reviews, and why alignment between brand and experience matters more than ever. Plus, Nancy shares actionable tips for tracking brand impact and creating a solid brand even with an HR team of one.

Key takeaways:

• How to align your employer brand with real employee experiences
• Why employee reviews matter more than you think
• Simple ways to build an employer brand without a big budget

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Nancy Boyce

(02:09) What employer branding means 

(03:30) The shift in candidate expectations post-pandemic

(07:22) Why recruiting and marketing must work together

(11:49) How Glassdoor reviews shape first impressions

(13:02) Brands that are innovating in employer branding

(18:19) Metrics that show if your brand is working

(25:07) Inside BambooHR’s new employer value proposition

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Why Customers Care About Your Employer Brand (And Why You Should, Too)”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/why-employer-brand-matters

Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Create Great Candidate Experiences”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/how-to-create-great-candidate-experiences 

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Want to Improve Employee Experience? Follow These 4 Steps”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/how-to-define-measure-and-improve-your-employee-experience

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series:

https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community:

https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage:

https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-boyce616/

What does “No Tax on Overtime” mean for your employees?

With the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3), it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by what’s changing. Colleen Rynne, Senior Manager of Payroll Services Compliance at BambooHR, joins Vanessa Brulotte to help us make sense of the new provisions on tax deductions on overtime pay and tips. This is a must-listen for those in HR and payroll, or for anyone who wants to understand their tax returns going forward.

You'll learn how to prep for year-end reporting, what qualifies for deductions, and how to talk to employees about what’s changing.

Key takeaways:

• What “No Tax on Overtime” and “No Tax on Tips” really mean
• Why state taxes aren’t changing
• How to prepare for year-end reporting under OB3

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Colleen Rynne

(03:30) Who qualifies for deductions under OB3

(06:47) Why overtime deductions are more complex

(09:57) What counts as a qualified tip

(15:24) Year-end reporting and IRS guidance tips

(21:50) FSA changes and permanent tax credits



Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “What Are Payroll Taxes? A Guide to State and Federal Tax Withholding”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/payroll-taxes-guide 

Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Manage Employee W-2 Forms (And Go Paperless)”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/manage-employee-w2 

Read BambooHR’s blog, “5 Tax Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/tax-mistakes-to-avoid 

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Compliance Corner: Payroll Updates from Q2 2025”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/payroll-compliance-june-2025

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Colleen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colleen-rynne-2978b332/

AI is shaking up industries everywhere, including HR. But how much influence should technology have over the hiring process?

Nancy Boyce, Senior Employer Brand Manager at BambooHR, joins host Vanessa Brulotte to explore how companies are using AI in recruiting today. With 15 years of hiring expertise, Nancy reveals when AI can help recruiters work smarter and where the human touch is still essential. She also shares practical tips for using AI tools, spotting misuse, and creating a transparent AI hiring policy.

Key takeaways:

• Common misconceptions about AI in recruiting
• How to spot AI-generated responses in interviews
• Balancing efficiency and humanity in recruiting

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Nancy Boyce

(02:43) AI tools and processes that help recruiters

(08:51) Transparency of AI use in hiring

(11:57) Can AI conduct culture fit assessments?

(14:29) BambooHR's guide to ethical AI use for candidates

(18:57) Crafting your AI hiring policy

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Guide to HR Automation: Benefits, Examples, and How to Get Started”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/hr-automation

Read BambooHR’s blog, “HR Spotlight: What a Recruiter Really Thinks about AI, Talent Strategy, and More”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/hr-spotlight-recruiter 

Read BambooHR’s blog, “AI in HR: Using Technology to Focus on People”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/ai-hr

Read BambooHR’s blog, “15+ Innovative Ways to Use AI in HR”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/chatgpt-prompts-for-hr

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Nancy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancy-boyce616

HR was always meant to be a strategic partner to businesses, but it’s not always recognized that way.

In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Amy Mencarelli, Senior Director of People and Culture at Bloomerang, about how HR professionals can position themselves as key decision-makers by using data in meaningful, business-focused ways. Amy shares practical advice on how to track metrics and tell stories that spark action, presenting HR insights in a way leaders can use. 

Key takeaways:

• Tips for storytelling with data, not just reporting it
• Why partnering with finance and IT elevates HR’s impact
• Free and creative ways to build influence without a budget

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Amy Mencarelli

(03:01) The mindset shift HR leadership needs

(09:28) Volunteering and networking for career growth

(15:02) Leveraging data and metrics in HR

(18:37) Working with a limited budget in HR

(22:00) Collaboration with AI, IT, and finance for HR analytics

(27:06) How to refine your storytelling and presentation skills

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “7 of the Most Useful HR Reports, According to HR Pros”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/most-useful-hr-reports-new-users

Read BambooHR’s blog, “The 29 Most Important HR Metrics You Need to Track”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/key-hr-metrics

Download BambooHR’s guide, “How to Analyze Data That Measures HR Impact: Free HR Report Checklist”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/analyze-data-hr-report-template

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amymencarelli/

Perks and benefits are nice, but they aren’t enough to retain the best talent. According to Jon Franko, co-founder of Gorilla 76, employees want transparency, growth opportunities, and a culture that supports their lives outside of work. 

In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Jon about how building a culture based on core values and empathy can drive stronger employee retention. Jon shares how his Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnosis shaped his approach to supporting his team. 

Key takeaways:

• How to create a workplace people don’t want to leave
• Strategies for building high-trust environments at work
• Why HR can steer the organization in the right direction

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Jon Franko

(03:13) The MS diagnosis that changed Jon’s leadership perspective

(05:00) Hire people better than you

(08:41) How Gorilla 76 encourages people to give back

(13:53) Transparency that attracts top talent

(17:00) Evaluating the impact of your benefits package

(21:59) Retention and engagement metrics to track

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “5 Powerful Benefits of Transparency in Business”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/creating-transparency-in-workplace

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Perks At Work: What Benefits Make Your Employees Happy?”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/creative-benefit-ideas

Download BambooHR’s guide, “Learn How to Retain Top Talent in 2025”: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/ebooks/definitive-guide-to-employee-retention

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Jon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonfranko/

Learn more about Gorilla 76: https://www.gorilla76.com/

Building a sense of belonging at work starts with intentional effort. It’s shaped through consistent moments of connection, shared ownership, and a clear focus on community.

In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte sits down with Lee Rubin, Co-Founder and CEO of Confetti. They explore practical ways HR leaders can move beyond surface-level engagement and create a stronger culture. Lee shares how to simplify employee participation, support managers in leading culture, and use feedback to show real impact.

Key takeaways:

• How to design engagement that feels personal
• Why culture should be owned beyond HR
• Ways to show the business value of connection

Key topics:

(01:12) Introducing Lee Rubin

(02:41) Common mistakes in engagement strategy

(05:03) Rebranding engagement as true belonging

(10:26) Revamping engagement ideas for established companies

(13:25) Virtual events that build connection

(17:19) Connecting burnout to a lack of engagement

(21:00) Securing leadership buy-in for engagement

(25:08) How better engagement drives business success

(29:49) Redefining success for employee programs

(32:21) Advice for building a more connected workplace

Key links:

Download BambooHR’s guide, “Discover the 10 Best Ways to Measure Employee Engagement”:

https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/ebooks/how-to-measure-employee-engagement

Download BambooHR’s guide, “Are You Experiencing HR Burnout? Know the Signs”:

https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/ebooks/hr-burnout

Download BambooHR’s guide, “HR Company Culture Checklist”:

https://www.bamboohr.com/pl-pages/company-culture-checklist

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community:

https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage:

https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Lee on LinkedIn: 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rubinl/ 

Learn more about Confetti:

https://www.withconfetti.com/

Words carry weight, and genuine appreciation goes a long way in making people feel valued and motivated.

In this replay episode, BambooHR’s Anita Grantham and Vanessa Brulotte chat with Trevor Larson, CEO at Nectar. They discuss how thoughtful recognition fuels employee engagement and helps retain your best talent. Together, they share simple ways to start a recognition program and how to make recognition a natural part of an organization’s culture.

Key takeaways:

• How recognition influences productivity and performance
• Why executive buy-in drives recognition program success
• What your employee recognition program should include

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Trevor Larson

(02:34) The power of employee recognition 

(07:57) How recognition reduces turnover 

(13:28) Common challenges in implementing recognition programs

(18:23) Recognition 1.0 vs. 2.0

(22:05) Getting the executive team to prioritize recognition

(27:08) How to show appreciation for remote teams

(30:23) Making recognition a consistent habit

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “5 Simple Ways to Make Employee Recognition More Meaningful”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/meaningful-employee-recognition

Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Celebrate Success: 20+ Creative Employee Recognition Ideas”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/employee-recognition-ideas

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Trevor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trevordegnlarson/

Hiring the right people isn’t about luck or gut feelings. It starts with a clear, consistent process and a solid understanding of what success looks like in each role. 

In this episode, Vanessa Brulotte talks with Jonathan D. Reynolds, CEO of Titus Talent Strategies. They discuss why most hiring efforts fall short and how to define measurable outcomes before bringing someone on board. Jonathan also explains why accountability after the hire matters. 

Key takeaways:

• Why your hiring strategies might not be working
• The importance of an objective hiring process
• How to address underperformance promptly and fairly

Key topics:

(00:00) Introducing Jonathan Reynolds

(04:03) Common hiring mistakes companies make

(09:45) The head, heart, and briefcase approach 

(16:23) Who should be accountable for the success of new hires? 

(21:45) Importance of onboarding and integration in helping employees become successful 

(27:56) Setting clear expectations for success

(32:00) Handling underperformance and difficult decisions

(34:25) Define and quantify every role

(36:45) Embracing AI while maintaining human connection

Key links:

Read BambooHR’s blog, “How to Build Candidate Profiles for Better Job Descriptions”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/candidate-profiles

Read BambooHR’s blog, “Recruit Better Candidates with These Outside-the-Box Ideas”: https://www.bamboohr.com/blog/creative-recruitment-ideas

Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/

Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQw

BambooHR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Connect with Jonathan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanreynolds/ 

Read Jonathan’s Book, Right Seats, Right People: A Leader's Guide to Hiring and Developing Top Performers: https://www.amazon.com/Right-Seats-People-Developing-Performers/dp/1642256404 

Learn more about Titus Talent Strategies: https://www.titustalent.com/