It's About Payroll

In this episode of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walt sit down with Trista Yerkich-Faul, an 18-year Certified Payroll Professional and former Workday HCM consultant with deep expertise bridging payroll operations and HR technology . Trista breaks down one of the industry’s biggest misconceptions: that Workday is only for large enterprises. She explains how Workday Go, a streamlined deployment methodology, now enables small and midsize businesses to go live in as little as 60 days at roughly 10–15% of historical deployment costs .

She also reveals why 25% of companies switch payroll providers every year, often due to poor service and tech fatigue, and how Workday’s single-code-line architecture eliminates file transfers, manual prorations, and reconciliation headaches that plague other systems . Trista highlights plug-and-play package solutions—like the Payroll Transparency Dashboard, which can reduce HR ticket volume by up to 60%—making Workday even more accessible for lean teams .

Listeners walk away with a clear picture of how Workday supports growth, reduces prep time from days to hours, and provides long-term stability that helps businesses avoid repeated system overhauls.

Welcome to a special reposting of Episode 89! In this inspiring conversation, we sit down with the incredible Tabitha Brown—America’s mom, actress, author, and social media sensation.

Tabitha shares her journey from humble beginnings in Eden, North Carolina, to becoming a beacon of positivity, wellness, and authenticity for millions.

In this episode, Tabitha opens up about:

- The importance of trust and transparency in business and life.

- How she manages her finances and empowers her team.

- Lessons learned from her family and her rise to success.

- The value of budgeting, giving, and staying true to yourself.

- Navigating the entertainment industry and supporting the next generation.

Whether you’re here for motivation, business insights, or just some good vibes, Tabitha’s wisdom and warmth will leave you inspired.

Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more amazing conversations!

https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll

https://youtu.be/FFwa_Cork8E

In this episode of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan sit down with industry powerhouse Jenny Lee, a seasoned payroll and HCM expert known for driving transformation through process optimization and collaboration. Jenny shares her journey from hands-on practitioner to strategic leader, revealing what truly makes a payroll implementation succeed—or fail.

From the debate between best-in-breed vs. all-in-one systems to the common pitfalls of joining midstream projects, Jenny emphasizes the importance of communication, stakeholder engagement, and post-go-live accuracy. The trio also explores how AI and automation are reshaping the field, but not replacing the human expertise required for compliance and quality.

Witty, insightful, and refreshingly candid, this episode gives listeners an insider’s view into the evolving payroll landscape and the mindset it takes to thrive. Whether you’re a payroll veteran or new to the profession, Jenny’s advice will leave you inspired to lead smarter and implement better.

Join us for an inspiring episode of "It's About Payroll" as we sit down with Aron Alexander, founder and CEO of Runa, the company reimagining how money moves across the globe. Discover how Aron’s journey from helping out in his family’s retail business led to building one of the most innovative payment infrastructures in the world.

In this episode, we dive into:

The evolution of Runa from WeGift and the power of rebranding

How Runa is transforming payroll, rewards, and global payouts for businesses and gig workers

The challenges and opportunities of building a global payment network

Trends in payment preferences for independent workers and businesses

Lessons in resilience, leadership, and scaling a startup—even through near-death moments

The importance of purpose, people, and product in startup success

Aron’s unique background as a paratrooper and how it shaped his leadership style

Whether you’re interested in FinTech, payroll innovation, or entrepreneurial journeys, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration.

Links:🔗 Learn more about Runa: https://runa.com📧 Contact Aron: [email protected]://bizky.ai/blog/the-future-of-global-payroll-trends-to-watch-in-2026/ https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/tax-pros-anxiously-await-guidance-on-new-overtime-deduction/?elq_mid=73157&elq_cid=56659880&elq_ename=CP-Newsstand-Newsletter-Template-2025%20October%2030&cid=NA&email=brian%40payrolluniverse.com&sfdccampaignid=NA&chl=Em&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eloqua&utm_campaign=30%20October%202025%20Checkpoint-Newsstand-Newsletter&utm_content=NA https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll, itsaboutpayroll.io Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on the future of payroll and business innovation!

#payroll #fintech #entrepreneurship #Runa #podcast #businessinnovation

In this Season 14 Review of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan reflect on one of their most dynamic seasons yet—packed with powerhouse guests, innovation talk, and real-world payroll insights. They open by reframing mindset and language, stressing how positivity and intentional speech shape success. The duo then dives into financial fitness for payroll pros, revealing practical ways to cut costs—like reducing check shipping and optimizing onboarding for direct deposits.

The conversation shifts to the growing role of AI in payroll, sparked by a Paycom ad and expanded into deeper questions about automation, auditing, and the evolving role of payroll professionals. They also review a “Layoff Survival Guide” from Newsday, offering tangible advice on preparedness, emotional recovery, and resilience in uncertain times. Wrapping up, Brian and Walt celebrate their guest lineup—from global leaders like Max van der Klis-Busink and Kira Rubiano to payroll innovators redefining the profession. This is a motivating, future-focused reflection designed to inspire every payroll pro to grow, adapt, and lead.

Join us for an inspiring episode of "It's About Payroll" as we sit down with Troy Markusson, a seasoned payroll leader and mentor, to discuss the future of payroll and how to attract the next generation of professionals to this essential field.

In this episode, Troy shares his journey from college intern to payroll innovator, his passion for making payroll "cool," and the importance of purpose, compassion, and curiosity in building a successful payroll career. We dive into the biggest changes in payroll, the skills that matter most today, and how technology and mentorship are shaping the industry.

Whether you're a payroll veteran, new to the field, or just curious about what makes payroll so impactful, this conversation is packed with insights, real-world stories, and practical advice for anyone looking to grow in their career.

https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll,  

itsaboutpayroll.io 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-markusson/

In Episode 179 of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan III sit down with Jim Kohl, a payroll leader whose career bridges compliance, creativity, and comic-book storytelling. Jim shares his origin story—from English major and stand-up comic to Paychex trainee and, eventually, one of the first employees at Check Technologies, where he helped pioneer embedded payroll. Together they explore how this new model integrates gross-to-net calculations, tax filing, and payouts directly into SaaS platforms—redefining what it means to “run payroll.”

The trio also dive into current payroll news, from the IRS furlough to a shocking comic-book restoration scandal and a 75,000-ghost-employee fraud in Zimbabwe. Jim’s perspective blends humor with hard lessons about compliance, community, and building teams from the ground up. Whether you’re a payroll veteran or new to the field, this episode shows why payroll isn’t just numbers—it’s people, process, and passion.

🚨 Is the tip system broken? 🚨

Global payroll leader Kira Rubiano returns to It’s About Payroll—but this time, the conversation goes far beyond payroll. Kira opens up about her courageous battle with breast cancer, her path to remission, and the lessons she’s bringing back into leadership, consulting, and community. From early detection to empathetic leadership, this episode blends professional insights with powerful personal resilience. A must-listen for payroll pros, HR leaders, and anyone seeking inspiration.