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By WRKdefined
The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.
In this episode, we tackle key topics shaping work and HR, including meditation, sex discrimination lawsuits, layoffs, Amazon’s remote work policies, telehealth innovations, child labor violations, job postings, and AI’s role in gamifying training. Plus, we unpack career aspirations from a youth perspective and shifting workforce dynamics.
Key Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 The Challenge of Meditation and Mindfulness
02:55 HR Truths from Reddit: Insights and Realities
05:56 Sex Discrimination Lawsuit: A Case Study
09:03 The Shift to Remote Work: Positive Trends
12:02 Investor Conflicts: The Workhuman Case
14:56 Work-Life Balance: A Global Perspective
17:59 Layoffs and Restructuring: Maven Clinic's Moves
21:03 Amazon's Controversial Work from Home Policy
23:57 Child Labor Violations: Smithfield Foods' Settlement
26:45 Citadel's Stance on Fake Job Postings
29:55 Overtime Rule Changes: Texas Court Ruling
33:05 Acquisitions in HR Tech: B-Swift and Seek
34:59 Youth Perspectives on Careers and Mental Health
40:04 Workforce Trends and Job Market Dynamics
44:59 Funding Innovations in Workforce Development
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
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The world of work is in flux. This episode dives deep into why big conferences are out and targeted gatherings are in, with a focus on driving genuine connections and actionable value. We don’t stop there—Boeing’s controversial DEI moves, job market uncertainties, and recent business acquisitions are all on the table. We’re calling out major corporate shifts, from the evolving language of diversity to the mounting legal recognition for gig workers. The take? It’s time to rethink how we invest in events, engage employees, and respond to the ever-changing job market.
In this episode, we look at HR tech, budget cuts, events strategy, diversity initiatives, job market trends, gig economy shifts, workplace culture, employee recognition, corporate acquisitions, skills-based hiring, generational workplace differences, and new funding paths for workforce innovation.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Kicking it off
03:02 Reflections on Recent Events and Elections
06:01 Trends in Conference Attendance and Budgeting
09:03 The Shift in Event Goals and ROI
12:04 Content Quality and Engagement at Events
15:00 Future of Events: Smaller Gatherings and User Conferences
19:19 The Value of Learning at Events
22:16 Shifting Event Landscapes and Marketing Strategies
23:58 The Importance of Recognition in HR Tech
24:15 Boeing's Controversial Decisions
26:06 Job Market Trends and Economic Indicators
28:19 The Evolving Language of Diversity and Inclusion
30:39 Gig Economy and Employment Classifications
34:00 Challenges Faced by Librarians Today
37:53 The Joy of Reading and Book Recommendations
39:54 Historical Discrimination and Legal Battles
43:11 Corporate Culture and Employee Engagement
46:47 Healthcare Challenges and Innovations
51:01 Strikes and Employee Rights
54:25 Diversity in Hiring Practices
56:54 Acquisitions and Business Growth
57:11 Salesforce's Strategic Acquisition
01:00:00 First Advantage and Sterling Check Merger
01:01:25 The Workhorse Mentality in the Workplace
01:08:15 Funding Innovations in the Workforce
01:11:20 Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Kate Achille: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katieachille/
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
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The 'sober curious' trend is reshaping social norms, while AI tools like LinkedIn's hiring assistant are transforming recruitment. We’re tackling tribal employment rights, political impacts on hiring, and the generational shift in workplace expectations, from DEI demands to innovative benefits that boost retention.
In this episode, we look at AI hiring tools, DEI, Gen Z workplace behavior, recruitment technology, employee benefits, workplace religion, and mental health, diving into the HR trends shaping today’s workforce.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Teleprompter Troubles
02:57 Sober Curious: A New Perspective on Alcohol
06:07 Tribal Employment Rights and Heritage Recognition
08:53 AI in Search: The New Era of Information Retrieval
12:02 LinkedIn's AI-Powered Hiring Assistant
17:58 The Impact of Politics on Recruitment Strategies
22:46 Religious Accommodations in the Workplace
27:03 Generational Challenges in the Workplace
29:03 Innovative Childcare Solutions at Walmart
31:59 Google's Death Benefits and Employee Support
34:06 Recent Acquisitions in Workforce Management
36:57 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Insights
40:02 Talent Acquisition Trends for 2025
44:02 Job Seekers' Concerns on DEI
47:20 Gen Z's Workplace Expectations and Burnout
51:01 Recognition and Employee Experience
52:15 Funding Trends in HR Tech
55:14 Innovations in Learning and Mental Health
01:03:15 AI and Productivity Tools
Connect with us here:
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
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Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Toxic positivity, union trends, and cringe-worthy LinkedIn posts are shaping today’s HR landscape. We explore top challenges in employee engagement, changing leadership roles, and AI’s growing role in monitoring. Discover what it means for workplace culture, leadership, and future workforce trends.
In this episode, we look at Toxic Positivity, Union Trends, LinkedIn Culture, HR Leadership, AI Monitoring, Workplace Violence, Remote Work, Discrimination, and Employee Engagement—spotlighting how these factors reshape workforce management, training, and employee sentiment.
Key TakeawaysChapters
00:00 Kicking it off - what is WRKdefined up to?
02:58 Toxic Positivity and Glossing Over Issues
06:04 Union Trends and Employee Engagement
08:57 Cringe Culture on LinkedIn
12:02 HR Leadership Changes in Major Companies
14:58 Workplace Violence and Firearm Policies
17:59 AI Monitoring in the Workplace
21:00 CEO Perspectives on Remote Work
23:59 Hooters and Allegations of Discrimination
27:00 EY's Strict Policies on Training Attendance
29:27 Strategic Acquisitions in Business
34:21 Innovations in Workforce Management
37:15 Balancing Human and Tech Skills
39:22 Trust in Leadership and Employee Sentiment
43:39 Shifts in Employment Preferences
46:43 Investment Trends in Workforce Solutions
50:24 Recruitment Trends and AI Integration
52:25 Funding and Financial Strategies for Startups
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
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Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Q3 saw a staggering $2.6 billion invested in Work Tech, alongside impactful M&A deals and rising AI trends. We dive into Workday’s UNTAPPED documentary, Walgreens’ game-changing student loan 401(k) match, and SHRM’s major acquisition, reshaping corporate diversity and inclusion initiatives across industries.
In this episode, we look at HR trends, Work Tech investments, AI-driven HR tools, Talent Acquisition strategies, Diversity & Inclusion, layoffs, hybrid work preferences, and future workplace strategies. We discuss key developments shaping the HR landscape and how these innovations will impact the future of work.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Weekend Recap
02:58 Documentary Spotlight: Untapped by Workday
05:57 Walgreens' Innovative 401K Match for Student Loans
09:01 Work Tech Investment Trends
12:00 Legal Insights: Layoffs During Medical Leave
14:55 The Role of Immigrant Workers in Workforce Growth
17:59 TopTal's Layoffs and the Freelance Economy
20:51 Hybrid Work: Pay Raises vs. Flexibility
23:58 Chatbots and Workplace Civility
26:53 Acquisitions and SHRM's New Direction
30:07 Research Findings on New Graduates' Professionalism
30:34 The Importance of Etiquette Training for New Graduates
36:53 Digital Twins: The Future of Work
40:03 Evolving Definitions of Tech Talent
44:37 Hiring Challenges in the Fast-Paced Job Market
48:29 Addressing Menopause in the Workplace
50:28 Innovations in HR Tech Funding
53:03 AI in Sales Training and Role-Playing
56:26 Advancements in Accessibility Technology
58:40 Modern Payroll Solutions for a Diverse Workforce
Connect with us here:
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok
Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week we explore key developments shaping the modern workplace, from RTO shifts at Dell and Spotify to Vimeo’s strategic rebrand under a new CMO. The episode delves into Home Depot’s innovative employee engagement, Mr. Beast’s acquisition of Vouch and the competitive tension between Indeed and ZipRecruiter. The discussion also highlights the economic toll of mental health, the impact of tax credits for 529 accounts as an emerging benefit, and the influence of AI acquisitions on HR innovation and leadership dynamics.
In this episode, the conversation covers AI boss, RTO, acquisitions, employee experience, mental health, political polarization, and funding, offering insights into the trends driving the future of work and the digital transformation of HR.
Key TakeawaysConnect with us here:
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok
Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We explore some of the biggest challenges facing today's workplace, from burner jobs and menopause to Google's stunning $2.7 billion rehire and Eric Schmidt's candid comments. AI is at the forefront, reshaping how companies like Udemy train their employees and how corporate secrets are protected.
In this episode we look at family dynamics, Eric Schmidt, AI, workplace trends, burner jobs, corporate acquisitions, healthcare innovations, and how they’re all transforming the future of work.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Weekend Adventures and Family Dynamics
04:59 Reflections on Eric Schmidt's Stanford Talk
10:02 Google's $2.7 Billion Rehire and AI Innovations
15:11 Udemy's AI Training Controversy
20:00 The Rise of Burner Jobs in the Workforce
24:58 Menopause in the Workplace: A Growing Concern
29:56 AI Assistants and Workplace Secrets
35:02 Corporate Acquisitions and Learning Technologies
40:01 Funding Trends in Tech Startups
44:59 Niche Benefits and Healthcare Innovations
Connect with us here:
William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/
Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok
Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We talk about it all, from OpenAI hitting 11 million paid subscribers to Amazon's controversial return-to-office mandate. We explore how AI-assisted recruiting is empowering small businesses, discuss Boeing's executive furloughs amid strikes, and question whether meetings are killing productivity.
In this episode we look at HR Tech, OpenAI, Return to Office, AI Recruiting, Employee Engagement, Cybersecurity, and the Future of Work.
Key Takeaways:
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Light Banter
06:59 Upcoming Events and Networking Opportunities
09:58 Return to Office Policies and Employee Sentiment
12:01 OpenAI's Subscriber Growth and Market Impact
14:03 Boeing's Executive Furloughs Amid Strikes
15:57 William's Story: Creative Solutions in Retail
18:59 New York City's Employer Wall of Shame
21:00 Mr. Beast's HR Manifesto
25:03 Dan Finnegan's Appointment at Emborder
27:10 Acquisitions in the Labor Analytics Space
31:00 Salesforce's AI Personas Research
32:59 Meeting Overload and Employee Burnout
36:54 iSoft's Champions of Change Report
39:04 Best States for Teachers
41:01 Funding News: Safety Culture and Cyber Protection
42:59 HR One's Pre-Series B Funding
45:05 Mercor's AI Hiring Solutions
49:01 Sensia's Partnership with Workday
51:58 Black Cloak's Cyber Protection for Executives
54:04 Become Dot One's Employee Benefits Initiative
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
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Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
We dive into how AI jobs are clustered in major tech hubs, Bank of America's minimum wage hike, and the growing layoffs in the gaming sector. We don't shy away from the big issues, like Microsoft's diversity push, panic button mandates for retail, and FedEx's controversial healing policy.
In this episode we look at AI jobs, Bank of America, layoffs, Disney benefits, Microsoft diversity, employee tracking, staffing acquisitions, and the critical impact they all have on the HR tech landscape.
Key Takeaways:Chapters
00:00 Kicking off the BARF
03:40 AI Job Concentration in Major Cities
07:24 Layoffs in the Gaming Industry
09:09 Changes in Disney's Tuition Benefits
11:19 Microsoft's Diversity Efforts in AI
15:52 FedEx's 100% Healed Policy Controversy
18:23 PWC's Employee Tracking Policy
20:46 Discrimination in Dallas Barber School
25:50 Research on Workforce Readiness Gap
30:56 Politics and Workplace Discussions
34:42 Layoffs and Employee Stress
38:48 Funding News and Company Acquisitions
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
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Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode, we tackle a whirlwind of HR headlines, from hotel workers striking to Amazon being named a joint employer. We also dive into Ford scaling back diversity, Aldi’s big employee perks, and why humanities degrees and 'faux-ductivity' are reshaping how we think about talent.
We look at labor, employment, diversity, strike, pay, benefits, joint employer, and HR tech acquisitions. We break down what these shifts mean for HR professionals and how they impact future hiring practices and workplace culture.
Key Takeaways
Chapters
00:00 Lets Kick it off
02:21 Hotel Workers Strike
04:29 Aldi Raises Pay and Benefits
09:11 Amazon as Joint Employer
13:20 Volkswagen Workers Protest
14:37 Staffing Agency Settles Discrimination Lawsuit
17:19 Ford Scales Back Diversity and Inclusion Policies
18:45 Prevalence of Spam Emails
20:17 Acquisitions in the HR Tech Space
24:06 Challenges of Hiring Recent College Graduates
27:11 The Prevalence of 'Faux-ductivity' in the Workplace
31:41 The Importance of Humanities Degrees
33:50 Funding News in the HR Tech Industry
Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network
The Site | Substack | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Facebook | TikTok
Share your brand across the WRKdefined Podcast Network
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The podcast currently has 36 episodes available.