In this bold episode of The State of Work Today, I talk with Suzanne Lucas—better known as the Evil HR Lady—about the real state of modern HR. Suzanne doesn't hold back as we dig into where HR data fails, how AI is quietly reshaping hiring (and not always in good ways), and why storytelling and improv might be HR's most underused tools.

We also get real about the gender pay gap, leadership blind spots, and the danger of HR professionals making decisions based on gut, not evidence.

Whether you're in HR, lead a team, or just want to understand how the workplace is changing—this one will make you think.

Listen now!

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What if everything we’ve been taught about leadership is wrong?

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I’m joined by Mark C. Crowley—leadership visionary, bestselling author of Lead from the Heart, and host of one of the world’s top-ranked podcasts. Mark’s journey from a painful childhood to a career of award-winning leadership is more than inspiring—it’s a wake-up call.

We explore why fear-based management is failing us, how genuine care drives exceptional performance, and why “employee engagement” needs to be replaced with something far deeper: well-being. Mark shares the science, the story, and the stakes—and what every manager needs to hear now.

This conversation doesn’t just challenge the status quo. It shows you how to lead in a way that people won’t forget.

Listen now to rethink what leadership can and should be.

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In this episode of The State of Work Today, I talk with Felipe Pizarro about what makes the cooperative business model so unique—and how it changes the game in HR. Felipe shares his journey from ergonomics to executive leadership, what retail taught him about frontline engagement, and how North Central Co-op connects people, purpose, and performance. We dive into employee experience, succession planning, the power of listening, and why DEI is more than a metric—it's a commitment to community.

We also talk data, AI, and what the future of HR looks like when people strategy actually leads business strategy.

Listen now to learn how co-ops put people first—and why that’s smart business.

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In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Dana E. Sherwin, CEO and founder of Thinking Patient LLC. With more than 35 years of experience in healthcare leadership—and a deeply personal health journey—Dana shares why patient-physician communication is broken and how we can fix it.

We dive into how to prepare for medical appointments, what’s behind medication non-adherence, and how AI can empower patients to ask better questions. We also talk about the employer’s role in helping workers manage chronic conditions and the hidden ROI of investing in health benefits. Whether you're a patient, HR leader, or healthcare professional, this episode offers practical insight you won’t want to miss.

Listen now and learn how to become the CEO of your own health.

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What if your wellness program is solving the wrong problem? In this episode of State of Work Today, I sit down with Bob Merberg—consultant, content strategist, and publisher of the HeHo newsletter—to break down what real workplace well-being looks like. We dig into the limits of health apps and step challenges, and focus on what actually drives retention, productivity, and mental health: job design, autonomy, and organizational change. If you want to build a culture that actually supports your people, this conversation is where to start.

Listen now:

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In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Mark Mears — bestselling author, keynote speaker, and Chief Growth Officer of LEAF Growth Ventures — to talk about how leaders can go beyond managing tasks to building legacies.

We dig into Mark’s LEAF model — Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Fulfillment — and why purpose is the missing ingredient in so many workplaces today. He shares powerful insights on the cost of disengagement, the myth of work-life balance, and why companies must shift from transactional management to relational leadership.

If you’re a leader looking to create lasting impact, this conversation is for you.

Listen now and take the first step toward legacy leadership.

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In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Mark Mears — bestselling author, keynote speaker, and Chief Growth Officer of LEAF Growth Ventures — to talk about how leaders can go beyond managing tasks to building legacies.

We dig into Mark’s LEAF model — Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Fulfillment — and why purpose is the missing ingredient in so many workplaces today. He shares powerful insights on the cost of disengagement, the myth of work-life balance, and why companies must shift from transactional management to relational leadership.

If you’re a leader looking to create lasting impact, this conversation is for you.

Listen now and take the first step toward legacy leadership. Visit his website and take his free self assessment here.

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In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Andy Semotiuk—veteran immigration lawyer, Forbes contributor, and former UN correspondent. With over 40 years of experience and more than 10,000 clients helped, Andy unpacks the realities of U.S. and Canadian work visas, free trade immigration options, and the role immigration plays in closing critical labor gaps—especially in healthcare and tech. We dive into the TN visa under USMCA (or NAFTA), employer sponsorship, and the often-overlooked legal nuances that can make or break a cross-border move.

Whether you're a professional looking to work abroad or an HR leader trying to hire global talent, this episode will leave you smarter—and a little more confident.

—a practical guide to money, motivation, time, and balance for career starters.

Listen now and learn how borders can be bridges.

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On this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Jason Lerato, a transportation industry veteran who brings a rare and valuable perspective to HR—because he’s lived both behind the wheel and behind the desk.

With 20 years of hands-on experience as a long-haul driver, and a career in HR spanning recruiting, compliance, and workforce development, Jason knows what it takes to support and retain frontline workers.

We dive into the cultural shifts in Canadian trucking, the rise of tech-savvy new drivers, and how to lead with empathy in an industry often defined by isolation and pressure. Jason shares real stories, practical insights, and a leadership philosophy rooted in listening, honesty, and real human connection.

If you want to hear what true people-first leadership sounds like—this is the episode.

Listen now

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In this must-listen episode of The State of Work Today, I speak with Rebecca Reed, global workplace wellbeing expert and founder of Siendo, who reveals her remarkable journey from corporate banking to frontline mental health care.

Especially important this May and mental health awareness month in Canada, the US and the UK.

Discover why your organization might be missing critical early warning signs of employee stress, how the overlooked phenomenon of "rust-out" can be just as devastating as burnout, and practical leadership strategies that genuinely build psychological safety.

Rebecca presents compelling ROI data proving that neglecting mental health initiatives actually costs your business more than implementing effective wellbeing programs.

Listen now to transform how you approach mental health in your workplace and unlock the hidden performance potential of a truly supported team.

Bonus: Download Rebecca's exclusive Pressure-Performance Curve Management Tool: https://www.siendo.co.uk/pressure-performance-curve-management-tools/

Quick correction from Rebecca: Please note: Towards the end of the podcast I say, ‘the blood shifts to the amygdala’, but what I should have explained is that the amygdala becomes more active, hijacking the brain’s response system. It’s not about blood flow, but rather about neural activation and how the amygdala takes over in terms of brain activity.

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