A 6-time award-winning keynote speaker Meredith Breitstein tours the world encouraging leaders to step into their destiny, walk through fear, and SHINE by finding their courage. She specializes in helping teams, and her audiences speak up, stand out, and command a room with their presence. After coaching thousands of leaders she has learned there are 5 steps all of us can take to level UP and start right away. In her most requested Keynote Meredith teaches her 5-step framework

In Meredith's TEDx talk "Don't waste a minute, shine RIGHT NOW" she inspires her audiences to take fast, committed action to show up powerfully so they can SHINE after adversity. She is frequently hired as a Motivational Speaker, Emcee, and a Leadership Trainer for organizations to help leaders and teams standout and SHINE. She loves teaching clients how to level up their courage to power up their

Guest:

Meredith Breitstein | Motivational Keynote Speaker, Master Leadership Trainer, TV Talk Show Host  | https://www.linkedin.com/in/themeredithshow/

Contact info:  

Hosts:

Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/

Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Rick Rittmaster is a Leadership and Talent Development expert who leads the Leadership Solutions practice at Strategic Talent Partners and is a Co-Founder at Groveland Leadership. With over a decade of experience partnering with CEOs and senior executives, he helps organizations enhance leadership capability and drive sustainable growth.

Rick is known for his unique ability to make complex leadership strategies attainable and actionable. He designs practical solutions that not only address the root causes of leadership challenges but also resonate across organizations, bringing leadership development to broader audiences.

He holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology and has spent more than 10 years in Talent Management roles with companies including UnitedHealth, MTS Systems, and Starkey Hearing Technologies. Rick regularly presents at national leadership conferences, webinars, and industry panels, sharing insights on leadership development, organizational effectiveness, and talent strategy.

Guest:

Rick Rittmaster | Leadership & Talent Development Expert at Strategic Talent Partners, and Co-Founder at Groveland Leadership | linkedin.com/in/richardrittmaster

Contact info:  

Hosts:

Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Heather Polivka helps leaders create workplaces where people thrive, great talent stays, and businesses grow. Whether clients are responding to a changing talent market, fueling high growth, or navigating accelerated change, Heather guides leaders to cultivate a way of working that fuels their business and empowers their people. She has been doing that for more than two decades at companies of all sizes.

Her journey includes leadership roles at major brands such as Target—where she spent a decade in product management and development—and the Lenox Group, where she served as Managing Director of Product Marketing, honing her expertise in consumer behavior and brand strategy.

Guest:

Heather Polivka | Founder & CEO of Awesome People Leaders | https://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherpolivka/

Contact info:  

Hosts:

Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Lena Scullard and Becky Lauseng welcomed employment attorney Kate Bischoff to discuss employee handbooks, which she defined as documents setting expectations and guidance distinct from tactical policy manuals. Kate advised that HR should determine the handbook's tone to match the company culture, use the document to drive cultural change, and review the handbook annually, ideally from back to front and through the perspective of an employee needing guidance.

Key recommendations included ensuring harassment and essential EEO policies are prominently featured, avoiding broad off-the-clock conduct language, and keeping the handbook concise (less than 35 pages) by removing specific policy details like employment classifications, lengthy discipline policies, and temporary trend topics like returning to the office.

Guest:

Kate Bischoff | Employee Attorney & HR Professional | https://www.linkedin.com/in/k8bisch

Resources:

Website: http://www.k8bisch.com

Kate's LinkedIn Learning Session on Employee Handbooks: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/human-resources-creating-an-employee-handbook-26129200

Email: [email protected]

Hosts:

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Eric Harkins is the President and Founder of GKG Search & Outplacement, a Minneapolis-based consulting firm that helps organizations Get, Keep & Grow talent. He is also an Amazon #1 best-selling author of: Great Leaders Make Sure Monday Morning Doesn’t Suck.

His goal is simple: Help every company he works with make sure Monday morning doesn’t suck for their employees. Eric is a motivational speaker, consultant, executive-coach, and an expert in helping companies create a culture high performers want to be a part of. 

During his 25-year career in corporate America, Eric held leadership roles ranging from Manager to Chief Human Resources and Chief Administrative Officer. 

Guest:

Eric Harkins | President and Founder of GKG Search & Outplacement | https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-harkins-3144296/

Resources:

https://ericharkins.com

https://www.amazon.com/Great-Leaders-Monday-Morning-Doesnt/dp/1950863832/

Hosts:

Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Tiffany McDaniel, an Absence Consultant at Brown and Brown, explained the new Minnesota paid leave program, which takes effect on January 1st. Tiffany explained that employees are eligible for up to 20 weeks of paid time off with job and benefit protection for various reasons, including caring for a family member, bonding with a child, or their own serious health condition.

Tiffany McDaniel also clarified employer options for administering the program, communication requirements, and eligibility for different family structures, including fostering, adoption, and surrogacy, addressing concerns raised by Becky Lauseng and Lena Scullard. The main talking points were program eligibility, employer responsibilities, and specific provisions for new parents and diverse family definitions.

Guest:

Tiffany McDaniel: Absence Consultant at Brown & Brown

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-mcdaniel-clms-790394205

Resources: https://paidleave.mn.gov/

Hosts:

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Becky Lauseng and Jay Olson introduced Keynote Speaker, Janice Litvin, who defined burnout as chronic, unmanaged work leading to complete mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion, impacting organizational productivity and employee retention. Janice emphasized that individual awareness, effective managerial support, setting boundaries, and a top-down culture of well-being are crucial in preventing burnout. Her final message was to "know yourself and know your people," encouraging connection with professional communities.

Janice Litvin, Founder of Banish Burnout Academy, is a keynote speaker, author, and workplace wellness consultant who helps organizations prevent burnout and build thriving teams. With a career spanning software consulting, tech recruiting, and workplace well-being, Janice knows what it takes to keep people engaged and motivated under pressure. She is the author of Banish Organizational Burnout: 26 Tips for Managers and Banish Burnout Toolkit.

Known for her interactive, high-energy style, Janice equips leaders and managers with practical tools to strengthen culture, coach with emotional intelligence, and help employees stay in the game. Her sessions inspire teams to move from stress to success—boosting retention, productivity, and morale.

Guest:

Janice Litvin | Founder of Banish Burnout Academy | https://www.linkedin.com/in/janicelitvin

Resources:

Free Banish Organizational Burnout: 26 Tips for Managers is available at: https://janicelitvin.com/resources-book/

The Burnout Cycle Self-Check is available at: https://janicelitvin.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Burnout-Cycle-Self-Check-Janice-Litvin-Banish-Burnout-Academy.pdf

Hosts:

Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

In this episode, we talk with J.P. Paul, Vice President of Stadium Operations for the Minnesota Vikings, now in his 23rd season with the team. J.P. has been instrumental in creating world-class game day experiences for fans, leading initiatives in food service, crowd management, and facility operations at U.S. Bank Stadium. He also plays a key role in shaping the future of TCO Stadium at Viking Lakes, driving community-focused growth and innovative events.

Best known for building the Vikings’ award-winning Guest and Premium Experience teams, J.P. was a driving force behind the team’s #1 ranking in the NFL’s 2024 Voice of the Fan survey. He also helped design the Vikings’ signature SKOL Service initiative, setting the gold standard for fan engagement and hospitality across the league.

Beyond the gridiron, J.P. lends his leadership to the InSports Foundation, supporting youth access to athletics, and recently completed six years of service on the NFL Guest Experience Committee. In this conversation, he shares insights on leadership, building unforgettable experiences, and the importance of community both inside and outside the stadium.

Guest:

J.P. Paul | Vice President of Stadium Operations for Minnesota Vikings | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jppaul29/

J.P.'s Game Day Vision - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-vision-game-day-j-p-paul/?trackingId=ZbrTG6onSky%2BHPrWrvYYTQ%3D%3D

Hosts:

Jay Olson | Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/

Lena Scullard | Professional Speaker, Facilitator, Program Designer, and Consultant | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Becky Lauseng introduced Jay Olson and Lena Scullard as the new co-hosts for the "What the HR podcast," with both new co-hosts expressing enthusiasm for joining and engaging with the TCSHRM community. Jay Olson and Lena Scullard shared their non-traditional career paths into HR/Talent, their personal hobbies and passions, and their motivations for joining the podcast, with Lena Scullard aiming to maintain a strong professional network and utilize performance skills, and Jay Olson drawn to the opportunity by their natural curiosity and desire to learn.

Becky Lauseng, Lena Scullard, and Jay Olson all expressed a desire to challenge HR stereotypes, bringing more personality and openness to discussions about the complexities of HR, while also discussing the importance of regularly refreshing HR policies to consider the "spirit of the law" and adapt to current shifts like the "return to office" and the growing impact of AI in HR.

Jay serves as the Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic, bringing over 20 years of HR leadership and talent acquisition expertise. He is passionate about fostering success through collaboration and effective communication and is continually seeking innovative ways to enhance processes and outcomes.

Lena is a top-rated professional speaker, facilitator, program designer, and consultant. Lena Scullard is on a mission to help individuals and teams improve their confidence and sense of capability for achieving success.

Guest:

Jay Olson | Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic | https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/

Lena Scullard | Professional Speaker, Facilitator, Program Designer, and Consultant | https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/

Hosts:

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only. 

Kristen Brown is a Certified Speaking Professional, bestselling author, and interactive and funny keynote speaker and trainer who helps organizations unlock high-impact leadership, team engagement, and performance by harnessing the power of energy. With nearly two decades in corporate leadership and market research, she brings deep expertise in human behavior, workplace dynamics, and results-driven strategies that resonate with HR leaders and executive teams alike.

Through her signature 7 Energies of Results framework, Kristen equips organizations with actionable tools to elevate motivation, communication, and connection in today’s fast-changing world of work. She’s worked with Fortune 500 companies, government agencies, and forward-thinking HR teams to drive measurable business results, and she does it with humor, heart, and hard-hitting insight.

She’s been featured in Forbes, Psychology Today, Live with Kelly, and on major networks like CNN, FOX, and ABC, and when she’s not on stage, you’ll find her reading, traveling, or seeking the next tropical sunset!

Guest:

Kristen Brown, CSP | Keynote Speaker | Bestselling Author | Energy & Performance Expert

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenkbrown/

Hosts:

Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/

Kendra Q. Dodd - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendra-q-dodd/

INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email [email protected].

Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.

Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member

Attend a TCSHRM Event

Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners. 

© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.