ZRG Unscripted

In this episode, Dan Kaplan sits down with Paige Ross, Global Chief Human Resources Officer at Blackstone, as she approaches her 10-year anniversary with the firm. Ross reflects on her evolution as a leader and shares how understanding the business, embracing open debate, and leading with courage and humility have shaped her approach to building a world-class HR function.

The conversation explores Blackstone’s talent-driven culture, its emphasis on responsiveness, collaboration, and high standards, and how the firm develops leaders through hands-on experience. Ross also discusses the growing role of AI in HR and the workplace, explaining why she sees it as an opportunity rather than a threat—and why emotional intelligence, nuanced judgment, and human connection will become even more valuable as AI evolves.

Ross also shares lessons from her own career, including the importance of deeply understanding how a business operates, giving emerging HR leaders meaningful experience early, and continuously testing, learning, and adapting. It’s a candid conversation about leadership, culture, talent, and what it takes to build an organization that performs at the highest level without losing sight of the people behind it.

What does it look like to truly raise the talent bar in a 5,000-person, remote-first company at scale? In this episode, we sit down with LJ Brock, Chief People Officer at Coinbase, to unpack how one of the most talked-about talent models in tech is actually being run day to day.

Drawing on his background in recruiting, his leadership at Citadel, and his role in helping build Red Hat, LJ shares how Coinbase operationalizes talent density. From executives reviewing every hire to expectations that rise year over year, raising the bar becomes a real and sometimes uncomfortable responsibility for everyone.

We also explore how Coinbase approaches culture in a remote-first, not remote-only, world. LJ explains the role of hubs, surges, and intentional in-person moments, and why authenticity now matters more than any polished employer brand story.

Finally, the conversation dives into AI and the future of HR. Topics include AI-driven interviewing at massive scale, performance systems that surface real impact, and the hard questions around early-career talent in a world where entry-level work can be automated.

At the core of the episode is a clear belief. HR’s real job is helping companies navigate uncertainty with honesty, ambition, and a very high bar for talent. This episode is essential listening for CHROs, CEOs, talent leaders, and anyone leading people through rapid change.

Every few years, a leader comes along who quietly redefines a role. In this episode, that leader is Lauren Duprey, Chief Human Resource Officer at Decata, a $30B global biopharma company with 55,000 employees.

Lauren’s path to the CHRO seat defies convention. From studying genetics at Harvard to consulting at the intersection of science and business, she discovered that behind every commercial challenge was ultimately a people problem. What propelled her forward was not a traditional HR playbook, but apprenticeship, sponsorship, and the courage to step into roles before she felt fully ready.

Together, we explore why the best CHROs do not always come from traditional backgrounds, how internal succession works when it is built on trust and partnership, and how AI is fundamentally reshaping the role of HR itself. Lauren is among the first CHROs treating AI agents as part of the workforce, not tools, but teammates leaders must learn to plan for, develop, and lead alongside humans.

This is a conversation about what HR was, what it is, and what it is about to become, and what leadership looks like in a future defined by constant transformation.

What happens when one of the great HR leaders of a generation is told they aren't going to live to see their kids grow up? Our guest this week, Tim Huval, has lived through it, literally.

Dan Kaplan and Tim talk about how Tim's medical crisis reshaped his approach to work, family, and everything in his life.

You don't want to miss this conversation.

In this episode of Wake Up HR, Dan Kaplan interviews Christina Schelling, Senior Vice President and Chief Talent Officer at Verizon. Christina shares her unique career journey from the CIA to corporate HR, highlighting the lessons learned in predictive analytics, team dynamics, and the importance of mentorship. She discusses the challenges and strategies in navigating the return to office during the pandemic and the transformative role of AI in talent management at Verizon. Christina emphasizes the need for a human touch in the age of AI and the importance of leadership development in preparing for the future of work.

Summary

In this inaugural episode of Wake Up HR, Dan Kaplan interviews Kevin Cox, a seasoned HR leader, discussing the evolution of HR from its early days as 'Personnel' to its current strategic role in organizations. They explore the challenges faced by modern HR leaders, the importance of purpose in leadership, and the impact of AI on the future of HR. Kevin shares valuable lessons from his career, emphasizing the significance of feedback, personal development, and the role of HR in shaping company culture. The conversation highlights the need for HR to adapt and embrace change while maintaining a focus on talent and organizational effectiveness.