Episodes - HR Happy Hour

Our shows

The HR Happy Hour Network is made up of the HR Happy Hour show, At Work in America, The Workplace Minute, H3 LIVE vlog, HR Means Business, The Play by Play, and System of Record.

All podcast episodes

You can listen to the latest shows here, or you can subscribe by searching for 'HR Happy Hour' on Apple Podcast, Stitcher Radio, Google Podcast, or your favorite podcast app.

What Would Actually Help a Working Caregiver?

When care plans break down, working caregivers need practical support like backup care and coordination. Steve Boese examines effective employer benefits, leave policies, and a simple test for evaluating caregiving programs.

Listen now

From 24 Hours to 30 Days: The Evolution of Black Friday

In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer explore how Black Friday has evolved from a one-day shopping event into a season of online deals, digital convenience, and changing consumer expectations.

Listen now

The Career Cost of Being a Caregiver

Turning down a single shift or assignment is often necessary, but over time, those choices compound into career costs. Steve Boese examines how employers can keep promotional pathways open for working caregivers.

Listen now

The Labor Market, AI, and the Path to Better Business Decisions

On the latest HR Happy Hour episode, Trish welcomes Joseph Mayans for a conversation about the economic forces shaping the labor market and what they mean for HR and business leaders.

Listen now

The Early Morning Call That Changes Your Workday

When a home-care visit is canceled, the scramble begins. For National Family Caregivers Month, Steve Boese examines the high-stakes reality of morning care emergencies and how workplace flexibility defines the outcome.

Listen now

The Hidden Cost of Cutting Employee Benefits

Major employers are reconsidering what they will fund in their benefits programs. Steve Boese examines Albertsons’ and Disney’s 2027 spouse-coverage restrictions, Deloitte’s reductions for certain internal support employees, and the 2026 withdrawal of weight-loss drug coverage at Starbucks, PepsiCo, and PwC. He explores the financial pressures, household consequences, retention and employer-brand risks, and whether escalating costs could strengthen business support for a broader government role in healthcare.

Listen now

Mervyn’s Take: Connecting the Trends Shaping Work

In this episode of HR Means Business, Mervyn brings together key insights from recent HR technology conferences, industry research, and conversations with workplace experts to explore the evolving relationship between AI, organizational culture, and workforce development.

Listen now

Can You Trust the Candidate? The New Hiring Fraud Challenge

From fabricated qualifications to interview stand-ins and stolen identities, candidate fraud is challenging how employers establish trust in hiring. Steve Boese examines recent research, explains why the threat has gained urgency, and explores responses from HCM tech providers like Oracle, SAP/SmartRecruiters, and iCIMS.

Listen now

When AI Changes How Experience Is Built: Trust, Data, and the Future of Work

On this episode of the HR Happy Hour, Trish Steed is joined by Michele Bodda of Experian Employer Services to explore how Experian is approaching some of the most consequential moments connecting employers, employees, consumers, and financial institutions.

Listen now

The AI Layoff Trap: Are Companies Cutting Too Far, Too Fast?

Steve examines the emerging evidence of AI’s impact on employment, particularly for younger workers, and explores the risks of cutting too deeply before organizations understand the consequences. From disappearing entry-level opportunities to employee burnout and lost institutional knowledge, this episode challenges HR leaders to take a more measured approach to AI-driven workforce transformation.

Listen now