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Whether you’re buried in paperwork or just looking for a break from the grind, we’ve got your back with HR Mixtape. Tune in each week to hear thought-provoking interviews with industry leaders, compliance tips, coffee chats with human resources trendsetters, and the latest HR-related news. It’s like nothing else out there: it’s the perfect mix of practical advice and stories that just hit different so that work doesn’t have to feel like...well...work!
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Meet the Host:
Shari Simpson, MBA, MHRM, SHRM-SCP
16+ years of experience as an HR professional, Shari Simpson brings a unique, veteran perspective to a range of topics, from training and development to talent acquisition and employee relations – many of which she dives into with other industry experts. When she’s not lending her voice there, she’s finding other ways to elevate HR, payroll, and business professionals in and outside of her day job by collaborating with other leaders and speaking at local and national conferences. Shari also co-leads a women’s employee resource group called SHEroes.
Find her on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter
Join the Conversation: thehrmixtape.com
Episodes
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Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Tuesday Nov 28, 2023
Stay updated on the ever-changing laws surrounding wage and hour litigation.
In this episode of the HR Mixtape podcast, host Shari Simpson interviews Kelly Dobbs Bunting, an experienced lawyer, to discuss proactive measures employers can take to prevent wage and hour litigation. Kelly emphasizes the importance of conducting audits to ensure compliance and suggests interviewing employees to create accurate job descriptions. She also highlights the need to understand both federal and state laws regarding wage and hour regulations.
Three key takeaways from this episode are:
- Conducting regular audits can help employers identify and address potential wage and hour issues.
- Understanding the duties and responsibilities of each job position is crucial for accurate classification of employees.
- Staying informed about changes in legislation and laws regarding independent contractors is essential to avoid misclassification claims.
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights and practical advice for HR professionals looking to navigate wage and hour regulations effectively.
Guest(s): Kelly Bunting, Labor & Employment Attorney, Greenberg Traurig, LLP

Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Curiosity: The Greatest Gift for Effective Leadership with Sarah Noll Wilson
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Tuesday Nov 21, 2023
Developing self-awareness and emotional regulation skills is essential for effective leadership.
In this episode of the HR Mixtape podcast, host Shari Simpson interviews Sarah Noll Wilson, an expert in leadership development. They discuss common challenges that HR professionals face when it comes to developing effective leadership skills. Sarah highlights the burnout and emotional fatigue experienced by HR professionals and emphasizes the importance of self-care. They also explore the trap of confusing knowing with doing and the need for HR professionals to practice what they teach.
Three key takeaways from this episode are:
- Curiosity is a core skill for effective leadership. Being curious allows leaders to understand different perspectives, embrace experimentation, and increase self-awareness.
- Developing first-time managers requires a holistic approach. HR professionals should include and invite as many team members as possible in leadership development opportunities to build essential skills throughout the organization.
- Conflict avoidance is harmful to organizational culture. Leaders should embrace difficult conversations and approach conflict as a conversation rather than a confrontation. Creating a culture where conflict is seen as an opportunity for growth and learning is crucial.
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights into developing leadership skills and overcoming common challenges faced by HR professionals. Listeners will gain practical tips for fostering curiosity, preparing first-time managers, and addressing conflict in the workplace.
Guest(s): Sarah Noll Wilson, CEO and Chief Edge Officer at Sarah Noll Wilson, Inc.

Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
Tuesday Nov 14, 2023
When companies embrace inclusive hiring practices, they benefit from highly motivated and engaged employees.
In this episode of the HR Mixtape podcast, host Shari Simpson interviews Jeff Korzenik, a chief economist and author, about the business case for hiring individuals with criminal records. They discuss the immediate benefits that companies are seeing when they adopt more inclusive hiring practices.
Three key takeaways from the episode are:
- Hiring individuals with criminal records can help address the labor shortage and deliver highly motivated, engaged, and loyal employees, leading to increased profitability.
- One common misconception is painting this population with a broad brush. It's important to recognize that not all individuals with criminal records are the same, and partnering with community-based organizations can help identify potential fits for an enterprise.
- Onboarding and integrating employees with criminal records require understanding and appreciation for the challenges they may have faced, such as poverty and lack of basic skills. Creating a supportive culture and providing additional resources like life coaches can contribute to their success.
Overall, the episode highlights the importance of HR professionals in driving inclusive hiring practices and adapting to the changing workforce landscape.
Guest(s):Jeffrey Korzenik, Chief Economist at Fifth Third Commercial Bank, Award-Winning Author, Speaker
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Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Tuesday Nov 07, 2023
Are you struggling to influence change within your organization?
In this episode of the HR Mixtape podcast, host Shari Simpson interviews change management expert April Callis-Birchmeier. They discuss the primary indicators of effective change management in organizations and the common obstacles faced during implementation. April emphasizes the importance of bringing people along with the change and crafting a relevant, relatable story. She also highlights the evolving field of change management, with a focus on being data-driven and leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) tools.
Three key takeaways from this episode are:
- HR professionals should recognize their impact in change management and step into the role of guiding leaders through the change process.
- Communication and advanced planning are crucial for successful change implementation.
- AI tools, like ChatGPT, can be valuable resources for generating ideas and streamlining tasks, but it's important to vet the output and use it as a starting point rather than copying and pasting.
Overall, this episode provides valuable insights and strategies for HR professionals navigating change management in organizations.
Guest(s): April Callis-Birchmeier, Change Management Keynote Speaker, Author of READY, Set, Change! CCMP™ Guru, Springboard Consulting

Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Tuesday Oct 31, 2023
Ever wondered what I/O psychologists do for your workplace?
In this episode, host Shari Simpson interviews Dr. Fred Rafilson, CEO of Rafilson & Associates LLC. Dr. Rafilson, an expert in industrial organizational psychology, discusses the core principles of I/O psychology and its relevance in today's workplace. They explore how I/O psychology focuses on understanding human behavior in organizational settings and aims to improve employee performance and well-being. Tune in to gain insights into the field and its impact on the workplace.
Guest(s): Dr. Fred Rafilson, CEO, Rafilson & Associates, LLC

Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Employee Design Thinking: A Strategic Approach to HR Initiatives with Lorraine King
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Thursday Oct 26, 2023
Get ready to revolutionize your workplace with employee design thinking and digital workplace adoption.
In this episode of the HR Mixtape, host Shari Simpson interviews Lorraine King, the Director of Employee Experience and Adoption for Digital Workplace at Haleon. Lorraine shares her experience in EX and user-centric design thinking, product management, and change management. She discusses the exciting HR technologies coming out of the Viva space and how they have transformed employee engagement and innovation at Haleon.
Listeners will learn about the importance of HR in driving technology adoption and prioritizing employee experience. They will also learn about the impact of new technology on employees and the need for ongoing commitment to adoption and training efforts. Additionally, the podcast discusses the importance of thorough research and planning, managing expectations, measuring success, and addressing different segments of the audience. The challenges and opportunities of employee experience in the future are also explored, including knowledge management, empowerment, training, technology accessibility, simplification, change management, effective communication, engagement, collaboration, and employee design thinking.
Guest(s): Lorraine King, Director of Employee Experience and Adoption for Digital Workplace, Haleon

Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Unmasking Workplace Bullying with Joy Toney and Tawana Gardner
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Tuesday Oct 24, 2023
Bullying in the workplace is often invisible, but it doesn't have to be. Gain valuable insights and strategies to combat workplace bullying.
In this episode of the HR Mixtape, host Shari Simpson is joined by Joy Toney and Tawana Gardner, both from AIM for Change LLC. They discuss the subtle forms of workplace bullying that even seasoned HR professionals might miss. Joy and Tawana share their insights and expertise on this important topic. Don't miss this thought-provoking conversation.
Guest(s): Joy Toney (Senior Program Consultant) and Tawana Gardner (Principal Consultant) at AIM for Change, LLC

Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Climbing the HR Ladder: From Newbie to CHRO with Jill Morrison
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Tuesday Oct 17, 2023
Curious about the challenges and rewards of being a CHRO?
In this episode of HR Message, host Shari Simpson interviews Jill Morrison, the CHRO at Paylocity. Jill shares her journey from an HR newbie to a CHRO, attributing her success to the leaders she has worked with and her deep understanding of the businesses she has been a part of. Tune in to learn more about Jill's secret sauce for climbing the HR ladder.
Guest(s): Jill Morrison, CHRO, Paylocity