HRDQ-U In Review

About HRDQ-U In Review

Welcome to The HRDQ-U in Review Podcast, where we bring you the latest insights and practical tools for enhancing soft-skills training in your organization. As a learning community for trainers, coaches, consultants, managers, and anyone passionate about performance improvement, we interview subject matter experts and thought leaders from recent webinars they presented with us to take a deeper dive into the content they shared and answer all your questions. Join us as we explore new ideas and industry trends, share success stories, and discuss challenges faced by professionals in the soft-skills training field. Our podcast is sponsored by HRDQ, a leading provider of experiential learning resources for soft-skills development. From communication and leadership to team building and conflict resolution, we cover a wide range of topics to help you improve people skills in your workplace. Subscribe to The HRDQ-U in Review Podcast today and take your training and development skills to th...

Publisher

HRDQ-U

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Apr 2023

Latest episode

21 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

85 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   21 Jul 2026

   Episode 85: Disconnected, Burned Out, Checked Out: Fixing Workplace Culture

   Employee engagement is sitting near decade lows, and 1 in 5 employees worldwide say they feel lonely at work, according to Gallup. But the real problem isn't just burnout — it's disconnection. Long before someone hands in their resignation, they've already checked out mentally. In this episode, organizational culture expert Devin C. Hughes joins us to unpack what's actually driving workplace disconnection today, why traditional engagement tactics (surveys, snacks, team-building days) fall short, and what leaders can do instead to rebuild trust, psychological safety, and real belonging on their teams — especially in hybrid and high-pressure environments. Devin has worked with organizations ranging from Disney to the Department of Defense, is ranked the #23 Top Global Guru for Organizational Culture, and serves as Adjunct Faculty at San Diego State University's Fowler College of Business. What We Cover Why engagement initiatives often become “expensive wallpaper” instead of real culture change What's really driving workplace loneliness and disconnection right now The early warning signs of disengagement that don't show up in performance reviews How to rebuild trust and psychological safety on a team, starting day one What holds true about belonging across very different industries and cultures Practical shifts for improving communication in hybrid and high-pressure teams Why culture is a leadership responsibility, not just an HR initiative One thing every leader can do tomorrow to make people feel like they matter Resources Mentioned Free resource: Building a Positive Workplace After a Culture Crash — blog post from HRDQ-U Full webinar recording: Available at HRDQU.com with HRDQ-U membership Connect with Devin C. Hughes: Website: devinchughes.com LinkedIn: Devin C. Hughes Share This Episode If this conversation hit home, share it with a manager who needs to hear it. Tag us @HRDQ and use #HRDQU — we'd love to see it.

2. 

   16 Jun 2026

   Episode 84: 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues

   Say goodbye to eye-roll-worthy icebreakers. In this episode of the HRDQ-U In Review Podcast, host Sarah sits down with Lenn Millbower — the Mouse Man™, Learnertainment® trainer, and former Walt Disney World training team member — to unpack the highlights from his popular webinar, 25+ Training Activity Ideas to Beat the Summer Blues. Lenn shares why most training activities fall flat (hint: it's not the activity itself, it's where and how you use it), and how trainers can design experiences that learners actually want to engage with — even when the sun is shining and everyone's mentally halfway out the door. In this episode, you'll learn: Why icebreakers create resistance — and why Lenn calls them "ice melters" instead The Disney leadership philosophy that shaped his entire approach to training design The four "E-z" placement spots — Engage, Explain, Explore, and Embrace — and why putting the right activity in the right spot makes all the difference How to open a program with a strong content hook that pulls learners in before you've said a single instructional word The "New Door" activity you can literally use next week Why orientation programs are broken — and what they should actually be about The one thing Lenn wants every trainer to ask themselves before their next session Whether you attended the live webinar or are discovering Lenn's work for the first time, this episode is packed with creative, practical ideas you can bring back to your training room right away. 🎧 Watch the full webinar recording at HRDQU.com — available exclusively for HRDQ-U members.

3. 

   28 Oct 2025

   Episode 83: Make More Money at Work: How to Ask for a Raise or Negotiate a Higher Starting Salary at a New Job

   In this episode of HRDQ-U in Review, host Sarah sits down with negotiation expert Laura Browne to talk about one of the toughest, and most important,career skills: asking for more money. Laura shares the story of her first, unsuccessful attempt at requesting a raise—an experience that sparked her mission to help others confidently advocate for their worth. Since then, she’s authored Increase Your Income and A Salary Cinderella Story, guiding professionals (especially women) to approach salary conversations strategically and fearlessly. Together, Sarah and Laura unpack the key principles behind effective salary negotiations, including how to research market rates, build a solid business case, and understand the timing of company raise cycles. Laura also offers practical advice for keeping the conversation professional, even when the answer is “not yet,” and explains how to turn that into a roadmap for future success. Key Takeaways: Why you can’t assume good performance alone will earn you a raise How to prepare months in advance for salary discussions Tips for framing negotiation as collaboration, not confrontation Steps for researching pay ranges and company priorities What to do after a “no” to set up your next opportunity Action Items: Listen to the webinar on hrdqu.com. Start sending weekly updates to your manager summarizing your accomplishments and results. Research salary data using salary.com and Indeed to understand your market value. Confirm your company’s priorities and performance expectations regularly with your manager. Begin preparing for raise discussions at least four months before formal review cycles. Use code HRDQU for 25% off Laura’s classes and coaching at careercoffeebreak.com. 🎧 Tune in to learn how to confidently ask for what you deserve—and get it. Episode Sponsors: HRDQ-U: Unlock your potential with HRDQ-U memberships! Gain exclusive access to top-tier training resources, webinars, and tools that elevate your team's performance. Use code HRDQUSAVE10 at checkout for 10% off your first year of your annual membership. Visit hrdqu.com to learn more and join the HRDQU community. HRDQ: Providers of research-based, soft skills, training resources since 1977. Assessments, online learning, experiential hands-on games, customizable course content. Over 200 resources to improve performance, increase job satisfaction, and cultivate essential skills in your organization. Use code HRDQUPOD10 for 10% off your purchase today at hrdqstore.com.

Who has been a guest on HRDQ-U In Review

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Jack Phillips
• Ryan Gottfredson
• Bill Treasurer
• Marsha King
• Peter Garber

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

12 ratings

Spotify

4.9 / 5

9 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 44 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

57

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

77

Contact HRDQ-U In Review

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.