Level Up HR – The go-to podcast for the HR community on current trends and future innovations in Human Resources.
We talk to thought leaders and innovators in HR and New Ways of Work about a variety of key issues, such as Employer Branding, strategies to attract, develop and retain top talent, fostering a thriving company culture, promoting resilience, and improving stress management.
Get actionable insights and best practices from leading minds – to level up your HR!
Ep. 12 - The Knowledge That Wins Your Benefits Renewal Is the Knowledge That Earns Trust - with Holly Lutz
A 26% benefits renewal increase came down to 11%. Holly Lutz, Director of Human Resources for the US Division of NOABRANDS, walks host James Weier through how she got that increase down by more than half, using knowledge she already had about her workforce's claims and usage before the carrier's letter ever arrived. That knowledge is also what let her take the account to market instead of settling for a smaller concession from her incumbent carrier. Her plan design decisions followed the sa...
3 Aug 2026
Ep. 11 - From Learning Designer to Change Agent: The Shift That Makes L&D Strategic - with Heather Burright
The best L&D leaders don’t simply build training when a request comes in. They ask what’s driving the request. Heather Burright, Founder of Skill Masters Market and host of the Learning for Good podcast, joins James Weier to discuss what separates strategic L&D from transactional L&D. Heather has spent two decades in Learning & Development, and argues that a training request rarely describes the actual problem. It has usually passed through several people first, each one rest...
5 May 2026
Ep. 10 - Why Culture Fails Until Leaders Are Held Accountable for It - with Quinn Slaughter
If culture isn’t measured, it isn’t managed... and leaders know it. Quinn Slaughter, Owner of Total Solutions First, explains why culture breaks down when it’s treated as a value statement instead of a leadership system. Most companies can describe their culture, but struggle to enforce it. The impact shows up in places leaders often misread: early talent leaving just as they become valuable, inconsistent leadership behavior, and performance gaps that don’t trace back to strategy. Quinn bre...
30 Mar 2026
Ep. 9 – Why Human Change Is the Hardest Part of the AI Transformation – with Ryan Simmons
AI can give you answers instantly. But what if your people lose the ability to question them? Host James Weier speaks to Ryan Simmons, Vice President of Human Resources at Colorado College, about why AI transformation is less about technology and more about how work is designed. As organizations rush to automate tasks and increase productivity, a deeper risk emerges: the erosion of critical thinking, judgment, and capability development. Ryan shares how AI is reshaping skill development, w...
1 Feb 2026
Ep. 8 – Redefining Play at Work Without the Forced Fun – with Acey Holmes
If “fun at work” makes you roll your eyes, you’re just using the wrong definition. Host James Weier speaks with Acey Holmes, Founder and CEO of BoredLess and an expert in Playful Work Design, about why play has become one of the most misunderstood ideas in today’s workplaces. Acey challenges the assumption that play is about games or team events. Instead, she reframes it as a way of working that changes how people engage with serious, demanding work. She breaks down the four pillars of play...
9 Dec 2025
Ep. 7 - How Intentional Leadership Sparks Real Transformation - with Katie Biancalana
Every question you ask as an HR leader is a chance to earn trust and shape real transformation. In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Katie Biancalana, an HR thought leader with over 20 years of experience, for a compelling conversation on leading through change with creativity and empathy. Having worked in HR across various industries and through major organizational shifts, Katie shares how true leadership begins when you turn pressure into purpose. From transforming a high-sta...
1 Dec 2025
Ep. 6 - Keeping HR Human in the Age of AI - with Annie Korenjak
What if adopting AI was the key to keeping your organization truly human? In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Annie Korenjak, Human Resources Director at CCIG, to talk about what happens when HR meets AI and why the future of people leadership depends on how we use it. Annie shares how embracing AI with intention can take the busywork off HR’s plate and make room for what really matters: trust, connection, and meaningful work. She explains how clear values, not quick wins, guid...
2 Nov 2025
Ep. 5 - The Rebel HR Mindset: Why Challenging Convention Builds Engagement - with Debra Corey
Being a rebel in HR isn’t about breaking rules. It’s about having the courage to question them, and the wisdom to know when and how. In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Debra Corey, Chief Pay It Forward Officer at Step It Up HR and six-time best-selling author known for reimagining people practices with human-first thinking. Debra brings her “rebel cape” to the table and shares how listening deeply, co-creating with employees, and challenging outdated HR logic unlock genuine cul...
12 Oct 2025
Ep. 4 - Who Gets Left Behind? Navigating the Human Realities of RTO Decisions - with Veronica Bruner
What happens when return-to-office mandates collide with real-world complexity and the realities of people’s lives? In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Veronica Bruner, Senior Human Resources Manager, for a candid conversation on the true impact of RTO decisions in a post-pandemic world. With a decade in tech HR, Veronica exposes the hidden costs of rigid RTO mandates, the burden on caregivers, and how binary policies threaten inclusion and gender equity. She explains why stron...
31 Aug 2025
Ep. 3 - Transforming HR Systems for Real People and Real Impact - with Alison Jeske
When HR leads with impact, every employee feels the difference, especially during transformation. In this episode, host James Weier welcomes Alison Jeske, Director of Total Rewards at Propelled Brands, for an inside look at what it takes to build an HR function that keeps pace with change and growth. Alison shares how steering an HRIS rollout after a major acquisition demanded not only technical skills, but creativity, active listening, and a people-first mindset too. From untangling legacy...
17 Aug 2025
Ep. 2 - How E2 Optics Doubled Headcount in One Year While Staying True to Culture - with Brittney Bahre
What does it take to hire 1,000 people in a year—and still keep your team energized and your culture intact? In this episode of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Brittney Bahre, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at E2 Optics, for a candid look at leading through hypergrowth. In just 12 months, Brittney’s team expanded from 4 to 22 recruiters and hired over 1,000 employees, all through organic growth, driven by the AI-powered data center boom. She shares how she restruct...
4 Aug 2025
Ep. 1 - Company as Community: How Shared Values Shape Culture and Strategy - with Sarah Diamond
When a workplace becomes a true community, strategy and culture grow stronger. In the first episode of the English edition of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Sarah Diamond, Chief People & Culture Officer at BOA, for a conversation on building a thriving workplace from the inside out. Sarah shares how true transformation at BOA is anchored in lived values, and how connecting those values with both strategy and daily practice helps prevent the unhealthy tensions that ca...
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