HR Works Video Podcast: AI Dynamics and SPARK Sneak Peaks with Ben Eubanks

Few understand the AI landscape in HR like Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer of Lighthouse Research & Advisory, bestselling author, and seasoned SPARK speaker. HR Daily Advisor had the chance to sit down with Ben to ask our most burning questions about what 2026 holds for AI and HR and get a sneak peek into what he'll be discussing during SPARK HR 2026 in just a few months. In today's episode of HR Works, we went over the ins and outs of AI, how leaders and employees alike are using it, and what to watch out for when coming up with an AI strategy.

Let’s be real: bad managers don’t just frustrate employees; they drive your best talent out the door. The difference between a manager people tolerate and a leader people love comes down to skills HR must develop right now. Thankfully, HR Daily Advisor sat down with some of the top leadership experts to discuss practical, actionable ways in which HR can turn their middling managers into effective, strong leaders. Want to turn your managers into magnetic leaders who inspire loyalty, performance, and trust? In today’s episode of HR Works, we’re taking a look at part two of our latest and greatest webinar, featuring Ricky Brown, CEO of Speak Life Inc., LeAnne Lagasse, SHRM-SCP Certified HR Consultant, Speaker, and Author, and Megan Leasher, Organizational Psychologist and Founder of Disruptive Journeys.

Let’s be real: bad managers don’t just frustrate employees; they drive your best talent out the door. The difference between a manager that people tolerate and a leader that people love comes down to skills HR must develop right now. And lucky for you, we sat down with leading experts to hear how HR professionals can start making a real difference with their managers. Want to turn your managers into magnetic leaders who inspire loyalty, performance, and trust? In today's episode of HR Works, we're taking a look at part one of our latest and greatest webinar, featuring HR experts Ricky Brown, CEO of speak life, LeAnne Legasse, HR consultant, speaker, & author, as well as Megan Leasher, Founder of Disruptive Journeys. Listen in for practical solutions on how to spot behaviors that break or make great leadership and how to equip and elevate managers.

So much of HR today is talked about in terms of strategy. What's the best strategy for improving retention? How can I create an effective people strategy? But as effective as planning ahead can be, it all falls apart when you don't know how to follow through. So, the real question HR professionals need to be asking now is not "what's the best strategy?" but "how can I effectively implement my strategy?" On the week's episode of HR Works, we're joined by John Hadeed, US VP of People & Culture at Primark, and together we'll be tackling how to translate HR strategies from exciting theory to actionable commitments that create results and leave you with a healthy, growing business.

With AI's advent and constant changes, we're watching Entry Level Jobs change as we know it. Gone are the days where entry level positions assist with notetaking, research, and organization, now that a few simple prompts can achieve that same work in a fraction of the time. But what is the future of entry level jobs, then? We've seen a sharp decline in job openings in general this year, especially in junior and associate roles. Mixed with other economic uncertainty and worldly events, it's a difficult job market for young people looking to enter the workforce. So, what can HR professionals do? On today's episode of HR Works, we're joined by Madeline Miller, Gen Z Leadership and Culture Strategist, and we'll be looking at how HR leaders can reimagine their entry level positions and utilize the strengths of young workers to elevate their business.

In recent months, we've seen weaker and weaker job reports, coupled with greater frustrations around talent, or lack thereof, available to employers. From AI advancements, growing dissonance between workplace expectations and reality, to economic uncertainty, it seems increasingly hard for good talent to find roles, and for companies to fill roles with good talent. So, how can HR professionals bridge the gap between talent and opportunity, and stay innovative and driven during these challenging times? In today's episode of HR Works, we’re joined by Travis Hunsicker, Leader of Talent Development at Kassouf, to talk about what HR is missing when it comes to meeting talent where they're at and filling those must-have positions.

As companies begin settling into this new workforce with AI, we're seeing the rise of AI Agents more and more. But for many that begs the question: What are AI Agents really, and how can they help your business? Today, we’re joined by Cassie Colton, AI for HR and Senior People Science Lead at Owens Corning, and we'll be diving in to discover what agentic AI means for HR professionals in terms of productivity, job rolls, skills, and how to know if AI agents are a fit for your business.

Despite the constant hype of technology the past couple years, AI can’t do it all, despite companies trying to make it so. Technology can streamline some processes, but there are times when AI simply can’t replace human judgment and may even have their own unintentional biases. In today's episode, we break down when expert guidance is necessary and when relying on algorithms could put a company at risk. Vanessa Matsis-McCready, VP of HR services and associate general counsel for Engage PEO, joins to share her thoughts on where AI should be helping, but also where AI is hurting your business, and how to know the difference before it's too late.

The talent game has changed—and résumés alone won’t cut it. In today’s market, do HR talent acquisition leaders ditch outdated filters like degrees, job titles, and years of experience? Or do they go all-in with skills-based hiring because what matters more is what talent can do than what’s printed on paper? In this episode, we’ll explore the shift to skills-based hiring—the pros and cons, AI’s role, and how a skills-based focus shapes workforce planning. In today's episode, we’re joined by Alissa Durbin, Vice President of HR at IGS Energy, as well as Lindsay LaSala, Community Relationship Partner at IGS Energy to discuss how any and all professionals can start incorporating skills-based hiring into their recruiting strategy. Watch the full conversation below, or listen at the SoundCloud link above!

During her session at SPARK Talent 2025, GE Healthcare’s Head of Talent Programs, Tabitha Wright, asked the audience, not only what they wanted to accomplish, but how. In a rapidly developing world, your business and people strategies are only as good as the quality of pieces they’re built from. HR Daily Advisor got a chance to sit down with Wright after her session and ask her all the burning questions we had left over. Interested in learning the leading expert’s thoughts on all things HR, people strategy, and onboarding? Check out our full conversation below!