HR Works Podcast: Kindness is King—The Power of Empathy in Leadership (Part I)

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!

Forget chasing the latest software—the biggest challenge in the AI era is the human equation. Carlee Wolfe, Associate Vice President of Leader Development and Organizational Effectiveness at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, is tackling this head-on. She sees the future of talent management not in code alone, but in a powerful partnership between technology and organizational values. After her SPARK Talent session, HR Daily Advisor had the chance to talk to Wolfe about our most burning questions and discussing what HR professionals need to know right now if they're going to get ahead in the workforce. Check out the full conversation below!

SPARK Talent saw some of the greatest minds in HR speak on the most pressing topics in the workforce. They didn’t just talk theory; they handed us a playbook for the AI and outlier era: First, know exactly what work needs to change. Second, know who can lead the change. Third, design the experience that attracts them. Bertrand Dussert, VP of Talent Acquisition at Staples, detailed in his session exactly who HR needs to fill and drive these roles being transformed by technology: Talent Outliers. These are the people who don’t just work within the system; they change and reframe it. After his presentation, HR Daily Advisor had the chance to sit down with Dussert and pick his brain on all things AI and talent acquisition, where he gave us a behind-the-scenes look at what he considers is the most important changes HR leaders need to be aware of. If you want to stay ahead in the HR world, listen to our full conversation below!

Over the summer, the Senate and House passed President Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill Act”, enacting sweeping changes across all facets of the country, including substantial increases in funding for the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, changes to AI policy, and many other facets that have cause anxieties among both employees and employers to skyrocket. Today, we’re joined by Amanda Czepiel (SEE-pea-ill), HR legal expert at Brightmine, to discuss the three critical areas HR leaders can’t afford to overlook regarding the passing of President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

HR Works Podcast: What Starbucks’ RTO Policy Means for HR Everywhere: Here’s What CMP Research Says Pt. 2 by HR Daily Advisor