Building Resilience and Mental Fitness in High-Pressure Workplaces

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Alexandra Kafka, Founder of Oxyzn & Mental Fitness Advocate

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, Mervyn speaks with Alexandra Kafka to explore how organizations can proactivetly support mental fitness to prevent burnout and sustain high performance. Alexandra shares practical strategies, insights into early warning signs, and the importance of nervous system regulation for leaders and teams navigating today's digital overload and complex work environments. They touch on the honeymoon phase of burnout and how to recognize the early signals before breakdown as well as the role of leadership in modeling mental fitness and creating supportive work rhythms.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Mental Fitness

02:09 Why Proactive Mental Fitness Support Matters

04:20 Patterns of Stress and Burnout

07:20 Understanding the Honeymoon Phase of Burnout

12:05 How Organizations Often Midunderstand Recovery

16:38 Aligning HR Strategies for Mental Fitness

22:07 Measuring Mental Fitness

24:06 Can High Performance and High Wellbeing Coexist?

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before March 31st to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Thanks for joining us.

Workplace Movie Hall of Fame - Spotlight

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Summary

In this episode of the At Work In America show, hosts Steve and Trish discuss the 2015 film 'Spotlight,' which explores the investigative journalism that uncovered widespread abuse within the Catholic Church. They look at themes of ethics, leadership, and the responsibilities of organizations, drawing parallels to contemporary workplace dynamics. The conversation highlights the importance of truth in journalism, the emotional labor involved in reporting sensitive stories, and the impact of organizational culture on addressing ethical issues. They also reflect on the historical context of workplace norms and the ongoing challenges faced by HR professionals in navigating complex situations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Workplace Movie Hall of Fame

03:06 Exploring the Movie Spotlight

05:56 Ethics and Responsibility in Organizations

08:54 The Role of Leadership in Addressing Issues

11:47 The Importance of Journalism and Truth

15:01 Emotional Labor in the Workplace

20:55 Institutional Reputation vs. Truth

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

HR Connection - How Small Business HR Leads Change

Hosts: Sabrina Baker and Marie Rolston

Summary

In this episode of the HR Connection, Marie and Sabrina dive into the day-to-day reality of HR in smaller organizations, where there’s no bench of specialists and no time for over-engineering solutions. They talk about juggling priorities, building structure on the fly, and focusing on what actually moves the business forward. They share why small, consistent improvements often matter more than big transformations, and how being closely connected to the business can turn HR into a true strategic partner.

Key Topics

• Why small business HR is a standalone discipline, not a subset of enterprise HR
• The lack of resources and specialization in small business HR teams
• The concept of breadth versus depth in small business HR roles
• The emotional and decision-making challenges of managing HR with limited support
• Moving away from enterprise standards and measuring success on small business realities

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

HR Happy Hour Network - Introducing the HR Connection Podcast

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guests: Sabrina Baker, Founder and CEO of Acacia HR Solutions and Marie Rolston, HRBP with Acacia HR Solutions and host of The HR Connection podcast

Summary

In this episode of the The HR Happy Hour show, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Sabrina Baker and Marie Rolston from Acacia HR Solutions to discuss the launch of their new podcast, HR Connection. The conversation explores the unique challenges faced by small businesses in HR, the importance of providing actionable insights, and the need for a dedicated platform for small business HR practitioners. Sabrina and Marie share their backgrounds, the genesis of the HR Connection podcast, and the topics they plan to cover, emphasizing the importance of real-world applications and leadership connections in HR.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to HR Connection Podcast

01:51 Sabrina Baker's Journey and Acacia HR Solutions

03:04 Marie Rolston's Role and Insights

04:52 The Importance of HR in Small Businesses

06:17 Genesis of HR Connection Podcast

09:07 Real-World Challenges in Small Business HR

11:30 Actionable Insights for Small Business Leaders

14:56 Upcoming Topics and Focus Areas for HR Connection

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Ultimate Business Efficiency: Marketing

Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

Guest: Hailey McDonald, Global B2B SaaS Marketing Leader

Summary

In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer welcome Hailey McDonald to discuss the theme of business efficiency in 2026, focusing on the impact of Gen Z and technology on marketing. They explore how Gen Z is reshaping marketing strategies through their use of social media and AI, the role of technology in enhancing marketing efficiency, the growing importance of augmented reality, and the potential of blockchain for verifying ad views. The conversation emphasizes the need for marketing departments to adapt to these changes to remain competitive and efficient. Listen in!

Chapters

0:57 Gen Z's Impact on Marketing Efficiency

04:28 The Shift to Social Media for Product Discovery

07:19 Cost Efficiency in Marketing with Short-Form Content

10:07 Engaging Gen Z

13:51 The Role of AI in Marketing Profitability

19:47 Transforming Customer Experience

23:33 Blockchain and Ensuring Authentic Engagement

27:26 Conclusion and Key Takeaways

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

From Personal Crisis to Corporate Solution: The Story Behind Caregiving Support Innovation

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Dave Jacobs, Co-Founder and Co-CEO at Homethrive

Summary

In this episode of the At Work in America show, Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Dave Jacobs, co-founder and co-CEO of Homethrive to explore the critical issue of employee caregiving support and how organizations can make a meaningful impact. Dave shares his inspiring journey from personal experience to building scalable solutions that aid caregivers at every stage. They also discuss strategies for HR and organizational leaders to advocate for caregiving benefits as well as how normalization of caregiving support helps broaden health and well-being initiatives.

Chapters

01:00 Introduction to Caregiving in the Workforce

05:45 Overview of Homethrive's Services and Digital Tools

09:10 The Scale of Unpaid Family Caregiving in the US

14:00 How Caregiving Affects Employee Productivity and Mental Health

16:20 Strategies to get Executive Buy-in for Caregiving Programs

19:00 Supporting Multi-generational Families and Family-centered Care

23:45 Future Trends: Integrating Caregiving into Broader Health Initiatives

28:30 Connecting Caregiving Support with Mental Health and Chronic Disease Management

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

The Hidden Power of Middle Management

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Gary Cookson,

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen speaks with Gary Cookson about the often-overlooked role of middle managers in organizations. They discuss the challenges faced by middle managers, including the emotional labor they perform, the invisible work that goes unrecognized, and the need for better preparation and support. The conversation emphasizes the importance of middle managers in navigating change, particularly in the context of AI and hybrid working environments. They also highlight the need for organizations to redefine the role of middle managers and empower them to create a positive impact on workplace culture and performance.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Middle Management Dynamics

05:15 The Emotional Reality of Middle Management

10:05 Invisible Work and Its Impact

13:21 Navigating Change and Uncertainty

21:18 Adapting to AI and Hybrid Work

25:18 Transforming Perspectives on Middle Management

27:21 The New Manager Bounce and Its Implications

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.

Connecting Operations and HR for the Frontline Workforce

Host: Steve Boese

Guest: Chris Kuntz, VP of Strategic Operations at Augmentir

Summary

In this conversation, Steve Boese engages with Chris Kuntz to discuss the critical role of AI in empowering frontline workers in manufacturing. They explore how Augmentir is addressing the needs of deskless workers, the importance of data-driven insights for management, and the balance between monitoring and worker empowerment. The discussion also highlights the future of AI agents in the workplace and the innovative approaches companies are taking to enhance worker experiences and operational efficiency.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of AI for Frontline Workers

03:05 Augmentir's Role in Empowering Workers

05:57 Use Cases for AI in Manufacturing

08:57 Data-Driven Insights for Management

14:46 The Future of AI Agents in the Workplace

17:59 Innovations in Worker Empowerment

20:56 The Human Element in AI Integration

Thank you for your continued support of the show and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

The HR Happy Hour Network is sponsored by Workhuman.

The role of HR is changing fast—and the leaders who move beyond administration into true business leadership will have the edge. Workhuman Live is where that shift becomes real. Four transformative days in Orlando built around the challenges HR leaders are facing now. With 65-plus standout speakers, you'll get practical, research-backed insights you can use immediately, honest conversations with leaders under the same pressure, and a human-first experience designed to energize – not exhaust. It's why 93% of past attendees left inspired—and why you need to be there this April 27-30. Register now at WorkhumanLive.com and use code HRHAPPYHOUR before February 2/28 to save 20%. That's HRHAPPYHOUR, all one word.