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The HR Huddle

The HR Huddle

Written by: WRKdefined Podcast Network
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Welcome to the HR Huddle, the ultimate resource for all things HR. Cause when the shit goes down, you've got to huddle up. The HR Huddle is comprised of three unique mini-shows: Spilling The Tea On HR Tech — Join Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson as they break down the latest happenings in HR and HR tech. HR We Have a Problem — Join Cliff Stevenson as he tackles the messy stories everyone in human resources has, featuring industry guests working on solving these problems. The Pivot Effect is where followers become leaders. Join Teri Zipper and Susan Richards for the stories, skills, and mindset shifts that get you there.All rights reserved by WRKdefined Economics Politics & Government
Episodes
  • The Pivot Effect: Leading with Faith, Kindness, and Community: Denise Melton's Path to House of Hope

    The Pivot Effect: Leading with Faith, Kindness, and Community: Denise Melton's Path to House of Hope
    Oct 8 2026
    What happens when the job you build to solve a problem turns into your calling? On this episode of The Pivot Effect, Teri Zipper and Susan Richards talk with Denise Melton, pastoral counselor and Executive Director of Cumberland Children's House of Hope and the Threads of Hope Thrift Store. Denise started out managing medical, dental, and legal offices. Then she turned her basement into a childcare center so she'd have care she could trust for her own son. That small fix became one of the most respected preschools in town. Through it, she got to know local law enforcement and the Department of Children's Services, and she saw firsthand what children in crisis go through. Those relationships led her to volunteer at House of Hope, one of Tennessee's first transitional homes for children removed from unsafe homes. Within two years, she became its first paid director. Denise talks about the leaps that only looked sudden, the hard seasons that tested her faith, and the moment she almost walked away. She also shares why House of Hope takes no government funding, how she hires people who may outgrow the organization, and why asking for help is a leadership strength. If you're thinking about your next pivot, she has a simple reminder: it doesn't cost anything to be kind.
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    41 mins
  • Spilling The Tea on HR Tech- $300M+ in HR Tech Deals, a SHRM Rebrand and the AI Reality Check

    Spilling The Tea on HR Tech- $300M+ in HR Tech Deals, a SHRM Rebrand and the AI Reality Check
    Oct 1 2026
    HR tech conference season is here, and this week's tea is piping hot. Stacey Harris and Cliff Stevenson of Sapient Insights Group cover the deals, the debates, and what it all means for your organization. They start with a big round of deal news. Phoenix Education Partners agrees to acquire Fuel50. BoomerangHR raised $12.7M for its solution that tracks and manages former employees. Spott raised $21M for recruiting agency tech, and Dave Duffield led a $250M raise for Ridgeline, which offers an investment management solution. From there, they react to the rebrand of SHRM's annual conference and discuss whether the use of OKRs is actually the best way to assess performance. They also look at the growing strain on middle managers, why AI shouldn't be grading its own work, and Amazon’s rehiring of former employees, some of whom had been laid off. Cliff also shares takeaways from NAPEO2026 and O.C. Tanner ‘s annual conference, and Stacey previews her HR Tech keynote and what's coming in this year's research.
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • HR We Have A Problem: Hallway Truths from NAPEO 2026: The Real State of PEOs

    HR We Have A Problem: Hallway Truths from NAPEO 2026: The Real State of PEOs
    Sep 24 2026
    In this special episode of HR We Have a Problem, Cliff Stevenson steps out of the studio and takes you to NAPEO 2026 in Marco Island, Florida, the annual conference of the National Association of Professional Employer Organizations. There's no single guest this time, just unfiltered hallway and show-floor conversations with the people building, running and partnering with PEOs. Cliff explores the tipping point small businesses hit when DIY HR stops working, and why the PEO value proposition is shifting from "save money" to "make money." He also looks at the "rising tide lifts all boats" culture where competitors help each other grow, and how AI and shorter job tenures are changing what HR tech users need. Along the way, you'll get a sneak peek at what Sapient Insights Group's upcoming HR Systems Survey is revealing about PEO growth. We want to hear from you. Have you hit that "I need help" moment in your business? Leave a comment or email Cliff directly at cliff@sapientinsights.com. HR We Have a Problem is produced by Sapient Insights Group and is part of the WRKdefined and HR Channel networks.
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    33 mins
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