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This Meeting Should Have Been a Podcast

This Meeting Should Have Been a Podcast

Written by: WRKdefined Podcast Network
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Ever zoned out in a meeting and thought, this could’ve been a podcast? Same. That’s why we made one. This is the place where two Toms bring decades of HR and business experience to the mic, minus the corporate snooze-fest. We talk about the weird, messy, hilarious, and frustrating realities of work: culture clashes, leadership struggles, and the HR questions you secretly Google at 2am. With candid guest conversations, plenty of laughs, and insights that actually translate to real life, we’re here to prove work talk doesn’t have to be boring. Think of us as your meeting antidote — one part entertainment, one part inspiration, all parts “finally worth my time.”All rights reserved by WRKdefined Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • Pick Your Suck — The Brutal Truth About Work, Ai Evidence and Loyalty with guest Laura Azzarella

    Pick Your Suck — The Brutal Truth About Work, Ai Evidence and Loyalty with guest Laura Azzarella
    Oct 6 2026
    AI can fake a photo, a screenshot, and even your voice—which means Laura Azzarella’s “trust but verify” rule just became non-negotiable for HR leaders, managers, and anyone handling workplace investigations. Laura breaks down several examples that most miss out on when considering investigations (related to people falsifying things) i.e. how to spot manipulated digital evidence, and how to protect yourself from bogus complaints. Our host, Tom Schin, brings the recruiting and leadership lens, while Laura - co-founder of Applied Potential Solutions - brings deep expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, and the digital-age realities employers are now facing. Together, they get into the messy intersection of AI, documentation, and judgment, including why a screenshot is only proof that a screen existed at a moment in time, not that the story behind it is true. Let’s dive into what we discuss in this episode: How confident are you in your human based AI detection skills? How to sanity-check screenshots, timestamps, metadata, and Slack messages before over reacting What EXIF data can reveal when someone tries to fake an excuse Why “trust but verify” matters more than ever in workplace investigations How deepfakes and voice cloning are changing the risk landscape for employers Laura also shares the practical side of building her new content library, Applied HR, a master class in employee relations that covers positive workplace frameworks, conduct and performance, leaves of absence, and investigations in the digital age. Beyond their nerding out. Tom and Laura get candid about loyalty, burnout, side hustles, and the reality that “pick your suck” may be the most honest leadership advice you’ll hear all year. If you’re trying to balance a W-2 with a consulting business, build boundaries around moonlighting, or figure out what you actually do and do not tolerate at work, this conversation hits home. Keywords HR, AI, workplace investigations, digital evidence, employee relations, professional development, HR tech, generative AI, HR courses, leadership Key topics AI safeguards and investigations Digital evidence and AI-generated content Workplace investigation best practices HR course development and training Career growth and side hustles in HR Takeaways Trust but verify digital evidence, especially with AI-generated content. Build strong boundaries between side projects and W-2 employment. Stay informed about AI risks like deepfakes and AI hacks. Develop practical skills through targeted HR courses. Leverage networking and continuous learning for career growth. Guest Laura Azzarella Sound bites "Trust but verify in digital investigations." "AI is coming faster than we think." "Find your passion projects and pursue them." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Laura Azzarella and Tom Schin 02:08 The importance of AI safeguards in HR 03:59 AI-generated content and digital evidence 06:02 Verifying evidence in the digital age 07:59 The future of AI and workplace security 10:05 Launching HR courses and training programs 12:06 Balancing side hustles and W-2 employment 13:54 Legal considerations in HR and side projects 15:53 Networking and professional growth in HR 18:07 The impact of generational shifts on work loyalty 20:02 The importance of setting boundaries in side work 22:00 The evolving landscape of HR and technology 23:55 The role of continuous learning and adaptation 25:54 Strategies for high turnover environments 28:03 The future of work and AI integration 29:58 Closing thoughts and resources Bio: Laura is Co-Founder of Applied Potential Solutions, where she advises organizations and develops HR professionals through consulting, training, and certification programs focused on employee relations, workplace investigations, and the impact of technology and AI on the modern workplace. With more than 17 years of experience spanning aerospace, manufacturing, higher education, and the public sector, Laura brings a unique combination of employment law knowledge, operational HR leadership, and technical expertise. Her work includes leading HR transformations, implementing enterprise HR systems, and developing employee relations and modern investigation practices for international organizations. Laura is a frequent speaker on workplace investigations, digital evidence authentication, and the impact of artificial intelligence on employee relations. She is particularly known for helping HR professionals navigate complex workplace issues through the dual lens of human behavior and emerging technology. In her spare time, she volunteers as President of her regional SHRM chapter (https://www.bnhra.org ). Links: Web www.appliedpotentialsolutions.com Employee Relations Courses applied-hr.trainercentralsite.com Newsletter appliedhr.substack.com LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/laura-azzarella/ LINKS to info referenced in our episode: https://ifamagazine.com/...
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    35 mins
  • The Hidden Cost of Hustle - Why Burnout Is Not Just a Personal Issue

    The Hidden Cost of Hustle - Why Burnout Is Not Just a Personal Issue
    Sep 15 2026
    Join Tom Schin and Tiffany Castagno as they explore leadership, transparency, change management, and work-life balance through personal stories and practical insights. Discover how modeling vulnerability and setting boundaries can transform organizational culture and foster trust. Keywords leadership, transparency, change management, work-life balance, organizational culture, vulnerability, coaching, employee engagement, mental health, professional development Key topics The importance of transparency and vulnerability in leadership Strategies for effective change management and building trust The role of work-life balance and setting boundaries The impact of modeling behavior on organizational culture Tools and tips for coaching and employee development Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Background 02:28 Current Projects and Fall Travel Plans 05:00 Tiffany’s Sabbatical and Year-End Planning 06:07 The Importance of Taking Breaks and Resetting 08:47 Modeling Balance and Setting Boundaries 11:35 Vulnerability in Leadership and Building Trust 13:12 Transparency, Trust, and Power Dynamics 16:13 Sharing Information and Managing Trust Gaps 18:25 Creating a Healthy Culture and Managing Gossip 20:03 Accountability and Taking Action 22:00 Change Management and Positional vs. Relationship Power 24:18 Balancing Change and Relationships 27:53 Leading with Experience and Expertise 28:14 Owning Change and Building Trust 30:39 Living Organizational Values in Practice 34:02 Encouraging Small Steps and Accountability 35:22 Lessons from Pets and Life Analogies 36:19 Upcoming Projects and Collaborations 37:23 Future Content and Networking 38:44 Closing Remarks and Contact Information Our Guest: Tiffany Castagno is CEO, Chief Culture Strategist, & Founder of CEPHR, LLC, a woman- and Minority-owned Human Resources Consulting Firm based in Madison, WI that supports Small to Mid-sized Businesses across the United States and across Industries to build strong teams, scalable people systems, and cultures where teams can thrive. With experience spanning Non-Profit organizations, Start-ups, Fortune 100, and Fortune 500 companies, Tiffany brings both strategic perspective and practical implementation expertise. Her Industry experience includes Health and Human Services, Healthcare, Urban Agriculture, Food Policy, Logistics, Technology, and the Non-Profit Sector. Tiffany holds a Master of Human Resources in Human Resources and Labor Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources and Communication with a concentration in Adult Education and Training. She has maintained HRCI certification since 2012 and SHRM Certification since 2015. Her work has earned her numerous Awards. Links: Tiffany’s LinkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanycastagno-people-culture-consultant/ CEPHR LinkedIn Company page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cephr-llc/ CEPHR YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYoQjKflOavzP6sLaoPoTgw LINKS to info referenced in our episode: https://www.forbesafrica.com/opinion/op-ed/2026/07/19/expert-speak-the-workplace-safety-threat-made-worse-by-tough-times https://resources.workable.com/stories-and-insights/workplace-horror-stories Prior episode with Dr. Angela Pearson: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6BtnXuKkpqTSjBuxc4LsvQ?si=b1030ee94a5a439d Name Drops of awesome people mentioned: Angela Pearson www.linkedin.com/in/angela-d-pearson/ Chason Forehand https://www.linkedin.com/in/chason-forehand https://hr-4u.org/ Music provided courtesy of our friends from The Break Signals. Listen or download on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA Where you can find this show: WrkDefined: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/this-meeting-should-have-been-a-podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ThisMeetingShouldHaveBeen Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/51irFfpU6n8PiOE6mIS7xw iHeart: https://www.iheart.com/podcast/269-this-meeting-should-have-b-294545078/ Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/this-meeting-should-have-been-a-podcast/id1840061864 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tomntompodcast Substack: https://thismeetingshouldhavebeen.substack.com/
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    40 mins
  • The Illusion of Open Door Policies and Why Trust Never Follows

    The Illusion of Open Door Policies and Why Trust Never Follows
    Aug 18 2026
    AI without governance is a liability, not a strategy.Our guest, Dr. Angela Pearson, “Dr. P”, breaks down why so many organizations are pushing employees to use AI without the training, guardrails, or accountability needed to do it safely. Tune in as our host, Tom Schin, sits down with organizational psychologist, HR leader, and OD Synergistics founder Angela Pearson, known to many as Dr. P, for a sharp conversation about the real work of building trust at work. From psychological safety and leadership accountability to why open-door policies often fail in practice, this episode shows why culture changes only when leaders do more than say the words. You'll discover why prompting AI is a lot like leading people, what happens when companies treat AI like a shortcut instead of a well planned out tool, and how poor instructions create confusion in both the office and at home! Dr. P also shares the thinking behind her forthcoming book, The Table Between Us, a leadership fable about repairing culture through courageous conversations, and a whole lot more! If you care about better decisions, stronger teams, and a workplace where people can actually speak up, this is the conversation you need. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI and Leadership Challenges 02:44 Common Themes in AI Adoption and Governance 06:31 Prompt Engineering and AI Output Optimization 08:00 Exciting New Book on Culture and Courageous Conversations 13:41 The Illusion of the Open Door and Psychological Safety 21:37 Red Team Protocols and Constructive Dissent 27:35 The Origin of Dr. P and Approachable Leadership 29:30 Worst Meetings and Organizational Waste 36:10 Effective Exit Interviews and Organizational Feedback Keywords AI governance, psychological safety, leadership, organizational culture, trust, employee engagement, conflict resolution, DEI, communication, workplace culture Key topics AI governance and responsible use Psychological safety and trust building Courageous conversations and culture repair Red team and constructive dissent protocols Exit interviews and organizational learning Our Guest: Dr. Angela Pearson Bio: Dr. Angela D. Pearson ("Dr. P") is an organizational psychology practitioner, executive advisor, and CEO of OD Synergistics Consulting LLC. She helps organizations strengthen leadership, cultivate thriving cultures, and responsibly integrate AI. Through her consulting, speaking, and LinkedIn newsletter, The Human Advantage, Dr. P equips leaders with actionable strategies to build trust, foster psychological safety, and drive high performance in an AI-powered world. Links: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/angela-d-pearson/ LinkedIn Company Page: OD Synergistics Consulting LLC Company Website: OD Synergistics Consulting LLC Subscribe to The Human Advantage newsletter Book a discovery call: https://calendly.com/odsynergistics Links: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angela-d-pearson/ The standard executive remedy for institutional silence is the Open Door Policy. This passive invitation shifts the psychological burden entirely onto the employee. It assumes that if a junior engineer, an operations manager, or a frontline nurse has a critical insight, they will simply walk down the corridor of power and deliver it. https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/copy-illusion-open-door-why-psychological-safety-dr-angela-d--aaeuc/?trackingId=4gxW%2FaW17%2BhJiZ5E0s%2FhWw%3D%3D LINKS to info referenced in our episode: Speakpipe https://www.speakpipe.com/ThisMeetingShouldHaveBeen Music provided courtesy of our friends from The Break Signals. Listen or download on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA
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    43 mins
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