2026: The Year of Ultimate Business Efficiency

Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

Summary

In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer discuss the transformative impact of AI on business efficiency as they enter 2026. They explore the financial implications of AI adoption, the role of Gen Z in integrating AI into workplaces, and how AI is reshaping corporate hierarchies. The conversation also touches on predictions for the future of work and pop culture, emphasizing the importance of adapting to technological advancements. Listen in!

Chapters

0:00 New Year Reflections

01:34 The Rise of AI in Business Efficiency

07:25 Financial Implications of AI Adoption

12:01 AI's Impact on Corporate Hierarchies

16:25 Gen Z's Role in AI Development

18:22 AI in the Workplace

21:24 AI as a Communication Coach

25:25 Predictions for 2026: Business and Beyond

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

The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The workplace is changing fast—and the leaders who understand what's coming will have the advantage.

Workhuman's annual Trends Webinar returns January 29th with research-backed insights on the hottest trends shaping 2026. Discover how top organizations are navigating AI, psychological safety, performance, and equity to outperform their competition—plus exclusive findings from McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2026 report.

Featuring an expert panel from McKinsey and Workhuman, you'll get the intelligence you need to lead with confidence this year.

Join the Trends Webinar live January 29th at noon Eastern, or catch the replay on demand. Register for free at Workhuman.com

Smart HR Solutions for Today’s Business Leadership Challenges

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Alison Stevens, Senior Director of HR Solutions, Paychex

Summary

In this episode of the At Work in America show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed welcome Alison Stevens from Paychex to unpack insights from the 2026 Business Leader Priorities Report. Together, they explore what’s top of mind for small business leaders right now - especially the growing HR challenges that come with running lean teams in a complex environment. The conversation dives into practical ways organizations can streamline onboarding, make smarter benefits decisions, and use automation to lift administrative weight off already stretched leaders. At the heart of it all is a clear focus on helping businesses stay agile, support their people, and keep growth and retention front and center, even when the landscape feels anything but simple.

Chapters

02:45 The Role of HR in Business Success

06:04 Insights from the Paychex 2026 Business Leader Priorities Report

08:56 Strategies for Growth in a Cost-Challenged Economy

15:58 The Importance of Efficient Onboarding

18:43 Selecting Strategic Benefits for Employee Retention

24:42 The Challenge of HR Administrative Tasks

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

This episode of At Work in America is sponsored by Paychex, an industry-leading human capital management (HCM) company that helps businesses of all sizes succeed with its award-winning combination of digital HR technology and advisory services.

Discover what 600 business leaders are prioritizing in 2026 — and how they're overcoming today's biggest obstacles. Uncovered insights and strategies from this year’s Paychex Priorities for Business Leaders survey results to:

• Reclaim time spent on admin tasks

• Reduce turnover costs and keep top talent

• Protect your data and defend against cyber threats

• Turn your biggest challenges into wins in 2026

Head to paychex.com/awia to read the full report. Don’t just guess your priorities — know them.

The HR Happy Hour Network is proudly sponsored by Workhuman. The workplace is changing fast—and the leaders who understand what's coming will have the advantage.

Workhuman's annual Trends Webinar returns January 29th with research-backed insights on the hottest trends shaping 2026. Discover how top organizations are navigating AI, psychological safety, performance, and equity to outperform their competition—plus exclusive findings from McKinsey's Women in the Workplace 2026 report.

Featuring an expert panel from McKinsey and Workhuman, you'll get the intelligence you need to lead with confidence this year.

Join the Trends Webinar live January 29th at noon Eastern, or catch the replay on demand. Register for free at

AI and Cultural Values: A Unique Blend

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Kamwin Story, Senior Manager, System Support at Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed speak with Kamwin Story from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. The conversation explores the transformative impact of AI on business operations, highlighting the integration of AI tools like Grow and Dynamic Skills into existing systems. They also discuss the importance of seamless functionality and collaboration with Oracle's innovation team to enhance efficiency in the workplace.

Chapters

• Introduction to Oracle AI World and Event Overview
• Choctaw Nation's Unique Governance
• Collaboration with Oracle
• AI Integration and Benefits
• Cultural Values and Vendor Relationships
• Reflections and Future Prospects

Learn about Oracle Fusion Cloud Applications HERE

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. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

Human-Centered Development in a Data-Driven World

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Matthew Daniel, Senior Principal, Talent Strategy at Guild

Summary

In this episode of the At Work in America show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed speak with Matthew Daniel from Guild to discuss the evolving landscape of learning and development in the workplace. They explore the importance of integrated talent strategies, the reimagining of tuition reimbursement into tuition assistance, and the value of degrees in today's job market. The conversation looks into skill acquisition, the role of AI in talent development, and the need for supportive learning environments to enhance employee retention and satisfaction. They also cover the importance of collaboration among HR leaders to tackle workforce challenges and improve talent pipelines.

Chapters

00:55 Exploring Learning and Development

03:47 The Importance of Integrated Talent Strategies

08:05 Reimagining Tuition Reimbursement

15:42 Aligning Skills with Job Opportunities

19:51 Managing Talent Development Effectively

25:35 Leveraging AI in Talent Development

29:02 Understanding Breaking Points in Learning

34:37 Innovative Approaches to Workforce Development

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. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

2025 Year in Review

Hosts: Jack McFarlane & Nick Schlemmer

Guest: Carleigh McFarlane

Summary

In this episode of The Play by Play, Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer reflect on the significant events of 2025, covering top news stories, political highlights, sports achievements, and the most streamed music and movies. They discuss the impact of AI technology on daily life and business, and share their favorite moments from the year. The conversation emphasizes community engagement and looks forward to the opportunities and challenges of the upcoming year. Listen in!

Chapters

0:00 Introduction

01:53 Top News Stories of 2025

06:14 Political Highlights and Elections

07:20 Major Sports Trades and Events

08:15 Most Streamed Songs and Albums

15:25 Top Artists and Their Impact

23:31 Personal Favorites and Closing Thoughts

38:19 Top Businesses of 2025

48:23 Reflections and Future Aspirations

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. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

Who’s Really Moving the Needle? How Recognition Data Reveals Hidden Talent

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Kevin Heinzelman, SVP of Product Management at Workhuman

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed engage with Kevin Heinzelman from Workhuman to discuss the significance of recognition in the workplace. They explore how recognition data can unlock insights about company culture, employee engagement, and business outcomes. Kevin shares his journey at Workhuman, the role of AI in enhancing recognition programs, and how organizations can align their recognition efforts with their core values. The conversation emphasizes the importance of creating a positive work environment and the transformative power of recognition data.

Takeaways

• Recognition data provides authentic insights into employee interactions.
• AI enhances the understanding of recognition data.
• Visualizing recognition data helps identify key contributors in organizations.
• Recognition can drive significant business outcomes like retention.
• Understanding recognition data can help align company values with actions.
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Learn More Here: How Work Gets Done (Now) and Workhuman Human Intelligence

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. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

Translating Employee Data into Impact

Hosts: Mervyn Dinnen

Guest: Kinsey Li, HR and People Analytics Leader

Summary

In this episode of the HR Means Business podcast, host Mervyn Dinnen interviews Kinsey Li, an HR and People Analytics leader. They discuss the evolution of people analytics from basic HR reporting to a strategic business tool, the impact of AI, and the importance of data transparency and ethical practices. Kinsey shares insights from her book, "People Analytics Explained," and emphasizes the need for a strong data foundation in organizations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to People Analytics

01:30 The Impact of AI

03:45 Building a Strong Data Foundation

06:15 Transparency and Ethics in Data

08:30 Optimizing People Investment

10:45 The Future of People Analytics

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

Welcome to HR Means Business, a part of the HR Happy Hour Network, sponsored by Workhuman. Business strategy is becoming less about what you do and more about who does it. Your people are your biggest differentiator–and Workhuman’s leading employee recognition platform is challenging leaders to rethink what they know about performance and what really drives value. The world’s first employee recognition AI harnesses daily appreciation flowing through your organization to see who’s really moving the needle. So orgs can find their next leaders, develop skills, and match talent to the projects that push humans and businesses forward. Workhuman is unlocking the next era of workplace potential – and they invite you to join the movement at Workhuman.com. A proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network.

Real-time Recognition with AI: A Game-changer for Organizations

Hosts: Steve Boese and Trish Steed

Guest: Naomi Dishington, Consulting Director at Workhuman

Summary

In this episode of the HR Happy Hour show, hosts Steve Boese and Trish Steed re joined by Naomi Dishington from Workhuman to discuss the transformative power of recognition data in organizations. They explore how AI and recognition platforms can unlock insights into employee performance, culture, and engagement, offering a more holistic view of employee contributions. The conversation highlights the importance of real-time recognition and its impact on organizational culture and decision-making.

Takeaways

• The Role of Recognition Data
• AI and Recognition Platforms
• Impact on Organizational Culture
• Real-Time Recognition Benefits
• The Future of Recognition with AI

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. Workplace recognition is more than feel-good moments. It’s a powerful source of people data that transforms cultures and businesses. Workhuman unlocks that power with Human Intelligence — AI trained on millions of coworker “thank-yous” to uncover the hidden patterns shaping your culture. Who’s actually driving projects forward? Where are the skills gaps? Which teams are thriving—and which need support? Say goodbye to the guesswork. And leverage the collective wisdom of your people for insights you can act on. And here’s the best part: Workhuman guarantees measurable results. Real culture improvements that drive real business outcomes. Visit workhuman.com to turn your recognition data into a competitive advantage. Workhuman, a proud supporter of the HR Happy Hour Network!