Épisodes

  • Vision, empathy, and disruption: Matt McCune and Thomas Daglis on what real people heroes do

    Vision, empathy, and disruption: Matt McCune and Thomas Daglis on what real people heroes do
    Jul 31 2025
    Recorded live at the isolved booth at SHRM 2025 in San Diego, this episode features two industry voices with very different superpowers—Matt McCune and Thomas Daglis. Hosted by William Tincup and Ryan Leary, the conversation digs into the unexpected traits of true HR heroes and why it takes more than empathy to make a difference. Matt explains how his company bet against the status quo twenty years ago—risking everything to fight back against a broken healthcare system. He breaks down how putting the employee first meant redefining the economics of healthcare itself. Thomas brings a data-first lens, showing how predictive analytics can transform retention strategy into a science of trust. Together, they paint a picture of leadership that doesn’t just protect the business—it changes the game. Timestamps 00:00 — Live from the isolved booth at SHRM 2025 in San Diego 00:21 — Why the phrase “people hero” means more than just empathy 01:15 — Vision and compassion enter the conversation for the first time 02:10 — Matt’s superpower: turning complexity into clarity 02:30 — Why simplifying jargon matters more than selling features 03:32 — Thomas’ superpower: predicting trends through data 04:27 — A Picasso anecdote that reframes failure and creative volume 05:14 — The moment Matt knew he made a difference 05:51 — How one bold healthcare decision rewired the status quo 06:33 — Putting employees at the center of a high-stakes pivot 07:45 — From whiteboard skepticism to market leadership 08:58 — Internal pressure, financial risk, and the cost of disruption 09:34 — The Uber analogy that put it all in perspective 10:15 — Thomas’ moment of impact: using data to reduce turnover 10:50 — Running live experiments on praise, incentives, and trust 11:32 — Why retention is really about investing in humans This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/
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    12 min
  • Brock Arnold and Rita Kusi on defining people heroes and building purpose from hardship

    Brock Arnold and Rita Kusi on defining people heroes and building purpose from hardship
    Jul 31 2025
    Live from the isolved booth at SHRM in San Diego, William Tincup and Ryan Leary sit down with two guests who’ve never met—but leave with a shared outlook on HR leadership, family, and purpose. Brock Arnold and Rita Kusi bring two powerful, personal takes on what it means to be a “people hero”—and how life, work, and service intersect when you’re truly committed to others. Rita shares how she left her corporate job and moved back to Ghana to build an HR consultancy from the ground up. She talks about her passion for remote team development and the power of global inclusion. Brock opens up about the emotional impact of his son’s leukemia diagnosis and how it reshaped his values. That moment sparked the creation of Thrive Life Project, a nonprofit helping families facing trauma find peace and connection through healthy meals and hands-on activities. This one hits hard—and sticks with you. It’s about listening better, caring deeper, and remembering what really matters when the noise fades away. Timestamps 00:00 — Two strangers meet at the booth, but values connect fast 01:35 — What “people hero” really means in today’s workplace 02:26 — HR in a cape: Rita’s image of unsung heroes 03:29 — Brock breaks down empathy as action, not performance 04:08 — Giving without expectations becomes the core value 04:19 — Rita’s radical move to Ghana to give back through HR 05:18 — Brock’s world shifts with his son’s leukemia diagnosis 06:13 — The moment that led to founding Thrive Life Project 07:25 — What “barely surviving” looks like for families in crisis 09:07 — Why decision fatigue makes dinner feel impossible 10:07 — Bringing families together with meals and STEM—not screens 10:46 — Rita’s HR superpower: building remote teams across borders 12:19 — Why global synergy drives her passion for technology and people 12:33 — Brock’s superpower: empathetic listening that builds real trust 13:18 — Why culture doesn’t shift unless people feel understood 13:39 — Final reflections on timing, connection, and serving others when it matters most This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/
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    14 min
  • Darlene Winfield and Yira Coleman on leading with purpose, humor, and heart in HR

    Darlene Winfield and Yira Coleman on leading with purpose, humor, and heart in HR
    Jul 31 2025
    Recorded live from the isolved booth at SHRM 2025, this episode brings together two voices who embody what it means to be a “people hero.” Darlene Winfield and Yira Coleman join William Tincup and Ryan Leary for a heartfelt—and often hilarious—conversation about impact, purpose, and the power of showing up for others. Yira reflects on how encouragement drives her both personally and professionally. She shares the transcendent moment that led her to write a children’s book series inspired by the Fruit of the Spirit. Darlene channels her inner Wonder Woman, describing how she wields her “golden lasso” to pull people and processes together for good. The conversation flows from faith to fatherhood to the unexpected realities of managing HR in parks and rec—including graveyards. This one has range—and heart. Timestamps 00:00 — Bald jokes and wedding stories set the tone 00:49 — The mic’d-up altar moment that made it to the family DVD 02:14 — What’s your superpower? Yira brings the encouragement, Darlene brings the lasso 03:55 — Behind the scenes of Darlene’s HR podcast “Connections” 04:21 — What it means to be a “people hero” from hire to expire 05:08 — Yes, Darlene’s team manages a real graveyard 05:50 — Yira names her ultimate people hero—and it gets spiritual 06:40 — Faith, fake-outs, and Fort Worth front desks 07:40 — The transcendent career moment that inspired Yira’s children’s book series 09:20 — Stellar Strawberry and Barnabas Banana—how characters teach core virtues 10:00 — Darlene shares the quiet HR wins that never make headlines 11:07 — Why advocacy at work changes everything 11:29 — Work as a place where encouragement matters most 11:52 — Closing out with gratitude and a reminder of the everyday impact of HR This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/
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    12 min
  • Leaders who show up: Angela Carranza and Vilma Brager on real HR courage and empathy

    Leaders who show up: Angela Carranza and Vilma Brager on real HR courage and empathy
    Jul 31 2025
    Live from the isolved booth at SHRM 2025 in San Diego, William Tincup and Ryan Leary sit down with two sharp, grounded HR pros who lead with both heart and action. Angela Carranza, Controller at NEOpal, and Vilma Brager, Co-founder and CEO of Insight HR Consulting, bring real stories of trust, empathy, and courageous leadership into the spotlight. Angela talks through how auditing a forgotten PTO error helped an employee feel truly seen—and what that small act says about leading with care. Vilma shares how showing up for an employee during a personal crisis became a defining moment in her career. They both weigh in on what it means to be a “people hero”—and why performative leadership doesn’t cut it anymore. This one’s honest, unscripted, and packed with human-first insight. Timestamps 00:00 — Live at the isolved booth in San Diego 00:44 — Meet Angela Carranza and Vilma Brager 01:15 — What’s your HR superpower? 02:01 — Vilma on the power of difficult conversations 03:08 — Angela shares why empathy guides her leadership 04:00 — Sympathy vs empathy: how leaders get it wrong 05:21 — Defining “people heroes” in the HR world 06:04 — What it looks like when leaders roll up their sleeves 07:18 — Performative leadership vs authentic action 08:29 — Ryan shares a powerful CEO story from Kenexa 09:40 — Angela’s story: fixing a long-missed vacation accrual 10:58 — “I feel seen”: when small actions make a big impact 11:18 — Vilma on holding space for mental health before it was common 12:46 — Helping employees access resources with compassion 13:29 — Pre-COVID mental health stigma and how far we’ve come 13:56 — Final laughs and a mission to find the Aflac duck This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/
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    14 min
  • Alain Hunkins and Tim Sackett explain how rituals fix culture and expose bad leadership

    Alain Hunkins and Tim Sackett explain how rituals fix culture and expose bad leadership
    Jul 31 2025
    This episode was recorded live at SHRM from the isolved booth in San Diego. William Tincup and Ryan Leary spoke with Alain Hunkins and Tim Sackett about what culture actually looks like inside real companies. Alain explained why simple rituals can completely shift team energy without using policies or budgets. Tim pushed back on whether leaders even know how to build culture in the first place. They both argued that most teams never see culture modeled in action. They said that leaders usually confuse tasks for people. They described how rituals during interviews can help candidates understand whether they belong. They also explained why bad leaders often stay in power. They perform well. They bring in money. They meet goals. But they never learn how to lead. Timestamps 00:00 — The SHRM booth goes live with William and Ryan 00:52 — Alain sings Happy Birthday to show how rituals shift energy 02:17 — Leaders build culture through ritual. Bad managers don’t 03:21 — Alain explains how people-first leadership changes performance 03:44 — Tim questions whether leaders know how to build culture at all 04:07 — Alain shares a check-in ritual that changes team meetings 05:20 — Most people never learn culture because they never see it 05:39 — Tim asks why interviews don’t include real culture cues 06:54 — People should walk away from interviews if it’s not a fit 07:35 — Tim explains how performance rankings reveal real expectations 08:48 — Feedback should feel intense in the first 90 days 09:14 — Alain warns that buzzwords won’t fix culture 10:05 — Ryan asks whether bad culture is just bad fit 10:50 — Culture is your boss. Not the brand 11:30 — Alain explains why bad leaders get protected 13:08 — Tim defines a people hero as someone who balances business and care 14:56 — Alain says people heroes speak truth to power and lead with kindness This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/⁠
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    16 min
  • Latisha Hurdle and Heidi Barnett on empathy, hiring and the human side of leadership

    Latisha Hurdle and Heidi Barnett on empathy, hiring and the human side of leadership
    Jul 31 2025
    This live episode from the isolved booth at SHRM 2025 brings real talk and big energy. Hosts William Tincup and Ryan Leary sit down with two powerhouse women in HR—Latisha Hurdle of Rivers Casino and Heidi Barnett of Utah-based operations—to unpack what it really means to lead with heart. Latisha shares how she helps frontline talent rise through the ranks with empathy and structure, revealing how small shifts—like a changed shift time or a bonus day—can radically impact someone's trajectory. Heidi opens up about guiding working moms and seeing people’s potential before they see it in themselves. Both leaders drop raw stories on loyalty, intuition, and why hard conversations should never be sugarcoated. It’s HR storytelling at its most grounded—funny, human, and full of moments that hit harder than you’d expect. Timestamps 00:00 — Setting the tone live from the SHRM 2025 floor 00:38 — Latisha shares her journey from high school sweetheart to HR leader 02:00 — Heidi celebrates 20 years of marriage and stats on lasting partnerships 03:36 — The real key to strong relationships (and staying in them) 05:01 — What makes a "people hero" in the workplace 06:18 — HR as a champion for unseen talent 07:36 — Heidi helps a new mom see she doesn’t have to choose career or motherhood 09:08 — Latisha shares how a small scheduling change helped unlock leadership potential 11:00 — Why empathy in leadership matters more than ever 12:00 — Latisha’s superpower: trusting intuition when no one else does 14:45 — Heidi’s gift for breaking down complexity and reading people early 16:10 — The art of turning “no” into the next opportunity 17:50 — Why clear feedback beats soft landings 19:02 — Generational shifts in interview behavior and how HR is adapting 23:00 — The recruitment challenge at Rivers Casino and staying ahead of new competition 24:45 — Bonus days, hot meals, and betting on internal growth 26:46 — Latisha's dealer school program and commitment to internal mobility 27:16 — Final reflections on culture shock, coaching, and building people-first systems This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/
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    28 min
  • Servant leaders in sync: Ashantae Brooks and Tiana Houston on HR impact and talent moments

    Servant leaders in sync: Ashantae Brooks and Tiana Houston on HR impact and talent moments
    Jul 31 2025
    At the isolved booth at SHRM San Diego, William Tincup and Ryan Leary brought together two HR pros who had never met—Ashantae Brooks and Tiana Houston—and uncovered an instant connection. From their shared commitment to servant leadership to their passion for helping others thrive, the conversation quickly turned into a lively, heartfelt exchange. Ashantae, a Bronx-born talent whisperer now shaping purpose-driven careers, shared how empathy fuels her recruiting. Tiana, a Southern connector with a mission to uplift young professionals, reflected on the moment she helped a student land a dream job after months of mentorship. They both lit up when talking about superpowers—and both pointed to human connection as the key to lasting impact in HR. With jokes about Atlanta strip clubs, regional rivalries, and zodiac signs mixed in, the episode never loses its sense of realness. But beneath the laughs sits a core truth: the best HR leaders show up not just with skills, but with heart. Timestamps 00:00 — Two HR pros meet for the first time—instant vibes 00:44 — From Harlem to Atlanta—backgrounds, accents, and favorite local spots 02:21 — Strip club recommendations and airport celebrity sightings 03:34 — What makes a “people hero” in HR? 04:31 — Ashantae sees her role as servant leadership through talent conversations 05:25 — Tiana surprises everyone—servant leadership is in her bio 06:05 — SEC pride and southern hospitality decoded 07:40 — Bless your heart—Southern slang gets personal 08:00 — Tiana shares her proudest HR moment: an intern gets the job 08:35 — Ashantae almost passed on a candidate—until he blew her away 10:11 — Superpowers revealed: empathy, connection, and Olivia Pope energy 11:27 — Why talent acquisition means helping people find work they believe in 12:56 — No sugarcoating—honesty as a hiring asset 13:15 — Active vs passive candidates: does it matter if the fit and mission align? 14:16 — Would you turn down a dream job in the Caymans? Probably not. 15:19 — Final thoughts and big thanks to two new people heroes This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/
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    15 min
  • Brittany Dvorak and Katie Leonard reveal how HR becomes real when people decide to show up

    Brittany Dvorak and Katie Leonard reveal how HR becomes real when people decide to show up
    Jul 31 2025
    This episode takes place live at the isolved booth during SHRM 2025. William Tincup and Ryan Leary invite two guests who had no plan to be recorded. Brittany Dvorak and Katie Leonard join the conversation without warning. What follows feels honest. Nothing sounds rehearsed. Brittany explains why being blunt earns trust when it comes from care. She shares how speaking up changes more than policy. Katie talks about showing up at every location, even when others forget to. She recalls the moment a worker thanked her for explaining benefits. Both women share stories that reveal what it means to help someone feel seen. They make it clear that real HR happens when people remember to be human. Timestamps 00:00 — Two strangers walk in and agree to record without a script 00:43 — They find common ground through football and conference fatigue 01:26 — Brittany calls for wine and honesty in professional spaces 02:25 — Katie explains how her boss earns trust by fighting for fairness 03:26 — Brittany defines a people hero as someone who disrupts when it counts 04:16 — William says real leadership means speaking truth to power 04:27 — Brittany owns her bluntness and explains why it builds stronger teams 06:38 — Katie says she shows up when others don’t and makes people feel included 07:44 — Brittany shares how a check-in helped someone choose to stay alive 10:06 — They reflect on how empathy showed up during COVID but faded too fast 11:15 — Katie remembers the moment she knew HR was the right path 12:44 — William reminds everyone that great HR begins with listening This episode was recorded live with isolved at the SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. The Heroes of HR podcast is a limited series sponsored by isolved. isolved is an HCM platform that modernizes HR, benefits, and payroll across Healthcare, Hospitality, Manufacturing, and more. Learn more about isolved: ⁠https://www.isolvedhcm.com/⁠ Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/⁠ Connect with us on social: Site: ⁠http://www.wrkdefined.com⁠ TikTok: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined⁠ Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/⁠ Twitter (X): ⁠https://twitter.com/WRKdefined⁠ Substack: ⁠https://wrkdefined.substack.com/⁠
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    13 min