Épisodes

  • Payroll Under Pressure: Lessons from Season 14’s Powerhouse Guests

    Payroll Under Pressure: Lessons from Season 14’s Powerhouse Guests
    Oct 26 2025
    In this Season 14 Review of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan reflect on one of their most dynamic seasons yet—packed with powerhouse guests, innovation talk, and real-world payroll insights. They open by reframing mindset and language, stressing how positivity and intentional speech shape success. The duo then dives into financial fitness for payroll pros, revealing practical ways to cut costs—like reducing check shipping and optimizing onboarding for direct deposits. The conversation shifts to the growing role of AI in payroll, sparked by a Paycom ad and expanded into deeper questions about automation, auditing, and the evolving role of payroll professionals. They also review a “Layoff Survival Guide” from Newsday, offering tangible advice on preparedness, emotional recovery, and resilience in uncertain times. Wrapping up, Brian and Walt celebrate their guest lineup—from global leaders like Max van der Klis-Busink and Kira Rubiano to payroll innovators redefining the profession. This is a motivating, future-focused reflection designed to inspire every payroll pro to grow, adapt, and lead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h
  • Payroll with Purpose: Attracting the Next Generation

    Payroll with Purpose: Attracting the Next Generation
    Oct 20 2025
    Join us for an inspiring episode of "It's About Payroll" as we sit down with Troy Markusson, a seasoned payroll leader and mentor, to discuss the future of payroll and how to attract the next generation of professionals to this essential field. In this episode, Troy shares his journey from college intern to payroll innovator, his passion for making payroll "cool," and the importance of purpose, compassion, and curiosity in building a successful payroll career. We dive into the biggest changes in payroll, the skills that matter most today, and how technology and mentorship are shaping the industry. Whether you're a payroll veteran, new to the field, or just curious about what makes payroll so impactful, this conversation is packed with insights, real-world stories, and practical advice for anyone looking to grow in their career. https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll, itsaboutpayroll.io https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-markusson/ https://youtu.be/hH_PjjvUQlg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    48 min
  • From Comics to Payroll: How Jim Kohl Turned Creativity into Leadership

    From Comics to Payroll: How Jim Kohl Turned Creativity into Leadership
    Oct 13 2025
    In Episode 179 of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan III sit down with Jim Kohl, a payroll leader whose career bridges compliance, creativity, and comic-book storytelling. Jim shares his origin story—from English major and stand-up comic to Paychex trainee and, eventually, one of the first employees at Check Technologies, where he helped pioneer embedded payroll. Together they explore how this new model integrates gross-to-net calculations, tax filing, and payouts directly into SaaS platforms—redefining what it means to “run payroll.” The trio also dive into current payroll news, from the IRS furlough to a shocking comic-book restoration scandal and a 75,000-ghost-employee fraud in Zimbabwe. Jim’s perspective blends humor with hard lessons about compliance, community, and building teams from the ground up. Whether you’re a payroll veteran or new to the field, this episode shows why payroll isn’t just numbers—it’s people, process, and passion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    1 h et 2 min
  • The Future of Tipped Workers

    The Future of Tipped Workers
    Oct 6 2025
    🚨 Is the tip system broken? 🚨 From underpaid service staff to gender & racial wage gaps, the truth about tipped pay isn’t pretty — and it could all be changing soon. Episode 178 of It’s About Payroll exposes the real numbers, the hidden biases, and why the future of tipped work might be headed for a total shake-up. 💡 If you’ve ever left a tip — or relied on one — you need to hear this. 🎧 Listen now! #earnings #PaycheckTruth #WageEquality #paytransparency #tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    51 min
  • Mind. Body. Payroll. - Kira’s Powerful Journey

    Mind. Body. Payroll. - Kira’s Powerful Journey
    Sep 28 2025
    Global payroll leader Kira Rubiano returns to It’s About Payroll—but this time, the conversation goes far beyond payroll. Kira opens up about her courageous battle with breast cancer, her path to remission, and the lessons she’s bringing back into leadership, consulting, and community. From early detection to empathetic leadership, this episode blends professional insights with powerful personal resilience. A must-listen for payroll pros, HR leaders, and anyone seeking inspiration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    55 min
  • Brent Skinner on Payroll, Technology, and the Future of Work

    Brent Skinner on Payroll, Technology, and the Future of Work
    Sep 22 2025
    In this episode, we dive deep into the future of payroll, automation, and the impact of AI on the world of work with special guest Brent Skinner—renowned HCM and HR tech analyst, podcast host, and industry thought leader. Join us as we explore: What “autonomous payroll” really means and how close we are to letting AI run the show The evolving role of payroll professionals in an automated world Why “payroll pilots” (humans) are still essential, even as technology advances The importance of adapting, learning, and controlling the narrative around AI in payroll Real-world insights, stories, and a few laughs about branding, learning, and the future of work Whether you’re an HR pro, payroll specialist, business leader, or just curious about how technology is changing the workplace, this conversation is packed with practical advice and big-picture thinking. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on the future of work, technology, and leadership! Connect with us: Podcast:[https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payrol] https://youtu.be/zBS3iZXl0q4 Guest: Brent Skinner (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentskinner/) #payroll #ai #futureofwork #automation #hrtech #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    48 min
  • Why 78% of Americans Say Leadership is Broken—and How to Fix It

    Why 78% of Americans Say Leadership is Broken—and How to Fix It
    Sep 16 2025
    In this episode of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walt welcome leadership expert William Davis, author of How to Lead Without Just Managing. With decades of experience in corporate, consulting, and retail leadership, William brings practical insights on what makes leaders truly effective. The conversation dives into today’s leadership crisis, where 78% of Americans believe organizations are failing. William explains why trust—not just respect—is the foundation of leadership, and how empathy and emotional intelligence are essential “power skills” for guiding teams. He shares stories from his career at Bank of America and beyond, illustrating how leaders can inspire by putting their teams first, building genuine relationships, and leading with authenticity. Listeners will also learn how to spot hidden leadership potential, avoid toxic traits, and lead effectively—even without a formal title. Whether you’re an executive, HR leader, or emerging professional, this episode provides actionable tools for building stronger teams and reshaping leadership in today’s workplace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    52 min
  • On the Clock: Dean Matthews on Time Tracking, Payroll, and People-First Leadership

    On the Clock: Dean Matthews on Time Tracking, Payroll, and People-First Leadership
    Sep 8 2025
    Get ready for an inspiring deep dive into the world of payroll, time tracking, and people-first leadership! In this episode of "It's About Payroll," we sit down with Dean Matthews, visionary CEO and founder of On the Clock—a leading time tracking solution trusted by over 15,000 businesses. Dean shares his journey from self-taught developer to SaaS leader, revealing how he built On the Clock from the ground up and transformed it into a powerhouse for payroll professionals and small business owners. Discover how Dean’s passion for innovation, transparency, and servant leadership has shaped his company’s culture and product. We explore: • The biggest payroll and time tracking challenges facing businesses today • How automation and AI are changing the payroll landscape • Practical tips for financial fitness and saving money in your organization • The importance of compliance, transparency, and customer-driven innovation • Dean’s advice for aspiring tech leaders and entrepreneurs. Plus, don’t miss our fun “This or That” segment, where Dean and the hosts reveal their favorite foods, leadership philosophies, and more! If you’re a payroll pro, business owner, or just love stories of innovation and leadership, this episode is for you. Like, subscribe, and join the conversation in the comments! 🔗 Learn more about On the Clock: https://www.ontheclock.com🔗 Connect with Dean Matthews on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deanmatthews/ https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll, itsaboutpayroll.io https://youtu.be/OHgJqTX4w6M Payroll #Leadership #SaaS #TimeTracking #Podcast #OnTheClock #BusinessInnovation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Voir plus Voir moins
    56 min