The State of Work Today

#45 - Unfiltered: AI, Bias, and What HR Keeps Getting Wrong - with "The Evil HR Lady"

In this bold episode of The State of Work Today, I talk with Suzanne Lucas [https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannemlucas/]—better known as the Evil HR Lady [https://x.com/RealEvilHRLady]—about the real state of modern HR. Suzanne doesn't hold back as we dig into where HR data fails, how AI is quietly reshaping hiring (and not always in good ways), and why storytelling and improv might be HR's most underused tools. We also get real about the gender pay gap, leadership blind spots, and the danger of HR professionals making decisions based on gut, not evidence. Whether you're in HR, lead a team, or just want to understand how the workplace is changing—this one will make you think. Listen now! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

#44 - Why Leading with Heart Is the Future of Work — Mark C. Crowley on Rethinking Leadership

What if everything we’ve been taught about leadership is wrong? In this episode of The State of Work Today, I’m joined by Mark C. Crowley [https://www.linkedin.com/in/markccrowley/]—leadership visionary, bestselling author of Lead from the Heart, and host of one of the world’s top-ranked podcasts. Mark’s journey from a painful childhood to a career of award-winning leadership is more than inspiring—it’s a wake-up call. We explore why fear-based management is failing us, how genuine care drives exceptional performance, and why “employee engagement” needs to be replaced with something far deeper: well-being. Mark shares the science, the story, and the stakes—and what every manager needs to hear now. This conversation doesn’t just challenge the status quo. It shows you how to lead in a way that people won’t forget. Listen now to rethink what leadership can and should be. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

#43 - Putting People First: How Co-ops Build Culture, Engagement, and Strategic HR with Felipe Pizarro, VP of People and Culture at North Central Co-op

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I talk with Felipe Pizarro [https://www.linkedin.com/in/felipe-pizarro/] about what makes the cooperative business model so unique—and how it changes the game in HR. Felipe shares his journey from ergonomics to executive leadership, what retail taught him about frontline engagement, and how North Central Co-op connects people, purpose, and performance. We dive into employee experience, succession planning, the power of listening, and why DEI is more than a metric—it's a commitment to community. We also talk data, AI, and what the future of HR looks like when people strategy actually leads business strategy. Listen now to learn how co-ops put people first—and why that’s smart business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

#42 - How to Be the CEO of Your Own Health – with Dana E. Sherwin

In this episode of The State of Work Today, I sit down with Dana E. Sherwin, CEO and founder of Thinking Patient LLC. With more than 35 years of experience in healthcare leadership—and a deeply personal health journey—Dana shares why patient-physician communication is broken and how we can fix it. We dive into how to prepare for medical appointments, what’s behind medication non-adherence, and how AI can empower patients to ask better questions. We also talk about the employer’s role in helping workers manage chronic conditions and the hidden ROI of investing in health benefits. Whether you're a patient, HR leader, or healthcare professional, this episode offers practical insight you won’t want to miss. Listen now and learn how to become the CEO of your own health. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

#41 - Wellness Isn’t an App: Rethinking Employee Well-Being with Bob Merberg

What if your wellness program is solving the wrong problem? In this episode of State of Work Today, I sit down with Bob Merberg—consultant, content strategist, and publisher of the HeHo newsletter—to break down what real workplace well-being looks like. We dig into the limits of health apps and step challenges, and focus on what actually drives retention, productivity, and mental health: job design, autonomy, and organizational change. If you want to build a culture that actually supports your people, this conversation is where to start. Listen now: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]