What Companies Get Wrong About Hiring and Retaining Veteran Talent

Building Your Queendom: Community, Conferences & Courageous Career Reinvention

In this special episode of The EVOLVE Talent & HR Show, recorded at the Workhuman Live Conference, host Anna Morgan sits down with Sarah McConnell for a conversation about community, entrepreneurship, intentional networking, and redefining success in the future of work. After more than two decades in HR, Sarah shares why Workhuman Live remains the one conference she returns to every year—and how attending solo opened unexpected opportunities for growth, connection, and courage. Together, Anna and Sarah explore the power of curated dinners, fringe events, and authentic relationship-building in an increasingly digital world. The conversation highlights why trust, generosity, and human connection continue to outperform transactional networking. Sarah also opens up about her entrepreneurial journey—from leaving traditional HR paths to building a fractional consulting business—and the mindset shifts required to create something meaningful on your own terms. One of the most memorable moments comes when Sarah reflects on friends telling her she’s building an empire, only to realize she may actually be building something different: A queendom. This episode is for HR leaders, founders, consultants, and anyone navigating career reinvention while seeking deeper community and purpose. * Why Workhuman Live is the one conference Sarah prioritizes every year * The freedom and growth that come from attending conferences alone * Curated dinners, fringe events, and creating meaningful connections * How community combats isolation for founders and HR professionals * Why trust and relationships outperform transactional networking * Building a business rooted in purpose, courage, and human connection * Sarah’s transition into entrepreneurship and fractional HR consulting * The realities of building a business after a long corporate career * AI, HR technology, and designing solutions intentionally for smaller teams * Frustrations with traditional HR systems and opportunities for innovation * Portfolio careers and the rise of fractional leadership * The mindset shifts required to create your own path * “Borrow the belief”: navigating uncertainty as an entrepreneur * Redefining success through fulfillment, flexibility, and ownership 00:09 — Anna introduces the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show and its mission 01:40 — Meet Sarah McConnell and the vision behind Gather Group 02:32 — Why Workhuman is the only conference Sarah attends annually 03:06 — The freedom and growth that comes from attending conferences solo 04:20 — Fringe event strategy: saying yes while trusting your instincts 05:11 — Why curated dinners create deeper human connection 06:25 — Community, hopelessness, and the power of gathering good humans 07:38 — Conferences as trust accelerators for vendors and practitioners 08:26 — Building a “Queendom” instead of just an empire 09:20 — Why intentionality defines the Workhuman conference culture 10:35 — Sarah’s journey into entrepreneurship and fractional HR consulting 11:09 — AI, HR tech, and building tools intentionally for tiny teams 12:47 — HRIS frustrations, market research, and designing better systems 14:12 — What Sarah wishes she knew before starting her business 15:31 — “Borrow the belief” and the emotional side of entrepreneurship 16:35 — Portfolio careers and the future of fractional work 17:40 — Why building your own path creates a different kind of fulfillment 18:16 — Where to connect with Sarah and Gather Group | Follow Us | Follow Sarah McConnell Website | https://www.gthr-group.com/ [https://www.gthr-group.com/] LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-mcconnell-shrm-cp/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-mcconnell-shrm-cp/] (Sarah McConnell is the co-founder and principal HR consultant of Gather Group, where she partners with small and midsize organizations to build scalable people operations, HR infrastructure, and human-centered workplace foundations. With more than 20 years of HR experience, Sarah specializes in helping growing organizations untangle operational complexity while creating intentional, people-first systems that support long-term growth.) Follow Anna Morgan Website | https://yourcareerbff.com/ [https://yourcareerbff.com/] LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all] Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/annamorgancareerbff/ [https://www.instagram.com/annamorgancareerbff/] Facebook | https://web.facebook.com/anna.morgan.351104 [https://web.facebook.com/anna.morgan.351104] Join the EVOLVE Shine 2027 waitlist: https://yourcareerbff.com/evolve-2027 [https://yourcareerbff.com/evolve-2027] Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences? Book an EVOLVE partnership call: https://calendly.com/annamorgan/evolve-partnership [https://calendly.com/annamorgan/evolve-partnership] If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.

The EVOLVE Effect: Why Conferences Need More Conversations, Not Just Content

Recorded live after WorkHuman Live in Orlando, Florida, host Anna Morgan [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all] is joined by guests Sam Eaton [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaeaton1450] and Miles Pell [https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesradio/]to explore the conversations that often matter most at conferences — the ones that happen after keynote sessions end and people connect as humans rather than job titles. Together, they discuss why leaders, founders, HR professionals, and vendors are craving experiences beyond transactional networking. The conversation explores trust in the future of work, the renewed importance of in-person connection, and why emotionally intelligent community-building is becoming a competitive advantage. They unpack conference FOMO, networking anxiety, psychological safety, and why meaningful opportunities often come from curiosity and authentic relationships rather than scripted business development. The discussion also examines how curated dinners and community-centered experiences create long-term ROI through collaboration, mentorship, and unexpected partnerships. At its core, this episode explores the EVOLVE effect: creating intentional spaces where conversations spark ideas, people feel seen, and community becomes the catalyst for elevating the future of work. • Why trust is becoming one of the most valuable currencies in business • How curated conference dinners create deeper opportunities • Why HR leaders need to rethink transactional networking • The role psychological safety plays in conferences • How curiosity builds stronger relationships than pitching • Why in-person connection matters more than ever • How conferences strengthen leadership and emotional intelligence • Tips for navigating networking anxiety and conference FOMO • Why collaboration outperforms gatekeeping • How intentional follow-up creates long-term conference ROI 00:00 — Purpose behind the curated WorkHuman dinner experience 00:14 — How Trua is modernizing background screening and trust verification 02:00 — Why in-person conferences matter in a remote-first world 03:22 — Elevator conversations that became meaningful opportunities 04:25 — Why curated dinners differ from traditional networking 05:21 — Conference pet peeves and disengaged attendees 06:11 — Relearning human connection after years of isolation 07:46 — Modeling confident connection through “permission slips” 08:56 — Why psychologically safe spaces matter 09:58 — Conference FOMO and navigating exclusive events 11:49 — “You’re not going to get what you don’t ask for.” 12:21 — Why curiosity is an underrated networking skill 14:24 — The danger of gatekeeping in communities 15:35 — Conferences as a response to loneliness and leadership isolation 16:24 — Why trust-centered dinners outperform transactional networking 18:08 — Why conference ROI starts before attendance 19:43 — The problem with short-term relationship-building 22:19 — Leadership, mentorship, and “borrowing belief” | Follow Us | Follow Miles Peli Website | Reusable Identity & Background Screening | Trua [https://truame.com/] LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesradio/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/milesradio/] (Miles Pell has spent more than 15 years working alongside HR leaders and organizations on systems, strategy, and workforce trust solutions. He currently works with Trua, helping organizations modernize identity verification, background screening, and ongoing trust validation in a more human-centered and privacy-conscious way.) Follow Sam Eatoon Website | https://mindabilitybusinesscoaching.com/ [https://mindabilitybusinesscoaching.com/] LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaeaton1450 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/samanthaeaton1450/?lipi=urn%3Ali%3Apage%3Ad_flagship3_search_srp_all%3BJOlTYgAJTPyZoDPVWGVTyg%3D%3D] Instagram | Sam Eaton (@sam.eatonagain) • Instagram profile [https://www.instagram.com/sam.eatonagain/] (Sam Eaton is a community-driven business strategist and mastermind host with Mindability. She is known for creating intentional networking experiences that prioritize authentic relationships, collaboration, and long-term community growth across the future of work ecosystem.) Follow Anna Morgan Website | Anna Morgan [https://yourcareerbff.com/] LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all [https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all] Instagram | Anna Morgan | Careerbff® (@annamorgancareerbff) • Instagram profile [https://www.instagram.com/annamorgancareerbff/] Facebook | https://web.facebook.com/anna.morgan.351104 [https://web.facebook.com/anna.morgan.351104] Join the EVOLVE Shine 2027 waitlist: EVOLVE 2027 — Anna Morgan [https://yourcareerbff.com/evolve-2027] Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences? Book an EVOLVE partnership call: https://calendly.com/annamorgan/evolve-partnership [https://calendly.com/annamorgan/evolve-partnership] If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.

What Companies Get Wrong About Hiring and Retaining Veteran Talent

In this episode of the EVOLVE Talent and HR Show, Rhona Pierce sits down with Lee Cage, technology strategist, Army National Guard veteran, and Director of Technology & Transformation at BDO USA, live from EVOLVE 2026 in Atlanta. Organizations often celebrate hiring veterans—but hiring is only the first step. What happens after the offer letter matters just as much. From onboarding and retention to everyday team support, Lee shares what companies and leaders need to understand about supporting veteran employees who may be balancing both civilian and military responsibilities. Drawing from nearly 18 years of service in the Army National Guard, Lee explains the mindset shifts veterans navigate daily, why strong team support matters, and how organizations can create environments where veteran talent truly thrives. This conversation offers practical insight for HR leaders, managers, and teammates who want to build stronger, more supportive workplaces for those who serve. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why hiring veterans is only the first step toward real inclusion - The unique challenges of balancing civilian careers and military service - What organizations often misunderstand about veteran commitments - How managers and teams can better support veteran employees - Why veterans bring strong project management and execution skills to organizations - The mindset shifts required for dual military and civilian service - Practical ways coworkers can step up to support veteran colleagues - One simple action leaders can take to better support veterans at work Key Moments / Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show 02:43 – Lee Cage’s journey serving in the Army National Guard 03:19 – Why having the right “flight crew” matters in organizations 04:15 – What companies get wrong after hiring veterans 05:34 – What organizations that support veterans well actually do 06:51 – Why veterans bring strong execution and leadership skills 07:58 – The realities managers often misunderstand about military service 08:52 – The mindset shift between military and civilian roles 10:16 – How coworkers can support veteran teammates 12:38 – Simple ways to better support veterans at work 14:37 – Where to connect with Lee Cage Lee Cage is a technology strategist, Army National Guard veteran, and Director of Technology and Transformation at BDO USA. With nearly two decades of military service and extensive experience in enterprise transformation and collaborative work management, Lee is passionate about helping organizations position talent for success while advocating for better support of veteran professionals in the workplace. | Follow Us | Follow Lee Cage Website | https://linktr.ee/LeeCageJr LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/leecage/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/leecagejr/ Follow Rhona Pierce Website | https://www.rhonapierce.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonapierce Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/ Follow Anna Morgan Website | https://yourcareerbff.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/annamorgancareerbff/ Facebook | https://web.facebook.com/anna.morgan.351104 Join the EVOLVE Shine 2027 waitlist: https://yourcareerbff.com/evolve-2027 Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences? Book an EVOLVE partnership call: https://calendly.com/annamorgan/evolve-partnership If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.

Why Ignoring Gen X Is Costing Your Organization

In this episode of the EVOLVE Talent and HR Show, Rhona Pierce sits down with executive recruiter Kyle Samuels live from EVOLVE 2026 in Atlanta to discuss an overlooked workforce advantage: Gen X leaders. While organizations focus heavily on attracting Gen Z and Millennials, Kyle argues that companies are missing a powerful opportunity by overlooking the generation currently running teams, bridging cultures, and delivering stability inside organizations. From hiring bias to candidate experience and leadership maturity, this conversation explores why Gen X professionals bring a unique combination of work ethic, technological fluency, and organizational loyalty that many companies underestimate. If you're a recruiter, HR leader, or hiring manager, this episode challenges you to rethink how generational dynamics shape your talent strategy. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why Gen X may be the most undervalued leadership generation - How hiring processes unintentionally filter out experienced candidates - Why Gen X leaders offer stability and loyalty organizations often overlook - The role generational bias plays in recruiting decisions - What Gen X can teach younger generations about leadership and execution - What Gen Z can teach Gen X about boundaries and work-life balance - How recruiters and HR leaders can make hiring processes more inclusive across generations - A simple way to audit your hiring process for generational bias Key Moments / Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show 02:17 – Kyle Samuels’ journey into executive search 03:20 – Why Gen X is the workforce’s secret weapon 05:13 – How Gen X candidates experience modern hiring processes 07:42 – Hidden signals in job descriptions that discourage experienced candidates 08:48 – Why companies overlook Gen X talent 09:51 – The loyalty advantage Gen X brings to organizations 11:04 – What Gen X can learn from Gen Z about work-life boundaries 12:58 – How HR leaders can reduce generational bias in hiring 13:41 – Where to connect with Kyle Samuels Kyle Samuels is the founder of Creative Talent Endeavors, an executive search and career advisory firm specializing in leadership placements and outplacement services. With experience placing senior leaders across industries, Kyle helps organizations identify top executive talent while also guiding professionals through career transitions. He is a frequent speaker on leadership hiring trends, generational workforce dynamics, and candidate experience. | Follow Us | Follow Kyle Samuels Website | https://www.hirecte.com LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylesamuels Follow Rhona Pierce Website | https://www.rhonapierce.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonapierce Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/ Follow Anna Morgan Website | https://yourcareerbff.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/annamorgancareerbff/ Facebook | https://web.facebook.com/anna.morgan.351104 Join the EVOLVE Shine 2027 waitlist: https://yourcareerbff.com/evolve-2027 Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences? Book an EVOLVE partnership call: https://calendly.com/annamorgan/evolve-partnership If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.

Julia Arpag on Building a LinkedIn Brand That Converts (Without Selling Your Soul)

In this episode of the EVOLVE Talent and HR Show, Rhona Pierce takes over live from EVOLVE 2026 in Atlanta for a conversation with Julia Arpag, founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment. After being laid off just five weeks postpartum, Julia built a seven-figure recruiting firm in under two years—largely fueled by founder-led marketing and storytelling on LinkedIn. In this episode, she shares how authenticity, consistency, and a clear sense of purpose helped her turn content into real revenue. Julia and Rhona dive into how recruiters and leaders can build visibility without feeling performative, why vanity metrics don’t matter, and how authentic storytelling can convert into meaningful business relationships. If you’ve ever struggled with showing up online, selling your services, or balancing authenticity with growth, this episode offers practical insights and encouragement. In this episode, you’ll learn: - Why revenue—not engagement—is the metric that actually matters - How Julia built a seven-figure recruiting firm in under two years - The difference between marketing on LinkedIn and selling on LinkedIn - Why storytelling is the most powerful sales tool recruiters have - How to build visibility online without feeling inauthentic - What to post about when you're just starting and don’t have many success stories yet - How founder-led marketing can drive real revenue - Why learning sales skills can transform your career or business Key Moments / Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome to the EVOLVE Talent & HR Show 02:48 – Julia’s journey: laid off postpartum to building a firm 05:52 – Why vanity metrics don’t matter 07:41 – Storytelling as a recruiting sales strategy 10:08 – Learning to sell as a first-time founder 12:19 – The mindset behind building a seven-figure business 15:01 – How to build an authentic LinkedIn brand 16:31 – Where to connect with Julia ArpagGuest Bio Julia Arpag is the founder and CEO of Aligned Recruitment, a values-driven recruiting firm specializing in tech talent. After being laid off five weeks postpartum in 2023, she launched the company and grew it to seven figures in under two years through founder-led marketing and authentic storytelling on LinkedIn. Julia is passionate about helping companies hire exceptional talent while empowering recruiters and founders to build businesses rooted in authenticity, values, and service. | Follow Us | Follow Julia Arpag Website | https://alignedrecruitment.com LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-arpag/ Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/foster_your_tribe/ Follow Rhona Pierce Website | https://www.rhonapierce.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonapierce Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/ Follow Anna Morgan Website | https://yourcareerbff.com/ LinkedIn | https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolve-conference-careerbff/posts/?feedView=all Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/annamorgancareerbff/ Facebook | https://web.facebook.com/anna.morgan.351104 Join the EVOLVE Shine 2027 waitlist: https://yourcareerbff.com/evolve-2027 Interested in collaborating or sponsoring EVOLVE experiences? Book an EVOLVE partnership call: https://calendly.com/annamorgan/evolve-partnership If this episode resonated, subscribe, share it with a fellow HR or Talent leader, and leave a review to help more people-first leaders discover the show.