Dear Human Resources:

Hosted by Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D.

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137

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

Are you interested in getting an insider’s look at HR? Dear Human Resources takes current HR topics and trends, looks at the research, talks to experts (both practitioners and researchers), and gives listeners a behind-the-scenes’ perspective on HR topics. Our podcasts also explore how other fields such as architecture, social justice, or science influence HR. We conclude our podcasts with one breakthrough idea, which could radically change the field of human resources. Listen to Dear Human Resources on iTunes, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts. Legal Disclaimer: This HR podcast series provides content to listeners and an opportunity for dialogue. It does not offer legal advice, and makes no representation as to the accuracy and suitability of the content for a particular purpose. The host, Dr. Marie-Line Germain, is a professor of Human Resources and Leadership at Western Carolina University (a campus of the University of North Carolina). https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-line-germain/

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 15, 202620 min

Ep. 135 - Dementia’s Surprising Lessons for Today’s Leaders - Glenna Hecht

Today’s episode sits at the intersection of leadership, empathy, and lived experience. Our topic is Dementia’s Surprising Lessons for Today’s Leaders. My guest, Glenna Hetch, is a leadership speaker, consultant, and author with more than three decades of executive leadership experience in HR and training. She has worked with organizations such as Starbucks, Levy Restaurants at Walt Disney World, Buffalo Wild Wings, franchise leadership groups, and national associations. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis

June 1, 202634 min

Ep. 134 - Levating the virtual meeting experience for remote & hybrid teams - Mark Mallchok

Today’s episode focuses on something we have all experienced virtual and hybrid meetings. Many organizations are still struggling to make virtual meetings feel engaging and worth people’s time. To help us rethink how we design these experiences, I’m delighted to welcome Mark Mallchok, Principal and Chief Event Strategist at Brella Productions. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis

May 15, 202622 min

Ep. 133 - How AI, Compliance, and High-Skill Independent Workers Will Reshape HR Strategy - Colleen Tiner

Colleen Tiner, Chief Product Officer at Beeline, leads the company’s AI-related initiatives. She talks about How AI, Compliance, and High-Skill Independent Workers Will Reshape HR Strategy. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis

May 1, 202621 min

Ep. 129 - AI’s Role in the Modern HR Function - Joey Price

In this episode, we’re talking about AI’s Role in the Modern HR Function. Artificial intelligence is transforming how organizations recruit, manage, and support employees — but with these innovations come important questions about ethics, fairness, and the future of work. Joining me today is Joey Price, CEO of Jumpstart HR, TEDx speaker on AI in the workplace, and author of the book The Power of HR: How to Make an Organizational Impact as a People Professional. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis

April 15, 202615 min

Ep. 132 - Parental Leave Policies - Beth Wanner

Today’s conversation sits right at the intersection of people, policy, and performance. We're going to focus on Parental Leave Policies. Our guest is Beth Wanner, the founder of Mother Cover, an agency that provides interim and fractional leadership coverage to help organizations maintain momentum while employees take parental or caregiver leave. Beth brings a rare and powerful dual perspective to this work. She’s led teams as a tech executive, and she’s also navigated the personal transformation of becoming a mother. That combination gave her a front-row seat to a persistent workplace tension: how organizations can genuinely support employees through major life transitions without sacrificing business continuity. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis

April 1, 202620 min

Ep. 131 - Busy Work Is the First Thing AI Should Take - Sharon Gai

Today’s episode is about AI, but not in the usual way. We’re not talking about fear, replacement, or hype. Instead, we’re asking a much more practical question: Busy Work is the First Thing AI Should Take: How to Break Down Your Job Into ‘AI Tasks’ and ‘Human Tasks’—and Why It Matters. And how can we break our jobs into AI tasks and human tasks—in a way that actually gives us back time, energy, and agency? Our guest is Sharon Gai, an international keynote and TEDx speaker, AI and innovation expert, former Alibaba executive, and author of the book How to Do More with Less: Future-Proofing Yourself in an AI-Driven Economy. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Host: Kelly Minnis

March 15, 202619 min

Ep. 130 - What HR leaders can learn from a fighter pilot cockpit drill - Boo Boucousis

Christian “Boo” Boucousis (“Boo") is a former fighter pilot turned CEO of the company Afterburner., which helps organizations translate high-stakes aviation thinking into business execution. He’s the author of The Afterburner Advantage, an Amazon bestseller in leadership, and he works with Fortune 500 companies—and even NFL teams that went on to win the Super Bowl—to build purpose-driven, high-performing cultures. He’s known for turning chaos into clarity. Book talks about what HR leaders can learn from a fighter pilot cockpit drill. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Host: Kelly Minnis

February 15, 202618 min

Ep. 128 - Pets at Work Can Increase Productivity - Erika Sinner

Our guest is Erika Sinner, Founder and CEO of Directorie, a $15 million healthcare commercialization company and a two-time Inc. 5000 honoree. She also serves as the Chief Empathy Officer at the nonprofit TinySuperheroes, empowering critically ill children to discover their strength and voice. A passionate advocate for pet-inclusive workplaces and a leading voice on pet bereavement leave, Erika is the bestselling author of Pets Are Family. In this episode, she talks about the Importance of Celebrating Our Pets in the Workplace. From Slack channels full of puppy pics to thoughtful pet bereavement policies, organizations are recognizing what many of us already know—pets are family, and honoring that truth can transform culture. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis

February 1, 202618 min

Ep. 127 - Why qualified candidates get ghosted - Steph Cartwright

Today’s episode dives into a frustrating but all-too-common experience for job seekers — submitting dozens of resumes and hearing... nothing. Why are qualified candidates getting ghosted? And what exactly are recruiters — and the bots they use — really looking for? To help us unpack this, I’m joined by Steph Cartwright, a Job Search Strategist, Certified Resume Writer, and the solopreneur behind Off The Clock Resumes. Since 2014, Steph has helped hundreds of job seekers break through barriers and get noticed, offering guidance on everything from resumes to LinkedIn strategy. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis

January 15, 202619 min

Ep. 126 - Job Hugging - Hanna Hasl-Kelchner

Our guest is Hanna Hasl-Kelchner, the international award-winning author of Seeking Fairness at Work. She was named one of the Top 9 Impact Authors by the 2024 Goody Business Book Awards. A former business lawyer turned strategist and host of the syndicated podcast Business Confidential Now, Hanna blends legal, social, and practical insight to help leaders build fair and high-performing workplaces. Host: Marie-Line Germain, Ph.D. Mixing: Kelly Minnis