Empowering people through insightful interviews and resources on HR, payroll, training, and professional development. Subscribe to the HR Like a Boss podcast to connect with and learn from inspiring HR professionals who are transforming the workplace.
Listen to episodes
60 recent
June 11, 2026Episode 21227 min
Transforming Leadership Through Self-Awareness | HR Like a Boss with Shaina Lane
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz speaks with Shaina Lane, founder and CEO of Premier Professional Coaching. They discuss the importance of self-awareness in leadership, the purpose of human resources, and the need for early leadership development. Shaina shares her transformative experiences in public speaking and coaching, emphasizing the significance of supporting the human function in organizations. They also delve into Shaina's book, 'Leadership Is Easy (Said No One Ever),' which outlines 11 essential habits for effective leadership.ABOUT SHAINA LANEShaina Lane is a professional speaker, author, leadership expert, and ice cream addict. Before starting her own business in 2019, she built a career in healthcare and successfully transitioned to HR 15 years later. She has a master’s degree in education and more coaching credentials than should be legal. When she’s not developing leaders, she’s taking comedy classes, training for triathlons, or coming up with increasingly creative excuses to avoid yard work.
June 4, 2026Episode 21134 min
Elevating Employee Engagement | HR Like a Boss with Mary Baird, PHR
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz welcomes Mary Baird, a seasoned HR professional and podcaster, to discuss the critical importance of employee experience in the workplace. They explore the paradigm shift in HR, emphasizing the need to prioritize employee well-being to enhance customer experience and overall business success. Mary shares her insights on the purpose of HR, the employee experience flywheel, and actionable strategies for HR professionals to implement in their organizations.ABOUT MARY BAIRDMary Baird, PHR is an Employee Experience Consultant, international workshop facilitator, keynote speaker and the host of The Simplifiers Podcast. Mary helps organizations simplify how they build a better employee experience — the kind that reduces turnover, boosts engagement, improves customer experience, and drives stronger business results. Her work has supported teams at companies like Google, Microsoft, Intel, and Meta. She’s also been featured in Forbes, Newsweek, HuffPost, and MSN. Her forthcoming book for HR leaders is called: Squash the Sunday Scaries: The Simplifiers Guide to Better Employee Experience, and is set to release this Spring 2026.
May 28, 2026Episode 21036 min
The Evolution of Payroll Professionals | Payroll* Like a Boss with Brian Escobar & Walter William Duncan III
In this episode of the Payroll* Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz, Brian Escobar, and Walter William Duncan III discuss the integral role of payroll. They explore the journey of Brian and Walt in the payroll industry, the current state of payroll, and the future implications of AI and technology in payroll processes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, adaptability, and the evolving perception of payroll professionals as business leaders.ABOUT BRIANBrian Escobar is the Co-Founder and Payroll Advisor of Payroll Universe, Inc., a payroll strategist, global payroll leader, and host of two payroll education podcasts. With 20+ years of domestic and global payroll and HRIS experience—including large-scale HCM/payroll implementations—Brian brings enterprise-level accuracy, reliability, and operational strategy to small businesses without the complexity or cost.ABOUT WALTERWalter William Duncan III is a payroll expert and business development leader with over 20 years of experience in payroll operations, compliance, and workforce solutions. A former member of the United States Navy, he brings a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to solving complex payroll challenges.  He is the co-host of the popular podcast “It’s About Payroll,” where he helps employees and professionals better understand pay, compliance, and financial wellness. Passionate about innovation and education, Walter is dedicated to transforming payroll into a more transparent, strategic, and human-centered function. https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-william-duncan-iii-477051187?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
May 21, 2026Episode 20935 min
Navigating Change with Empathy | HR Like a Boss with Becky Kowall
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz interviews Becky Kowall, a seasoned HR professional and founder of 22 North HR, a purpose-driven HR firm. They discuss the importance of significance over success in HR, the role of HR in value creation, and the concept of executive presence. Becky shares her insights on active listening, communication, and building relationships in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes the need for HR professionals to be strategic partners and to create trust within their organizations.22 North HR Resources: https://www.22northhr.com/hr-resources/ABOUT BECKY KOWALLBecky Kowall is the Founder and Principal of 22 North HR, where she partners with private equity firms, CEOs, and HR leaders to strengthen leadership alignment, scale people strategy, and navigate high-stakes moments of growth and transition. With more than 20 years of senior HR leadership experience, Becky has served as a Chief People Officer and Global VP of Human Resources in private equity–backed and high-growth organizations. Her background includes leading organizations through rapid scaling, post-acquisition integration, and periods of significant organizational change, with a focus on building leadership credibility, operational discipline, and durable people infrastructure. Becky is known for bringing calm, clarity, and gravitas to complex environments, often serving as the strategic and emotional bridge between executive teams, HR, and investors. At the core of her work is the belief that HR is not a support function, but a critical driver of business strategy and value creation. Becky is especially effective in moments when leadership decisions carry both performance and human consequences. She advises and mentors leaders who are building organizations designed to perform, endure, and scale with integrity.
May 14, 2026Episode 20839 min
Unlocking Entrepreneurial Success | HR Like a Boss with Jim Haviland
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz speaks with Jim Haviland, a seasoned entrepreneur and business consultant. They discuss the importance of creating a culture of ownership within organizations, the significance of hiring the right people, and the evolving role of HR in talent acquisition and business success. Jim shares his journey through entrepreneurship, the lessons learned from his experiences, and how to foster a fulfilling work environment that aligns with core values and mission.ABOUT JIM HAVILANDJim Haviland, with decades of experience owning and leading entrepreneurial companies, helps business owners build thriving organizations while avoiding common pitfalls. His diverse background in engineering, media, and technology leadership provides unique insights. Now a business coach and exit advisor, Jim guides entrepreneurs to create productive, humane, and resilient companies that have transferable value.
May 7, 2026Episode 20739 min
The Power of Authentic Leadership | HR Like a Boss with Jen Coken
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz speaks with Jen Coken, an executive leadership coach and culture strategist. They discuss the critical role of leadership in shaping workplace culture, the importance of authentic leadership, and the need for effective feedback and communication. Jen shares her insights on creating a positive work environment, the significance of ownership in HR, and the transformative power of curiosity in leadership.ABOUT JEN COKENJen Coken is an executive coach, culture strategist, and the creator of the Executive Presence Accelerator — a transformative leadership program for senior women in male-dominated industries who are ready to become unignorable. With over 25 years of experience navigating the high-stakes arenas of politics, nonprofits, and corporate America, Jen brings a rare combination of strategic insight and soul-deep coaching to every room she enters. She’s known as “The Velvet Sledgehammer” for her ability to name the hard truths with compassion — and to help leaders turn insight into action, fast. Whether she’s guiding a VP through power dynamics or helping HR teams build cultures where women thrive without shrinking, Jen’s work centers on one mission: to redefine leadership as unapologetically authentic, strategically precise, and culturally transformative.
April 30, 2026Episode 20636 min
The Journey of Writing Payroll Like a Boss | Payroll* Like a Boss with Tammy Gillenwater
Payroll Like a Boss is out now! Buy it on Amazon, or get the e-book on Amazon Kindle and Google Books for just $0.99 until May 15th >> https://a.co/d/04h3fnn5In this special episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, we're shifting our focus to payroll! John Bernatovicz and Tammy Gillenwater come together to discuss the launch of their book, Payroll Like a Boss. They explore the importance of payroll in building employee trust, the need for payroll professionals to be seen as strategic partners, and the emotional journey of writing the book. Tammy shares her experiences and insights on how payroll can be reimagined as a critical function within organizations, emphasizing the need for bravery and mentorship among payroll professionals. The conversation highlights the value of accurate and timely payroll processing and the collaborative efforts required for success in the payroll field.ABOUT PAYROLL LIKE A BOSSPayroll Like a Boss is a call to elevate payroll from a misunderstood back-office function to a respected and strategic career. It showcases payroll professionals as the unsung heroes who safeguard trust, ensure accuracy, and keep organizations running. The book challenges outdated perceptions and urges readers to be brave, think strategically, and embrace the deeper purpose behind their work. At the core of doing amazingly awesome payroll are two table stakes principles: ownership and love. These principles shape how payroll professionals show up, lead, and serve.The authors explore the fundamentals of professionalism, the personal journeys that bring people into payroll, and the moments that transform it from a job into a calling. Readers are encouraged to think differently about the future by addressing the payroll talent cliff, being intentional about their role in advancing the profession, and reshaping the dialogue around payroll’s value. The book inspires payroll professionals to stand out through bravery, communication, collaboration, and the smart use of technology.
April 23, 2026Episode 20537 min
Embracing Technology in HR | HR Like a Boss with Marcus Mossberger
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz welcomes Marcus Mossberger, an expert in HR technology and strategic workforce planning. They discuss the evolving role of HR in the context of technology, the importance of hope in the workplace, and the generational shifts affecting workforce dynamics. The conversation emphasizes the need for HR professionals to embrace technology, take risks, and focus on value-based outcomes to thrive in the future of work.ABOUT MARCUSMarcus Mossberger is genuinely passionate about improving people’s lives at work. He has spent time as a leader in a variety of disciplines including human resources, strategy, marketing, product management and sales. Marcus is frequently featured in various publications and at industry events, contributing through-proving ideas about the future of work. Today, his focus at LYTIQS is to channel his market perspective into the creation and use of HR analytics and strategic workforce planning technology in industries like healthcare, manufacturing and higher education.
April 16, 2026Episode 20441 min
Empathy and Community: The New Face of HR | HR Like a Boss with Ari Gunzburg
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz welcomes Ari Gunzburg, a corporate speaker and author, to discuss the intersection of human resources and impactful speaking engagements. They explore Ari's journey into the HR community, the importance of purpose in HR, and the evolving role of human resources in fostering empathy and support within organizations. Ari shares personal experiences, including a charity bike ride for children with cancer, highlighting the significance of community and purpose in both personal and professional realms. In this conversation, John Bernatovicz and Ari Gunzburg explore the multifaceted role of HR in organizations, emphasizing the importance of empathy, humor, and strategic thinking in employee relations. Ari shares his personal journey from adversity to becoming a speaker and author, detailing his five keys to greatness: giving, having purpose, engaging, maintaining a positive mindset, and being tenacious. The discussion also highlights the significance of incremental changes in personal growth and the importance of holding on to hope during challenging times.ABOUT ARI GUNZBURGAward-winning speaker Ari Gunzburg inspires audiences to face challenges head-on. From losing his family's belongings in a devastating fire, to his business falling apart during COVID, to the sudden death of a teacher while hiking as a child, Ari embraces life's obstacles, showing how a positive mindset can transform adversity into growth. Ari has done the extraordinary, simply by believing it was possible, from producing a 2 hour movie in 2 weeks to bringing a pet frog 'back to life' as a child. Ari uses captivating stories and unstoppable energy to empower your audience to embrace setbacks, build resilience, and unlock their human potential.
April 9, 2026Episode 20339 min
Navigating Burnout in HR | HR Like a Boss with Katherine Fry
In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John interviews Katherine Fry, a former HR executive turned executive coach. They discuss Katherine's journey in HR, the importance of self-care, and the challenges of burnout in the profession. Katherine shares her experiences with equity in the workplace and the need for bravery and advocacy in HR. They explore the purpose of human resources and the significance of managing thoughts to prevent burnout.ABOUT KATHERINE FRYKatherine Fry, SHRM-SCP Executive Coach | Burnout Expert | Thought Intelligence™ PioneerWhile many professionals lose steam in the second half of their careers, Katherine Fry’s passion and perseverance are only accelerating. Her career vision is bold: to revolutionize the HR profession by replacing archaic leadership and management practices with approaches rooted in neuroscience. Katherine has been named the 2024 and 2025 Top Burnout Coach in the United States by Evergreen Awards and Best Future of Work Keynote Speaker by Biz Weekly. She is the CEO and founder of Marble Peak Consulting and creator of Refresh HR, a first-of-its-kind app, providing HR professionals and people leaders with 24/7, on-demand access to 100+ accredited SHRM and HRCI recertification workshops. As president of Elevate HR and founder of HR Empower Hour, Katherine is the driving force being a growing, modern-day movement that helps HR professionals reclaim their energy, amplify their influence, and transform organizational culture from the inside out. Her signature framework, the ETHOS Method, improves leaders’ mental health in less than five minutes a day; proving that meaningful change doesn’t require more time, rather, just practice with a powerful, proven tool. Her breakthrough workshop, Ditch the PIP, went viral in 2023 and has guided 15,000+ HR leaders worldwide to replace outdated performance improvement plans with a neuroscience-backed, six-step framework that drives accountability and measurable performance gains. Her most-requested keynote, Thought Intelligence™: The Unknown Prerequisite to Emotional Intelligence in the AI Era, equips leaders to upgrade their thinking, unlearn ineffective leadership habits, and implement strategies that beat burnout—both individually and organizationally. Known for her high-energy delivery, science-backed insights, and immediately actionable tools, Katherine is a three-time speaker for HRCI’s global audience with a three-part-series launching in 2026, trusted executive coach to senior HR leaders and a sought-after keynote speaker and workshop presenter for SHRM chapters across the country. Katherine doesn’t just teach Thought Intelligence™—she embodies it. As an ultra-runner, skier, environmental advocate, and volunteer, she finds renewal and growth in nature, perspective through travel, and joy in her family and community near Aspen, Colorado. Katherine’s mission is clear: to empower people who empower people with Thought Intelligence™.
Is this your show?
Claim this listing to keep it up to date, reach guests who want to pitch you, and manage bookings with Guestify.
