HR & Payroll 2.0

Hosted by WRKdefined Podcast Network

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Episodes

151

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Join Pete A. Tiliakos and Julie Fernandez as they combine their unique HR and payroll industry knowledge, experience, and POV’s for highly authentic conversations that unpack the key trends, challenges, and opportunities facing HR and Payroll leaders today! Powered ad-free by G-P, OneSource Virtual, and Zoho.

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June 16, 202634 min

Live from World at Work Total Rewards 2026 with Special Guest Sarah Severson

In this special episode, Pete and Julie are joined by Sarah Severson, Sr. Manager of Compensation at Medline, live from the annual World at Work Total Rewards event in San Antonio, TX, for a practical conversation on how compensation is evolving inside fast-growing, complex organizations. The conversation explores what happens when family-owned and high-growth companies scale faster than their compensation structures, why job architecture becomes a critical foundation for everything downstream, and how M&A, global expansion, and Workday implementations expose the need for common language, cleaner data, and stronger governance. Pete, Julie, and Sarah talk the practical side of AI in compensation, from using Copilot for Excel and manager communications to experimenting with AI-assisted job grading and market cleanup. Sarah offers a grounded practitioner view on where AI can accelerate work, where human judgment still matters, and why compensation teams must balance innovation with governance, transparency, and manager enablement. Plus, a candid look at the realities of modernizing compensation in a growing enterprise, and why the future of comp is not just about better data, but better decisions, better communication, and stronger alignment across the business. Connect with Sarah: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-severson-6498ba1b/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

June 11, 202646 min

Live from World at Work Total Rewards 2026 with Special Guest Joe Ranzau

In this special episode, Pete and Julie are joined by Joe Ranzau, Partner at Grant Thornton, live from the annual World at Work Total Rewards event in San Antonio, TX. Joe brings a CFO-facing lens to the discussion, unpacking why finance, HR, risk, and tax all see payroll differently and why the reporting line may matter less than the governance model around it. The conversation explores payroll’s evolving strategic value, the persistent disconnect between HR and payroll, and why payroll professionals must become stronger storytellers, translators, and change agents. Together they explore where payroll really belongs, why it remains one of the most misunderstood functions in the enterprise, and how AI is forcing leaders to rethink process, risk, and governance. The episode also dives into AI’s growing role in HR and payroll, from productivity gains and hard-to-measure ROI to procurement restrictions, shadow AI, data safety, and adoption resistance across the workforce. Plus a practical look at what it takes to modernize payroll: clearer ownership, stronger governance, better cross-functional alignment, and a willingness to treat payroll as far more than a back-office process. Connect with Joe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joe-ranzau/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

June 9, 202638 min

Live from World at Work Total Rewards 2026 with Special Guests Sean Luitjens & Paul Reiman

In this special ‘Swapcast’ episode, Pete and Julie are joined by fellow WrkDefined podcast hosts, Sean Luitjens and Paul Reiman of ‘Totally Rewarding Chats’ for a lively conversation on total rewards, AI, work flexibility, and the changing expectations shaping the workforce. Recorded live from the annual World at Work Total Rewards event in San Antonio, the conversation starts with the energy of the conference itself, where AI has clearly moved from abstract hype to practical application. Sean and Paul unpack how total rewards, compensation, benefits, payroll, and HR are increasingly converging, and why practitioners need peer communities more than ever as they navigate sensitive workforce data, emerging tools, and rapidly changing employee expectations. Pete leads the group through three timely workplace debates: the four-day workweek as a benefit and retention lever, the rise of employee resistance to company AI strategies, and Gen Z’s desire for both career ambition and better work-life balance. The discussion gets practical, exploring why flexibility only works when trust, role design, and administration are aligned; why AI adoption fails when leaders frame it as headcount reduction instead of capacity expansion; and why younger workers may not be rejecting hard work as much as redefining the terms under which they are willing to give it. Connect with Sean, Paul & Totally Rewarding Chats LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulreiman/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sean-luitjens/ ‘Totally Rewarding Chats’: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/totally-rewarding-chats Novo Insights: https://www.novoinsights.com/ Salary.com: https://www.salary.com/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

June 2, 202640 min

When IT Meets HR with Special Guest Amy Wang

On this episode, Pete and Julie welcome Amy Wang, a shared services and HR operations expert and leader, to explore the intersection of HR, payroll, technology, and enterprise service delivery. With more than two decades of experience spanning IT, HR operations, and shared services across industries, Amy shares how her unconventional path from IT into HR shaped her approach to building scalable, data-driven service organizations. Amy shares the diplomacy, governance, and storytelling required to operationalize shared services successfully, and why leaders must continually demonstrate value, communicate wins, and build credibility across the enterprise. The discussion also highlights the critical role of payroll and HR data as foundational infrastructure for modern organizations and why strong governance and standardized processes are essential for scalable service delivery. From the importance of data readiness and operational discipline to the possibility of new C-suite structures emerging around people, technology, and risk, Amy offers a forward-looking perspective on how HR and shared services are becoming strategic engines for the future of work. Connect with Amy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amywang168/ SSON blogs by Amy: https://www.ssonetwork.com/events-hr-shared-services-week/blog Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

May 28, 202635 min

Pete’s Top 10 Takeaways from the Workday Innovation Summit 2026

On this episode, Pete and Julie unpack the top 10 learnings and key takeaways from the recent Workday Innovation Summit for industry analysts in Napa, California. Each year, Workday gathers analysts for a peek behind the Workday curtain, its GTM, roadmap, customer stories, and big bets on what comes next for the ERP platform and its innovation, its customers, partners, and broader ecosystem. Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

May 26, 202634 min

Payroll Is a Trust Function with Special Guest Kelly Westfall

In this episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete and Julie welcome Kelly Westfall, a payroll leader known for bringing equal parts precision and heart to one of the most mission-critical (and most misunderstood) functions in the enterprise. Kelly shares how she found her way from HR and onboarding into payroll leadership and why the complexity, accountability, and responsibility of getting pay right drive her passion and career forward. The conversation gets real about life in payroll: the constant exceptions, the operational risk, the employee trust equation, and the quiet heroics required to keep pay accurate, compliant, and reliable at scale. Kelly shares what’s driving burnout and talent scarcity across payroll teams, why many organizations still under-resource the function while over-relying on it. Kelly reminds us that payroll is a trust function, and payroll leaders will advance through calm influence, fostering community connection, and communicating at the executive level! Connect with Kelly: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-westfall-cpp-845245b6/ https://gacpayroll.org/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

May 19, 202647 min

HR & Payroll Tech Marketplace News & Updates (Spring 2026, April)

On this episode, Pete and Julie share their POV’s and insights on HR tech marketplace updates and activity making headlines in Q2’2026! First, an update from the road, including takeaways from the CloudPay Paymakers event in Malta, Workhuman LIVE in Orlando, the Dayforce Distilling AI virtual event, and the SSOW (Shared Services and Outsourcing Week) in Orlando. Additionally, they discuss several product updates and acquisitions and what it means for buyers and providers across the marketplace. Vendors news discussed in the episode include: Deel, Gusto + Mosey, Paylocity + Grayscale, Payoneer + Boundless. Phenom + Plum, Remote + Bravas, Revolute, Trinet + Cocoon. Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

May 12, 202651 min

The State of HCM Technology with Special Guest John Kostoulas

On this special episode, Pete welcomes John Kostoulas, VP of Market Positioning & Strategy at Dayforce and former Gartner Vice President and distinguished HCM tech analyst, for a candid conversation on the future of HR technology, AI adoption, and what it really takes to modernize in the era of agentic AI. John shares his journey from an engineering graduate in Greece to an HCM vendor executive and what the "analyst in him" still sees that most miss. He brings research-backed insights on the AI governance gap, and why trust, not features, is the real barrier to adoption at scale. He also delivers a sharp, no-nonsense framework of AI transformation do's and don'ts for executives who are paralyzed or unsure where to start, including why chasing feature lists over outcomes is the fastest road to regret. The conversation explores the growing "vibe coding your HCM" phenomenon, debating whether SMBs and enterprises can realistically AI-generate their way to payroll and HR solutions. Plus, they talk about the critical difference between a truly unified HCM platform and a fragmented "unified" illusion, and why that distinction is make-or-break for enterprise agility. Connect with John: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkostoulas/ John’s Post on unified consolidation and AI features: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7439258950371344385/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

May 5, 202631 min

Payroll Like a Boss with Special Guest John Bernatovicz & Tammy Gillenwater

On this special episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete & Julie are joined by friends of the show, John Bernativicz and Tammy Gillenwater of Willory Consulting to talk their new book: ‘Payroll Like a Boss.’ John and Tammy share the origin story behind the book, the inspiration for writing it, and why themes like bravery, influence, community, and leadership are key elements of the content and increasingly critical for payroll professionals today. They also dig into the challenges holding payroll back, from constant firefighting to lack of recognition, and offer a clear call for payroll to step forward, prove its value, and help shape the future of work. Plus, John and Tammy talk about the ‘movement’ and community developing around the book and its goal to elevate the payroll profession. The conversation explores why payroll leaders must move beyond process and compliance to become more strategic, influential, and visible leaders inside their businesses. Want to Payroll Like a Boss? Your Guide to Strategic Payroll: https://johnbernatovicz.com/payroll-like-a-boss/ Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Payroll-Like-Boss-Guide-Strategic/dp/1662970854/ref=monarch_sidesheet_image Connect with John & Tammy: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/johnbernatovicz/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tammy-gillenwater-cpp-374692107/ Willory Consulting: https://willory.com/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/

April 28, 202640 min

Rebranding With Purpose with Special Guest Amberly Dressler

On this special episode of HR & Payroll 2.0, Pete catches up with Amberly Dressler, a brand marketing executive known for helping shape one of the most memorable community-led brand stories in HR tech and now leading corporate and partner marketing at Conga. Amberly shares on the brand mechanics that matter right now: when a rebrand is truly earned versus vanity, how to create a single truth that unites multiple buyer personas, and why consistency beats novelty even when you’re personally tired of the message. In a crowded market where buyers are overwhelmed, she argues credibility is built the old-fashioned way: community, repetition, and showing up in the real world, not just on a slide. Drawing from the ‘People Heroes’ movement at isolved and the roadshow-first approach that met practitioners where they are, Amberly shares what modern GTM must deliver beyond the software: confidence, change support, and a narrative champions can carry into internal business cases. They also unpack why relationship-building is the only sustainable growth strategy in HR and payroll, and what it means to show up authentically in public forums like Reddit as AEO, GEO, and SEO collide with AI-driven answer engines. Connect with Amberly: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberlydressler/ Conga: https://conga.com/ Connect with the show: LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/company/hr-payroll-2-0 X: @HRPayroll2_0 X: @PeteTiliakos X: @JulieFer_HR BlueSky: @hrpayroll2o.bsky.social YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HRPAYROLL2_0 WRKDefined Podcast Network: https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/hr-payroll-20 Thank you to our marquee sponsors for powering the HR & Payroll 2.0 podcast forward! G-P ‘Globalization Partners’: https://www.globalization-partners.com/ OneSource Virtual: https://hubs.ly/Q03YFNR90 Zoho: https://www.zoho.com/press.html Thank you to our ‘wizard behind the curtain’ and show producer Ryan Kielma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-kielma/