HR Stew

Hosted by HR Stew

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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EN-US

About the show

HR Stew is the show where HR professionals discuss controversial hot topics, tell stories, and cope with the madness that is being an HR professional. With a combined 35 years of HR experience, hosts Regina and Holly bring a candid take on HR and the transformation of the industry. HR Stew is presented by Vida HR.

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45 recent

October 26, 202627 min

Benefits... the good, the bad & the expensive

Health insurance is one of those things everyone needs, nobody fully understands, and everyone has an opinion about, especially when the premiums go up! In this episode of HR Stew, Regina and Holly tackle the complicated, expensive, and sometimes frustrating world of employee benefits. From open enrollment horror stories and confusing insurance plans to unexpected medical bills and benefits employees don't even realize they have, the team shares personal experiences and explores why navigating healthcare can be such a headache for employees and HR professionals alike. The conversation also dives into GLP-1 medications, rising healthcare costs, and the difficult decisions employers face when determining what benefits to offer. The team discusses why certain medications aren't covered, the importance of understanding your benefits before accepting a job, and some of the most overlooked employee perks, including employee assistance programs and pet insurance.

October 5, 202635 min

Training that actually works

We’ve all been there: sitting through a workplace training, clicking through the slides, passing the quiz... and forgetting almost everything by the next week. In this episode of HR Stew, hosts Regina Dyerly, sHRBP, PHR and Holly Nehls, SHRM-CP, dig into why some workplace training sticks while other sessions leave employees mentally checking out before they’re even halfway through. From painfully dry presentations and information overload to memorable trainers who can make even boring material engaging, the team shares their best and worst training experiences and what made the difference. They also tackle a bigger question: how do you know whether training actually worked? Completing a course and passing a quiz might check a box, but that doesn’t necessarily mean anyone learned anything. The conversation explores the importance of applying new skills, following up after training, choosing the right format and trainer, and looking for actual changes in behavior rather than simply tracking completion.

August 31, 202636 min

Rehiring & Boomerang Employees (w/ Brandy Frisbie)

Leaving a company doesn’t always mean closing the door for good. Sometimes a new opportunity, a little growth, and a few years of experience can lead you right back to where you started. In this episode of HR Stew, Regina Dyerly, sHRBP, PHR & Holly Nehls, SHRM-CP, are joined by Vida HR’s Director of Benefits Configuration and Integrations, Brandy Frisbie, who recently returned to the company after leaving more than three years ago. Brandy shares her perspective as a “boomerang employee,” while the group takes a broader look at why good employees leave, what they can gain from working somewhere new, and what can make a former employer worth returning to.

July 27, 202635 min

VERY Awkward Conversations

Some workplace conversations are easy. Others are the ones everyone hopes someone else will handle. In this episode of HR Stew, hosts Regina Dyerly & Holly Nehls tackle the uncomfortable conversations that every HR professional and manager will eventually face. From hygiene concerns and suspected substance abuse to inappropriate workplace behavior and difficult performance discussions, they explore why avoiding these conversations almost always makes the situation worse. Drawing from years of HR experience, Regina and Holly share memorable stories of awkward conversations that tested their judgment, compassion, and communication skills.

June 29, 202628 min

Red Flags We Ignored...

Looking back, the warning signs always seem obvious. But in the moment? It's surprisingly easy to explain them away. In this episode of HR Stew, Regina and Holly share real stories about the interview moments, hiring decisions, and workplace experiences that should have set off alarm bells, but… didn't. From candidates who oversold themselves to employees who slowly revealed their true colors, the team discusses why we ignore red flags, the lessons learned, and how experience changes the way we evaluate people and organizations. Whether you're interviewing candidates, starting a new job, or reflecting on decisions you've made throughout your career, this episode is a reminder that not every red flag predicts disaster, but they're always worth paying attention to.

May 25, 202620 min

Transparency = Chaos?

Employees want transparency and leaders want trust. But somewhere between open communication and complete oversharing, things can get messy fast. In this episode of HR Stew, hosts Regina and Holly tackle one of the most complicated balancing acts in leadership and HR: workplace transparency. How much should employees really know about layoffs, company finances, leadership disagreements, promotions, and salary decisions? And when does transparency stop building trust and start creating panic? The conversation explores how employee expectations have changed over the years, why modern workplaces demand more openness, how social media and instant communication have reshaped workplace culture, & more!

April 27, 202628 min

Toxic High Performers

They close the biggest deals, hit every target, and look like a dream on paper. But behind the scenes, they may be creating tension, damaging morale, and pushing others out the door. In this episode of HR Stew , Regina and Holly take on the complicated reality of toxic high performers and the uncomfortable question many organizations eventually face: how much bad behavior is too much when someone delivers results? The conversation digs into what really happens when companies prioritize performance over people, and how that decision quietly impacts culture, retention, and trust across a team. If you’ve ever worked with someone who delivers results but leaves a trail of frustration behind them, this episode will feel all too familiar. Because in the end, culture isn’t built by your top performer, it’s built by what you choose to tolerate.

March 31, 202623 min

The Employee Is NOT Always Right

For years, workplace conversations have focused on protecting employees (and for good reason). But what happens when the employee is actually in the wrong? In this episode of HR Stew, Regina and Holly tackle one of the most uncomfortable topics in HR: accountability. From the rise of workplace complaints and policy loopholes to managers who are afraid to discipline and employees who confuse discomfort with unfairness, we’re talking about the tension many workplaces are facing right now.

February 27, 202630 min

Job Offers & Pay Negotiations

You nailed the interview… so why is the offer taking forever? And what really happens behind the scenes before that offer letter hits your inbox? In this episode of HR Stew, Regina break down the job offer process from the HR side, from internal approvals and compensation alignment to background checks, budget changes, and the dreaded last-minute rescinded offer. They share real stories of offers falling apart, negotiation gone wrong, candidates ghosting after signing, and why counteroffers rarely fix the real problem. Whether you’re hiring or job hunting, this episode gives you an honest look at the awkward, messy, and very human side of job offers. Because how you handle the offer says a lot about how you’ll handle the job. This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and is not to be used as legal advice.

January 26, 202625 min

Workplace Romance, Nepotism, & Friends

In this episode of HR Stew, host Holly and Regina discuss one of the most complicated parts of workplace culture: relationships. From best friend coworkers to hired family members and even workplace romances, the team explores when personal connections can be a strength and when they risk crossing the line into favoritism, drama, or even full-blown nepotism. If you've ever wondered how to navigate workplace relationships while keeping your culture fair, transparent, and drama-free, this episode is for you.