Talk HR: A NYC SHRM Podcast

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Jun 2026

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Your No. 1 podcast for HR professionals

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June 9, 202628 min

Why Healthcare Costs Keep Rising — and What Employers Can Do About It

In this season two finale of Talk HR, Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio tackle one of the biggest challenges facing employers today: the rising cost of healthcare. Despite years of cost-shifting, plan redesigns, and annual renewals, employers continue to face increasing expenses while employees experience higher deductibles, reduced affordability, and growing frustration. Joining the conversation is Ashok Subramanian, CEO and Co-Founder of Centivo, who shares why traditional approaches to healthcare cost management often fall short and what employers can do differently. Ashok explains how healthcare pricing lacks transparency, why quality and cost are often disconnected, and how employers can rethink benefits strategies to create better outcomes for both their organizations and their employees. The discussion explores the role of primary care-centered healthcare models, direct provider partnerships, and employee choice in reducing costs without sacrificing quality. Ashok also shares practical advice for HR leaders navigating benefits decisions, including why choosing the right benefits advisor may be one of the most important decisions an organization can make. Whether you're responsible for benefits, total rewards, finance, or employee experience, this episode offers valuable insights into the future of employer-sponsored healthcare and strategies for creating more sustainable health plans. Key Moments (00:46) Why healthcare costs continue to rise despite years of cost-control efforts (02:00) Ashok Subramanian’s background and the founding of Centivo (02:27) Why the current healthcare system isn't working for employers or employees (05:18) How Centivo approaches healthcare affordability differently (08:52) The rise of primary care-centered and high-performance network models (11:02) Educating employees about healthcare costs and quality differences (14:20) Why shifting costs to employees doesn't solve the problem (16:20) The limitations of healthcare consumerism and price transparency tools (17:21) How transparency data is changing healthcare purchasing decisions (21:00) The importance of choosing the right benefits advisor (24:31) What employers can realistically expect in healthcare savings (26:57) How to learn more about Centivo and alternative healthcare strategies

May 12, 202623 min

Beyond Borders: What Global Hiring Actually Requires

Global hiring has never been easier — but building a company that can actually operate globally is a different challenge entirely. In this episode, Harrison and Sam sit down with Barbara Matthews, Chief People Officer at Remote, to dig into what happens when international expansion starts revealing the cracks in a company's infrastructure. From blurred ownership and compliance risk to cultural nuance and asynchronous communication, Barbara unpacks the real complexity behind scaling a workforce across borders. Barbara also shares how Remote has tackled these challenges from the inside out — through documentation culture, manager enablement, AI-powered performance tools, and a people-first philosophy that treats every new country hire as a repeatable, structured process. Whether you're an HR leader at a fast-scaling startup or an established enterprise eyeing global expansion, this conversation offers a grounded, honest look at what it actually takes to build without borders. Key Moments (00:10) Welcome & Episode Introduction (01:41) Introducing Barbara Matthews, CPO at Remote (02:37) What Accelerated the Global Hiring Trend (04:03) Where Global Operations Start to Break Down (05:11) Ownership, Documentation & Inclusive Management (07:21) What Getting Global Hiring Right Looks Like (11:11) Technology, Employee Experience & the 48-Hour Performance Review (15:18) Practical Advice for Startups Hiring Internationally (17:12) Overcoming Fear of AI & Encouraging Experimentation (20:51) Why Companies Should Consider Hiring Globally

April 14, 202622 min

Designing Financial Benefits Employees Will Use

In this episode of Talk HR, Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio explore one of the most overlooked drivers of employee wellbeing: financial health. While organizations focus on mental and physical well-being, financial stress continues to quietly impact retention, productivity, and engagement across the workforce. They’re joined by Caroline Woodson from Stream, a financial well-being platform designed to help everyday workers manage money with confidence. Caroline shares how financial stress shows up at work—and why traditional benefits often fail employees who are living paycheck to paycheck. The conversation highlights a key gap: only 29% of workers understand basic financial concepts like interest and inflation. But those who do are far more likely to use benefits effectively. The takeaway? Education alone isn’t enough—employees need simple, accessible tools built into their daily lives. For HR leaders, this episode makes one thing clear: financial well-being isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a business imperative. And employers are uniquely positioned to make a meaningful impact. Key Moments (00:08) Why financial well-being is often overlooked in HR strategies (02:09) What Stream is and how it supports employees (04:27) The link between financial stress, retention, and productivity (08:52) Financial literacy gaps across today’s workforce (11:07) Why education alone isn’t enough (13:28) Designing benefits employees will actually use (17:04) HR’s role in driving financial well-being

March 10, 202633 min

Future-Proofing Talent: Why Skills Matter More Than Titles

In this episode of Talk HR, Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio welcome Angela Finlay — HR executive, consultant, professor, and author — for a timely conversation about the future of work and why “skill stacking” may be the most important strategy for navigating it. With technology accelerating change and AI reshaping job requirements at an unprecedented speed, Angela introduces a practical framework designed to help both individuals and organizations stay resilient. Drawing on global workforce research and her experience advising companies and teaching the next generation of professionals, she unpacks how nearly 40% of today’s skills could become outdated within just a few years — and why traditional, linear career paths are no longer sustainable in a 60-year career landscape. For HR professionals leading through constant disruption, this episode offers both a mindset shift and a roadmap: start by skill stacking within HR itself, then build cultures that reward curiosity, experimentation, and continuous growth. Key Moments: (00:07) Introduction to the changing world of HR and workforce development (01:35) Angela Finlay’s career journey from accounting to HR leadership (02:36) The origin story behind the skill stacking framework (06:35) Why 40% of skills may soon become obsolete — and what that means for HR (11:32) Breaking down the STACK model: Supportive, Tactical, Adaptive, Complementary, and Knowledge-Seeking skills (18:42) Hiring for a 60-year career: balancing present needs with future potential (20:42) Rethinking learning & development and performance management for exploration (22:03) The power of micro-mentoring and internal skill marketplaces (23:39) Unlocking untapped talent pools through a skills-first mindset (30:54) Why HR must lead by example and start skill stacking internally To learn more about Angela’s work and explore the skill stacking framework, visit stackyourcareer.com. For more episodes of Talk HR and upcoming NYC SHRM events, visit nycshrm.org.

February 10, 202626 min

2026 Compliance Readiness: Pay Reporting, Risk, and HR Strategy

In this episode of Talk HR, the conversation turns to one of the biggest compliance challenges facing HR leaders in 2026: expanded pay data reporting and workforce disclosure requirements. With new federal filings, evolving state mandates, and New York City’s upcoming reporting rules, HR teams are navigating a level of complexity that demands early preparation and cross-functional coordination.Hosts Harrison Newman and Samantha DeMarcurio are joined by Stacy Bastone and Evan Citron, principals at Jackson Lewis, who work closely with employers on pay equity, workforce analytics, and employment compliance. Together, they break down what’s changing, why these laws exist, who the data is actually for, and the real risks of waiting to act.As reporting deadlines approach, this episode offers HR leaders a practical roadmap for understanding obligations, avoiding costly mistakes, and using 2026 as an opportunity to strengthen pay practices and compliance infrastructure.Key Moments:(00:07) Introduction and why 2026 reporting requirements matter for HR(00:36) Overview of new federal, state, and NYC pay data obligations(03:35) The evolution from pay equity to pay transparency to pay reporting(05:00) Why employers should review pay practices before reporting(06:50) Core federal reporting requirements HR must still prioritize(8:54) How California, Illinois, and Massachusetts raise compliance risk(11:23) California’s shift to mandatory penalties and why urgency is rising(12:30) What NYC employers need to know about timing and enforcement(15:36) First steps HR teams should take now to prepare for 2026

January 13, 202634 min

AI, Data & the Future of HR: What Actually Matters in 2026

Talk HR kicks off 2026 with a timely conversation on how HR leaders can keep up with the accelerating pace of change — especially as AI evolves month-to-month and expectations around data fluency, technology, and business acumen continue to rise. Hosts Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio welcome Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research & Advisory and author of Artificial Intelligence for HR, to help HR leaders cut through the noise and focus on what truly matters this year.Ben shares his “HR origin story,” why he shifted from traditional HR leadership into research, and how the profession can use technology to scale a high-touch, human-centered approach — without losing what makes HR indispensable.Key Moments:00:06: New Year kickoff and why HR leadership must evolve in 202600:45: AI, data fluency, and the rising expectations facing HR leaders02:48: Ben Eubanks’ HR origin story and shift into research and technology06:27: Why productivity alone is the wrong goal for AI in HR07:45: “Humans are people to be served, not problems to be solved”12:10: How AI-driven hiring risks filtering out great talent22:16: A practical AI win: simplifying open enrollment communication28:22: The next frontier for AI — helping managers become better leaders

December 9, 202533 min

Where HR’s Role Begins and Ends: Mental Health, Boundaries & Burnout with Victoria Rivera

In the final episode of the year, Talk HR explores the increasingly critical intersection of HR responsibility and mental health. With wellness concerns intensifying across workplaces—and HR professionals now fielding everything from anxiety to burnout to accommodation requests—this episode examines how HR can support others without sacrificing their own wellbeing.Hosts Harrison Newman and Sam DeMario welcome Victoria Rivera, LCSW, a corporate wellness psychotherapist who specializes in working with HR professionals and employee populations. Rivera offers insight into why mental health leave has surged 300%, where HR’s role begins and ends, and why self-care is not optional for those tasked with caring for others.As the holiday season brings heightened pressure for employees and leaders alike, this episode serves as a timely reminder to pause, boundary-set, and replenish.Key Moments:(00:06) Holiday intro and year-end reflection on challenges facing HR(02:35) Personal reflections from Harrison and Sam on work-life balance and wellbeing(04:04) Guest introduction: Victoria Rivera, psychotherapist and corporate wellness expert(05:22) Why mental health leave is up 300% and what that signals(07:47) Where HR responsibility begins and ends in supporting mental health(09:52) The emotional toll HR absorbs and why self-care is critical(12:51) Signs of burnout and nervous system overwhelm HR should recognize(21:09) Corporate wellness gaps and supporting high-performing employees(24:19) Four foundational self-regulation practices for leaders under stress(29:44) Setting boundaries and advocating for support as a caregiver and employee(32:58) Final reflection: entering the new year with empathy and resilience

November 11, 202534 min

The HR Guide to RX Transparency: Tools, Tactics, and 4.7x ROI

Prescription drug costs aren’t just a budget line — they’re a business risk and an equity issue. In this episode, Harrison Newman and co-host Sam DiMercurio break down why pharmacy spend keeps climbing and what HR leaders can practically do about it with guest Eric Levin, Founder & CEO of Scripta Insights. They unpack PBMs, “market basket” pricing, GLP-1 access, the government’s role, and how transparency + expert navigation can deliver savings without cutting care.Plus: a quick Fast Take with Pamela J. Brown (EVP & Head of People & Culture, Crunch Fitness; Chair, Marketing & Communications for NYC SHRM) on the future of work—why wellbeing, connection, and trust must be part of your operating system (not your perks list).Key Moments:00:46 – Setup: The Pharmacy Crisis: Costs, access, politics; GLP-1s, cancer/diabetes breakthroughs vs. affordability.02:56: Fast Take: Pamela J. Brown (Crunch Fitness): Wellbeing, connection, everyday trust; leading amid AI with humanity; real examples leaders can copy.05:33: Why RX Is in Every Meeting: The human side of “plan members” and the employer burden.06:33: Why Prices Rise: A “capitalist problem,” info asymmetry, and profit incentives; buyers know less than sellers.09:09: PBMs 101 & Pricing Mechanics: Market-basket pricing, formulary tiers, and where dollars hide.11:26: Headlines & Policy Moves: Rebates, pass-through claims, group purchasing entities, admin/listing fees; GLP-1 demand; direct-to-cash (Cuban, Amazon) & direct-to-manufacturer experiments.19:26: GLP-1s Explained: Why ads are everywhere—and why access is complicated.21:23: The Fix: Transparency + Expertise: What actually empowers HR and members to decide better.21:32: What Scripta Insights Does: “Hotels.com for drugs”—optimize the contract you’re in, no member disruption.27:46: HDHPs & Member Education: Why cost visibility now matters at the counter.28:46: Playbook for HR (OE & 2026): Get your data (it’s the law), add independent analytics, deploy pharmacy navigation (avg. 4.7x ROI across book).

October 14, 202532 min

How HR Can Lead the Next Evolution in Health Insurance

Traditional health insurance is broken — but what’s the alternative?In this episode of Talk HR, hosts Harrison Newman and Sam DiMercurio sit down with Peter Doran, SVP at Pareto Health, to explore how group captives and self-funding models are reshaping the future of employer healthcare. Peter breaks down why the standard fully insured model no longer works, how data transparency empowers smarter decision-making, and why more companies are shifting to self-funding to save costs and improve employee experience.Plus, the team chats with Claudia O’Leary from Beyond Med, who shares how employers can expand their benefits offerings — including access to services like fertility treatments, mental health counseling, and even massages — without increasing costs.Key Moments00:41: Introducing Beyond Med: Claudia explains how supplemental health benefits can make a big impact for both employees and employers.04:21: Welcoming Peter Duran, SVP at Pareto Health.05:32: Why the traditional insurance model no longer works — and how volatility, rising costs, and lack of data transparency have forced change.07:07: Why employers are turning to group captives as a smarter, more sustainable alternative.09:20: Breaking down group captives and self-funding: what they are, how they work, and who’s a good fit.13:50: Which employers benefit most from captives — and why diversity in industries makes the model stronger.17:42: Simplifying the self-insurance model: what it means for HR teams and the key differences from fully insured plans.20:04: The growing cost of pharmacy benefits and how captives give employers back control.22:58: How data-driven plans help companies manage claims and improve the employee healthcare experience.26:23: Real-world success stories: how Pareto members are lowering costs and even giving employees a “premium holiday.”29:02: Peter’s advice for young professionals: find your strengths, align your work to them, and do what you love.31:07: Closing thoughts: Rethinking the “sick care” system and building a healthier, more sustainable future for employees.

September 9, 202531 min

Building a Culture That Scales: Lessons from LinkedIn’s First CHRO, Steve Cadigan

After a summer break, Talk HR is back — and this episode is worth the wait. Harrison and Sam are joined by Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer, author of Workquake, and one of the world’s most respected voices on the future of work. Steve helped scale LinkedIn from 400 to 4,000 employees in just three and a half years, building a culture so distinctive it’s still studied at Stanford today. In this conversation, Steve shares how culture can become a company’s ultimate competitive advantage, why traditional views of career and loyalty are outdated, and why turnover—often seen as a liability—can actually be a strategic strength. In this episode:2:06: Introducing Steve Cadigan3:07: Steve’s Accidental Path into HR6:22: Scaling LinkedIn’s Culture10:50: Redefining Culture Beyond “Pillars”14:04: Culture in Today’s AI-Driven Workplace22:17: A New HR Mindset30:13: Closing Thoughts