The Corporate Bartender

Hosted by Eric Spencer, Lori Spencer

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Episodes

102

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

The Corporate Bartender is where people leaders come to think out loud. Hosted by Eric and Lori Spencer, this long-running show is part podcast, part professional community, and part midweek reset for HR, Talent, L&D, and business leaders navigating the human side of work. Each episode features thoughtful conversations with trusted experts and guest “bartenders” on timely leadership and workplace topics — from culture and burnout to organizational change, psychological safety, and what’s actually working right now. It’s smart, practical, and intentionally human… with just enough humor to remind us we’re all still people. Pull up a stool — there’s always an open seat at the bar.

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60 recent

June 15, 2026Episode 1021 hr 9 min

The Corporate Bartender - The Human Side of AI (aka Nicole Does Stuff With Robots) with Nicole Yue

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!AI is everywhere these days. Companies are adopting it, folks are trying to leverage it, and it's kinda hit or miss. Businesses are seeing mixed results and the dreams of replacing folks with all kinds of robots isn't as shiny as it was a year ago. If you're wondering how to tackle the AI problem in your world, you're in the right spot. We've got Nicole Yue on the show today. She's the founder of People+Process+AI, and has 30+ years experience on the people side of business. AND she was Lori's AI teacher! Stick around, we'll talk about it.If you want to skip straight to the interview, 2:19 is your spotTCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro0:51 - Titles1:22 - Kickoff 2:19- Nicole Yue Interview59:25 - Last CallWebsite: https://peopleprocessai.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolelenaersyue/Join our community!https://skyeteam.cloud/tcbTheme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

June 1, 2026Episode 1011 hr 5 min

The Corporate Bartender - Kids Today Don't Know How To "Corporate" with Jenny Lavey

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!"Rub some Dirt On It" is a thing of the past. Kicking off a career out of school is a different animal than it was when us GenXers were coming up. The Dr. Cox approach (if you remember that character from Scrubs) doesn't fly these days, and kinds coming up today didn't have the same set of experiences that we did. The pandemic changed a lot of this.Well, if you have kids, or know someone who's about to launch, you're in for a treat. We've got Jenny Lavey on the program today. Jenny's a lifer in HR, co-host of the podcast, "WTF is Business Casual," and is the co-founder of Rise HR. Oh! And she's an OG TCB'er!!This conversation was a BANGER, and I know you're gonna dig it!If you want to skip straight to the interview, 2:19 is your spotTCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro0:57 - Titles1:29 - Kickoff 2:19- Jenny Lavey Interview56:21 - Last CallWebsite: https://www.risehumanresources.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennylavey/Join our community!https://skyeteam.cloud/tcbTheme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

April 26, 2026Episode 10054 min

The Corporate Bartender - Burnout Is Everywhere, What Are You Gonna Do About It? with Johanna Danaher

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!Navigating a career keeps getting harder and harder, and it's a LOT of work! We've got to be ready for the twists and turns and inevitable burnout that comes with it. That's what we're talking about today. We've got Johanna Danaher on the program. If you don't know Johanna, stick around, we've got you covered!She was a wannabe marine biologist, bartender(!), gig worker, and an HR lifer. She's been there, done that, and got the t-shirts.This conversation was fantastic, and I know you're gonna dig it. You'll learn about lobsters, burnout, and the drink called "the Johanna."If you want to skip straight to the interview, X:XX is your spotTCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro0:48 - Titles1:20 - Kickoff 3:32 - Johanna Danaher Interview46:54 - Last CallWebsite: https://www.anchortoaspire.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johannadanaher/Join our community!https://skyeteam.cloud/tcbTheme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

March 15, 2026Episode 991 hr 8 min

The Corporate Bartender - Looking For a New Gig is Different in 2026 with the TCB Crew

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!Pull up a stool, settle in, and let’s talk shop for a minute. Around here we spend a lot of time unpacking the messy reality of work - the leadership moments, the career pivots, the things that look simple on LinkedIn but feel a whole lot different in real life.And today? We’re getting into one of the topics that’s quietly stressing out a lot of very smart people right now: finding your next gig in 2026.Because let’s be honest - the job search game has changed.Resumes are getting screened by AI. Interviews sometimes feel like you’re talking to a robot…because sometimes you are. And everyone seems to be asking the same question: How do you actually stand out when the algorithms are also applying for the job?So Lori grabbed the mic and opened it up to the TCB Crew.What followed was a real conversation about the highs, the headaches, and the strategy behind navigating a job search right now - from networking that actually works, to the emotional rollercoaster of the process, to how AI is both helping and absolutely messing with the system.It’s thoughtful. It’s practical. And like most Crew conversations around here… it’s also pretty damn honest.Because the reality is this: careers are getting less predictable, the rules keep shifting, and trying to figure it out solo is a fast path to yelling at your laptop.And around here, we don’t do that alone.TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:31 - Titles2:02 - Kickoff 3:44 - Job Search 20261:01:40 - Wrap & CloseJoin our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

February 21, 2026Episode 981 hr 9 min

The Corporate Bartender - Year Six: The TCB Re-Launch Episode with the TCB Crew

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!If you’ve been hanging around this bar for a while, you know this has never just been a podcast — it’s been a room. A room where HR nerds, L&D folks, consultants, and people leaders, pull up a stool and actually talk about what’s going on at work.And today? We’re officially kicking off the TCB relaunch!Year Six. New energy. Same soul.We break down what’s changing — a more intentional cadence, thoughtfully curated Guest Bartenders, a clearer focus on high-signal conversations — and what is absolutely not changing: the Crew, the candor, and the community-first vibe.We even wrote a TCB Crew Charter. That’s right. We put the vibe in writing.And then we opened it up to the room.The conversation was honest, funny, thoughtful — and a really strong reminder that leadership is getting more complex, and nobody wants to figure it out alone.Oh, and don’t worry — Last Call is alive and well. The internet still gets weird, the humans still get good, and the cocktails still get…distributed.Let's GO!TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:14 - Titles1:47 - Kickoff 8:23 - Agenda11:13 - What's Changing/Not Changing24:32 - Crew Conversation57:28 - Wrap & CloseEvent Mentioned: https://rmps.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=29&ts=1760057155Event Mentioned: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/disrupthr-denver-190-tickets-1980129360220Join our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

January 30, 2026Episode 971 hr 7 min

The Corporate Bartender - On Not Being An Asshole (Relationships Are Everything!) with Todd Schuchart

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!If you know SkyeTeam or TCB, you've heard us say it a hundred times - Relationships Matter. You've probably heard of the "no asshole rule" too. We're going to get into that by taking ownership of it. We've got Todd Schuchart on the program today. If you don't know Todd, stick around, he rules.He's a 'certified goofball' (note the squid hat), he's an expert in life insurance sales and lead generation. If you think that might be out of the lane for TCB, you're not wrong, but insurance sales is all about relationships. In building, developing, and deepening relationships - not being an asshole is critical. This conversation was epic. If you are interested in building relationships, and want to laugh a ton, this is the ticket! I laughed out loud SO many times when producing this episode.Oh, and we've got some big changes upcoming to the show, and will be kicking those off on February 4th at 4p MT. If you don't know the show link, and wanna come - reach out, we'll hook you up!If you want to skip straight to the interview, 7:14 is your spot!TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:20 - Titles1:48 - Kickoff 7:14 - Todd Schuchart Interview56:35 - Wrap & CloseWebsite: https://saleschowder.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddcharles/Join our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

January 10, 2026Episode 9658 min

The Corporate Bartender - Getting 'Claraty' For You and Your Team with Clara Capano

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!Do you ever find yourself looking for clarity? Clarity of direction, clarity in communication, clarity in execution? Do you wish you could get your team in FLOW? If you have, you're in the right place!We've got Clara Capano on the program today. If you don't know Clara, stick around, she's pretty awesome.She's the founder and CEO of Capano Speaking & Training and she been featured on NBC, ABC, CBC, and many other three letter acronyms, she contributes to Forbes, and CEO Mom, and is featured on Season 3 of Amazon's Speak Up!What an amazing conversation with someone who fits right in with the TCB values! If you're ready, let's get some Clara-ty!If you want to skip straight to the interview, 4:06 is your spot!TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:01 - Titles1:28 - Kickoff 4:06 - Clara Capano Interview49:19 - Wrap & CloseWebsite: https://www.claracapano.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/claracapano/Join our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

December 20, 2025Episode 951 hr 6 min

The Corporate Bartender - Relationships Are The Secret Sauce with Jodie Goldberg

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!If you know TCB (or SkyeTeam) you know that we're all about relationships. This episode is all about relationships. Why they matter, how to leverage them strategically, and just knowing when you've met 'one of your people!'We've got Jodie Goldberg on the program today. If you don't know Jodie, stick around, you won't be sorry.She's the founder and principal of Fleurish Consulting and she designs interactions that intentionally deepen relationships. She's also got an icebreaker activity that will knock your socks off. When I met Jodie, I knew she was 'one of our people' I say it all the time (maybe it's because we have such amazing guests), but man, this conversation is one of my FAVORITES of 2025! As Jodie likes to say, "come for the content, stay for the community" This one's a banger, and I just know you're gonna dig it!If you want to skip straight to the interview, 5:18 is your spot!TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:04 - Titles1:33 - Kickoff 5:19 - Jodie Goldberg Interview58:14 - Wrap & CloseWebsite: https://www.fleurishconsultinginc.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jodie-goldberg-14264663/Join our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

November 17, 2025Episode 941 hr 19 min

The Corporate Bartender - The Other Side Of The Bar with Haris Shawl

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!On this show we talk with a lot of authors, speakers, coaches, and subject matter experts about the people side of business. Today, we're going to do something a little different. We're going to talk with an amazing leader that actually USES the services our guests provide. We're calling this, "The Other Side Of The Bar!"We've got Haris Shawl on the program today. Haris is a client of ours, and is a phenomenal leader.He is the VP of Cyber Product Management at Capital One. Haris strives to be a noble-purpose leader and coach. He's self-aware, he knows how to leverage coaching and leadership development, and he refers to me and Ruby as "his woobie." We do need to mention that the opinions expressed here on the show are his own, and not those of any organization.It's a thing I say a lot these days, but man, this conversation is one of my FAVORITES of 2025! We covered a lot of ground, shared some amazing stories, and I just know you're gonna dig it!If you want to skip straight to the interview, 5:18 is your spot!TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:10 - Titles1:38 - Kickoff 5:18 - Haris Shawl Interview1:04:47 - Wrap & CloseWebsite: https://www.learnit.com/Join our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS

October 24, 2025Episode 931 hr 4 min

The Corporate Bartender - The Learn-It-All Leader with Damon Lembi

What's up everyone and welcome to The Corporate Bartender!We've all dealt with "know-it-all" leaders in our journeys but have you ever known a "learn-it-all" leader? Well, today's your day to find out just what they are, and why they are awesome!We've got Damon Lembi on the program today. Don't know Damon? Stick around, this one is worth it!He is the CEO of Learn It, podcast host, keynote speaker, is a contributor to Forbes, CBS, Fast Company, IDB and the like. He's also the author of a couple books. His latest is The Learn-It-All Leader - Mindset, Traits, and Tools. That's what we're going to talk about today. Learn It has upskilled almost TWO MILLION people over the last 30 years. Damon is also a former baseball player, ASU alum, and the dude has been to Circus Mexicus more than Lori, Ruby, and me. This conversation is (I know I've said it before) one of my FAVORITE of 2025! There are gems in it like this one "Learning without doing, is treason." Treason! We covered a lot of ground, shared some amazing stories, and I just know you're gonna dig it!If you want to skip straight to the interview, 4:40 is your spot!TCB Layout:0:00 - Show Open & Intro1:23 - Titles1:52 - Kickoff 4:40 - Damon Lembi Interview1:05:55 - Wrap & CloseWebsite: https://www.learnit.com/Join our community!https://the-corporate-bartender.mn.co/Theme Music by Hooksounds.comGood Feels Stories Copyright Paramount/CBS