
What the HR! is an award-winning podcast. Presented by TCSHRM and hosted by Mike Thul & Jessie Novey. The podcast provides insights, strategies, and anecdotes that explore how to build better businesses through modern people practices and approaches. Topics covered include Organizational Development, Employee Engagement, Listening Strategies, Succession Planning, Performance Management, Company Culture, Transformation, Talent, and Leadership. INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Episodes

7 days ago
Episode 103: Future Ready Leadership
7 days ago
7 days ago
Dr. Rosie Ward is a fierce advocate for humanity who is sought-after to help rehumanize workplaces that free, fuel and inspire people to bring their best selves to work – and home – each day. She serves as CEO and Founder of Salveo Partners, which was awarded the 2024 Stellar Business Award for best business consulting in the United States, and focuses on future-proofing organizations by strengthening culture and equipping leaders and teams to show up courageously and more effectively navigate change and disruption. Rosie recently received a Female Voice Award as the Business Coach of the Year. She is also a Top Voice in Leadership, Leadership Development and Culture on LinkedIn, an award-winning author and an award-winning podcast host; Rosie has an incredible gift for synthesizing complex ideas about culture, leadership, behavior change, and what it means to be human and presenting them in a way that makes them relevant, understandable, and meaningful for people.
White paper: https://salveopartners.com/future-proofing-leadership-white-paper/
Books: https://salveopartners.com/resources/#books
Podcast: https://drrosieward.com/my-podcast/
Guest:
Dr. Rosie Ward, Ph.D., MPH, MCHES, BCC: CEO and Founder of Salveo Partners
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rward/
Hosts:
Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/
Larry Bourgerie - https://www.linkedin.com/in/larrybourgerie/
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member
Attend a TCSHRM Event
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Wednesday May 21, 2025
Episode 102: Return to People
Wednesday May 21, 2025
Wednesday May 21, 2025
John Christensen is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and the CEO of ChartHouse Learning, the company behind the globally recognized FISH! Philosophy. In 1998, during a visit to Seattle’s Pike Place Fish Market, he was inspired by the fishmongers’ energetic and joyful approach to their work. This experience led him to create the FISH! video, which evolved into a worldwide movement promoting workplace engagement and positivity.
Under John’s leadership, ChartHouse Learning has developed a suite of FISH! Philosophy training programs utilized by organizations across various sectors, including business, healthcare, education, and government. The philosophy emphasizes four core principles: Be There, Play, Make Their Day, and Choose Your Attitude—aimed at fostering trust, creativity, and purpose in the workplace.
Guest:
John Christensen: Founder & CEO of FISH!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnchristensenfish/
Hosts:
Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/
Lena Scullard - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenascullard/
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources (TCSHRM): Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, our mission is to provide high quality professional development, information exchange, and networking opportunities for the Human Resource professional through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member
Attend a TCSHRM Event
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Wednesday May 07, 2025
Episode 101: Transparency in Leadership & Culture
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Wednesday May 07, 2025
Mark Smith is a seasoned global talent leader with over 20 years of experience in Talent Acquisition, Leadership Development, and Talent Management. Currently serving as Vice President of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic, a leading medical technology company, Mark oversees a global team that drives innovative hiring solutions to advance Medtronic's mission of alleviating pain, restoring health, and extending lives. Under his leadership, Medtronic’s TA team has consistently delivered excellence across more than 150 countries, supporting a workforce of over 90,000 professionals. Mark’s team plays a pivotal role in ensuring Medtronic continues to lead in healthcare innovation, addressing 70 health conditions and impacting millions of patients globally.
Guest:
Mark Smith: Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic
https://www.linkedin.com/in/markedwardsmithta/
Hosts:
Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/
Jay Olson - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Monday Apr 07, 2025
Episode 100: Farewell to Mike and Jessie
Monday Apr 07, 2025
Monday Apr 07, 2025
We’ve made it to 100 episodes of What the HR! — and we’re marking the moment with a special farewell to our original hosts, Jessie Novey and Mike Thul. Since 2019, they’ve brought thoughtful conversations, expert insights, and plenty of personality to the mic as dedicated TCSHRM volunteers.
In this milestone episode, new host Becky Lauseng sits down with Mike and Jessie for an interview looking back on their journey, favorite moments, and the evolution of the podcast.
Looking ahead, Becky will continue as the lead host, joined by two rotating co-hosts who will help shape the next chapter of What the HR!.🎙️💼
Guests:
Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael
Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey
Host:
Becky Lauseng - https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-lauseng/
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Monday Mar 17, 2025
Episode 99: 2025 Employee Experience Trends Report
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Dr. Benjamin Granger is Chief Workplace Psychologist and Head of EX Advisory Services. He has over a decade of experience building Experience Management (XM) programs across the globe and leads EX thought leadership and research initiatives across Qualtrics and the XM Institute.
Report: https://www.qualtrics.com/ebooks-guides/2024-ex-trends-report/
Guest:
Benjamin Granger: Chief Workplace Psychologist | XM Institute
linkedin.com/in/benjamin-granger-7147991b
Hosts:
Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael
Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Monday Mar 03, 2025
Episode 98: Loneliness in HR
Monday Mar 03, 2025
Monday Mar 03, 2025
With over 15 years of experience in human resource strategy, organizational effectiveness, and talent development, Bethany Kurbis helps leaders and organizations reach their potential and accomplish their unique missions. As an experienced people leader, she works with clients across various sectors to develop strategies that align their daily practices with their core values and guiding principles. She also supports them in developing self-awareness, understanding their patterns and habits, and unleashing their potential to achieve personal and professional goals.
Guest:
Bethany Kurbis: Professional Certified Coach (PCC) | Career Coach | Forbes Coaches Council
Hosts:
Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael
Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Episode 97: Imposter Syndrome
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Thursday Feb 20, 2025
Teresa Sande is the CEO and Founder of Mirror Mirror Strategies, an organizational strategy & talent development consultancy focused on cultivating effective, inclusive leaders and high-performing organizations. With 25 years of experience in global corporate settings—including executive roles at Intel, Capital One, Cargill, and UnitedHealth Group—Teresa has dedicated her career to helping organizations identify, develop, and elevate top-tier talent.
Guest:
Teresa Sande: Talent Executive | Coach | Consultant | Author | Fierce Finder
Hosts:
Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael
Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Monday Jan 13, 2025
Episode 96: Does Your Candidate Experience Match the Employee Experience?
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Monday Jan 13, 2025
Jay is a Talent Acquisition and HR leader with over 20 years of experience. He is passionate about driving success through collaboration and communication, and he is always looking for ways to improve the way things are done. Believing in continuous improvement and a growth mindset, Jay has a proven track record of leading, building, and rebuilding Talent Acquisition teams in a variety of environments, including Corporate, RPO, and Agency.
Guest:
Jay Olson: Director, Global Talent Acquisition | Medtronic
Hosts:
Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael
Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Monday Dec 23, 2024
Episode 95: Revolutionizing How We Live and Work
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Monday Dec 23, 2024
Leah Pitzenberger is a psychologist by training, but spent almost a decade in various HR roles at Target Corporation, before focusing her career on start-ups and scale-ups in innovative, high-growth industries as their CHRO, including time as the Head of HR at the Minnesota Wild. Now, she is the founder of A People Revolution, helping organizations and leaders thrive in the future of work. She appeals to the non-believers, the nay-sayers, the skeptics. Her strategies are grounded in logic, truth and practical application. Her approach isn’t fluffy or ambiguous. It’s simple, clear, backed by science, and filled with her own experience and truths. She is changing how leaders and organizations think about delivering results … and is on a mission to create a world where Mondays don’t suck.
Guest:
Leah Pitzenberger: CEO, A People Revolution
Hosts:
Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael
Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Episode 94: Pay Transparency
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Tuesday Nov 19, 2024
Sharona is a global HR consultant with expertise in global total rewards. Her specialties are compensation, benefits, HR operations, HRIS, performance management, and global mobility. Her experience spans a variety of industries including tech services, healthcare, manufacturing, venture capital, market research, and insurance. She has spent much of her career leading global total rewards for small- to mid-sized companies experiencing significant growth and transformation through both steady-state and M&A phases. She enjoys helping her clients by leveraging strategic, data-driven expertise with tactical support and robust change management to solve business challenges.
Sharona is SPHR certified and is a board member and treasurer of the Chicago Compensation Association and a founding member of The People Collective. She received her Bachelor’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and her Master’s in Labor and Industrial Relations with a concentration in Human Resources Management from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC). In her free time, she enjoys her family and hiking the outdoors. She also has a slight addiction to pickleball.
Guest:
Sharona Abramson: Founder at Inflection Point Total Rewards, LLC
Hosts:
Mike Thul - linkedin.com/in/thulmichael
Jessie Novey - linkedin.com/in/jessienovey
Engineer:
Chris Mueller - linkedin.com/in/cjmueller86
INTERESTED IN SPONSORSHIP? Please email sponsors@tcshrm.org.
Twin Cities Society For Human Resources: Recognized as one of the nation's largest SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) chapters, TCSHRM is based in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota. With an ongoing calendar of events, we are an active SHRM group always looking to promote, influence, and educate our members through multiple channels.
Join Us! Become a TCSHRM Member. https://www.tcshrm.org/
Thank you for listening, and if you enjoy our podcast episodes please consider leaving a review, as it helps us reach more listeners.
© MMXXIII TCSHRM. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.