HR Superstars
15Five
HR and People Ops can be challenging, but there's a community of others who've been in your shoes. HR Superstars is the podcast from 15Five that connects you with confident and respected strategic people leaders who have conquered a myriad of challenges and now have valuable and actionable insights to share.
In each episode, our host, Adam Weber, VP of Community at 15Five, will talk to some of the world's leading innovators in the HR/People Ops space willing to share their insights and advice to help you in your journey. We get real with topics like being a strategic business partner to the rest of the organization, how to have difficult conversations while maintaining empathy, and how to make DEI a part of your cultural DNA instead of just lip service.
15Five is here to help you do what matters most—develop your workforce, create a strong employer brand, and be respected as the strategic business partner you are. Come join thousands of your fellow HR Superstars, we're so excited to have you.
In each episode, our host, Adam Weber, VP of Community at 15Five, will talk to some of the world's leading innovators in the HR/People Ops space willing to share their insights and advice to help you in your journey. We get real with topics like being a strategic business partner to the rest of the organization, how to have difficult conversations while maintaining empathy, and how to make DEI a part of your cultural DNA instead of just lip service.
15Five is here to help you do what matters most—develop your workforce, create a strong employer brand, and be respected as the strategic business partner you are. Come join thousands of your fellow HR Superstars, we're so excited to have you.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Mar 24, 2026 • 45min
Leading Through Uncertainty: Building Trust and Resilience with Kat Kibben
Uncertainty is an inevitable part of HR leadership, but how can we navigate it with confidence and clarity? In this episode of HR Superstars, Karina Young is joined by Kat Kibben, founder of Three Ears Media and recruiting expert, to explore practical ways HR leaders can build resilience and lead effectively in times of change. Kat shares her personal journey, from living in a van to becoming a business owner, and offers unique insights into how HR can embrace uncertainty, build trust, and lead with empathy. She dives into the power of self-awareness, resilience, and how HR professionals can shift from managing policies to becoming true people leaders who inspire and empower teams. This conversation challenges HR leaders to step beyond traditional approaches and take on the uncertainty of the workplace with renewed energy and a focus on people-first leadership. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Kat Kibben (02:54) Why uncertainty always lands on HR's desk (08:03) Navigating tough conversations and building trust (15:53) Leading with conviction, not perfection (17:27) The importance of resilience in HR leadership (26:01) How van life taught Kat to lead under pressure (42:23) Practical tools for building resilience within your team Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Kat Kibben's LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/ Check out Kat's book The Bounce Back Factor at bouncebackfactorbook.com.
Mar 10, 2026 • 46min
How to Create Manager Programs That Stick with Nicole Roberts
Leadership training is one of the most common investments organizations make, but it is also one of the easiest to get wrong. Many companies track attendance, but few measure whether managers actually lead differently afterward. In this episode of HR Superstars, Karina Young sits down with Nicole Roberts, Founder & President of People Solutions Group, to discuss how to design leadership development that managers actually use in their day-to-day work. They explore how HR leaders can identify the right problems before launching training, measure leadership effectiveness in real time, and help managers apply new skills immediately. Nicole also shares practical ways to strengthen leadership development, even with limited resources. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Nicole Roberts (04:58) Defining the problem before designing training programs (06:38) Common gaps in leadership development and training (11:50) Adapting leadership development to industry-specific needs (25:00) Balancing personalized training with scalable programs (41:35) Measuring success and adjusting leadership development programs (44:52) The power of gratitude in leadership Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Nicole Roberts' LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nrobertshr/
Feb 24, 2026 • 43min
Questions Every HR Leader Should Be Able to Answer with Dana Calder and Dieter Veldsman
The future of HR is here, and it's evolving faster than ever. Recorded live at the HR Superstars Summit, Karina Young asks Dana Calder and Dr. Dieter Veldsman the five burning questions HR leaders are asking as they navigate this new, data-driven, and AI-powered era of work. As HR teams encounter new challenges and opportunities, this episode provides actionable insights on how to remain focused, strategic, and forward-thinking. Tune in to discover the key trends, innovations, and strategies that will define the future of HR and empower you to lead with confidence in an ever-changing workplace. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstars: Dr. Dieter Veldsman & Dana Calder (05:34) What deserves HR's attention? (14:53) Making an impact with simple HR programs (20:1) What exit surveys really reveal (29:38) Where AI adds the most strategic value (38:04) The simplest path from insight to action Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Dr. Dieter Veldsman's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dieterveldsman/ Dana Calder's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/danacalder/
Feb 10, 2026 • 41min
Innovation Starts with HR with Kate O'Neill
Technology decisions can shift dramatically when HR steps in with a human-centered perspective. In this episode, Kate O'Neill, CEO of KO Insights and author of What Matters Next, explains how HR can influence innovation before decisions are locked in. She shares why employee experience, ethics, and organizational performance belong at the center of technology conversations, not after rollout plans are set. You'll hear practical ways HR can gather partial answers, synthesize insight, and guide leaders through uncertainty while staying grounded in values, privacy, and workplace communication. If you want HR leadership that builds credibility and influence, this conversation offers clear frameworks you can apply today. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Kate O'Neill (04:22) Digital transformation vs. innovation (09:54) How HR can influence without being the decision maker (14:15) Common mistakes when rolling out change and new tools (22:38) Finding the right pace in technology decisions (28:54) Carrying culture forward into the AI age Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Performance Review Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/review-process-playbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Performance For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Kate O'Neill's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kateoneill/
Jan 27, 2026 • 42min
REPLAY: Equipping Managers Without Overwhelming HR with Yen Tan & Morgan Webb
HR leaders are feeling the squeeze. With limited resources and growing pressure to improve engagement, performance, and retention, many are tasked with building manager support systems from scratch, often without the time or tools to do it effectively. In this episode, Morgan Webb, Senior Strategic Advisor at 15Five, and Yen Tan, Evangelist, Expansion & Manager Products at 15Five, share how HR can take a more focused and sustainable approach to manager enablement. They discuss why blanket training programs rarely work, how to use data to identify where support is needed most, and why piloting and iterating can drive better results than aiming for perfection. This conversation guides HR teams ready to stop doing it all and start doing what works. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstars: Yen Tan & Morgan Webb (06:19) The current state of HR and why HR owns manager enablement (09:39) Managers are the bridge between HR goals and culture (14:34) The danger of generic training and what to do instead (18:19) Piloting and adapting learning based on feedback (27:42) Overcoming skepticism and finding champions (31:17) Measuring the effectiveness of manager enablement (35:35) Using manager meetings and existing rhythms for reinforcement Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Manager Enablement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/resources/ebook/15fives-manager-enablement-playbook-for-hr-leaders?hsLang=en?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=2026_Podcast&utm_content=ebook For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: here:https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Yen Tan's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/helloyenhere/ Morgan Webb's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-webb/
Jan 13, 2026 • 35min
Creating Conscious Leaders with David Hassell
The more friction you have in an organization, the harder it is to move forward. In this episode of HR Superstars, Karina Young sits down with David Hassell, CEO of 15Five, to discuss how trust, awareness, and conscious leadership can foster a culture of growth and empower teams to achieve their full potential. Drawing from the practices of conscious leadership, David explains how perception shapes behavior, why trust accelerates execution, and what HR leaders can do to strengthen the social fabric of their organizations. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: David Hassell (06:52) HR's evolution into a strategic function (11:13) The future of leadership and AI (15:27) What is Conscious Leadership? (24:36) Applying Conscious Leadership in the workplace Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Manager Enablement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/resources/ebook/15fives-manager-enablement-playbook-for-hr-leaders?hsLang=en?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=2026_Podcast&utm_content=ebook For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo David Hassell's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhassell/
Dec 30, 2025 • 41min
REPLAY: High Performance, Low Engagement: An Overlooked Business Risk
Melanie Naranjo, Chief People Officer at Athena, is a people leader who builds cultures that keep top performers. She explores why high output can hide burnout and disengagement. Short, concrete manager actions and targeted development can re-engage talent. Discussion covers spotting early red flags, shifting draining work, and holding underperformers accountable to protect top performers.
Dec 18, 2025 • 42min
Breaking the Mold & Making Bold Moves in 2026 With Crystal Boysen
If HR wants to evolve, doing things the same way year after year won't cut it. Change requires bold, new strategies. In this episode of HR Superstars, Karina Young is joined by Crystal Boysen, Chief People Officer at Sprout Social, to challenge traditional HR thinking around risk, planning, and employee value. Crystal discusses why fear-based policies and over-engineered processes create friction instead of trust. She also shares how HR leaders can design systems that help people move faster, with more clarity and confidence. She explains why strategy often fails, not because the plan is wrong, but because organizations never change how work actually gets done. This episode calls on HR leaders to let go of a risk-averse mindset and embrace a more adaptive, people-first approach. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Crystal Boysen (06:08) Creating an environment where teams feel safe enough to learn (11:06) A different approach to planning cycles (15:39) Why strategy is not a fixed plan (20:08) What today's employees expect beyond pay and benefits (38:10) Crystal's bold move for 2026 Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Crystal Boysen's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/crystalmboysen/
Dec 2, 2025 • 39min
Demystifying Data: A Practical Guide for HR Leaders With Dieter Veldsman
If you're in HR, you're already working with data, whether you realize it or not. Every time you spot a pattern, have a feedback conversation, or reflect on team dynamics, you're using data to make decisions. In this episode, Dr. Dieter Veldsman, Chief HR Scientist at AIHR, shares ways HR leaders can feel more confident using data in their everyday decisions. He explains what it means to be data-led and why it has nothing to do with being technical. You'll learn how to ask better questions, focus on what matters, and use data to bring more clarity to conversations with executives and your team. This episode is a reminder that data isn't something to fear—it's something you already know how to use. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Dieter Veldsman (03:11) Why many HR leaders feel intimidated by data (09:07) This is how you lose credibility as a people leader (15:11) How to use metrics thoughtfully (20:31) Practical steps to build data confidence (25:51) The impact of HR data on sales and retention (32:33) Asking better questions about HR data (34:48) Access to HR benchmarks without dashboards or large data sets Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Dieter Veldsman's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dieterveldsman/?originalSubdomain=nl
Nov 25, 2025 • 24min
Intelligent AI Starts with Quality Data With Nelson Spencer
Everyone is rushing into AI, but few teams are preparing their data well enough to truly benefit from it. This episode features a recorded session from Thrive 2025. Guest host Anthony Onesto, VP of Platform and Product Marketing at 15Five, sits down with Nelson Spencer, Founder & CEO of efora, to discuss the data foundations HR needs before bringing AI into daily work. Nelson explains how large language models function and how centralizing data can help HR shift from reactive reporting to forward-looking insights. If you want AI to support faster decision-making and better performance outcomes, this session gives you a clear place to start. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Nelson Spencer (03:18) Large language models explained simply (04:35) Why data quality matters for AI (07:22) Bringing scattered HR data into one system (13:48) The biggest mistake teams make with AI adoption (19:10) Using AI for predictive insights (21:23) First steps to build a strong data foundation Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's HR Outcomes Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/hr-outcomes-playbook-unlocking-the-true-business-value-of-hr/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=HR For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Nelson Spencer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonspencer
