As big brands pull back on DEI&B, small and midsize businesses are stepping up. In this episode, Opal Wagnac shares why DEI&B is more than a trend — it’s a business necessity. She explores how SMBs are uniquely positioned to lead with inclusion, close the gender gap, and create workplaces where everyone belongs. From allyship to the bottom-line benefits of belonging, this conversation offers real insights for HR leaders navigating today’s evolving workforce.

Equity at Every Level: From the Boardroom to the Breakroom

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle chats with Dr. Steven Stein, renowned clinical psychologist and founder of Multi-Health Systems (MHS).  Steve was an early adopter of the power of emotional intelligence and has since been involved in the conversation about the intersection of emotional intelligence and psychological hardiness in the workplace. As they explore hardiness, the level of mental resilience when faced with stress, they discuss the learnable ability to manage emotions and grow through stress — using the "3 Cs" of Challenge, Control, and Commitment — leads to stronger leadership and healthier teams.  A fascinating listen for HR practitioners, leaders, and team members looking to build healthy resilience.

From Stress to Strength: Building Hardiness in the Workplace

Heidi Barnett, President, Talent Acquisition Solutions at isolved, joins Nine to Thrive HR for a deep dive into the future of hiring and employee experience. Heidi shares how ApplicantPro’s full integration into isolved is helping organizations streamline recruiting, enhance employer branding and create more engaging candidate journeys. She also unpacks the critical balance between AI-powered efficiency and the human elements that make a workplace thrive. Tune in for actionable insights on how HR leaders can attract top talent, improve retention and build people-first cultures in today’s competitive landscape.

Redefining Talent Acquisition & Employee Experience in the Age of AI

In this episode, host Cindi Koetzle is joined by Sara Taylor, Founder of deepSEE Consulting, to explore our competency around unconscious bias and how it shapes our actions, decisions, and workplace conflicts. Sara breaks down the concept of “filters” and shares practical strategies to recognize and shift them. With timely insights on conflict, communication, and polarization, this conversation offers valuable takeaways for leaders and HR professionals striving to create more inclusive and aware workplaces.

Bias, Brains and Better Conversations

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle talks with Jessica Wright, Founder and CEO of Wright Workforce Solutions, about redefining what HR looks like for small and growing businesses. Jessica shares her journey from nonprofit leadership to building a thriving minority- and woman-owned firm that offers hands-on HR, payroll, recruiting, and strategy support to small businesses. Together, they explore how businesses can overcome challenges like delegation, resource access, and talent management—while staying mission-driven and prioritizing strategy and growth.

Scaling Smart: HR Support that Grows With You

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle chats with Carmen Amador, organizational psychologist and community lead at Oyster, about the evolving world of work. They explore the rise of fractional leadership roles, the value of flexibility, and how companies can strategically leverage part-time experts. As a bonus topic, Carmen offers a fresh perspective on women’s well-being and human centered leadership through an informed conversation on women’s menstrual cycles and alignment with work. 

Fractional, Flexible and Future-Ready: Redesigning Our Workplace

In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, host Cindi Koetzle chats with Dr. Meesha Dogan, CEO of Cardio Diagnostics, to explore how AI and epigenetics are transforming cardiovascular health in the workplace. They discuss the ripple effects of heart disease on productivity, benefits costs, and team dynamics—and how employers can take a proactive role through technology-driven prevention and wellness strategies. With a focus on actionable insights and employee well-being, this episode offers HR leaders new ways to support health and retention across their organizations.

Matters of the Heart: A Business Case for Well-Being

Why are fast-moving teams moving away from full-time hires? In this episode, we speak with Yakov Filippenko, founder of Intch, a platform connecting professionals through intent-based, AI-powered networking. Yakov shares how part-time and project-based work is no longer a fallback option — it’s becoming the smart, strategic choice for startups, lean teams, and even big companies looking to stay flexible. We talk about the shift in mindset post-layoffs, the rise of global talent through nomad visas, and how hiring today is less about résumés and more about solving real business problems. From AI bias in recruitment to the hidden value of “non-traditional” candidates, this episode explores what hiring looks like when we stop playing by outdated rules.

Why More Teams Are Choosing Part-Time Talent, with Intch Founder Yakov Filippenko

In this episode, we sit down with Sharthok Chakraborty, a former HR practitioner turned tech executive to explore the evolving world of performance management and the growing role of AI in shaping the future of work. We discuss the inspiration behind founding Klaar, the challenges of building tools that solve real workplace problems, and how empathy and human judgment can be preserved in AI-enabled solutions.

From eliminating friction in performance reviews to ensuring insights turn into real action, we dive deep into the opportunities and risks AI presents for people leaders. Sharthok shares his vision for the next five years of performance management, the broader impact of AI in talent management, and what he hopes the future of work will finally get right, without losing what matters most.

Whether you’re an HR leader, a tech innovator, or simply curious about the intersection of people and technology, this conversation offers practical insights and forward-looking ideas to help navigate what’s next.

From HR to Tech: Sharthok Chakraborty on Reinventing Performance Management with AI

Payroll fraud is evolving and small and midsize businesses (SMBs) are in the crossfire. In this episode of Nine to Thrive HR, Steve Lenderman, Head of Fraud Prevention, unpacks the rising threat of payroll fraud and why SMBs are often the easiest targets. With schemes averaging $2,800 in losses per month and going undetected for over a year, the stakes are higher than ever.

Inside Payroll Fraud: How SMBs Can Fight Back Without Breaking the Bank

One of the hardest transitions you will make in your career is the transition from individual contributor to manager. In this episode of BetterU, we speak with Todd Hudson, Head Maverick, Maverick Institute about why new people leaders often have such a tough time and what they can do about it.
During this episode, you will:
Learn why first-time people managers often struggle

Discover how a lean approach to management activities can help you and your team become more productive

Get practical tips to help new managers start producing results right away
 
This podcast was made possible by HCI’s new certification course Empowering People Leaders, learn more at www.hci.org/epl-course

BetterU

New Managers A Lean Approach with Todd Hudson

Learn skills, mindsets, and behaviors to take work and life to the next level.