The Simplifiers Podcast

Mary Baird, PHR

Too many people are miserable at work. I'm on a mission to change that. The Simplifiers Podcast helps HR leaders, people managers, and workplace changemakers simplify the complex challenges shaping the future of work. Hosted by Mary Baird, PHR, employee experience strategist, AI for HR expert, keynote speaker, and author of Squash the Sunday Scaries, this season simplifies topics through the lens of leadership and culture strategy. Each episode delivers practical ideas to help you rebuild trust, strengthen workplace culture, lead through change, and create an employee experience that drives measurable business results. Because when employees feel supported, valued, and equipped to do their best work, customers feel the difference too. Better employee experience = better customer experience = better business results Through candid conversations with global experts, practical solo episodes, and calming guided visualizations, you'll learn how to: • Improve employee engagement and reduce burnout • Build stronger leaders and healthier workplace cultures • Turn employee listening into meaningful action • Use AI in HR simply, responsibly, and strategically • Navigate change with greater clarity and confidence • Do less, focus on what matters most, and make a greater impact No empty buzzwords. No surface-level perks. Just real-world insights and simple steps you can put into practice immediately. With 400+ episodes and listeners in more than 155 countries, The Simplifiers Podcast is here to help you gain clarity, build knowledge, look after yourself, and #dothething. New here? Follow the show and start simplifying work, leadership, and everything in between. Are you ready? Let's dive in. It's time to simplify.

  1. 8 hr ago

    How to future-proof HR in the age of AI - with Amy Dufrane

    HR leaders are being asked to help everyone navigate AI at work. But many are still figuring out what it means for their own roles. How do you guide an organization through a change you haven't been trained for yourself? And what happens to the future talent pipeline if the work that once helped people start their careers begins to change? My special guest today is Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI, and she's simplifying how to future-proof HR in the age of AI. We'll talk about why HR professionals feel vulnerable, what leaders need to learn now, and why job design and succession planning can't wait. We'll also explore the part each of us plays in staying relevant as work changes. We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including: Why HR professionals can feel responsible for guiding AI adoption while still asking what it means for their own jobs. What changing opportunities for early-career workers could mean for the future leadership pipeline. Why HR needs to pay attention to organizational design, job design, and succession planning now. How managers can help people feel more comfortable learning and working with AI. Why each of us has a responsibility to keep developing our skills as work changes. If you work in HR and have been wondering where to begin, this conversation is for you. Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/434-how-to-future-proof-hr-in-the-age-of-ai---with-amy-dufrane

  2. 8 hr ago ·  Bonus

    Introducing: On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    Introducing ⁠BENNY BLANCO: The Secret to Failing Your Way to Success from On Purpose with Jay Shetty. Follow the show: On Purpose with Jay Shetty Record producer, songwriter, and music executive Benny Blanco joins Jay for an unfiltered, hilarious, and deeply vulnerable conversation about redefining success, overcoming crippling phobias, and why embracing failure is the ultimate secret to unlocking your true creative potential. Benny pulls back the curtain on his chart-topping music career, sharing behind-the-scenes stories with artists like Ed Sheeran, Bruno Mars, and Britney Spears, while diving into his candid new book on mastering life’s setbacks. Together they explore how to overcome the fear of embarrassment, build emotional resilience, protect your mental health while chasing big dreams, and maintain a grounded, loving relationship under the spotlight. With Love and Gratitude, Jay Shetty Mazda crafts cars for people who do more than simply move. Visit Mazdausa.com to learn more. Consumer reports does not endorse products or services. PURPOSE10 for 10% at altrarunning.com/onpurpose. Free Shipping and Free 30-Day Trial. JAY’S DAILY WISDOM DELIVERED STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX Join 900,000+ readers discovering how small daily shifts create big life change with my free newsletter. Subscribe here: https://news.jayshetty.me/subscribe Check out our Apple subscription to unlock bonus content of On Purpose! https://lnk.to/JayShettyPodcast What We Discuss: 00:00 Intro 01:58 Looking Back at the Songs That Started It All 03:07 Repeat “I Am a Failure” 04:18 Overcoming Embarrassment and Taking Big Swings 06:28 Early Lessons in Failure 08:20 Choosing Non-Traditional Creative Paths 09:51 Mom’s Dreams Vs Choosing Your Own Path 11:11 Turning Doubt Into Motivation 12:05 Ignoring The Haters and Finding Your Spark 13:39 Turning Small Steps Into Big Momentum 14:59 The Success Stool: Balancing Life’s 3 Pillars 15:37 The Power of Small Daily Habits 17:12 Relationships Need Watering Too 18:46 Facing Failure, Fear and a Phobia of Flying 21:45 Taking Micro-Steps to Conquer Deep Fears 23:04 One Task at a Time 24:04 Bruno Mars’ Journey 27:13 Authenticity vs. Imitation in Creative Expression 28:35 Late-Night Songwriting with Ed Sheeran 33:41 Trusting That It Will Work Out 34:19 Finding Your Unique Sound Beyond Influences 36:23 Unfiltered Vulnerability & Asking for Help 39:19 Celebrating Wins vs. Constant Over-Achieving 40:06 Standing Your Ground: Britney Spears to Julia Michaels 43:57 Grammy Perspective and Redefining Success 48:53 When a Failure Turns Into Your Biggest Win (“Diamonds”) 50:58 Mental Health Breakdown Amid Peak Success 53:06 Priority Management, Boundaries, and Emotional Check-ins 55:32 The Power of Saying “No” to Protect Your Peace 57:22 Why Benny Wrote His New Book 58:53 Benny Blanco on Final Five Episode Resources: Pre-order F*ck Failure | https://www.amazon.com/dp/1668205246?lv=shuf&bestFormat=true&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_13VQ1DN9JWKWJSK7YN2A&channelId=704&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_13VQ1DN9JWKWJSK7YN2A&plpRedirect=mhFallback Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/itsbennyblanco/ TikTok | https://www.tiktok.com/@itsbennyblanco YouTube | https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqrBKQHQVEvD2Q9FP0DCP2g X | https://x.com/ItsBennyBlanco Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/itsbennyblanco/ Watch Friends Keep Secrets | https://linktr.ee/friendskeepsecrets Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    Introducing: On Purpose with Jay Shetty
  3. 4 Aug ·  Bonus

    B172: How to stop feeling like you're not enough (guided visualization)

    Time for a guided visualization exercise: how to stop feeling like you're not enough. Maybe you've felt it before. You finish one big project… Only to immediately start thinking about the next one. You reach the goal… But somehow, it still doesn't feel like enough.  Maybe you've spent years being the dependable one. The one everyone counts on. The one who quietly carries more than anyone realizes. Maybe you've even worn the label proudly... High Performer. And there's absolutely nothing wrong with ambition. There is nothing wrong with wanting to build meaningful things. To make a difference. To create. To leave the world a little better than you found it. Ambition is a beautiful thing. It helps us grow. It helps us serve others. It helps us become who we're capable of being. But somewhere along the way... Ambition quietly accepted a job it was never meant to have. Instead of simply helping you create… it began deciding whether you were worthy. Whether you'd done enough. Whether you'd become enough. And that's an impossible job. Because there will always be another goal. Another mountain to climb. Another finish line waiting just beyond the horizon. So today... I don't want to invite you to become less ambitious. I want to invite you into a new relationship with ambition. One where your work reflects your values... Instead of determining your value. One where you still create extraordinary things... But you no longer ask today's accomplishments to tell you who you are. Let's explore that together. And so… to kick off the month, today is another guided visualization episode, which we release on the first Tuesday of every month this season. So, how does it work? Simple! Let my voice be a guide for you as you focus inward to help you tap into your inner wisdom and Intuition for answers. Listen and participate in this guided visualization exercise: How to stop feeling like you're not enough. You can do this, I believe in you. It's time to SIMPLIFY. Show notes available with all links mentioned here: https://www.thesimplifiers.com/posts/b172-how-to-stop-feeling-like-youre-not-enough-all-guided-visualization

About

Too many people are miserable at work. I'm on a mission to change that. The Simplifiers Podcast helps HR leaders, people managers, and workplace changemakers simplify the complex challenges shaping the future of work. Hosted by Mary Baird, PHR, employee experience strategist, AI for HR expert, keynote speaker, and author of Squash the Sunday Scaries, this season simplifies topics through the lens of leadership and culture strategy. Each episode delivers practical ideas to help you rebuild trust, strengthen workplace culture, lead through change, and create an employee experience that drives measurable business results. Because when employees feel supported, valued, and equipped to do their best work, customers feel the difference too. Better employee experience = better customer experience = better business results Through candid conversations with global experts, practical solo episodes, and calming guided visualizations, you'll learn how to: • Improve employee engagement and reduce burnout • Build stronger leaders and healthier workplace cultures • Turn employee listening into meaningful action • Use AI in HR simply, responsibly, and strategically • Navigate change with greater clarity and confidence • Do less, focus on what matters most, and make a greater impact No empty buzzwords. No surface-level perks. Just real-world insights and simple steps you can put into practice immediately. With 400+ episodes and listeners in more than 155 countries, The Simplifiers Podcast is here to help you gain clarity, build knowledge, look after yourself, and #dothething. New here? Follow the show and start simplifying work, leadership, and everything in between. Are you ready? Let's dive in. It's time to simplify.