HR Famous

WRKdefined Podcast Network
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The HR Famous Podcast is a lively conversation dealing with the real-life craziness HR pros deal with every day! Think of this as your own HR therapy session - sharing stories, strategies, and sometimes simply venting about a career we love, but one that makes us scream at the same time. This pod is a safe place of conversation, laughs, arguments, and hope. So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass a wine and sit back and enjoy the real-world HR talk with a few of your peers.

  1. From Spreadsheets to Smart Org Design: How AI & OrgChart Are Rewiring the Future of HR

    11/04/2025

    From Spreadsheets to Smart Org Design: How AI & OrgChart Are Rewiring the Future of HR

    In this episode of HR Famous, Tim Sackett sits down with Tom McCarty, CEO of OrgChart, to talk about something every HR and talent leader is wrestling with right now: how to design the org of the future in an AI-powered world—without losing your mind in spreadsheets. Tim and Tom kick things off by unpacking what OrgChart really is (spoiler: it’s way more than boxes and lines). Tom explains how modern org charting gives HR three critical advantages: visibility into what your org actually looks like today, insights that layer in performance, skills, pay and potential, and vision to model what your organization should look like in 1–5 years. Whether you’re at 100 employees growing 20% a year or a global enterprise, Tom shares why staying in Excel is quietly killing your workforce planning. They dive into the uncomfortable truth that technology and data remain two of HR’s weakest muscles, and why that’s not entirely HR’s fault. Tom argues that HR tech vendors haven’t always made it easy or intuitive—then walks through what “better” looks like when org design, data and decision-making actually work together. You’ll hear them tackle big questions that every HR leader is feeling in Q4 2025: How will AI agents fit into your org chart and headcount strategy? Why you can’t plan the future state of your organization if you don’t clearly understand the current state. Why CEOs are freaking out about succession and what real org visibility can do about it. How the best leaders in an AI world won’t be the ones with all the answers—but the ones who ask the best questions. Tom also shares a simple, no-software-required starting point: how HR can begin making better org and talent decisions just by aligning on the five or six things that should always be considered in pay planning, growth planning, or restructuring conversations. If you’re an HR leader, TA leader, or C-suite exec planning for 2026 and beyond—and you’re tired of pretending your “org design” is a tab in Excel—this conversation will give you a clearer vision of what’s possible and what to do next.

    36 min
  2. Coldplay, CHROs & Crisis Comms: A Masterclass with Dinah Alobeid

    08/10/2025

    Coldplay, CHROs & Crisis Comms: A Masterclass with Dinah Alobeid

    In this episode of the HR Famous Podcast, Tim Sackett welcomes communications pro Dinah Alobeid for a brutally honest, wildly entertaining conversation about corporate comms, brand moments, and the power of good storytelling in HR tech. Dinah, now Head of Communications at Visier and formerly with Greenhouse, joins Tim for a laugh-filled yet thought-provoking discussion that touches on everything from corporate crisis responses to acoustic wedding songs to how HR leaders get held to a higher standard than CEOs. 🔥 Topics covered in this episode include: What real corporate communications looks like (and why most companies miss the mark) The now-legendary Coldplay/CHRO kiss drama—and the brilliant response from Astronomer (yes, the one with Gwyneth Paltrow) Why the CEO’s wife may have written the best PR letter in recent memory American Eagle’s “great genes” ad featuring Sydney Sweeney and why it caused a social media uproar Why it's nearly impossible for brands to "win" online anymore—and why maybe that's okay The importance of honest, unscripted customer stories in HR tech marketing Dinah also shares her career shift into HR tech and what drew her to Visier, a people analytics company powering smarter decisions with workforce data and AI. Tim pushes her to get real about what Visier actually does and how comms leaders can explain complex HR tech in simple, compelling terms. But this episode isn’t just about work—Tim and Dinah go personal, trading stories about: Wedding songs (Tim forgot his, kind of…) Songs for their kids Dinah’s upcoming podcast, Play This at My Funeral, which dives into grief, existentialism, and the music that defines us Why Gen Z and future HR leaders crave unscripted, real content over overproduced messaging If you’ve ever worked in HR, comms, or brand marketing—or just love when pop culture crashes into corporate drama—this episode is for you. 💡 Key Takeaway: Authenticity wins. Whether you're handling a PR crisis, launching an HR tech product, or dancing to Sam Smith at your wedding, what resonates is being real. In an age of backlash and viral moments, the best brands and leaders don’t hide behind polished messaging—they show up human. 🎧 Tune in now to hear Tim and Dinah break it all down with humor, heart, and the kind of insight you won't find in a whitepaper.

    41 min
  3. Big Tech Buys Little Tech: Will SAP Ruin SmartRecruiters?

    08/05/2025

    Big Tech Buys Little Tech: Will SAP Ruin SmartRecruiters?

    In this solo summer edition of the HR Famous Podcast, host Tim Sackett unpacks one of the biggest HR tech acquisitions of the year: SAP SuccessFactors acquiring SmartRecruiters. Tim gives his unfiltered, insider take on why this move matters, how it stacks up against Workday and Oracle, and whether SAP will actually leverage the cutting-edge, AI-driven tech they just bought—or bury it in corporate bureaucracy. You’ll hear Tim’s firsthand reaction to: Why SmartRecruiters was a smart buy (but maybe not the smartest one) The risk of “Big Tech crushing little tech” and what history tells us The future of SAP’s Talent Acquisition stack—will they go all in or keep Frankensteining? Why TA pros should care about this acquisition right now But that’s not all. Tim also dives into the recent Workday legal battle over alleged AI discrimination. He dissects the lawsuit, explains why it’s a misunderstanding of how AI works in TA tech, and makes a compelling argument that AI is more likely to reduce bias—not amplify it. If you're trying to make sense of where AI, algorithms, and HR law are crashing into each other, this segment is a must-listen. Plus, Tim shares real talk about the current state of AI in recruiting: What AI matching actually does (and doesn’t do) Why old-school hiring processes were way more biased than today’s algorithms What leaders need to know before joining the “AI is evil” mob And just for fun, Tim gives a quick update on generative AI image tools—why they’ve gotten better, where they’re still awkward, and how that reflects broader trends in machine learning and bias. This episode is loaded with: Hot takes from a real-world HR tech advisor and investor Cautionary tales from past acquisitions (remember Taleo + Oracle?) Expert analysis on what this means for HR leaders and TA tech buyers No BS commentary on the future of HR, recruiting, and AI in enterprise systems Whether you’re a TA leader looking for insights, an HR tech nerd following every move in the space, or just trying to figure out what the hell SAP is thinking—this episode delivers. 🎧 Subscribe, share, and get ready to question everything you thought you knew about enterprise HR tech.

    28 min
  4. SHRM Annual Recap, AI Hype, Layoff Myths & the Top 100 Recruiting Tech List

    07/30/2025

    SHRM Annual Recap, AI Hype, Layoff Myths & the Top 100 Recruiting Tech List

    In this solo summer edition of HR Famous, Tim Sackett flies solo with a hot debrief from the 2025 SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. From presidential keynotes to AI overload and his signature recruiting tech list, Tim delivers an unfiltered look at what really went down at the world’s largest HR event. Here’s what you’ll get in this jam-packed episode: 🎤 Tim’s SHRM Annual Recap What it’s really like presenting to a packed room of HR pros, why SHRM audiences are better than they get credit for, and how he turns his sessions into connection machines with one killer tip involving LinkedIn QR codes. (Trust us—you’ll steal this idea.) 🧠 AI in HR: Still Mostly Hype? Tim gives a candid take on the AI overload across SHRM sessions. He breaks down why most AI talks aren’t delivering, what’s missing from vendor demos, and why the HR world desperately needs real-world AI success stories—not just “use cases.” 📉 Layoffs, Panic, and Reality Checks Is AI really causing mass layoffs? Tim doesn’t think so—and he’s got the logic to prove it. Hear why the doom-and-gloom headlines don’t reflect what’s actually happening in HR, and why a lot of recent layoffs are just course corrections from years of overhiring. 📊 Behind the Scenes of the Top 100 Recruiting Tech List Tim pulls back the curtain on how he created his Top 100 Recruiting Technologies list, why being #99 isn’t a bad thing, and why big platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, and Workday still rank near the top (even if people love to hate them). Spoiler alert: There’s no secret algorithm—just market reality and daily usage. 👀 Candidate Fraud Is Coming for You As a teaser for future episodes, Tim touches on the growing wave of candidate fraud in remote hiring, why IT leaders are now poking into the TA process, and what tools like Greenhouse are doing to fight back. Whether you're in TA, HR leadership, or just want the no-BS take on what’s really happening in the industry, this episode is packed with insights, rants, laughs, and practical advice. It's the perfect mid-summer episode to catch up on what matters—and what doesn’t—in the world of work.

    30 min
  5. Coldplay, CEOs, and Cheating Scandals: The HR Meltdown That United the Internet

    07/24/2025

    Coldplay, CEOs, and Cheating Scandals: The HR Meltdown That United the Internet

    In one of the wildest HR pop culture crossovers we’ve ever seen, the internet was set ablaze by a Coldplay concert fan cam that exposed an alleged workplace affair between the CEO and CHRO of Astronomer — and HR Famous is on it. In this must-listen episode, Tim Sackett welcomes back the most requested guest in HR Famous history — his son, Cameron Sackett — to break down the viral moment that brought HR, leadership scandal, and Coldplay together in the most unexpected way. We dig into: Why this moment blew up online and how the couple’s reaction made it unforgettable. The HR chaos of two executives being put on leave — and how legal, optics, and power dynamics play into whether they stay or go. Why this scandal was the first thing to unite the internet across age, political lines, and industries. What companies can (and should) learn about public perception, workplace relationships, and crisis comms from this Coldplay cam crash. Also in this episode: 🎥 Cameron talks about starting his new gig at Uber, adjusting to megacorp life, and what it’s like working 49 floors above Manhattan. 📺 We dish on everything we’re watching — from Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making the Team and We Were Liars to Megan 2 and F1. 💬 And yes, we recap the best memes, the ridiculous reactions, and what this might mean for CHRO Halloween costumes in 2025. Oh, and Tim might have invited the infamous CHRO on the show… Key Takeaway: This moment was more than just workplace drama — it’s a cultural case study in modern leadership, HR ethics, and what happens when your worst professional moment gets broadcast to 50,000 people and TikTok. Whether you're in HR, leadership, or just here for the internet chaos, this is the episode everyone will be talking about. Let me know if you want alternative title options or a shorter teaser for social media!

    39 min
  6. Fighting Candidate Fraud and AI Threats in Hiring — with Greenhouse CEO Daniel Chait

    07/14/2025

    Fighting Candidate Fraud and AI Threats in Hiring — with Greenhouse CEO Daniel Chait

    In this eye-opening episode of HR Famous, host Tim Sackett sits down with Daniel Chait, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenhouse, to dive deep into one of the most pressing — yet under-discussed — challenges facing HR and talent acquisition today: candidate fraud. From fake resumes powered by AI to organized infiltration attempts by foreign actors, the duo explore how fraudulent candidates are shaking up recruiting processes in an era of remote work and advanced technology. Daniel shares real-world data and examples from Greenhouse customers, shedding light on the growing sophistication of fraud tactics and the vulnerabilities organizations face. Together, they dissect the "big F" fraud, like North Korean infiltration efforts, and "little f" fraud, such as candidates outsourcing interviews or using AI-generated answers. The conversation highlights how these issues aren’t just technical problems but touch every layer of hiring — from candidate experience to national security. Listeners will also learn about the crucial role of CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) in protecting hiring pipelines and why traditional background checks and I-9 verifications are no longer enough. Tim and Daniel discuss innovative ways companies can maintain an open, welcoming hiring funnel while defending against sophisticated threats, including creating better signals for truly interested candidates and leveraging new verification technologies. Packed with practical insights, real anecdotes, and forward-looking strategies, this episode is a must-listen for talent acquisition leaders, HR professionals, and executives worried about the future of hiring integrity. Tune in to discover how you can protect your organization from becoming the next headline — and why this issue might be the biggest HR risk you haven’t prepared for yet.

    32 min
  7. Curating Talent with Titus Talent CEO, Jonathan Reynolds

    07/08/2025

    Curating Talent with Titus Talent CEO, Jonathan Reynolds

    In this lively episode of the HR Famous podcast, host Tim Sackett welcomes Jonathan Reynolds, CEO and self-described "visionary" of Titus Talent Strategies. The two dive into an authentic, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams. Jonathan shares how he ended up with the "visionary" title, explaining the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) approach, where someone sets the vision (the "why" and "where") while others execute. He admits to having endless ideas but relies on his team to focus and execute effectively. Their discussion reveals Jonathan’s unique talent for spotting raw potential in people, not just hiring based on skills, but on alignment with core values and the broader vision. They also explore Titus Talent’s approach to talent strategy, going beyond traditional recruiting to focus on character, integrity, and cultural fit. Jonathan illustrates this with stories of team members whose lives he transformed, highlighting his “curator of talent” mindset. The episode explores the significance of work for younger generations, questioning the notion that a job must always feel deeply meaningful. Instead, Jonathan suggests that meaning often comes from the impact a role has on one’s life and community. Titus showcases this by collecting personal stories from candidates 90 days after placement, emphasizing personal transformations over mere job titles or paychecks. Tim and Jonathan also tackle topics like remote work culture, philanthropic initiatives tailored to employees’ passions, and creative interviewing techniques designed to gauge true motivation and cultural fit. The result is an honest, thought-provoking, and funny look at modern leadership and talent strategy — perfect for HR pros and business leaders alike.

    59 min
  8. Manufacturing Jobs Are Back But Workers Are Not

    05/06/2025

    Manufacturing Jobs Are Back But Workers Are Not

    Manufacturing jobs are back on American soil. The factories are running. The roles are open. But the workers? They're missing. In this solo episode, Tim Sackett unpacks the growing gap between opportunity and desire in today’s labor market. Why did generations of proud factory families embrace these jobs - and why do today’s young workers turn away? From cultural shifts and education gaps to lifestyle choices and societal stigma, Tim explores the uncomfortable reasons behind this silent rejection. Is it a temporary hesitation... or a permanent shift? And if manufacturing jobs no longer inspire the next workforce, what does that mean for America's future? Connect with Us: Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s Website: hrutech.com Read Tim’s Blog: ⁠⁠https://timsackett.com/

    31 min
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4.5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

The HR Famous Podcast is a lively conversation dealing with the real-life craziness HR pros deal with every day! Think of this as your own HR therapy session - sharing stories, strategies, and sometimes simply venting about a career we love, but one that makes us scream at the same time. This pod is a safe place of conversation, laughs, arguments, and hope. So, grab a cup of coffee or a glass a wine and sit back and enjoy the real-world HR talk with a few of your peers.

Information

  • Creator
    WRKdefined Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2025
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved by WRKdefined
  • Show Website
    HR Famous