HR Like a Boss by Willory

Willory

Empowering people through insightful interviews and resources on HR, payroll, training, and professional development. Subscribe to the HR Like a Boss podcast to connect with and learn from inspiring HR professionals who are transforming the workplace.

  1. The Evolution of Payroll Professionals | Payroll* Like a Boss with Brian Escobar & Walter William Duncan III

    May 28

    The Evolution of Payroll Professionals | Payroll* Like a Boss with Brian Escobar & Walter William Duncan III

    In this episode of the Payroll* Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz, Brian Escobar, and Walter William Duncan III discuss the integral role of payroll. They explore the journey of Brian and Walt in the payroll industry, the current state of payroll, and the future implications of AI and technology in payroll processes. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community, adaptability, and the evolving perception of payroll professionals as business leaders. ABOUT BRIAN Brian Escobar is the Co-Founder and Payroll Advisor of Payroll Universe, Inc., a payroll strategist, global payroll leader, and host of two payroll education podcasts. With 20+ years of domestic and global payroll and HRIS experience—including large-scale HCM/payroll implementations—Brian brings enterprise-level accuracy, reliability, and operational strategy to small businesses without the complexity or cost. ABOUT WALTER Walter William Duncan III is a payroll expert and business development leader with over 20 years of experience in payroll operations, compliance, and workforce solutions. A former member of the United States Navy, he brings a disciplined, detail-oriented approach to solving complex payroll challenges.  He is the co-host of the popular podcast “It’s About Payroll,” where he helps employees and professionals better understand pay, compliance, and financial wellness. Passionate about innovation and education, Walter is dedicated to transforming payroll into a more transparent, strategic, and human-centered function. https://www.linkedin.com/in/walter-william-duncan-iii-477051187?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app

    37 min
  2. Navigating Change with Empathy | HR Like a Boss with Becky Kowall

    May 21

    Navigating Change with Empathy | HR Like a Boss with Becky Kowall

    In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz interviews Becky Kowall, a seasoned HR professional and founder of 22 North HR, a purpose-driven HR firm. They discuss the importance of significance over success in HR, the role of HR in value creation, and the concept of executive presence. Becky shares her insights on active listening, communication, and building relationships in the workplace. The conversation emphasizes the need for HR professionals to be strategic partners and to create trust within their organizations. 22 North HR Resources: https://www.22northhr.com/hr-resources/ ABOUT BECKY KOWALL Becky Kowall is the Founder and Principal of 22 North HR, where she partners with private equity firms, CEOs, and HR leaders to strengthen leadership alignment, scale people strategy, and navigate high-stakes moments of growth and transition. With more than 20 years of senior HR leadership experience, Becky has served as a Chief People Officer and Global VP of Human Resources in private equity–backed and high-growth organizations. Her background includes leading organizations through rapid scaling, post-acquisition integration, and periods of significant organizational change, with a focus on building leadership credibility, operational discipline, and durable people infrastructure. Becky is known for bringing calm, clarity, and gravitas to complex environments, often serving as the strategic and emotional bridge between executive teams, HR, and investors. At the core of her work is the belief that HR is not a support function, but a critical driver of business strategy and value creation. Becky is especially effective in moments when leadership decisions carry both performance and human consequences. She advises and mentors leaders who are building organizations designed to perform, endure, and scale with integrity.

    36 min
  3. The Journey of Writing Payroll Like a Boss | Payroll* Like a Boss with Tammy Gillenwater

    Apr 30

    The Journey of Writing Payroll Like a Boss | Payroll* Like a Boss with Tammy Gillenwater

    Payroll Like a Boss is out now! Buy it on Amazon, or get the e-book on Amazon Kindle and Google Books for just $0.99 until May 15th >> https://a.co/d/04h3fnn5 In this special episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, we're shifting our focus to payroll! John Bernatovicz and Tammy Gillenwater come together to discuss the launch of their book, Payroll Like a Boss. They explore the importance of payroll in building employee trust, the need for payroll professionals to be seen as strategic partners, and the emotional journey of writing the book. Tammy shares her experiences and insights on how payroll can be reimagined as a critical function within organizations, emphasizing the need for bravery and mentorship among payroll professionals. The conversation highlights the value of accurate and timely payroll processing and the collaborative efforts required for success in the payroll field. ABOUT PAYROLL LIKE A BOSS Payroll Like a Boss is a call to elevate payroll from a misunderstood back-office function to a respected and strategic career. It showcases payroll professionals as the unsung heroes who safeguard trust, ensure accuracy, and keep organizations running. The book challenges outdated perceptions and urges readers to be brave, think strategically, and embrace the deeper purpose behind their work. At the core of doing amazingly awesome payroll are two table stakes principles: ownership and love. These principles shape how payroll professionals show up, lead, and serve. The authors explore the fundamentals of professionalism, the personal journeys that bring people into payroll, and the moments that transform it from a job into a calling. Readers are encouraged to think differently about the future by addressing the payroll talent cliff, being intentional about their role in advancing the profession, and reshaping the dialogue around payroll’s value. The book inspires payroll professionals to stand out through bravery, communication, collaboration, and the smart use of technology.

    37 min
  4. Empathy and Community: The New Face of HR | HR Like a Boss with Ari Gunzburg

    Apr 16

    Empathy and Community: The New Face of HR | HR Like a Boss with Ari Gunzburg

    In this episode of the HR Like a Boss podcast, John Bernatovicz welcomes Ari Gunzburg, a corporate speaker and author, to discuss the intersection of human resources and impactful speaking engagements. They explore Ari's journey into the HR community, the importance of purpose in HR, and the evolving role of human resources in fostering empathy and support within organizations. Ari shares personal experiences, including a charity bike ride for children with cancer, highlighting the significance of community and purpose in both personal and professional realms. In this conversation, John Bernatovicz and Ari Gunzburg explore the multifaceted role of HR in organizations, emphasizing the importance of empathy, humor, and strategic thinking in employee relations. Ari shares his personal journey from adversity to becoming a speaker and author, detailing his five keys to greatness: giving, having purpose, engaging, maintaining a positive mindset, and being tenacious. The discussion also highlights the significance of incremental changes in personal growth and the importance of holding on to hope during challenging times. ABOUT ARI GUNZBURG Award-winning speaker Ari Gunzburg inspires audiences to face challenges head-on. From losing his family's belongings in a devastating fire, to his business falling apart during COVID, to the sudden death of a teacher while hiking as a child, Ari embraces life's obstacles, showing how a positive mindset can transform adversity into growth. Ari has done the extraordinary, simply by believing it was possible, from producing a 2 hour movie in 2 weeks to bringing a pet frog 'back to life' as a child. Ari uses captivating stories and unstoppable energy to empower your audience to embrace setbacks, build resilience, and unlock their human potential.

    41 min
4.8
out of 5
52 Ratings

About

Empowering people through insightful interviews and resources on HR, payroll, training, and professional development. Subscribe to the HR Like a Boss podcast to connect with and learn from inspiring HR professionals who are transforming the workplace.

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