SpeakEasy HR

WRKdefined Podcast Network
  • 5.0 (10)
  • Management
  • Updated Weekly

An unfiltered, uncut, and authentic blend of real HR talk, business challenges, and workplace solutions—served up SpeakEasy style. Join me LIVE on LinkedIn and YouTube for raw, insightful conversations tackling both the easy and tough topics shaping HR and the workplace today.  What Makes SpeakEasy HR Different? My guests bring passion, authenticity, and deep expertise, sharing powerful personal stories and game-changing insights from their careers. Each episode is packed with real-world advice designed to challenge perspectives, spark ideas, and inspire action.  Our mission is to deliver compelling, thought-provoking content that challenges the status quo and sparks meaningful discussions within the HR and business communities. We strive to inspire innovation, encourage new perspectives, and empower our audience to think beyond the conventional to drive impactful change in their organizations and careers. At SpeakEasy HR, we are committed to igniting action and fostering a community of professionals dedicated to growth, transformation, and continuous improvement.

  1. 20h ago

    Top Shelf Take: The Best Interview Question Isn’t a Question

    About: After two decades in HR, David Noe has spent a lot of time interviewing people—and he’s been on both sides of the interview table. From recruiting and hiring to onboarding and working with employees after the interview is over, he’s seen what can make the difference between simply filling a position and making a successful hire. In this Top Shelf Take, David shares one simple approach hiring managers can use to rethink the way they conduct interviews. It’s about creating a better conversation, learning more about the person sitting across the table, and making the interview a more valuable experience for both sides. Because sometimes, finding the right person isn’t about asking more questions. It’s about approaching the conversation differently.

    Top Shelf Take: The Best Interview Question Isn’t a Question

  2. 4d ago

    Taking Back Your Power - Surviving the Toxic Workplace

    About What happens when your workplace becomes toxic—and you feel like you’ve lost control?In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with HR leader and author Theresa Chilcoat to talk about one of the most difficult workplace experiences: surviving a toxic environment while protecting your peace, your confidence, and your career.With more than 15 years of HR experience, Theresa has seen the workplace from both sides. She shares what she has learned about the warning signs of employee disconnect, why people rarely disengage overnight, and how leaders can recognize the changes in energy, voice, recognition, and ownership before an employee decides to leave.But this conversation isn't just about what leaders can do. Theresa also brings the employee perspective, drawing from her book, Surviving the Toxic Workplace from an HR Insider, and her message that employees have agency—even when they can't control the environment around them.David and Theresa explore how employees can begin taking back their power, set healthier boundaries, protect their well-being, and make intentional decisions about how they respond to a difficult workplace.They also dig into the other side of the equation: Do leaders really understand what motivates the people they lead? And what happens when leaders become more aware of the people behind the performance?It's a conversation about toxic workplaces, leadership awareness, employee motivation, retention, and ultimately, recognizing that while we can't always control the workplace around us, we can control how we respond to it.Listen in for a candid conversation about recognizing the signs, reclaiming your power, and creating healthier workplaces—whether you're leading the team or trying to survive it.  To find Teri's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GHJDHBR2

    Taking Back Your Power - Surviving the Toxic Workplace

  3. Sep 8

    Top Shelf Take: Every Paycheck Creates Possibility

    In this week’s Top Shelf Take, David Noe celebrates National Payroll Week and takes a closer look at what a paycheck really represents. Payroll isn’t just about numbers, taxes, deductions, and deadlines. Behind every paycheck is a person—and every paycheck creates possibility. David highlights the important role payroll professionals play in making sure employees are paid accurately and on time, often doing critical work behind the scenes that goes unnoticed when everything goes right. He also challenges business leaders to take a moment this week to recognize their payroll teams and appreciate the responsibility they carry. Because payroll isn’t just about paying people—it’s about supporting people, creating opportunity, and helping people move forward. This week’s takeaway:Every paycheck creates possibility.

    Top Shelf Take: Every Paycheck Creates Possibility

  4. Sep 7

    7 Unbreakable Laws of Leadership

    About In Episode 85 of SpeakEasy HR, David sits down with Adam Weisner—entrepreneur, investor, executive coach, author, and business leader—for a powerful conversation around The 7 Unbreakable Laws of Leadership.With more than two decades of leadership experience across banking, manufacturing, investing, and financial technology, Adam has built and scaled organizations while staying grounded in a belief that leadership is stewardship and business can be a force for good. As President and CEO of Sherman Research, he leads a company focused on helping people make wiser financial decisions through independent research, education, and long-term thinking. Adam also shares his philosophy of Purpose Beyond Profit, including Sherman Research’s commitment to directing 51% of distributable profits toward advancing the Gospel through churches, ministries, missionaries, nonprofits, and Kingdom-focused initiatives. The conversation explores leadership, culture, purpose, faith, family, stewardship, and legacy, along with Adam’s concept of Asymmetric Endurance—building organizations that become less dependent on one leader and more capable of creating freedom, sustainability, and lasting impact. Whether you’re leading a team, building a business, or simply trying to become a better leader, this episode offers practical wisdom for leading with conviction and building something that truly lasts. To preorder Adam's book, visit https://www.biblicalbusiness.com/

    7 Unbreakable Laws of Leadership

  5. Sep 7

    Top Shelf Take: What Labor Day Really Means

    Labor Day is about more than a day off—it’s about recognizing the people behind the work. While we often focus on productivity, performance, revenue, hiring, and growth, every organization is ultimately powered by people. Labor Day gives leaders an opportunity to pause and appreciate those who consistently show up, serve customers, solve problems, support their teammates, and make the organization better. The challenge is simple: when everyone returns after Labor Day, identify one person who makes your organization better because they show up and do the work—and tell them. Don't just post a generic Labor Day message. Give someone specific recognition and let them know their work matters. Key takeaway:People aren't just labor. They're people. Celebrate the people who make the work matter.

    Top Shelf Take: What Labor Day Really Means

  6. Sep 1

    Top Shelf Take: Your Company Culture Is Showing

    What does your company culture actually feel like? In this episode of SpeakEasy HR, David Noe takes a closer look at what really shapes workplace culture—and why culture isn’t what’s written on the wall or in the employee handbook. Culture is the experience people have every day at work. From leadership and managers to recruiters, new hires, and every employee in the organization, everyone plays a role in shaping that experience. David explores how everyday behaviors, decisions, recognition, communication, and the people we hire can strengthen—or undermine—the culture we’re trying to build. And here’s the real test: What does work feel like on Sunday night? If your employees are experiencing the Sunday Scaries every week, it may be time to take a closer look at your culture. One topic. One perspective. One takeaway. Because your company culture isn’t just something you talk about. Your company culture is showing.

    Top Shelf Take: Your Company Culture Is Showing

  7. Aug 26

    The Interview Is a Two-Way Street

    In this week’s Top Shelf Take, David challenges job seekers to rethink the traditional interview. An interview isn’t just an opportunity for a company to decide whether you’re the right candidate—it’s also your opportunity to decide whether the company, leader, team, culture, and role are right for you. David shares practical questions to ask, things to watch for during the recruiting process, and why the way a company communicates with you before you’re hired can provide valuable insight into the employee experience. The goal isn’t simply to get the offer. It’s to find the right opportunity for you.

    The Interview Is a Two-Way Street

  8. Aug 24

    7 Simple Ways to Stand Out in an Interview

    This week’s Top Shelf Take focuses on seven simple ways job seekers can stand out in an interview—not by trying to be extraordinary, but by doing the basics exceptionally well. David is an HR leader with 20 years of experience, small business owner, recruiter, content creator, and host of SpeakEasy HR. He brings recruiting experience to highlight the importance of preparation, knowing your story, using real examples, listening carefully, asking thoughtful questions, being authentically yourself, and following through professionally. He did this in one take and it's not perfect, it's authentic, and covers some amazing tips to help job seekers in 2026. The episode is a practical reminder that great interviews are less about perfect answers and more about making it easy for an interviewer to understand who you are, what you bring to the table, and why you’re the right fit. And there’s a bonus strategy for your job search that can make it easier for others to understand your career goals and advocate for you. Know someone who’s currently looking for their next opportunity? Send this to them. They might just find their next job by doing the basics exceptionally well.

    7 Simple Ways to Stand Out in an Interview
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5
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

An unfiltered, uncut, and authentic blend of real HR talk, business challenges, and workplace solutions—served up SpeakEasy style. Join me LIVE on LinkedIn and YouTube for raw, insightful conversations tackling both the easy and tough topics shaping HR and the workplace today.  What Makes SpeakEasy HR Different? My guests bring passion, authenticity, and deep expertise, sharing powerful personal stories and game-changing insights from their careers. Each episode is packed with real-world advice designed to challenge perspectives, spark ideas, and inspire action.  Our mission is to deliver compelling, thought-provoking content that challenges the status quo and sparks meaningful discussions within the HR and business communities. We strive to inspire innovation, encourage new perspectives, and empower our audience to think beyond the conventional to drive impactful change in their organizations and careers. At SpeakEasy HR, we are committed to igniting action and fostering a community of professionals dedicated to growth, transformation, and continuous improvement.

Information

  • Creator
    WRKdefined Podcast Network
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    98
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved by WRKdefined
  • Show Website
    SpeakEasy HR