SpeakEasy HR

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. 2d 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
  2. 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
  3. Aug 19

    If AI Gives HR More Time, What Will We Do With It?

    In this episode of Top Shelf Take, David Noe explores a different way to think about AI in HR. Instead of focusing only on what AI might take away, what if we focus on what it could give back: time? With HR professionals facing increasing complexity, expectations, and pressure. HRCI’s 2026 State of HR research, which found that 41% of HR professionals are considering careers outside of HR. The episode asks an important question: If AI can help HR work faster, how should we use the time we get back? The answer isn't simply to fill it with more tasks. It's an opportunity to become more human—to build relationships, coach managers, connect with employees, think strategically, and invest in the HR community. I challenge HR professionals to get away from their desks at least once a month, attend an HR event, connect with peers, find a mentor, or become one. Get out there HR people! Because some of the best ideas won't come from another spreadsheet, webinar, or AI tool. They'll come from a conversation. The Top Shelf Take: Don't use AI just to do more work. Use it to create more time for the work that matters. The future of HR may not be about becoming less human. It may be about finally having more time to be human. Helpful Links: https://www.hrci.org/docs/default-source/pdf-documents/hrci-2026-state-of-hr-report.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com  https://fortune.com/2026/03/09/hr-design-career-paths-unclear-chro-promotions/?utm_source=chatgpt.com  https://lattice.com/articles/emotional-resilience-hr?utm_source=chatgpt.com

    If AI Gives HR More Time, What Will We Do With It?

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.

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