People Business is a weekly podcast exploring human nature in the workplace. Every business is in some way a "people business" and it's often how we manage these dynamics that leads to long-term success or failure.
Latest Episodes
Why We Resist Change (Even When It’s Positive) w/ Travis Hahler
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- People Skills
- People Strategy
- Personal Growth
- Uncategorized
Changing My Mind on Employee Recognition w/ Meisha-ann Martin
Meisha-ann Martin is the Senior Director, People Analytics & Research at Workhuman. She has a PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and has spent almost twenty years as a researcher and practitioner on topics like recognition, wellness, inclusion and psychological safety. In this episode, we talk about employee recognition programs and adjust some of O’Brien’s preconceived notions. […]
The Psychology of Money (and Creating Healthy Habits) w/ Meghaan Lurtz
Dr. Meghaan Lurtz is a Professor at Kansas State University where she teaches courses for the Advanced Financial Planning Certificate Program, a lecturer at Columbia University where she teaches Financial Psychology, an undergraduate adjunct professor through the University of Maryland system in their CFP program, and a writer and Senior Research Associate with Kitces.com, a […]
Employee Anthropology w/ Gina Fong
As a clinical assistant professor in the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Gina Fong teaches Ethnographic Customer Insights. She was voted “Professor of the Year” by Kellogg’s 2023 graduating class. In this conversation, we discuss how her work translates to understanding and improving the employee experience. Mentioned in this Episode: Gina Fong on […]
Buying & Selling a Business w/ Jim Suprenant
Jim Suprenant is the Senior Managing Partner at Guggenheim Partners. A career investment banker, Jim joins the show to discuss the ins and outs of buying and selling businesses. Mentioned in this Episode: Guggenheim Partners: https://www.guggenheimpartners.com/ Go Big or Go Home (book): https://www.amazon.com/Go-Big-Home-Customer-Experience/dp/1544536364 Time Codes (1:48) – Welcoming Jim. (2:12) – What is an investment banker? (6:41) […]
Navigating Life’s Disruptions w/ Linda Rossetti
Linda Rossetti is a business leader, Harvard MBA, and pioneering researcher who has dedicated her career to advancing our understanding of personal and organizational transformation. She is the author of two books, Dancing with Disruption and Women & Transition. She also hosts a podcast called Destination Unknown. Mentioned on the Show: Dancing With Disruption (book) https://www.amazon.com/Dancing-Disruption-Approach-Navigating-Biggest/dp/1538169371 Women in Transition (book) https://www.amazon.com/Women-Transition-Reinventing-Work-Life/dp/1137476540 […]
Positive Influence w/ Brian Smith
Brian Smith is the Founder and Managing Partner of IA Business Advisors, a consulting and coaching company, and co-author of The I In Team book series. He joins the show to talk about influence. Mentioned in this Episode: IA Business Advisors https://iabusinessadvisors.com/ Individual Influence – Finding the I in Team (book) https://www.amazon.com/Individual-Influence-Find-Team/dp/1641467207 Positive Influence – Be the […]
Speaking Assertively w/ Lisa Kleiman
Lisa Kleiman is the principal and founder of Speaktopia, a public speaking coaching and training organization. She has held management and consulting positions at Fortune 500 companies and has served as a faculty member at Boise State University for over 15 years teaching undergraduate and graduate English and Business & Managerial Communication courses. Lisa is […]
Experience Design 101 w/ Mat Duerden
Mat Duerden is a Professor of Experience Design and Management in the Marriott School of Business at Brigham Young University and the co-author of the book Designing Experiences. He joins the show to talk about the elements of experience design and the framework anyone can use to enhance the experiences they plan for themselves and […]
- All Episodes
- People Skills
- People Strategy
- Personal Growth
- Uncategorized
Why We Resist Change (Even When It’s Positive) w/ Travis Hahler
Travis Hahler has spent 15+ years leading transformation at scale. Simultaneously, he built the scientific framework that explains why transformation fails at the neurological level. His new book, Rethinking Resistance: Embracing Neuroscience to Lead Transformational Change is out now. Mentioned on the Show Your one-stop for all of Travis Hahler’s links is here: https://linktr.ee/theneurologicalnomad Travis’ book, Rethink Resistance is available […]
Developing Emotional Intelligence w/ Robin Hills
Dr. Robin Hills is a business psychologist and the director of Ei4Change, a company specializing in emotional intelligence training, coaching, and personal development. The company was awarded “International Impact Company of the Year” by Dotcom Magazine in 2025. With the most comprehensive and detailed courses around the topic of emotional intelligence, Robin has taught and […]
Creating Hits w/ Mark Shekter
Mark Shekter is a master at creating hits. With a rich background as a Hollywood writer-producer-composer, having worked with Steve Martin, Jim Carrey, Elton John, and many others, Mark has pioneered an entirely new system of creative thinking – Think8. This same easy-to-learn system empowers business leaders to reshape their corporate cultures for unlimited innovation […]
How Work Gets Done (and Evolving it for AI) w/ David Dean
David Dean is an author, speaker, and business AI realist who explores how artificial intelligence reshapes work, judgment, and accountability in organizations. Rather than focusing on AI capabilities, he examines the human elements that remain essential: how people navigate uncertainty, where accountability lies when AI assists decisions, and what holds organizations together when technology accelerates […]
Say it Right w/ Mary Nestor
Mary J. Nestor is the author of three books, an award-winning speaker, coach and consultant. In this episode, we cover her Amazon #1 bestseller, Say It Now! Say It Right! How to Handle Tough or Tender Conversations. Mentioned on the Show Learn more about Mary Nestor on her website: https://www.maryjnestor.com/ Connect with Mary Nestor on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maryjnestor-writer-speaker-consultant Get […]
Handling Workplace Bullies w/ Jodee Blanco
Jodee Blanco is an expert on the human component of effective communication. She is the author of two New York Times bestsellers, including the seminal memoir Please Stop Laughing at Me… and the founder of INJJA (It’s NOT Just Joking Around!), the first survivor-led anti-bullying program in the country. She consults for schools and corporations […]
Self-Funding w/ Spencer Smith
Spencer Smith is a Senior Vice President at Pareto Health, a leading employee benefit group captive manager that helps midsize employers reduce health insurance costs and volatility. He is also the host of Self-Funded with Spencer, a podcast focused on self-funded employee benefits plans and the complex healthcare ecosystem. Mentioned on the Show Learn more about […]
Understanding Chance w/ Dr. Michael Orkin
Dr. Michael Orkin is a statistics professor at Berkeley City College and a consultant known for his work on probability and gambling games. He is the author of several books, including The Story of Chance – What’s Luck Got To Do With It?. Mentioned on the Show Read The Story of Chance: Beyond the Margin of […]