The Daily HR Conversations Podcast

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Kathryn Landis about effectively leading diverse teams. Kathryn Landis helps organizations accelerate success by empowering growth-minded leaders and their teams with executive coaching, team coaching, offsites, and leadership development training in today's dynamic business environment. Kathryn's insights and strategies have gained recognition in prestigious publications like Harvard Business Review, Fast Company, and Forbes, further establishing her reputation as a sought-after expert in the field. She holds an MBA from Northwestern University, Certificate in Executive and Organizational Coaching from Columbia University, Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University and BS from Indiana University. Moreover, Kathryn is a National Diversity Council Certified Diversity Professional (NDCCDP), Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation (ACC) and Professor of C-Suite Leadership New York University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Ashlie Marshall about the importance of empathetic leadership in the modern world of work. Ashlie Marshall is a results-driven Chief Strategy Officer at Tier Level who transforms digital marketing challenges into growth opportunities. Since joining the company in 2018, she rapidly advanced from Account Manager to CSO through her exceptional ability to build client relationships and deliver measurable business outcomes. In her current role, Ashlie collaborates with business owners to develop customized digital marketing strategies that align with their organizational culture while driving revenue growth. She simultaneously leads Tier Level's strategic initiatives, establishing infrastructure that positions the company as an industry leader. Ashlie's professional journey reflects her determination to overcome obstacles and help others succeed. Her balanced perspective as a strategist, marketing professional, team leader, wife, and mother informs her holistic approach to business challenges. Through authentic partnerships and forward-thinking leadership, Ashlie continues to create meaningful impact for clients and colleagues alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Erin DeVito about Amazon HR cuts signal dangerous trend across Corporate America. Erin DeVito is the General Manager of Impact North America, leading teams that design transformative, people-centric learning experiences. Since joining Impact in 2012, she has helped organizations navigate change, strengthen leadership, and build cultures where people thrive. With more than a decade of experience across operations and senior leadership, Erin brings a deep belief in the power of human connection to everything she does. A mom of five, she’s constantly reminded of the beauty in imperfection, growth, and humour in chaos—and she channels that perspective into creating workplaces where people can bring their whole selves to work and do their best, most meaningful work together. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Cyndi Wenninghoff about creating a magnetic culture in your organization. Cyndi Wenninghoff has over 10 years of experience working in human resources in various industries including advertising, insurance, and technology. She currently works as the Director of Employee Success at Quantum Workplace in Omaha where she oversees employee engagement, recruiting, DE&I, onboarding, and retention efforts. Previously she was the Director of Human Resources at SilverStone Group, a HUB International company as well as the Head of Talent at Bailey Lauerman. Outside of work, she is a member of the Human Resources Association of the Midlands (HRAM) and the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). Additionally, she serves as the Director-Elect for the HR Nebraska State Council. She is also the Communications and PR Coordinator for RISE Omaha, a motivating speaker series designed to inspire and unite women throughout Omaha, helping to connect women leaders and build the next generation of female business leaders. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lauren Tropeano about how companies can tap into the humanity of their people in the era of AI. Lauren Tropeano is the Chief People Officer at Docebo. She brings over 20 years of Human Resources expertise to Docebo, having led diverse, multinational teams for several global, high growth tech organizations. Prior to Docebo, Lauren was the Chief People Officer at Skillshare, a leader in creative learning, from 2022 to 2024. She also held several executive roles leading global People teams at tech companies such as DraftKings from 2018 to 2022, and Cogito, Pivotal Software and Dell/EMC prior. In those leadership roles, she led teams and organizations through several periods of rapid growth and transformation. She is also the founder of Destination People, a boutique human resources consulting firm. Lauren received her MBA from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and B.A. in Organizational Behavior from Boston College. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jevon Wooden integrating empathetic leadership into your strategies. Jevon Wooden is a sought-after speaker, coach, and author specializing in empathetic leadership. A veteran, CEO, and expert in emotional intelligence and DISC, he empowers leaders to build high-performing teams, foster thriving workplace cultures, and achieve sustainable business growth. Jevon's insights have been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur, Inc. Magazine, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Mindy Vail about creating a supportive environment for organizational change. Mindy Vail has more than two decades of experience in leadership development, change management, education, and public speaking. Working with emerging leaders to veteran executives, her focus is cultivating a growth mindset and fostering resilience. Her new book, The Mindshift Effect: Where Change Management Is Redefined and Leadership Is Defined (April 16, 2024), provides a wellspring of inspiration for leading meaningful organizational change.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with James Davies about how to evolve your style when your team, culture, or market changes. James Davies is the Chief Executive Officer of Kinetic Data, a Minneapolis-based software company focused on empowering organizations to deliver unified digital experiences across complex technology ecosystems. With over a decade at Kinetic, James has helped evolve the company from its workflow roots into a leader in digital experience platforms serving both enterprise and government sectors. Before assuming the CEO role, James served in multiple operational and leadership capacities, shaping the company’s growth strategy, culture, and partner ecosystem. Under his leadership, Kinetic Data reorganized around four key pillars—Growth, Product, Success, and Operations—creating an agile, scalable structure designed to drive collaboration and efficiency. James is known for his transparent and people-first leadership style, often communicating directly with employees through his “Friday Thoughts” updates—open reflections on company direction, lessons learned, and team progress. His approach blends operational discipline with an emphasis on empowerment and trust, traits that have earned him recognition for cultivating both performance and authenticity inside growing tech organizations An advocate for sustainable growth and innovation, James is passionate about bridging the gap between legacy systems and modern experiences—particularly within government and large-scale enterprises. He also champions the “low-code revolution,” believing that empowering small teams to build and adapt workflows quickly is key to organizational agility. A graduate of James Madison University, James credits his alma mater with shaping his collaborative, team-first mindset. Outside of work, he’s known for drawing leadership parallels to his love of restoring classic Toyota Land Cruisers—symbols, to him, of durability, reliability, and purpose-driven engineering. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Josefine Campbell about developing your strengths to create a positive change. Josefine Campbell is a distinguished executive coach, educator, and inspirational speaker who empowers multinational leaders, companies, and employees to unleash their full potential. Through meaningful conversations, she elevates clients' situations by maintaining an open, non-judgmental mindset, sharing data-driven insights that challenge conventional thinking, and emphasizing actionable outcomes that create tangible impact. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Lamell J. McMorris about his book, THE POWER TO PERSIST: 8 Simple Habits To Build Lifelong Resilience. Lamell J. McMorris is a nationally recognized entrepreneur, activist, and changemaker dedicated to advancing equity and revitalizing underserved communities. Growing up on the South Side of Chicago, he went on to find phenomenal success as a D.C. policymaker, a consultant in the financial and professional sports arenas, and a civil and human rights advocate. McMorris is the founder and CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based company Phase 2 Consulting, which offers strategic insight and external affairs services to some of the nation's leading decision-makers in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors, including Fortune 100 companies. He is also founder and managing principal of Greenlining Realty USA, a comprehensive urban redevelopment firm dedicated to neighborhood investment, redevelopment, housing rehabilitation, and home improvement in low-income communities. He holds a BA in Religion and Society from Morehouse College, a MDiv in Social Ethics and Public Policy from Princeton Theological Seminary, and a DLP in Law and Policy from Northeastern University. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Stephanie Van Meter about talent enhancing development and employee engagement within your team. As Chief Operating Officer at Ammunition, Stephanie is a distinguished leader known for fostering teamwork, strengthening communication, and driving organizational growth. Joining Ammunition in 2022, she advanced from Chief of Staff to Chief Operating Officer in 2024, a testament to her leadership and impact across the agency. Her strategic guidance has been instrumental in Ammunition’s recognition by Adweek’s Fastest Growing Agencies, Inc. 5000, The Financial Times, and the Atlanta Business Chronicle. Previously, as Director of Operations, Process, and Development for Barry’s, an international boutique fitness brand, she launched the company’s first learning management system and optimized operational best practices. Stephanie’s passion for people development, operational excellence, and clear communication continues to drive her success and the success of the organizations she leads.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Abstract: Individual work performance fluctuates considerably within persons across days and even hours, yet traditional performance models focus primarily on stable between-person differences. This article synthesizes recent research demonstrating that momentary affective states substantially influence episodic work performance through their impact on attentional resource allocation. Drawing on affective events theory and the episodic performance framework developed by Weiss and colleagues, we examine how negative emotional states misallocate attention away from task demands, impairing concurrent performance, while certain positive affective states can enhance attentional focus. We distinguish between background core affect and discrete emotion episodes, showing that emotion episodes—characterized by heightened arousal, cognitive elaboration, and regulatory demands—exert particularly strong effects on attention and subsequent depletion. The article integrates evidence from experience-sampling studies across diverse occupations and discusses organizational implications for performance management, work design, and employee wellbeing. Practitioners gain insight into managing the affective climate of work, designing tasks with appropriate attentional pull, and recognizing that daily performance variability represents meaningful psychological processes rather than mere measurement error. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Laura Maffucci about G-P's 2025 World at Work Report and the outlook for 2026. Laura Maffucci is G-P’s Head of HR, overseeing the global workforce, talent, and employee experience with a people-first mindset. She values diversity of thought as essential for a healthy workspace. In her 20+ year career in HR, Maffucci has spoken on global and national platforms about compensation, employee well-being and mental health. She’s a staunch advocate for the employee experience and creating a culture of inclusivity. Maffucci is passionate about the future of work, normalizing the value of work everywhere, and enabling employees globally to be their best selves and add value wherever they go and whatever they do. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with performance management, workplace dynamics, and employer liabilities. Mark F. Kluger practices exclusively in the area of labor and employment law on behalf of employers. For ten years, before founding Kluger Healey, LLC, he was Chairman of the Labor and Employment Department of one of New Jersey’s oldest law firms. Mark is a frequent speaker and writer on sexual harassment and discrimination avoidance, workplace diversity, performance management, union avoidance, and a myriad of other employment-related subjects and regularly conducts training sessions for employers on these critical topics. In addition, Mark has extensive experience in counseling employers on issues involving discipline and discharge, reductions in force, mergers and acquisitions, compliance with wage and hour, disability, COBRA, and family and medical leave laws. He regularly drafts all forms of employment policies and handbooks, severance agreements, employment contracts, non-competition and confidentiality agreements, and affirmative action plans. Mark also represents employers in collective bargaining, grievance arbitration, NLRB proceedings, and picket line issues. Mark graduated from Vassar College in 1984 and Cornell University Law School in 1987. He was an Adjunct Professor at Seton Hall Law School from 1991-1996 and served as a member and President of the Board of Education in North Caldwell, New Jersey from 2002-2008. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Julia Bersin about the recent report out from the Josh Bersin Company, People Management in the Age of AI: The Rise of the Supermanager. Julia Bersin is currently Associate Director, Research at the Josh Bersin Company - studying people practices and technology that help companies transform work for the future. She has a background in B2B tech with a focus on demand gen & growth. She has experience managing multiple functions and teams and marketing to various industries and roles – including HR, TA, Customer Support & Revenue functions.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Sacha Thompson about psychological safety and why is it essential for an inclusive workplace. Sacha Thompson is the visionary founder behind The Equity Equation, a prestigious consultancy dedicated to fostering inclusive cultures. Based in the vibrant Washington, DC area, Sacha brings over two decades of diverse experience spanning the education, non-profit, and tech sectors to empower her clients. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Chris Wong about how nonprofit leaders can engage and develop employees , despite a lack of resources. Chris Wong is a licensed therapist, executive coach, and co-host of The Art and Science of Difficult Conversations—a podcast for people who want to lead with more clarity, confidence, and courage... by leaning into the hard conversations.  With over 15 years of experience in the nonprofit and healthcare sectors, Chris specializes in helping purpose-driven leaders navigate messy transitions, fix dysfunctional teams, and lead culture change that actually sticks. He’s worked as a therapist, built leadership programs from scratch, and coached hundreds of leaders who were brought in to “turn things around” under pressure. Chris lives outside Boston with his wife and two kids, serves on multiple nonprofit boards, and runs Leadership Potential, where he coaches new nonprofit executives to lead through chaos and build high-performing, values-aligned teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Jennifer Carlson about the role of apprenticeships in preparing the future workforce. Jennifer Carlson serves as the CEO of Apprenti. Apprenti is a non-profit, apprenticeship intermediary and workforce consulting organization that delivers a secondary pipeline of tech talent to address U.S. domestic digital skills shortages. A former business leader with AIG, Progressive and adjunct professor at Seattle University, Jennifer also serves on the Tech Councils of North America (TECNA) foundation board, and as an Advisory Board Member - Apprenticeships for America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Alexandria Agresta about why the workplace needs more fun! Disco balls. DJ decks. Dancing queens. Alexandria Agresta brings it all. As the World’s First DJing Speaker, she fuses the insight of a TED Talk with the electricity of a music festival to deliver her groundbreaking keynote, The Business Party. Her mission is simple: to spark the next wave of bold leadership and transform the workplace into a WOWplace, where possibility, creativity, and fun take center stage. Now, let’s get this party started! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this podcast episode, Dr. Jonathan H. Westover talks with Francoise Brougher about rethinking the workforce of the future. Francoise Brougher is a pioneering technology leader with more than 25 years of experience scaling category-defining companies and driving AI-first business transformation. She currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Board Member at Pebl (formerly Velocity Global), where she is leading the company’s reinvention as an AI-first global workforce platform. Under her leadership, Pebl is reshaping the Employer of Record industry by combining 10+ years of compliance precision with AI-driven simplicity, speed, and transparency, empowering companies to hire and manage talent across 185+ countries. Francoise has a proven track record of building and scaling global organizations responsible for multi-billion-dollar revenue growth. She took both Square (2015) and Pinterest (2019) public as the executive leader of GTM strategy. Earlier at Google, she scaled SMB Global Sales and Operations into a 15B+ business, pioneering the application of machine learning to customer engagement. She currently serves on the boards of Qonto (Chair, Compensation Committee), Too Good To Go, and as a Board Observer at Alan. She started her career in Japan, working for L'Oreal in a manufacturing plant for three years, where she installed a Computer-Assisted Manufacturing System. After her MBA, she joined Booz Allen and Hamilton in Paris and San Francisco. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices