Every question you ask as an HR leader is a chance to earn trust and shape real transformation.

In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Katie Biancalana, an HR thought leader with over 20 years of experience, for a compelling conversation on leading through change with creativity and empathy.

Having worked in HR across various industries and through major organizational shifts, Katie shares how true leadership begins when you turn pressure into purpose. From transforming a high-stakes acquisition into an energizing off-site “work camp” to guiding a school district through a first-of-its-kind Workday rollout, she reveals how HR can make even the hardest transitions human and memorable.

Katie also reflects on how AI is redefining the HR landscape and how to stay relevant in a data-driven world. Her message is clear: credibility doesn’t come from having all the answers but from asking better questions. In a future shaped by technology, curiosity, collaboration, and human understanding remain HR’s greatest strengths.


You'll learn:

1. How to transform large-scale change into a shared experience, instead of a top-down directive
2. What it takes to balance empathy with execution during intense transitions
3. Why listening with intent earns credibility and shapes better outcomes
4. How to approach AI adoption with innovation and integrity
5. The mindset every HR leader needs to stay adaptable and future-ready
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Get in touch with Katie Biancalana on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shortsleeve/

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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/

What if adopting AI was the key to keeping your organization truly human?

In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Annie Korenjak, Human Resources Director at CCIG, to talk about what happens when HR meets AI and why the future of people leadership depends on how we use it.

Annie shares how embracing AI with intention can take the busywork off HR’s plate and make room for what really matters: trust, connection, and meaningful work. She explains how clear values, not quick wins, guide responsible adoption, and why adaptability and curiosity now matter more than technical expertise.

From creating smart guardrails to treating AI as a genuine thought partner, Annie offers a refreshingly human take on technology.


You’ll learn:

1. Why clarity and trust are the foundation for responsible AI use
2. How AI can amplify human connection instead of replacing it
3. Ways to set practical guardrails for ethical AI integration
4. How curiosity fuels innovation and better decision-making
5. Why adaptability defines the future of HR leadership

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Get in touch with Annie Korenjak on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniekorenjak/

Annie's book recommendation:
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004NT7J7Q

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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/

Being a rebel in HR isn’t about breaking rules. It’s about having the courage to question them, and the wisdom to know when and how.

In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Debra Corey, Chief Pay It Forward Officer at Step It Up HR and six-time best-selling author known for reimagining people practices with human-first thinking. Debra brings her “rebel cape” to the table and shares how listening deeply, co-creating with employees, and challenging outdated HR logic unlock genuine culture transformation. Her philosophy of learning from every experience, even the uncomfortable ones, helps leaders connect more authentically and build trust that lasts.

You’ll hear how Debra turns surveys into real conversations, builds wellbeing programs that reflect people’s choices, and uses simple check-ins to keep trust alive. She shares what it means to “wear their color” when giving feedback, how to win over naysayers by uncovering their real why, and where AI can help managers spend more time with people, not paperwork. Her stories are a reminder that being human is still HR’s greatest advantage.


You'll learn:

1. Why listening once isn’t enough and how to build ongoing feedback loops
2. How to design HR programs with employees, not for them
3. How to drive change by challenging convention with smart timing and intent
4. What authentic generosity looks like when you lead from experience
5. How vulnerability can become your most credible leadership tool

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Get in touch with Debra Corey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debracorey/

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About the host James Weier:
James is Director, US at EGYM Wellpass and President of the Denver chapter of the Level Up HR Community. With 10 years of experience and a degree from the University of Illinois Urbana‑Champaign, James brings a collaborative, community‑focused approach to his work. When he’s not elevating employee experience or strengthening HR leadership, James enjoys spending time with his wife and their two young boys in Colorado’s great outdoors.

Get in touch with James Weier on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesweier/