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/

What happens when return-to-office mandates collide with real-world complexity and the realities of people’s lives?

In this episode, host James Weier sits down with Veronica Bruner, Senior Human Resources Manager, for a candid conversation on the true impact of RTO decisions in a post-pandemic world.

With a decade in tech HR, Veronica exposes the hidden costs of rigid RTO mandates, the burden on caregivers, and how binary policies threaten inclusion and gender equity. She explains why strong cultures are purposefully built and shows HR leaders how to move past quick fixes to address the real issues at play.

Veronica challenges leaders to rethink flexibility and advocates for hybrid models that balance values with business needs. Packed with insights and lived experience, this episode is a must-listen for HR leaders facing RTO decisions or culture transformation.


You'll learn:

1. Why nostalgia and sunk costs drive return-to-office, often at the expense of talent
2. How rigid RTO mandates can undermine inclusion, flexibility, and gender equity
3. What it takes to intentionally design a culture, whether it's remote, in-office or hybrid
4. How to identify who gets left behind before mandating any workplace policy
5. Practical ways to align company values with rewards, flexibility, and performance

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Get in touch with Veronica Bruner on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronica-bruner-b487b811/

Veronica's book recommendations:
Superagency: What Could Possibly Go Right with Our AI Future by Reid Hoffman and Greg Beato | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D5WMKV9H
The Coming Wave: Technology, Power, and the 21st Century's Greatest Dilemma by Mustafa Suleyman and Michael Bhaskar | https://www.amazon.com/dp/0593593952
Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily and Amelia Nagoski | https://www.amazon.com/dp/198481706X

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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/

When HR leads with impact, every employee feels the difference, especially during transformation.

In this episode, host James Weier welcomes Alison Jeske, Director of Total Rewards at Propelled Brands, for an inside look at what it takes to build an HR function that keeps pace with change and growth.

Alison shares how steering an HRIS rollout after a major acquisition demanded not only technical skills, but creativity, active listening, and a people-first mindset too. From untangling legacy systems to championing benefits that employees truly value, Alison explains how she approaches total rewards as a springboard for both operational excellence and genuine well-being.

Beyond policies and processes, Alison believes HR’s mission is to ensure every employee feels supported and able to thrive. If you’re looking for practical ways to drive retention, elevate your benefits strategy, or empower people managers, this episode is packed with insights for HR leaders ready to make a lasting impact.


You'll learn:

1. How to lead a seamless HRIS implementation that’s built for scale
2. Creative strategies to design meaningful, cost-effective benefit packages
3. Why employee feedback is the key to high-impact benefits
4. Ways to measure HR’s real impact on retention and engagement
5. How to equip managers for performance, growth, and a standout employee experience

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Get in touch with Alison Jeske on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alisonyanda/

Alison's book recommendations:
Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead by Sheryl Sandberg | https://www.amazon.com/dp/0385349947

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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 does it take to hire 1,000 people in a year—and still keep your team energized and your culture intact?

In this episode of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Brittney Bahre, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at E2 Optics, for a candid look at leading through hypergrowth.

In just 12 months, Brittney’s team expanded from 4 to 22 recruiters and hired over 1,000 employees, all through organic growth, driven by the AI-powered data center boom. She shares how she restructured her team to meet demand, why she seeks out recruiters from fast-paced staffing environments, and how she transformed her team’s role from “order-takers” to trusted business partners.

Beyond the numbers, Brittney opens up about the challenges of managing a four-generation workforce, and how E2 Optics is adapting its onboarding, communication, and culture strategies to keep everyone engaged.

Whether you’re scaling fast, evolving your TA function, or navigating generational complexity, this episode is full of hard-earned insights for HR leaders in the thick of change.


You’ll learn:

1. How E2 Optics doubled headcount without a single acquisition
2. Why fast-paced recruiters with staffing roots were key to scaling TA at speed
3. How to shift TA from “order-takers” to strategic business partners
4. Tactics to engage a four-generation workforce without losing cultural cohesion
5. Why future-focused thinking is essential in high-growth environments

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Get in touch with Brittney Bahre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittney-bahre-phr-7513132a/

Brittney's book recommendation:
The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins | https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F7PZVCQB
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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/

When a workplace becomes a true community, strategy and culture grow stronger.

In the first episode of the English edition of the Level Up HR podcast, host James Weier welcomes Sarah Diamond, Chief People & Culture Officer at BOA, for a conversation on building a thriving workplace from the inside out.

Sarah shares how true transformation at BOA is anchored in lived values, and how connecting those values with both strategy and daily practice helps prevent the unhealthy tensions that can arise when culture and business goals drift apart. She also discusses why stakeholder relationships, built on genuine curiosity and collaboration, empower HR to act as both business partner and community builder.

From hiring to leadership development, you’ll get an inside look at BOA’s collective approach to talent, growth, and culture, and why seeing people as a community, not just employees, makes all the difference. Whether you’re navigating a growth phase or a major transformation, this episode is packed with practical takeaways for HR leaders who want to create lasting impact.


You'll learn:

1. How to ensure values guide both strategy and everyday practice
2. The critical role of stakeholder relationships and collaboration in HR’s business impact
3. How to move from “pushback” to “positive challenge” and co-create change
4. Why community-building is at the heart of sustainable company culture
5. Practical ways to attract, integrate, and engage top talent through authentic connection

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Get in touch with Sarah Diamond on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chiefpeopleofficerglobal/


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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/