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PODCAST

What the Heck Is Happening in HR?

Kelley Rexroad and Krexconsulting

Welcome to What the Heck Is Happening in HR?—a lively podcast from krexconsulting. Each episode features engaging guests and dives into one timely HR tidbit—practical, candid, and straight to the point. Have an idea? Send it to kelley@krexconsulting.com. Learn more at krexconsulting.com.

business careers

All Episodes

00:03:29

If You Won’t Act on the Survey, Don’t Ask

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/10/05

Employee engagement surveys can build trust — or quietly destroy it.In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores what happens when organizations repeatedly ask employees for feedback and fail to act on what they hear. Over time, participation drops, cynicism rises and the survey itself becomes part of the problem.Kelley makes the case for smaller, more frequent pulse surveys, clearer follow-through and a simple principle: if employees take the time to tell you what’s

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00:02:06

HR and Operations Are Now the Same Business Conversation

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/09/28

For decades, many organizations followed a familiar model: operations ran the business, while HR handled the people.That model no longer reflects how work gets done.In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores the growing interdependence between HR and operations — and why workforce decisions have become operational decisions.Talent deployment, team design and skill development directly affect output, quality and speed. That puts people strategy at the center of

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00:02:28

Leaders Are Being Measured Differently

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/09/21

You can get a great performance review and still wonder why someone else got the promotion.In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explains why: most organizations have two performance systems operating at the same time.There’s the formal system — ratings, documentation and annual reviews. Then there’s the informal system influencing who receives visibility, resources and opportunities to advance.That second system considers your reputation with peers, how your team talks

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00:03:15

Labor Relations Are Back. Are Leaders Ready?

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/09/14

Labor relations are showing up in workplaces and industries where many leaders never expected to encounter them.In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad looks at the return of labor relations as a current leadership issue, from organizing drives and negotiations to decertification efforts and unfair labor practice charges.The bigger takeaway for HR leaders? Pay attention to what employees are telling you.Kelley explores why leaders should understand labor law before a

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00:03:34

You Don’t Have an HR Problem. You Have a Manager...

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/09/07

Organizations often look to HR when turnover rises, engagement drops, or workplace complaints increase. Kelley Rexroad argues they may be looking in the wrong place. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley examines the critical role managers play in shaping employee experiences and organizational outcomes. Drawing on years of research and workplace trends, she explains why manager effectiveness remains the strongest predictor of retention, engagement, and performance. The good

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00:02:57

High Performers Are Quietly Opting Out of Leadership

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/08/31

For decades, organizations assumed top performers naturally wanted to become managers. Today, many are saying no. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores why high-performing employees are increasingly opting out of leadership roles. They're watching stressed managers, unclear decision-making authority, growing accountability, and limited support—and deciding the tradeoff isn't worth it. Kelley examines what organizations can do to make leadership more

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00:03:00

Gen Z Isn’t Quietly Quitting. They’re Telling You...

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/08/24

Is Gen Z really disengaged, or are they exposing workplace issues other generations learned to tolerate? In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad challenges common assumptions about the newest generation in the workforce. She explores how Gen Z's expectations around feedback, flexibility, transparency, and meaningful work may be less about entitlement and more about clarity. Instead of viewing Gen Z as a workplace problem, Kelley argues leaders should see them as a

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00:02:59

HR Is Being Asked to Fix Problems It Doesn’t Control

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/08/17

HR is often held accountable for employee engagement, retention, culture, and workplace trust. Yet many of the decisions that drive those outcomes happen elsewhere. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores the growing authority gap facing HR professionals. From damaged trust and unresolved manager issues to leadership decisions made without HR input, organizations frequently ask HR to solve problems after the damage is done. Learn why involving HR earlier creates

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00:03:03

Employees Don’t Want Flexibility. They Want...

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/08/10

For years, workplace conversations have centered on flexibility as the key to employee satisfaction. Kelley Rexroad challenges that assumption. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, she argues that what employees truly crave is predictability: clear expectations, consistent communication, and the ability to plan their lives with confidence. Using unlimited PTO as a powerful example, Kelley explores how ambiguity often creates more stress than structure. Learn why clarity reduces

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00:03:36

Culture Can’t Be Engineered...But It Can Be Destroyed...

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/08/03

Most organizations talk about culture as if it can be built through mission statements, values posters, and team-building exercises. Kelley Rexroad argues that culture works differently. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, she explores how culture is shaped by the behaviors leaders reinforce, ignore, and excuse every day. From overlooked complaints to promotions that send the wrong message, small decisions can have a lasting impact on trust. Learn why culture is less about what

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00:11:27

The HR Profession’s Best-Kept Secret? Inside the...

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/07/27

In Part 2 of Kelley Rexroad’s conversation with Stephanie Dutcher, Vice President of HR Strategic Business Partnerships at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, the discussion shifts to the National Human Resources Association (NHRA)—one of the nation’s longest-standing professional organizations dedicated to advancing HR. Stephanie shares the organization’s fascinating history, its roots dating back to 1944, and why its focus on practical learning, meaningful connections, and leadership development

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00:11:39

How HR Leaders Are Built: A Conversation with...

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/07/20

In this special interview episode, Kelley Rexroad sits down with Stephanie Dutcher, Vice President of HR Strategic Business Partnerships at Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, to discuss her journey into human resources, the evolving role of HR business partners, and what it takes to build a people-first culture at scale. Stephanie shares insights on leadership, employee engagement, curiosity, and the skills future HR professionals need to succeed in an increasingly complex workplace. Whether you're

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00:08:15

The Next 250 Years of Work: A Crystal Ball for HR

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/07/13

In the final installment of the 250th Birthday Series, Kelley Rexroad looks ahead instead of back. What will work, leadership, and HR look like in 25, 100, or even 250 years? From AI-driven workplaces and skills-based hiring to portable careers, evolving labor laws, and the future of human connection at work, this episode explores the trends shaping the next era of employment. While technology will transform how work gets done, Kelley argues that the core challenge will remain the same: creating

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00:10:59

The Presidents Who Built the Workplace (and the Ones...

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/07/06

As part two of the special 250th Birthday Series, Kelley Rexroad explores the presidents whose decisions shaped the modern American workplace. From Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal reforms to the Civil Rights Act, OSHA, the ADA, FMLA, ACA, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, this episode traces the legislation and leadership that transformed work over the last century. Whether expanding worker protections, redefining labor relations, or reshaping compliance responsibilities, these decisions

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00:11:08

250 Years of Work in America: How Did We Get Here?

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/06/29

As America approaches its 250th birthday, Kelley Rexroad launches a special three-part series exploring the history of work in the United States. In this first episode, she traces the evolution of the American workplace from 1776 to today, covering labor movements, industrialization, civil rights legislation, workplace safety, immigration compliance, healthcare reform, and the foundations of modern HR. This episode provides valuable historical context for understanding the workplace protections,

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00:03:22

Your Org Chart Is a Lie

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/06/22

Most organizations rely on org charts to explain how work gets done. The problem? Org charts rarely reflect reality. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores the hidden influence networks, informal leaders, and “shadow organizations” that drive decisions, shape culture, and determine whether change initiatives succeed or fail. From onboarding and leadership transitions to employee retention and organizational effectiveness, understanding who truly holds influence

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00:04:08

Promotions Are Becoming Riskier Than Firings

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/06/15

Promotions used to feel like a reward. In today’s workplace, they often feel like a risk. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores why more employees are hesitating to move into leadership roles and why organizations are struggling with promotion decisions that carry long-term consequences. From accountability without authority to lack of management training and burnout fears, this conversation examines the hidden costs of promoting employees without proper

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00:03:47

Hiring Is a Marketing Problem

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/06/08

Most organizations think they have a hiring problem. Kelley Rexroad argues they actually have a marketing problem. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley breaks down why outdated job postings, poor candidate communication, and confusing hiring processes are damaging employer brands and driving talent away before interviews even begin. From ghosting candidates to vague salary ranges, this conversation explores how hiring has become a direct reflection of organizational culture

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00:04:07

Ghost Jobs Are Gaslighting Job Seekers

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/06/01

What happens when job postings aren’t actually real? In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad takes a hard look at the rise of “ghost jobs” and the growing trust crisis inside modern hiring. From fake openings used to build resume pipelines to postings designed to create the appearance of growth, this conversation explores the emotional and professional toll on job seekers navigating an already exhausting market. Kelley also unpacks emerging legislation, employer

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00:03:18

AI Didn’t Take the Job - Your Manager Did

What the Heck Is Happening in HR? ·

2026/05/25

Everyone’s talking about AI replacing jobs, but this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR challenges a deeper issue: bad management. Kelley Rexroad explores why employees were leaving long before AI became the headline—and why leadership quality still shapes retention, trust, and performance more than technology ever will. AI can automate tasks, but it cannot replace human leadership, presence, or judgment. Smart organizations are using AI to reduce administrative noise so managers can focus

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