Everyone is rushing into AI, but few teams are preparing their data well enough to truly benefit from it. This episode features a recorded session from Thrive 2025. Guest host Anthony Onesto, VP of Platform and Product Marketing at 15Five, sits down with Nelson Spencer, Founder & CEO of efora, to discuss the data foundations HR needs before bringing AI into daily work. Nelson explains how large language models function and how centralizing data can help HR shift from reactive reporting to forward-looking insights. If you want AI to support faster decision-making and better performance outcomes, this session gives you a clear place to start. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Nelson Spencer (03:18) Large language models explained simply (04:35) Why data quality matters for AI (07:22) Bringing scattered HR data into one system (13:48) The biggest mistake teams make with AI adoption (19:10) Using AI for predictive insights (21:23) First steps to build a strong data foundation Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's HR Outcomes Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/hr-outcomes-playbook-unlocking-the-true-business-value-of-hr/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=HR For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Nelson Spencer's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nelsonspencer
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24:15
Humanity and Productivity Aren't Opposites
Too many leaders still separate people and performance, as if caring about one cancels out the other. In this episode, Fringe CEO and co-founder Jordan Peace joins Karina Young to challenge that mindset. He explains how trust and genuine care empower people to do great work. Together, they explore what happens when organizations lose their sense of humanity, how fear and disconnection create cynicism, and why rebuilding culture starts with small acts of kindness. Jordan also shares how HR leaders can use data and storytelling to get executives to prioritize employee well-being as a key driver of an organization's long-term success. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Jordan Peace (04:33) Why workplaces feel disconnected from people (08:34) Cultural warning signs: cynicism and blame (12:18) Relationships drive engagement and productivity (14:16) How to get the C-suite to care more (19:19) The impact of people-first leadership (26:06) Why events & activities can't fix culture (34:30) Healing workplace cynicism through genuine care Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's The HR Leader's Guide to Reducing Regrettable Turnover: https://www.15five.com/guide-to-reducing-regrettable-turnover?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Reducing Regrettable Turnover eBook For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Jordan Peace's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-peace-fringe/
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38:52
Why Great HR Leaders Are Great Storytellers
We talk a lot about strategy in HR, but not enough about the stories behind it. Too often, people-first initiatives lose their power because the "why" gets buried under data, process, and policy. In this minisode, Karina Young, VP of People at 15Five and host of HR Superstars, discusses why storytelling is one of the most overlooked skills in HR leadership. She shares how storytelling makes sense of data, experience, and business decisions and how HR leaders can use stories to earn buy-in for initiatives across the organization. For anyone looking to strengthen their communication skills, this episode will help you lead with more empathy and impact. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Karina Young (00:44) Why HR storytelling matters now (02:30) Translating your "why" across audiences (06:04) Do this to improve your communication skills Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo
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9:40
AI That Helps HR Go From Insight to Impact
AI can give HR leaders what they've always wanted: more time to focus on people, not paperwork. In this episode, Karina Young chats with Anthony Onesto and Theresa Fesinstine about how people leaders can confidently adopt AI without losing the human side of leadership. They discuss what most teams get wrong about AI, how to start small without fear, and why a curious mindset matters more than being tech-savvy. Anthony and Theresa speak candidly about the pressure to move quickly, the fear of falling behind, and the importance of HR leading the AI conversation rather than reacting to it. This episode offers an honest look at how AI can support HR's core mission of helping people thrive in the workplace. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstars: Anthony Onesto and Theresa Fesinstine (07:17) Getting started with AI when you're not technical (11:30) Staying relevant through curiosity and experimentation (16:00) Helping HR leaders build confidence with new technology (20:29) Examples of AI tools supporting HR strategy (26:01) How AI changes the way we work (28:57) Balancing human impact and efficiency in the AI era Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Employee Engagement Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/engage-to-excel-15fives-employee-engagement-playbook/?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Employee For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Anthony Onesto's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthonyonesto/ Theresa Fesinstine's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theresafesinstine/
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34:29
Becoming Powerfully Likeable: How HR Leaders Build Confidence and Influence
HR leaders hold immense responsibility but too often lack the authority and confidence to match. In this episode, executive communications coach and world-champion debater Kate Mason joins Karina Young to explore how leaders can use everyday conversations to earn trust and build influence. Kate is the author of Powerfully Likable and has coached executives across industries on how to communicate with confidence. Kate shares practical tools to avoid diminishing language, how to make competence visible through intentional communication, and why signposting creates calm and credibility. She and Karina also discuss the unique challenges women in HR face around power, how to regulate presence in high-pressure moments, and the importance of framing recommendations with conviction in executive settings. This episode offers actionable ways for HR leaders to strengthen their voice at the table, communicate with authority, and show the true strategic value of the people function. Join us as we discuss: (00:00) Meet HR Superstar: Kate Mason (03:11) Kate Mason's journey from debate to executive coaching (05:17) Building trust when HR is brought in too late (06:44) How to demonstrate competence without downplaying your impact (11:48) Why many women hesitate to claim power in leadership (14:15) Practical tools for calming nerves in high-stakes moments (17:02) Recognizing what powers you up and shuts you down (23:12) Navigating executive friction and showing up with authority (29:52) Communicating effectively with CEOs and gaining their trust (35:38) Breaking habits that diminish your presence at the table Resources: For the entire interview, subscribe to HR Superstars on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube, or tune in on our website. Original podcast track produced by Entheo. Listening on a desktop & can't see the links? Just search for HR Superstars in your favorite podcast player. Hear Karina's thoughts on elevating your HR career by following her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karinayoung11/ Download 15Five's Performance Review Playbook: https://www.15five.com/ebook/review-process-playbook?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2_2023_Podcast_CTAs&utm_content=Performance Review Playbook For more on maximizing employee performance, engagement, and retention, click here: https://www.15five.com/demo?utm_source=podcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=Q2-Podcast-Ads&utm_content=Schedule-a-demo Kate Mason's LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/katemasonphd/
HR and People Ops can be challenging, but there's a community of others who've been in your shoes. HR Superstars is the podcast from 15Five that connects you with confident and respected strategic people leaders who have conquered a myriad of challenges and now have valuable and actionable insights to share.
In each episode, our host, Adam Weber, VP of Community at 15Five, will talk to some of the world's leading innovators in the HR/People Ops space willing to share their insights and advice to help you in your journey. We get real with topics like being a strategic business partner to the rest of the organization, how to have difficult conversations while maintaining empathy, and how to make DEI a part of your cultural DNA instead of just lip service.
15Five is here to help you do what matters most—develop your workforce, create a strong employer brand, and be respected as the strategic business partner you are. Come join thousands of your fellow HR Superstars, we're so excited to have you.
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