It's About Payroll

In Episode 202 of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Walt unpack a growing trend they are seeing across the profession: more HR and payroll professionals publicly sharing that they are open to work. They connect that observation to a softer 2026 labor market, slower hiring, longer job searches, and the pressure companies are feeling to stay lean. The conversation explores how payroll teams are being asked to do more with fewer people, why some senior professionals may be more vulnerable in tighter markets, and how automation is changing payroll roles without eliminating the work itself.

The episode also dives into what makes payroll professionals more marketable today, including education, certifications, multi-state compliance knowledge, and a willingness to learn how AI can support the job. Brian and Walt also share the thinking behind PayQuest, their app designed to reduce spreadsheet chaos, improve accountability, and create cleaner audit trails for payroll-related payment requests. Listeners will walk away with perspective on the payroll job market, the future of the profession, and practical ideas for staying relevant in a changing environment.

It's About Payroll – Episode 201 | Book Release, Payroll Myths & Economic Uncertainty

🎙️ We hit 201 episodes AND dropped a book — and we're not slowing down! In this milestone episode, Brian and Walt celebrate the release of It's About Payroll, share insider tips for self-publishing on Amazon KDP (including why you should buy your own ISBN numbers), and dive deep into what payroll really means for employees, companies, and the economy.

📌 In This Episode:

📚 Book release update + KDP self-publishing tips (ISBN numbers explained)
💸 Financial fitness: How to avoid subscription traps and sneaky renewal charges
🧾 Busting the biggest payroll misconceptions ("You must be good with numbers!")
🏈 Why payroll pros are the safeties of your organization
🌍 How economic uncertainty, inflation, and rising fuel costs hit payroll teams first
⚖️ The big debate: Technical accuracy vs. human communication — which matters more?
🏢 Compliance function vs. strategic leadership — where does payroll belong?
💡 Whether you're a seasoned payroll professional, an HR leader, or just curious about what payroll actually involves — this episode is packed with real talk, industry insights, and lessons learned from 200+ episodes in the game.

🔗 Get the Book: It's About Payroll — available now on Amazon
📖 Also check out Walt's book: Bruised But Not Broken
Links:
https://www.itsaboutpayroll.io/payrolluniversemedia
https://youtu.be/T-dTJm2Nvic https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll
itsaboutpayroll.io

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💬 Comment below: Do you think payroll should report to Finance or HR?

#Payroll #PayrollPodcast #HRProfessionals #PayrollTips #FinancialWellness #ItsAboutPayroll #KDPPublishing #EconomicUncertainty #PayrollCompliance #HumanResources #Podcast #CareerAdvice #PayrollLife #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship

In Episode 200 of It’s About Payroll, Brian and Will celebrate a major milestone while sharing several big announcements tied to the future of Payroll Universe. The conversation centers on the recent launch of their book, which they describe as an empowering introduction to payroll careers for new grads, career pivoters, and even seasoned professionals looking for renewed perspective. They also discuss feedback from payroll leader Tasia Walker, who praised the book’s practical content, case studies, and potential to become a meaningful contribution to payroll education.

The episode also introduces PayQuest, an app designed to reduce spreadsheet chaos, improve workflow accountability, and streamline fragmented payroll request processes. On top of that, they preview Payla the Panda’s growing role as a lighthearted mascot and educational game character, built to make payroll learning more engaging. Finally, they unveil the upcoming CPT, or Certified Payroll Technician program, a six-week introductory course created to help people break into payroll faster and address the industry’s need for new talent.

🎙️ It's About Payroll Episode 199: True Payroll Crime Story & Book Announcement 📚

Big news! We announce our new book "It's About Payroll: Your Blueprint to Start, Grow and Lead from Entry Level to Leadership" – created to change the narrative that people just "fall into" payroll. This is a career path worth choosing intentionally!

In This Episode:
✅ Book announcement & why the payroll industry needs career resources
✅ True payroll crime story: NJ clerk sentenced to 3 years for $80K timesheet fraud
✅ Key payroll control lessons: spreadsheet risks, segregation of duties, and audit discipline
✅ Why payroll leadership matters more than ever
✅ Inflation impact: $100K today = $60K in 2006 purchasing power
✅ Fun rapid-fire questions: movies, food, gaming & more

Quotes of the Episode:

"On the other side of impossible is greatness." – Brian
"Faith and fear both demand you to believe in something you cannot see. You choose." – Bob Proctor

🔗 Important Links:

📖 Podcast Page:
https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll
🌐 Main Website:
https://www.itsaboutpayroll.io
📱 Payroll Universe Media:
https://www.itsaboutpayroll.io/payrolluniversemedia
📱 YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/oydrqnefC6E

💬 Got payroll questions or topics? Drop them in the comments!
👍 Like | 🔔 Subscribe | 📢 Share with someone exploring career options!
ItsAboutPayroll #PayrollCareer #payrollleadership #BookAnnouncement #payrollpodcast #careerdevelopment #books #reading #career

In Episode 198 of It’s About Payroll, Brian Escobar and Walt Duncan III welcome Christopher Bylone, founder of Innovation Unbiased and host of I Know I Belong When, for a practical conversation on pay equity, belonging, and the role data plays in both. Christopher explains that pay equity is often misunderstood as only a men-versus-women issue, when in reality it must also account for race, ethnicity, disability, tenure, job level, and equivalent work. He breaks down concepts like pay transparency, the “unexplained gender pay gap,” and why companies can create inequity through new hires, promotions, and poor compensation practices.

The conversation also expands beyond compensation into culture. Christopher argues that belonging can and should be measured through attrition, engagement, promotion patterns, and employee trust. One of the biggest takeaways: organizations should stop relying only on exit interviews and begin doing stay interviews regularly. For payroll, HR, and business leaders, this episode connects data, employee experience, and accountability in a way that is practical, human, and immediately actionable.