On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Laszlo Bock, co-founder of the Berkeley Transformative CHRO Academy, former people operations leader at Google and one of the most influential voices in HR. Laszlo shares his journey from shaping Google’s data-driven HR practices to mentoring the next generation of CHROs. We dive into the power of data in decision-making, the importance of values-driven leadership, and the challenges of scaling culture in a growing organization. Whether you’re an emerging leader or a seasoned professional, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on courage, culture, and the evolving role of HR.

On this episode of Redefining Work, Topaz Adizes, founder and CEO of The Skin Deep, explores the power of meaningful conversations to build trust and connection. From creating intentional spaces for vulnerability to the transformative practice of active listening, Topaz shares strategies for bridging divides in polarized times. He discusses how storytelling deepens relationships, even in professional settings, and offers practical insights for HR leaders looking to cultivate humanity and connection in the workplace. Discover how fostering authentic dialogue can transform relationships, enhance collaboration, and bring humanity back to work.

On this episode of Redefining Work, Lisa Bodell, founder and CEO of FutureThink, reveals how simplification is the key to unlocking innovation. From her groundbreaking exercises like “Kill the Company” and “Kill Stupid Rules” to strategies for embedding subtraction into company culture, Lisa offers actionable advice for leaders and teams looking to reclaim their time and focus on what matters most. Discover how simplicity can transform your work, boost creativity and foster a culture of curiosity.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rob Mac Giolla Phadraig, founder of SkillStack, a cutting-edge learning platform built around the power of storytelling. Rob shares his personal journey, the inspiration behind SkillStack, and the profound impact storytelling has had on his life and career. Tune in to discover how SkillStack is revolutionizing learning and development by harnessing the power of narrative to unlock human potential.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by J.P. Sanday, partner at Menlo Ventures. Throughout his career in private equity and venture capital, J.P. has gained a sharp understanding of market dynamics and early-stage growth. In this episode, we dive into his philosophy on scaling startups, assembling powerful teams and making the most of AI opportunities.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rich Diviney, retired U.S. Navy SEAL officer, author and founder of The Attributes. Throughout his 20-year career, which includes leading SEAL Team Six selection, Rich developed a deep understanding of leadership, team dynamics and human performance. In this episode, we dive into Rich’s belief in the role of attributes over skills in determining success, his philosophy on building high performing teams and how mastering uncertainty takes performance to the next level.

It’s official—OutRival is here, and it’s going to change the way businesses harness the power of AI. Ruben Harris, co-founder of Career Karma, dropped the news on the Redefining Work podcast, and I couldn’t be more excited to dive into the details.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Rusty Ralston and Jay Patil, co-founders of Swell Venture Capital. We dive into their unique approach to venture capital, centered around identifying visionary founders and helping them build exceptional teams. Rusty and Jay share their hands-on recruitment strategies, how they assess founders’ potential, and the importance of a people-first investment philosophy. Listen in to discover how Swell VC is giving its portfolio companies a recruiting advantage and reshaping venture capital through a talent-driven lens.

There’s something universal in the world of work that we’ve all encountered. You’ve written it, reviewed it, probably stressed over it. Yes, I'm talking about that staple of the corporate world: the resume. Now, I know you’re probably thinking, "Really? The resume? That outdated piece of paper is still a thing?" And yes, it is—tragically. In this episode of Redefining Work Reports, I explore that antiquated hiring document known as the resume.

In today’s rapidly evolving work environment, companies must rethink how they approach human resources. As we move toward a more remote, diverse, and flexible workforce, one of the most significant shifts we’re seeing is how HR professionals are evolving their roles.

On this week’s Redefining Work Podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly Scheib, Crunchbase's Chief People Officer, about how she’s leading a revolutionary HR team focused on flexibility, inclusivity, and innovation.

Hey everyone, welcome back to Redefining Work! I’m Lars Schmidt, and if you’re as obsessed with the balance between productivity and impact as I am, you're in for a treat today. On this episode, we’ve got the brilliant Laura Mae Martin, Executive Productivity Advisor at Google and the author of Uptime: A Practical Guide for Personal Productivity and Well-being.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Jeffrey Pfeffer, professor of organizational behavior at Stanford University and author of “Dying for a Paycheck,” among other books. We dive into the critical topic of employee well-being and explore the harmful effects of workplace stress and poor working conditions on employee health.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Guy Kawasaki, chief evangelist at Canva and author of “Think Remarkable,” among other books. Guy has been at the forefront of technology for decades, and provides a fascinating perspective on the technology landscape today. In this conversation, we go deep into the revolutionary significance of generative AI (including how he uses it in his daily life), how growth and grit are the keys to being remarkable, and so much more.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Kim Scott, author of the classic, “Radical Candor: Be a Kickass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity,” and her new book, “Radical Respect: How To Work Together Better.” Kim and I sit down to talk about the framework for “Radical Candor,” how to interpret and apply the book at work and her newest publication — which she wrote as a kind of prequel to “Radical Candor” — “Radical Respect.”

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Thai Randolph, media executive, entrepreneur and co-founder at Hartbeat. Thai has been a dynamic force in advertising, technology and entertainment for over two decades, offering a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of media and business. In this conversation, we dive into how Thai navigates the tricky world of creating value in today’s fragmented media scene, her incredible story of raising one of the biggest private equity rounds as a Black woman CEO and how generative AI is shaking up the creative process.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Sergio Ezama, chief HR officer at Netflix, one of the world’s most recognizable brands. We take a peek at Netflix’s one-of-a-kind take on compensation and how the company is using generative AI. Plus, Sergio advises new chief people officers on building C-suite relationships.

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by Martin Mignot and Sandra Schwarzer, two pivotal figures from Index Ventures who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience in scaling startups. We discuss their book, “Scaling Through Chaos,” and its accompanying TeamPlan app as well as the intersection of people, processes and startup growth.

In this episode of Redefining Work, I’m thrilled to speak with Backstage Capital Managing Partner and founder Arlan Hamilton. Backstage Capital is a seed investment fund that backs overachieving, underrepresented startup founders. In this conversation, Arlan and I discuss the current state of HR and people operations, how she’s building a company in this important space and why you don’t necessarily have to quit your job to build a startup. We’ll also talk about her other projects, including the podcast Your First Million and her book “It's About Damn Time.”

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined (for the third time) by my friend Katelin Holloway, an influential figure in HR and investing who is a founding partner at Seven Seven Six, a venture capital investment firm. We explore her transition from HR to venture capital and why the HR skill set is so important when making investment decisions. 

On this episode of Redefining Work, I’m joined by none other than Donna Morris, executive vice president and chief people officer at Walmart. We discuss what it takes to simplify the lives of millions of workers, how the retail giant is revolutionizing workplace technology and why people remain at the nucleus of Walmart’s business model.