HR.Salon Podcast

The salons of 17th and 18th century Europe emerged as intimate gatherings of diverse thinkers who exchanged ideas freely outside the constraints of formal institutions and hierarchies. HR.Salon carries this tradition into our modern professional context. Just as historical salons fostered movements that shaped culture and politics, we believe our conversations can meaningfully influence the evolution of workplace practices and human resources philosophy. Join host Andrew Biernat as we explore the future of work, innovative organizational practices, and HR strategies you can apply today.

HR.Salon Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Andrew Biernat, with 107 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Andrew Biernat hosts HR.Salon Podcast, a business show with 107 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  HR.Salon Podcast

  E12 | Stop Throwing Managers in the Deep End | Ron Klinger on HR.Salon Podcast

  Jul 30, 202652 min

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of HR Salon, host Andrew Biernat sits down with Ron Klinger, a Houston-based consultant who helps organizations win by unlocking the power of their people. Ron and Andrew — with matching energy and gusto — dig into why so many organizations are stuck at historic lows in engagement, and why the fix isn't a pizza party or a ping pong table. Ron and Andrew compare frameworks for defining engagement before zeroing in on the real lever for organizational change: the middle manager. Ron makes the case that mid-management is the glue holding companies together — the conduit between executive vision and frontline execution — and that most organizations set new managers up to fail by promoting their best individual contributors without ever training them to lead people. In this episode, you'll learn: Why nearly two-thirds of the global workforce is disengaged — and why that hurts the engaged one-third the most Why middle managers are the most critical (and most neglected) layer in any organization The danger of turning technical superstars into managers without training ("you just killed their career") Why the word "subordinate" should be banned from every manager's vocabulary How generational differences — up to six generations in one workplace — complicate management today A simple framework for effective one-on-ones: engagement score, workload check, and priority alignment Why self-awareness is the first domino in becoming a better manager or leader The "help me help you" approach to managing up and protecting your team from C-suite chaos Why career pathing (not just paychecks) is key to closing the purpose gap between frontline workers and executives Ron's bottom-line philosophy: "Take care of your people, and they'll take care of your business" Ron Klinger helps organizations win through the power of employee engagement, retention, and people-first management. Connect with him on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/ronklinger/ or visit his site at mtran.com. Support the show

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  HR.Salon Podcast

  E9 | Sometimes it's better to be ignorant | Alan Gregerman on HR.Salon Podcast

  Jun 8, 202646 min

  Send us Fan Mail Today's guest Alan Gregerman wrote the book The Wisdom of Ignorance: Why Not Knowing Can Be the Key to Innovation in an Uncertain World. Often we seek to be the smartest or most knowledgeable person in the room. In this episode, Alan challenges that pursuit and shows us the high value that not being in the know can have on a company and on a team. This discussion changed the way I see new hires and opened my mind to the possibilities and potential that most organizations overlook. Check out Alan's book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FJJSXVGV Support the show

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  HR.Salon Podcast

  E8 | Whine and Dine is coming to Rochester!! | Keith Bogen on HR.Salon Podcast

  Apr 28, 202648 min

  Send us Fan Mail In this fun and insightful episode of HR Salon , host Andrew Biernat sits down with longtime HR leader and founder of Whine and Dine Networking , Keith Bogen , to talk about why real human connection still matters—and why Rochester is the next city to get its own Whine and Dine chapter. With 23 years of building connections across 19 cities, Keith has turned “networking” into something far more meaningful: making friends, sharing stories, and building community that lasts. Together, Andrew and Keith explore the lost art of conversation in an age when networking too often feels forced or self‑serving—and how to bring warmth, humor, and genuine generosity back to it. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why Whine and Dine Networking is all about community, not contacts How fewer rules and more laughter create authentic connection The secret to making people remember you long after the event Why Keith says “the value of knowing me is knowing who I know” How servant leadership strengthens relationships inside and outside of work What genuine generosity can do for your career and well‑being How to build your personal brand without a 30‑second elevator pitch Why in‑person connection still beats any digital alternative How storytelling and humility attract better opportunities The one daily question that keeps Keith focused on helping others As Whine and Dine Rochester launches, this episode is both an invitation and a reminder: real success starts with a smile, a story, and a shared glass of something good. Support the show

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  HR.Salon Podcast

  Stop Imposing Motivation on Your People, Co-Hosted with Kate McCaffrey E9 HR.Salon Podcast

  Mar 24, 202640 min

  Send us Fan Mail Rethinking Motivation and Building Sustainable Change in the Workplace Kate McCaffrey and Andrew Biernat Co-Host this joint episode of the HR.Salon and Twisting Paradigms IRL podcasts. Together they explore how motivation is an intrinsic, collaborative process rather than something imposed from the outside. They delve into practical strategies for fostering lasting engagement, addressing systemic barriers, and creating cultures that inspire energy and high performance, especially in challenging times. In this episode: The misconception that motivation is something you do to others The critical role of intrinsic motivators: autonomy, belonging, and competence How assessment tools can empower self-awareness and drive motivation The importance of ongoing conversations and embedding motivation into team culture Strategies for sustaining change amid organizational shifts and crises Practical tips for leaders to create space, set boundaries, and build resilience The power of pre-planning for hard moments and disruptions The paradigm shift: influencing motivation collaboratively rather than controlling it Key language cues to retire, like "I can't" and "I'm busy," to foster growth The significance of consistency and intentional reflection for long-term impact Support the show

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  HR.Salon Podcast

  E8 | Redefining the Art of Offboarding | Deborah Pratt on HR.Salon Podcast

  Feb 23, 202645 min

  Send us Fan Mail In this thought-provoking episode of HR Salon , host Andrew Biernat sits down with executive coach Deborah Pratt , who has guided more than 10,000 leaders through critical career transitions. Together, they unpack why organizations spend heavily on onboarding and engagement—but often neglect the exit experience . Deborah explores how “offboarding” done poorly can damage trust, brand reputation, and long-term innovation, while human-centered approaches—like those used by the U.S. State Department and Airbnb—set both employees and organizations up for future success. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why layoffs can trigger lasting trauma for both those who leave and those who stay How empathy and proactive planning can turn separations into powerful brand moments Why companies that “do the right thing” ultimately strengthen culture and resilience What it means to design for the virtuous cycle instead of the vicious one This conversation redefines the future of work—where leaders view offboarding not as an afterthought but as an essential part of building strong, sustainable organizations. Support the show

  ListenShow Notes

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.