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What the Heck Is Happening in HR?

What the Heck Is Happening in HR?

krexconsulting and USF Corporate Training and Professional Education 241 Episodes Jun 29, 2026

A lively podcast from krexconsulting and the USF Office of Corporate Training & Professional Education. Each episode features engaging guests and dives into one timely HR tidbit—practical, candid, and straight to the point. The show aims to provide actionable insights for HR professionals and business leaders.

Episodes

250 Years of Work in America: How Did We Get Here? Jun 29, 2026 00:11:08 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 moder
Your Org Chart Is a Lie Jun 22, 2026 00:03:22 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 tran
Promotions Are Becoming Riskier Than Firings Jun 15, 2026 00:04:08 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
Hiring Is a Marketing Problem Jun 8, 2026 00:03:47 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 In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley breaks down why outdated job postings, poor candidate communication, and confusing hiring processes are damaging employer brands and driving talent away before interviews even begin.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 r
Ghost Jobs Are Gaslighting Job Seekers Jun 1, 2026 00:04:07 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 seeke
AI Didn’t Take the Job - Your Manager Did May 25, 2026 00:03:18 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, prese
Burnout Isn’t What You Think It Is May 11, 2026 00:04:59 Burnout is one of the most talked-about workplace issues—and one of the most misunderstood. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad challenges the idea that burnout is caused by workload or a lack of resilience. Instead, she reframes it as a systems issue driven by lack of control, unclear expectations, and inconsistent fairness. When effort no longer feels meaningful o
Leadership Accountability Isn’t Optional May 4, 2026 00:04:37 Accountability is often listed as a core value—but employees are increasingly seeing a different reality. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores the growing gap between expectations placed on employees and behaviors modeled by leaders. When accountability flows only downward, trust erodes quickly. This episode unpacks how inconsistent leadership behavior impac
Feedback Is Broken (But Not for the Reason You Think) Apr 27, 2026 00:07:47 Feedback is one of the most important tools in the workplace—and one of the most avoided. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad breaks down why feedback feels delayed, inconsistent, and emotionally charged in today’s organizations. The issue isn’t feedback itself—it’s the outdated systems around it. Annual reviews, unclear expectations, and fear-driven conversations h
The HR Reckoning Apr 20, 2026 00:05:27 HR is being rewritten in real time—and the expectations have never been higher. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad explores the growing tension within the role as it expands across strategy, compliance, culture, and leadership. As visibility increases and trust becomes harder to earn, HR is no longer operating behind the scenes. This episode breaks down why credibi
Psychological Safety Is Not Soft...It’s Performance Apr 13, 2026 00:06:07 Psychological safety is often misunderstood as a “soft” concept but in reality, it’s a critical driver of performance. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR, Kelley Rexroad breaks down what psychological safety actually means and why it matters more than ever in today’s complex work environment. When employees don’t feel safe to speak up, organizations lose insight, innovation, and e
Return to Office: Is It About Collaboration or Control? Apr 6, 2026 00:07:55 Return-to-office policies continue to spark debate across organizations, but the real drivers behind these decisions are often more complex than leaders admit. In this episode of What the Heck is Happening in HR?, Kelley examines why many return-to-office conversations aren’t actually about collaboration or culture—they’re about uncertainty, visibility, and control. She explores how remote work ch

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