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Downloads
239
Episodes
We spend too much time at work for it to be a miserable experience! Join JoDee Curtis and Susan White as they discuss human resources and leadership topics with a goal of creating work environments where people can find their joy. If you want to learn about important workplace topics with a splash of joy (and earn SHRM credit!) this is the show for you.
Episodes

2 days ago
HR for Non-HR People
2 days ago
2 days ago
In this episode, JoDee and Susan break down the basics of what non-HR people should know about human resources.
Topics include:
- Practical tips for hiring and firing
- How to manage performance
- Engaging and developing your team
- Staying legally compliant
In this episode's listener question, we're asked for advice for someone who's trying to specialize in the HR field from being an HR generalist. In the news, we explore the trend of "conscious unbossing," where more employees are opting out of leadership roles.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-238-hr-for-non-hr-people/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-238-hr-for-non-hr-people/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on January 12, 2027)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss grief in the workplace with Dr. Jennifer Levin, an expert in traumatic grief and sudden loss.
Topics include:
- Why Jennifer pursued a fellowship in Thanatology, the study of death, dying, and bereavement
- How that expertise informs Jennifer's work with organizations facing loss in the workplace
- What makes sudden or unexpected loss different from other types of loss
- The emotional and financial costs of sudden loss in the workplace
- What leaders can do to rebuild psychological safety for employees feeling unsafe and disoriented after traumatic loss
- How organizations, teams, and leaders can best support employees in the immediate aftermath of sudden loss
- Common missteps organizations make in these situations
- How organizations can emerge from loss stronger and more connected
In this episode's listener question, we're asked about best practices for executive compensation programs that are balanced and drive the right priority and focus. In the news, we discuss a survey about American's lunchtime work habits.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-237-beyond-bereavement-leave/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-237-beyond-bereavement-leave/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on December 29, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Dec 15, 2025
Monday Dec 15, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan talk about assessing employees' performance and potential with author Sara Bovey Covey.
Topics include:
- What a talent review is
- Why talent reviews matter
- The talent review mindset
- Critical elements for a solid talent review process
- Challenges leaders face during talent reviews
In this episode's listener question, we're asked how HR professionals can grow their skills without leading their jobs. In the news, a Money.com article ranked the five best job search sites.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-236-talent-reviews/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-236-talent-reviews/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on December 15, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Dec 01, 2025
Monday Dec 01, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan reflect on their podcasting journey with their producer, Emily Miller.
Topics include:
- Our most and least popular episodes
- Our favorite episodes
- The highs and lows of creating this podcast
- Whether we'd answer any listener questions differently now
- A circle back on some of our past "in the news" segments
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-235-celebrating-100k-downloads/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-235-celebrating-100k-downloads/
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Nov 17, 2025
Monday Nov 17, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss the concept of Appreciative Inquiry with expert Diane Brown.
Topics include:
- What Appreciative Inquiry is and why it matters
- How the nature of conversations shapes and influences our workplace culture, productivity, and engagement
- The four types of conversations
- Three fundamental practices that contribute to being a more appreciative leader
In this episode's listener question, we're asked about whether employees working from home feel pressured to work longer hours - and whether that pressure comes from their employer or themselves. In the news, FlexJobs shared a list of five industries showing the fastest growth in hybrid job postings.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-234-appreciative-inquiry/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-234-appreciative-inquiry/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on November 17, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Nov 03, 2025
Getting the Most Out of LinkedIn
Monday Nov 03, 2025
Monday Nov 03, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan share their tips for using LinkedIn.
Topics include:
- How JoDee and Susan use LinkedIn
- Why LinkedIn matters
- Best practices for LinkedIn engagement
- A LinkedIn employee's top advice for users
In this episode's listener question, we're asked how to ensure that employees are actually contributing and not just using AI to do their jobs. In the news, a new phenomenon called job hugging is gaining attention.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-233-getting-the-most-out-of-linkedin/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-233-getting-the-most-out-of-linkedin/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on November 3, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Oct 20, 2025
Emotions at Work (with Tammy Smith)
Monday Oct 20, 2025
Monday Oct 20, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss emotions in the workplace with expert Tammy Smith.
Topics include:
- Why emotion at work is a key emerging issue
- Why emotions matter in the workplace
- How emotions affect how we make decisions, communicate, and experience work
- How to build self-awareness and use emotions as signals
- Navigating difficult emotions in the workplace
- How to strengthen your emotional agility
In this episode's listener mail, we're asked about ideas for making required learning fun. In the news, an NLRB ruling said off-duty Amazon employees can use parking lots for union activity.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-232-emotions-at-work/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-232-emotions-at-work/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on October 20, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Oct 06, 2025
Surviving Layoffs
Monday Oct 06, 2025
Monday Oct 06, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss getting through reductions in force.
Topics include:
- Best practices for organizations who are shrinking their workforces
- Recommendations for the employees who remain with the company
- Advice for employees who are impacted by layoffs
In this episode's listener mail, we're asked about team building recommendations for teams who aren't in the same location. In the news, we talk about avoiding toxic positivity.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-231-surviving-layoffs/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-231-surviving-layoffs/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on October 6, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Sep 22, 2025
How to Be an Engaging Facilitator (with Erin Fischer and Mike McRee)
Monday Sep 22, 2025
Monday Sep 22, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss facilitation with experts Erin Fischer and Mike McRee.
Topics include:
- The difference between presenting and facilitating
- The 70/30 rule
- Relationship currency and how it applies to effective facilitation
- How to engage adults who are used to boring PowerPoints
- The camp model
- Habits of the best facilitators
In this episode's listener mail, we're asked about recommendations for employers that don't have the budget for childcare options. In the news, we discuss the 2024 book "The Generous Leader" by Joe Davis.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-230-how-to-be-an-engaging-facilitator/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-230-how-to-be-an-engaging-facilitator/
To get 0.5 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on September 22, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/

Monday Sep 08, 2025
The Silver Workforce: Older Adults Who Stay at Work
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Monday Sep 08, 2025
In this episode, JoDee and Susan discuss older adults who are staying in or returning to the workforce.
Topics include:
- The statistics on the silver workforce
- Why older adults are choosing to remain in or return to the workforce
- Intergenerational collaboration
- Ageism and bias
- The future of retirement
- The upsides of working later in life
In this episode's listener question, we're asked about helping employees continue to apply concepts after a training ends. In the news, work culture in the US can vary regionally and by industry.
Full show notes and links are available here: https://getjoypowered.com/show-notes-episode-229-the-silver-workforce/
A transcript of the episode can be found here: https://getjoypowered.com/transcript-episode-229-the-silver-workforce/
To get 0.25 hour of SHRM recertification credit, fill out the evaluation here: https://getjoypowered.com/shrm/ (the SHRM credit code for this episode will expire on September 8, 2026)
Become a member to get early and ad-free access to episodes, video versions, and more perks! Learn more at patreon.com/joypowered
Connect with us:
@JoyPowered on Instagram: https://instagram.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on Facebook: https://facebook.com/joypowered
@JoyPowered on LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/joypowered
Sign up for our email newsletter: https://getjoypowered.com/newsletter/
