Episodes

  • Episode 003 — Building Human-Centered Workplaces with Erica Woods

    Episode 003 — Building Human-Centered Workplaces with Erica Woods
    May 2 2026
    Description: A conversation with Erica Woods on what it really means to build human-centered workplaces — moving beyond systems and into empathy, lived experience, and how people actually show up at work. Episode Date: March 9th Host: Adam Kleckner, Devon Walker, Tia Kleckner Summary: Erica Woods has spent 25 years in HR refusing to do it the way everyone else does. She makes the case that diversity programs are one of the most damaging things a company can do — when diversity is treated as a program instead of a foundation. She breaks down what true inclusion looks like, why leaders need to stop waiting for permission, and why the most important thing about a person never shows up on a resume. Main Topics: Why diversity programs harm culture when treated as a bolt-on What true inclusion looks like — and why it's different for every organisation Diversity of appearance vs. diversity of thought Why HR has quietly become policy resources instead of human resources Why leaders need to stop waiting for permission to advocate for their people What every employee wishes their leader understood Intriguing Quotes: "Diversity needs to be part of the structure. It's not a program." "Humans are going to do humans. If you're frustrated by that, you'll be frustrated all day every day." "The policies are static. Every human thing is case by case." "We've got to stop waiting for permission." "Every single human has a spark of something that is theirs to give to the planet." Key Moments: [05:14] The controversial take: diversity programs harm culture. Diversity has to be foundational — not bolted on as a program or ERG. [13:33] The tech industry shifted the rules on engineers mid-career and then got mad they didn't keep up. [15:56] Leaders have to show up authentically first. Erica's standard: tell me who you are so I can help you. [34:11] What's not on Erica's resume: the belief that every single person came with a spark of something that is theirs to give to the planet. Notable Resources: Concepts: Culture add vs. culture fit; cognitive diversity; neurodiversity at work; ERGs Connect with Erica Woods: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eywoods/ Special Announcements: Erica will be back. Adam promised it on air. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    35 mins
  • Episode 002 — Breaking the Hiring Machine with Eric Osterhout

    Episode 002 — Breaking the Hiring Machine with Eric Osterhout
    Apr 30 2026
    Description: A conversation with Eric Osterhout on the evolving world of contingent workforce strategy — where systems, speed, and structure intersect with real human impact, and why getting it right matters more than ever. Episode Date: March 6th Host: Adam Kleckner, Devon Walker, Tia Kleckner Summary: Eric Osterhout has spent nearly 20 years inside the systems that control how companies hire. He breaks down why skills-based hiring is still more buzzword than reality, why the obsession with degrees and tools is locking out the best talent, and why remote work remains the most underrated strategy in the workforce today. Main Topics: Why people are not like paperclips — and why hiring keeps treating them that way Skills vs. strengths — and why most processes only measure one Why corporate recruiters have become order-takers Tools-based hiring vs. skills-based hiring — AI is making this more urgent The case for remote work as the most underrated talent strategy Why advanced degrees are the most overrated credential in the workforce Intriguing Quotes: "Skills-based hiring is still more buzzword than reality." "You have to have the wisdom to know the difference between what the AI output is and the reality." "Can we get away from the ridiculous educational requirements that don't really matter anymore?" "I'm kind of an acquired taste. People either get me right off the bat or it takes time." Key Moments: [07:14] The James story — one question from a mentor changed how Eric reads people forever. [12:34] Why skills-based hiring is broken: untrained hiring managers and ATSs filtering out great candidates before a human sees them. [18:36] Adam's key distinction — we're not doing skills-based hiring, we're doing tools-based hiring. Tia adds: there's a difference between skill and strength. [26:44] Remote work is the most underrated trend. COVID proved the model. Retreating from it is a mistake. Notable Resources: Eric Osterhout on Spotify — search his name, save his tracks (listen to: Stillness Before the Rain) Concepts: ATS, VMS, MSP programs, Total Talent Management Connect with Eric Osterhout: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericosterhoutcwm/ Spotify: Search "Eric Osterhout" Special Announcements: The Human Advantage Podcast continues its mission of bringing different perspectives together — people who aren't traditionally in the same room, talking about what actually matters. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    31 mins
  • Episode 001 — Finding Your Voice with Jeff Ross

    Episode 001 — Finding Your Voice with Jeff Ross
    Apr 30 2026
    Description: A conversation with Jeff Ross on finding your voice, owning your story, and leading with purpose — from bull riding to hero maker, Jeff's 17-year journey is proof that your biggest struggles become your greatest strengths. Episode Date: TBC Host: Adam Kleckner, Devon Walker, Tia Kleckner Summary: Jeff Ross went from dropping out of school at Year 9 and surviving a career-ending horse accident to building a 17-year career as a marketer, coach, and community builder. He unpacks how ADHD and dyslexia became his superpowers, why emotional intelligence is the most overlooked leadership skill, and introduces his VOICE framework for cutting through the noise. Main Topics: From bull riding to online marketing — starting over in 2009 with no qualifications Reframing ADHD and dyslexia as competitive advantages The alignment principle: when things flow vs. when things feel forced Jeff's mental health turning point and how love interrupted the pattern The VOICE framework: Vision, Origin Story, Influence, Clarity, Expression Why the world needs the vertical, not just the horizontal Intriguing Quotes: "Failure is just feedback." "When you find your voice, you don't need to shout." "My ADHD is a superpower. When I get locked in, you will not outwork me." "A confused mind never takes any action." "We're all someone's guide on the journey." Key Moments: [01:30] Horse accident in his mid-twenties crushed three discs. Doctors put him on a disability pension. He went online in 2009 and never looked back. [04:25] Growing up undiagnosed ADHD and dyslexic — the bullying, and the moment he reframed those traits as strengths. [18:10] 12-13 years ago Jeff hit rock bottom and tried to take his own life. He speaks openly about depression, finding faith, and why love interrupted the pattern. If you're in crisis, please reach out. Australia: Lifeline 13 11 14. USA: 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. [24:05] The VOICE framework breakdown — how to find your voice so you can stop shouting and start cutting through. Notable Resources: You Don't Need to Shout by Jeff Ross — forthcoming Frameworks: VOICE acronym, Simon Sinek, John Maxwell on leadership as influence Connect with Jeff Ross: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100004527244791 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@LaptopLifestyleDads Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/49KDYwyy1E2ofvyE61bg7A LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsjeffr/ Special Announcements: You Don't Need to Shout is in manuscript — watch this space for the launch. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    27 mins
  • Episode 000: Why We're Having This Conversation

    Episode 000: Why We're Having This Conversation
    Apr 27 2026
    Most companies say they value diversity. Most systems tell a different story. In this introductory episode, hosts Adam Kleckner, Tia Kleckner, and Devon Walker sit down to explain why they built The Human Advantage Podcast — and why these conversations are long overdue. Adam (CEO of LinkTech), Tia (a Black woman who grew up as one of the only people of colour in rural Montana), and Devon (a recruiter who's seen the checkbox system from the inside) bring three completely different lenses to the same problem: the systems we've built to hire, lead, and develop people weren't designed for how people actually think. In this episode they cover: - Why "culture fit" is one of the most dangerous phrases in the workforce - How diversity hiring initiatives can actually create more exclusion - The difference between alignment and fit — and why it matters - What AI-powered interviewing is getting badly wrong - Why standardised processes reward a very narrow slice of humanity - What it means to build a workforce where people can actually show up as themselves This isn't another DEI podcast. It's a conversation about the systems underneath the labels — and what happens when you start designing around real humans instead of checkbox categories. No scripts. No rehearsed takes. Just three people who've lived this, built companies inside it, and decided it was time to say it out loud. Where culture is created, not claimed. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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    27 mins