Prescription drug costs aren’t just a budget line — they’re a business risk and an equity issue. In this episode, Harrison Newman and co-host Sam DiMercurio break down why pharmacy spend keeps climbing and what HR leaders can practically do about it.

In this episode of Talk HR, hosts Harrison Newman and Sam DiMercurio sit down with Peter Doran, SVP at Pareto Health, to explore how group captives and self-funding models are reshaping the future of employer healthcare. Peter breaks down why the standard fully insured model no longer works, how data transparency empowers smarter decision-making, and why more companies are shifting to self-funding to save costs and improve employee experience. Plus, the team chats with Claudia O’Leary from Beyond Med, who shares how employers can expand their benefits offerings — including access to services like fertility treatments, mental health counseling, and even massages — without increasing costs.

After a summer break, Talk HR is back — and this episode is worth the wait. Harrison and Sam are joined by Steve Cadigan, LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer, author of Workquake, and one of the world’s most respected voices on the future of work. Steve helped scale LinkedIn from 400 to 4,000 employees in just three and a half years, building a culture so distinctive it’s still studied at Stanford today.

As HR continues to evolve into a strategic force inside organizations, it's time to hear from a key partner: the CFO. In this mid-year finale episode of Talk HR, Harrison and Sam are joined by Maliek Branch, CFO of Greenwich House, to explore the intersection of finance and human resources in today's workplace. Maliek shares how her background in city government shaped her leadership style, what CFOs really think of HR-led initiatives, and why it’s time for finance and HR to stop talking past each other and start working together.

On this episode of Talk HR, co-hosts Harrison Newman and Sam D’Arcurio reflect on Mental Health Awareness Month, the personal routines that support their own well-being, and the evolving definition of holistic employee wellness. Then, Sam welcomes Einat Steklov, co-founder and CEO of Kashable, for a candid and timely conversation about financial wellness as a mental health strategy — and why access to low-cost credit can be transformative for employees.

In this episode, Harrison and Sam sit down with Peter Phelan — HR executive turned culture consultant and executive recruiter — to explore how companies can create thriving, people-centric workplaces.

On this episode, Harrison and Sam dive into two major topics: supporting working parents in the workforce and navigating the global HR landscape. They discuss some of the challenges working parents face and how HR can better support them. They also provide practical strategies to help you find a better work-life balance. Later in the episode, Harrison interviews Ryan Freeman, Head of Partnerships at Deel, to explore the benefits and challenges of hiring globally, HR compliance for international teams, and how technology is changing the shape of the global workforce.

On this episode of Talk HR, hosts Harrison and Sam dive into how AI will impact the workforce moving forward. The episode explores key HR topics such as the evolving landscape of remote work, the role of AI in HR, and how organizations can adapt AI responsibly while maintaining employee trust.

Did you know that employers worldwide are facing a massive talent shortage, and rethinking how they attract and retain employees could be the game changer? On this episode, Harrison and Sam are joined by Julie Devlin, Senior Partner of HCM Advisory at UKG, who breaks down 2025 HR Megatrends and how HR leaders can turn challenges into opportunities. Julie discusses everything from tackling the talent deficit to leveraging AI for smarter, people-focused strategies.

Did you know that companies can save over a million dollars in retention costs by addressing employee burnout? On this episode, Harrison and Sam are joined by Dr. Sharon Grossman, the Burnout Doc, who shares proven strategies that not only help individuals manage stress but also lead to significant financial benefits for organizations. Plus, they chat with David Turetsky, host of the HR Data Labs Podcast about some of the lessons he's learned on his show, and they hear from Connor Buck and Rob Luneau of Imagine 360 who break down a new way to approach health insurance.

On this episode, Harrison and Sam dive into crucial conversations surrounding women’s health, workplace civility, and the upcoming election cycle. They are joined by Georgie Kovacs from Fempower Health, who discusses the often overlooked topics of perimenopause and menopause in the workplace; Emily M. Dickens, Head of Government Affairs & Corporate Secretary for SHRM, who emphasizes the importance of civility in the workplace as we head into a contentious election season; and experts from Jackson Lewis, who provide legal insights on how employers can navigate workforce management during political turbulence.

On this episode, Harrison and Sam talk about some of the lessons learned at SHRM24 with Edwidge Constant, and they touch on how AI impacts today’s workforce and how it might shape the future. Plus, Harrison and Sam discuss fostering a healthy work environment with Michael Cohen, a partner at Duane Morris.

On this episode, Harrison and Sam record live from the NYC SHRM Spring Summit, plus they dive into the importance of culture and wellness and how you can be proactive in both areas.

On this episode, Harrison and Sam look at leadership from various angles including interviews with SHRM presidents past and future, a panel discussion about diversity and inclusion, and dissecting lessons from the popular TV show Ted Lasso.

This is Talk NYC SHRM, New York City SHRM's official podcast. On this show, hosts Harrison Newman and Samantha DiMercurio take you into the HR community in New York City, offering insights, ideas, and lessons to make you a better leader inside and outside of your organization.