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HR After Dark Podcast

Join The O'Connor Group's Marcia Zaruba O'Connor, CEO & Founder and Meghan Popoleo, Vice President of Growth, as they bring a fresh perspective to the HR landscape, adding a twist to every conversation. Whether you're an HR professional looking to stay ahead of the curve, a business leader seeking innovative HR solutions, or simply curious about the inner workings of the modern workplace, HR After Dark is your go-to destination. But here's the best part - HR After Dark isn't your typical HR podcast. Prepare for candid discussions, unexpected insights, and maybe even a few laughs along the way.

  1. In this episode of HR After Dark, Marcia and Meghan sit down with David Beattie, Executive Vice President at PeopleShare, to talk candidly about leading a 50+ person team across multiple states while staying rooted in transparency, culture, and trust. David shares how his “diamond-shaped support model” flips traditional hierarchies, and how the company’s hybrid work philosophy—start the week together, end the week together—fosters team unity without sacrificing flexibility. From facing the “brutal facts” to avoiding top-performer burnout, this episode is packed with real-world leadership insights and hard-earned wisdom on building a workforce that’s both high-performing and human.

  2. In this episode of HR After Dark, Marcia and Meghan are joined by Regina McCann Hess, Founder of Forge Wealth Management. Regina emphasizes the importance of what you keep over what you spend and shares her approach to empowering women in wealth-building. She explains how open conversations around the breakfast table about finances can help maintain healthy spending habits. Tune in to hear Regina’s expert advice on saving for retirement, college, and other financial goals.

  3. In this exciting episode of HR After Dark, Marcia and Meghan are joined by Francesca Zampaglione, Chief Empowerment Officer of the Empowerment League. Francesca, a CPA turned stylist for executive women, now helps business leaders make transformative changes from the inside out through her company. Tune in as Francesca shares invaluable tips on how to present yourself confidently on Zoom, using style and body language to show up powerfully for yourself and your organization. Whether you’re leading a team or engaging with clients, this episode offers insights to help you elevate your presence in virtual settings.

  4. In this exciting episode of HR After Dark, Marcia and Meghan sit down with Renee Patrone Rhinehart, Founder of Events by Renee and Party Host Helpers, a nationwide company that has redefined event logistics with a team of over 30,000 gig workers. From intimate birthday celebrations to large-scale corporate events, Party Host Helpers specializes in providing expert event staffing, ensuring every detail is taken care of. With her team spread across ten different territories, Renee has built a thriving company that is known for its flexibility, professionalism, and commitment to making events seamless for their clients. Tune in as Renee shares her unique approach to managing a diverse, gig-based workforce and how she coaches her team to be not just skilled in logistics but also open-minded and receptive to client needs. Discover the challenges and rewards of running a business with such a vast network and learn how this model is changing the landscape of the event industry. Whether you’re an HR professional, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the gig economy, this episode will give you valuable insights into scaling a business that thrives on flexible, dynamic teams.

  5. In this episode of HR After Dark, Marcia and Meghan are joined by Beth Monroe, the Executive Director of the Women’s Resource Center. Founded in 1975, the WRC is an organization that brings women together to share resources. WRC offers five core programs, including a helpline, family law assistance, financial stability support, counseling, and career services, which are designed to help women and girls navigate challenging life transitions. WRC is celebrating 50 years of empowering women and building brighter futures. To learn more about WRC, visit https://womensresourcecenter.net/

Let’s start with a conversation.