What do frontline workers really want from leadership? (Spoiler: it’s not another HR email.)
In this episode of Getting Personal with Compt, we sit down with Victoria Dew, Founder & CEO of Dewpoint Communications, who has spent nearly 20 years helping companies actually connect with their people—especially the ones who don’t sit behind a desk.
We dig into:
✅ Why frontline workers feel unheard—despite making up 70–80% of the global workforce
✅ What companies get wrong about employee communication
✅ Why tech alone won’t fix engagement (looking at you, “culture platforms”)
✅ The power of listening as a business strategy
✅ How managers shape wellbeing, retention, and trust more than any app ever will
✅ Real strategies to build connection, loyalty, and resilience—at scale
Victoria also shares insights from her new report, Connecting the Frontline, based on research across 18 industries—from construction and healthcare to manufacturing and food & beverage. If you lead people, work in HR or internal comms, or simply care about building a workplace that works, this conversation will shift how you think.
🎧 Listen to the full episode and grab the report here: https://dewpointcomms.com/resources
In this inspiring episode of Getting Personal with Compt, Pete Schramm, CEO and founder of Latitude, shares how growing up on a Pennsylvania farm shaped his approach to building relationships and creating opportunities. Standing at 6'8", Pete's perspective on connection is as expansive as his height.
Pete takes us through his remarkable journey:
This conversation offers practical insights on how to build meaningful professional relationships, seek out effective mentorship, and create systems that foster growth for yourself and others.
Want to be a guest on Getting Personal with Compt and share your own stories? Reach out to our host, lauren@compt.io — we'd love to hear from you!
In this episode of Getting Personal with Compt, culture strategist and founder of Vibe People Studio, Marnie Robbins, joins host Lauren Schneider to discuss catalytic culture change, the challenges HR leaders face with AI, and how burnout is impacting those driving people operations.
Marnie shares powerful insights on how to initiate culture shifts without overwhelming yourself or your team, and why HR needs to lead change with a focus on small, intentional shifts. From overcoming resistance in culture change to the pressure of managing AI in the workplace, Marnie breaks down actionable strategies that HR leaders can start implementing today.
With over a decade of experience in people ops, Marnie’s practical advice helps leaders navigate change with empathy, transparency, and trust — without burning out in the process. Whether you're dealing with AI tools or feeling the weight of constant change, this episode is packed with ideas you can actually use.
Tune in for a conversation about people-first culture and how HR can tackle transformation in a sustainable way.
Key topics discussed:
If you're an HR leader or people ops pro interested in being on the podcast, email our host at lauren@compt.io! We're always looking for guests.
In this eye-opening episode of Getting Personal with Compt, HR tech veteran Denis Barnard delivers a wake-up call about the future of HR. After 25 years specializing in HR technology, Denis predicts a "cataclysmic" shift: in ten years, 75% of senior HR will work fractionally rather than full-time.
Denis challenges conventional thinking by exploring:
Whether you're an HR professional feeling overwhelmed by expanding responsibilities or a business leader wondering about the future of your people function, this conversation offers an unfiltered look at what's coming—and how to prepare.
Want to be a guest on Getting Personal with Compt and share your own stories? Reach out to our host, lauren@compt.io — we'd love to hear from you!
In this episode of Getting Personal with Compt, Dr. Kay De Simone, complex trauma psychotherapist and wellness expert for high achievers, shares a powerful truth: "You are your most important asset." Discover why high achievers resist using mental health benefits until they're in crisis, the hidden truth about who deserves support, and how treating yourself as your greatest asset might be the legacy move you need to make.
Dr. Kay breaks down:
Want to be a guest on Getting Personal with Compt and share your own stories? Reach out to our host, lauren@compt.io — we'd love to hear from you!
In this episode of Getting Personal with Compt, Maggie Gremminger and Meredith Patrick from Leona discuss the hidden exodus of new parents—one-third leave their jobs within 18 months of returning from parental leave.
Learn how parental leave can be reimagined to better support both parents and their teams, and why it's time for a shift in employee benefits.
Want to be a guest on Getting Personal with Compt and share your own stories? Reach out to our host, lauren@compt.io — we’d love to hear from you!
Growing up in apartheid South Africa, Ivan Stegic learned early what artificial separation does to people. Today, as CEO of TEN7, he's rejecting another type of wall - the one between work and personal life.
In this conversation, Ivan shares how witnessing extreme segregation shaped his inclusive leadership philosophy, why he rejects the "Severance" approach to work-life separation, and how his team weathered their most difficult financial year by embracing humanity rather than compartmentalizing it. Plus, he reveals why he made their employee handbook open source and how his physics background helps him trust in randomness when managing flexibility.
Want to be a guest on the show? Email our host: lauren@compt.io.
For more on flexible lifestyle benefits, visit www.compt.io
What does Greek mythology have to do with HR? Everything, according to veteran people leader Kim Rohrer.
Join us as Kim shares her journey from theater to tech, reveals how improv principles transformed her leadership style, and explains why the skills that make great theater also make exceptional workplace cultures.
Learn why she named her newsletter "I Care Too Much" and discover the surprising connection between HR work and caregiving.
Whether you're in HR or just interested in more human-centered workplaces, this conversation offers insights you won't want to miss.
Want to be a guest on Getting Personal with Compt? Send our host an email at lauren@compt.io!
For more on lifestyle benefits that make workplaces more human, visit www.compt.io.
In this data-driven episode of Getting Personal, Lauren sits down with Compt's Head of Customer Success, Mary Mgiano, to unpack the latest findings from the annual Lifestyle Benefits Benchmark Report.
Mary shares fascinating insights on why small companies are outspending large corporations on benefits, how five generations in the workforce are driving the demand for personalization, and why caregiving support has surged by 300%. They explore the changing landscape of professional development, the decline of remote work stipends, and what's driving the impressive 85% utilization rate of lifestyle spending accounts.
Whether you're in HR planning your 2025 benefits strategy or just curious about workplace trends, this conversation offers valuable data points and practical examples of how companies are using flexible benefits to create more equitable, supportive workplaces.
Download the full Lifestyle Benefits Benchmark Report to explore all the data points discussed in this episode.
Want to be a guest on the show? Email our host at lauren@compt.io.
When Matthew Thomas's mentor put him in charge of safety operations - despite having no safety experience - it could have been a disaster. Instead, it sparked a 20-year career in talent development.
In this episode, Matthew shares why "promotion is optional, but growth is mandatory," how his own mentor shaped his approach to professional development, and why your "random" career experiences might be your biggest strength. If you've ever questioned your career path or wondered how to develop others' potential, this conversation is for you.
Want to be a guest on the show? Email our host, lauren@compt.io.
For more information on professional development, lifestyle benefits, and better ways to reward your people, visit www.compt.io.
After 20+ years in HR, Debra Corey learned the hard way that micromanaging benefits doesn't work. In this episode, she shares why true flexibility starts with three simple words: "We trust you." From her early days of being questioned about focus groups to revolutionizing well-being allowances, she discovered how giving employees a real choice transforms workplace culture. If you're tired of policing benefits and ready for a new approach in 2025, this conversation is for you.
Learn more about Compt at www.compt.io.
When an employee needed a month off to visit family in China, Paul Lavoie's response was simple: "How could I say no?"
As Connecticut's Chief Manufacturing Officer, Paul is transforming workplace culture by prioritizing human connection over rigid policies.
In this episode, he shares powerful stories about building loyalty through empathy, why "you set the weather" as a leader, and how small moments of genuine care can transform workplace culture.
From scheduling flexibility to creating truly supportive environments, discover how Paul's approach to seeing his people is revolutionizing manufacturing leadership one human interaction at a time.
Want to be a guest on the show? Email the host, lauren@compt.io.
"We're hard-skilling too close to the sun." In this episode, Learning & Development Strategist Molly Dennen joins host Lauren Schneider to challenge everything we think we know about professional development.
They discuss the broken system of traditional education, why chasing "unicorn" candidates is hurting organizations, and how L&D needs to evolve beyond technical checklists to embrace the whole human experience.
If you've ever felt your career path was too "messy" or your skills too "random," this conversation will make you think differently about your professional journey.
Want to be a guest on Getting Personal with Compt? Email lauren@compt.io
Mari Sifo, EVP & CHRO at Host Hotels, cuts through the HR jargon to share a refreshingly simple approach to employee benefits. In this candid conversation, Mari and Lauren dive into the art of personalizing benefits without losing your mind (or budget).
Discover why "What can we do?" might be the only question you need to revolutionize your benefits strategy. From unexpected survey results to the delicate balance of choice and overwhelm, Mari offers a master class in creating a human-centric workplace that doesn't require a PhD in rocket science.
Want to bring your fresh ideas to Getting Personal with Compt? Email lauren@compt.io and let's chat about making work a little more, well, personal.
EA Renee Viens has the secret sauce when it comes to communicating at various levels across an organization. While it's a skill that comes naturally to her, she has fantastic advice, tips, and tricks, for those who are working on their own communication skills in the workplace. We cover that and more in the first episode of Getting Personal with Compt in 2024!
Want to be a guest? Email lauren@compt.io
In a world where employee needs are as diverse as they are dynamic, understanding the human side of policy-making is more crucial than ever. Join us as Anna Corfey shares her personal journey and its impact on her approach to HR and benefits design.
🔹 What to Expect:
- Insightful discussions on the evolving landscape of employee benefits.
- Strategies for empathetic leadership and inclusive policy-making.
- Practical advice on scaling benefits to meet changing employee needs.
Want to be a guest on the podcast? Email lauren@compt.io
In this episode of Getting Personal with Compt, join host Lauren, the Head of Brand and Communications and special guest Sims Tillirson. As the Senior Vice president of Sales and Broker Partnerships at BLUE RAVEN Actuarial and a seasoned professional in employee benefits, education, communication, and enrollment, Sims brings a decade of expertise to the table.
This episode tackles the dynamic and evolving landscape of employee benefits, highlighting a few key insights from Compt's 2024 Lifestyle Benefits Benchmarking Report. Learn about the current trends, what employees really want versus what they're offered, and how companies and brokers can stay ahead in providing meaningful benefits without breaking the bank.
We also explore the concept of lifestyle spending accounts, the over-saturation of point solutions, and the impact of these trends on HR strategies and employee satisfaction.
Whether you're an HR professional, a business leader, or just interested in the future of workplace culture, this episode offers valuable insights and actionable advice.
Links:
Compt's 2024 Lifestyle Benefits Benchmarking Report: https://resources.compt.io/2024-lifestyle-benefit-benchmarking-report-0
Connect with Sims Tillirson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simstillirson/
Contact Us:
Want to share your insights or join us on the show? Email Lauren at lauren@compt.io or drop us a message on LinkedIn!
In this episode, Host Lauren Schneider, Head of Brand and Communications at Compt, and guest Ryan Johansen of Stress Less & Get More Done get raw and real. Ryan shares the pivotal experiences and insights that transformed his journey from overwhelming work stress to achieving a fulfilling balance of empowerment.
What to expect:
1. Journey to Empowerment
2. Rethinking Hyper-Productivity
3. Strategies for Managers
4. Preventative Measures in Today's Workplace
Want to be a guest on the show? Email lauren@compt.io
In this episode of 'Getting Personal with Compt,' host Lauren Schneider, Head of Brand and Communications at Compt, chats about the ROI of the employee experience with Andy Gauthier, founder of Mighty Startup.
Andy, an expert in the field with a background in accounting and co-founder of Bot Keeper, shares his insights on balancing budget constraints, the real cost of employee turnover, and strategies for effectively measuring the ROI of employee happiness.
This timely conversation is especially relevant as companies gear up for January 2024, grappling with tightening budgets and aiming for a more human-centric work environment. Tune in for actionable advice on how to prioritize people in the workplace and the impact of employee satisfaction on a company's bottom line.
📩 If you're interested in connecting with Andy or want to be a guest on our show, reach out at lauren@compt.io or visit mightystartup.com.
In this episode of "Getting Personal with Compt," we discuss the importance of addressing grief in the workplace. Founder of Grief at Work, Ari Simon, joins host Lauren Schneider to discuss why understanding and making space for grief can transform your workplace into a more compassionate and productive environment.
🌟 Highlights 🌟:
- Ari Simon's journey and mission with Grief at Work.
- The profound impact of grief on the workplace.
- The evolving conversation around grief in professional settings.
- Insights on the connection between grief and burnout.
- Practical tools and resources to create a supportive workplace.
- Building trust and fostering a compassionate workplace culture.
If you're an employer, HR professional, or simply interested in creating a more empathetic workplace, this conversation is a must-watch! Connect with Ari Simon and Grief at Work to learn how to make your workplace a space where employees can bring their whole selves.
🔗 Connect with Ari Simon:
Website: ari.fyi
LinkedIn: Ari Simon on LinkedIn
📩 For inquiries or to be a guest on "Getting Personal with Compt," email Lauren Schneider at lauren@compt.io.
