Good Morning, HR

In episode 250, Coffey talks with Justin Dorsey about recent HR-related new items including navigating politics, mental health, employees’ sometimes inflated compensation expectations, and the most in-demand HR skills. 
 
They discuss managing political conversations and ideological conflict in the workplace; balancing employee expression with productivity and respectful communication; how HR leaders can create psychologically safe but performance-focused cultures; generational differences in resilience, stress, and mental health expectations; the growing importance of employee assistance programs and mental health leave awareness; how poor sleep hygiene and digital overload impact employee productivity and wellbeing; handling difficult compensation conversations and unrealistic salary increase demands; avoiding emotional decision-making during employee relations conflicts; why culture fit should evolve into culture add during hiring decisions; the increasing demand for HR technology, people analytics, and change management expertise; how artificial intelligence is reshaping HR roles and workforce management; and the future convergence of HR leadership with operational leadership responsibilities. 
 
Media mentioned in this podcast:  
The End of “No Politics at Work” and What Comes Next 
Mental health leaves are rising. How can organizations reduce and better manage leaves? | Idaho Statesman 
The 2026 Workplace Mental Health Annual Report | Spring Health 
Employee demands a near 50% raise : r/managers 
HR Career Outlook 2026: Is Your HR Career Future-Proof? - AIHR 
 
For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP250 
 
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.  
 
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.  
 
About our Guest: 
 
Justin brings a background of psychology and sociology into the world of HR. He is currently a fractional HR consultant for the Texas HR Team where he provides strategic HR support for small businesses and nonprofit organizations. 
 
With extensive experience in a variety of industries, including retail, healthcare, distribution, and engineering, His expertise includes employee relations, talent acquisition, training, compensation, benefits, and employee engagement. He holds both a Senior Professional and Global Professional certification in Human Resources. 
 
Outside of work, Justin is a dedicated volunteer at his church and other community organizations including Junior Achievement and F3. He’s a past president of Fort Worth HR and was recognized by the Fort Worth Business Press in their Top 40 Under 40 program. More importantly, he’s a husband of 1 and father of 2. Don’t get him started talking about chickens or Texas Tech sports. 
 
Justin Dorsey can be reached at 
[email protected] 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/justin-dorsey-sphr 
 
About Mike Coffey: 
 
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. 
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. 
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. 
Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  
Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. 
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.  
Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. 
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. 
Mike and his very patient wife of 29 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.  
 
Learning Objectives: 

Evaluate strategies for managing political and social discourse in the workplace while maintaining productivity and respect. 
Identify practical ways HR leaders can support employee mental health without overstepping into clinical or therapeutic roles. 
Apply effective approaches for handling compensation disputes, employee dissatisfaction, and retention conversations. 
Understand how AI, HR analytics, and technology fluency are reshaping future HR career paths.

In episode 249, Coffey talks with Jenay Huey about how growing businesses should approach HR strategy, outsourcing, and internal capability building. 
 
They discuss why small businesses delay investing in HR until problems arise; misconceptions about HR as a cost center versus strategic function; differences between transactional HR tasks and long-term workforce strategy; when to hire in-house HR based on employee count and complexity; how to evaluate HR consultants and service level agreements; the role of benefits brokers, attorneys, and HRIS platforms; pros and cons of outsourcing HR functions and PEO arrangements; selecting and scaling HR technology systems effectively; building internal HR talent pipelines and succession planning; importance of business acumen and aligning HR initiatives with financial outcomes. 
 
For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP249 
 
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.  
 
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.  
 
About our Guest: 
 
Jenay Huey, SHRM-SCP, PHR, is the President of Dunedin HR Solutions LLC and a seasoned Human Resources strategist dedicated to "putting the human back in HR." With a career built on helping organizations and employees, Jenay serves as a fractional CHRO, aligning HR policies with business vision to drive net income and team engagement. She is dedicated to serving small and medium size organizations.  
 
She believes that all organizations deserve access to an HR professional that understands their organization, scales solutions to their size and culture and undertsands the employment compliance landscape.  
 
Jenay has over 20 years of experience in HR and people operations. She has worked with organizations from small family run businesses to organizations with over 7000 employees. She received her B.A.Sc from the University of South Florida, holds several certifications including her SHRM-SCP and PHR from HRCI. 
 
Jenay Huey can be reached at 
 
https://www.dunedinhrsolutionsllc.com 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenay-huey 
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094367457078  
https://www.instagram.com/dunedin_hr_solutions_llc 
 
About Mike Coffey: 
 
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. 
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. 
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. 
Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  
Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. 
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.  
Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. 
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. 
Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.  
Learning Objectives: 
Identify when a growing company should invest in HR support or leadership 
Evaluate external HR resources, consultants, and PEOs effectively 
Design a scalable HR strategy that aligns with business growth and profitability

In episode 248, Coffey talks with Damon Thompson about how student loan debt impacts employees and how employers can help reduce that burden through benefits programs and federal subsidies. 
 
They discuss the history and evolution of federal student loan programs before and after the Affordable Care Act; rising college costs and lack of borrowing caps driving massive student debt growth; financial stress and productivity loss caused by high monthly loan payments; how income-driven repayment and federal subsidy programs reduce employee loan obligations; employer-sponsored student loan repayment benefits under Section 127 tax advantages; complexities and low success rates navigating Department of Education programs independently; public service loan forgiveness eligibility and long-term debt elimination strategies; how personal circumstances influence repayment calculations beyond income alone; the role of third-party services in optimizing loan subsidies and compliance; and the connection between student debt, employee retention, and delayed life milestones. 
 
For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP248 
 
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.  
 
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.  
 
About our Guest: 
 
After graduating from Austin College (Sherman Texas) in 1979 Damon immediately began his career working directly with the owners of closely held businesses and their H.R. teams.  
 
Understanding the needs of both the employer and the employee he knows that not all employee benefits are “insurance” benefits needing employer funding.  
 
Being familiar with Comprehensive Major Medical, Workers Compensation as well as Administration systems & software has allowed him to develop unique solutions for owners of those closely held companies and their HR teams.  
 
This has also led to many speaking engagements in organizations such as Texas A&M Graduate School of Business, Work with Texas Legislators & Attorney General, Private Equity Association Convention (PEG-aplooza), and Numerous Chambers of Commerce across Texas. 
 
Damon Thompson can be reached at https://www.finnita.com/ 
 
About Mike Coffey: 
 
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. 
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. 
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. 
Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  
Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. 
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.  
Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. 
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. 

Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.  

Learning Objectives: 
Understand how federal student loan programs evolved and why debt has increased significantly 
Identify the impact of student loan debt on employee productivity, retention, and financial wellbeing 
Evaluate employer strategies, including tax-advantaged benefits, to help employees manage student loans

In episode 247, Coffey talks with Michelle Sims about building skills-first hiring pipelines and expanding apprenticeship models to address the early-career experience gap in the age of AI. 
 
They discuss redefining entry-level work as automation reshapes junior roles; bridging the experience gap through apprenticeships and workforce development programs; expanding access for non-degree and nontraditional talent into corporate careers; differences between internships and apprenticeships in structure, pay, and outcomes; integrating mentorship, wraparound support, and structured training into early career pathways; challenges of adopting skills-first hiring and replacing degree-based proxies; designing fair and effective hiring assessments including project-based evaluations; measuring apprenticeship success through retention, productivity, and skill progression; the role of AI in shifting demand toward mid-career talent with technical experience; building inclusive hiring pipelines that expand access to underrepresented groups; and public policy efforts to scale apprenticeships and workforce development nationwide. 
 
For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP247 
 
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.  
 
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.  
 
About our Guest: 
 
Michelle Sims is the CEO of YUPRO Placement, a skills-first placement firm advancing economic mobility for talent traditionally overlooked by the hiring system. She partners with corporate leaders to replace outdated practices with performance-driven, retention-ready workforce solutions. 
 
A multi-year Staffing Industry Analyst Global Power 150 Women in Staffing honoree, Michelle serves on the American Staffing Association Women in Leadership Council and is a board member of the Harvard Kennedy School Women and Public Policy Program. Under her leadership, YUPRO Placement has earned industry-wide recognition for innovation, equity, and upskilling programs. 
 
Michelle is a regular Forbes contributor and a respected voice in workforce strategy, advocating for inclusive, skills-first hiring that meets today’s talent demands and builds tomorrow’s teams. 
 
Before joining YUPRO Placement, Michelle held senior executive roles across multiple industries and taught human resources and leadership development as an adjunct professor for 17 years. She holds a BBA from Texas A&M University and an MBA from Houston Christian University. 
 
Michelle Sims can be reached at: 
www.yupro.com 
https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellesims- 
 
About Mike Coffey: 
 
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. 
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. 
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. 
Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  
Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. 
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.  
Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. 
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. 

Mike and his very patient wife of 28 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.  
Learning Objectives: 
Understand how AI is reshaping entry-level roles and talent pipelines 
Evaluate the structure and benefits of apprenticeships versus internships 
Design skills-first hiring processes that prioritize competencies over credentials

In episode 246, Coffey talks with Kelly Price about building effective people strategy in small and medium-sized businesses. 
 
They discuss why small businesses often treat HR as administrative rather than strategic; hidden financial costs of poor hiring and turnover; aligning people strategy with business goals and growth plans; improving recruiting processes beyond staffing agencies; designing structured onboarding and performance management systems; adapting to rapid change including AI and post-COVID workplace shifts; generational differences in workplace expectations and engagement; balancing flexibility with accountability in modern work environments; leveraging institutional knowledge from long-tenured employees; identifying when to bring in HR consultants and how audits drive strategic alignment; developing leadership capabilities as organizations scale beyond founder control. 
 
For HR teams who discuss this podcast in their team meetings, we've created a discussion starter PDF to help guide your conversation. Download it here https://goodmorninghr.com/EP### 
 
Good Morning, HR is brought to you by Imperative—Bulletproof Background Checks. For more information about our commitment to quality and excellent customer service, visit us at https://imperativeinfo.com.  
 
If you are an HRCI or SHRM-certified professional, this episode of Good Morning, HR has been pre-approved for half a recertification credit. To obtain the recertification information for this episode, visit https://goodmorninghr.com.  
 
About our Guest: 
 
Kelly Price is a dynamic leader and the passionate founder of ThriveHR. Kelly's career is a testament to her dedication and love for helping others, beginning with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management from Kansas State University. 
 
Her professional journey started at Marriott International. It was here where she mastered the art of creating memorable experiences, igniting her passion for positively impacting people's lives, a core value she carries into her HR career. 
 
Kelly's enriching path in Human Resources started as a recruiter. She found joy in helping individuals secure jobs and the ability to impact their lives and families. Climbing the corporate ladder, Kelly served in various critical roles, including Benefit Manager, Director of HR, and VP of HR. In these positions, she played a crucial role in reducing turnover, enhancing employee satisfaction, and reshaping people and HR strategies. 
 
As a small business owner, Kelly now leverages her extensive experience to help other businesses excel through smart people decisions. With her energy and positivity, she ensures that every client interaction is impactful and meaningful. 
 
Kelly Price can be reached at 
www.thrivehrkc.com 
www.linkedin.com/in/kellypricethrivehr  
 
About Mike Coffey: 
 
Mike Coffey is an entrepreneur, licensed private investigator, business strategist, HR consultant, and registered yoga teacher. 
In 1999, he founded Imperative, a background investigations and due diligence firm helping risk-averse clients make well-informed decisions about the people they involve in their business. 
Imperative delivers in-depth employment background investigations, know-your-customer and anti-money laundering compliance, and due diligence investigations to more than 300 risk-averse corporate clients across the US, and, through its PFC Caregiver & Household Screening brand, many more private estates, family offices, and personal service agencies. 
Imperative has been named a Best Places to Work, the Texas Association of Business’ small business of the year, and is accredited by the Professional Background Screening Association.  
Mike shares his insight from 25+ years of HR-entrepreneurship on the Good Morning, HR podcast, where each week he talks to business leaders about bringing people together to create value for customers, shareholders, and community. 
Mike has been recognized as an Entrepreneur of Excellence by FW, Inc. and has twice been recognized as the North Texas HR Professional of the Year.  
Mike serves as a board member of a number of organizations, including the Texas State Council, where he serves Texas’ 31 SHRM chapters as State Director-Elect; Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County; the Texas Association of Business; and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, where he is chair of the Talent Committee. 
Mike is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) through the HR Certification Institute and a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). He is also a Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher (RYT-200) and teaches multiple times each week. 
Mike and his very patient wife of 29 years are empty nesters in Fort Worth.  
Learning Objectives: 
 
Understand the business impact of treating HR as a strategic function rather than administrative. 
Identify practical ways to improve hiring, onboarding, and retention in growing organizations. 
Apply people strategy principles to adapt to workforce, generational, and technological changes.