Best Lori Mihalich Levin Podcasts (2025)

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231. Before You Fire Them: Try This First with Brice Jagger 16:02

1d ago16:02

16:02

What if the person you’re about to fire isn’t the problem… it’s the role they’re in? In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, Jackie Koch talks with Brice Jaggars, bestselling author of Two Fish in the Tree, about how role alignment and soft skills play a huge role in team performance. Brice shares practical tips for figuring out if someone is in …

1
230. Great Hires Don’t Come From Job Boards and What to Do Instead 21:33

8d ago21:33

21:33

If you’re still relying on job boards to hire your next great employee, this episode is your wake-up call. I break down why “post and pray” is no longer an effective hiring strategy especially if you’re trying to land top-tier talent. Instead, you’ll learn the three proactive methods recruiting teams use every day to find the right people (and how …

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229. Compressed Workweeks, Culture by Design, and Coaching Your Team Through AI Adoption — with Art Shectman 33:01

15d ago33:01

33:01

In this episode I’m joined by Art Shectman, founder and CEO of Elephant Ventures, a global innovation firm helping companies unlock the full potential of AI transformation. But we don’t just talk tech: we dive into the human side of building and leading a business. Art shares how he intentionally designed a company culture built on dependability, p…

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228. Startup Life Is a Rollercoaster: Real Talk from Startup CEO David Metz 24:55

22d ago24:55

24:55

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I’m joined by David Metz, CEO and founder of PrizeOut, a startup that helps credit unions and gaming platforms reward their users with high-value digital gift cards. David shares how he scaled his company from his couch to over 50 employees, what he’s learned about leadership, hiring, and culture along the …

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227. How to Run Effective One-on-Ones That Actually Improve Performance 16:02

29d ago16:02

16:02

Are 1:1s a waste of time? Not if you’re leading a growing team. In this episode host Jackie Koch challenges the rising trend of skipping one-on-one meetings and explains why most leaders can’t afford to follow that advice. You’ll learn what great 1:1s actually look like, how they improve trust, performance, and retention, and how to run them withou…

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226. How Defining Core Values Created 90% Fewer of People Problems with Kristian Ranta 28:07

1M ago28:07

28:07

What if you could eliminate the vast majority of your people problems, before they even start? In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Kristian Ranta, CEO and co-founder of Meru Health, a Y Combinator-backed mental health startup, to explore how defining company values from day one helped him build a thriving team culture that act…

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225. The Cost of Experience: Is It Worth Paying More for a Senior Hire? 19:36

2M ago19:36

19:36

You thought paying top dollar would take something off your plate, but here you are... staring at the payroll report wondering why things aren’t moving faster. In this episode, we’re breaking down a common leadership dilemma: should you hire someone with experience who can (theoretically) hit the ground running or bring in someone with potential an…

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224. Why Managing People Is the Hardest Part of Building a Business with Rob Kaczmark 24:05

2M ago24:05

24:05

How do you go from sleeping in your office to leading a team of 30+ creatives—and still make payroll every two weeks without fail? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Kaczmark, founder and CEO of Spirit Juice Studios, an Emmy award-winning video production house, to unpack what it really takes to grow a sustainable, values-driven business. Rob get…

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223. Do I Need a Parental Leave Policy If I Have a Small Team? 15:21

2M ago15:21

15:21

What happens when an employee tells you they’re expecting—and you don’t have a leave policy in place? Cue the panic. In this episode, we’re breaking down everything you need to know to confidently respond and support your team when it’s time for parental leave. We’ll get into the basics of what’s legally required (spoiler: not much at the federal l…

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222. What to Do When an Employee Has a Baby: A Guide for Managers with Lori Mihalich-Levin 29:59

2M ago29:59

29:59

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Lori Mihalich-Levin, healthcare attorney and founder of Mindful Return, to unpack one of the most emotionally charged and operationally challenging moments for managers: when an employee becomes a parent. We break down the real reason why one in three women don’t return to work after materni…

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221: The Worst Ways to Manage Underperforming Employees (and How to Fix Them) 18:22

3M ago18:22

18:22

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, Jackie Koch chats about one of the most common and challenging issues in leadership: handling underperforming employees. As a boss, it’s tempting to make subtle changes—like cutting hours, posting a new job, or quietly giving tasks to other team members—hoping the problem will resolve itself. Spoiler: It do…

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220. Can ChatGPT Write Your Employee Handbook? Why It’s Risky with Bryan Driscoll 22:01

3M ago22:01

22:01

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, Jackie Koch dives into the complexities of using AI in HR practices with Bryan Driscoll, a former employment attorney turned HR consultant. With AI tools like ChatGPT becoming increasingly popular for tasks like writing employee handbooks and screening job applicants, it’s crucial to understand where AI can…

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219: Why a 90-Day Probation Might Not Be Doing What You Think It Is 13:29

3M ago13:29

13:29

Still using a 90-day probationary period to “test out” new hires? It might be doing more harm than good. In this solo episode, Jackie Koch breaks down why the traditional probationary period is outdated, misleading, and potentially risky for your business. You’ll learn what 90-day periods really signal to your new team members (hint: it’s not trust…

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218: How Profit Sharing Transformed My Team and Doubled Profits with Robert Gallaher 27:59

3M ago27:59

27:59

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Robert Gallaher—entrepreneur, CEO, and author of Profit Sharing: The Power of Shared Success—to dive deep into how profit sharing can revolutionize your company’s culture, profits, and employee engagement. Robert shares the journey of how he went from an overworked business owner to building…

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217. The Small Business Guide to Setting Salaries and Avoiding Pay Drama 29:40

4M ago29:40

29:40

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, Jackie Koch tackles one of the biggest challenges for business owners: how to determine what to pay employees. From understanding market rates to building a compensation structure that aligns with your business goals, Jackie walks you through a practical framework that balances what your company can afford …

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216. Turning Field Leaders into People Leaders 26:00

4M ago26:00

26:00

Most business owners think hiring the right people is the key to success. But even the best team members will fail or leave under bad leadership. In this episode, we’re tackling the crucial yet often overlooked challenge: how to turn field leaders into strong people leaders. My guest, Ryan Englin, has spent years helping business owners in the trad…

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215 - How to Build a Culture of Accountability in 30 Days 22:31

4M ago22:31

22:31

Do you feel like you’re constantly following up, checking in, and reminding your team to do what they’re already supposed to be doing? You don’t have a team problem—you have an accountability problem. And the good news? You can fix it in the next 30 days without micromanaging. In this episode, I walk you through a five-step framework to build a cul…

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214. How To Fire Someone Without Feeling Like The Bad Guy 17:36

4M ago17:36

17:36

Are you avoiding firing an underperforming employee because you feel like the bad guy? What if I told you that avoiding it is actually the bigger leadership failure? In this episode, I break down exactly how to handle terminations with clarity, confidence, and respect—so both you and the employee can walk away feeling like the process was handled t…

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213. The Outdated Hiring Practices You Need to Ditch Today 23:07

4M ago23:07

23:07

🚀 Stop making it harder to hire top talent! If your hiring process is filled with long applications, multiple hoops, and unnecessary steps, you might be pushing away the very candidates you want. In this episode, I break down why traditional hiring practices are failing you and what you should be doing instead. You’ll learn: Why lengthy application…

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212. A Simple Tool to Help Your Team Thru Change with Tiffany Castagno 23:09

5M ago23:09

23:09

Have you ever rolled out a new process, reporting structure, or software and realized it didn’t go as planned—even though you thought you were crystal clear? In this episode, I sit down with Tiffany Castango, an HR consultant specializing in change management and leadership development, to discuss how leaders can implement change smoothly and avoid…

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211. Hiring + HR Essentials for Startups and Small Businesses 13:34

5M ago13:34

13:34

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, Jackie Koch breaks down the top HR and hiring essentials every startup and small business needs to succeed. From compliance must-haves to crafting the perfect hiring process, Jackie shares a step-by-step guide to set your team up for long-term success. Whether you’re just starting out or scaling up, these p…

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210. How to Manage Difficult Personalities with Hywel Berry 32:15

5M ago32:15

32:15

What if the very people you think are holding your team back—the cynics, challengers, and so-called problem children—are actually the key to unlocking your team’s potential? In this episode Jackie Koch sits down with dynamic keynote speaker and corporate trainer Hywel Berry to explore how to harness dissent and resistance for team growth and innova…

1
209. How to Get More Honest Feedback From Your Team 19:29

5M ago19:29

19:29

If you’ve ever struggled with asking for or receiving feedback, you’re not alone. In this episode I discuss the challenges and strategies of building a culture of feedback. From my own leadership lessons to actionable steps for fostering authentic input, I share why feedback is the cornerstone of great leadership and team success. What You’ll Learn…

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208. Why Hardwiring is The Key To Hiring with Jason Carroll 36:11

6M ago36:11

36:11

In this episode of World’s Greatest Boss, I sit down with Jason P. Carroll, founder and CEO of Aptive Index, to explore how data-driven insights and psychometric assessments can revolutionize hiring and leadership. Jason shares his expertise in scaling businesses, fostering resilient teams, and aligning leadership capabilities with organizational g…

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207. How To Navigate Pay Raises with Fairness and Confidence 18:07

6M ago18:07

18:07

In this episode, we’re tackling one of the toughest yet most important topics in leadership: pay raises. I’ll walk you through why transparency in salary discussions is essential for building trust and loyalty within your team. Together, we’ll explore how to set a cadence for those compensation conversations so they’re consistent and fair, and I’ll…

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206. Retirement Plans Made Simple: A Guide for Small Business Owners with Jon Fritzinger 37:29

6M ago37:29

37:29

I’m thrilled to sit down with Jon Fritzinger, an expert in retirement benefits, to unpack everything business leaders need to know about providing these crucial perks to their teams. Jon starts off by explaining why offering retirement benefits is more than just a great perk—it’s a powerful tool for attracting and retaining top talent and supportin…

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205. Your Ultimate Guide to a Smooth Year-End Compliance Check 12:30

6M ago12:30

12:30

It’s that time of year again—time to wrap up the loose ends and dive into your HR year-end checklist! In this episode, I’m breaking down the importance of a year-end HR checklist and how it’s the ultimate tool for starting the new year on the right foot. I’ll guide you through the checklist that ensures nothing slips through the cracks. We’ll talk …

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204. How to Conduct Impactful Meetings with Mamie Kanfer Stewart 38:28

7M ago38:28

38:28

Mamie Kanfer Stewart is an expert in effective meetings and people management. We dive into why well-structured meetings are a game-changer for team productivity and organizational success. Mamie shares insights on how to design meetings with purpose, avoid common pitfalls, and navigate the challenges of keeping everyone on track. We explore differ…

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203. Your Holiday Bonus Blueprint: Foster Employee Motivation and Satisfaction 13:51

7M ago13:51

13:51

Holiday bonuses shouldn’t be a last-minute decision, they play a huge role in fostering team morale and loyalty. From the challenges of giving holiday bonuses to their financial impact and the importance of fairness, we’re breaking down how to approach this delicate subject with intentionality. We dive into effective bonus strategies, services avai…

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202. The Chief of Staff Role with Clara Ma 31:54

7M ago31:54

31:54

Get ready to dive deep into the often misunderstood role of a Chief of Staff. Clara expertly debunks common myths surrounding this pivotal position, clarifying how it can significantly elevate your business operations. We explore how to determine if your organization truly needs a Chief of Staff and the key indicators that signal it might be time t…

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201. It's Not Always Bad to Give an Employee Notice Before Firing Them, Here's How 17:56

7M ago17:56

17:56

No more headaches with trying to manage your global workforce, compliantly hire and pay employees with Deel https://bit.ly/4dSWQXD In this episode, we're diving into one of the trickiest moments a leader can face—employee notice. I start by sharing a personal experience on navigating the process of letting an employee go and why implementing a tran…

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200. Flip It and Reverse It: Simplify Your Goal-Setting Strategy with Amanda McKinney 45:50

8M ago45:50

45:50

No more headaches with trying to manage your global workforce, compliantly hire and pay employees with Deel https://bit.ly/4dSWQXD I'm joined by Amanda McKinney, a goal-setting expert who's here to flip everything you know about setting and reaching your goals. Amanda takes us through her journey to mastering effective goal setting, starting with t…

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199. 6 Proven Interview Steps to Help You Hire the Right People 25:04

8M ago25:04

25:04

No more headaches with trying to manage your global workforce, compliantly hire and pay employees with Deel https://bit.ly/4dSWQXD Did you know that a bad hire can cost up to 30% of their first-year earnings? It’s true, and that’s why I’m here to help you avoid costly mistakes by improving your interviewing game. I’ll walk you through why good inte…

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198. Executive Assistants: How to Effectively Hire and Onboard Yours to Lighten Your Load with Michelle Penczak 29:07

8M ago29:07

29:07

No more headaches with trying to manage your global workforce, compliantly hire and pay employees with Deel https://bit.ly/4dSWQXD If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by your to-do list or struggled with effective delegation, you’re not alone, and this conversation is just for you! Today, I have the pleasure of chatting with Michelle Penczak, an expert…

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197. 3 Reasons You're Hiring the Wrong People 12:35

8M ago12:35

12:35

These hiring mistakes are common among many managers, but the good news is that you can easily fix them! We’ll explore the importance of crafting clear job descriptions that attract the right talent. We also touch on making sure you’re not just listing skills but clearly communicating the role's impact on your organization. Identifying the necessar…

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196. Hot Take: People DO Want to Work. Unlocking the Secrets to Employee Engagement and Retention with Eliana Goldstein 34:33

8M ago34:33

34:33

Seasoned career coach, Eliana Goldstein joins me to tackle some of the most pressing issues in today's job market. We kick things off by debunking the pervasive myth that "nobody wants to work anymore," while exploring the real factors behind workforce trends. Eliana sheds light on the often misunderstood role of career coaching, explaining how it …

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195. Master These 3 Habits to Transform Your Leadership 15:53

9M ago15:53

15:53

What's the real cost of leadership and how can you navigate it effectively? Leadership isn't just about holding a title—it's about cultivating habits that drive success and growth for your team. Today, I'm breaking down three essential habits every great boss needs to master. I share the power of setting clear expectations, having consistent one-on…

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194. Effective Real-Time Performance Management with Alan Paulin 35:23

9M ago35:23

35:23

Today I welcome Alan Paulin, the brilliant CEO of Flint, to talk all things feedback, team management, and performance reviews. We start by tackling the big one: why are annual reviews such a pain? Alan’s got some strong opinions on this and shares why moving away from that outdated system can help teams hit their goals in a more aligned and effici…

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193. The 6 C's Framework for Onboarding Success 16:21

9M ago16:21

16:21

What exactly does onboarding mean, and why should you care? It’s not just about showing a new hire where the coffee machine is; it’s about setting the foundation for their success and your company’s growth. I’ll break down the undeniable benefits of effective onboarding and how it can be a game-changer for your business. I’m introducing you to the …

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192. The New Hire Onboarding that Will Improve Retention & Performance with Adrienne Dorison 45:06

9M ago45:06

45:06

No more headaches with managing your leave process. Head over to https://bit.ly/4e3NBon to learn more and get up to a fifty percent implementation fee discount. If you're someone who expects to hire A+ players into your business, you cannot give them a D- onboarding experience! I'm thrilled to have Adrienne Dorison join us for an inspiring conversa…

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191. How Will Pay Transparency Affect Your Business? 18:01

10M ago18:01

18:01

No more headaches with managing your leave process. Head over to https://bit.ly/4e3NBon to learn more and get up to a fifty percent implementation fee discount. Pay transparency is reshaping workplaces everywhere. We kick things off with an introduction to what pay transparency is all about and why it’s more important than ever. I break down the co…

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190. How to Create a Culture of Excellence with Kyle McDowell 42:35

10M ago42:35

42:35

No more headaches with managing your leave process. Head over to https://bit.ly/4e3NBon to learn more and get up to a fifty percent implementation fee discount. Wouldn't it be amazing to be able to download somebody's playbook for creating company culture and just follow it? Today we're diving into the world of company culture with none other than …

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189. Converting Contractors to Employees the Right Way 11:37

10M ago11:37

11:37

No more headaches with managing your leave process. Head over to https://bit.ly/4e3NBon to learn more and get up to a fifty percent implementation fee discount. In this episode, we're diving deep into the crucial aspects of employee management to help you navigate the complexities of HR like a pro. I'll start by breaking down the differences betwee…

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188. Effective Time and Team Management for Service Based Businesses with Jordan Schanda King 36:07

10M ago36:07

36:07

I'm excited to bring you an inspiring conversation with Jordan Schanda King, a master of team operations. Jordan’s journey from a solo entrepreneur to building a successful team is nothing short of remarkable. She opens up about the six core areas crucial for business success, emphasizing the vital role of the business owner in driving growth and e…

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187. Underperforming Team Members? Don't Fire Them Without This Documentation 20:46

11M ago20:46

20:46

This week, we're tackling a crucial topic: required documents when you have employees. It might sound dry, but trust me, this is the stuff that can save your business from a world of headaches! I'll be sharing the best practices for creating and maintaining employment documents, so you can stay compliant and protect your company. We'll also dive in…

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186. When to Hire a Sales Team and How to Keep Them Motivated with Scott Leese 33:40

11M ago33:40

33:40

Ever wondered when the perfect time to hire a sales role is? Scott Leese has got you covered with invaluable advice that could be the turning point for your business. As a business owner, mastering the art of sales is crucial, and Scott explains why learning sales should be at the top of your priority list. We uncover the must-have qualities of a s…

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185. How to Manage and Document Performance Issues 16:03

11M ago16:03

16:03

Today we're tackling a topic every leader faces at some point: performance issues. I'll start by sharing a real-life example of a leadership dilemma that's all too common, setting the stage for our deep dive. Together, we'll unpack the key questions you need to address performance concerns head-on. I'll also share my go-to methods for documenting p…

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184. If You Aren't Supporting Your Team's Financial Wellness, You Should Be with Mel Abraham 35:01

11M ago35:01

35:01

In this episode, we dive deep into the importance of financial wellbeing, featuring insights from our special guest, Mel Abraham. Mel is not just a financial expert; he’s an accomplished entrepreneur with a rich journey transitioning from the corporate world to building his own empire. We explore his transformative leadership lessons and Mel shares…

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183. Mapping Out the Perfect Interview Process for Hiring Success 25:34

11M ago25:34

25:34

If you’re tired of bad hires and chaotic recruitment processes, this episode is for you! We're diving into the world of structured hiring. We're kicking things off by addressing those bad hiring habits we all need to ditch. Then, I'll walk you through creating a structured hiring process that brings consistency and fairness to your team. We’ll chat…

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182. How to Build Effective People Processes in Any Business with Kristina Bartold 31:57

12M ago31:57

31:57

Kristina Bartold joins us today to reveal the secrets behind building robust people processes in small businesses, stressing the crucial role of clear communication and continuous self-reflection in effective leadership. We explore the intricacies of managing team dynamics and setting realistic expectations, especially in today’s landscape of remot…

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Lori Mihalich Levin Podcasts

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