75,000+ podcast views across platforms
1,300+ hours of leadership conversations consumed
A growing audience of leaders, operators, and business owners
75,000+ podcast views across platforms 1,300+ hours of leadership conversations consumed A growing audience of leaders, operators, and business owners
Leadership Isn’t Clean. It’s Chaotic.
Don’t Waste the Chaos is where real leaders talk about the moments that tested them—and what it actually takes to lead through them.
Hosted by Kerri Roberts, this podcast blends business, leadership, faith, and real-world experience—without the polished answers or corporate scripts.
Real Conversations. Real Growth.
Each week, I sit down with leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts to talk about:
the pressure no one talks about
the decisions that shape teams and businesses
what actually works when things get messy
These aren’t highlight reels. They’re the conversations leaders actually need.
Start Here: Most-Listened Episodes
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EP 148: 1099 vs W-2 - How to Tell If Your Contractor Is Really an Employee | HR Law Without an Attorney
Calling someone a 1099 contractor doesn’t make them one. Here’s how the IRS, DOL, and states decide, and what a mistake costs.
EP 147: Salary Range on Job Postings - What the Law Requires in 2026 | HR Compliance Series Ep. 2
Do you have to post the salary range? It depends on where the job can be worked, not where you sit. Here’s what the law requires in 2026 and the smarter move.
EP 146: HR Compliance Checklist - The 6-Question Self-Check | HR Compliance Series Ep1
Are you actually compliant? Run this six-question HR compliance self-check and find your gaps before the Department of Labor does.
EP 133: HR Systems & Tech - The Audit, The Stack, The SOPs | HR Systems Series Finale
Your HR tech is only as good as the process behind it. In the series finale, Kerri breaks down the HR tech audit, what you need at each stage, and the 5 SOPs every small business must document.
EP 129: The HR Metrics Every Small Business Should Track | HR Systems Series
How many people left your business last year - and when? If you can't answer that, you're guessing. Here are the five categories of HR metrics every small business should track, and what the numbers are telling you to do.
EP 128: Small Business Benefits That Actually Compete for Talent | HR Systems Series
You’re not failing your employees because you can’t offer the big package. Here are the five categories of benefits, and the low-cost perks that actually keep good people.
EP 127: The 5 Root Causes of Underperformance (And How to Fix Each One) | HR Systems Series Ep. 7
If your team feels confused or resentful, it's not a motivation problem - it's an expectations problem. Here's how to diagnose and fix underperformance.
EP 126: How to Handle Employee Leave Without Getting Sued (FMLA, ADA & Bereavement Explained)
One employee asks for time off and you say yes. Another asks three weeks later and you say no. That's how discrimination claims start — and most owners don't see it coming.
Episode 125: Salary Doesn’t Mean What You Think It Means
I’ve never seen a company get this completely right in 20 years. Episode 5 of the 13 HR Foundations series breaks down the federal exemption test most owners don’t know exists — and the three audit questions that could save you a six-figure mistake.
Episode 124: Employee Handbooks & HR Policies — The Rules of the House
"We don't have a policy for that" isn't a defense — it's just irresponsibility. Here are the 5 required and 5 strongly recommended policies every employee handbook needs, plus the acknowledgment workflow that turns the document into real protection.
EP 121: The 13 HR Systems Every Small Business Needs - Start Here | HR Systems Series Ep. 1
HR isn't a department — it's a responsibility. This is the series launch for the 13 HR Systems framework, starting where every business should start: employer responsibility and HR mindset.
EP 120: How to Have a Performance Conversation With an Employee (Step by Step)
The exact 5-step framework for having the performance conversation you've been avoiding — what to say, how to say it, and what to do when it goes sideways.
EP 119: 5 Signs Your HR Is Already Broken (And You Don't Know It Yet)
Most owners don't realize their HR is broken until someone quits, sues, or the DOL comes knocking. Here are the 5 signs — and three fixes under $400.
EP 99: Pay Transparency Explained: Salary Bands, Equity & Trust
If you’re nervous to share salary ranges, the issue isn’t your people - it’s your structure. This post walks through how to use data, salary bands, and clear communication to build a transparent compensation strategy that increases trust, fairness, and retention - without blowing up your budget overnight.
EP 98: Why HR Is Failing Small Businesses (And How to Fix It in 90 Days)
Small business HR isn’t optional. Turnover, disengaged managers, and compliance gaps are costing you real money. Here’s a 90-day plan to fix it.
EP 89: Why I Say No to DEI Programs (and What HR Should Do Instead)
Learn why Kerri Roberts believes formal DEI programs aren’t necessary—and how compliant, consistent, compassionate HR can create truly inclusive workplaces.
Episode 63: Essential Employee Benefits for 2025
In this episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts sits down with Jesse Sitze, a strategic benefits advisor at Caravus, to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing business owners and HR leaders today: employee benefits. With nearly 13 years of experience, Jesse specializes in crafting strategic and cost-effective benefit solutions that mix traditional coverage with innovative non-insurance options.
Episode 62: Better Employee Benefits on a Budget
In this episode, Kerri Roberts, a 20+ year HR Pro, dives into the growing emphasis on holistic employee wellness—encompassing mental, physical, and financial well-being. Employee wellness isn’t just a perk; it’s a strategy for better retention, higher engagement, and stronger performance.
Episode 53: The HR Myths Holding Your Business Back
Tara Parris, Fractional CHRO at Salt & Light Advisors, joins Don’t Waste the Chaos to challenge outdated HR stereotypes and share actionable insights. Discover how HR can be a strategic business partner, balance employee advocacy with business goals, and stay passionate in an emotionally demanding field. Whether you're an HR professional or a business leader, this episode is packed with inspiration and practical advice to transform your perspective on HR.