A top-rated HR + leadership podcast with 80%+ listener retention.
A top-rated HR + leadership podcast with 80%+ listener retention.
Hosted by Kerri M. Roberts - HR consultant, leadership coach, and straight-talk strategist helping you lead with clarity in business and life.
New episodes weekly. Listen on Apple, Spotify, and YouTube.
Real Conversations. Real Growth.
Leadership isn’t clean - it’s chaotic, complex, and deeply human.
Each week, I sit down with entrepreneurs, executives, and experts to talk about the moments that tested them most - and what they learned from the mess.
You’ll hear candid stories, practical strategies, and the kind of conversations that make you rethink how you lead, work, and live.
Kerri’s Most-Streamed Episodes
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Don’t Waste the Chaos was built on the belief that our hardest seasons can become our greatest teachers.
We feature bold leaders, HR pros, and entrepreneurs who bring raw, real stories of:
Leadership & business growth
Resilience, rebuilding, and clarity
Faith, purpose, and meaning
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First looks at Kerri’s books, retreats, and events
Weekly tips for business + life
Explore the Archive:
- All Episodes 88
- Burnout 1
- Career Transition 1
- Culture 4
- Culture & Accountability 1
- Culture & Performance 1
- DEI 1
- Engagement 1
- Entrepreneur 1
- Entrepreneurship 2
- Executive Advisory 1
- Executive Leadership 4
- Executive Strategy 1
- Executive Team Dynamics 1
- Executive Well-Being 1
- Faith 3
- Faith & Business 1
- Fractional CHRO Insights 1
- Guest Episodes 38
- HR Strategy 1
- HRLaw 1
- Identity & Reinvention 1
- Lead 1
- Leadership 12
- Leadership Alignment 1
- Leadership Risk & Infrastructure 1
- Management 1
- Mental Health 2
- Mindset 2
- Organizational Design 1
- Organizational Effectiveness 1
- Organizational Health 1
- People Operations 1
- People Strategy 3
- Personal Growth 3
- Personal Infrastructure 1
- Podcast 2
- Resilience & Recovery 1
- Scaling Companies 1
- Solo Episode 1
- Solo Episodes 50
- Top of MInd 1
- Trust 3
- Wellness 1
- Workplace Trends 1
- christian 1
- compensation 2
- employee engagement 1
- employee satisfaction 1
- faith 1
Episode 74: Why Entrepreneurial Spirit Can Ruin Your Team
In this solo episode, Kerri dives into the hiring phrase “entrepreneurial spirit” and why it may be doing more harm than good. Drawing from her personal experiences and lessons as a founder, she explains how this phrase can attract the wrong candidates, disrupt culture, and lead to expensive hiring missteps. Hear what Airbnb’s Brian Chesky says about culture, discover surprising data on entrepreneur mental health, and get phrases you should be using in your job descriptions to foster alignment and creativity.
Episode 73: How to Rewire Your Brain with Gratitude and Mindset
This isn’t about vision boards and wishful thinking. I’m talking about rewiring your brain through proven science because the way we think literally changes our outcomes. Whether it’s a strategic pause in your day, a moment of mental rehearsal, or writing your goals on paper, these mindset tools are not just inspiring they’re backed by neuroscience. If you’re ready to step out of stress mode and into a life of alignment, let’s rewire your success story from the inside out.
Episode 72: Healing Hustle Culture with Nervous System Work and Intuition
"Leadership doesn’t begin with strategy—it begins with alignment."
In this episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts sits down with intuitive coach Kelly Howe to explore how tuning into your inner frequency can transform the way you lead. From balancing masculine and feminine energy to using EFT (tapping) to shift fear and self-doubt, this conversation blends practical insight with soulful wisdom for purpose-driven leaders.
Whether you’re feeling stuck, misaligned, or simply craving more peace in how you show up—this is your invitation to come back home to what matters most.
Episode 71: Strategy Is The Power Move
In this powerful episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts redefines what business strategy truly means. Far from a static plan gathering dust on a shelf, Kerri presents strategy as a living, breathing series of choices that steer how a business grows, adapts, and leads.
With her signature clarity and sharp insight, Kerri unpacks how leaders can simplify execution, clarify their ideal customer, and create lasting alignment using real-time data and cultural clarity. This episode is a must-listen for founders, executives, and team leaders ready to ditch complexity and lead with intention.
Episode 70: How to Turn Overwhelm into Sustainable Leadership
In this episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts chats with strategic consultant Amanda Quick about how entrepreneurs can move from burnout to empowered leadership. They explore practical strategies for simplifying operations, effective delegation, and creating SOPs that reduce overwhelm and boost clarity.
Amanda also shares insights on recognizing burnout, leading with emotional awareness, and the mindset shifts needed to let go of control. Whether you're a solopreneur or scaling a team, this conversation is packed with tools to help you grow your business sustainably—without burning out.
Episode 69: Top 20 Ways Small Businesses Can Use AI Today
AI isn’t just for big tech. In this episode, Kerri Roberts shares how entrepreneurs and small business leaders are using artificial intelligence to automate tasks, improve decision-making, and drive growth. If you're wondering how to start using AI in your business, this episode delivers practical, real-world insights to get you moving.
Episode 68: When to Pivot: Signs Your Business Needs Change
In this solo episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts shares her personal journey of pivoting in business and the clarity that came from embracing change. She breaks down how business complexity often signals it’s time to evolve—and offers frameworks to simplify your services, strengthen your team, and better serve your ideal clients. Whether you're in a season of uncertainty or proactively reimagining your business model, this episode gives you the tools to pivot with purpose.
Episode 67: Real Talk for Moms Reentering the Workforce
In this episode, Kerri Roberts discusses the challenges and triumphs of women transitioning back into the workforce after being stay-at-home moms. Joined by Britne O’Brien and Paige Mulligan, they share their personal experiences, the emotional rollercoaster of re-entering the job market, and the importance of finding balance between work and family life. They emphasize the need for self-confidence, grace, and the understanding that it's okay to ask for help and not please everyone. The conversation highlights the realities of remote work and the necessity of setting boundaries to maintain mental health and well-being. In this conversation, Kerri Roberts and her guests discuss the challenges and triumphs of women navigating their careers while balancing motherhood. They explore themes of confidence in the workplace, the importance of self-discovery during career transitions, and the strategies they employ to manage the chaos of work and family life. The discussion also touches on the humorous moments that arise from working remotely and the evolving perceptions of work-life balance among younger generations.
Episode 66: When Employees Bully Leaders: Unpacking Reverse Bullying and What to Do About It
In this powerful episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts exposes a leadership issue most avoid: reverse bullying. While we often hear about managers mistreating employees, Kerri flips the narrative—revealing what happens when subordinates bully up the chain.
With personal stories, two legal case studies (including the Laura Händel and Ruffley cases), and real-world strategies, Kerri unpacks how reverse bullying unfolds, what it costs your organization, and how to reclaim authority as a leader. If you’ve ever felt manipulated, isolated, or falsely accused by someone you manage—this episode is your wake-up call.
Episode 65: Whole Foods, Holistic Wellness & Small Changes
In today’s episode, we’re joined by Kalle LeMone, owner of Nourish Cafe & Market in Columbia, Missouri - a hub for those seeking real, healing food and toxin-free living. Kalle shares her powerful personal health journey, overcoming 18 years of amenorrhea and reclaiming her fertility through food, lifestyle shifts, and holistic wellness. Her experience not only transformed her life but also inspired her to create a space where others could access nutrient-dense meals and trustworthy products. Together, we dive into overlooked superfoods, practical wellness habits, the future of holistic health, and how even small, intentional choices can lead to radical transformation. Whether you're just beginning your wellness journey or looking for ways to go deeper, this episode is packed with encouragement, real talk, and actionable takeaways.
Episode 64: How Writing a Book Can Grow Your Business and Establish You as an Expert
In this special episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, Kerri is pulling back the curtain on her journey of writing a book—why she did it, what it’s about, and what she learned along the way. If you’ve ever had the quiet dream of writing a book but talked yourself out of it, this episode is for you. Kerri walks you through the mindset shifts, challenges, and wins that come with turning your expertise into something tangible. Plus, she gives you a sneak peek into her upcoming book, a must-read for business leaders and HR professionals looking to build strong, people-centered organizations.
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 61: Leadership Strategies for Modern Higher Education Institutions
"Leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions and being willing to grow." In this episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, host Kerri Roberts sits down with Dr. Sue Thomas, the 17th president of Truman State University, to discuss leadership, risk-taking, and the evolving role of higher education. They dive into the challenges women face in leadership, the power of self-reflection, and why authenticity is key to success. Plus, they explore how AI and lifelong learning are shaping the future of work and education.
Episode 60: Is a PEO the Right Choice for Your Business
In this episode, Kerri Roberts discusses the critical decision small to mid-sized businesses face regarding their HR strategy: whether to outsource HR functions through a Professional Employer Organization (PEO) or to manage them in-house. She outlines the pros and cons of each approach, focusing on key considerations such as cost, compliance, and control. Kerri also provides insights into the types of businesses that typically benefit from PEOs and offers guidance on how to make the best choice for your organization based on its specific goals and needs.
Episode 59: How to Know When It’s the Right Time to Expand Your Team
Kerri Roberts and Stevie Aylsworth break down modern recruitment strategies by exploring how to balance speed with intentionality. Their conversation highlights the importance of aligning candidate goals with company needs, leveraging behavioral assessments, and timing hiring decisions to foster growth in a post-COVID landscape.
Episode 58: How to Create Goals That Actually Motivate Your Team
In this conversation, Kerri Roberts breaks down the critical issue of unclear expectations in leadership and people management. She highlights how lack of clarity leads to employee frustration, decreased productivity, and missed opportunities. Kerri provides actionable strategies for leaders to set clear goals, define roles, communicate effectively, and document progress—ensuring a more engaged and accountable workforce.
Episode 57: The Biggest Hiring Mistakes Businesses Make (And How to Avoid Them)
In this episode of Don't Waste the Chaos, Kerri Roberts interviews George Zimny, a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Producify X. They discuss the evolution of recruitment, effective strategies for sourcing candidates, common mistakes in hiring, and how small businesses can compete with larger corporations. George shares insights on building scalable recruitment strategies and highlights a success story from his company. The conversation emphasizes the importance of human connection in recruitment and the need for businesses to adapt to changing market dynamics.
Episode 56: Stress, Anxiety & Building Resilience
In this episode, Kerri Roberts and Karen Brooks delve into the critical differences between stress and anxiety, exploring how they manifest in our lives and the impact of societal changes, particularly technology, on mental health. They discuss the importance of resilience, the contagious nature of emotions, and practical tips for managing stress and anxiety within families. Karen emphasizes the need for open communication and modeling healthy coping mechanisms to foster resilience in children and adults alike. In this conversation, Karen and Kerri explore the complexities of anxiety, the importance of addressing it rather than avoiding it, and practical methods for managing anxiety, including the DARE method. They discuss the impact of technology on mental health, particularly the phenomenon of dopamine addiction, and emphasize the need for open communication and modeling healthy coping mechanisms in families and workplaces. The episode concludes with resources for further exploration and support.
Episode 55: 12 Steps to Launch Your Podcast
In this episode, Kerri Roberts celebrates the one-year anniversary of her podcast, 'Don't Waste the Chaos.' She reflects on her journey, sharing insights on why she started the podcast, the lessons learned throughout the year, and practical steps for those considering starting their own podcast. Kerri emphasizes the importance of authenticity, consistency, and vulnerability in connecting with an audience, and provides a detailed checklist for launching a successful podcast.