Talking about pay can be uncomfortable—but avoiding it comes at a cost. In this solo episode of the People Success Circle podcast, I share why salary transparency matters more than ever and how it can transform company culture, trust, and employee well-being.

Drawing on my own experience of discovering a 31% pay gap early in my career, I explain how lack of transparency leads to hidden pay inequity, employee frustration, and turnover. I also explore how employers can proactively address these challenges through fair pay practices, clear compensation philosophies, and effective communication strategies that advance workplace equality and inclusion.

From salary negotiation tips to understanding the impact of emerging pay transparency laws, this episode is packed with practical guidance for HR leaders, business owners, and employees who want to build a more equitable workplace.

Key Topics Discussed:

• My personal story of discovering a significant pay gap—and how it shaped my passion for fair pay and workplace fairness
  
  
• Why pay transparency and salary transparency are essential for building trust, reducing bias, and closing pay gaps
  
  
• The current state of pay inequity in the U.S., including statistics on gender and racial wage disparities
  
  
• How salary transparency laws are evolving—and what employers need to know about compliance and disclosure requirements
  
  
• The role of compensation philosophies and salary bands in creating clarity, consistency, and accountability
  
  
• How to benchmark pay using market data and set expectations for career progression and salary negotiation
  
  
• Why salary transparency supports diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring employees understand how pay decisions are made
  
  
• The importance of training managers to lead confident, transparent conversations about compensation
  
  
• Why communicating pay guidelines internally—before posting externally—helps protect trust and engagement
  
  
• Actionable tips for employees and job seekers on researching fair pay ranges and advocating for equitable compensation
  
  
  

Listen in and learn how embracing pay transparency can build trust, promote equity, and create a more engaged, inclusive workplace.

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

What if the most powerful tool in leadership wasn’t a strategy—but a conversation?

In this insightful episode of the People Success Circle podcast, executive coach and leadership expert Carissa Gay joins host Mindy East to explore how capacity-building conversations can transform teams, shape workplace culture, and elevate leadership. As the founder of Courageous Leaders and a Master Certified Coach, Carissa shares how neuroscience, trust, and communication intersect to drive real, lasting change.

Listeners will walk away with actionable tools to lead better one-on-ones, give feedback with confidence, and create team environments rooted in safety, ownership, and respect. Whether a seasoned leader or just stepping into management, this conversation reframes communication as the foundation of transformational leadership.

Key Topics Discussed:

• How every conversation sparks a neurochemical response—and why that matters for engagement and trust
  
  
• What makes a conversation truly “capacity-building” and how it empowers creativity, accountability, and connection
  
  
• Barriers that prevent leaders from having courageous conversations (and how to overcome them)
  
  
• Leading with honor, dignity, and respect—even when conversations are difficult
  
  
• Balancing empathy with accountability in performance feedback
  
  
• Coaching case studies that illustrate the power of high-capacity leadership and intentional communication
  
  
• The shift from old-school leadership to transformational leadership models
  
  
• How to use values to anchor culture change during disruption and uncertainty
  
  
• Why title isn’t everything—how influence and conscious communication can come from anywhere in the organization
  
  

This episode is packed with practical advice for anyone looking to improve performance management, tackle tough conversations, or become a more conscious and courageous leader.

Resources & Guest Info:
Learn more: courageousleaderscoaching.com
Connect with Carissa Gay on LinkedIn: Carissa Gay

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com

Letting someone go is never easy—but I’ve come to believe it’s one of the most important moments for a company to show what it truly values.

In this solo episode of People Success Circle, I’m sharing both personal and professional insights on what it looks like to let someone go well. I’ve been on both sides of the table—leading layoffs, restructuring, and terminations as an HR leader, and experiencing a layoff myself. That experience shaped everything I now believe about supporting people through transition.

Whether you’re a business owner, HR leader, or someone who just wants to lead with care and clarity, I’m walking you through what outplacement services are, why they matter, and how you can offer them in a way that truly helps employees land on their feet.

Key Topics I Cover:

• What outplacement services really are—and why they’re one of the most underutilized tools in HR
• How layoffs, restructuring, and RIFs impact both the employees who leave and the ones who stay
• Why offering outplacement boosts morale, protects your company’s reputation, and reduces legal risk
• What it felt like when I was laid off as a regional HR leader—and how that experience changed my approach to career support
• How resume support, LinkedIn optimization, interview training, and networking guidance help people move forward faster
• The difference between severance and outplacement—and why offering both can speak volumes about your company’s values
• Why every leader—no matter your company size—should normalize offering outplacement, even on a budget
  
  

Whether you're navigating a restructure or simply preparing for what’s ahead, this episode will give you tools, perspective, and encouragement to lead well—especially in the hard moments.

People Success Playbook: https://limerockconsulting.myflodesk.com/peoplesuccessplaybook

Company Website: www.limerockcareerco.com
Speaking Website: www.mindyeast.com