Breaking Payroll Barriers with Elena Segura Sordo & Cynthia Aliaga of Givver

In this episode of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan sit down with industry powerhouse Jenny Lee, a seasoned payroll and HCM expert known for driving transformation through process optimization and collaboration. Jenny shares her journey from hands-on practitioner to strategic leader, revealing what truly makes a payroll implementation succeed—or fail. From the debate between best-in-breed vs. all-in-one systems to the common pitfalls of joining midstream projects, Jenny emphasizes the importance of communication, stakeholder engagement, and post-go-live accuracy. The trio also explores how AI and automation are reshaping the field, but not replacing the human expertise required for compliance and quality. Witty, insightful, and refreshingly candid, this episode gives listeners an insider’s view into the evolving payroll landscape and the mindset it takes to thrive. Whether you’re a payroll veteran or new to the profession, Jenny’s advice will leave you inspired to lead smarter and implement better. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

10 Nov 49min

Join us for an inspiring episode of "It's About Payroll" as we sit down with Aron Alexander, founder and CEO of Runa, the company reimagining how money moves across the globe. Discover how Aron’s journey from helping out in his family’s retail business led to building one of the most innovative payment infrastructures in the world. In this episode, we dive into: The evolution of Runa from WeGift and the power of rebranding How Runa is transforming payroll, rewards, and global payouts for businesses and gig workers The challenges and opportunities of building a global payment network Trends in payment preferences for independent workers and businesses Lessons in resilience, leadership, and scaling a startup—even through near-death moments The importance of purpose, people, and product in startup success Aron’s unique background as a paratrooper and how it shaped his leadership style Whether you’re interested in FinTech, payroll innovation, or entrepreneurial journeys, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Links:🔗 Learn more about Runa: https://runa.com📧 Contact Aron: aron@runa.iohttps://bizky.ai/blog/the-future-of-global-payroll-trends-to-watch-in-2026/ https://tax.thomsonreuters.com/news/tax-pros-anxiously-await-guidance-on-new-overtime-deduction/?elq_mid=73157&elq_cid=56659880&elq_ename=CP-Newsstand-Newsletter-Template-2025%20October%2030&cid=NA&email=brian%40payrolluniverse.com&sfdccampaignid=NA&chl=Em&utm_medium=email&utm_source=eloqua&utm_campaign=30%20October%202025%20Checkpoint-Newsstand-Newsletter&utm_content=NA https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll, itsaboutpayroll.io Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on the future of payroll and business innovation! #payroll #fintech #entrepreneurship #Runa #podcast #businessinnovation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

3 Nov 36min

In this Season 14 Review of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan reflect on one of their most dynamic seasons yet—packed with powerhouse guests, innovation talk, and real-world payroll insights. They open by reframing mindset and language, stressing how positivity and intentional speech shape success. The duo then dives into financial fitness for payroll pros, revealing practical ways to cut costs—like reducing check shipping and optimizing onboarding for direct deposits. The conversation shifts to the growing role of AI in payroll, sparked by a Paycom ad and expanded into deeper questions about automation, auditing, and the evolving role of payroll professionals. They also review a “Layoff Survival Guide” from Newsday, offering tangible advice on preparedness, emotional recovery, and resilience in uncertain times. Wrapping up, Brian and Walt celebrate their guest lineup—from global leaders like Max van der Klis-Busink and Kira Rubiano to payroll innovators redefining the profession. This is a motivating, future-focused reflection designed to inspire every payroll pro to grow, adapt, and lead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

26 Okt 59min

Join us for an inspiring episode of "It's About Payroll" as we sit down with Troy Markusson, a seasoned payroll leader and mentor, to discuss the future of payroll and how to attract the next generation of professionals to this essential field. In this episode, Troy shares his journey from college intern to payroll innovator, his passion for making payroll "cool," and the importance of purpose, compassion, and curiosity in building a successful payroll career. We dive into the biggest changes in payroll, the skills that matter most today, and how technology and mentorship are shaping the industry. Whether you're a payroll veteran, new to the field, or just curious about what makes payroll so impactful, this conversation is packed with insights, real-world stories, and practical advice for anyone looking to grow in their career. https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payroll,   itsaboutpayroll.io  https://www.linkedin.com/in/troy-markusson/ https://youtu.be/hH_PjjvUQlg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

20 Okt 47min

In Episode 179 of It’s About Payroll, hosts Brian Escobar and Walter Duncan III sit down with Jim Kohl, a payroll leader whose career bridges compliance, creativity, and comic-book storytelling. Jim shares his origin story—from English major and stand-up comic to Paychex trainee and, eventually, one of the first employees at Check Technologies, where he helped pioneer embedded payroll. Together they explore how this new model integrates gross-to-net calculations, tax filing, and payouts directly into SaaS platforms—redefining what it means to “run payroll.” The trio also dive into current payroll news, from the IRS furlough to a shocking comic-book restoration scandal and a 75,000-ghost-employee fraud in Zimbabwe. Jim’s perspective blends humor with hard lessons about compliance, community, and building teams from the ground up. Whether you’re a payroll veteran or new to the field, this episode shows why payroll isn’t just numbers—it’s people, process, and passion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

13 Okt 1h 1min

🚨 Is the tip system broken? 🚨 From underpaid service staff to gender & racial wage gaps, the truth about tipped pay isn’t pretty — and it could all be changing soon. Episode 178 of It’s About Payroll exposes the real numbers, the hidden biases, and why the future of tipped work might be headed for a total shake-up. 💡 If you’ve ever left a tip — or relied on one — you need to hear this. 🎧 Listen now! #earnings #PaycheckTruth #WageEquality #paytransparency #tips Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

6 Okt 50min

Global payroll leader Kira Rubiano returns to It’s About Payroll—but this time, the conversation goes far beyond payroll. Kira opens up about her courageous battle with breast cancer, her path to remission, and the lessons she’s bringing back into leadership, consulting, and community. From early detection to empathetic leadership, this episode blends professional insights with powerful personal resilience. A must-listen for payroll pros, HR leaders, and anyone seeking inspiration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

28 Sep 55min

In this episode, we dive deep into the future of payroll, automation, and the impact of AI on the world of work with special guest Brent Skinner—renowned HCM and HR tech analyst, podcast host, and industry thought leader. Join us as we explore: What “autonomous payroll” really means and how close we are to letting AI run the show The evolving role of payroll professionals in an automated world Why “payroll pilots” (humans) are still essential, even as technology advances The importance of adapting, learning, and controlling the narrative around AI in payroll Real-world insights, stories, and a few laughs about branding, learning, and the future of work Whether you’re an HR pro, payroll specialist, business leader, or just curious about how technology is changing the workplace, this conversation is packed with practical advice and big-picture thinking. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more episodes on the future of work, technology, and leadership! Connect with us: Podcast:[https://wrkdefined.com/podcast/its-about-payrol] https://youtu.be/zBS3iZXl0q4 Guest: Brent Skinner (LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brentskinner/) #payroll #ai #futureofwork #automation #hrtech #podcast Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22 Sep 48min