The ASHHRA Podcast
The ASHHRA Podcast is the definitive audio briefing for healthcare HR leaders navigating what’s next.
Hosted by Bo Brabo and Luke Carignan, this weekly podcast explores the forces reshaping the healthcare workforce, from talent shortages and leadership burnout to data-driven HR strategy, labor relations, and policy shifts that impact care delivery.
Each episode features candid conversations with CHROs, senior executives, and industry change-makers who are solving real problems inside hospitals and health systems right now. No theory, no fluff, just practical insight from leaders in the arena.
Listeners gain clarity on complex workforce challenges, early signals on emerging trends, and grounded perspectives that help bridge strategy and people operations. Whether you lead HR for a health system, support workforce strategy, or influence organizational culture, this podcast equips you to make better decisions with confidence.
New episodes drop weekly, with timely news updates, deep-dive conversations, and forward-looking insights designed for healthcare HR leaders preparing for 2026 and beyond.
The ASHHRA Podcast
#105 - Balancing People and Profit in Healthcare
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In this episode, Mark Steiman, Chief Human Resources Officer at Children’s Hospital Orange County, shares his unconventional entry into the world of Human Resources—a journey that started as a punishment and evolved into a passion.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
- A Rocky Start: Discover how Mark's initial experience in HR was far from ideal and how he turned it into an opportunity for growth and fulfillment.
- Breaking Stereotypes: Explore the often-negative stereotype of HR and how Mark's journey reflects and challenges these perceptions.
- HR with Compassion: Hear from Luke on the importance of compassion in HR, focusing on building better teams and organizational culture while balancing operational efficiency.
- Strategic Partnership: Learn why building strong relationships with key organizational members, like the CFO and head of patient services, is essential for aligning HR with overall business goals.
- Advocating for HR: Bo shares valuable insights on presenting a compelling case to secure funding for HR initiatives, emphasizing the importance of strategic communication.
- Learning through Experience: Mark shares wisdom from his grandmother, “Experience is what you get when you don’t get what you want,” and how it encapsulates his team’s approach to growth and learning.
- HR as Business Consultants: Delve into the role of HR in driving workforce strategies that align with organizational objectives through a robust business partner model.
- Operational Excellence: Understand why mastering operational HR is crucial before moving on to strategic HR, and how simplifying basic tasks can empower managers to focus on leadership and talent development.
Bonus Content: Mark invites Bo and Luke to visit the Children's Hospital of Orange County for a potential second interview at the hospital’s onsite radio studio!
We hope this episode provides invaluable insights and inspiration for all our healthcare HR professionals striving to make a meaningful impact. If you have any questions for Mark or need further assistance, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll be more than happy to help.
Stay connected with us—together, we can achieve collective improvement in our field. Keep supporting each other and making a difference in the healthcare community.
Best regards,
The ASHHRA Podcast Team
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