HR Happy Hour Media Network Launches ‘The HR Connection’ Podcast for Small and Scaling Employers

Small and mid-sized businesses power much of today’s job growth—but their HR challenges rarely resemble enterprise playbooks.

That gap is exactly what HR Happy Hour Media Network aims to address with the launch of The HR Connection, a new podcast focused squarely on leaders and HR professionals working inside organizations with one to 500 employees.

Hosted by Sabrina Baker, founder of Acacia HR Solutions, and Marie Rolston, HR Business Partner at Acacia, the show targets the operational realities of scaling companies—where HR often operates with lean teams, limited budgets, and no margin for abstract theory.

HR Without the Enterprise Cushion

Unlike many HR podcasts that skew toward Fortune 500 case studies or technology-heavy conversations, The HR Connection promises grounded, experience-driven discussions.

Topics include:

• Leadership development in early-stage growth

• Accountability and performance management

• Hiring and talent pipelines

• Compliance fundamentals

• Building sustainable people operations with limited resources

In smaller organizations, HR leaders frequently juggle tactical execution and strategic planning simultaneously. They are drafting policies in the morning and coaching managers in the afternoon—often without specialized teams behind them.

The podcast’s positioning reflects that reality.

Steve Boese and Trish Steed, Co-Founders of H3 HR Advisors and Co-creators of the HR Happy Hour Media Network, emphasized that much of the available HR guidance is designed for large enterprises. Baker and Rolston, they argue, bring a practical, operator-focused mindset that aligns with the needs of scaling employers.

Applied Experience Over Theory

Baker and Rolston say each episode will draw directly from client work and day-to-day advisory experience. The emphasis is on actionable insights—what to do next—rather than abstract models.

That focus could resonate in today’s market.

Small and mid-sized organizations are navigating:

• Accelerated hiring cycles

• Generational workforce shifts

• Evolving compliance requirements

• Remote and hybrid work expectations

• Increased scrutiny around culture and engagement

At the same time, they often lack dedicated HR technology stacks or specialist roles common in larger enterprises.

By addressing leadership, agility, and accountability in resource-constrained environments, the show aims to fill a practical education gap.

Expanding a Growing HR Media Portfolio

The launch strengthens the HR Happy Hour Media Network’s expanding lineup of programming covering workplace leadership, HR technology, compliance, Generation Z, and the future of work.

Since its inception, the network has generated millions of podcast downloads and video views, positioning itself as one of the leading independent media platforms in the HR and workplace space.

Adding The HR Connection signals a strategic shift toward serving a broader cross-section of the employer market—not just technology buyers or enterprise HR leaders, but operators inside scaling businesses.

Launch Details

The HR Connection debuts February 20, 2026, with new episodes released monthly. The show will be available across major platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.

For HR professionals in growing organizations, the appeal is clear: practical advice without enterprise complexity.

As small and mid-sized employers continue to drive innovation and employment growth, the demand for applied, scalable HR guidance is likely to grow alongside them.