Best Paychex Podcasts (2025)

1
Wharton Economist Dr. Corinne Low: What Women Want in the Workplace 31:21

Play Pause

1d ago31:21

31:21

Think you know what female employees want? Think again! Wharton economist Dr. Corinne Low joins Gene Marks to shatter conventional wisdom with surprising research from her new book Having It All. Dr. Low shares why today’s mothers spend twice as much time with their children as previous generations and how this shift is reshaping workplace needs in…

1
Inflation Indicators, SBA Loans, Worker Safety, Pet Impact 10:38

6d ago10:38

10:38

The Producer Price Index is declining and the Purchasing Price Index has fallen a third time in 2025, all used to determine inflation, yet Gene Marks says the “Big I” isn’t the huge threat everyone thinks it is. He looks at potential interest cuts as a possible result, which might help businesses. Also, a boon or manufacturing businesses is a new S…

1
Jobs Update, Employees Seek Financial Guidance, Teaching Entrepreneurship 9:29

13d ago9:29

9:29

The Paychex Small Business Employment Watch reports job numbers remain flat, while national hourly earnings stay below 3% growth for a 10th straight month. Gene Marks points to a continued slow down, citing the paltry 22,000 jobs reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and a national unemployment rate at 4.3%. However, Gene says this creates opp…

1
Employer IQ: How to Find Your HR Blind Spots with this Free Tool 21:07

16d ago21:07

21:07

Is your business secretly driving away top talent? This episode of THRIVE will tell you how to find out. Join host Gene Marks as he sits down with Paychex HR experts Alison Stevens and Michael Majors to chat about Employer IQ — a game-changing diagnostic tool that reveals exactly where your HR practices are helping or hurting your business. Discove…

1
PayrollBADIes with B-RAVE (Bonnie Tinder, Raven Intel): HR & Payroll Better Together, Software Selection, AI Adoption & More 32:06

22d ago32:06

32:06

Join this episode to hear from Bonnie Tinder, Founder & CEO of Raven Intelligence, for a no-BS look at what truly drives HR tech implementation success. Bonnie explains why team dynamics and partner quality beat software features, how to use verified customer reviews to pick the right implementation partner, and what really happens when HR and Payr…

1
Legality of Tariffs, De Minimis Exemption Ends, and Quiet Cracking 10:11

22d ago10:11

10:11

Businesses earned a victory for the second time when an appeals court upheld a ruling that the administration’s tariffs are unconstitutional. However, Gene Marks says that regardless of an appeal, the bag of tricks is endless to keep taxing businesses with tariffs. And this is on top of the de minimis exemption expiring, meaning any imported goods …

1
Tariff Exposure, Manufacturing Growth, Healthcare Costs, and AI Adoption 9:02

28d ago9:02

9:02

As news of tariffs comes and go, one recent study found that a majority of small businesses have had zero exposure to international supply chains and 45% source more than half of their materials from their city or state. Gene Marks also talks about high levels of optimism among these businesses. More good news: Manufacturing expanded at its fastest…

1
Author Jillian Johnsrud: The Case for Mini-Retirement 32:49

1M ago32:49

32:49

Forget waiting until 65 to enjoy life — what if you could “retire” for a month every single year? In this episode of THRIVE, we dive into the concept of mini-retirement with Jillian Johnsrud, author of Retire Often and host of the Retire Often podcast. Think you can't afford it? Think your business would crumble without you? Jillian breaks down exa…

1
Inflation Indicator, SMB Optimism, and Retail Sales Are Up 6:01

1M ago6:01

6:01

The Producer Price Index, which is an indicator for the rate of inflation, rose to a point that is significantly higher than it has been recently. This means consumers could be seeing higher costs come their way. However, Gene Marks points out that consumers don’t seem deterred. They are spending, and the retail sales uptick bears that out. Small b…

1
SMB Sales Uptick, Employers Sued, RTO Mandates, Job Searches Drop 8:25

1M ago8:25

8:25

Small businesses are benefitting from the resiliency and a rise in consumer spending, but how much is really the impact of higher prices? Gene Marks shares the latest data in this episode. He also looks at the top 3 reasons why employers are getting sued by employees, and two of them never seem to change. Big-time corporations such as AT&T and Micr…

1
Attorney Barbara Weltman: Your Most-Asked 2025 Tax Bill Questions, Answered 27:32

1M ago27:32

27:32

Confused about how the 2025 Tax Bill impacts your business? This episode of THRIVE dives headfirst into real questions from real business owners, breaking down what you need to know about this headline-making legislation. Gene is joined by tax expert Barbara Weltman, founder of Big Ideas for Small Business and author of J.K. Lasser's Small Business…

1
GDP, Inflation, Tariffs, and Jobs Muddle Economic Outlook 7:25

2M ago7:25

7:25

This week, Gene Marks breaks down an economic outlook full of uncertainty. From strong GDP growth battling rising inflation to unexpected job market revisions and the growing impact of tariffs, there’s plenty for small businesses to consider. On the brighter side, learn how OSHA’s new penalty reductions are bringing relief to employers with safe pr…

1
Benefits Manager Tami Tillery on Navigating the Future of Employee Benefits 31:28

2M ago31:28

31:28

Gene Marks sits down with Senior Benefits Manager at Paychex, Tami Tillery, to answer the top questions from a recent webinar on the evolving landscape of employee benefits. They discuss how businesses, particularly in rural and underserved areas, can creatively manage healthcare costs while providing robust employee benefits. A major focus is on l…

1
Small Business Growth, Economic Rebound, AI Advantage, Business Buying and Selling 6:03

2M ago6:03

6:03

In this week's episode of the Paychex THRIVE Week in Review, host Gene Marks provides an analysis of current trends impacting small businesses. Highlighting data from the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch and CNBC's Small Business Confidence Index, he discusses the stable job growth and increased economic optimism among small business owners,…

1
Manufacturing Boost, Healthcare Cost Concerns, Voluntary Benefits, Ethics 8:42

2M ago8:42

8:42

The SBA continues to make changes to revitalize manufacturing in America, and small businesses could be the biggest beneficiary of new programs, loan access, and training. A CEO of an insurance company throws up a warning flag to small businesses about rising healthcare costs and the potential impact on employees. Gene Marks also talks about how vo…

1
Over-employment, Remote Work Hours, Gen Z Finances, Auto-Renewals 9:35

2M ago9:35

9:35

Employers are getting wise to their over-employed employees – the ones working multiple jobs on the clock and dime of their main boss. Gene Marks says this type of flexibility might be necessary to keep good employees, and he’s OK with it as long as individuals are finishing their work satisfactorily and on time. Speaking of time, Gene points out a…

1
Author Smiley Poswolsky: Leading Different Generations in the Workplace 29:43

2M ago29:43

29:43

Did you know there are now SIX generations in today’s workforce? From the Silent Generation to Gen Alpha, the workplace is a melting pot of perspectives, challenges, and opportunities. In this episode of THRIVE, Gene sits down with workplace expert Adam "Smiley" Poswolsky to decode the secrets of managing multigenerational teams. Smiley shares his …

1
Some Permanence in Tax and Spending Package Will Benefit Businesses 10:15

3M ago10:15

10:15

With the tax and spending bill now law, there is much the government needs to do to implement the changes that include many tax deduction carryovers made permanent from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Gene Marks offers his take, noting businesses should prepare to take advantage of changes to bonus depreciation and research and development – bot…

1
Why Payroll Is Still Undervalued and What Needs to Change with Pete Tiliakos 46:34

3M ago46:34

46:34

In this episode of the Payroll BADIes podcast, the group welcomes legendary payroll analyst Pete Tiliakos · Imran & Raj discuss the backlash they received after the previous episode and get Pete’s thoughts on the role of analysts in shaping the industry · Pete gives a sneak preview of his upcoming research: The Payroll Profession Confidence Index ·…

1
Live from Las Vegas: The Best of AICPA Engage 2025 33:27

3M ago33:27

33:27

Step onto the floor of the AICPA Engage 2025 conference in Las Vegas with THRIVE! On this special best-of episode, host Gene Marks chats with accounting’s brightest minds, uncovering insights on AI, change management, recruiting, and the future of the profession. From Mark Koziel’s take on why AI won’t replace accountants to Sabrina Parris’ surpris…

1
Consumer Confidence Dips, Jobs Steady, Handbooks Hacked, AI Writing is Meh 8:57

3M ago8:57

8:57

As consumer confidence backslides in June, surprising analysts whose projections were more positive, businesses should plan for a potential pause in purchasing. Tariffs and inflation fears are hitting Main Street. Gene Marks points to the steady job growth reported in the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch during the first half of 2025 as a pl…

1
Interest Rate Holds, Big Companies Shed Workers, Get a Succession Plan 9:49

3M ago9:49

9:49

As the Federal Reserve holds steady on the key bank lending rate, host Gene Marks says businesses might take wind with the hint that the interest rate might be cut two more times in 2025, making funding more accessible. Small businesses might soon have more accessibility to more talent, as big companies are looking at making labor cuts. The local e…

1
Inflation Fears Wane, Housing Market Improves, Workplace Safety Woes 9:31

3M ago9:31

9:31

Consumers are less pessimistic about inflation, down from its four-decade high last month. Experts say consumers have settled in after shock of tariffs. In more good news, housing market inventory rises 31.5%, giving other industries and small businesses that rely on vibrant neighborhoods some hope that there is a positive path forward. Gene Marks …

1
TV Personality and CEO Mauricio Umansky: The Dealmaker's Secrets to Motivation and Growth 31:30

3M ago31:30

31:30

What does it take to build a global real estate empire while staying true to your values? Mauricio Umansky, TV personality and CEO of The Agency, joins us with 29 years of industry expertise and some serious insights into the world of ultra-luxury real estate. From starting out in fashion to leading a global team of 3,000 agents, Mauricio discusses…

1
Small Business Surveys, HSAs Could Expand, SCORE Threatened 7:53

4M ago7:53

7:53

A handful of reports on small businesses shows an optimism toward expansion and AI tools, but that sentiment is guarded by flat job growth, declining hourly wage growth, and 82% of those surveyed planning on securing a line of credit. One positive from the tax and spending bill is proposed changes to HSAs that expand coverage, which could help part…

1
Tax & Spending Bill Deficits, No Degree Required, SBA Tool Connects U.S. 8:13

4M ago8:13

8:13

The U.S. Senate might have a battle to get all president’s requests in tax and spending cut bill as opposition forms in the GOP over the massive deficit it will create. Gene Marks agrees that there will be a price to pay. There’s also a movement to eliminate requiring some degrees for jobs, with 84% who have done so acknowledging positive results. …

1
CEO Joe Woodard: Moving CPAs from Routine Tasks to Trusted Business Advisors 32:03

4M ago32:03

32:03

Searching for fresh ways to grow your accounting practice or wondering how your CPA could better support your business? Don’t miss Gene’s conversation with one of his accounting idols, Joe Woodard. They explore how Client Advisory Services (CAS) can help accountants level up, boost their profits, and serve their clients in more meaningful ways. You…

1
Calling out the BS! Analysts & Magic Quadrants: Don't Believe Everything you see! 25:25

4M ago25:25

25:25

Join Imran and Raj in this episode as they discuss analyst reports and magic quadrants including their impact on software selection and market perceptions. They explore the criteria these reports use, question the credibility of various analyst firms given the pay to play model behind these reports and give very specific examples on serious issues …

1
Bonus Depreciation, Pass-Through and R&D Deductions Could Help SMBs 10:07

4M ago10:07

10:07

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the tax and spending bill by one vote, but small businesses could gain a few positives if some of the provisions survive the Senate debate and reconciliation should it pass that chamber of Congress. Gene Marks highlights the proposed changes to bonus depreciation, the pass-through tax deduction, and revision…

1
Tax and Spending Bill, Small Businesses Less Optimistic, Klarna Goes Human 10:07

4M ago10:07

10:07

This episode was recorded prior to the House passing the Big Beautiful Tax Bill on May 22, 2025. Gene Marks shares insights on the Big Beautiful Tax Bill and on the importance of keeping the tax credits for small businesses. That might lift their spirits but, according to the Small Business Optimism Index, not much else is rosy. Sales volumes are d…

1
Attorney Ben Ebbink: What Trump's First 100 Days Mean for Your Business 32:33

4M ago32:33

32:33

This week’s guest, employment law expert Ben Ebbink of Fisher Phillips, tackles your biggest questions about President Trump’s first 100 days head-on. Wondering if your DEI policies are still compliant? Not sure how executive orders will affect hiring and workplace rules? Curious how state laws come into play? Ben breaks down the red flags, offers …

1
U.S.-China Tariffs, DOL Independent Contractor Rule, Student Loan Repayment 8:06

4M ago8:06

8:06

The U.S. and China begin the tariff walk-back dance that will last for 90 days, giving businesses time to make alternative plans. Gene Marks says those doing business with China will have to make plans because he doesn’t expect the volatility being created to clear up soon. Additional relief is coming for businesses who use independent contractors,…

1
Executive Orders: Business Leaders Get Questions Answered 10:25

5M ago10:25

10:25

The number of federal Executive Orders issued by the president since Jan. 20 has created confusion for some business owners. Host Gene Marks moderated a webinar that produced additional questions from attendees, so he’s using this episode of the podcast to offer clarification as well as his own take around the EOs on DEI. He talks about job posting…

1
Food52 CEO Erika Ayers Badan: Building Brands, Leading Teams, and Changing Work Culture 30:24

5M ago30:24

30:24

What do Barstool Sports and Food52 have in common? Visionary leadership, incredible growth, and today’s podcast guest, Erika Ayers Badan. After nearly a decade as the CEO of Barstool Sports, turning it into a cultural juggernaut, Erika has taken the reins at Food52, where she’s bringing her passion for design, food, and empowering women to the fore…

1
Payroll Crisis: What happens when the Time system goes down for 10 weeks in December for over 100k Employees? 25:17

5M ago25:17

25:17

Join this episode with very special guest Chris McKee who has led global payroll at multiple Fortune 500 companies. Hear his POV on how he and his team handled one of the worst nightmares you can image: The Time & Attendance system going down for 10 weeks time due to a cybersecurity incident. To make matters worse, it happened in December right bef…

1
China Tariff Conundrum, Credit Lines and Interest Rates, Best Cities for Business 8:00

5M ago8:00

8:00

As the president begins to walk back on some of the tariffs with China, Gene Marks says what will remain after negotiations are still significantly high percentage rates on goods coming in from China, which will still impact many U.S. businesses. He also shares insights from economists looking at interest rates and how a risk of recession and lost …

1
Tariff Concerns Hit Major Industries, Quiet Cracking Expands, Slow Roll the AI 8:13

5M ago8:13

8:13

Tariffs are a major concern for some major industries and confidence is waning, with 40% of contractors worried about slowdowns to profit margins and auto dealers seeing rapid sales declines. Gene Marks says negotiations between nations could resolve much of this, but China remains an issue. He also shares insights to work on culture and employee c…

1
Immigration Attorney John Fay: I9 Compliance Essentials for Employers 27:05

5M ago27:05

27:05

Immigration compliance is a hot topic that businesses simply can’t afford to ignore. With increasing scrutiny from government agencies and hefty fines on the line, staying on top of your I-9s has never been more critical. This week on THRIVE, Gene sits down with John Fay, immigration attorney and director of Product Strategy at Equifax Workforce So…

1
Tariffs Today and Tomorrow, Corporate Bankruptcies Up, AI and Hiring 9:11

5M ago9:11

9:11

As the on-again, off-again, and then partial pause on tariffs dominate the news, Gene Marks level sets which ones are in effect and what businesses need to know moving forward. Also, as corporate bankruptcies hit their highest number since 2010, Gene points to a specific industry – trucking and logistics – and the ensuing layoffs that could tell us…

1
Labor Market Steady, Pay Raises Iffy, SBA Changing Loan Program 5:59

6M ago5:59

5:59

U.S. Labor Department data shows job starts exceeding expectation in March, while the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch indicates job levels are consistent with previous months. Does this indicate a better outlook? Gene Marks talks about it in this episode, but also says the economy might be influenced by the 14% of employers who are decreasi…

1
FutureThink's CEO Lisa Bodell: How Simplicity Drives Business Success 26:02

6M ago26:02

26:02

Is complexity holding your team back? On this episode of THRIVE, Gene Marks chats with Lisa Bodell, keynote speaker, author of Why Simple Wins, and CEO of FutureThink, to explore how simplifying business processes can spark innovation and boost engagement. Lisa shares actionable strategies to make your workplace simpler and more productive — from c…

1
Small Business Concerns: Economic Stability, Cybersecurity, Inflation, and Succession Planning 7:01

6M ago7:01

7:01

On this week's episode of the Paychex THRIVE Week in Review, host Gene Marks talks about key news items affecting small businesses. Recent surveys from MetLife, the US Chamber of Commerce, Viking Cloud, and the US Census Bureau, focus on three main topics: a slight decline in the small business index due to softening in business health and cash flo…

1
The Fed on Interest Rates, EEOC on DEI, Small Businesses on AI 7:43

6M ago7:43

7:43

The outlook from the Federal Reserve is that everything is on target, so they aren’t budging interest rates. Not great news, according to Gene Marks, for small business trying to secure cheaper funding, but at least they feel the economic outlook is good. Over at the EEOC, executive orders from the new administration have businesses scrambling arou…

1
Paychex's Sarah Faye Pierce: Breaking Down Key Executive Orders & What They Mean for Your Business 22:10

6M ago22:10

22:10

How will the latest executive orders affect your business? Tune into this episode of THRIVE, where Gene chats with Sarah Faye Pierce, Head of Government Relations at Paychex. Sarah breaks down what executive orders are, how they influence regulations, and what they could mean for small and mid-sized businesses like yours. From tariffs to DEI, they …

1
Optimism Drops, Amazon Boycotts Hit Small Businesses, Botox Discrimination 7:29

6M ago7:29

7:29

Despite being at historic high levels, small businesses optimism dropped last month and recorded its second-lowest reading for uncertainty in the history of the National Federation of Independent Businesses. Gene Marks says we need to keep an eye on this. He also shares details of how boycotts don’t always impact those being boycotted. Plus, learn …

1
Fed Talks Inflation and Uncertainty, Job Growth Moderate, OT Rule Appealed 7:36

7M ago7:36

7:36

The chair of the Federal Reserve said that Americans should expect economic fluctuation and inflation while adjusting to the implementation of new policies, but the target of 2% is on track. Gene Marks comments on that while noting that the Paychex Small Business Employment Watch continues to show moderate job growth but stagnant hourly earnings gr…

1
Author Jason Dorsey: Generational Clashes at Work — How to Bridge the Divide 32:25

7M ago32:25

32:25

Do you know which generation is most frustrated with Gen Z? Or why millennials seem to get such a bad reputation? Join Gene Marks as he chats with Jason Dorsey, president of the Center for Generational Kinetics and author of Zconomy, to explore the dynamics between the five generations in today’s workforce. From bridging the divide between Gen Z an…

1
A Tariff Workaround, SBA Leader Sets Agenda, and Impact of Mass IRS Layoffs 6:42

7M ago6:42

6:42

Another week, another set of tariffs against normal trading partners – and these steeper than the previous ones. However, host Gene Marks says businesses might be able to defer paying the extra cost by using bonded warehouses and several other avenues. He also shares that the SBA Director Kelly Loeffler plans, among her top 3 items, an extensive au…

1
Housing Market Woes, BOI is Back, and AI Shift by Crunchbase 8:07

7M ago8:07

8:07

The housing experts around the nation are not happy with the latest numbers – inventory up 28% but nothing is selling, while builders and architects report their sentiment indexes hit recent lows. Gene Marks says this is the news that worries small businesses that rely on that housing industry. Our host also shares the Beneficial Ownership Informat…

1
LinkedIn's Steve Cadigan: Rewriting HR, From Performance Reviews to Remote Work 26:26

7M ago26:26

26:26

The workplace is evolving faster than ever — are you keeping up or getting left behind? This week on THRIVE, Gene Marks chats with Steve Cadigan, author of Workquake and LinkedIn’s first Chief HR Officer, to break down the new rules of work. From career pivots to building a culture that spans four generations, Steve dives into the seismic shifts re…