Pay conversations, freshly brewed
HR and comp leaders are under pressure: tighter budgets, new transparency laws, and rising expectations from every direction. Our podcast brings you expert insights so you can step into every pay conversation with clarity, confidence, and a plan.
Want to join us on the mic?
Let’s talk: coffee@payscale.com
Want to join us on the mic?
Let’s talk: coffee@payscale.com
Meet the host and community
Whether you’re an HR leader navigating pay transparency laws or a comp pro trying to get buy-in for better data, Comp and Coffee is your go-to resource for real talk, practical tips, and expert insights.
Ruth Thomas
Ruth Thomas, Chief Compensation Strategist at Payscale, has spent more than 30 years helping organizations around the world modernize their pay strategies. As the co-founder of Curo Compensation and a recognized leader in pay equity, Ruth knows the hard conversations and practical solutions that move the needle—and she brings that experience to every episode.
What's trending
What's brewing in 2025?
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, host Ruth Thomas kicks off 2025 with guest Sarika Lamont, Vice President of People and Culture at Vidyard. The discussion revolves around the emerging trends and critical priorities in HR and compensation, focusing on the intersection of equity, AI, and employee empowerment. Sarika shares insights on fostering pay equity independently of DE&I trends and emphasizes the importance of sustainable pay practices. Tune in for a dynamic conversation about navigating HR challenges and strategies in the new year.
Pouring over HR tech trends: what’s next for compensation technology?
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, host Ruth Thomas is joined by Cliff Stevenson, Director of Research at Sapient Insights Group, to discuss the latest trends in HR technology. The conversation covers AI's impact on compensation, HR anchor systems, and the importance of real-time data to enhance compensation strategies. This episode offers valuable insights and advice for HR and compensation leaders looking to navigate upcoming tech innovations in 2025.
Compensation history: a walk through the past and future of pay
In this episode of Comp & Coffee, host Ruth Thomas kicks off 2025 with guest Ashley Thomalla, Senior Vice President at HUB International Great Plains, for a nostalgia-packed, future-forward journey through the history of comp, featuring expert reflections from WorldatWork, and predictions from the people shaping the next era of pay. Compensation has come a long way—from handwritten ledgers and dusty binders to AI-powered insights and real-time salary data. But what does the past teach us about where we’re headed?
