Cary Burke left Big Law, joined the plaintiff’s side, and hasn’t looked back—except when his kids are jumping down the stairs in dinosaur underwear.

Episode Summary:

Cary made partner at Seyfarth—and then left to jump into the chaos of plaintiff-side litigation, a coworking space, and parenting two daredevil sons.

We discuss that leap, what’s broken in labor law, and why Cary’s voice on LinkedIn cuts through the noise. He weighs in on Stericycle’s vibes-based enforcement, state labor boards stepping in while the NLRB is down, and how writing clearly is a lawyer’s secr et weapon.

Connect with Cary: LinkedIn LeeMeier Bio

CUE Inc. isn’t just a conference—it’s the go-to spot for leaders who want to build trust, truth, and transparency in employee and labor relations.

In this episode of the Left To Boom Show, host Phil Wilson interviews Elizabeth Huston, the executive director of CUE Inc., a positive employee relations organization. They discuss Elizabeth's leadership journey, the importance of community and collaboration within CUE Inc., the organization's values, and the diverse membership contributing to its mission. The conversation highlights the resources available to members, including expert panels and member-driven initiatives, and emphasizes the significance of networking and personal development opportunities within the organization. Elizabeth shares personal insights and fun anecdotes, concluding with a strong endorsement for CUE Inc. and its community.

Forget top-down programs and stale playbooks. CUE Inc. proves that the best way to drive positive employee relations is through a community built on trust, experience-sharing, and actionable tools. This conversation shows how CUE Inc. empowers ER and LR leaders across industries to support each other and build extraordinary workplaces.

Key Takeaways

🔹 CUE Inc. creates community-based support for employee relations pros.

🔹 Members crowdsource ideas and experiences across industries and roles.

🔹 Programs are peer-driven—not dictated by vendors or sponsors.

🔹 Conferences prioritize action: walk out with tools, not just ideas.

🔹 Expert panels give free access to trusted legal and consulting guidance.

🔹 Small-group Decision Dialogues build relationships and solutions fast.

🔹 Industry-specific groups like aerospace and retail support deeper connections.

🔹 An online platform helps members find peers by size, union status, and industry.

🔹 Participation leads to leadership—volunteers drive the content.

🔹 CUE supports early-career ER professionals and seasoned leaders alike.

🔹 The mission is simple: tell the truth, support each other, build better workplaces.

Connect with us here:

Check out CUE Inc.

Connect with Phillip B. Wilson

Connect with LRI Consulting Services:

Labor Relations INK

LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to CUE and Elizabeth Houston

03:13 Leadership Journey and Influential Leaders

05:53 Building Relationships in Leadership

09:01 Community and Collaboration at CUE

12:00 Values and Mission of CUE

15:02 Diversity of CUE Members and Their Impact

17:45 Resources and Support for CUE Members

21:01 Expert Panels and Knowledge Sharing

24:11 Member-Driven Initiatives and Events

27:07 Networking and Community Building

30:05 Personal Development and Leadership Opportunities

32:59 Fun and Personal Insights from Elizabeth

35:53 Closing Thoughts and Resources

What happens when economic pressure meets patient care? Lori King gives us the pulse check.

Phil Wilson sits down with Lori King—a nurse, educator, executive, and labor relations strategist, to discuss the operational storm brewing in healthcare. From staffing ratios to legislative landmines, Lori explains how hospitals navigate a system under pressure and what it takes to keep care teams functioning while balancing budgets and burnout.

This episode explores the real labor issues facing healthcare providers in both union and non-union environments. It also previews the Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference, a space designed not for grandstanding but for practical problem-solving that bridges the labor-management divide.

Key Takeaways

• Healthcare is a business — and pretending otherwise risks both care quality and workforce stability.
• Staffing ratios aren’t a silver bullet — Patient needs vary wildly, and blanket rules often do more harm than good.
• Clinicians need financial literacy — To bridge the management gap, staff must understand the economics of care.
• Unions vs. management is too simple — The real work happens when both sides sit down and discuss outcomes.
• Labor relations in healthcare are personal. Lori’s background as a provider gives her a rare, balanced view.
• Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference = big ideas — The conference brings together leaders from across the aisle to build better systems, not just battle each other.

Guest Info:

Lori King: LinkedIn | Big Sky Labor and Employment Conference

Phil Wilson: LinkedIn

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Healthcare Labor Relations

04:10 Understanding Diverse Perspectives in Healthcare

12:56 Key Labor Issues in Healthcare

18:30 Organizing Across Healthcare Professions

24:19 Staffing Challenges in Healthcare

26:08 Understanding Staffing Ratios in Healthcare

30:00 The Complexity of Patient Care and Staffing

32:17 Navigating Legislative Pressures in Healthcare

34:51 Innovative Staffing Solutions in Virginia

36:46 Challenges of Compliance and Penalties in Staffing

39:25 Optimism in Labor Relations and Conferences

45:23 Leadership Lessons and Effective Communication