Podcast
Instant Payments
Hosted by Tal Clark · EN
The Instant Payments Podcast is your go-to source for conversations at the intersection of innovation, payroll, and financial wellness. Hosted by payments industry veteran Tal Clark, the show explores how real-time disbursements, earned wage access, digital tipping, and modern payment technology are reshaping the way America gets paid. Each episode features thought leaders, operators, and innovators who are advancing how workers access and manage their money. Whether you're a business leader, payroll provider, or fintech pro, this show delivers valuable perspectives on the future of payments.
13episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Ep 13 Part 1: Restaurant Industry Trends with Industry Leader Melissa Doolin-Koehne
1w ago00:18:21Tap to summarizeHost Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, welcomes Melissa Doolin-Koehne, founder of Elevate 4 and chair of the Texas Restaurant Foundation, to discuss her restaurant-industry background and current work advising brands on purpose-driven growth. Melissa recounts being raised in the industry and launching Elevate 4. She highlights the Texas Restaurant Foundation’s ProStart Invitational, drawing 1,000+ high school competitors and offering scholarships. They discuss a “tepid” 2026 outlook amid inflation, tariffs, oil prices, and consumer trade-downs, emphasizing brand promise, value via experience, simplified operations, and employee-focused innovation starting with designing a great shift.00:00 Welcome to the Podcast00:40 Meet Melissa Doolin-Koehne01:43 Melissa’s Restaurant Journey03:12 Inside Black Box Intelligence05:06 Texas ProStart Spotlight07:47 Restaurant Industry Outlook10:45 Why Some Brands Win12:47 Employee Experience Innovation15:02 Why Texas Leads Restaurants17:35 Part Two Teaser and WrapInstant Financial: instant.coConnect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/ Connect with Melissa Doolin-Koehne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-doolin-koehne/ References:Texas Restaurant Association: https://txrestaurant.org/ Texas Restaurant Foundation: https://www.txrestaurant.org/TRF/ Black Box Intelligence: https://blackboxintelligence.com/ Raising Cane's: https://www.raisingcanes.com/home/
Transcribe →Ep 12: Research expert Jason Dorsey shares findings from restaurant workers study
3w ago00:27:47Tap to summarizeHost Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, interviews generational researcher and Center for Generational Kinetics president Jason Dorsey about CGK’s custom national study with Instant, “Underserved: The Financial Reality of America’s Hourly Restaurant Workers.” Jason explains the study’s Census-weighted methodology and discusses the perception gap between executives and frontline realities, noting leaders often view earned wage access (EWA) negatively while frontline managers want it. Key findings include 75% of restaurant workers living paycheck to paycheck and 61% skipping a meal in the last month due to lack of funds. They describe poor alternatives due to lack of choices such as overdraft and late fees, credit card cash advances, and payday lending, and urge leaders to read the research to understand how hourly restaurant workers are trying to navigate the economy.00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro01:34 Jason’s Background and Intro to CGK04:11 Study Setup and Method07:27 Leadership Perception Gap10:28 Most Shocking Findings12:55 Generational Differences16:12 Why EWA Matters19:12 Costly Workarounds21:28 Message to Leaders23:49 Rapid Fire Questions27:09 Closing and ResourcesInstant Financial: instant.coCenter for Generational Kinetics: https://genhq.com/Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/Connect with Jason Dorsey: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasondorsey/ReferencesFree download of Underserved: The Financial Reality of America’s Hourly Restaurant Workers: https://www.instant.co/2026-restaurant-study/
Transcribe →Ep 11 Part 2: Randstad CFO Ben Elliott discusses workforce trends around earned wages, digitization, and AI
May 1300:19:57Tap to summarizeHost Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, continues the conversation with Ben Elliott, CFO of Randstad USA, on staffing trends and earned wage access. Ben says daily access to earned wages helps recruiting and retention, citing improved shift adherence and reduced call-outs/turnover, and notes the appeal extends beyond hourly workers to professionals. He also highlights workforce trends from the Randstad Work Monitor 2026 and Randstad’s digitization strategy, including the Randstad app for enrollment and job selection. Other themes include the importance of direct managers and work-life balance for retention, flatter career paths emphasizing horizontal experiences, increased client demand for identity verification to combat fraud, and careful AI use for efficiency and upskilling without bias in hiring decisions. Ben also shares career advice on volunteering, continuous learning, and mentoring.00:00 Welcome Back and Setup00:36 Talent Response to Daily Pay02:31 Pitching Earned Wage Access04:26 Instant Gratification and Not a Loan05:20 Big Workforce Trends Now09:46 Client Tech Demands and Verification11:24 AI in Staffing and Compliance14:41 Career Advice and Mentorship16:57 Rapid Fire Round19:16 Wrap Up and Where to FollowInstant Financial: instant.coRandstad: https://www.randstadusa.com/Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/Connect with Ben Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-elliott-0586202ReferencesStephen Covey: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Stephen-R.-Covey/author/B000AQ2VAQBorn Fighting, by James Webb: https://a.co/d/04IvJJCa
Transcribe →Ep 11 Part 1: Randstad CFO Ben Elliott on the Importance of Paying 70,000 Employees on Time
Apr 2900:17:31Tap to summarizeHost Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, opens season two of the Instant Payments Podcast with guest Ben Elliott, U.S. CFO of Randstad, who leads the North America Financial Shared Services organization supporting $6B in operations. Ben explains how Randstad serves employers with flexible access to workers across industries and helps talent access jobs, skills, and reliable pay, noting Randstad puts 300,000+ people to work daily globally and 70,000+ in North America, split roughly 50/50 between commercial and professional staffing. He describes Randstad’s complex payroll operations across 40+ states, tracking timecards in near real time, running three weekly payroll cycles, and targeting accuracy. Ben discusses why Randstad implemented earned wage access with Instant in 2021, citing technology maturity, competitive demand, operational controls, and ease of enrollment.00:00 Welcome to Season Two00:45 Meet Ben Elliott02:22 What Randstad Does04:14 Randstad Scale and Staffing Mix05:27 Ben’s Career Journey07:49 Payroll Complexity and Systems10:18 Payroll Cycles and Tracking11:46 Defining Payroll Success14:04 Why Earned Wage Access16:47 Wrap Up and Where to FollowInstant Financial: instant.coRandstad: https://www.randstadusa.com/Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/Connect with Ben Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-elliott-0586202
Transcribe →Ep 10 Part 2: How Instant Tipping and Wage Access Helps with Retention at Sun Holdings
Mar 1800:16:26Tap to summarizeTal Clark hosts part two of the Instant Payments Podcast with Laura McLand, VP of HR at Sun Holdings, a major U.S. restaurant group with 30,000+ employees, discussing HR trends including earned wage access and digital tipping. Laura says fast, fee-free access to tips improves satisfaction, and notes the shift from physical pay cards to mobile payments. She describes Sun Holdings’ efforts to position restaurant work as a career path, reporting retention improved by 20% over the last two years due to instant payments and greater employee engagement. She explains piloting new programs with one brand before scaling, outlines ROI-driven internal buy-in, and shares how AI is being used in recruiting and new payroll software for faster information retrieval.00:00 Welcome Back to Laura00:35 Instant Tips Impact01:45 Beyond Plastic Cards03:25 Turnover and Retention05:39 Employee Engagement Focus in 202607:05 Rolling Out Instant Pay08:45 Selling Value of Instant Payments To Execs11:09 AI In HR Operations13:19 Rapid Fire Q&A15:51 Closing And ThanksInstant Financial: instant.coSun Holdings: sunholdings.net Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/ Connect with Laura McLand: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mcland/
Transcribe →Ep 10 Part 1: Earned Wage Access and Digital Tips at Scale for Sun Holdings’ 30,000+ Employees
Mar 400:16:38Tap to summarizeHost Tal Clark interviews Laura McLand, VP of HR at Sun Holdings, a franchise operator with 1,250+ locations across 32 states, 13 brands, and 30,000+ employees. Laura describes moving into HR through payroll, then joining Sun Holdings to unify previously fragmented HR, payroll, and benefits teams and improve speed and consistency of employee support. She explains how payroll is organized by brand type with shared resources for similar brands. Tal and Laura discuss Sun Holdings’ use of Instant Financial since 2021 for digital tips and earned wage access, and emphasize immediacy and mobile, 24/7 access as key to employee financial wellness. This episode is a great conversation around how one of the country’s largest restaurant groups prioritizes financial access.00:00 Introducing Today’s Guest, Laura McLand 01:38 Laura’s Career Path: From First Payroll Role to HR Leadership03:35 Joining Sun Holdings: Fixing a Fragmented HR/Payroll/Benefits Org05:02 Managing 13 Brands at Scale06:40 What Makes Sun Holdings Special07:59 Supporting 30,000 Employees10:00 Modern Pay in Action: Digital Tips + Earned Wage Access12:25 Meeting Employees on with 24/7 Tools14:49 What’s Next and Wrap-UpInstant Financial: instant.coSun Holdings: sunholdings.net Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/ Connect with Laura McLand: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mcland/
Transcribe →Ep 09 Part 2: The importance of both instant pay and tips for Cotton Patch Café
Feb 1800:20:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Instant Payments Podcast, host Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, continues the discussion with Stephanie Callihan, CFO of Cotton Patch Cafe, about the transformative impact of instant digital payments in the restaurant industry. Stephanie shares insights on how Cotton Patch's adoption of Instant Pay for both tips and wages has significantly boosted employee satisfaction, reduced turnover, and streamlined payroll processes. They explore the benefits of providing daily access to earnings and discuss how this system supports career advancement within the company. Additionally, Stephanie reveals her personal passion for equestrian sports and forecasts technology trends that could shape the future of restaurant operations. The episode concludes with a look at 2026 growth for Cotton Patch Cafe.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome00:26 Digital Tips and Employee Satisfaction02:22 Transition to Instant Pay07:07 Regulatory Landscape and Earned Wage Access11:44 Future of Restaurant Technology14:38 Stephanie's Equestrian Passion17:42 Rapid Fire Questions20:07 Conclusion and FarewellInstant Financial: instant.coCotton Patch Cafe: https://cottonpatch.com/ Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/ Connect with Stephanie Callihan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniecallihan/
Transcribe →Ep 09 Part 1: Managing Instant Pay While Scaling Operations with Stephanie Callihan of Cotton Patch Café
Feb 400:19:48Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Instant Payments Podcast, host Tal Clark talks with Stephanie Callihan, finance leader at Cotton Patch Café, about navigating payroll, compliance, and retention in a large hourly workforce. Stephanie shares her career path through restaurant finance, Cotton Patch’s people-first culture, and how digital tipping helped the brand preserve daily pay while reducing operational risk. The conversation highlights why listening to employees, simplifying manager workflows, and modernizing pay systems are critical to retention and guest experience.00:00 Welcome and Stephanie’s career journey in restaurant finance03:28 Cotton Patch Café culture, awards, and growth focus06:31 Payroll compliance and the realities of an hourly workforce09:05 Retention strategies and strengthening management coverage12:03 The decline of cash and the challenge of daily tip payouts14:30 Preserving daily pay through digital tipping17:01 Operational efficiency, security, and auditing benefitsInstant Financial: instant.coCotton Patch Cafe: https://cottonpatch.com/Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/Connect with Stephanie Callihan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniecallihan/
Transcribe →BONUS Ep 08: Breaking Down the CFPB's New Advisory Opinion on Earned Wage Access
Jan 2000:17:14Tap to summarizeIn this bonus episode of the Instant Payments Podcast, host Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, and Heather Heebner, head of compliance at Instant Financial, discuss the CFPB advisory opinion released December 23, 2025. The conversation delves into the current regulatory environment of earned wage access (EWA) at both the federal and state levels, the history of advisory opinions from the CFPB, and the implications for employers and EWA providers. They also explore how this new ruling affects compliance, the differences between previous advisory opinions and the current one, and what it means for the overall industry. The episode provides valuable insights for employers considering offering EWA as a benefit to their employees.00:00 Welcome to the Instant Payments Podcast00:33 Introducing Heather Heebner and Today's Topic01:02 Understanding Earned Wage Access (EWA)03:18 The CFPB's Advisory Opinions on EWA08:44 Implications for Employers and Providers10:40 State-Level Legislation and Its Impact13:56 Final Thoughts and Industry Outlook16:49 Conclusion and Contact InformationCFPB Advisory Opinion: https://files.consumerfinance.gov/f/documents/cfpb_earned-wage-access-advisory-opinion_2025-12.pdfInstant Financial: instant.coConnect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/Connect with Heather Heebner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-heebner-8b59615/Get in touch with Instant: marketing@instant.co
Transcribe →Ep 07 Part 2: More HR Trends with Britt Landrum: AI, Benefits, and Personal Passions
Dec 1000:25:57Tap to summarizeIn this episode of the Instant Payments podcast, host Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, continues the conversation with Britt Landrum, CEO of Landrum, Inc. They discuss the impact of AI on staffing, including Landrum's AI, 'Abby,' for recruiting. The conversation extends to the evaluation of tools like payroll cards and earned wage access for worker impact and business ROI. Britt touches on Landrum, Inc.'s industry reach, recent acquisitions, and new office openings. The discussion also delves into Britt's personal interests, including his journey in music and triathlons, and the integration of physical and mental health. Britt shares advice for HR and business leaders about being adaptable and flexible, emphasizing the importance of communication and creativity. The episode concludes with rapid-fire questions about Britt's recommendations and future expectations for AI and automation in HR.00:00 Introduction and Welcome00:26 Impact of AI on Staffing01:56 Evaluating Payroll Solutions03:27 Industries Served by Landrum05:10 Expansion and Acquisitions08:02 Musical Talents and Early Influences14:09 Triathlon Journey and Fitness20:10 Advice for HR and Business Leaders23:07 Rapid Fire Questions and ConclusionInstant Financial: instant.coLandrum, Inc: https://landruminc.com/ Connect with Tal Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tal-clark-a60776b/ Connect with Britt Landrum: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittlandrum/Pensacola Business Community: https://www.pensacolachamber.com/
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