Instant is transforming the way people get paid. From earned wage access, digital tipping to virtual and physical paycards, we offer everything in one, easy to use platform so your employees can choose how, when and where they get paid.
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Welcome to
Where we explore the intersection of payroll innovation and fintech disruption.
Hosted by Tal Clark, a fintech industry veteran and CEO of Instant, this series dives into the trends transforming how America’s hourly workforce gets paid—from earned wage access and digital payroll to the evolving role of employers in driving financial wellness.
Each episode features expert insights from HR leaders, fintech pioneers, enterprise employers, and industry analysts who are shaping what’s next in financial services. Whether you’re in payroll, human resources, or financial tech, Instant Payments delivers the conversations that matter to those powering real-time pay.
Welcome to
Where we explore the intersection of payroll innovation and fintech disruption.
Hosted by Tal Clark, a fintech industry veteran and CEO of Instant, this series dives into the trends transforming how America’s hourly workforce gets paid—from earned wage access and digital payroll to the evolving role of employers in driving financial wellness.
Each episode features expert insights from HR leaders, fintech pioneers, enterprise employers, and industry analysts who are shaping what’s next in financial services. Whether you’re in payroll, human resources, or financial tech, Instant Payments delivers the conversations that matter to those powering real-time pay.
Where we explore the intersection of payroll innovation and fintech disruption.
Hosted by Tal Clark, a fintech industry veteran and CEO of Instant, this series dives into the trends transforming how America’s hourly workforce gets paid—from earned wage access and digital payroll to the evolving role of employers in driving financial wellness.
Each episode features expert insights from HR leaders, fintech pioneers, enterprise employers, and industry analysts who are shaping what’s next in financial services. Whether you’re in payroll, human resources, or financial tech, Instant Payments delivers the conversations that matter to those powering real-time pay.
Meet Tal Clark
Chief Executive Officer at Instant Financial and host of Instant Payments
Tal Clark is the driving force behind Instant Financial’s mission to improve financial wellness for frontline workers. With more than 30 years of experience in financial services, payments, and payroll innovation, Tal brings unmatched insight to the evolving world of payments. As CEO of Instant, he’s helped make on-demand pay a mainstream benefit—delivering meaningful impact for millions of employees and the businesses that depend on them. Before Instant, Tal led transformative initiatives at First Data (now Fiserv) and helped launch Money Network, the first platform to deliver electronic pay solutions to all employees. On this podcast, he sits down with innovators, leaders, and change-makers shaping the future of pay and financial wellness.
Watch our Latest Episode:
Tal Clark interviews Dr. Martin Armstrong, VP of Payroll of Shared Services. They discuss Martin’s extensive career in payroll, his journey from the Navy to becoming a recognized leader in the industry, and the technological advancements that have transformed payroll practices. They also touch on the benefits of modern payroll solutions like earned wage access and robotic process automation. Martin shares his insights on the future of payroll and offers advice for payroll practitioners looking to advance their careers.
All Episodes:
In this debut episode, restaurant veteran David Alvarado joins Instant CEO Tal Clark to explore how digital tip payouts are replacing outdated cash methods—streamlining operations and supporting employee wellbeing.
Join host Tal Clark as he talks with Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse about the journey from creating the iconic Bloomin’ Onion to building a restaurant empire rooted in culture and people-first values.
Host Tal Clark talks with Kevin O’Bold, VP of Finance at Ultra Steak. Kevin shares his journey from accountant to VP, insights from a decade in the industry and how Ultra Steak is modernizing payroll, IT, and operations.
In part 2 of the Ultra Steak episode, Kevin O’Bold shares real-world insights on transitioning from cash to digital, optimizing labor, customizing tip pools, and the future of technology in the hospitality industry.
Dr. Martin Armstrong, VP of Payroll Shared Services, shares his journey from the Navy to payroll leadership, exploring modern payroll technology, earned wage access, and career advice for payroll professionals.
PDQ Chicken CEO Kep Sweeney joins Instant Financial’s podcast to discuss leadership, workforce management & how QSR brands can navigate restaurant challenges.
In this episode, host Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, continues the conversation with Kep Sweeney, CEO of PDQ Restaurants as they delve into the business environment of the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space, discussing the handling and implications of tips, employee compensation, the free market, and industry trends.
In episode 6 President and CRO of AllianceHCM Matt Umholtz shares his journey working in high-end kitchens to becoming a payroll and HR tech leader. He highlights key industry challenges such as labor and food costs, turnover rates, and the importance of specialization in multi-unit restaurant operations.
In this episode Matt Umholtz discusses the labor challenges faced by the restaurant industry and the importance of an ‘hourly first mindset,’ career advancement opportunities, and the role of training in reducing turnover rates among young workers. He also explores the benefits of earned wage access as an incentive for employees, dispelling misconceptions about it being akin to payday loans.
In this episode of the Instant Payments Podcast, host Tal Clark talks with Britt Landrum, CEO of Landrum, Inc., about the evolution of his family-run staffing and PEO business. They discuss technology’s role in HR, the rise of earned wage access, the impact of AI on employment, and why personal relationships still drive success. Hear how Landrum grew from a local staffing firm into a major HR player.
In this episode of the Instant Payments Podcast, host Tal Clark talks with Britt Landrum, CEO of Landrum, Inc., about the evolution of his family-run staffing and PEO business. They discuss technology’s role in HR, the rise of earned wage access, the impact of AI on employment, and why personal relationships still drive success. Hear how Landrum grew from a local staffing firm into a major HR player.
In this episode Matt Umholtz discusses the labor challenges faced by the restaurant industry and the importance of an ‘hourly first mindset,’ career advancement opportunities, and the role of training in reducing turnover rates among young workers. He also explores the benefits of earned wage access as an incentive for employees, dispelling misconceptions about it being akin to payday loans.
In episode 6 President and CRO of AllianceHCM Matt Umholtz shares his journey working in high-end kitchens to becoming a payroll and HR tech leader. He highlights key industry challenges such as labor and food costs, turnover rates, and the importance of specialization in multi-unit restaurant operations.
In this episode, host Tal Clark, CEO of Instant Financial, continues the conversation with Kep Sweeney, CEO of PDQ Restaurants as they delve into the business environment of the quick-service restaurant (QSR) space, discussing the handling and implications of tips, employee compensation, the free market, and industry trends.
PDQ Chicken CEO Kep Sweeney joins Instant Financial’s podcast to discuss leadership, workforce management & how QSR brands can navigate restaurant challenges.
Dr. Martin Armstrong, VP of Payroll Shared Services, shares his journey from the Navy to payroll leadership, exploring modern payroll technology, earned wage access, and career advice for payroll professionals.
Host Tal Clark continues his conversation with Kevin O’Bold, VP of Finance at Ultra Steak. They explore how digital tipping, pay-at-the-table tech, and electronic payments boost restaurant efficiency, employee satisfaction, and safety.
Host Tal Clark talks with Kevin O’Bold, VP of Finance at Ultra Steak. Kevin shares his journey from accountant to VP, insights from a decade in the industry and how Ultra Steak is modernizing payroll, IT, and operations.
Join host Tal Clark as he talks with Tim Gannon, co-founder of Outback Steakhouse, about the journey from creating the iconic Bloomin’ Onion to building a restaurant empire rooted in culture and people-first values.
Ep. 01 Exploring Innovations in Restaurant Industry Payroll
In this debut episode, restaurant veteran David Alvarado joins Instant CEO Tal Clark to explore how digital tip payouts are replacing outdated cash methods—streamlining operations and supporting employee wellbeing.
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