The HR Life Podcast

EP 46 Retention, Troy Blanchard's Connections, and Ken Miles Got Jacked

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Steve and Tony talk international remote workers and retention methods with Troy Blanchard from ZConnect. Steve talks about implementing COVID early and often. Tony talks about Ford Verses Ferrari and how the bureaucracy so prominent in that movie was real... and was probably the fault of the CEO. And finally, Tony introduces everybody to the "Slug Line" in DC.

Learn more about Troy Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trblanchard/
Learn more about Zconnect at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zconnect-global-outsourcing/posts/?feedView=all or https://zconnect.biz/
Learn more about the Shingo Model at: https://shingo.org/shingo-model/ or at: https://huntsman.usu.edu/mba/shingo-online-mba
Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the Books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

Troy is the co-owner of ZConnect, a company that helps U.S. businesses scale by connecting them with highly qualified remote professionals across Latin America and other parts of the world. With decades of experience in operations, leadership development, outsourcing, business development, sales, and strategic growth, Troy is passionate about helping companies solve complex business challenges, improve efficiency, and build strong cross-border teams. He enjoys bringing people together in a way that creates value for both the client and the professionals supporting them. Through ZConnect, Troy helps companies grow more profitably by developing and integrating remote teams that support key business functions while allowing leaders to stay focused on growth, service, and long-term success.

EP 45 The State of the Hot Tub Workplace in the Empty Red Seat

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Tony and Steve break down parts of SHRM's annual State of the Workplace report, but only after venturing into stories of strange women playing footsies with Steve on a cruse. Who is the most optimistic that employers are meeting the needs of their employees? Employees, HR professionals, and HR Executives, are all in agreement that the second biggest need n the workplace is...? Want to know what is happening now in HR? This is your episode.

Find the study at: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/state-of-the-workplace-summary-and-report/2026-sowp-full-report

Join us at Fuel HR on May 14. Learn more at: https://hracu.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=88&ts=1744305292

Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Lean more about Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) at: https://jag.org/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

Join us at Fuel HR on May 14. Learn more at: https://hracu.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=88&ts=1744305292

EP 44 The Dichotomous State of HR, AI, and a Huge Announcement At The Very End of The Empty Red Seat

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 14 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Tony and Steve talk about the state of HR, AI, eating catnip, and the fact that HR is both doing well and in trouble. Tony's cynicism is both peaking and ebbing as he discusses HR with a wandering choo choo. The guys discuss what is going on in the world of HR consulting and fractional HR. Tony reads a post from Facebook and Steve gives a great HR in Life segment. But don't drop out of the podcast early. Steve makes a major announcement at the end of the podcast that you wont want to miss.

Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Lean more about Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) at: https://jag.org/
Learn more about The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

Quote of the Episode: "AI is great but it won't take you on a date." - TonyB.

EP 43 The Toxic Environment of the Empty Red Seat - and How to Cure It

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode Tony and Steve tackle toxic work environments and Tony's fantastic ability to kill wasps from more than 10 feet away. What is a toxic work environment? What role do front line managers play in creating or toxic environments? Do front line managers or the C-suite have a bigger impact in your efforts to improve culture? In this week's HR in Life Segment the guys talk about misunderstanding the meaning of ethics. Why do people mistake bad business decisions for unethical behavior?

The five elements of Toxicity
Abusive
Disrespectful
Unethical
Cutthroat
Non-inclusive

Quote of the Episode: "So is this something he needs to talk to Jesus about?" - Tony Benjamin

Join us at Fuel HR on May 14. Learn more at: https://hracu.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=88&ts=1744305292

EP 42 Why Can't I ask Follow Up Questions in Interviews on the Empty Red Seat?

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:12:32 -0700

In this episode Tony and Steve expose some insights into how to train your managers to interview. What are they interviewing for? The guys debunk the myth that you can only ask the same set of questions in the exact same order to every candidate. Steve sheds light on the number one things candidates complain about, the number one things interviewers complain about, and Tony loses his choo choo. Oh... And that is how long Steve's hair is right now.

Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Lean more about The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 41 Definning Strategic, The Four Myths of HR, and He-Man in the The Empty Red Seat

Tony Benjamin — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode Steve and Tony discuss Steve’s Four Myths of HR and define the difference between administrative and strategic HR. For HR professionals looking to contribute in a strategic manner at an executive level, this discussion forms a guide to what that entails. Of course, the guys talk about Project Hail Mary and the upcoming He-Man Movie as well.

The four myths:
HR is administrative
HR isn't data driven
HR is a cost center
HR is reactive, not proactive

Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

Quote of the Episode: “I’ve always thought that Strategic HR is the fundamental rethinking of how organizations treat people.” – Steven Smith

EP 40 The SAFE Framework and Gamified Confetti with Andrea Hollingsworth

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Tue, 17 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0700

Listen as Tony and Steve are once again joined by Andrea Hollingsworth. In this fantastic episode Andrea lays out the SAFE Framework that helps HR and leaders cope with RIF's, Layoffs, and survivors. They discuss how to survive extremely difficult conversations with those leaving the business and those who are staying. They also touch on gamifying the workplace and performance reviews.

Quote of the episode: "Can we say chicks on the podcast?" - Tony Benjamin

Learn more about Andrea Hollingsworth at: https://hollingsworthconsulting.com/
Get Andrea's book here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+compassion+advantage+book&crid=3IFCIXBF6LBEE&sprefix=the+compassion+advan%2Caps%2C158&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_1_20
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
See a list of all of the books referred to on the Podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStar HR, at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Steve and Tony highly recommend supporting the Thrive Life Project. Learn more at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

Andrea Hollingsworth, Ph.D., is an acclaimed keynote speaker, bestselling and award winning author, and trusted consultant who’s spent years studying the transformative power of compassion. Since 2008, she has been speaking and writing about the science and spirituality of human emotions and relationships.

EP 39 Rachel Child and HR Education in Iambic Pentameter

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode Tony and Steve welcome back Rachel Child in iambic pentameter and great hazas to talk about the intersection of HR education and real-world practice. Rachel shares how she found her way into the profession — and what she’s seeing from the next generation of HR professionals. This episode touches on leadership accountability, HR education, culture vs. compliance, the realities of entering the HR profession, and why the success of HR often starts at the very top of an organization.

This episode includes a new segment centered on a real world, short case study. If you like or hate the segment, let us know. thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com.

Quote of the episode:
“A good HR person is a good business person.” – Rachel Child

Learn more about Rachel Child at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelm-child/
Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

Rachel Child is a human resources professional, consultant, and full-time faculty member teaching HR at Weber State University. Before entering academia, she spent years working as an HR manager and HR generalist in industry, later running her own HR consultancy. Rachel now teaches the next generation of HR professionals while continuing to consult and serve in leadership roles within the HR community.

EP 38 Return of Shaina Burgoyne And Yoda is Still Missing

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 03 Mar 2026 05:00:00 -0800

In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, Tony and Steve sit down with Shaina Burgoyne to talk about something many HR professionals quietly wrestle with: stepping away from your career — and finding the courage to come back. From navigating an acquisition at Omniture/Adobe to leaving the workforce to raise her children, to re-entering HR during COVID and rising into leadership at Domo, Shaina’s story is honest, practical, and incredibly relevant. This one is about career gaps, imposter syndrome, women in leadership, the HR Business Partner model, burnout, AI, and why HR doesn’t have to be the buzzkill.

Quote of the episode: “If you don’t act like Michael Scott, I won’t have to act like Toby.” -Shaina Burgoyne

Learn more about Shaina Burgoyne at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-burgoyne-6471ab13/
Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/

Shaina is the Director of HR at Domo, leading a global team. She is also Mom to two boys and has enjoyed a successful return to the workforce after an extended break when she was focusing on full-time parenting. She tries to approach both of her roles with empathy, humor, and a focus on long-term growth.

EP 37 AI, the EEOC, the Eightfold Case, and an Empty Red Dog Couch

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 24 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0800

In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, Tony and Steve go from red couches and movie plot twists to one of the most important HR conversations happening right now: AI in hiring, reverse discrimination, and why the EEOC is very active.

If you think AI tools are just making recruiting easier, think again. From insider panic in the AI world to federal subpoenas and a groundbreaking lawsuit against Eightfold AI, this episode dives into the legal and ethical risks HR leaders can’t afford to ignore.

And yes… we still make time for dogs, Star Wars ornaments, and questionable hair decisions.

Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our Sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn about books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 36 Is The ATS Out To Get You? An Empty Red Seat Conversation on a Deserted Island

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 17 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0800

In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, "Fantastic" Tony Benjamin and Stephen “Big Deal” Smith tackle one of the biggest villains in today’s job market: the Applicant Tracking System. The guys kick things off with a slightly terrifying (and mildly hilarious) detour into rogue AI bots that call you when you ignore them — because nothing says “future of work” like software that won’t let you ghost it. If you’ve ever blamed “the system” for your job search frustrations, this episode might change your perspective — or at least help you understand what the guys on the other side of the screen are really doing. And no, the ATS isn’t calling your phone. Probably.

Learn more about "Fantastic" Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn More about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned in the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

Watch the Trailer for Send Help here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4wiXj9NmEE

No AI's or ATS's were injured during the recording of this episode. (Or even maligned. We love AI, no, really.)

EP 35 Rat Birds, PEO's, and Your Business Knowledge With Stacee Pedersen

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0800

In this episode the guys talk to Stacee Pedersen about everything from PEO's to groundhog day. They talk about why PEO's don't work for many companies, why its harder sometimes for consultants to affect the daily operation of a company, and of course, Stacee's entrepreneurial rise to power. The guys introduce a new segment called HR In Life. What happens when your star performer runs off every supervisor she has? Why are the Baltimore Rat Birds... errrrr... Baltimore Ravens, headed to their doom? Listen to the episode and find out.

Learn more about Stacee Pedersen at: https://www.momentumemployergroup.com/
Find her Podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/waking-the-why/id1832387848 on Apple Podcasts. You can also find it on Youtube, Spotify and other platforms.
Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our Sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn about books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

Stacee Pedersen was not hurt in the recording of this episode.

Stacee Pedersen is currently the Founder and President of Momentum Employer Group and COO of Winward Electric. Stacee has 25 years of experience in managing all aspects of Human Resources. Stacee was the VP of Human Resources for Zions Bancorporation and Director of Talent Management for PCC Structurals.

Stacee earned her MBA from the University of Utah, completed her undergraduate degree in HR at Weber State University, and holds both a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) as well as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. Stacee is a certified coach, trainer, and speaker through the John Maxwell Team and is also certified in Lean Construction. Stacee loves competitive sports and finds joy with family at ball games. She enjoys playing piano, reading books on leadership and living a life filled with purpose.

EP 34 Your HR Value, Pooper Scoopers, and Vinagaroons with Ben Eden

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 05:00:00 -0800

The guys talk to Ben Eden about HR practitioners view of themselves, how to begin to build trust when you have a seat at the table, his partnership with SHRM around the PMQ+, and other brilliant things you'll have to listen to the podcast to learn. Steve introduces listeners to Vinagaroons and what happens when they sting you as well as recounts his recruiting days on Tatooine.

We want to thank the children who provided the fun background sounds. (No children were hurt in the recording of this podcast.)

Learn more about Ben Eden at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benedenspeaks/ or https://www.instagram.com/benedenspeaks/ and https://www.instagram.com/benedenspeaks/
Find Ben Eden's book on Amazon at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVSGY2R9/?bestFormat=true&k=how%20we%20see%20ourselves&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_20_de&crid=1R7D4TTVM8S01&sprefix=how%20we%20see%20ourselves
Learn more about the PMQ+ at: https://share.hsforms.com/1_IU4hQhwTfqRnr5SERjjhg2d0dt
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our sponsor MegaStar HR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about all of the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

Ben Eden is a leadership strategist, author of How We See Ourselves, and a key architect behind PMQ+ — a groundbreaking leadership development program built in partnership with SHRM and LifeGuides. With a career dedicated to helping people managers grow through mentorship, real-world application, and deep personal reflection, Ben brings both heart and rigor to the conversation on modern leadership. In this episode, they explore the insights behind their book and share how PMQ+ is transforming how organizations support frontline leaders.

EP 33 Look Here Resume Writing with Amy Adler

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. SMith — Tue, 27 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0800

Amy Adler has the proof that she's the best resume writer in the world. The guys talk to her about professional resume writers, the first resume ever written, pink jeeps, the scams that job hunters face, the state of HR, and a lot more. What is the worst word you can use on your LinkedIn profile? Find out in this fantastic episode.

Learn More about Amy Adler at: https://fivestrengths.com
Schedule a meeting with Amy at: https://fivestrengths.com/thehrlife
Find Amy on LinkedIn at: https://linkedin.com/in/amyladler

Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith: at https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/

Amy L. Adler is the president of Five Strengths Career Transition Experts, a firm specializing in resume writing for executives and their teams. She holds the Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) LinkedIn strategy certification, Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW), and Certified Executive Resume Master (CERM) designations. She has been a judge in Career Directors International’s Toast of the Resume Writing Industry (TORI) Awards since 2015, previously having won first and third places for Best Executive Resumes. She is the author of Courageous Career Change: Fearlessly Earn the Executive Role You Deserve. She holds an MBA from Boston College, a Bachelor of Arts from Franklin & Marshall College, and an Associate of Science in Computer Science from Salt Lake Community College. She is a committed volunteer with The National Résumé Writers’ Association and the 2025 winner of the association's Vivian Belen Volunteer Award.

EP - 32 Dentist Elves, SHRM's Mistakes, Lawsuit Politics, and Clydesdales In the Empty Red Seat

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 20 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0800

In this episode the guys lay out SHRM's dirty laundry for everybody to see. They discuss the $11.5M case specifics, the rumored toxic work environment at national SHRM, and how politics play into it all. It needs to be said. They mention the HR Besties podcast and critique their takes and the attempts of some to take down SHRM and its local affiliates.

Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about the books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
This podcast supports Pucks for Autism. Learn more at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

The podcast notes that no parakeets were harmed in the recording of this podcast, they volunteered their voices to contribute to the sunny nature of the episode.

EP 31 The Very Cool Sexy Subject of I9's with Karisa Stahle

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0800

The guys talk to Karisa Stahle about I9's, 1099 Employees, and how to do audits during an incredibly difficult time. The guys check in with Karisa on the state HR, talk AI a little, and talk about how to go about an I9 audit. Where to start and how to keep everybody calm when you let them know you need to redo some paperwork.

Learn more about Karisa Stahle at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisa-stahle-mba-shrm-cp-23395950/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about the books referenced on the Podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

EP 30 Fantastic Stickers With Tracie Kalmar

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 05:00:00 -0800

The guys talk to Tracie Kalmar about how tough it was to work with Steve (which she claims was great), building culture, cutesy stickers, interviewing for humility, and a lot more. Listeners get an update on Steve's cat flooding his bathrooms and Tony gets exposed for saying the word fantastic too much. The guys introduce a new charity you can work with and the word strategic gets said more often than you'd expect.

Learn more about Tracie Kalmar at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracie-kalmar-09b043121/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

Tracie's goal is to create and maintain a culture that fosters growth and continual improvement, all while balancing the needs of employees and embracing that we are all humans serving humans. She recruits and finds the right position for the right people while delivering the most comfortable experience, and also strives to have active communication with the new hire for not only the onboarding and training process but building trust between all parties.

EP 29 The Lawyer is in With Mark Tolman

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0800

The guys talk to Mark Tolman, a company side employment attorney, and the most common EEOC complaints, executive orders, and some legal updates. Learn about Muldrow v. City of St. Louis and other cases. Did you know that you can get a restraining order against former employees and others who make threats? Who files more of those than anybody else in Utah? Oh... and the episode isn't boring!

Learn more about Mark Tolman at: https://parsonsbehle.com/people/mark-d-tolman or https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-tolman-2b70a7a/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin and The Grange Strategic HR Consulting at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn More about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
See a list of books mentioned on the podcast: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegaStar HR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
The HR Life Podcast supports the following Charities: https://www.pucksforautism.com/ and https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 28 Merry Christmas! At Twice the Speed While Watching Predator!

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0800

From our families to yours, Merry Christmas! The guys give you an insight into their personal lives by having their wives on the podcast. Does Steve sometimes leave off the true ending of the story? Why does Tony respond slower now instead of just saying the first thing that pops into his head? Listen to the podcast and find out. Get an insight into the cardinal rule of the podcast and where it came from.

A special thank you to Alicia Smith and Rachel Benjamin for joining the podcast and your support. We can't do this without you!

Get a ticket to see Steel Magnolias in Vernal, Jan 16 to 24 at: https://vernaltheatre.com/shows/steel-magnolias/
Learn more about Jack State at: https://www.jsu.edu/
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven J. Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

EP 27 Compassion and Exciting, Fancy Psychobabble With Andrea Hollingsworth

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 16 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0800

This is the episode Steve's been teasing for more than a month! Tony and Steve talk compassion with Andrea Hollingsworth. Listen in as Andrea crowd surfs the "live studio audience" and dispels the idea that compassion is a lot of workplace hugs. The guys talk to her about the difference between empathy and compassion, and discuss the fight or flight response generated when employees don't feel safe. Andrea's insights feed a deeper understanding of the workplace.

Learn more about Andrea Hollingsworth at: https://hollingsworthconsulting.com/
Get Andrea's book here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+compassion+advantage+book&crid=3IFCIXBF6LBEE&sprefix=the+compassion+advan%2Caps%2C158&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_1_20
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
See a list of all of the books referred to on the Podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStar HR, at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Steve and Tony highly recommend supporting the Thrive Life Project. Learn more at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 26 $600k Worth of Stats, Confused Culture, and Dissent with Weslie Porter

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0800

The guys talk to Weslie Porter, Director of People Analytics for the State of Utah, and he drops some amazing stats that have the ability to change how you view HR. Wes gives some amazing insights into motivation, dissent, and the actual role of human resources. From artillery specialists in the Army to private sector employees just onboarded, how do you gather data and build excellence? Find out in this episode.

Learn More:
Learn more about Weslie Porter at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/weslie-porter-mpa-20504612b/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Find all the books referred to in the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
The guys recommend supporting The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

Wes Porter Bio:
Weslie M. Porter has more than 20 years of experience in public administration and currently serves as the Director of People Analytics for the State of Utah within the Department of Human Resource Management. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Utah Army National Guard, where he has held key leadership assignments including Battalion Commander, Battalion Operations Officer, Brigade HR Officer, Battery Commander, and multinational and interagency Liaison Officer, with deployments to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Middle East. In addition to his military career, Wes spent 10 years in higher education as Director of Business and Trades, instructor, and program developer, creating programs that advanced workforce readiness and strengthened community partnerships. His expertise spans human resources, organizational culture, leadership development, and workforce analytics, leading initiatives that improve employee engagement and organizational effectiveness across state agencies. Wes co-founded multiple nonprofits, serves as Board Chair for a local charter school, and holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a Master of Public Administration from Southern Utah University. He and his wife, Emily, are raising six children in rural Utah.

EP 25 Yea... International HR with Desma and Elrona D'Souza

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 02 Dec 2025 05:00:00 -0800

The guys talk to Desma and Elrona D'Souza, the "HR Sisters" and owners of S&K HR Consulting. What is it like to live in a country where 80% of the population is imported? What is similar between HR in Dubai and the US, what is different? If you give somebody a bobblehead of Tony in Dubai is it a positive thing or not?

Desma D'Souza - After spending over 15 years building a successful corporate career, Desma D’Souza took a bold leap into entrepreneurship after a transformative sabbatical. Today, she serves as Managing Partner at S&K HR Consulting, the trusted HR consultancy for international businesses setting up or expanding to the UAE. Drawing from nearly two decades of HR experience across diverse industries, Desma brings a unique blend of operational insight and entrepreneurial energy to the table. At S&K, she leads Marketing and Business Development, serving as the first point of contact for global businesses entering the UAE. Desma is also the co-creator and co-host of The HR Sisters Podcast, the UAE’s first HR podcast designed for entrepreneurs. Through relatable conversations and real-world examples, the show simplifies UAE HR topics and supports the region’s growing business ecosystem with practical, actionable insights. Her work is anchored in one belief: HR is a strategic advantage. With a focus on building compliant HR foundations, Desma’s mission is to help business owners thrive without compromising culture or employee experience. A committed lifelong learner, she invests heavily in continuous development through coaching, reading, and staying ahead of global trends. As one of the UAE’s Top 1% HR Creators on LinkedIn, she shares insights with over 41,000 followers, inspiring better leadership and smarter people practices. Desma is available for Keynotes, panels, and advisory roles where her expertise in HR, entrepreneurship, and business scaling can create lasting impact.

Elrona Silba D'Souza - With over 24 years of deep HR expertise, Elrona Silba D’Souza serves as Managing Partner at S&K HR Consulting, the trusted HR consultancy for international businesses setting up or expanding to the UAE. She also helps start-ups and SMEs grow their profitability through simplified, scalable, and founder-friendly HR systems. Having lived in the UAE for almost 44 years and consulted across 54+ industries, Elrona brings a rare GLOCAL perspective to her work blending global best practices with grounded, real-world understanding of the UAE market. This fusion of insight allows her to guide international founders with clarity while supporting homegrown businesses with proven, practical solutions. Elrona’s approach is built on a simple belief: HR is the bridge between people and profit. Her work focuses on building strong HR foundations, improving decision-making for leaders, and creating workplace cultures where performance and well-being can co-exist. As one of the region’s most respected HR voices as UAE’s Top 2% HR Creator on LinkedIn, Elrona is frequently invited to share her expertise at leading industry platforms, including the Middle East HR Summits and Nationalization Conferences. Her perspectives on HR, culture, and organizational design have also been featured in respected publications like the HR Observer, further solidifying her position as an industry thought leader. Elrona is available for Keynotes, panels and advisory roles where her expertise in setting up businesses in the UAE, HR practices in UAE and cultural intelligence can create meaningful and lasting impact.

Learn more about Elrona and Desma at: https://snk.ae/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Find books referred to on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/

EP 24 Breaking News! 2026 Work Elevated Theme... Again, with JoyLynn Jeppson

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 25 Nov 2025 23:05:56 -0800

This episode includes the long awaited announcement of the theme of the 2026 Work Elevated Conference. JoyLynn Jeppson joins the guys to announce the theme (which is NOT Steve Smith), tell her story and remind of how sexist the '90's were. The episode was delayed when Tony damaged the original recording and it had to be rerecorded. JoyLynn shares data that came out of the 2025 conference, explains the shifting reasons people attend conferences, and asks for volunteers.

You can learn more about Joylynn Jeppson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joylynn-jeppson-a87149142/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Get a list of all of the books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

A sincere thank you to JoyLynn for being willing to rerecord the podcast. Her patience is as legendary as her advice.

EP 23 Superpowers for Grown-ups With Tami Bajema

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 18 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0800

In this week's episode, the guys talk with Tami Bajema about the revolutionary idea that weaknesses are just strengths turned up a little too high. Tami talks about helping people find their Super Powers (the intersection of what they're good at, what they like to do, and their perseverance/marketability) starting in elementary school and during interviews. She talks about what happened when she discovered that there wasn't a labor pool for the kind of skills she needed and how an accredited tech school came out of it. We also discover in this episode that Steve fought at the battle of Endor.

Trigger warning: People who had relatives on Endor may find some of the casual references to the cuteness of the Ewoks disturbing.

Tami Bajema is the Director of Staffing and Talent Development at Belt Power, where she leads with nearly 20 years of experience in Human Resources and a passion for ethical, people-centered strategy. With three HR degrees and a career spanning global and small businesses, her expertise covers the full HR spectrum—from performance management and succession planning to ATS algorithms and recruiting strategy.

What sets Tami apart is her commitment to making career development accessible and meaningful for everyone—from 5th graders to seasoned professionals. She is the creator of the “What Do You Want to Be When You Grow Up?” initiative, a program that helps people of all ages explore their strengths and align them with purposeful career paths. Whether she’s teaching students how to identify their Superpowers or coaching recruiters on hiring for retention through transparency and authenticity, Tami brings emotional intelligence, practical insight, and a deep belief in the power of human connection.

Her mission is simple: to help people thrive in their work by simplifying professional development, promoting self-awareness, and building win-win hiring strategies that last.

Learn more about Tami Bajema at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tami-bajema-phr-65a50130/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Find a list of all of the books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Tony and Steve encourage you to support The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 22 Eating the Otter Pops, Setting Up The New HR Department, Big Deal Recruiting, and Why People Leave

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 11 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0800

In this episode Tony and Steve attack how to take over a dysfunctional HR department or start a department of one. They coin a new phrase, "Eat the Otterpops", discuss how to build recruiting on a solid foundation, and have a lot of fun along the way. Steve gives some incredible new insights into what demotivates employees with some new research from iSolved, and explains why employees refer their friends to work for the company. Nothing or nobody is out of bounds in this episode.

Link to the iSolved Research the guys discuss: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/resource-center/collateral/sapient-insights-group-survey-voice-of-the-customer-payroll-systems-2024-2025

Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our Sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
A link to the books we've referenced on the podcast: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
The guys encourage support of The Thrive Life Project: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 21 Who Defends HR on 6 Mile with Claire Lizear?

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 04 Nov 2025 05:00:00 -0800

Claire Lizear joins the podcast from 6 Mile to talk HR burnout, the trap that many HR professionals find themselves in, who HR should report to, how she screens applicants, and of course, horror stories. All this with Claire's fiery sense of humor and incredible insight. Tony shares a favorite harassment complaint. Claire explains what 8 Mile, 6 Mile, and 5 Mile are near Detroit and we find out that Steve is a recording star.
Viva La Kiss Cam: https://youtu.be/OW5WDT40-Ow

Claire Lizear, SHRM-SCP, is an experienced HR leader with a passion for creating workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and set up to succeed. Known for her thoughtful approach to employee relations and her ability to bring clarity to complex situations, she’s helped leaders and teams grow through change with empathy and accountability. When she’s not in HR mode, Claire gives her time to Pucks for Autism, a volunteer effort that combines her love of hockey with her commitment to community and inclusion.

Find out more about Claire at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clizear/

Nobody cried during the recording of the episode.

Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://pucksforautism.com/
A link to our incredible sponsor: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
A list of the books mentioned on the podcast can be found here: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Steve and Tony encourage you to support The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 20 Perfectionist Rock Stars a Plenty with Alison Avila

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 28 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Alison Avila joins the guys to test the theory that no matter what intro Tony gives about Steve, it will turn out to be true. They also discuss perfectionism in HR Pro's, nicknamed horror stories, and why some staffing companies succeed when others don't.

Alison is the Director of Human Resources at Your Employment Solutions (YES), a Utah-based staffing agency where she has led HR strategy and growth since 2013. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Human Resources from Utah State University, she’s spent her entire professional career in the staffing industry, helping YES grow from a single office to a multi-state operation with over 60 staff and 8,000+ W2'd employees annually. A long-time SHRM volunteer and current Utah SHRM State Council Treasurer, Alison is passionate about compliance, human psychology, and the evolving intersection of law, leadership, and technology in the workplace.

You can learn more about Alison at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-avila-mshr-shrm-scp-csp-2829062b/ and https://www.youremploymentsolutions.com/about-yes/corporate-leadership/
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Links to books we discuss on the podcast: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

Thank you to our sponsor MegaStarHR: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Please support The Thrive Life Project: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

This podcast was recorded without the use of slave labor and microplastics added to food.

EP 19 Vision, Mission, and Shoulder Grogu

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 21 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys talk Steve's missing Star Wars ornaments and Vision Mission Values with the Empty Red Seat. Why your vision, mission, and values form a critical component in your recruiting, onboarding, and engagement. This discussion is the central focus of Tony’s consulting services and the bleeding edge recruiting techniques that Steve presents at conferences around the country and in his book.

Why is your mission changeable? What are values and why are they valuable? AND… how does that relate to football? Baseball? Basketball?

Learn more about Tony “Two Weeks’ Notice” Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Email the podcast at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com Let us know how worried you are about Steve's ornaments and how the podcast has impacted you.

To help you write the perfect Vision, Mission, Values look for this book: The Culture Engine on Amazon https://shorturl.at/4UTjp ... Or reach out to the guys.

No feelings or animals were hurt in the recording of this podcast.

Support our sponsor at: megastarhr.com
We encourage you to support the Thrive Life Project at: www.thrivelifeproject.org

EP 18 The Layoff Stayed in Vegas, From the Couch to the Superbowl with Steve Jaffe

Tony Benjamin and Steven J Smith — Tue, 14 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys talk to Steve Jaffe, author of the book The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery. The discussion moves from statistics of the increasing numbers of people caught in layoffs, to some of the pitfalls of using an ATS fully screen applicants. Recovering from being caught in a layoff is a journey and this episode looks at it from 100 different angles including HR’s.

Born and raised in sunny San Diego, Steve began his writing journey at San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication. After a 25-year career in advertising and marketing—including work on the iconic “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” advertising campaign—he has returned to his writing roots. Throughout his career, Steve has built a reputation for creativity, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of human experiences. These qualities shape his approach to both his work and life, infusing his writing with authenticity, empathy, and a genuine desire to connect with others. Steve resides in Altadena, California, with his wife, two children, and a perpetually shedding dog. When he’s not writing or consulting as a marketing expert, you can find him chasing waves along the coast or carving fresh powder on the slopes—always seeking balance and adventure in his professional and personal life. Steve’s journey continues to be a testament to resilience, innovation, and the belief that sharing authentic experiences can inspire growth and lead to a deeper understanding of who we truly are.

Find Steve Jaffe’s book at: https://amzn.to/4pNZ5CZ

Learn more about Steve Jaffe at: https://thestevejaffe.com/

Learn More About Steven “Big Deal Smith” at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Learn More About Tony “Two Weeks’ Notice” Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

Thank you to MegaStarHR for their continued support. Learn more at https://www.megastarhr.com/

The guys support The Thrive Life Project. Learn more at https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

EP 17 Free Bird, The Work Elevated Conference, and Mullets

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Recorded live at The Work Elevated Conference, this episode will shock you into a smile. After another brilliant introduction, the guys talk to both organizers and attendees at the conference. Rachel Child joins the podcast again and talks about working at the conference, Karisa Stahle then talks about turning over the reigns to Joylynn Jepson who also joined and promised to first release the theme of next year’s conference exclusively on the podcast. Attendee Carl McCain talks to the guys about winning a TV at last year’s conference along with what he learned about being kind to others (in addition to the thrill of talking to Steve and Tony). Sterling Barker sits in the Red Seat from Utah SHRM, talks about serving and why he does it. Then, Scott Key, the breakout networker of the conference joins and talks about his experience attending while looking for work.

Warning: This episode contains light humor and lacks a lot of boring employee handbook knowledge. Listeners should be prepared for humor, sarcasm, and a little background noise. Some listeners may experience uncontrollable smiling, laughter, and a desire to attend next year’s conference.

Learn more about Rachel Child at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelm-child/
Learn more about Joylynn Jeppson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joylynn-jeppson-a87149142/
Learn more about Karisa Stahle at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisa-stahle-shrm-cp-23395950/
Learn more about Carl McCain at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-mccain-ab309614/
Learn more about Sterling Barker at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterling-l-barker-mshr-phr-shrm-cp-031bb32/
Learn more about Scott Key at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-key-3297b0193/

Learn More about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

EP 16 Illegal Lizards, Divine Recruiting and Melissa Musgrave

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Tue, 30 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Steve admits his troubled past selling lizards and the guys talk recruiting, interviewing, and the state of HR with Melissa Musgrave. Melissa shares her experience "recruiting Jesus" and some other fun stories. The guys take a few minutes and discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Melissa believes people are the capital, and growth is the return. Founder of Melissa Musgrave People Collective, where she helps leaders, professionals, and organizations unlock clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth. With over 20 years in HR strategy and leadership—including as Chief People Officer for an aerospace startup and Head of Employment at Airbus Americas—she knows what it takes to scale teams, build resilient cultures, and deliver business outcomes through people. My career has spanned hiring 10,000+ professionals, leading high-growth organizations through scale-up and transformation, and guiding executives at critical leadership inflection points. She partners with leaders navigating career transitions, burnout recovery, or next-level growth, teams building trust, alignment, and performance, and organizations scaling sustainably through HR strategy and fractional leadership

Learn more about Melissa at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamusgrave/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn about Steven "Big Deal" Smith: at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

EP 15 Insurance Fun with Diane Fullerton

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Mon, 22 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0700

After a shaky start, the guys talk to Diane Fullerton from GBS Benefits about that time she helped save the Work Elevated Conference and her association with Utah SHRM. They also talk the world of benefits, what your broker should be doing for you, and the process of getting benefit quotes. We know... all sexy topics for sure, but it was a lot of fun. Monday was a full participant in this episode.

This episode drops the first day of the Work Elevated Conference and can provide a fantastic backdrop to the wonderful opportunities available at the conference. The guys will be recording live at the conference on Tuesday September 23, 2025 at a vendor booth. Stop by and say hi.

Diane Fullerton is a dynamic leader with a proven track record of success at GBS, where she embarked on her journey in 2007 as Chief Operating Officer and has since risen to the position of Chief of People and Community in 2021. Diane is a trailblazer in building a workplace culture centered around people-first attitudes. Under her leadership, GBS has consistently prioritized the well-being and professional growth of its employees, resulting in a motivated and engaged workforce that drives innovation and excellence. Her visionary approach to employee development and mentorship programs has not only elevated GBS as an employer of choice but has also set industry standards. Beyond the confines of the corporate world, Diane is a passionate advocate for community involvement. She has spearheaded numerous initiatives that have made a positive impact on the communities in which GBS operates. Her dedication to corporate social responsibility has earned GBS a reputation as a responsible and caring corporate citizen.

Learn more about Diane Fullerton at: https://gbsbenefits.com/team/diane-fullerton/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Learn about Thrive Life at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/
Learn More About MegaStar HR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/

EP 14 JD Robinson, The New Guy in Steve's Database

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Tue, 16 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys talk with JD Robinson about Recruiting, the state of HR, making transformative relationships with people, and acknowledge that HR is not your friend... but neither is accounting or marketing. They discuss the value of experience verses a degree and why high performers that nobody likes shouldn't be on your team as well as the greatest recruiting process JD has ever been a part of. (No pets were heard in the recording of this episode.)

JD Robinson is a business and HR executive with 15 years of experience driving organizational performance and profitability. Certified in GPHR, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP (with his PMP certification in progress), he specializes in turning complex challenges into business solutions that fuel growth. JD has helped organizations strengthen retention, optimize operations, and build high-performing teams, delivering measurable improvements in productivity and scalability. Known for his direct style and results-driven approach, he focuses on creating sustainable business success by aligning people, strategy, and performance.

Learn more about JD Robinson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrobinson1
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Contact the podcast at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com

EP 13 It Takes an Olympic Village To Raise a Culture with Dan Merkley

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 09 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys talk to Dan Merkley about his experience organizing and managing the athlete's village for the Olympics. What does it take to create an organization that exists to put on a single event and then disband? How do you staff hundreds of workers and keep them all engaged and working hard until the end of the games? How do you keep them from finding another employer two weeks into the event? The guys find out that culture and chemistry are the secret ingredients.

Dan Merkley is a professional, diplomatic executive / sub-executive of events and venue operations with 25 years experience in planning and operations management of regional and global entertainment and sports-oriented projects. Cross-functional expertise in client relations, teaching, training, project development, commercial development. Negotiator and advocate, having represented the interests of the Lima 2019, Rio 2016, Sochi 2014, Vancouver 2010, Beijing 2008, Torino 2006, and Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Villages to scores of internal and external stakeholders, and international clients. Cross-cultural exposure also includes having lived abroad in Rio de Janeiro (15 mo), Russia (2.5 years), Italy (2 years), Romania (2 years), and Qatar (5 mo).

Learn more about Dan Merkley at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-merkley/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Additional Links: https://worldphygital.org/ https://gofuture.games/ https://valkyrierelay.com/

Send translation of the Romanian phrases to thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com. The first person to do so will receive a free copy of Steve's book, The Hiring Tree.
Careful listeners will note special guest parakeets Natasha Romanov and Phillipa Sue. Tony and Steve want to thank their respective talent agents.

EP 12 The Undeniable Halo of Matt Hilbig

Tony Benjamin, Steven J. Smith — Tue, 02 Sep 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys talk to Matt Hilbig from OCM, Inc about the state of HR from the perspective of the job seeker. The discussion covers the current labor market, bad behavior by both candidates and recruiters, the reputation companies develop over time by how they treat applicants, and, of course, the word "strategic."

Guest appearance by Rizzo.

Matthew Hilbig is Executive Vice President and co-owner of OCM, Inc., a 40-year-old career transition services and HR consulting firm. He is president of the Central Utah SHRM Board and serves on the Employment Advisory Council for the state of Utah as well as the UVU HR Advisory Board. He’s also a member of Salt Lake SHRM. Matt had a successful career in sales before becoming a consultant and career coach, where he’s helped over a thousand clients with their job search. He has a BS in Mass Communications (Public Relations emphasis) from the University of Utah and an MBA from Grand Canyon University. Matt is a major bookworm, Jeopardy! Junkie, and Mountain Dew fiend. His latest endeavor is learning Spanish.

Learn more about Matt Hilbig at: https://www.ocminc.com/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

EP 11 Your Religious Uncle Robot and Josh Brecheisen

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys sit down and talk to Josh Brecheisen about working in HR while being religious, recruiting, how to become the best version of yourself and the future of AI in helping people find jobs. Josh discusses the idea that, in the future, AI bots will find everybody a job instead of individuals applying for jobs.

Josh is a recruiting leader, trainer, and speaker. He's recruited for top brands such as Dell-EMC, VMWare, and LogMeIn. His career has been focused on stepping into recruiting teams in difficult situations and establishing recruiting industry best practices, building teams from the ground up, and increasing team performance. He's been a contributor and speaker at SourceCon and the Recruiting Trends conferences. Not to mention he was part of a national championship volleyball team at BYU.

Learn more about Josh at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshblife/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Tony's band, Two Weeks' Notice, will be playing on Monday night of the Work Elevated Conference (September 22) at Big Daddy's Pizzeria in Provo. Find out more at https://www.facebook.com/share/1BNhzqyE7Z/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Register for the Work Elevated Conference at: https://utahworkelevated.com/

EP 10 - Swipe Right if You Think I'm Cute and The Empty Red Seat (w/Rizzo)

Tony Benjamin Steven J. Smith — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys leave the Red Seat empty for an episode and talk the lawsuit against Workday and the implications for AI use in recruiting. They discuss how you can protect your company and what to ask vendors to provide when you evaluate their AI products. The guys also talk recent changes in recruiting and the marketing principles associated with them. The current state of HR also comes up, of course, and Tony again reminds everybody that HR owns culture. Rizzo The Dog joins the podcast at the very end and agrees with everything Tony said.

Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Rizzo The Dog was born on Wednesday, November 2, 2016. He was named after Anthony Rizzo, who played for the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs won the World Series on that day. Steve, of course, is a Cubs fan. (There is some dispute about the date the Cubs won the Series because it was after midnight locally when they won, but prior to midnight in Utah where Steve was watching the game.)

Listeners are invited to Join Steve and Tony at the Work Elevated conference on September 22 and 23. Register at: https://www.utahworkelevated.com/ You can also join the guys on September 22 at 6:00pm at Fat Daddy's Pizzeria (across the street from the conference) where Two Weeks' Notice will perform live.

EP 9 Xavier Cugnon Isn't Jaded, But Tony Is... and A Giant Cat

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The guys speak to Xavier "X" Cugnon about veterans, the skills they bring to the private sector, how employers can ask about a veteran's story, and the transition from military to civilian life. Oh... and there's a story about a great big cat.

Xavier Cugnon is the Vice President of Human Resources at Lookout Pest Control. With over 15 years of progressive HR leadership, Xavier blends business acumen with a people-first philosophy that has helped forge best in class HR Teams throughout his career. Beyond the office, Xavier serves as Board Chair of SHRM-Atlanta and has spent ten years guiding hundreds of professionals to certification as an adjunct professor for the SHRM certification prep course. He holds a master’s degree in human resources from Villanova University and proudly carries forward the values forged during his service as a United States Marine, collaborating closely with Veteran Service Organizations nationwide. His commitment to service and community has recently earned him the Warrior Alliance Impact Award and a spot on Atlanta’s Best Self Magazine’s “40 & Fabulous” class of 2024. Offstage, he continues to proudly earn his incredible wife Kristin and is an obnoxious dad to 19-year-old daughter Margaux.

Learn more about Xavier "X" Cugnon at: www.linkedin.com/in/xavier-cugnon
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven J Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Additional Links for Veteran related organizations as mentioned in the podcast:
https://www.veohero.org/ - Veterans Empowerment Organization ( a healing campus that allows veterans to rebuild their lives)

https://thewarrioralliance.org/ - The Warrior Alliance ( connects Warriors with the customized resources)

https://atlvets.org/speakers/zack-a-knight/ - ATLVets (individualized roadmaps for career and business success)

https://vetlanta.org/ - Vetlanta (Connecting Veterans with Community)

EP 8 Of Course Steve Knows Kate Thompson's Boss

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Tony and Steve talk to Kate Thompson for a fresh take on HR. Tony rambles on about perfume, and Kate drops some fantastic wisdom. They talk about the benefit of being required to solve problems, self care, finding out who's perfume is overpowering the office, and the definition of boring/bad HR. Steve coins the phrase "Cold Played", and the jokes just never stop coming.

And yes... the email to the podcast is thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com... no matter what Tony says at the end. Send us your guest ideas, topic ideas, and how you first met Steve.

Kate Thompson is an HR Generalist with a strong background in employee relations, ADA/FMLA, and benefits. She currently works at Mountain Land Physical Therapy, supporting 70+ locations in multiple states. She especially enjoys helping managers approach tough conversations with clarity and confidence, and turning feedback into real growth. Kate earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Resource Management from Utah Valley University. Her early experience was focused in onboarding, compliance, and benefits before growing into more employee-facing work. Outside of the office, she’s a lifelong skier and endurance athlete. Kate finished a full Ironman in November 2024 and still chases big goals (and powder days) any chance she gets.

Learn more about Kate Thompson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate--thompson/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

EP 7 - Delivery on Duty With Rachel Child

Tony Benjamin and Steven J Smith — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0700

In this episode, the guys talk to Rachel Child about her story, how she got into HR, the effect of firing a lot of people on a young practitioner, the generational differences between older and younger workers, and even a story about an HR professional who was answering email while in delivery.

Rachel Child is a certified HR Practitioner, Consultant, and Business Instructor (Weber State) who loves to help people identify their strengths and teach leaders to balance policy and consistency with empathy and inclusivity; building loyal and exceptional leaders and teams.

Learn more about Steven Big Deal Smith: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

Have topic Ideas? Want to ask a question? Email Steve and Tony at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com.

Bonus Ep Viva La Kiss Cam (With Bonus Track)

Tony Benjamin and Steven J Smith — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:18:53 -0700

In this episode the guys tackle breaking news with the Red Seat empty. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a special treat. Weird Al, you're welcome to cover the song.

Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin at https://www.thegrangellc.com/

Lyrics:
He used to be C E O
A brand new CHRO, he was living the dream
But in the evening, he held her close

Wandering from the life he chose

Deciding to roll the dice

They attended a concert that night

List’ning to the crowd, they sang

Bodies pressed together, then they swayed

One minute, they were not in sight

Rising up, dancing in the light

The camera moved causing an awful scene

Unaware they showed on the screen

She saw the Kiss Cam, and fell in hiding

Cov’ring her face to avoid deriding

He looked up, pulled his hands away,

Hiding himself in what looked like shame

For some reason Chris thought them shy

But once they’d gone, there was never, kissing up on the screen

And that was when they shattered the dream

It was a wicked and wild fling

Social blown up by just one scene

Shattering marriages with all their fun

People couldn’t believe what they had done

Comments filled with so much hate

Wantin’ their heads on a silver plate

So go ahead and toss your rocks at them

All of you who are without sin.

She saw the Kiss Cam, and fell in hiding

Cov’ring her face to avoid deriding

He looked up, pulled his hands away,

Hidin’ himself in what looked like shame

For some reason Chris thought them shy

But once they’d gone, there was never, kissing up on the screen

And that was when they shattered the dream

Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh
Oh-oh-oh, oh-oh, oh

She saw the Kiss Cam, and fell in hiding

Cov’ring her face to avoid deriding

He looked up, pulled his hands away,

Hidin’ himself in what looked like shame

For some reason Chris thought them shy

Perhaps St. Peter will never, ever listen to their pleas

For that was when they shattered their dreams

- Steven "Weird AL" Smith

EP 6 - Handbooks, Cops, and Taking Minutes With Priscilla Wadman

Tony Benjamin, Steven J Smith — Tue, 22 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0700

We'd love your reactions, comments, and ideas for future episodes. Contact us at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com.
In this Episode we talk to Priscilla Wadman about her story and how she got into HR, her view of the state of the art, and what it means to really support employees. Priscilla gives a fantastic roadmap to building an HR career.

With a distinguished career in human resources, Priscilla Wadman is driven by a commitment to operational excellence, employee advocacy, and organizational integrity. She specializes in building inclusive, legally compliant, and strategically aligned HR practices that elevate both people and performance. Currently at AW Services, she leads a team that provides full-spectrum HR services to more than 2,500 employees across over 30 charter schools and companies spanning industries such as education, steel manufacturing, and construction. She brings deep expertise in employee relations, workplace investigations, regulatory compliance, and strategic talent development. Throughout her career, Priscilla has earned a reputation for balancing business needs with human impact, guiding leaders through complex HR challenges, minimizing legal risk, and fostering cohesive, values-driven teams. Her leadership style is collaborative and solution-oriented, grounded in service, mentorship, and continuous improvement. In addition to her operational work, she has taught HR professionals as a PHR/SPHR instructor, consulted on employee benefits strategies, and led key initiatives in policy development, workplace culture, and compliance. She remains active in the HR profession through board service, speaking engagements, and advisory roles. Outside of her professional life, Priscilla is most proud of her family. Married for over 20 years, she is the proud mother of two sons and treasures the time they spend together. She is deeply grateful for the opportunities, challenges, and growth her career has offered and looks forward to what lies ahead.

You can learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
You can learn more about Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

EP 5 - The Empty Red Seat and Origin Stories

Tony Benjamin, Steven "Big Deal Smith" — Tue, 15 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0700

The podcast now has its own email so you can tell us how much you LOVE the podcast. Contact us at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com.

In this episode the guys leave the "Red Seat" empty, recapping the first four episodes and introducing themselves to listeners. Steve shares an incredibly inspirational story of the death of his son and the amazing HR professional that helped him through it. Tony shares the moment his life changed forever when he decided to take debate in high school and the truly unique teacher that shaped the way he saw logic and argument. The guys discuss the recent SCOTUS ruling Ames V Ohio Dept of Youth Services and discuss the reverse discrimination cases coming.

- Steve has been in corporate recruiting since Feb 2005 after earning a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Brigham Young University. In 2008 he helped with the foundation of ApplicantPro, focusing heavily on small employers to enhance their ability to manage applicant flow. He consults with thousands of companies in hundreds of industries on sound hiring principles and marketing methodologies to attract applicants through proven marketing, SEO practices, and now, artificial intelligence.

- Tony Benjamin is a unique HR leader with more than 20 years of experience working for some of Utah’s oldest, fastest-growing, and most well-known companies. He serves on the Board of Directors for the Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce, the Board of Trustees at Ashley Regional Medical Center, and the Board of Directors at Utah SHRM. He chaired the Work Elevated Conference (WECon) — the state HR conference — for two years and is a regionally recognized authority on building successful company cultures. Tony holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, and is a certified Professional in Human Resources (PHR). He is married to a woman out of his league, has three brilliant kids he doesn’t deserve, and lives in Vernal, Utah.

Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn More about Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin at https://www.thegrangellc.com/

EP 4 From Dolphins and Dogs to DEI With Katey Connell - The HR Life Podcast

Tony Benjamin Steven J Smith — Tue, 08 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Katey Connell is a force for transformation—on stage, in the workplace, and through her podcast, Become Alive. A dynamic Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at an advertising agency, Katey is known for doing things differently. She pioneered culture-first screening interviews to protect and elevate company culture, helping hire not just for skills, but for core-values. As a former SeaWorld Dolphin and Whale Trainer turned motivational speaker, certified life coach, group fitness instructor, and blackbelt in Taekwondo, Katey knows what it means to evolve—and she’s on a mission to help others do the same.
After hitting rock bottom in her own life, Katey learned to get comfortable in the uncomfortable. “Because that’s where growth happens—and that’s where you truly become alive.” Now living her ‘cloud 9’ life, she uses her personal story as a tool to empower others to realize and reach their full, God-given potential. Her philosophy? “Stop telling yourself you can’t. Make the scary decisions. They’re the ones that lead to real change.”
Katey brings her radiant energy, big smile, and deep conviction into every space she enters—whether she’s recruiting top talent, speaking at national events, or coaching others through their own breakthroughs. She resides in San Diego, California, where she surfs the big waves, hikes mountain trails with her dog, and serves in her local church.
Catch her on the Become Alive Podcast, book her to speak at your next transformative event, or partner with Become Alive: Recruiting to find your next top-tier hire. What sets her apart? She’s the only her. And what sets you apart?
Information about Katey Connell https://www.kateyconnell.com/
Information About Tony Benjamin https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Information About Steven J Smith https://thehiringtreebook.com/

EP 3 - None of These Guys are Playing in the NBA Finals with Jeremie Brecheisen - The HR Life Podcast

Tony Benjamin, Steven Smith — Tue, 01 Jul 2025 05:00:00 -0700

Steve and Tony talk to Jeremie about data and Human Resources, the current state of Human Resources, the Business Partner model of Corporate HR, global views of HR, and when engagement trumps talent.
Jeremie Brecheisen is the managing partner of the Gallup EMEA division.
Over the past two years, Jeremie has led the Gallup CHRO Roundtable, which hosts 1,000+ large-company CHROs. He has conducted over 800 one-on-one interviews with these executives, hosted over 500 roundtables and facilitated over 200 briefings with large-company HR leadership teams. Jeremie has also published articles on quarterly CHRO survey data, many of which have appeared on Gallup.com and in the Harvard Business Review. His findings are quoted in many publications, including The Wall Street Journal.
Jeremie is a regular contributor and subject-matter expert for many topics on Gallup.com, including Gallup’s Real Future of Work series, disruptive forces, agility, the future of HR and industry-specific challenges.
Jeremie has managed many of Gallup’s largest global clients, and his work has taken him all over the world, including North America, Europe, the Middle East and Asia. He has personally trained or coached thousands of managers and has designed workplace solutions for hundreds of thousands more.
Jeremie is an experienced public speaker, having presented at many public conferences, such as HRD Summits, MoneyLive Events, HCI Conferences, Argyle Conferences, Merit Summits and CoreNet Conventions, among others. He has served as a keynote speaker at international conventions with in-person audiences of over 30,000 and live-streaming audiences of more than 10,000. He regularly conducts Gallup public webinars for international audiences.
Jeremie received an MBA in the China International Program from the University of Hawaii. He received his bachelor’s degree in modern Asian history from Brigham Young University. Jeremie speaks conversational Mandarin Chinese.

Learn more about Steven Smith here: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about Tony Benjamin here: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

EP 2 - The Mega Big Deal Star Wars People and Tony With Beca Mark - The HR Life Podcast

Tony Benjamin and Steven J Smith — Tue, 24 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0700

An interview with Beca Mark, Owner and CEO of MegaStar HR joins the podcast. In this episode we we discuss the current state of HR, eliminating the conflict with CFO's and finance, The Role of Human Resources, the difference between cutesy and effective, how to install culture, and the move to outside HR consulting agencies. Learn more about MegaStar HR at https://www.megastarhr.com/ . Steve Smith's Information: https://thehiringtreebook.com/ Tony Benjamin's Information: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

Ep 1 - Strategic is a Dirty Word? - With Karisa Stahle - The HR Life Podcast

Tony Benjamin — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 05:00:00 -0700

In this, our inaugural episode, we talk to Karisa Stahle, VP of Human Resources at Verde, and Chair of Utah's annual Work Elevated Conference, sponsored by Utah SHRM and GBS Benefits. She is a results driven HR executive with 4+ years facilities industry experience and 15 years experience in HR. She's also on the Board of Directors for Utah SHRM. She talks to Tony and Steve about The current state of Human Resources, the role of SHRM, the use of the word "strategic", and a lot of other topics.

Ep 0.5 An Introduction - Are we recording?

Tony Benjamin — Mon, 09 Jun 2025 17:31:52 -0700

A quick introduction to your hosts, Tony Benjamin and Steven Smith. The first full episode drops on June 17, 2025.