The TroopHR Podcast

What if the way we measure employee engagement and workplace performance is completely outdated? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Melissa Ng Goldner, Founder and CEO of Malu Journey and Head of Strategy and Research at Coqual, for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of work, employee sustainment, and why “work-life balance” may be one of the most mis...

What if the key to building stronger, more innovative teams starts with removing the “boxes” we place people in? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with neurodiversity advocate and founder of the Neurodiversity Training Institute, Racheal Pallares, to explore how organizations can create workplaces where different ways of thinking are not just accommodated—but celebra...

What does it take to build a culture so strong it drives a $7B business and why might the best HR leaders come from outside HR? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Paul Yater, Chief People Officer at 84 Lumber, to explore how culture truly becomes a company’s competitive advantage. Paul shares his unconventional journey from IT to HR and how his deep understanding...

What happens when HR leaders step away from the noise of their roles and into a space designed for real connection, reflection, and growth? In this special TroopHR episode, host Taylor Bradley reflects on his experience at the 2026 TroopHR Retreat in Arizona, sharing a personal perspective on the power of community in HR.  From unexpected moments of connection and vulnerability to insights on prof...

How can leaders embrace AI without losing the human edge and what does it really take to bring teams along for the journey? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Jalie Cohen, CHRO at Radiology Partners, to explore the evolving intersection of AI, leadership, and human capability. Jalie shares how Radiology Partners is leveraging AI to augment—not replace—radiologist...

Before the weekend existed as we know it, before child labor laws, before Social Security — there was Frances Perkins standing on a sidewalk in Greenwich Village watching history burn. On March 25, 1911, Perkins witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire firsthand — 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women, killed in minutes because factory doors were locked from the outside. That moment didn...

How can HR leaders build real trust with employees while keeping pace with compliance, technology, and the rise of AI? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Nicola Barry of AirMason to explore how HR teams can rethink policies, onboarding, and employee handbooks to better balance compliance with culture.  Nicola shares how generative AI can help HR professional...

What does it really take to become a transformational leader—and why is self-awareness the starting point? In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Sonja Mustiful, executive coach and founder of Essence of Coaching, to explore the journey of transformational leadership in today’s ever-evolving workplace. Sonja breaks down the difference between leadership and title, in...

What does it really look like to support employees through grief at work—and why are most organizations getting it wrong? In this deeply human and practical conversation, Taylor Bradley sits down with CJ Infantino, founder of Unvoiced, to explore the realities of grief in the workplace. After losing his wife in 2020, CJ experienced firsthand how traditional bereavement policies, performance expect...

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley dives deep into the evolving role of compensation with Bobby Benfield, CEO of OpenComp. Together, they unpack how compensation can be transformed from a static system into a strategic, trust-building tool for talent retention and organizational success. Bobby shares actionable insights on crafting a strong pay philosophy, the pitfalls of misal...

What does it take for a CHRO to become a CEO? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Katie Stricker, executive advisor and founder of The Potential Equation, to explore what it means for HR leaders to boldly step into broader operational roles, including the C-suite.  Katie shares the eye-opening moment that sparked her mission: recognizing how many CHROs are al...

What does it really take for an HR leader to step into the COO seat? In this episode, Taylor Bradley sits down with Jamie Coakley, Chief Operating Officer at Electric, to explore her remarkable journey from recruiter to HR leader to executive operator. With over eight years helping scale Electric from its early days, Jamie unpacks the mindset shifts, skills, and business fluency required to evolve...

In this forward-looking episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley is joined by Nicole Gunara, Principal Immigration Attorney, Manifest Law, to explore what HR leaders need to know as they prepare for a pivotal year in immigration and employment law. From potential Supreme Court rulings on birthright citizenship to sweeping changes in the H-1B lottery system that favor higher wage roles,...

What happens when high-achieving women doubt their success—and how does it ripple through the workplace? In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, Taylor Bradley is joined by executive coach Melanie Manning and workplace conflict mediator Kenya Salaudeen for a powerful conversation on the link between imposter syndrome and organizational friction. Drawing from coaching sessions, personal insights, a...

Can HR become the leader of AI adoption in the workplace? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Theresa Fesinstine, a 25-year HR veteran and founder of PeoplePower.ai, to explore the transformative potential of generative AI in HR. From busting the myth that AI is too technical for HR pros to sharing real-world use cases like NotebookLM and HR Harriet, Theresa makes...

What does it really mean to lead yourself before leading others? In this powerful episode of the TroopHR Podcast , host Taylor Bradley sits down with Erin Coupe — author, executive coach, and founder of Authentically EC — to unpack the essence of self-leadership . Erin shares her deeply personal journey from toxic workplaces, including her time at Goldman Sachs, to building a purpose-driven busine...

In this special lightning-round minisode, host Taylor Bradley is joined by a very special TroopHR member for a rapid-fire Q&A on one of the most pressing topics in HR today: artificial intelligence. From hot takes on hyper-automation and ethical accountability to surprising reflections on emotional labor and feedback anxiety, this episode explores where AI ends and human empathy begins. Tune i...

What if your next great hire lives halfway across the world? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast , host Taylor Bradley sits down with Madeline Grecek, Global Director of People at Remote, to explore how distributed teams are not only reshaping hiring but also transforming how we approach performance, engagement, and workforce planning. Madeline shares her own journey from higher ed to tech, and...

What happens when immigration policy shifts overnight and your employees are caught in the crossfire? In this powerful episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with immigration attorney Matthew Hellrung to unpack the real-time impact of evolving U.S. immigration policy on both individuals and companies. Drawing from his deep legal experience and personal immigrant ties, Matthew exp...

In this mini-episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with immigration attorney Nicole Gunara of Manifest Law, to unpack the latest executive order impacting H1B visas. Nicole breaks down what we know, what remains uncertain, and what HR practitioners can do right now to protect their employees and organizations. From a $100,000 fee to unclear definitions of “renewals,” she sh...

Ever wondered if you might be someone else's bad boss story? In this thought-provoking episode of the TroopHR podcast, Taylor Bradley reconnects with Mita Mallick, WSJ and USA Today bestselling author, for a candid conversation about her latest book, The Devil Emails at Midnight: What Good Leaders Can Learn from Bad Bosses . Drawing from her own career and surprising discoveries (including a...

How do you turn feedback into a force for career transformation? In this powerful episode, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Ben Brooks, founder of Pilot, to break down the critical (and often misunderstood) difference between evaluative and developmental feedback—and why HR leaders must master both. From tackling the “rearview mirror” of performance reviews to fostering forward-looking growth co...

How do you foster deep team connection in a remote-first world? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Talentful COO Jessica Zwaan and Offsite CEO Jared Kleinert to unpack the future of workplace connection. Drawing from their extensive leadership experience, Jessica and Jared explore the essential ingredients of strong remote team culture—including trust, creat...

What if the key to employee retention in an AI-driven world isn’t just about teaching new skills—but helping people rediscover why they work? In this episode, Taylor Bradley welcomes back Rebecca Taylor, Co-Founder and CCO of SkillCycle, for a compelling conversation around the release of their 2025 State of Skills Report. Rebecca shares how AI, economic turbulence, and shifting employee expectati...

What keeps HR leaders up at night in 2025? In this lively and insightful live episode from the TroopHR Retreat, Mita Mallick is joined by Chelsea Kaden, Chief People Officer at Warby Parker, and Trey Boynton, Chief Diversity and People Officer at Chief, to explore how HR leaders are navigating change, rebuilding trust, and shaping the future of work. With humor, vulnerability, and practical wisdom...