The TroopHR Podcast

What if our definition of ambition is actually holding us back? In this thought-provoking episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley is joined by executive coach and author Amina AlTai to explore a radical reframe of ambition—one rooted in well-being, purpose, and sustainable growth. Drawing from her new book The Ambition Trap: How to Stop Chasing and Start Living , Amina shares deeply pe...

What makes a great founder, and how can HR leaders become one? In this candid and deeply personal conversation, Taylor Bradley sits down with Thach Nguyen, founder of executive search firm Plenty , to explore the evolving role of the founder-CEO and what it takes to lead with conviction, humility, and purpose. A self-described "accidental founder," Thach shares his unconventional path fr...

What does successful onboarding really look like in a startup? In this candid and strategy-packed episode, TroopHR host Taylor Bradley sits down with Cindy Gordon, a seasoned Chief People Officer, to reframe how people leaders should approach their first 90 days—especially in high-growth, fast-paced environments. Cindy shares invaluable insights drawn from her own recent experience stepping into a...

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with , CEO and founder of Sparrow, to uncover why employee leave remains one of the most complex, costly, and emotionally charged responsibilities in HR. From a background in reinforcement learning at MIT and Google Brain to building a leave management platform that’s already saved organizations over $200 million in payroll cost...

In this miniepisode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley spotlights Lillian Gilbreth, an often-overlooked pioneer who quietly reshaped the future of work. Long before terms like “employee experience” or “ergonomics” existed, Lillian was asking questions that still challenge leaders today: Can efficiency and empathy coexist? How do we design systems that serve both business goals and human n...

Broadway may be dazzling under the lights, but what happens behind the curtain? In this episode, Taylor Bradley sits down with Manny Bejarano , a seasoned HR leader in the theater industry, to explore burnout in live performance , the evolving role of HR in arts organizations, and the unique challenges of managing talent both on and off stage. Manny shares his experience working in Broadway and re...

What does it really take to reinvent yourself, whether it’s a career pivot, a shift in workplace positioning, or embracing new challenges? In this powerful episode, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Lan Phan, transformation coach and author of Do This Daily , to explore how small, consistent actions lead to lasting change. Lan shares her deeply personal journey from resisting change to becoming a...

In this episode of The TroopHR Podcast , host Taylor Bradley sits down with startup talent expert Natalie Ledbetter to dive into one of the biggest challenges in high-growth companies—hiring the right people at the right time. Natalie, a seasoned Chief People Officer and startup advisor, shares her framework for identifying the ideal talent DNA for each phase of a company's growth. They explo...

Listener's Note: For context, this episode was recorded one week before President Trump assumed office, which is why he is referred to as President-elect. In this episode of The TroopHR Podcast , Taylor Bradley sits down with Julie Werner, an experienced employment lawyer with over 27 years at Lowenstein Sandler LLP, to unpack the critical trends shaping employment law in 2025. Together, they...

In this episode of TroopHR, Taylor Bradley sits down with Michelle Schreck, Chief Talent Officer at Flatiron Search Partners, to explore what's ahead for HR and talent acquisition in 2025. From the resurgence of leadership development programs to evolving remote work policies, Michelle shares valuable insights from both the employer and candidate perspective. She discusses how the job market...

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley explores the evolving landscape of compensation strategies with Amee Parekh, CEO of Stello AI. Amee, a tech-savvy HR leader with a software engineering background, shares her journey from HR leadership to leveraging AI to revolutionize how organizations approach pay planning. Discover actionable insights on crafting effective compensation phil...

Host Taylor Bradley sits down with Joy Sybesma, Founder of ScaleJoy, and SVP of People at Bilt Rewards Alli Trussell, to redefine what high performance looks like in today’s workplace. Together, they explore how clarity, self-awareness, and adaptability drive success at individual, team, and organizational levels. Joy and Alli share actionable insights on designing performance frameworks that alig...

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley speaks with Anthony Onesto, a recruitment industry veteran, to discuss how AI is revolutionizing recruiting. Onesto explores the significant shifts technology has introduced to the recruiting landscape, from mobile advancements to LinkedIn, and emphasizes AI's potential to automate repetitive tasks, enabling  recruiters to focus on h...

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley tackles the thorny issue of political discourse in today's workplace with HR veteran, Jen Fox, and conflict resolution expert, Pete Turok. The discussion challenges the traditional "no politics at work" rule, exploring why this approach may no longer be feasible in our hyper-connected world. Fox shares insights from her deep exp...

In this episode of TroopHR, Taylor Bradley sits down with Daniel and Stephen Huerta, the dynamic duo behind the Modern People Leader podcast. The often mistaken brothers are actually cousins-turned-business partners whuch share their unique journey into HR tech and offer a candid look at the industry's most pressing issues.  The conversation spans a wide range of topics, from the lasting impa...

In this episode, Taylor Bradley engages in an insightful conversation with Luck Dookchitra, an experienced HR leader, about the transformative power of mentorship in career development and organizational growth.  Luck shares her wealth of experience in both receiving and providing mentorship, offering valuable insights for HR professionals at all career stages . Key topics discussed: The importanc...

In this episode of TroopHR, Taylor Bradley sits down with Rory Sacks, a seasoned Learning & Development leader, to explore the evolving landscape of talent development. Rory shares his unique perspective on building organizational resilience through strategic L&D initiatives, challenging traditional approaches to training and onboarding. Key topics discussed: - Reframing L&D as a drive...

In this mini-episode, host Taylor Bradley takes us on a journey back to the late 1800s, exploring the inspiring story of Anna Bissell. Widely recognized as America's first female CEO, Anna's tale is a testament to breaking barriers and redefining leadership in the face of systemic constraints. It's a great story of a legendary leader in workforce history to reflect on after Labor Da...

In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley dives deep into the art of storytelling with experts Jared Cozart and LeAnne Harper, co-founders of Unlock. Together, they explore how compelling narratives can transform HR leadership and set professionals apart in a competitive corporate landscape. Discover how to harness storytelling to inspire, persuade, and build lasting connections,...

In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley engages with Jessica Zwann, a former CHRO and current COO, to delve into the dynamic world of HR leadership. Jessica narrates her unique career transition from journalism and law to HR and operations, highlighting essential skills for HR leaders aspiring to broader roles. She discusses the integration of HR initiatives with business objec...

In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley explores the intersection of venture capital and HR leadership with Rebecca Price, a seasoned HR executive turned VC partner at Primary Venture Partners. Rebecca offers a deep dive into the venture capital landscape, detailing the role of VC firms in nurturing startups and the various specializations within the industry. She shares her un...

In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley takes listeners on a journey from broad labor market trends to granular compensation strategies. The episode features three distinguished guests, each offering unique insights into different aspects of the evolving workforce landscape. First, Ron Hetrick Vice President, Staffing Strategy and Sr. Labor Economist at LightCast, discusses mac...

In this special 4th of July mini-episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley shares an inspiring story of an unsung hero in the history of the American Workforce. Taylor recounts the courageous actions of James G. Thompson, who played a role in the development of the American workforce and laid groundwork for the civil rights movement. The episode explores Thompson's experience as an...

Taylor Bradley sits down with Lan Phan, accomplished author of "Do This Daily" and founder of Community of Seven, to explore the transformative power of purpose-driven leadership. Lan shares her journey from corporate executive to purveyor of equitable talent development, emphasizing the critical need to democratize access to leadership training. She illuminates the key differences betwe...

Taylor Bradley sits down with Helen Dayen, the dynamic CEO of the Dayen Group, to dive deep into the intricacies of navigating a multigenerational workforce. With now up to five possible generations collaborating in workplaces, Helen illuminates the key differences between them,  from their unique relationships with technology to their distinct communication styles and evolving workplace expectati...