The TroopHR Podcast

What if the change you’re resisting is actually an invitation to see your life, and your work, differently? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with best-selling author, speaker, and former HR leader Sarah Aviram to explore what happens when we step outside of our routines and learn to navigate uncertainty with greater curiosity and confidence. Sarah shares the story b...

Most HR leaders were rewarded early for getting things done. Over time, that habit can keep you stuck in the weeds and away from the work only you can do. In this TroopHR Podcast episode, host Taylor Bradley talks with leadership coach and author Madhu Krishnappa Maron about how HR leaders can shift from constant doing to strategic leadership. Madhu spent 20 years as an HR leader before starting h...

On this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley talks with Livia Martini, Chief People Officer at Wellhub, about well-being at work now that AI is changing how people do their jobs.  Livia describes well-being as feeling good across the parts of life that matter most: physical and mental health, money, sleep, relationships, and work. She also explains why "work-life balance"...

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Host Taylor Bradley welcomes Deepa Pulipati, Executive Advisor, Conflict & Change Management, Tula Advisory. Deepa spent years as a licensed marriage and family therapist mediating child custody disputes in San Francisco Superior Court before moving into executive coaching. She defines coaching as creating the conditions for people to solve their own pro...

What separates great leaders from great titles—and how can organizations develop leadership at every level? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley welcomes back Josh Saterman, CEO of Saterman Connect and co-author of Arrive, Drive, Thrive . Josh shares the leadership framework behind the book, exploring how professionals evolve from emerging leaders to senior leaders while learning...

Why do so many transformation efforts fail and what role does organizational structure play in determining success? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Jasmine Moseley Beal, Founder of Virtue Key, to explore how misaligned organizational structures create barriers to execution, performance, and growth. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, Jasmine explains...

What does it really take to transition from HR leader to founder—and how do you build a culture that can withstand the pressures of growth? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Thach Nguyen, Founder and CEO of Plenty Search, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and creating resilient organizations. Drawing on experiences from hypergrowth compan...

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...