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 in for bold, fast-paced insights on hiring, buzzword fatigue, and who’s really accountable when al...

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 how remote work unlocked career-defining opportunities—for her and thousands of others. She offer...

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 explores how the current political landscape has reshaped the experience for visa holders, HR teams,...

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 shares timely legal insights, practical risk-mitigation steps, and alternative visa pathways HR tea...

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 personal “burn book” of former bosses), Mita explores how toxic leadership shows up in unexpected ways—...

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 conversations, Ben offers a refreshingly actionable framework for building a feedback culture that ...

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, creativity, and intentionality. They offer real-world strategies from hosting high-impact offsites to ...

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 expectations are reshaping the way people approach growth at work. From pre-pandemic career ladders to tod...

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, the trio dives into Gallup’s latest findings on employee disengagement, the rising pressure aro...

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 personal stories and research-backed insights that challenge hustle culture and offer a new framewor...

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 from HR leader to entrepreneur, the emotional highs and lows of building a business, and how self-awareness ha...

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 new executive role, emphasizing why the traditional “listening tour” might not cut it when speed...

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 costs, Deborah shares her remarkable journey into the intersection of AI, compliance, and compassiona...

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 needs? From being one of the first women in America to earn a PhD in applied psychology to running...

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 regional theater, highlighting why wellness, rest, and operational strategy are crucial for sustainin...

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 an expert in transformation, revealing the mindset shifts and daily habits that fuel success. Toget...

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 explore why hiring a big-name executive from a later-stage company can backfire in an early-stage startup, h...

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 explore the ramifications of recent legal decisions and political shifts on HR practices, including t...

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 has shifted from the candidate-driven frenzy of 2021 to a more balanced state, while offering practica...

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 philosophies, overcoming common challenges in compensation cycles, and the transformative potential o...