
The TroopHR Podcast
Welcome to the TroopHR Podcast, where we bring you the best of HR and business thought-leadership in a casual coffee chat format. Our mission at TroopHR is to empower HR professionals to advance their careers, personal development and build better organizations. We promise fresh, actionable content from master practitioners, industry leaders, translating their seasoned experience into practical advice. Join us for insights, strategies and tactical take-aways to drive the HR profession forward. The TroopHR Podcast will help guide you to discover the keys to success to overcome HR challenges, and make a meaningful impact as a People Leader.
Latest episodes

Jul 15, 2024 • 59min
Ep 14. From Macro to Micro: Navigating Labor Economics, HR Trends, and Compensation Strategies
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 macro-level labor market trends. He delves into demographic shifts, immigration's role in workforce growth, and the challenges facing various industries in filling positions. Ron also addresses the impact of technology and AI on job creation and displacement.Next, Erica White, Executive Director, HR Search & Recruitment at Frazer Jones, provides an inside look at the current HR job market. She explores the changing dynamics of executive-level placements, the ongoing debate around return-to-office policies, and the increasing emphasis on work-life integration in career decisions.Finally, Forbes’ 30 under 30 CEO & Founder Rani Mavram from Complete, offers expert insights into modern compensation strategies. She discusses the importance of sustainable compensation practices, creative approaches to equity and incentives, and the critical role of transparency in attracting and retaining top talent.Throughout the episode, Taylor and his guests explore the interconnections between these topics, offering listeners a comprehensive view of the current state of the workforce and valuable strategies for navigating these complex issues.Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

Jul 2, 2024 • 6min
Minisode 4th of July: James G Thompson & The Double V Campaign of WW2
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 African-American worker during World War II, highlighting the contradictions between fighting for freedom abroad while facing discrimination at home. Taylor details Thompson's powerful letter to the Pittsburgh Courier, which proposed the influential "Double V" campaign - calling for victory against fascism abroad and victory against racism at home.Mentioned in the Episode James G. Thompson's Letter to The Pittsburgh CourierCredits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

Jun 16, 2024 • 29min
Ep 12. “Do This Daily” with Lan Phan, Author & Founder of Community of Seven
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 between managers and leaders, offering practical strategies to cultivate trust, psychological safety, and a culture of inclusive innovation.Throughout the episode, Lan underscores the importance of empowering even the least powerful voices within an organization, fostering a sense of belonging across generations, and aligning one's career with deeply held personal values. She shares candid insights from her own experience writing and publishing "Do This Daily," encouraging listeners to chase their dreams and build a life of purpose.Listeners will walk away with a renewed sense of mission, equipped with actionable tools to become purpose-driven leaders, nurture talent at all levels of their organization, and create a thriving, multigenerational workplace culture.Mentioned In the Podcast Do This Daily by Lan Phan Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths To Transform Your Workplace by Mita MallickCreditsTroopHR Founder: Tracy AvinShow Producer: Nicole FealeyShow Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

Jun 3, 2024 • 27min
Ep 11. Thriving in a multi-generational Workforce with Helen Dayen CEO of the Dayen Group
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 expectations. She provides HR executives with a treasure trove of actionable strategies to create impactful training programs, design engaging awareness campaigns, and effectively attract and retain top talent across generations.Throughout the episode, Helen emphasizes the critical importance of cultivating adaptability, open-mindedness, and a culture of knowledge sharing to foster a truly productive and cohesive multi-generational team. Listeners will walk away with a powerful toolkit to navigate the complexities of a diverse multi-generational workforce, drive organizational success, and unlock the full potential of their multigenerational teams.CreditsTroopHR Founder: Tracy AvinShow Producer: Nicole FealeyShow Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

May 21, 2024 • 35min
Ep 10. Reimagine Inclusion - Transform Your Workplace with Mita Mallick Head of Inclusion, Equity and Impact at Carta
Mita Mallick, Head of Inclusion at Carta, discusses gender bias in pay equity and the importance of inclusion in the workplace. She provides practical advice for HR leaders and shares inspiring stories of companies leading the way in diversity and equity.

17 snips
May 7, 2024 • 40min
Ep 9. Transforming the Workplace Insights from Zamena Ladak and Josh Saterman | TroopHR Retreat 2024
Zamena Ladak and Josh Saterman discuss leading through change, effective communication during layoffs, fostering a culture of belonging, and embedding DEI values with joy and humor at the 2024 TroopHR retreat.

Apr 22, 2024 • 32min
Ep 8. Bridging the Gap Between HR and Business Operations: Insights from SkillCycle's Co-Founder, CCO Rebecca Taylor
In a captivating discussion, Rebecca Taylor, co-founder and Chief Customer Officer at SkillCycle, shares her extensive experience bridging HR and business operations. She highlights the evolving role of the COO and how alignment with HR can enhance organizational success. Key insights include leveraging data for decision-making, addressing challenges during layoffs, and the importance of targeted training programs. Rebecca candidly discusses her journey from HR to COO, tackling imposter syndrome and emphasizing the value of mentorship and self-advocacy in career growth.

Apr 7, 2024 • 40min
Ep 7. Cultivating High-Performing Teams with Charter's Massella Dukuly and Emily Goligoski
In this episode, host Taylor speaks with Massella Dukuly, Head of Workplace Strategy + Innovation and Emily Goligoski, Head of Research, SVP from Charter about the practice of building and sustaining high-performing teams. They define key traits, share tips for attracting and retaining talent, and walk through a real case study.Masella and Emily provide guidance on metrics to track the business productivity of our teams, even advocating that people leaders track employee sentiments around their own level of meaningful impact on initiatives. Highlights for people leaders include: fostering psychological safety to deal with healthy tensions, creating shared expectations, investing in communication practices, and facilitating effective employee surveys. Packed with practical advice, this conversation provides a toolkit for fostering the magic of high-performing teams. Subscribe for more insights on the future of work and visit charterworks.com to learn about Charter's offerings.Mentioned in the Episode:charterworks.com/proGretchen Spritzer | Ross School of BusinessChristine Porath | Georgetown University Tuckman ModelAmy Edmondson| Harvard Business School If you would like to learn more about joining our community please visit troophr.com and you may learn more about our upcoming retreat here > 2024 TroopHR Retreat April 28th - May 1stCreditsTroopHR Founder: Tracy AvinShow Producer: Nicole FealeyShow Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

Mar 24, 2024 • 26min
Ep 6. Evolving the CHRO Role with Shari Chernak, Executive Consultant @ Mercer
Shari Chernak, an Executive Consultant at Mercer specializing in HR leadership, shares her insights on the changing landscape for CHROs. She discusses findings from Mercer's "Voice of the CHRO" survey, highlighting the evolving challenges and opportunities in HR. Shari emphasizes the importance of digital HR integration and the necessity for CHROs to expand into strategic areas like diversity and risk management. She also offers practical advice on personal career ownership and fostering mental health in leadership, underscoring empathy's crucial role in today’s workplace.

4 snips
Mar 10, 2024 • 25min
Ep 5. The Cost of Tolerating Underperformance with Melanie Naranjo, VP of People at Ethena
Melanie Naranjo, the VP of People at Ethena, shares her expertise on performance management and accountability. She discusses the high costs associated with tolerating underperformance, emphasizing the need for clear definitions and honest feedback. Melanie explores strategies for fostering a culture of experimentation rather than perfection, enabling teams to thrive. Additionally, she highlights the importance of engaging diverse learning styles for effective training and shares career insights that encourage community growth in HR.