The HR Life Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

A quick introduction to your hosts, Tony Benjamin and Steven Smith.  The first full episode drops on June 17, 2025.  

In this episode the guys lay out SHRM's dirty laundry for everybody to see.  They discuss the $11.5M case specifics, the rumored toxic work environment at national SHRM, and how politics play into it all.  It needs to be said.  They mention the HR Besties podcast and critique their takes and the attempts of some to take down SHRM and its local affiliates. 

Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about the books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
This podcast supports Pucks for Autism.  Learn more at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

The podcast notes that no parakeets were harmed in the recording of this podcast, they volunteered their voices to contribute to the sunny nature of the episode.  

The guys talk to Karisa Stahle about I9's, 1099 Employees, and how to do audits during an incredibly difficult time.  The guys check in with Karisa on the state HR, talk AI a little, and talk about how to go about an I9 audit.  Where to start and how to keep everybody calm when you let them know you need to redo some paperwork. 

Learn more about Karisa Stahle at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisa-stahle-mba-shrm-cp-23395950/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about the books referenced on the Podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

In this episode Tony and Steve attack how to take over a dysfunctional HR department or start a department of one.  They coin a new phrase, "Eat the Otterpops", discuss how to build recruiting on a solid foundation, and have a lot of fun along the way.  Steve gives some incredible new insights into what demotivates employees with some new research from iSolved, and explains why employees refer their friends to work for the company.  Nothing or nobody is out of bounds in this episode. 

Link to the iSolved Research the guys discuss: https://www.isolvedhcm.com/resource-center/collateral/sapient-insights-group-survey-voice-of-the-customer-payroll-systems-2024-2025

Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our Sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
A link to the books we've referenced on the podcast: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
The guys encourage support of The Thrive Life Project: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

Claire Lizear joins the podcast from 6 Mile to talk HR burnout, the trap that many HR professionals find themselves in, who HR should report to, how she screens applicants, and of course, horror stories.  All this with Claire's fiery sense of humor and incredible insight.  Tony shares a favorite harassment complaint.  Claire explains what 8 Mile, 6 Mile, and 5 Mile are near Detroit and we find out that Steve is a recording star.
Viva La Kiss Cam: https://youtu.be/OW5WDT40-Ow

Claire Lizear, SHRM-SCP, is an experienced HR leader with a passion for creating workplaces where people feel seen, supported, and set up to succeed. Known for her thoughtful approach to employee relations and her ability to bring clarity to complex situations, she’s helped leaders and teams grow through change with empathy and accountability. When she’s not in HR mode, Claire gives her time to Pucks for Autism, a volunteer effort that combines her love of hockey with her commitment to community and inclusion.

Find out more about Claire at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clizear/

Nobody cried during the recording of the episode. 

Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://pucksforautism.com/
A link to our incredible sponsor: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
A list of the books mentioned on the podcast can be found here: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Steve and Tony encourage you to support The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/ 

Alison Avila joins the guys to test the theory that no matter what intro Tony gives about Steve, it will turn out to be true.  They also discuss perfectionism in HR Pro's, nicknamed horror stories, and why some staffing companies succeed when others don't. 

Alison is the Director of Human Resources at Your Employment Solutions (YES), a Utah-based staffing agency where she has led HR strategy and growth since 2013. With a Bachelor’s and Master’s in Human Resources from Utah State University, she’s spent her entire professional career in the staffing industry, helping YES grow from a single office to a multi-state operation with over 60 staff and 8,000+ W2'd employees annually. A long-time SHRM volunteer and current Utah SHRM State Council Treasurer, Alison is passionate about compliance, human psychology, and the evolving intersection of law, leadership, and technology in the workplace.

You can learn more about Alison at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-avila-mshr-shrm-scp-csp-2829062b/ and https://www.youremploymentsolutions.com/about-yes/corporate-leadership/
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/ 
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/ 

Links to books we discuss on the podcast: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast 

Thank you to our sponsor MegaStarHR: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Please support The Thrive Life Project: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

This podcast was recorded without the use of slave labor and microplastics added to food.  

The guys talk Steve's missing Star Wars ornaments and Vision Mission Values with the Empty Red Seat.  Why your vision, mission, and values form a critical component in your recruiting, onboarding, and engagement.  This discussion is the central focus of Tony’s consulting services and the bleeding edge recruiting techniques that Steve presents at conferences around the country and in his book.  

Why is your mission changeable? What are values and why are they valuable?  AND… how does that relate to football?  Baseball?  Basketball?  

Learn more about Tony “Two Weeks’ Notice” Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Email the podcast at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com  Let us know how worried you are about Steve's ornaments and how the podcast has impacted you.  

To help you write the perfect Vision, Mission, Values look for this book: The Culture Engine on Amazon  https://shorturl.at/4UTjp ... Or reach out to the guys.  

No feelings or animals were hurt in the recording of this podcast. 

Support our sponsor at: megastarhr.com
We encourage you to support the Thrive Life Project at: www.thrivelifeproject.org 

The guys talk to Steve Jaffe, author of the book The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery.  The discussion moves from statistics of the increasing numbers of people caught in layoffs, to some of the pitfalls of using an ATS fully screen applicants.  Recovering from being caught in a layoff is a journey and this episode looks at it from 100 different angles including HR’s.  

Born and raised in sunny San Diego, Steve began his writing journey at San Diego State University, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism and communication. After a 25-year career in advertising and marketing—including work on the iconic “What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas” advertising campaign—he has returned to his writing roots. Throughout his career, Steve has built a reputation for creativity, strategic insight, and a deep understanding of human experiences. These qualities shape his approach to both his work and life, infusing his writing with authenticity, empathy, and a genuine desire to connect with others.  Steve resides in Altadena, California, with his wife, two children, and a perpetually shedding dog. When he’s not writing or consulting as a marketing expert, you can find him chasing waves along the coast or carving fresh powder on the slopes—always seeking balance and adventure in his professional and personal life. Steve’s journey continues to be a testament to resilience, innovation, and the belief that sharing authentic experiences can inspire growth and lead to a deeper understanding of who we truly are.

Find Steve Jaffe’s book at: https://amzn.to/4pNZ5CZ

Learn more about Steve Jaffe at: https://thestevejaffe.com/

Learn More About Steven “Big Deal Smith” at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

Learn More About Tony “Two Weeks’ Notice” Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/

Thank you to MegaStarHR for their continued support.  Learn more at https://www.megastarhr.com/

The guys support The Thrive Life Project.  Learn more at https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

Recorded live at The Work Elevated Conference, this episode will shock you into a smile.  After another brilliant introduction, the guys talk to both organizers and attendees at the conference.  Rachel Child joins the podcast again and talks about working at the conference, Karisa Stahle then talks about turning over the reigns to Joylynn Jepson who also joined and promised to first release the theme of next year’s conference exclusively on the podcast.  Attendee Carl McCain talks to the guys about winning a TV at last year’s conference along with what he learned about being kind to others (in addition to the thrill of talking to Steve and Tony).  Sterling Barker sits in the Red Seat from Utah SHRM, talks about serving and why he does it.  Then, Scott Key, the breakout networker of the conference joins and talks about his experience attending while looking for work. 

Warning: This episode contains light humor and lacks a lot of boring employee handbook knowledge.  Listeners should be prepared for humor, sarcasm, and a little background noise.  Some listeners may experience uncontrollable smiling, laughter, and a desire to attend next year’s conference.  

Learn more about Rachel Child at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelm-child/ 
Learn more about Joylynn Jeppson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joylynn-jeppson-a87149142/ 
Learn more about Karisa Stahle at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisa-stahle-shrm-cp-23395950/ 
Learn more about Carl McCain at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-mccain-ab309614/ 
Learn more about Sterling Barker at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterling-l-barker-mshr-phr-shrm-cp-031bb32/
Learn more about Scott Key at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-key-3297b0193/ 

Learn More about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/ 
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/  

Steve admits his troubled past selling lizards and the guys talk recruiting, interviewing, and the state of HR with Melissa Musgrave.  Melissa shares her experience "recruiting Jesus" and some other fun stories.  The guys take a few minutes and discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk.  
Melissa believes people are the capital, and growth is the return.  Founder of Melissa Musgrave People Collective, where she helps leaders, professionals, and organizations unlock clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth. With over 20 years in HR strategy and leadership—including as Chief People Officer for an aerospace startup and Head of Employment at Airbus Americas—she knows what it takes to scale teams, build resilient cultures, and deliver business outcomes through people.  My career has spanned hiring 10,000+ professionals, leading high-growth organizations through scale-up and transformation, and guiding executives at critical leadership inflection points. She partners with leaders navigating career transitions, burnout recovery, or next-level growth, teams building trust, alignment, and performance, and organizations scaling sustainably through HR strategy and fractional leadership

Learn more about Melissa at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissamusgrave/ 
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/ 
Learn about Steven "Big Deal" Smith: at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/