In Who Hired This Person?, we dive into the wins, fails, and unexpected twists in the hiring process. HR leaders, hiring managers, and industry experts share real stories about what went right, what went wrong, and what they’ve learned along the way.
If you’ve ever struggled with hiring, background checks, or making the right talent decisions, this podcast is for you.
Site
RSS
Apple
Data updated on 20/08/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
Episode 20: Feedback, Flexibility, and the Human Side of HR — with Makaylah Reyes of Manhard Consulting
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 • Duration 21:40
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall sits down with Makaylah Reyes, Human Resources Generalist at Manhard Consulting, an engineering and consulting firm known for its collaborative, people-first culture.
Makaylah opens up about the realities of being an HR generalist—balancing empathy with accountability, managing complex feedback loops, and creating processes that support both people and the business. She shares how her team at Manhard fosters a culture of open communication, what she’s learned from employee advocacy wins (like implementing a lactation accommodation policy), and how empathy can transform even the toughest HR moments.
From improving manager feedback to navigating performance challenges and decoding background check results with compassion, Makaylah’s perspective offers HR leaders and hiring managers alike a real-world look at what it means to take a truly human approach to people management.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode
🔹 The Human Approach to HR: Why leading with empathy, grace, and open communication creates stronger teams and better outcomes.
🔹 The Art of Feedback: How tailoring feedback to different communication styles helps employees grow—and keeps high-potential talent engaged.
🔹 Balancing Policy and People: The power of transparency when navigating layoffs, documentation, and regulatory nuances.
🔹 Advocacy in Action: How Makaylah championed a lactation accommodation policy in a male-dominated industry—and why it was the right call for everyone involved.
🔹 Grace in Difficult Moments: How supporting employees through illness, loss, or personal challenges can redefine workplace culture.
🔹 Smarter Background Checks: Why interpreting context, timing, and honesty matters more than a report’s surface-level results.
Key Takeaways
✅ HR isn’t just about compliance—it’s about compassion, support, and helping people perform their best.
✅ Great feedback requires creativity; not everyone receives information the same way.
✅ Open communication and transparency can prevent most policy and performance issues.
✅ Documentation isn’t just protection—it’s a tool for accountability and clarity.
✅ Empathy and understanding during personal hardship strengthen trust across the organization.
✅ Effective HR leadership means seeing people as more than their performance metrics.
🔗 Learn more about Manhard Consulting at manhard.com.
🔗 Follow Atwell on LinkedIn to explore upcoming career opportunities at Atwell.com as the companies merge.
Episode 19: Compliance Meets Compassion – Hiring Insights & HR Leadership with Kristie, from The City of Tomball
Wednesday, October 8, 2025 • Duration 18:44
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall sits down with Kristie, Human Resources Director at The City of Tomball. With a foundation in law and years of HR leadership in local government, Kristie offers a unique perspective on balancing compliance with compassion, navigating the modern workforce, and supporting leaders to make better hiring decisions.
She shares why today’s candidates value culture and balance just as much as salary, how her legal background shapes her HR approach, and the subtle red and green flags hiring managers often miss. Kristie also opens up about a hiring success story that reshaped her IT department and the one myth about HR she wishes more people understood.
Whether you’re an HR professional, a business leader, or simply curious about how hiring works behind the scenes, Kristie’s insights deliver practical strategies and real-world lessons.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode
🔹 The New Workforce Mindset: Why younger candidates are prioritizing flexibility, balance, and growth over traditional “long-term job” paths.
🔹 Compliance Meets People-First HR: How Kristie blends legal expertise with empathy to guide fair, effective HR decisions.
🔹 Red Flags in Hiring: Warning signs like short job tenures or sluggish onboarding that managers shouldn’t overlook.
🔹 Green Flags for Success: Traits like responsiveness, genuine communication, and confidence that usually predict a great hire.
🔹 Cultural Fit vs. Skills: Why people skills often matter more than technical qualifications in long-term success.
🔹 The HR Myth: Why HR doesn’t “always side with the employer” and how great HR leaders advocate for both employees and leadership.
Key Takeaways
✅ Candidates now weigh culture, balance, and growth as much as pay.
✅ HR leaders must walk the tightrope between compliance and compassion.
Links & Resources
Episode 18: Balancing People and Business – HR Lessons on Mental Health & Leadership with Jeremy English, from Bell Partners
Wednesday, October 1, 2025 • Duration 25:12
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall sits down with Jeremy English, PHR, Human Resources Business Partner at Bell Partners. With over 13 years in HR, Jeremy brings a thoughtful perspective on the balance between business needs, employee wellbeing, and leadership accountability.
He opens up about his journey into HR, how mental health became a central focus in his career, and why the post-pandemic workplace has forever changed how HR leaders approach hiring and retention. Jeremy also shares candid stories about interviewing red flags, what true leadership accountability looks like, and the one HR practice he wishes he could change immediately.
Whether you’re an HR professional, business leader, or someone passionate about workplace culture, Jeremy’s insights offer a fresh look at what it takes to build healthier, more sustainable organizations.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 Finding Balance in HR:
Why HR professionals must advocate for employees and protect business interests at the same time.
🔹 The Mental Health Imperative:
How Jeremy is pushing past “buzzwords” to make mental health a real workplace priority.
🔹 Post-Pandemic Hiring Challenges:
Why the candidate landscape has shifted—and what HR needs to do differently.
🔹 Red & Green Flags in Interviews:
What Jeremy looks for beyond resumes to assess true culture fit.
🔹 Leadership Accountability:
Why retention and culture depend less on HR and more on the leaders employees report to.
🔹 A Practice He’d Change Tomorrow:
Episode 17: Hiring in the Fast Lane - HR Lessons from the Restaurant Industry with Alyssa from Twin Peaks
Wednesday, September 10, 2025 • Duration 12:42
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall sits down with Alyssa Brown, Human Resources Manager at Twin Peaks. From starting as a server in 2016 to earning her master’s degree and rising into HR leadership, Alyssa brings firsthand insight into the unique hiring challenges of the restaurant industry.
She shares candid stories about balancing speed with culture fit, why attitude often matters more than experience, and the surprising moments when a “perfect” candidate didn’t quite work out. Alyssa also highlights how Twin Peaks uses assessments, training, and consistency to ensure every hire supports the guest-first culture.
Whether you’re hiring in hospitality, retail, or any high-turnover environment, Alyssa’s lessons reveal why relationships, energy, and resilience are at the core of building strong teams.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 From Server to HR Leader:
Alyssa’s journey at Twin Peaks proves that internal growth and culture alignment can be just as important as outside experience.
🔹 Red Flags That Matter Most:
It’s not about the resume—it’s about enthusiasm for guest service and energy in the interview process.
🔹 Internal Promotions That Shine:
How two employees without traditional management backgrounds became some of Twin Peaks’ strongest leaders.
🔹 Speed vs. Fit:
Why Twin Peaks streamlines its hiring process to two interviews plus assessments—fast, but without cutting corners on culture fit.
🔹 When a Candidate Looks Perfect (But Isn’t):
The risks of “masked” interviews and why the first 90 days are critical to uncovering the real culture fit.
🔹 Consistency Across Locations:
Episode 16: Hiring with Integrity — Cheryl Davidson on Culture Fit, Red Flags, and Finding Hidden Talent
Wednesday, August 27, 2025 • Duration 16:38
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn sits down with Cheryl Davidson, Talent Acquisition Partner at Carol Search Partner. With nearly two decades of experience recruiting for top accounting firms and consulting with hiring managers across the U.S., Cheryl brings deep expertise on what it really takes to match the right talent with the right culture. She opens up about avoiding “mini-me” hires, spotting integrity red flags, and why focus is a recruiter’s greatest tool.
Whether you’re hiring in specialized industries, competitive markets, or culture-driven teams, Cheryl shares stories and strategies that reveal how to hire smarter and with more confidence.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 The Power of Focus in Recruiting:
Cheryl explains why recruiters must zero in on one role at a time to avoid spinning their wheels—and how she trains others to do the same.
🔹 Coaching Hiring Managers:
Even seasoned leaders can fall into the trap of hiring people “just like them.” Cheryl shares how she guides managers to look beyond surface-level similarities.
🔹 The Candidate Who Looked Perfect on Paper:
She recalls an interview with a Big Four candidate who wowed everyone in the room—but revealed integrity issues on the car ride back to the airport. That moment changed the hiring decision.
🔹 Giving Candidates a Second Chance:
Some of Cheryl’s best placements started with resumes that undersold their skills. She explains how reworking resumes and digging deeper uncovered hidden gems.
🔹 Culture Fit Is Everything:
Matching technical skills is only half the battle. Cheryl emphasizes that without culture alignment, hires won’t last—and neither side will be happy.
🔹 Creative Sourcing Beyond LinkedIn:
From attendee lists at industry conferences to specialized outreach, Cheryl reveals how she finds candidates outside the usual channels.
Key Takeaways:Links & Resources:
Episode 15: Hiring for Impact — Tarnesha Miller on Culture, Courage, and Unconventional Success
Wednesday, July 23, 2025 • Duration 11:05
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn sits down with Tarnesha Miller, Human Resources Manager at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship in Carrollton, Texas. With a background in performing arts and more than a decade of HR experience, Tarnesha brings a fresh and deeply human perspective to hiring. She opens up about learning to trust her gut, advocate for culture-first candidates, and why transparency is her secret weapon.
Whether you’re hiring in faith-based spaces, nonprofits, or high-trust teams, Tarnesha shares stories and insights that remind us how much HR can shape the soul of an organization.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 From the Stage to HR:
Tarnesha didn’t set out to be in HR—but when an HR Director saw something in her, she leaned in, learned fast, and never looked back. Now, she advocates for people with purpose and leads hiring with compassion.
🔹 The Myth of “Most Qualified”:
Early in her career, Tarnesha believed the most polished resume always wins. Now, she knows better. Soft skills like emotional intelligence, humility, and adaptability often predict success more than credentials ever could.
🔹 Speak Up About Red Flags:
She shares a tough lesson about staying silent in a hiring decision despite sensing disrespectful behavior. When that hire later hurt team morale, she realized the cost of not trusting her instincts—and now speaks up every time.
🔹 When “Call Me Spirit” Sets the Tone:
In one unforgettable screening call, a candidate insisted on being called “Spirit” because their name was just something given by their parents. It was a moment that tested Tarnesha’s adaptability—and her poker face.
🔹 Hiring in Nonprofit & Faith-Based Environments:
Bent Tree isn’t just hiring for skills—it’s about alignment with mission, community, and purpose. Tarnesha looks for people who know their “why” and can roll with the many hats that nonprofit roles require.
Key Takeaways:Links & Resources:
Episode 14: Hiring with Heart — Nayeli Sevilla on Red Flags, Resume Truths, and Trusting Your Gut
Wednesday, July 16, 2025 • Duration 10:33
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall chats with Nayeli Sevilla, Human Resources Manager at Stonebridge. With experience in hospitality hiring and a business mindset rooted in real-world empathy, Nayeli shares the human side of recruiting—what works, what doesn’t, and how learning from the “nice but wrong” hire helped her develop sharper instincts and better processes. From resume red flags to no-show interviews, this conversation is packed with practical insights for anyone involved in hiring.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 HR with Room to Grow
Nayeli joined Stonebridge for the national scale and growth potential—but also discovered a deeply personal hiring culture, where HR leadership stays hands-on and candidates get individualized attention.
🔹 Why She Chose HR Over Operations
Inspired by leaders she admired but unwilling to sacrifice time with her daughter, Nayeli pivoted into HR. It became her way of using business strategy to elevate people—not just processes.
🔹 The Interview That Raised Every Red Flag
Early in her career, Nayeli walked into an interview and was immediately asked about her marital status and children. That experience helped her develop a sharp radar for inappropriate (and illegal) interview tactics—and a firm resolve to protect candidates.
🔹 Funny Doesn’t Always Mean Fit
After hiring a charming, relatable candidate who tugged at everyone’s heartstrings, Nayeli and her team quickly realized he wasn’t professionally aligned with the role. That experience taught her to prioritize facts over feelings and dig deeper into job-relevant skills.
🔹 What Red Flags Really Look Like
Changing answers to repeated questions? That’s a sign something’s off. Nayeli explains how inconsistent answers in interviews are a subtle but reliable red flag.
🔹
Key Takeaways:Links & Resources:
Episode 13: HR That Protects People — Merrie Ellis on Compliance, Onboarding, and Cross-Functional Hiring Wins
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 • Duration 17:00
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn Randall sits down with Merrie Ellis, HR Compliance Manager at Vensure Employer Solutions. With a background spanning HR business partnering, benefits leadership, and compliance strategy, Merrie shares how HR becomes most powerful when it works behind the scenes—quietly building trust, ensuring legal alignment, and helping teams thrive. From bad onboarding to cross-state hiring pitfalls, Merrie delivers practical, human-centered advice for getting it right from day one.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 From Psychology to Compliance: A Human-Centered Pivot
Merrie’s career began in psychology but quickly evolved into HR after recognizing how much of our lives are spent at work. Her studies, leadership roles, and eventual focus on compliance allowed her to build a career that balances structure with empathy.
🔹 The Strategic Role of Compliance in HR
Rather than seeing compliance as a barrier, Merrie reframes it as a map—a set of tools designed to protect both the business and its people. She shares how her compliance mindset strengthens culture, credibility, and consistency.
🔹 A Hard Lesson on Onboarding
A past experience with misaligned onboarding revealed the hidden gaps between HR, IT, and leadership. Merrie stepped up to improve communication, lead benefits orientations, and foster tighter cross-functional collaboration.
🔹 Mentorship That Builds Confidence and Capability
After guiding an intern into a full-time role, Merrie reflects on the power of trust, shared knowledge, and backing off when it’s time to let someone grow. That intern is now a go-to team member—a testament to thoughtful mentorship.
Many companies mistakenly rely on corporate HQ policies or default to California’s rules. Merrie breaks down why that approach risks non-compliance—and how HR needs to tailor hiring and onboarding practices to each employee’s work location.
Key Takeaways:Links & Resources:
Episode 12: HR Across Borders — Luciana Pollock on Communication, Culture & Doing HR the Human Way
Wednesday, July 2, 2025 • Duration 26:23
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn sits down with Luciana Pollock, Human Resources Manager at Clean As New, an industrial cleaning company serving clients nationwide. With experience working across Brazil, the UK, and the U.S., Luciana brings a global perspective to the realities of HR leadership—where compliance, connection, and culture intersect.
From onboarding to conflict resolution, Luciana shares how real trust, proactive communication, and detailed planning shape the way she builds teams and supports growth. For HR professionals juggling risk and relationships, this episode is packed with thoughtful insight and practical guidance.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 The Accidental HR Origin Story:
Luciana didn’t plan to go into HR—but a university job while studying psychology opened the door. Originally from Brazil, she found that background gave her the perfect foundation for a people-centered HR career that’s now spanned three countries.
🔹 HR with an International Lens:
Working in Brazil, the UK, and the U.S. exposed Luciana to wildly different business norms, leadership styles, and employee expectations. That cultural awareness now informs how she leads with empathy and structure.
🔹 Building Hiring Processes That Actually Work:
Before a job post ever goes live, Luciana collaborates closely with hiring managers to clarify “must-haves,” red flags, and expectations. Her method? Start strong, stay consistent, and always follow up.
🔹 Why Background Checks Shouldn’t Feel Cold:
From onboarding to screenings, Luciana ensures every step is communicated clearly so candidates know what to expect. Warmth and clarity go a long way in reducing confusion and building trust.
🔹 The Secret to Smooth Employee Relations:
Whether it’s performance issues or personality clashes, Luciana approaches employee relations with neutrality, documentation, and clear communication. Her rule? You can shred a document—but you can’t go back in time.
Episode 11: Hiring with Precision — Tristan Gates on Transportation HR, Red Flags, and Doing the Work Up Front
Wednesday, June 25, 2025 • Duration 26:34
In this episode of Who Hired This Person?, host Kaitlyn sits down with Tristan Gates, Senior Human Resources Generalist at BNSF Railway. With a career rooted in intentional growth and industry-specific insight, Tristan shares what it takes to hire successfully in one of the most regulated and operationally complex industries in the country. From balancing policy with people to learning the hard way about fast hires, he offers a refreshingly grounded view of what great HR looks like—especially when safety, structure, and consistency are non-negotiable.
Key Lessons Covered in This Episode:
🔹 The HR Spark from College:
Tristan’s HR journey started in a college classroom, where a business professor helped him realize that organizational impact begins with people. That interest turned into two master’s degrees and a long-term career at BNSF.
🔹 Inside the Rail Industry’s Hiring Needs:
Unlike more general industries, transportation hiring requires candidates with highly specialized, hard-to-teach skills—and most of the learning happens on the job. It’s a niche, high-stakes environment.
🔹 Safety Above All Else:
Hiring for roles regulated by the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) means screening for specific certifications, training levels, and performance history. Missing those details isn’t just a red flag—it’s a compliance risk.
🔹 The Resume Isn’t the Whole Picture:
Tristan reminds us that even the most impressive resumes need to be validated through interviews. A polished application doesn't always reflect readiness or fit for the job.
🔹 Spotting Red Flags Early:
One red flag Tristan has learned to catch? Candidates trying to negotiate location after applying for a role with a clearly stated site. That hesitation signals a lack of readiness—and possibly a short tenure.
🔹
✅ Hiring red flags often show up before day one—pay attention to them.
✅ People skills and cultural fit often outweigh technical expertise.
✅ HR’s role is not one-sided—it’s about championing employees and supporting leadership.
One of her proudest hires was a candidate with no traditional experience—but with passion, humility, and growth mindset. That person is now a leader. Tarnesha reminds us: potential is powerful.
🔹 Radical Transparency in Interviews:
She’s upfront with candidates—about red flags, expectations, and culture. If that honesty scares someone off, she believes, “What’s for you is for you.” The right people will lean in, not out.
🔹 The Fail Question Still Works:
Tarnesha stands by one of HR’s classic interview questions—“Tell me about a time you failed.” It’s how she uncovers self-awareness, accountability, and real growth.
✅ Don’t ignore your gut—especially when it comes to culture fit.
✅ Transparency builds trust from the very first call.
✅ Hiring for values and purpose creates long-term wins for mission-driven teams.
✅ A “perfect resume” doesn’t mean a perfect hire.
✅ You’re in your role for a reason—own it, speak up, and lead confidently.
🔗 Explore opportunities at Bent Tree Bible Fellowship: www.benttree.org
Creative Strategies That Actually Work
Nayeli relies on two things: strong resumes and tenure. In the fast-turnover world of hospitality, she looks for candidates with a history of staying power and a polished, formal presence in interviews.
🔹 When Hiring Managers Stall
If polite reminders don’t work, Nayeli shows up at their office. Her approach is clear and direct: “We loved this candidate—are we going to lose them or make the offer?” That urgency often breaks through indecision.
🔹 Details That Make a Lasting Impression
What makes a candidate memorable? Specifics. Nayeli loves when candidates walk her through real-life work scenarios—from wine pairings to five-star service techniques.
🔹 Resume First, Then the Interview
Don't tell her you have the experience if it’s not on your resume. Nayeli emphasizes how crucial it is for job seekers to document their value clearly—and show up formally prepared.
🔹 Brutally Honest Advice for Job Seekers
Craft a strong, structured resume. Follow up with a thank you note. Even if it’s not her personal dealbreaker, she knows many hiring pros who treat it as one.
🔹 Growth Through Grace
Early in her HR journey, Nayeli had little patience for no-shows. Now, she leads with more empathy and is willing to give people the benefit of the doubt—once.
✅ A strong resume is the starting line—not a bonus.
✅ Interviews should verify facts, not just feel good.
✅ One bad hire can reshape your whole approach—for the better.
✅ HR is at its best when it blends structure with empathy.
✅ Candidates who follow through with professionalism stand out.
🔗 Connect with Nayeli Sevilla on LinkedIn: Nayeli Sevilla
🔗 Explore career opportunities at Stonebridge: www.sbcos.com
🔹 The Misclassification Minefield
Misunderstanding the difference between exempt and non-exempt employees can be costly. Merrie explains how duties tests, job descriptions, and salary thresholds all play into proper classification—and why it’s safer to default to non-exempt when in doubt.
🔹 Proactive Compliance = Prevented Problems
From travel time pay to overtime eligibility, Merrie shares how spotting risks early has helped Vensure’s clients avoid penalties and protect employees. Her “compliance lens” never turns off—and that’s a good thing.
🔹 When HR Really Works
For Merrie, great HR happens in the small moments: when someone raises a concern, when consistency is upheld, and when advocacy outweighs convenience. It’s not about checking boxes—it’s about showing up with integrity.
🔹 Advice for New HR & Compliance Pros
Stay curious, keep learning, and stay connected. Merrie urges HR professionals to treat life experience as education—and lean into the collaborative nature of the HR community to keep growing.
✅ Compliance isn’t the opposite of empathy—it’s what builds trust.
✅ Onboarding success comes from collaboration, not checklists.
✅ Multi-state hiring demands state-specific attention and adaptation.
✅ Mentorship is about guidance, trust, and eventually stepping back.
✅ Preventing risk is far easier (and cheaper) than correcting it later.
🔗 Connect with Merrie Ellis on LinkedIn: Merrie Ellis
🔗 Learn more about Vensure Employer Solutions: www.vensure.com
🔹 Time Management as Risk Management:
With HR touching everything from compliance to performance to safety, Luciana organizes her time based on one factor: risk. Her calendar is a living tool that helps her prioritize, prepare, and plan for the unexpected.
🔹 Real Relationships > Office Small Talk:
To keep employees engaged and connected, Luciana invests in real, personal relationships—walking the floor, asking questions, and making herself available. If people don’t trust you, she says, you won’t be effective.
🔹 Advice for the Next Generation of HR Leaders:
Luciana’s biggest message? Be a real person. Learn the systems, yes—but more importantly, master the soft skills that AI can’t replace. Real HR leadership starts with empathy, curiosity, and intention.
Key Takeaways:
✅ HR needs a seat at the table—especially when it comes to planning and growth.
✅ Hiring is a two-way street: clarity and communication benefit everyone.
✅ Documentation protects both people and the business—always do it.
✅ Strong HR is about more than compliance—it’s about connection.
✅ You can’t lead well if you don’t actually care about people.
In a structured environment like BNSF, HR can’t just fast-track favorites. Even when a manager champions a past employee, HR pushes to ensure fairness, open competition, and adherence to process.
🔹 Hard Lesson: Don’t Rush the Hire:
Early in his career, Tristan made quick hires to improve time-to-fill metrics—only to rehire for those same roles a few months later. Now, he takes time to screen thoroughly and coach managers through the long view.
🔹 The Magic Wand Wish: Faster Hiring, Not Sloppier Hiring:
If he could fix one thing? The length of the approval and offer process. While due diligence matters, Tristan believes there’s room to streamline internal approvals to improve candidate experience.
🔹 Advice for New HR Pros:
Know your industry, study your pipeline, and understand the job descriptions you're hiring for. Ask questions, do the homework, and never underestimate how hiring shapes your company’s success.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Safety, fairness, and quality must come before speed in regulated industries.
✅ Great hiring starts with deep knowledge of the roles—and the people behind them.
✅ Red flags aren’t always obvious, but asking the right questions will reveal them.
✅ HR isn’t just filling positions—it’s building the foundation of a strong organization.
✅ Taking your time up front can save months of headache down the road.
Discover shows related to Who Hired This Person?, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
