The HR Life Podcast

Tony Benjamin
  • 5.0 (12)
  • MANAGEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The HR Life Podcast is a show about the work-life experience of those of us in Human Resources and business leadership. This long-form podcast is a conversation, casual, and not always the corporate line. Hosts and guests touch on everything from serious or even controversial topics to the absurdity of modern American business practices. Your hosts are Tony Benjamin, owner and founder of The Grange Strategic HR Consulting, and Steven J. Smith, Author of The Hiring Tree: Laws of Applicant Attraction and all-around important guy. Guests include the best minds in the HR world. Join the show weekly.

  1. 4D AGO

    EP 48 May the Fourth, Socks, and Why Performance Reviews Are Stuck in 1955 with Albert Foster

    Tony and Steve kick off the show in full Star Wars mode — it's May the Fourth, Steve spent $19.77 on themed donuts from Lehi Bakery, and the great AT-AT pronunciation debate is finally settled (hint: Steve is wrong). The real guest of honor is Albert Foster, founder of Express Evaluations. The episode digs deep into one of HR's most stubbornly unsolved problems: why performance evaluations, invented in the 1950's, still look almost exactly the same today.  Albert lays out a compelling case for why most companies are doing evaluations wrong. From the one-size-fits-all form that means nothing to the employee who fills it out, to the trap of asking "how can you improve?"  Finally, how does Steve use Vader's origin story to tie everything together at the end? Tune in to find out! Listen for Opportunity knocking in this episode. Learn more about Express Evaluations at: https://www.expressevaluations.com/Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcastLearn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/Lean more about Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) at: https://jag.org/Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/Learn more about the Thrive Life Project: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/ Albert Foster (MHR, SPHR) is an HR professional and the Founder and CEO of Express Evaluations. His passion in HR is to help employees find joy in their employment and to help employers retain their hard-earned talent. Albert earned a master’s in human resources in 2012 from Utah State and has been in the HR world for the past 15 years as both an HR consultant and an HR director. While working as the HR director of a special service district with about 500 employees he was tasked with finding a new performance management system. After several months of searching it became clear that a product didn’t exist in the current market that encompassed both the flexibility and affordability for his company, so he decided to create his own.   Albert considers himself to be an avid mountain biker, marginal golfer, and recently converted ice bather.

    1h 17m

  2. MAY 5

    EP 47 Pure Inspiration at JAG (Jobs for America's Graduates)

    We're not choked up, you're choked up.  Wow!  The guys spend an afternoon interviewing students at JAG's (Jobs for America's Graduates) National Career Development Conference (NCDC).  In this episode, you'll hear how lives changed, doors opened, and how a group of young people is making the most of their opportunities, all because of JAG. A list of Guests Interviewed:  Bailey, Jamarcus, Gabe, Madison, Caleb, James Jackson, and Lane Faulkner.    Video of Steve getting an award (at Appx 1.48:10) here:  https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?ref=watch_permalink&v=2093927045342003&rdid=3ziMBc5LK1ucOUqR ...Oh, and Johnny C Taylor spoke too.  Learn more about JAG at: https://jag.org/Learn More about Money Moves University at: https://moneymovesuniversity.com/Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/

    1h 15m

  3. APR 28

    EP 46 Retention, Troy Blanchard's Connections, and Ken Miles Got Jacked

    Steve and Tony talk international remote workers and retention methods with Troy Blanchard from ZConnect.  Steve talks about implementing COVID early and often.  Tony talks about Ford Verses Ferrari and how the bureaucracy so prominent in that movie was real... and was probably the fault of the CEO.  And finally, Tony introduces everybody to the "Slug Line" in DC.  Learn more about Troy Blanchard: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trblanchard/Learn more about Zconnect at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/zconnect-global-outsourcing/posts/?feedView=all or https://zconnect.biz/ Learn more about the Shingo Model at: https://shingo.org/shingo-model/ or at: https://huntsman.usu.edu/mba/shingo-online-mbaLearn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/Learn more about the Books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast Learn more about MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/ Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/  Troy is the co-owner of ZConnect, a company that helps U.S. businesses scale by connecting them with highly qualified remote professionals across Latin America and other parts of the world.  With decades of experience in operations, leadership development, outsourcing, business development, sales, and strategic growth, Troy is passionate about helping companies solve complex business challenges, improve efficiency, and build strong cross-border teams. He enjoys bringing people together in a way that creates value for both the client and the professionals supporting them.  Through ZConnect, Troy helps companies grow more profitably by developing and integrating remote teams that support key business functions while allowing leaders to stay focused on growth, service, and long-term success.

    1h 26m

  4. APR 22

    EP 45 The State of the Hot Tub Workplace in the Empty Red Seat

    Tony and Steve break down parts of SHRM's annual State of the Workplace report, but only after venturing into stories of strange women playing footsies with Steve on a cruse.  Who is the most optimistic that employers are meeting the needs of their employees?  Employees, HR professionals, and HR Executives, are all in agreement that the second biggest need n the workplace is...?  Want to know what is happening now in HR?  This is your episode.  Find the study at: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/research/state-of-the-workplace-summary-and-report/2026-sowp-full-report Join us at Fuel HR on May 14.  Learn more at: https://hracu.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=88&ts=1744305292 Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcastLearn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/Lean more about Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) at: https://jag.org/ Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/ Join us at Fuel HR on May 14.  Learn more at: https://hracu.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=88&ts=1744305292

    1h 8m

  5. APR 14

    EP 44 The Dichotomous State of HR, AI, and a Huge Announcement At The Very End of The Empty Red Seat

    Tony and Steve talk about the state of HR, AI, eating catnip, and the fact that HR is both doing well and in trouble.  Tony's cynicism is both peaking and ebbing as he discusses HR with a wandering choo choo.  The guys discuss what is going on in the world of HR consulting and fractional HR.  Tony reads a post from Facebook and Steve gives a great HR in Life segment.  But don't drop out of the podcast early.  Steve makes a major announcement at the end of the podcast that you wont want to miss.  Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcastLearn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/Lean more about Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) at: https://jag.org/ Learn more about The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/ Quote of the Episode: "AI is great but it won't take you on a date."  - TonyB.

    1h 34m

  6. APR 7

    EP 43 The Toxic Environment of the Empty Red Seat - and How to Cure It

    In this episode Tony and Steve tackle toxic work environments and Tony's fantastic ability to kill wasps from more than 10 feet away.  What is a toxic work environment? What role do front line managers play in creating or toxic environments?  Do front line managers or the C-suite have a bigger impact in your efforts to improve culture?  In this week's HR in Life Segment the guys talk about misunderstanding the meaning of ethics. Why do people mistake bad business decisions for unethical behavior?    The five elements of ToxicityAbusiveDisrespectfulUnethicalCutthroat Non-inclusive Quote of the Episode: "So is this something he needs to talk to Jesus about?"  - Tony Benjamin Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcastLearn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/Lean more about Jobs for America's Graduates (JAG) at: https://jag.org/ Join us at Fuel HR on May 14.  Learn more at: https://hracu.starchapter.com/meetinginfo.php?id=88&ts=1744305292

    1h 27m
  7. EP 42 Why Can't I ask Follow Up Questions in Interviews on the Empty Red Seat?

    MAR 31

    EP 42 Why Can't I ask Follow Up Questions in Interviews on the Empty Red Seat?

    In this episode Tony and Steve expose some insights into how to train your managers to interview.  What are they interviewing for? The guys debunk the myth that you can only ask the same set of questions in the exact same order to every candidate.  Steve sheds light on the number one things candidates complain about, the number one things interviewers complain about, and Tony loses his choo choo. Oh... And that is how long Steve's hair is right now.    Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcastLearn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/Lean more about The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

    1h 30m

  8. MAR 25

    EP 41 Definning Strategic, The Four Myths of HR, and He-Man in the The Empty Red Seat

    In this episode Steve and Tony discuss Steve’s Four Myths of HR and define the difference between administrative and strategic HR.  For HR professionals looking to contribute in a strategic manner at an executive level, this discussion forms a guide to what that entails.  Of course, the guys talk about Project Hail Mary and the upcoming He-Man Movie as well.  The four myths: HR is administrativeHR isn't data drivenHR is a cost centerHR is reactive, not proactive  Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/ Learn more about Steven “Big Deal” Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/ Learn more about the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast Learn more about our sponsor MegastarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/ Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/   Quote of the Episode: “I’ve always thought that Strategic HR is the fundamental rethinking of how organizations treat people.” – Steven Smith

    1h 15m
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Trailer

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About

The HR Life Podcast is a show about the work-life experience of those of us in Human Resources and business leadership. This long-form podcast is a conversation, casual, and not always the corporate line. Hosts and guests touch on everything from serious or even controversial topics to the absurdity of modern American business practices. Your hosts are Tony Benjamin, owner and founder of The Grange Strategic HR Consulting, and Steven J. Smith, Author of The Hiring Tree: Laws of Applicant Attraction and all-around important guy. Guests include the best minds in the HR world. Join the show weekly.

Information

  • Creator
    Tony Benjamin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Grange LLC
  • Show Website
    The HR Life Podcast

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