This Meeting Should Have Been a Podcast

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Ever zoned out in a meeting and thought, this could’ve been a podcast? Same. That’s why we made one. This is the place where two Toms bring decades of HR and business experience to the mic, minus the corporate snooze-fest. We talk about the weird, messy, hilarious, and frustrating realities of work: culture clashes, leadership struggles, and the HR questions you secretly Google at 2am. With candid guest conversations, plenty of laughs, and insights that actually translate to real life, we’re here to prove work talk doesn’t have to be boring. Think of us as your meeting antidote — one part entertainment, one part inspiration, all parts “finally worth my time.”

Episodes

  1. Apr 12

    Playing the Long Game: Recruiting Best Practices & The Power of Personal Brand

    In this engaging interview, Claire Stroh shares insights on recruiting best practices, the impact of AI in HR, and navigating the evolving world of remote work and return-to-office policies. We dive into her many worlds as she’s the ultimate multi-tasker - with many interests, and ways to give back. We’ll talk about her practical tips for candidates and recruiters alike, and learn how authenticity and strategic communication can enhance your career and employer brand. Keywords recruiting, HR, AI, remote work, return to office, LinkedIn, job search, employer branding, talent acquisition, career coaching Key Topics Recruiting best practices and long-term strategies The role of AI and technology in HR and recruiting Impact of remote work and return-to-office policies Building a strong employer and personal brand Career coaching and candidate support Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 03:15 Weather and Workationing 06:10 Mile High SHRM and Recruiting Best Practices 09:05 AI in Recruiting 11:58 Behavioral Interviewing and Candidate Experience 15:13 Job Market Trends and Candidate Strategies 18:15 Claire's Coaching and Building Personal Brands 25:16 Overcoming Fear in Professional Networking 28:21 Navigating Personal Content on LinkedIn 29:07 Fact-Checking in Job Searching 32:15 Understanding Soft Layoffs and RTO 41:39 The Drive Behind Career Coaching Our Guest:  Claire Stroh, MBA, PHR, SHRM-CP, is currently a Senior Talent Acquisition Business Partner at ATI Materials and CEO of Claire is Coaching LLC. She has used social media and networking to build her personal brand and uncover new opportunities for herself and the companies she’s worked for. She’s passionate about helping others do the same! Claire has more than 12 years of successively diverse human resources management experience with privately-owned and publicly-traded global leaders. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a concentration in HR from the University at Buffalo and an MBA from Niagara University. She is certified as a Professional in HR through SHRM and HRCI, and is an Adjunct Professor for HR at Niagara University. Claire is an active volunteer with her local HR Association and UB School of Management Alumni Association. She was named a HR Impact Award Winner by Buffalo Business First and Talent Acquisition Trailblazer/Community Catalyst Award Winner by HRUnite!. Planning and managing time: https://claireiscoaching.com/2023/11/23/planning-and-managing-time/ HR emerging professional toolkit: https://claireiscoaching.com/hr-emerging-professional-toolkit/  Resources Our Article Reference on RTO and Soft Layoffs: https://byteiota.com/rto-mandates-are-soft-layoffs-everyone-knows-it/ Indeed Smart Screening - https://www.indeed.com/enterprise/smart-screening MetaView AI Note-taking Tool - https://metaview.ai Name Drops of awesome people mentioned: Tom Daniels And Tim Sackett Music provided courtesy of our friends from The Break Signals. Listen or download on Spotify at https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=s0dwq9XNQ1CXOk1oGy1pRA

    50 min

  2. Mar 24

    Season 2 Kickoff

    In this engaging episode, Tom and Tom explore the latest trends in remote work, AI in recruitment, workplace culture, and upcoming industry insights. They share personal stories, discuss innovative tools like Ro.am, and preview exciting guests for season two. Keywords: remote work, AI recruitment, workplace culture, hybrid work, industry trends, talent acquisition, digital office, work from anywhere, season two, workplace technology Topics Hybrid work evolution and tools like RoamAI in recruitment and resume screening biasesWorkplace culture and employee engagementUpcoming guests and industry insights Upcoming guest list: Jeffrey Shapiro https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffreyshapir0/ Claire Stroh https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairestroh/ Kevin Schaff https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinschaff/ Sound bites: "Top performers often have big egos" "Gen Z leads coffee badging" "Swag is about execution and impact" Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Season Kickoff 01:17 Holiday Highlights and New Year Reflections 02:37 Early 2026 Work Achievements and Goals 04:20 Current Client Trends and Workplace Fears 05:49 Handling Top Performers and Workplace Behavior 08:31 Addressing Past Leadership Oversights 09:31 The Rise of Hybrid Work and Digital Office Tools 12:16 The Phenomenon of Coffee Badging and Generational Trends 15:32 Innovations in Digital Workspaces and Employee Engagement 20:22 The Future of Workplace Technology and AI Integration 24:41 Using AI to Screen Resumes and Candidate Bias 29:05 The Impact of AI on Resume Classification and Bias 32:36 Upcoming Guests and Industry Insights 34:59 Dealing with AI and Robotics Fears in Business 36:42 Swag and Promotional Strategies in Business 39:49 Closing Remarks and Future Episodes Links: Speakpipe - https://www.speakpipe.com/ThisMeetingShouldHaveBeen The Break Signals - https://open.spotify.com/artist/0N7XL0GhzD4xNtzoqhfcxR?si=WdxdLqorT3KgFd9Ues66cwRo.am

    42 min

  3. 12/23/2025

    The Human Side of Change: Building Resilience in an AI World

    In this engaging conversation, Christine Mikhail shares her journey as an entrepreneur who launched her consulting business during the pandemic. She discusses the importance of change resilience in organizations, especially in the context of the rapid changes brought about by COVID-19. Christine emphasizes the need for a psychological approach to change management, highlighting the emotional aspects that often go unaddressed. The discussion also covers various methodologies for managing change, the role of AI in enhancing productivity, and the importance of future-proofing organizational culture. The conversation concludes with reflections on accountability within organizations, particularly in light of recent controversies surrounding SHRM. Takeaways Christine Mikhail launched her consulting business during the pandemic. Change resilience focuses on the human aspect of change management. Organizations often overlook the emotional impact of change. AI can help alleviate mundane tasks, allowing for more creativity. Future-proofing culture involves aligning AI adoption with organizational values. Compounded change affects both personal and professional lives. Effective change management requires addressing psychological readiness. The stages of grief can be applied to understanding change. Organizations need to communicate effectively to avoid misunderstandings. Debate and healthy dialogue are essential in organizational settings. Guest Bio Christine Mikhail is an accomplished entrepreneur, organizational strategist, and certified change practitioner with a distinguished career transforming workplaces across industries. As the founder of Mikhail Consulting Group, established in 2020, Mikhail has spent the past five years partnering with leading organizations to design agile structures, cultivate adaptive cultures, and drive sustainable transformation. A trusted advisor to C-suite executives and HR leaders, Mikhail brings deep expertise in organizational design, structure, and change management, helping companies navigate complex transformations with clarity and measurable impact. Leveraging her PROSCI certification and years of hands-on experience, Mikhail developed a proprietary six-week change course—a high-impact group coaching program that equips leaders and teams with the mindset, skills, and tools to confidently lead through change. Mikhail’s thought leadership extends beyond the boardroom. As an adjunct professor, Mikhail has taught graduate-level courses in talent development focusing on performance management & employee life cycle, shaping the next generation of organizational leaders. Mikhail is also a recognized national conference speaker, having delivered keynotes and sessions at Industrial-Organizational (I-O) psychology conferences across the United States. Her speaking engagements focus on the evolving workplace, leadership through transformation, and the strategic role of AI in shaping organizational culture and performance. Links Mikhail Consulting Group  Personal LinkedIn Business LinkedIn YouTube Channel Keywords change management, resilience, organizational development, AI, consulting, pandemic, transformation, culture, leadership, emotional intelligence Chapter list: 00:00 Introduction to Change Resilience 05:04 Christine's Journey: Launching a Business During COVID 06:09 Understanding Change Resilience vs. Change Management 16:46 The Intersection of Organizational Psychology and Change Management 25:38 Future-Proofing Work Culture with AI 30:13 The Constant of Change 33:27 Compounded Change and Its Effects 37:05 Generational Perspectives on Change 38:20 Navigating Workplace Politics 41:29 Lessons from SHRM's Controversy 45:01 The Future of Meetings and AI 51:06 END

    53 min

  4. 12/01/2025

    Kat Kibben on Confidence, Community, and the Bounce Back Factor

    In this engaging conversation, Tom Horne and Tom Schin welcome Kat Kibben, owner of Three Ears Media and author of 'The Bounce Back Factor.' They explore the evolving landscape of recruitment, the impact of AI on hiring practices, and the importance of navigating uncertainty with confidence. Kat shares their insights on leadership, bias in hiring, and the significance of community in fostering effective work environments. The discussion also touches on personal growth through experiences like van life and the essence of finding a place that feels like home. Kat emphasizes that true leadership involves self-awareness and the ability to connect with others, ultimately aiming to create a positive impact in both professional and personal spheres. Our Guest: Katrina Kibben (KAT) is a leadership speaker, author, and the founder of Three Ears Media. They are known for transforming how companies attract great talent and build a healthy team culture. With 15+ years of experience at globally recognized brands like Monster.com and Randstad Worldwide, Katrina shares weekly reflections on leadership, work, and well-being in their newsletter each week at katrinakibben.com. A LinkedIn Top Voice on Hiring featured in The New York Times and Forbes, Katrina is also the author of This Was All An Accident and The Bounce Back Factor, The Leader's Guide To Liking Yourself While Leading Your People. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katrinakibben/  Web site: https://threeearsmedia.com/  Book: http://thebouncebackfactorbook.com/  Takeaways Leadership is not an autonomous act; it requires community. Failure should not hold as much power as it does. Navigating uncertainty with confidence is essential for a happy life. Defining what 'good' means in hiring can mitigate bias. AI cannot remove bias; it reflects the data it is trained on. The importance of self-awareness in leadership and personal growth. Home is a place where you feel deeply safe. The journey of van life taught valuable lessons about uncertainty. Building connections is crucial in both personal and professional life. The goal of businesses should be to improve lives, not just profits. Keywords recruiting, candidate experience, AI, bias, leadership, uncertainty, personal growth, The Bounce Back Factor, Kat Kibben, Three Ears Media Additional Web Links and references: As always, a BIG thank you to The Break Signals: https://breaksignals.com/home for sharing their musical talents with us. Horne’s Hat: https://www.thelittlemoontravelers.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:11 The World of Recruiting and Candidate Experience 05:01 The Impact of AI on Recruitment 10:03 Navigating Bias in Hiring 14:04 Defining Success in Recruitment 18:02 AI and Bias: A Double-Edged Sword 23:58 Kat's Journey and Book Insights 28:46 Exploring the Concept of Home 37:46 The Bounce Back Factor: Leadership and Community 44:09 Navigating Uncertainty with Confidence

    52 min

  5. 11/11/2025

    The Frictionless Workplace: Designing Experience Beyond the Basics

    In this episode, hosts Tom Schin and Tom Horne engage with Christine Miller, Chief eXperience Officer at the eXperience Group, to explore the multifaceted concept of workplace experience. They discuss the importance of the basics in creating a positive work environment, the often-overlooked significance of conference room design, and the need for frictionless office experiences. The conversation also touches on the impact of data-driven design, the challenges of returning to the office, and the emerging trend of 'job hugging' among employees. Throughout the discussion, the hosts emphasize the critical role of awareness and intentionality in fostering a healthy workplace culture. Key Takeaways: Workplace experience goes beyond just benefits and compensation. The basics, like cleanliness and functionality, are crucial for employee satisfaction. Conference room experiences are often overlooked but can significantly impact productivity. Data analysis can inform better workplace design and employee engagement strategies. Creating frictionless environments is essential for encouraging employees to return to the office. Job hugging reflects a culture problem in many organizations. Awareness of employee needs and experiences is vital for engagement. Companies should invest in their employees to retain top talent. Effective communication and organization are key in meetings. The physical workspace should facilitate collaboration and connection among employees. Guest: Christine Miller Founder & Chief eXperience Officer of The eXperience Group. Her expertise lies in elevating employee experience from the Real Estate and Facilities Operations space. Formally trained in interior design, Christine’s career has spanned project management, corporate workplace strategy and change management, hospitality leadership, and workplace operations. She brings a people-first philosophy to every project, helping organizations create spaces and experiences that feel connected, intentional, and frictionless. Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christine-miller-7623917/ Web sites: https://www.experienceconsultinggroup.com/ https://christine-miller-s-school5.teachable.com/p/hospitality-crash-course- Thank you to the Break Signals for your awesome music! Give them a listen at: https://breaksignals.com/home Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Technical Setup 00:11 Introducing Christine Miller and Workplace Experience 01:56 Understanding Workplace Experience 06:04 The Importance of Conference Room Experience 09:39 Challenges in Workplace Design 15:54 The Role of Data in Workplace Strategy 19:42 Case Studies in Real Estate Optimization 25:49 Return to Office Strategies and Employee Engagement 27:52 Engagement and Employee Experience 30:53 Awareness in Corporate Culture 35:51 Communication and Meeting Dynamics 40:51 Job Security and Employee Sentiment

    50 min

  6. 10/14/2025

    Career Catfishing: HR's New Technology Frontier

    Hosts Tom Schin and Tom Horne sit down with Joel Stupka to tackle a fascinating mix of workplace issues, from the utility of Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) to the latest trends in HR Tech and AI. They swap hilarious personal stories about karaoke before diving into serious discussions about labor law compliance and the deceptive practice of career catfishing in the job market. This episode is packed with essential insights for HR professionals, managers, and anyone navigating the modern workplace. Key Takeaways: PIPs often protect the organization more than they help the employee. Training managers on people issues can significantly prevent the need for PIPs. Labor law compliance is a non-negotiable for businesses with employees. Taco Bell's layaway option reflects interesting consumer spending trends. Career catfishing highlights deceptive hiring practices in the job market. HR Tech conferences are critical for networking and industry insight. AI is rapidly becoming a core component of modern HR technology. Understanding AI’s role can boost HR productivity and decision-making. First impressions and understanding workplace culture are vital in hiring. Unplanned personal moments like karaoke can lead to great fun and connection. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:10 Joel's Background and Podcasting Journey 06:02 Karaoke Stories and Personal Anecdotes 07:37 Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) Discussion 11:43 Proactive Management and Employee Development 13:29 HR Compliance and Labor Law Posters 19:36 Current News: DoorDash and Payment Options 22:18 Career Catfishing and Job Market Trends 23:57 Understanding Job Descriptions and Company Culture 29:39 Insights from HR Tech Conference 35:25 The Role of AI in HR and Business Keywords: HR podcasting performance improvement plans labor law compliance karaoke career catfishing HR tech AI workplace culture compliance

    50 min

  7. 09/16/2025

    Meeting Rants

    From pointless check-ins to endless budget reviews, Tom Horne and Tom Schin tackle the meetings that drain your soul and waste your time. This week, the Toms rant about corporate jargon, the agony of sitting through presentations that could have been a memo, and how to reclaim your calendar from meeting madness. It's the honest, unfiltered conversation about meetings you've been waiting for.

    39 min

  8. Episode 1

    Not all meetings are wonderful

    In this quick, 30-second trailer for This Meeting Should Have Been a Podcast, hosts Tom Horne and Tom Schin offer a sneak peek at the unfiltered workplace conversations you've actually been craving. Hear a glimpse of their rants on soul-crushing meetings, cringe-worthy team-building, and all the corporate jargon that drives you crazy. They sat through the boring meetings so you don't have to. Listen to the trailer and subscribe now!

    25 sec

Trailer

About

Ever zoned out in a meeting and thought, this could’ve been a podcast? Same. That’s why we made one. This is the place where two Toms bring decades of HR and business experience to the mic, minus the corporate snooze-fest. We talk about the weird, messy, hilarious, and frustrating realities of work: culture clashes, leadership struggles, and the HR questions you secretly Google at 2am. With candid guest conversations, plenty of laughs, and insights that actually translate to real life, we’re here to prove work talk doesn’t have to be boring. Think of us as your meeting antidote — one part entertainment, one part inspiration, all parts “finally worth my time.”

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