The HR Misfits

Ami Graves
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Careers

Welcome to The HR Misfits — the podcast for people who care about work, leadership, and humans… but are tired of the corporate script. This is where HR, leadership, and workplace culture get real. Every episode dives into the messy, meaningful, and often unspoken side of work — from people leaders and founders to operators, creatives, and career rebels who don’t fit neatly in a box. We talk about the moments that shape leaders, the systems that need rethinking, and the stories behind policies, power, burnout, belonging, and growth. No buzzwords. No performative culture talk. Just honest conversations about what it actually takes to build workplaces that work for people. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in the “professional” version of work — welcome to the misfits. You’re one of us. New episodes weekly! It’s not about the destination; it’s about the story. Through honest conversations, we’ll uncover the moments that define careers, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned along the way. These are real stories from real people, celebrating the diversity of work and the individuality of the people behind it. Join us as we break down stereotypes, embrace the unexpected, and shine a light on the human side of work.

  1. 2d ago

    Gen Z Isn’t the Problem - Your Assumptions Might Be

    What does Gen Z really want from work and what are other generations getting wrong about them? In this episode of The HR Misfits Podcast, we sit down with Samantha Gunn, a Gen Z HR professional, for an honest conversation about work, leadership, communication and the expectations shaping today’s multigenerational workplace. Samantha shares how growing up with constant digital access, entering the workforce during the rise of hybrid work and navigating return-to-office expectations have influenced her generation’s perspective. We also explore why Gen Z places such a high value on authenticity, purpose and flexibility—and why their willingness to ask “why” may be one of their greatest strengths. This conversation goes beyond generational stereotypes to examine how leaders can build stronger relationships by remaining curious, dropping their biases and understanding the whole person—not just the employee. In this episode, we discuss: Gen Z’s perspective on work and communicationHybrid work and return-to-office expectationsWhy Gen Z questions traditional workplace normsPurpose, flexibility and authenticity at workThe grit and perseverance Gen Z doesn’t always get credit forHow different generations can learn from one anotherThe role of curiosity and listening in effective leadershipBuilding stronger cross-generational relationshipsThe biggest takeaway? Generational differences don’t have to divide the workplace. When we replace assumptions with authentic dialogue, those differences can become a source of innovation, connection and growth. Listen in—and consider what another generation might be able to teach you about the future of work.

    Gen Z Isn’t the Problem - Your Assumptions Might Be

  2. Aug 26

    Work-Life Unbalance: The Misfit's Guide to Boundaries

    Work-life balance? That's cute. Let's talk about work-life unbalance. In this episode of HR Misfits, Ami Graves, LaToya, and Marci get real about the myth of "balance" — and why prioritization, boundaries, and a well-placed "no" will save your sanity faster than any color-coded calendar ever will. They're talking guilt, self-inflicted stress, leadership's role in setting the tone (yes, if you're emailing at 11pm, your team notices), and why you don't owe anyone an explanation for protecting your time. If you've ever felt like you're failing at "having it all," this one's your permission slip to stop trying. In this episode: Why work-life balance is a myth (and what to chase instead) Saying no as a leadership superpower How leadership behavior shapes team culture Getting real about self-awareness and self-inflicted stress Why transparency and vulnerability build healthier workplaces Practical tips for actually protecting your time

    Work-Life Unbalance: The Misfit's Guide to Boundaries

  3. Jul 30

    Why Employees Are No Longer Leaving Nicely

    Quiet quitting. Revenge quitting. Whatever you want to call it - people are checking out, and some of them are checking out loudly on their way to the door. In this episode, Marci, Ami, and LaToya get into why "just be a better manager" isn't cutting it anymore, what generational shifts are actually doing to workplace culture (spoiler: it's not what LinkedIn thought-leaders think it is), and the signs of disengagement most leaders don't catch until someone's already gone. No fluffy retention tips. Just real talk on what's actually driving people out - and what it'll take to get them to stay.

    Why Employees Are No Longer Leaving Nicely

  4. Jul 15

    Your Best People Are Leaving (Because You Promoted Them Out the Door)

    Your best employee just quit. Not because they were failing, because they were succeeding, and their reward was more work, a bigger title, and zero support. Sound familiar? LaToya, Ami, and Marci break down why companies keep burning out the exact people they can't afford to lose: the real difference between high performers and high potentials (hint: they're not the same person, stop treating them like they are), why Gartner says only 15% of your talent is truly "top" and why that's fine, the quiet power of steady performers, and the rise of revenge quitting. Because promoting without support isn't development. It's a countdown clock.

    Your Best People Are Leaving (Because You Promoted Them Out the Door)

  5. Jun 17

    Culture Starts at the Top - So Does the Damage

    Culture doesn't start with HR. It starts with whoever's at the top. And when leadership is the problem, no amount of HR programming, culture initiatives, or team offsites is going to fix it. This week we're talking about Ryan Breslow, Bolt, and the very uncomfortable conversation about leadership accountability that most people in HR are having behind closed doors. We just chose to have it on a podcast.

  6. Jun 3

    From Star Player to People Leader: What Could Go Wrong?

    In this lively discussion, HR Misfits Ami Graves, Marci Coppola, and LaToya Davis share candid stories and insights about the challenges of managing and developing effective leaders. We have seen some things. And today we're pulling back the curtain on one of the most common and most costly mistakes organizations make: taking your best individual contributor and handing them a team without a map, a plan, or a clue. We're talking about the real cost of poor leadership development, what HR can actually do about it, and why "they were great at their job" is not a leadership strategy. This one gets real. Let's get into it.

    From Star Player to People Leader: What Could Go Wrong?

  7. May 20

    Reimagining HR: The Case for Licensure and Accountability

    In this engaging episode, the HR Misfits and a special guest explore the credibility crisis in HR, the controversial idea of licensing the profession, and the innovative HR Accountability Project aimed at elevating standards and trust in HR.

    Reimagining HR: The Case for Licensure and Accountability

  8. Apr 22

    The AI Throwdown: Heart vs. Algorithm

    Three HR leaders. Three takes on AI. Zero agreement at the start. In this episode of The HR Misfits, Ami, LaToya, and Marci go all in on the conversation every HR team is having right now - but probably not like this. LaToya's ready to embrace it, Marci's side-eyeing it, and Ami's somewhere in the middle trying not to pick a fight. What starts as a debate, lands somewhere way more honest: AI isn't the enemy, but it's not the savior either. And the human stuff? That part's not optional.

    The AI Throwdown: Heart vs. Algorithm
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
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About

Welcome to The HR Misfits — the podcast for people who care about work, leadership, and humans… but are tired of the corporate script. This is where HR, leadership, and workplace culture get real. Every episode dives into the messy, meaningful, and often unspoken side of work — from people leaders and founders to operators, creatives, and career rebels who don’t fit neatly in a box. We talk about the moments that shape leaders, the systems that need rethinking, and the stories behind policies, power, burnout, belonging, and growth. No buzzwords. No performative culture talk. Just honest conversations about what it actually takes to build workplaces that work for people. If you’ve ever felt like you didn’t belong in the “professional” version of work — welcome to the misfits. You’re one of us. New episodes weekly! It’s not about the destination; it’s about the story. Through honest conversations, we’ll uncover the moments that define careers, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned along the way. These are real stories from real people, celebrating the diversity of work and the individuality of the people behind it. Join us as we break down stereotypes, embrace the unexpected, and shine a light on the human side of work.

Information

  • Creator
    Ami Graves
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    28
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Ami Graves
  • Show Website
    The HR Misfits