In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, Tony and Steve sit down with Shaina Burgoyne to talk about something many HR professionals quietly wrestle with: stepping away from your career — and finding the courage to come back.  From navigating an acquisition at Omniture/Adobe to leaving the workforce to raise her children, to re-entering HR during COVID and rising into leadership at Domo, Shaina’s story is honest, practical, and incredibly relevant.  This one is about career gaps, imposter syndrome, women in leadership, the HR Business Partner model, burnout, AI, and why HR doesn’t have to be the buzzkill. 

Quote of the episode:  “If you don’t act like Michael Scott, I won’t have to act like Toby.” -Shaina Burgoyne

Learn more about Shaina Burgoyne at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaina-burgoyne-6471ab13/
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/ 

Shaina is the Director of HR at Domo, leading a global team. She is also Mom to two boys and has enjoyed a successful return to the workforce after an extended break when she was focusing on full-time parenting. She tries to approach both of her roles with empathy, humor, and a focus on long-term growth. 

In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, Tony and Steve go from red couches and movie plot twists to one of the most important HR conversations happening right now: AI in hiring, reverse discrimination, and why the EEOC is very active.

If you think AI tools are just making recruiting easier, think again. From insider panic in the AI world to federal subpoenas and a groundbreaking lawsuit against Eightfold AI, this episode dives into the legal and ethical risks HR leaders can’t afford to ignore.

And yes… we still make time for dogs, Star Wars ornaments, and questionable hair decisions.

Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our Sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn about books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about The Thrive Life Project at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/

In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, "Fantastic" Tony Benjamin and Stephen “Big Deal” Smith tackle one of the biggest villains in today’s job market: the Applicant Tracking System.  The guys kick things off with a slightly terrifying (and mildly hilarious) detour into rogue AI bots that call you when you ignore them — because nothing says “future of work” like software that won’t let you ghost it. If you’ve ever blamed “the system” for your job search frustrations, this episode might change your perspective — or at least help you understand what the guys on the other side of the screen are really doing.  And no, the ATS isn’t calling your phone.  Probably.

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 in 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/ 

Watch the Trailer for Send Help here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4wiXj9NmEE

No AI's or ATS's were injured during the recording of this episode.  (Or even maligned. We love AI, no, really.)  

In this episode the guys talk to Stacee Pedersen about everything from PEO's to groundhog day.  They talk about why PEO's don't work for many companies, why its harder sometimes for consultants to affect the daily operation of a company, and of course, Stacee's entrepreneurial rise to power.  The guys introduce a new segment called HR In Life.  What happens when your star performer runs off every supervisor she has? Why are the Baltimore Rat Birds... errrrr... Baltimore Ravens, headed to their doom?  Listen to the episode and find out. 

Learn more about Stacee Pedersen at: https://www.momentumemployergroup.com/
Find her Podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/waking-the-why/id1832387848 on Apple Podcasts.  You can also find it on Youtube, Spotify and other platforms. 
Learn more about Fantastic Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steve "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about our Sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn about books referenced on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

Stacee Pedersen was not hurt in the recording of this episode. 

Stacee Pedersen is currently the Founder and President of Momentum Employer Group and COO of Winward Electric. Stacee has 25 years of experience in managing all aspects of Human Resources. Stacee was the VP of Human Resources for Zions Bancorporation and Director of Talent Management for PCC Structurals.

Stacee earned her MBA from the University of Utah, completed her undergraduate degree in HR at Weber State University, and holds both a SHRM Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) as well as a Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) certification. Stacee is a certified coach, trainer, and speaker through the John Maxwell Team and is also certified in Lean Construction. Stacee loves competitive sports and finds joy with family at ball games. She enjoys playing piano, reading books on leadership and living a life filled with purpose.

The guys talk to Ben Eden about HR practitioners view of themselves, how to begin to build trust when you have a seat at the table, his partnership with SHRM around the PMQ+, and other brilliant things you'll have to listen to the podcast to learn.  Steve introduces listeners to Vinagaroons and what happens when they sting you as well as recounts his recruiting days on Tatooine.

We want to thank the children who provided the fun background sounds.  (No children were hurt in the recording of this podcast.) 

Learn more about Ben Eden at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benedenspeaks/   or https://www.instagram.com/benedenspeaks/  and https://www.instagram.com/benedenspeaks/
Find Ben Eden's book on Amazon at:https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CVSGY2R9/?bestFormat=true&k=how%20we%20see%20ourselves&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-ww_k0_1_20_de&crid=1R7D4TTVM8S01&sprefix=how%20we%20see%20ourselves
Learn more about the PMQ+ at: https://share.hsforms.com/1_IU4hQhwTfqRnr5SERjjhg2d0dt 
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 MegaStar HR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about all of the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast

Ben Eden is a leadership strategist, author of How We See Ourselves, and a key architect behind PMQ+ — a groundbreaking leadership development program built in partnership with SHRM and LifeGuides. With a career dedicated to helping people managers grow through mentorship, real-world application, and deep personal reflection, Ben brings both heart and rigor to the conversation on modern leadership. In this episode, they explore the insights behind their book and share how PMQ+ is transforming how organizations support frontline leaders.  

Amy Adler has the proof that she's the best resume writer in the world.  The guys talk to her about professional resume writers, the first resume ever written, pink jeeps, the scams that job hunters face, the state of HR, and a lot more.  What is the worst word you can use on your LinkedIn profile? Find out in this fantastic episode.   

Learn More about Amy Adler at: https://fivestrengths.com
Schedule a meeting with Amy at: https://fivestrengths.com/thehrlife
Find Amy on LinkedIn at: https://linkedin.com/in/amyladler

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 the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStarHR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/

Amy L. Adler is the president of Five Strengths Career Transition Experts, a firm specializing in resume writing for executives and their teams. She holds the Nationally Certified Online Profile Expert (NCOPE) LinkedIn strategy certification, Certified Master Resume Writer (CMRW), and Certified Executive Resume Master (CERM) designations. She has been a judge in Career Directors International’s Toast of the Resume Writing Industry (TORI) Awards since 2015, previously having won first and third places for Best Executive Resumes. She is the author of Courageous Career Change: Fearlessly Earn the Executive Role You Deserve. She holds an MBA from Boston College, a Bachelor of Arts from Franklin & Marshall College, and an Associate of Science in Computer Science from Salt Lake Community College. She is a committed volunteer with The National Résumé Writers’ Association and the 2025 winner of the association's Vivian Belen Volunteer Award.

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

The guys talk to Tracie Kalmar about how tough it was to work with Steve (which she claims was great), building culture, cutesy stickers, interviewing for humility, and a lot more.  Listeners get an update on Steve's cat flooding his bathrooms and Tony gets exposed for saying the word fantastic too much.  The guys introduce a new charity you can work with and the word strategic gets said more often than you'd expect. 

Learn more about Tracie Kalmar at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracie-kalmar-09b043121/
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 the books mentioned on the podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Learn more about Pucks for Autism at: https://www.pucksforautism.com/

Tracie's goal is to create and maintain a culture that fosters growth and continual improvement, all while balancing the needs of employees and embracing that we are all humans serving humans. She recruits and finds the right position for the right people while delivering the most comfortable experience, and also strives to have active communication with the new hire for not only the onboarding and training process but building trust between all parties. 

The guys talk to Mark Tolman, a company side employment attorney, and the most common EEOC complaints, executive orders, and some legal updates.  Learn about Muldrow v. City of St. Louis and other cases.  Did you know that you can get a restraining order against former employees and others who make threats?  Who files more of those than anybody else in Utah? Oh... and the episode isn't boring! 

Learn more about Mark Tolman at: https://parsonsbehle.com/people/mark-d-tolman or https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-tolman-2b70a7a/
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin and The Grange Strategic HR Consulting at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn More about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
See a list of books mentioned on the podcast: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor MegaStar HR at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
The HR Life Podcast supports the following Charities: https://www.pucksforautism.com/ and https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/