Host Taylor Bradley sits down with Joy Sybesma, Founder of ScaleJoy, and SVP of People at Bilt Rewards Alli Trussell, to redefine what high performance looks like in today’s workplace. Together, they explore how clarity, self-awareness, and adaptability drive success at individual, team, and organizational levels.

Joy and Alli share actionable insights on designing performance frameworks that align with distinct organizational missions, shaping leadership expectations, and driving sustainable growth. Drawing on vivid analogies like the “LeBron James team dynamic,” they illustrate the art of playing to individual strengths while fostering collective success. Paired with practical concepts such as Frank Slootman’s triad of “narrowed focus, increased velocity, and heightened standards,” this conversation equips HR leaders and executives with a toolkit to unlock potential and cultivate resilience across teams.

Listeners will walk away with fresh perspectives on scaling leadership principles, achieving alignment across teams, and creating a culture where employees thrive. Whether you’re blitzscaling a startup or refining processes at an established organization, this episode is packed with strategies to elevate performance sustainably.

Discover more about joining our community, upcoming events, and resources mentioned in this episode at troophr.com.

Credits
TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin
Show Producer: Nicole Fealey
Show Host: Taylor Bradley

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley speaks with Anthony Onesto, a recruitment industry veteran, to discuss how AI is revolutionizing recruiting. Onesto explores the significant shifts technology has introduced to the recruiting landscape, from mobile advancements to LinkedIn, and emphasizes AI's potential to automate repetitive tasks, enabling  recruiters to focus on human connections.

Onesto and Bradley ‘delve’ into common fears surrounding AI, notably concerns over job security and skill relevance. They discuss the perspective that AI will likely automate tasks rather than entire roles, freeing recruiters to be more strategic. Anthony underscores the importance of human oversight, especially in avoiding biases AI might amplify in hiring processes. The conversation also covers practical applications of AI for candidates, such as interview preparation and role-specific research, positioning AI as a tool for both sides of the recruiting equation.

Tune in to discover how AI is reshaping talent acquisition and the future opportunities it presents for recruitment professionals to refine their roles.

Credits:
TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin
Show Producer: Nicole Fealey
Show Host: Taylor Bradley
(Note: Transcripts generated by AI.)

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley tackles the thorny issue of political discourse in today's workplace with HR veteran, Jen Fox, and conflict resolution expert, Pete Turok. The discussion challenges the traditional "no politics at work" rule, exploring why this approach may no longer be feasible in our hyper-connected world.

Fox shares insights from her deep experience in HR, discussing how "politics will get into you" regardless of workplace policies, while Turok introduces the concept of "brave spaces" as an alternative to traditional safe space thinking. Their conversation offers practical guidance for HR leaders navigating political expression at work, from managing ERG concerns to developing communication protocols that foster respectful dialogue while maintaining productivity.

For more information about joining our community, upcoming events like the 2025 TroopHR Retreat, and resources mentioned in this episode, please visit troophr.com.

Chapters
0:00 Introduction and the Challenge of Political Discourse at Work
4:42 The Impact of 'Bring Your Whole Self to Work'
10:47 Navigating Political Expression in the Workplace
20:44 Leadership Echo Chambers and Psychological Safety
23:07 HR's Role in Managing Workplace Culture
26:42 Creating Brave Spaces and Addressing Safety Concerns
33:07 Optimism and Finding Common Ground

Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin 

Show Producer: Nicole Fealey 

Show Host: Taylor Bradley 

Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

In this episode of TroopHR, Taylor Bradley sits down with Daniel and Stephen Huerta, the dynamic duo behind the Modern People Leader podcast. The often mistaken brothers are actually cousins-turned-business partners whuch share their unique journey into HR tech and offer a candid look at the industry's most pressing issues. 

The conversation spans a wide range of topics, from the lasting impact of remote work to the challenges of implementing meaningful DEI initiatives. Daniel and Stephen discuss the delicate balance of political discourse in the workplace, the transformative potential of AI in HR, and the ongoing struggle to align employee needs with business objectives. Their insights provide a thought-provoking exploration of HR's evolving role in today's rapidly changing business landscape.

For more information about joining our community, upcoming events like the 2025 TroopHR Retreat, please visit troophr.com.

Credits
TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin
Show Producer: Nicole Fealey
Show Host: Taylor Bradley
Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

In this episode, Taylor Bradley engages in an insightful conversation with Luck Dookchitra, an experienced HR leader, about the transformative power of mentorship in career development and organizational growth. 

Luck shares her wealth of experience in both receiving and providing mentorship, offering valuable insights for HR professionals at all career stages.

Key topics discussed:

• The importance of mentorship in personal and professional growth
• Strategies for being an effective mentor and mentee
• Navigating the delicate balance of providing candid feedback to executives
• The unique challenges of working with founder CEOs vs. career CEOs
• Building trust and influence as an HR leader

Highlights include:

• Practical advice for mentors on delivering impactful guidance
• Tips for mentees on being open to feedback and self-reflection
• Strategies for HR professionals to establish themselves as trusted advisors to leadership
• Insights on adapting communication styles for different types of executives

If you would like to learn more about joining our community or about the upcoming 2025 retreat, visit troophr.com.

Credits 
TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin 
Show Producer: Nicole Fealey 
Show Host: Taylor Bradley

Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

In this episode of TroopHR, Taylor Bradley sits down with Rory Sacks, a seasoned Learning & Development leader, to explore the evolving landscape of talent development. Rory shares his unique perspective on building organizational resilience through strategic L&D initiatives, challenging traditional approaches to training and onboarding.

Key topics discussed:
- Reframing L&D as a driver of business resilience and adaptability
- Strategies for effective onboarding and orientation in resource-constrained environments
- Leveraging AI and technology to enhance learning experiences and measure impact
- The importance of aligning L&D initiatives with both leadership vision and employee needs
- Practical tips for HR professionals to demonstrate L&D's value to the business

Mentioned in the Episode:
Podcast: "Is Training the Answer"

If you would like to learn more about joining our community or about the upcoming 2025 retreat, visit troophr.com.

Credits
TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin
Show Producer: Nicole Fealey
Show Host: Taylor Bradley
Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

In this mini-episode, host Taylor Bradley takes us on a journey back to the late 1800s, exploring the inspiring story of Anna Bissell. Widely recognized as America's first female CEO, Anna's tale is a testament to breaking barriers and redefining leadership in the face of systemic constraints. It's a great story of a legendary leader in workforce history to reflect on after Labor Day.

Credits: 

TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin 

Show Producer: Nicole Fealey 

Show Host: Taylor Bradley 

Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley dives deep into the art of storytelling with experts Jared Cozart and LeAnne Harper, co-founders of Unlock. Together, they explore how compelling narratives can transform HR leadership and set professionals apart in a competitive corporate landscape. Discover how to harness storytelling to inspire, persuade, and build lasting connections, both in your career and within your team.

Key Topics:

The Essentials of Masterful Storytelling: Learn what makes a story memorable and how HR leaders can use this skill to stand out.

Discovering Your Superpowers: How to identify and articulate your unique strengths through the art of storytelling.

Overcoming Adversity: Strategies for sharing stories of resilience and growth in interviews and executive profiles.

Cultural Add and Personal Branding: Insights into how personal stories contribute to building trust and finding alignment in organizational roles.

Navigating Career Challenges: Advice on addressing short tenures or layoffs with integrity and confidence.

Credits

TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin

Show Producer: Nicole Fealey

Show Host: Taylor Bradley

Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley engages with Jessica Zwann, a former CHRO and current COO, to delve into the dynamic world of HR leadership. Jessica narrates her unique career transition from journalism and law to HR and operations, highlighting essential skills for HR leaders aspiring to broader roles. She discusses the integration of HR initiatives with business objectives and the application of product management principles to HR, as detailed in her book "Built for People." 

Additionally, Jessica offers a sneak peek into her forthcoming book on finding purpose in work and introduces the idea of the "transformation economy." Throughout the conversation, Jessica imparts actionable advice for HR leaders to enhance their commercial acumen and grasp wider business operations. She presents a compelling case study on addressing HR challenges through product management methodologies, providing valuable insights for HR professionals aiming for C-suite positions and business leaders seeking to optimize people operations. This episode offers a novel perspective on crafting transformative employee experiences and achieving business success.

Mentioned in the Episode:
 
"Built for People: Transform Your Employee Experience Using Product Management Principles" by Jessica Zwann 

Upcoming book: "Was Sisyphus Smiling?" (working title) by Jessica Zwann

Credits:
TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin 
Show Producer: Nicole Fealey 
Show Host: Taylor Bradley
Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, host Taylor Bradley explores the intersection of venture capital and HR leadership with Rebecca Price, a seasoned HR executive turned VC partner at Primary Venture Partners. Rebecca offers a deep dive into the venture capital landscape, detailing the role of VC firms in nurturing startups and the various specializations within the industry. She shares her unique insights as an operator within a VC firm, emphasizing how Primary Venture Partners leverages operational expertise to support its portfolio companies.

Rebecca also discusses her transition from HR leadership to venture capital, providing valuable lessons for HR professionals interested in expanding their career horizons. This episode is packed with practical advice and strategies for integrating HR leadership with investment strategies, offering listeners a fresh perspective on driving startup success through effective people operations.

Mentioned in the Podcast 

The Advantage by Patrick M. Lencioni 
Who by Geoff Smart and Randy Street
The Definitive Guide To VC Career Growth (Article) by Rebecca Price 

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to the Troop HR Podcast
00:54 Understanding Venture Capital with Rebecca Price
02:06 Specializations in Venture Capital
03:20 Rebecca's Journey from HR to VC
04:50 Building a Strong VC Firm
06:37 Breaking into Venture Capital
10:00 Competency Framework for VC Investors
11:14 Challenges and Trends in Venture Capital
18:38 Advice for HR Leaders in VC-Backed Startups
26:11 Final Thoughts and Career Advice
29:09 Closing Remarks

Credits 

TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show 

Producer: Nicole Fealey 

Show Host: Taylor Bradley

Note: Transcripts generated by AI.