The TroopHR Podcast

Hosted by Tracy Avin

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Latest episode

Jun 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the TroopHR Podcast, where we bring you the best of HR and business thought-leadership in a casual coffee chat format. Our mission at TroopHR is to empower HR professionals to advance their careers, personal development and build better organizations. We promise fresh, actionable content from master practitioners, industry leaders, translating their seasoned experience into practical advice. Join us for insights, strategies and tactical take-aways to drive the HR profession forward. The TroopHR Podcast will help guide you to discover the keys to success to overcome HR challenges, and make a meaningful impact as a People Leader.

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60 recent

June 9, 2026Episode 5720 min

Ep. 58 Neurodiversity at Work with Racheal Pallares Founder of Neurodiversity Training Institute

What if the key to building stronger, more innovative teams starts with removing the “boxes” we place people in? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with neurodiversity advocate and founder of the Neurodiversity Training Institute, Racheal Pallares, to explore how organizations can create workplaces where different ways of thinking are not just accommodated—but celebrated.Racheal shares her journey from psychology and recruiting into becoming a leading voice in workplace neurodiversity, including the powerful story of how a simple hiring shift transformed a high-turnover mortgage auditing team into a thriving, engaged workforce. Together, Taylor and Racheal unpack common misconceptions about ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent experiences, while offering practical guidance for HR leaders, managers, and teams on building inclusive systems through universal design. From reducing cognitive load to rethinking accommodations and leadership practices, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for creating healthier workplace ecosystems where every employee can thrive.To learn more about Racheal Pallares and the Neurodiversity Training Institute, connect with her on LinkedIn or visit her website. For more information about the TroopHR community, upcoming events, and resources, visit troophr.com.Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

May 26, 2026Episode 5421 min

Ep. 57 From IT to CPO: Building a People-First Culture That Scales with Paul Yater

What does it take to build a culture so strong it drives a $7B business and why might the best HR leaders come from outside HR?In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Paul Yater, Chief People Officer at 84 Lumber, to explore how culture truly becomes a company’s competitive advantage. Paul shares his unconventional journey from IT to HR and how his deep understanding of the business helped him reshape recruiting, onboarding, and employee development at scale. From “Lumber Camp” training to AI-powered recruiting and a relentless focus on listening to frontline employees, Paul offers a practical blueprint for building a people-first organization that promotes from within and delivers real career mobility. If you’re an HR leader or operator looking to strengthen culture, modernize talent strategies, or better align people operations with business outcomes, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and visit troophr.com to learn more about our community and upcoming events.CreditsTroopHR Founder: Tracy AvinShow Producer: Nicole FealeyShow Host: Taylor Bradley

May 12, 2026Episode 569 min

Ep 56. The Jumping Cactus: Reflections from the 2026 TroopHR Retreat

What happens when HR leaders step away from the noise of their roles and into a space designed for real connection, reflection, and growth?In this special TroopHR episode, host Taylor Bradley reflects on his experience at the 2026 TroopHR Retreat in Arizona, sharing a personal perspective on the power of community in HR. From unexpected moments of connection and vulnerability to insights on professional growth, intentional space, and the human side of leadership, Taylor captures what makes the TroopHR community so impactful. Through stories of hallway conversations, inspiring sessions, and even a few unforgettable moments from "jumping cacti" to stargazing, this episode highlights how creating space for HR leaders to simply “be” can lead to meaningful renewal, perspective, and lasting relationships.If you’re an HR leader looking for authentic community, fresh perspective, and space to recharge, this episode is for you. Be sure to follow the podcast, share it with your network, and learn more about upcoming TroopHR events at troophr.com.

April 21, 2026Episode 5522 min

Ep 55. Leading Through AI: How Jalie Cohen is Redefining Human-Centered Leadership in the Age of Automation

How can leaders embrace AI without losing the human edge and what does it really take to bring teams along for the journey?In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Jalie Cohen, CHRO at Radiology Partners, to explore the evolving intersection of AI, leadership, and human capability. Jalie shares how Radiology Partners is leveraging AI to augment—not replace—radiologists, addressing workforce shortages while improving patient care. The conversation dives into the real challenge of AI adoption,human change management, along with practical insights on self-education, multigenerational communication, and how leaders can use AI to enhance decision-making, efficiency, and strategic thinking. If you’re navigating AI in your organization or looking to future-proof your leadership approach, this episode offers a grounded, real-world perspective you won’t want to miss.For more insights, resources, and upcoming TroopHR events, visit troophr.com and don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the podcast.CreditsTroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

April 7, 20268 min

Ep 54. Frances Perkins: The Architect of the Modern American Workplace

Before the weekend existed as we know it, before child labor laws, before Social Security — there was Frances Perkins standing on a sidewalk in Greenwich Village watching history burn.On March 25, 1911, Perkins witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire firsthand — 146 workers, mostly young immigrant women, killed in minutes because factory doors were locked from the outside. That moment didn't just move her. It changed the trajectory of American labor history.In this mini-sode, host Taylor Bradley traces the remarkable life of Frances Perkins — from social worker to the first woman ever appointed to a U.S. presidential cabinet. When FDR asked her to serve as Secretary of Labor in 1933, she didn't just say yes. She walked into the room with a list of demands: a 40-hour workweek, a minimum wage, unemployment insurance, a ban on child labor, and Social Security.Over her 12 years in office — the longest tenure of any Labor Secretary in history — she turned that list into law.Every Friday afternoon when you shut down your laptop and head into the weekend, you're living inside the world Frances Perkins built.What you'll hear in this episode:The story of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire and why it was a turning point in American laborHow Perkins leveraged her expertise to become the architect of the New Deal's worker protectionsThe landmark legislation she championed: the Fair Labor Standards Act (1938) and the Social Security Act (1935)Why her legacy is the foundation of the modern American workplaceKey Takeaway: Leadership isn't about being the loudest voice. It's about the clearest vision and the most persistent heart.For more information about joining our community and upcoming events like the TroopHR Retreat, please visit troophr.com.Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel or qualified legal professional for advice regarding their specific situation.CreditsTroopHR Founder: Tracy AvinShow Producer: Nicole FealeyShow Host: Taylor Bradley

March 23, 2026Episode 5320 min

Ep 53. Building Trust in HR: Using AI to Modernize Policies, Compliance, and Onboarding with Nicola Barry of AirMason

How can HR leaders build real trust with employees while keeping pace with compliance, technology, and the rise of AI?In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Nicola Barry of AirMason to explore how HR teams can rethink policies, onboarding, and employee handbooks to better balance compliance with culture. Nicola shares how generative AI can help HR professionals streamline policy creation, extract key insights from complex legislation, and reduce time spent on repetitive legal reviews, freeing teams to focus on clarity, employee experience, and trust-building across the organization. Together, they discuss practical ways HR leaders can use AI as a foundational tool rather than a replacement for human judgment, while transforming traditionally static documents like employee handbooks into engaging onboarding experiences that reinforce company culture. Whether you’re an HR leader experimenting with AI workflows or a people professional looking to improve onboarding and internal communication, this conversation offers actionable insights on using technology to create more transparent, engaging, and human-centered workplaces.For more information about joining our community and upcoming events like the TroopHR Retreat, please visit troophr.com.Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel or qualified legal professional for advice regarding their specific situation.Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

March 10, 2026Episode 5121 min

Ep 52. The Journey to Transformational Leadership with Sonja Mustiful

What does it really take to become a transformational leader—and why is self-awareness the starting point?In this episode of the TroopHR podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Sonja Mustiful, executive coach and founder of Essence of Coaching, to explore the journey of transformational leadership in today’s ever-evolving workplace. Sonja breaks down the difference between leadership and title, introduces the concept of “connection quotient” alongside emotional intelligence, and shares practical strategies for building trust through transparency, accountability, and integrity. From leveraging 360-degree feedback to navigating change with clarity, this conversation offers HR executives and people leaders actionable insights on how to move from inspiration to true integration—while modeling the behaviors they want to see across their organizations.If you’re ready to elevate your leadership impact and guide your organization through meaningful transformation, subscribe to the TroopHR podcast, leave us a review, and visit troophr.com to learn more about joining our community and upcoming events like the TroopHR Retreat.Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

February 24, 2026Episode 5227 min

Ep 51. Grief at Work: Why Bereavement Policies Fail and How HR Leaders Can Do Better with CJ Infantino

What does it really look like to support employees through grief at work—and why are most organizations getting it wrong?In this deeply human and practical conversation, Taylor Bradley sits down with CJ Infantino, founder of Unvoiced, to explore the realities of grief in the workplace. After losing his wife in 2020, CJ experienced firsthand how traditional bereavement policies, performance expectations, and manager discomfort often fail grieving employees. Together, they unpack common misconceptions about grief (including the myth of a timeline), the physiological and performance impacts leaders often miss, and why codifying bereavement leave policies is both a humanitarian and business imperative. CJ also shares how he worked with Facebook’s leadership to create a formal bereavement policy, and offers actionable guidance for HR leaders on building psychological safety, training managers to have hard conversations, and designing thoughtful return-to-work plans that retain talent and protect productivity.If this conversation resonates, subscribe to the TroopHR podcast, leave a review, and share this episode with a fellow HR leader. To learn more about joining our community and upcoming events, visit troophr.com.Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.

February 10, 2026Episode 5122 min

Ep 50. Building Trust Through Compensation: Bobby Benfield CEO @ OpenComp

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley dives deep into the evolving role of compensation with Bobby Benfield, CEO of OpenComp. Together, they unpack how compensation can be transformed from a static system into a strategic, trust-building tool for talent retention and organizational success.Bobby shares actionable insights on crafting a strong pay philosophy, the pitfalls of misalignment between HR and finance, and how OpenComp’s platform empowers companies to ditch outdated spreadsheets in favor of real-time, scalable compensation data. From navigating merit cycles to equipping managers for difficult conversations, Bobby emphasizes the importance of clarity, consistency, and communication. You’ll also hear why "people aren’t comp ratios" and how redefining the compensation narrative can build lasting trust across your organization.To learn more about joining our community, upcoming events like the 2025 TroopHR Retreat, or OpenComp’s solutions, visit troophr.com.Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

January 27, 2026Episode 4823 min

Ep 49. From CHRO to CEO: Positioning People Leaders for the Top Job with Katie Stricker, Founder of The Potential Equation

What does it take for a CHRO to become a CEO?In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Katie Stricker, executive advisor and founder of The Potential Equation, to explore what it means for HR leaders to boldly step into broader operational roles, including the C-suite. Katie shares the eye-opening moment that sparked her mission: recognizing how many CHROs are already operating like presidents or COOs—without the title. From breaking down limiting beliefs around P&L ownership to mapping career pivots using her “three-column filter,” Katie offers a powerful roadmap for HR executives ready to build their path to CEO or board roles.Listeners will gain valuable insights on the top three traits that set people leaders up for business leadership success, how to shift mindset blocks into strategic growth, and why vulnerability and curiosity are must-have traits for today’s HR innovators. Whether you’re eyeing a board seat, COO title, or just want to strengthen your business acumen, this episode delivers tactical advice and inspiration to help HR leaders own their seat at the table and beyond.Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor BradleyNote: Transcripts generated by AI.