The TroopHR Podcast

Hosted by Tracy Avin

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Oct 2026

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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

November 10, 202611 min

Ep 68. Minisode - Can Machines Think? A Short History of AI with Taylor Bradley, SVP People & AI, Turing and Troop Podcast Host

What if the biggest question about AI was asked almost 200 years ago? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley goes solo to tell the history of artificial intelligence through two people who never met. One is Ada Lovelace, the 19th-century mathematician whose notes are widely seen as early computer programming. The other is Alan Turing, the codebreaker who helped lay the groundwork for modern computing. Taylor starts in London in 1843. Charles Babbage was designing the Analytical Engine, a machine of gears and shafts that was never finished. Most people saw it as a fancy calculator. Lovelace saw that it could work with symbols and even music, not just numbers. She also drew a line that people still argue about: the machine “has no pretensions whatever to originate anything.” In her view, it could only do what we knew how to tell it to do. Next, Taylor moves to 1950. That year Turing asked “Can machines think?” in his paper Computing Machinery and Intelligence , and proposed what became known as the Turing test. He answered Lovelace directly. Machines can surprise the people who build them. Humans also build on everything they’ve already learned. And a machine that learns from experience could do things no one programmed it to do. Taylor then brings both arguments into the present, where AI systems write code, compose music and propose scientific ideas. He asks whether that counts as creating something new, and whether we hold machines to a different standard than people. He also explains why impressive output on its own doesn’t prove a machine understands what it produces. Whether you use AI at work every day, are still deciding how much to trust it, or just want to know where these tools came from, this episode is a useful reminder that the questions Lovelace and Turing raised are still worth asking. Mentioned in the Episode: Ada Lovelace’s 1843 notes on Charles Babbage’s Analytical Engine, including her method for calculating Bernoulli numbers. Alan Turing’s 1950 paper, “Computing Machinery and Intelligence,” published in the journal Mind . For more information about joining our community, upcoming events, and additional resources, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

October 27, 202618 min

Ep 67. The Three HR Archetypes of the AI Era with Jessica Zwaan, VP People Strategy & Operations, Leapsome

What if the AI tools your team keeps testing are teaching you more than you think? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley sits down with Jessica Zwaan, Best-Selling Author and VP People Strategy & Operations, Leapsome to explore how HR teams are using AI today, and why the people who have spent years in this field are the ones best placed to lead what comes next. Jessica describes vibe coding as “a paintbrush with AI,” a way to take an idea from rough concept to working prototype in about an hour. She shares what her team has built on top of their HR system, from an organizational network analysis tool to an org design sandbox for resource planning, and explains why many leaders still aren’t seeing the impact they expected. Often it comes down to using the right tool in the wrong place. Jessica and Taylor discuss why keeping human judgment in the loop matters, how Leapsome built an AI calibration tool that prepares the room for a better conversation instead of handing down outcomes, and how Taylor’s team now handles 80-90% of 70,000 yearly people ops tickets with AI. Jessica also lays out three HR archetypes for the AI era: systems and interface designers, advisors and coaches, and employee experience designers. She closes with her prediction for HR five years from now: leaner teams, higher talent density and a bigger role in the boardroom. Whether you’re experimenting with your first AI workflow, rethinking how your people team is structured, or wondering what your role looks like in five years, this conversation offers a clear reminder: HR doesn’t need to wait for permission to build. Mentioned in the Episode: Leapsome , the all-in-one HRIS, ATS, performance and engagement platform supporting about 2,000 businesses, including its AI calibration tool and vibe-coded dashboards. For more information about joining our community, upcoming events, and additional resources, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

October 6, 202620 min

Ep 65. The Scenic Route: What Travel Can Teach Us About Navigating Change with Sarah Aviram, USA Today Best-Selling Author

What if the change you’re resisting is actually an invitation to see your life, and your work, differently? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with best-selling author, speaker, and former HR leader Sarah Aviram to explore what happens when we step outside of our routines and learn to navigate uncertainty with greater curiosity and confidence. Sarah shares the story behind her new book, The Scenic Route: Following My Inner Compass Across 12 Countries in 12 Months , inspired by the year she spent working remotely while traveling around the world. What began as an experiment in the future of work became a much deeper exploration of fulfillment, identity, adaptability, and what truly motivates us. Sarah and Taylor discuss why greater flexibility doesn’t always lead to greater fulfillment, what travel can teach us about leading through change, and why storytelling can be far more powerful than policies and playbooks when helping people embrace something new. Sarah also shares lessons from Japan, Portugal, and Vietnam, including the beauty of impermanence, the value of collective thinking, and how taking one small step can help us move through fear. Whether you’re leading an organization through transformation, navigating a career transition, or simply facing a change you didn’t ask for, this conversation offers a thoughtful reminder: we may be more adaptable, and resilient, than we think. Mentioned in the Episode: The Scenic Route: Following My Inner Compass Across 12 Countries in 12 Months, Sarah Aviram’s new book exploring travel, change, identity, uncertainty, and personal growth. Remotivation, Sarah’s first book, focused on the professional side of remote work and what really drives fulfillment and motivation at work. “Does More Freedom at Work Mean More Fulfillment?”, Sarah’s TED Talk examining the relationship between workplace flexibility and fulfillment. Remote Year, the program Sarah joined to work and travel through 12 countries alongside a group of remote professionals. SarahAviram.com — learn more about Sarah’s keynote speaking, workshops, leadership coaching, and programs connected to The Scenic Route . For more information about joining our community, upcoming events, and additional resources, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

October 6, 202615 min

Ep 66. From Doer to Strategic Leader - Navigating Strategic Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World with Madhu Krishnappa Maron

Most HR leaders were rewarded early for getting things done. Over time, that habit can keep you stuck in the weeds and away from the work only you can do. In this TroopHR Podcast episode, host Taylor Bradley talks with leadership coach and author Madhu Krishnappa Maron about how HR leaders can shift from constant doing to strategic leadership. Madhu spent 20 years as an HR leader before starting her coaching practice, and she shares practical ways to make that shift without burning out. In this episode, we cover: Madhu’s definition of strategic leadership: staying grounded and focused on the horizon while handling what’s in front of you Why your sense of value may be tied to your task list, and how to start measuring it differently A simple filter for your workload: only do what only you can do How stepping in to fix every problem can build dependence in managers instead of capacity How to lead clearly through rapid growth, change, and pressure to adopt AI Key ideas from her book, Steady Through the Waves , including the spectrum from doing to leading Mentioned in the episode: Steady Through the Waves : An Essential Guide for Navigating Out of Perpetual Panic and Into Sustainable Success by Madhu Krishnappa Maron MadhuCoach: https://madhucoach.com Connect with Madhu on LinkedIn. Connect with Taylor Bradley on LinkedIn. For more information about joining our community, upcoming events, and additional resources, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

September 15, 202621 min

Ep 64. It's Always About the People: Employee Well-Being in the Age of AI with Livia Martini

On this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, host Taylor Bradley talks with Livia Martini, Chief People Officer at Wellhub, about well-being at work now that AI is changing how people do their jobs. Livia describes well-being as feeling good across the parts of life that matter most: physical and mental health, money, sleep, relationships, and work. She also explains why "work-life balance" misses the point. Work and life aren't two separate things to weigh against each other. Employees show up as whole people, and companies that treat well-being as someone else's problem give up their chance to help. Then the conversation turns to AI. Livia gives the example of a financial forecast that used to take three hours and now takes five minutes. The analyst gets less time to think through each step, has more results to check, and has much more information to take in. Her view is that AI makes human judgment more important, not less. When people are overwhelmed, mistakes slip through. That's why she believes People leaders need to look after the employees who use these tools well. Taylor and Livia also discuss how AI can take routine questions off benefits teams' plates. Livia explains why giving employees too many benefit options can lower how many actually use them, and shares how one Wellhub client replaced 72 benefit providers with a single platform. Closing out the conversation, Livia shares how she went from banking and operations into HR, and why she's stayed for more than eight years. Mentioned in the Episode: Wellhub - www.wellhub.com Connect with Lívia de Bastos Martini on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/liviamartini/ For more information about joining our community, upcoming events, and additional resources, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

August 25, 202621 min

Ep. 63. What Leaders Get Wrong About Conflict: The Underlying Problem of Performance Issues with Deepa Pulipati

In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Host Taylor Bradley welcomes Deepa Pulipati, Executive Advisor, Conflict & Change Management, Tula Advisory. Deepa spent years as a licensed marriage and family therapist mediating child custody disputes in San Francisco Superior Court before moving into executive coaching. She defines coaching as creating the conditions for people to solve their own problems, and she is direct with leaders about it. She holds the container, they do the work. Taylor and Deepa get into conflict competency, why most performance and culture problems are conflict problems in disguise, and the process she runs when two leaders cannot work together. She walks through what those sessions look like and the three outcomes she sees, including the one where someone leaves and both sides are better for it. They also cover why HR teams struggle to mediate internally, and how governance and process can quietly undercut psychological safety. Mentioned in the Episode: • Tula Advisory – www.tulacoach.com For more information about joining our community, upcoming events, and additional resources, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

August 11, 2026Episode 6017 min

Ep. 62. Arrive, Drive, Thrive: Josh Saterman on Building High-Performing Organizations

What separates great leaders from great titles—and how can organizations develop leadership at every level? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley welcomes back Josh Saterman, CEO of Saterman Connect and co-author of Arrive, Drive, Thrive . Josh shares the leadership framework behind the book, exploring how professionals evolve from emerging leaders to senior leaders while learning to manage, navigate, and ultimately lead through change. Along the way, he discusses the importance of developing talent with—not at—your teams, the power of common language, and why leadership exists far beyond organizational charts. The conversation also dives into practical leadership development strategies, including Josh’s Five T’s model, the role of trust and healthy communication in organizational effectiveness, and how leaders can balance artificial intelligence with human intelligence. From Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team to the growing need for curiosity, collaboration, and clear decision-making, this episode offers actionable insights for HR leaders and executives looking to build resilient, high-performing cultures. Mentioned in the Episode: • Arrive, Drive, Thrive by Joshua Saterman, Gerald Hutchinson, and Nettie Nitzberg • Patrick Lencioni’s The Five Dysfunctions of a Team • Saterman Connect – satermanconnect.com For more information about joining our community, upcoming events, and additional resources, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

July 28, 2026Episode 6120 min

Ep. 61. Unlocking People Power: Jasmine Moseley Beal on Organizational Alignment and Change Management

Why do so many transformation efforts fail and what role does organizational structure play in determining success? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Jasmine Moseley Beal, Founder of Virtue Key, to explore how misaligned organizational structures create barriers to execution, performance, and growth. Drawing on more than 15 years of experience, Jasmine explains why organizational alignment is ultimately about interconnectivity, and how involving the right people early can dramatically improve change adoption and business outcomes. The conversation covers common causes of failed transformation initiatives, including AI implementations that lack employee buy-in, ineffective goal-setting processes, and the dangers of operating in silos. Jasmine shares practical insights on simplifying performance management, creating inclusive change strategies, and why CHROs must speak the language of business and finance to drive meaningful impact. Listeners will walk away with actionable strategies for unlocking “people power” and positioning HR as a catalyst for organizational growth and agility. To learn more about Jasmine Moseley Beal and Virtue Key, visit virtuekey.com or connect with her on LinkedIn. For more information about joining our community and upcoming events, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

July 14, 2026Episode 6218 min

Ep. 60. From Accidental CEO to Building Resilient Teams with Thach Nguyen, Founder & CEO of Plenty

What does it really take to transition from HR leader to founder—and how do you build a culture that can withstand the pressures of growth? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Thach Nguyen, Founder and CEO of Plenty Search, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and creating resilient organizations. Drawing on experiences from hypergrowth companies like Airbnb and Sword, Thach shares how an unexpected consulting practice evolved into a thriving business, the imposter syndrome that accompanied becoming an "accidental CEO," and why strong relationships are often the foundation of entrepreneurial success. The conversation dives into practical advice for HR leaders and founders alike, including how to communicate effectively with entrepreneurs, why business metrics matter more than HR jargon, and the importance of building cultures grounded in accountability and humanity. Thach also opens up about the public nature of failure, the role of emotional regulation and therapy in leadership, and how prioritizing people has helped Plenty maintain a culture with no regrettable attrition. Whether you're considering entrepreneurship, partnering with founders, or looking to strengthen your organization's culture, this episode offers valuable insights on leading with authenticity and building teams that thrive. If you would like to learn more about joining our community and upcoming events, please visit troophr.com . Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.

June 23, 2026Episode 5821 min

Episode 59: Rethinking Workplace Performance with Melissa NG Goldner CEO of Malu Journey

What if the way we measure employee engagement and workplace performance is completely outdated? In this episode of the TroopHR Podcast, Taylor Bradley sits down with Melissa Ng Goldner, Founder and CEO of Malu Journey and Head of Strategy and Research at Coqual, for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of work, employee sustainment, and why “work-life balance” may be one of the most misleading phrases in HR today. Melissa challenges traditional HR metrics like engagement surveys and compliance-driven performance measures, arguing that organizations should instead focus on psychological safety, capacity, recovery, and long-term employee sustainability. Together, they explore the hidden impact of layoffs and organizational change, the growing fear of irrelevance in the age of AI, and why leaders must learn to support the whole human—not just the employee ID number. Melissa also shares insights from her Stanford-backed research on employee sustainment, introduces the “Fit to Thrive Index,” and offers practical frameworks for HR leaders looking to build resilient, high-performing teams in today’s rapidly evolving workplace. If you would like to learn more about joining our community and upcoming events, please visit troophr.com. Credits TroopHR Founder: Tracy Avin Show Producer: Nicole Fealey Show Host: Taylor Bradley Note: Transcripts generated by AI.