EP 14 JD Robinson, The New Guy in Steve's Database
The guys talk with JD Robinson about Recruiting, the state of HR, making transformative relationships with people, and acknowledge that HR is not your friend... but neither is accounting or marketing. They discuss the value of experience verses a degree and why high performers that nobody likes shouldn't be on your team as well as the greatest recruiting process JD has ever been a part of. (No pets were heard in the recording of this episode.)
JD Robinson is a business and HR executive with 15 years of experience driving organizational performance and profitability. Certified in GPHR, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP (with his PMP certification in progress), he specializes in turning complex challenges into business solutions that fuel growth. JD has helped organizations strengthen retention, optimize operations, and build high-performing teams, delivering measurable improvements in productivity and scalability. Known for his direct style and results-driven approach, he focuses on creating sustainable business success by aligning people, strategy, and performance.
Learn more about JD Robinson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrobinson1
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Contact the podcast at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com
JD Robinson is a business and HR executive with 15 years of experience driving organizational performance and profitability. Certified in GPHR, SPHR, and SHRM-SCP (with his PMP certification in progress), he specializes in turning complex challenges into business solutions that fuel growth. JD has helped organizations strengthen retention, optimize operations, and build high-performing teams, delivering measurable improvements in productivity and scalability. Known for his direct style and results-driven approach, he focuses on creating sustainable business success by aligning people, strategy, and performance.
Learn more about JD Robinson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdrobinson1
Learn more about Tony "Two Weeks' Notice" Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Contact the podcast at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com
Creators and Guests
Host
Steven "Bid Deal" Smith
Steve will be the first to tell you that recruiting is marketing. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance at Brigham Young University and started his career in recruiting in Feb 2005. In 2008, he took a risk during a recession to help start a new company with Ryan Kohler, called ApplicantPro, a full suite HR platform for small to mid-sized businesses. In March 2025, ApplicantPro became iSolved Talent Acquisition, now serving 177,000 clients and close to 9800 employees. Before the merger, ApplicantPro made the Inc 5000 list 12 years in a row, Top Places to work in Utah 3 years in a row, and Steve was named the Small Business Utah HR Achievement Award winner in May 2024. iSolved was also named an Indeed Platinum Partner in 2023, 2024, and 2025 and is one of only ten ATS platforms in the country to obtain that designation. SHRM-CP & PHR certified, Steve currently volunteers on the Utah SHRM State Council as the immediate past State Executive Director. His book, The Hiring Tree: Laws of Applicant Attraction, was released in early 2023, and has helped thousands of organizations across the country rethink their approach to hiring. If you need help understanding the principles and role of SEO, marketing, and AI when it comes to attracting job seekers, Steve provides a solid framework for hiring effectively.
Host
Tony "Two Weeks Notice" Benjamin
I am a unique HR leader with more than 20 years’ experience working for some of Utah’s oldest, fastest growing, and most well-known companies. My experience includes Superior Drilling Products, Air Medical Resource Group, Control4, Ovivo USA and Deseret Book. I am a regionally recognized authority on building successful cultures and am an alumni speaker at DisruptHR SLC and DisruptHR St. George. I have earned an MBA from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor’s degree from Utah State University, and am a certified Professional of Human Resources (PHR). I'm married to a woman out of my league, have three brilliant kids I doesn’t deserve and, although I travel a lot, live in Vernal, Utah.
