EP 17 Free Bird, The Work Elevated Conference, and Mullets
Recorded live at The Work Elevated Conference, this episode will shock you into a smile. After another brilliant introduction, the guys talk to both organizers and attendees at the conference. Rachel Child joins the podcast again and talks about working at the conference, Karisa Stahle then talks about turning over the reigns to Joylynn Jepson who also joined and promised to first release the theme of next year’s conference exclusively on the podcast. Attendee Carl McCain talks to the guys about winning a TV at last year’s conference along with what he learned about being kind to others (in addition to the thrill of talking to Steve and Tony). Sterling Barker sits in the Red Seat from Utah SHRM, talks about serving and why he does it. Then, Scott Key, the breakout networker of the conference joins and talks about his experience attending while looking for work.
Warning: This episode contains light humor and lacks a lot of boring employee handbook knowledge. Listeners should be prepared for humor, sarcasm, and a little background noise. Some listeners may experience uncontrollable smiling, laughter, and a desire to attend next year’s conference.
Learn more about Rachel Child at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelm-child/
Learn more about Joylynn Jeppson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joylynn-jeppson-a87149142/
Learn more about Karisa Stahle at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisa-stahle-shrm-cp-23395950/
Learn more about Carl McCain at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-mccain-ab309614/
Learn more about Sterling Barker at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterling-l-barker-mshr-phr-shrm-cp-031bb32/
Learn more about Scott Key at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-key-3297b0193/
Learn More about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
Learn more about Joylynn Jeppson at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joylynn-jeppson-a87149142/
Learn more about Karisa Stahle at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karisa-stahle-shrm-cp-23395950/
Learn more about Carl McCain at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carl-mccain-ab309614/
Learn more about Sterling Barker at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sterling-l-barker-mshr-phr-shrm-cp-031bb32/
Learn more about Scott Key at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-key-3297b0193/
Learn More about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal" Smith at: https://thehiringtreebook.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.
