EP 4 From Dolphins and Dogs to DEI With Katey Connell - The HR Life Podcast
Katey Connell is a force for transformation—on stage, in the workplace, and through her podcast, Become Alive. A dynamic Senior Talent Acquisition Manager at an advertising agency, Katey is known for doing things differently. She pioneered culture-first screening interviews to protect and elevate company culture, helping hire not just for skills, but for core-values. As a former SeaWorld Dolphin and Whale Trainer turned motivational speaker, certified life coach, group fitness instructor, and blackbelt in Taekwondo, Katey knows what it means to evolve—and she’s on a mission to help others do the same.
After hitting rock bottom in her own life, Katey learned to get comfortable in the uncomfortable. “Because that’s where growth happens—and that’s where you truly become alive.” Now living her ‘cloud 9’ life, she uses her personal story as a tool to empower others to realize and reach their full, God-given potential. Her philosophy? “Stop telling yourself you can’t. Make the scary decisions. They’re the ones that lead to real change.”
Katey brings her radiant energy, big smile, and deep conviction into every space she enters—whether she’s recruiting top talent, speaking at national events, or coaching others through their own breakthroughs. She resides in San Diego, California, where she surfs the big waves, hikes mountain trails with her dog, and serves in her local church.
Catch her on the Become Alive Podcast, book her to speak at your next transformative event, or partner with Become Alive: Recruiting to find your next top-tier hire. What sets her apart? She’s the only her. And what sets you apart?
Information about Katey Connell https://www.kateyconnell.com/
Information About Tony Benjamin https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Information About Steven J Smith https://thehiringtreebook.com/
After hitting rock bottom in her own life, Katey learned to get comfortable in the uncomfortable. “Because that’s where growth happens—and that’s where you truly become alive.” Now living her ‘cloud 9’ life, she uses her personal story as a tool to empower others to realize and reach their full, God-given potential. Her philosophy? “Stop telling yourself you can’t. Make the scary decisions. They’re the ones that lead to real change.”
Katey brings her radiant energy, big smile, and deep conviction into every space she enters—whether she’s recruiting top talent, speaking at national events, or coaching others through their own breakthroughs. She resides in San Diego, California, where she surfs the big waves, hikes mountain trails with her dog, and serves in her local church.
Catch her on the Become Alive Podcast, book her to speak at your next transformative event, or partner with Become Alive: Recruiting to find your next top-tier hire. What sets her apart? She’s the only her. And what sets you apart?
Information about Katey Connell https://www.kateyconnell.com/
Information About Tony Benjamin https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Information About Steven J Smith 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.
