EP 40 The SAFE Framework and Gamified Confetti with Andrea Hollingsworth
Listen as Tony and Steve are once again joined by Andrea Hollingsworth. In this fantastic episode Andrea lays out the SAFE Framework that helps HR and leaders cope with RIF's, Layoffs, and survivors. They discuss how to survive extremely difficult conversations with those leaving the business and those who are staying. They also touch on gamifying the workplace and performance reviews.
Quote of the episode: "Can we say chicks on the podcast?" - Tony Benjamin
Learn more about Andrea Hollingsworth at: https://hollingsworthconsulting.com/
Get Andrea's book here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+compassion+advantage+book&crid=3IFCIXBF6LBEE&sprefix=the+compassion+advan%2Caps%2C158&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_1_20
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
See a list of all of the books referred to on the Podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStar HR, at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Steve and Tony highly recommend supporting the Thrive Life Project. Learn more at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/
Andrea Hollingsworth, Ph.D., is an acclaimed keynote speaker, bestselling and award winning author, and trusted consultant who’s spent years studying the transformative power of compassion. Since 2008, she has been speaking and writing about the science and spirituality of human emotions and relationships.
Quote of the episode: "Can we say chicks on the podcast?" - Tony Benjamin
Learn more about Andrea Hollingsworth at: https://hollingsworthconsulting.com/
Get Andrea's book here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+compassion+advantage+book&crid=3IFCIXBF6LBEE&sprefix=the+compassion+advan%2Caps%2C158&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-expert-pd-ops-ranker_1_20
Learn more about Tony Benjamin at: https://www.thegrangellc.com/
Learn more about Steven "Big Deal Smith" at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/
See a list of all of the books referred to on the Podcast at: https://thehiringtreebook.com/hr-life-podcast
Learn more about our sponsor, MegaStar HR, at: https://www.megastarhr.com/
Steve and Tony highly recommend supporting the Thrive Life Project. Learn more at: https://www.thrivelifeproject.org/
Andrea Hollingsworth, Ph.D., is an acclaimed keynote speaker, bestselling and award winning author, and trusted consultant who’s spent years studying the transformative power of compassion. Since 2008, she has been speaking and writing about the science and spirituality of human emotions and relationships.
Creators and Guests
Host
Fantastic Tony 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.
Host
Steven "Big 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.
