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.
Appears in 46 Episodes
EP 44 The Dichotomous State of HR, AI, and a Huge Announcement At The Very End of The Empty Red Seat
Tony and Steve talk about the state of HR, AI, eating catnip, and the fact that HR is both doing well and in trouble. Tony's cynicism is both peaking and ebbing as he...
EP 43 The Toxic Environment of the Empty Red Seat - and How to Cure It
In this episode Tony and Steve tackle toxic work environments and Tony's fantastic ability to kill wasps from more than 10 feet away. What is a toxic work environment...
EP 42 Why Can't I ask Follow Up Questions in Interviews on the Empty Red Seat?
In this episode Tony and Steve expose some insights into how to train your managers to interview. What are they interviewing for? The guys debunk the myth that you ca...
EP 41 Definning Strategic, The Four Myths of HR, and He-Man in the The Empty Red Seat
In this episode Steve and Tony discuss Steve’s Four Myths of HR and define the difference between administrative and strategic HR. For HR professionals looking to con...
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 wi...
EP 39 Rachel Child and HR Education in Iambic Pentameter
In this episode Tony and Steve welcome back Rachel Child in iambic pentameter and great hazas to talk about the intersection of HR education and real-world practice. R...
EP 38 Return of Shaina Burgoyne And Yoda is Still Missing
In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, Tony and Steve sit down with Shaina Burgoyne to talk about something many HR professionals quietly wrestle with: stepping away ...
EP 37 AI, the EEOC, the Eightfold Case, and an Empty Red Dog Couch
In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, Tony and Steve go from red couches and movie plot twists to one of the most important HR conversations happening right now: AI ...
EP 36 Is The ATS Out To Get You? An Empty Red Seat Conversation on a Deserted Island
In this episode of The HR Life Podcast, "Fantastic" Tony Benjamin and Stephen “Big Deal” Smith tackle one of the biggest villains in today’s job market: the Applicant ...
EP 35 Rat Birds, PEO's, and Your Business Knowledge With Stacee Pedersen
In this episode the guys talk to Stacee Pedersen about everything from PEO's to groundhog day. They talk about why PEO's don't work for many companies, why its harder...
EP 34 Your HR Value, Pooper Scoopers, and Vinagaroons with Ben Eden
The guys talk to Ben Eden about HR practitioners view of themselves, how to begin to build trust when you have a seat at the table, his partnership with SHRM around th...
EP 33 Look Here Resume Writing with Amy Adler
Amy Adler has the proof that she's the best resume writer in the world. The guys talk to her about professional resume writers, the first resume ever written, pink je...
EP - 32 Dentist Elves, SHRM's Mistakes, Lawsuit Politics, and Clydesdales In the Empty Red Seat
In this episode the guys lay out SHRM's dirty laundry for everybody to see. They discuss the $11.5M case specifics, the rumored toxic work environment at national SHR...
EP 31 The Very Cool Sexy Subject of I9's with Karisa Stahle
The guys talk to Karisa Stahle about I9's, 1099 Employees, and how to do audits during an incredibly difficult time. The guys check in with Karisa on the state HR, ta...
EP 30 Fantastic Stickers With Tracie Kalmar
The guys talk to Tracie Kalmar about how tough it was to work with Steve (which she claims was great), building culture, cutesy stickers, interviewing for humility, an...
EP 29 The Lawyer is in With Mark Tolman
The guys talk to Mark Tolman, a company side employment attorney, and the most common EEOC complaints, executive orders, and some legal updates. Learn about Muldrow v...
EP 28 Merry Christmas! At Twice the Speed While Watching Predator!
From our families to yours, Merry Christmas! The guys give you an insight into their personal lives by having their wives on the podcast. Does Steve sometimes leave ...
EP 27 Compassion and Exciting, Fancy Psychobabble With Andrea Hollingsworth
This is the episode Steve's been teasing for more than a month! Tony and Steve talk compassion with Andrea Hollingsworth. Listen in as Andrea crowd surfs the "live s...
EP 26 $600k Worth of Stats, Confused Culture, and Dissent with Weslie Porter
The guys talk to Weslie Porter, Director of People Analytics for the State of Utah, and he drops some amazing stats that have the ability to change how you view HR. W...
EP 25 Yea... International HR with Desma and Elrona D'Souza
The guys talk to Desma and Elrona D'Souza, the "HR Sisters" and owners of S&K HR Consulting. What is it like to live in a country where 80% of the population is impor...