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.
Appears in 38 Episodes
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...
EP 24 Breaking News! 2026 Work Elevated Theme... Again, with JoyLynn Jeppson
This episode includes the long awaited announcement of the theme of the 2026 Work Elevated Conference. JoyLynn Jeppson joins the guys to announce the theme (which is ...
EP 23 Superpowers for Grown-ups With Tami Bajema
In this week's episode, the guys talk with Tami Bajema about the revolutionary idea that weaknesses are just strengths turned up a little too high. Tami talks about h...
EP 22 Eating the Otter Pops, Setting Up The New HR Department, Big Deal Recruiting, and Why People Leave
In this episode Tony and Steve attack how to take over a dysfunctional HR department or start a department of one. They coin a new phrase, "Eat the Otterpops", discus...
EP 21 Who Defends HR on 6 Mile with Claire Lizear?
Claire Lizear joins the podcast from 6 Mile to talk HR burnout, the trap that many HR professionals find themselves in, who HR should report to, how she screens applic...
EP 20 Perfectionist Rock Stars a Plenty with Alison Avila
Alison Avila joins the guys to test the theory that no matter what intro Tony gives about Steve, it will turn out to be true. They also discuss perfectionism in HR Pr...
EP 19 Vision, Mission, and Shoulder Grogu
The guys talk Steve's missing Star Wars ornaments and Vision Mission Values with the Empty Red Seat. Why your vision, mission, and values form a critical component in...
EP 18 The Layoff Stayed in Vegas, From the Couch to the Superbowl with Steve Jaffe
The guys talk to Steve Jaffe, author of the book The Layoff Journey: From Dismissal to Discovery. The discussion moves from statistics of the increasing numbers of pe...
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 at...