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.
Appears in 18 Episodes
EP 16 Illegal Lizards, Divine Recruiting and Melissa Musgrave
Steve admits his troubled past selling lizards and the guys talk recruiting, interviewing, and the state of HR with Melissa Musgrave. Melissa shares her experience "r...
EP 15 Insurance Fun with Diane Fullerton
After a shaky start, the guys talk to Diane Fullerton from GBS Benefits about that time she helped save the Work Elevated Conference and her association with Utah SHRM...
EP 14 JD Robinson, The New Guy in Steve's Database
The guys talk with JD Robinson about Recruiting, the state of HR, making transformative relationships with people, and acknowledge that HR is not your friend... but ne...
EP 13 It Takes an Olympic Village To Raise a Culture with Dan Merkley
The guys talk to Dan Merkley about his experience organizing and managing the athlete's village for the Olympics. What does it take to create an organization that exi...
EP 12 The Undeniable Halo of Matt Hilbig
The guys talk to Matt Hilbig from OCM, Inc about the state of HR from the perspective of the job seeker. The discussion covers the current labor market, bad behavior ...
EP 11 Your Religious Uncle Robot and Josh Brecheisen
The guys sit down and talk to Josh Brecheisen about working in HR while being religious, recruiting, how to become the best version of yourself and the future of AI in...
EP 10 - Swipe Right if You Think I'm Cute and The Empty Red Seat (w/Rizzo)
The guys leave the Red Seat empty for an episode and talk the lawsuit against Workday and the implications for AI use in recruiting. They discuss how you can protect ...
EP 9 Xavier Cugnon Isn't Jaded, But Tony Is... and A Giant Cat
The guys speak to Xavier "X" Cugnon about veterans, the skills they bring to the private sector, how employers can ask about a veteran's story, and the transition from...
EP 8 Of Course Steve Knows Kate Thompson's Boss
Tony and Steve talk to Kate Thompson for a fresh take on HR. Tony rambles on about perfume, and Kate drops some fantastic wisdom. They talk about the benefit of being...
EP 7 - Delivery on Duty With Rachel Child
In this episode, the guys talk to Rachel Child about her story, how she got into HR, the effect of firing a lot of people on a young practitioner, the generational dif...
Bonus Ep Viva La Kiss Cam (With Bonus Track)
In this episode the guys tackle breaking news with the Red Seat empty. Stay tuned at the end of the episode for a special treat. Weird Al, you're welcome to cover th...
EP 6 - Handbooks, Cops, and Taking Minutes With Priscilla Wadman
We'd love your reactions, comments, and ideas for future episodes. Contact us at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com. In this Episode we talk to Priscilla Wadman about her st...
EP 5 - The Empty Red Seat and Origin Stories
The podcast now has its own email so you can tell us how much you LOVE the podcast. Contact us at thehrlifepodcast@gmail.com. In this episode the guys leave the "Red...
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 advert...
EP 3 - None of These Guys are Playing in the NBA Finals with Jeremie Brecheisen - The HR Life Podcast
Steve and Tony talk to Jeremie about data and Human Resources, the current state of Human Resources, the Business Partner model of Corporate HR, global views of HR, an...
EP 2 - The Mega Big Deal Star Wars People and Tony With Beca Mark - The HR Life Podcast
An interview with Beca Mark, Owner and CEO of MegaStar HR joins the podcast. In this episode we we discuss the current state of HR, eliminating the conflict with CFO'...
Ep 1 - Strategic is a Dirty Word? - With Karisa Stahle - The HR Life Podcast
In this, our inaugural episode, we talk to Karisa Stahle, VP of Human Resources at Verde, and Chair of Utah's annual Work Elevated Conference, sponsored by Utah SHRM a...
Ep 0.5 An Introduction - Are we recording?
A quick introduction to your hosts, Tony Benjamin and Steven Smith. The first full episode drops on June 17, 2025.