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Dear HR Diary - The Unfiltered Truth You Wish They Taught in Management School
Welcome to "Dear HR Diary," the unfiltered truth you wish they taught in management school. This podcast hosted by, ME, Dawn Hart, a seasoned HR and management professional with over 28 years of experience in the corporate world. Join me and some fantastic guests on a thrilling journey through the trenches of human resources and management, where expertise meets snark, sass, and a plethora of captivating stories.
Drawing from my extensive background in various industries, I will bring you a unique perspective on the challenges and triumphs of the workplace. Each episode is a rollercoaster ride filled with humorous anecdotes, jaw-dropping tales, and invaluable insights. Whether you're an HR professional, a manager trying to decode the complexities of office dynamics, or simply someone who appreciates a good story, this podcast is your go-to destination.
I love to apply my wealth of experience and some valuable tips to the "Dear HR Diary" podcast by diving deep into the nitty-gritty of HR, revealing the human side of human resources and the managing side of managing people. Expect laughter, enlightenment, and a healthy dose of snark and sass. Subscribe now and tune in to uncover the secrets, strategies, and scandals of the corporate world, all narrated with my fun, and sassy signature style. Your weekly dose of HR and management brilliance awaits!
Episodes
89 episodes
S 2 Ep 41: Jingle Bells, HR Yells: Surviving the Company Holiday Party
It’s the most wonderful time of the year… unless you’re in HR. In this episode of Dear HR Diary, Dawn pulls back the tinsel to talk about the holiday party—why companies keep having them, why HR loses sleep over them, and how to...
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S 2 Ep 40: Culture Isn’t an Accessory—It’s the Foundation featuring Josh Hart
In this episode, host Dawn Hart sits down with Josh Hart to unpack the real meaning of workplace culture—beyond the free snacks and casual dress codes. Together, they dig into how intentional leadership, clear communicati...
S 2 Ep 39: Culture Isn’t Fluff—It’s Fuel: Creating Opportunities and Feedback Loops
In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I sit down with Diane Yarbrough, founder of Castaway and Company, to talk about her incredible career journey starting with Disney and how those experiences shaped her approach to culture...
S 2 Ep 38: Quit B*tchin' and start Pitchin' with Traci Austin
This one’s for the foremen, office heroes, and HR pros who are juggling flaming chainsaws (aka people). Traci Austin joins me to unpack transformative leadership in the trades—how to turn gripes into clear requests, shift HR from ...
S. 2 Ep. 37 - Beyond Resumes: How Dr. Michael Neal Creates True Team Players
In this episode, Dr. Michael Neal takes us from the five-star rigor of Four Seasons and the magic-meets-operations world of Disney to a practical, modern blueprint for hiring. We get into how to redefine your hiring process, automate ...
S 2 E. 36: Money Talks: How Pay Transparency Builds Trust at Work with Guest Scott Trumpolt
In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I sat down with Scott Trumpolt to explore the world of compensation, career growth, and the role of managers in shaping employee success. Scott shared his journey into HR and compensation, offer...
S 2. Ep 35: Assume Difference, Build Respect: Civility in Polarized Times with guest Sara Taylor
In this episode of Dear HR Diary, Dawn sits down with Sara Taylor to get real about workplace civility—what it is, what it isn’t, and why it’s the foundation of healthy culture. We dig into cultural competence, how polariza...
S2 Ep 34: Quit Fixing What You Suck At: Aim Your Strengths Instead with Juan Alvarado
In this episode, Dawn sits down with Juan Alvarado, Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths® Coach. They discuss his journey into strengths coaching, the four domains (a.k.a. quadrants) of talent, how to apply strengths at work, and why intentional l...
S 2 Ep 33: Culture, Communication, and Courage: Leadership Lessons with Eric Williams
This episode dives into the nitty-gritty of leadership, delegation, and team culture with Eric Williams, an entrepreneur who successfully transitioned into corporate leadership. Eric shares his insights on how managers shape team culture...
S2 Ep 32: Graceful Growth: The Power of Mentors and Feedback with Thompson Dickerson
Mentoring isn’t just coffee chats and “pick your brain” DMs—it’s a performance accelerant. In this episode, Thompson Dickerson and I dig into why mentoring matters, how to find the right mentor (not just the most famous one), the diffe...
S 2 E. 31 - Gaslighting, Gossip, and Grind Culture: Breaking Free from Toxic Work with guest Kelsey Neff
In this candid conversation, Dawn and guest Kelsey Neff unpack what makes a workplace truly toxic (hint: it’s not just one cranky manager), share personal experiences from the trenches, and lay out practical ways employees and leaders ca...
S 2 E. 30: From Lockers to Lawsuits: The Real Cost of Workplace Bullying with Brian Williams
In this eye-opening episode of Dear HR Diary, I sit down with attorney Brian Williams ⚖️ to unpack a growing workplace concern: bullying and the liability employers face when it goes unchecked 🚨.Brian takes us thro...
S 2 E. 29: Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor: The Brain Science Leaders Can’t Ignore with Nina Nesdoly
Burnout isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a full-blown workforce crisis. In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I sit down with Nina Nesdoly, workplace well-being researcher and speaker, to dive deep into the neuroscience behind stress ...
S 2 Ep - 28: From Poetry to Press Releases: Mickie Kennedy on Leadership, Flexibility, and Letting Go
In this inspiring episode, I sit down with Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, to explore his fascinating journey from writing poetry to building a successful press release distribution company. Mickie shares candid insights int...
S 2 Ep 27: Stuck in the Middle: Taking the Guesswork Out of Middle Management with Jeff Sigel
Middle management – it's not the glamorous corner office, and it's not the boots-on-the-ground work anymore… it’s the in-between zone where careers either take off or burn out. In this episode, I’m joined by Jeff Sigel, an accom...
S 2 E. 26: Gut Instincts Are Not a Hiring Strategy: The Power of Skills-First, Evidence-Based Hiring with Guest Mark Smith
Let’s be honest—if your hiring strategy starts with “I’ve got a good feeling about them,” you’re probably gambling with your company’s time, budget, and retention rate.In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mark Smith, talent psycho...
S 2 E. 25 - Ageless Ambition: Redefining Work, Purpose & Mentorship with Deborah Heiser
In this compelling episode, we dive into the realities—and opportunities—of aging in today’s workforce. HR expert Deborah Heiser, Applied Developmental Psychologist and CEO/Founder of The Mentor Project, shares insights on why thriving in later...
S. 2 Ep 24: Birth Order Secrets – How It Shapes Careers, Communication, and Workplace Dynamics with guest: Dr. Bob Hurst
Have you ever wondered why some people naturally take charge while others thrive as team players? Or why certain colleagues seem more diplomatic, creative, or perfection-driven? Turns out, your birth order might have something to do with it!...
S. 2 Ep 23: Breaking Barriers: Disability, Determination, and Driving Inclusion with Ken Kunken
In this inspiring episode of Dear HR Diary, Dawn Hart sits down with Ken Kunken, a powerhouse of resilience, purpose, and advocacy. Ken’s journey from a life-altering accident to a successful career in law is nothing short of ex...
S 2 Ep 22: The Kids Are Alright (But Are You Listening?): Gen Z, Communication & Empathy at Work with Guest Geoff Weinstein
In this eye-opening episode (or ear-opening), we're diving deep into the generational divide—and how to bridge it—with none other than communication coach and generational whisperer, Geoff Weinstein.We explore:📣 Why
S. 2 Ep 21: Let’s Get Fiscal: HR’s Guide to Retirement Realness with guest Courtenay Shipley
Grab your coffee—and maybe a calculator—because we’re getting real about retirement. In this episode, I sit down with retirement plan whisperer Courtenay Shipley to chat about all things 401(k), from why this benefit is more than just a ...
S. 2 Ep 20: It’s Giving… Dissatisfied: Fixing the Vibe at Work with guest Anthony Kuo
Raise your hand if you’ve ever silently asked, “Is this all there is?” at work. 🙋♀️In this soul-refreshing episode of Dear HR Diary, I am joined by Anthony Kuo, Career Satisfaction Coach, to dive deep into the t...
S. 2 Ep 19: No Trust, No Team: The Truth About Psychological Safety with guest Jurriaan Kamer
In this episode I sit down with renowned organizational designer and author Jurriaan Kamer to explore the high-impact concept of psychological safety—a key ingredient for healthy teams and effective leadership that often gets lip ...