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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
83 episodes
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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31:27
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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...
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30:38
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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31:22
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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53:57
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...
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41:02
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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33:48
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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31:04
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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30:58
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...
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30:21
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...
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28:07
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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30:36
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!...
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28:17
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 3
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31:25
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
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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31:52
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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29:25
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...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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34:43
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 ...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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32:59
S. 2 Ep 18: Startups Are People Too with Isar Bhattacharjee
Startups are sexy—until you realize they run on caffeine, chaos, and people who are trying to do five jobs at once. In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I chat with the brilliant Isar Bhattacharjee, startup whisperer, cult...
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34:06
S. 2 Ep 17: Playing to Your Strengths with Michelle Merritt
In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I sit down with Michelle Merritt—Chief Strategy Officer at D&S Executive Career Management, Board & Executive Career Coach, and all-around StrengthsFinder guru—to unpack how understanding and <...
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33:04
S. 2 Ep 16: DEI Is Not a Buzzword: Real Talk on Inclusion with Luaskya Nonon, Esq.
In this powerful episode of Dear HR Diary, we dive deep—not into policies or platitudes, but into the real, human heartbeat of DEI—with the brilliant Luaskya Nonon, Esq., an employment attorney and diversity, equity, and ...
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32:46
S. 2 Ep 15: Change Is Hard with Guest Sarena Diamond
In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I’m joined by the brilliant Sarena Diamond—change strategist, leadership whisperer, and champion of the human side of transformation. Together, we dig into one of the most challenging (and often mishan...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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33:52
S. 2. Ep-14: Five Brains, One Leader: Neuroscience at Work with Carlos Davidovich
This week on Dear HR Diary, we crack open the brain(s)—yes, plural—with neuroscientist, executive coach, and author Carlos Davidovich, to explore how understanding the science behind our behavior can transform the way w...
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31:11
S. 2 Ep-13: Boundaries, Bias & Bold HR with Katherine McCord
This week on Dear HR Diary, Dawn Hart sits down with the unapologetically bold and brilliantly insightful Katherine McCord—a speaker, entrepreneur, and fierce advocate for inclusive innovation in HR. Together, they dive into a c...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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31:22
s.2 E-12: Transforming Workplace Culture: Empowered Leadership and Everyday Excellence with Jason Roberts
Get ready for a no-fluff, high-impact conversation! In this episode of Dear HR Diary, I sit down with Jason Roberts, leadership powerhouse and workplace culture evangelist, to tackle the real-deal topics every manager and employ...
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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33:46
S. 2. Ep - 11: Taming the Workplace Circus (Without Losing Your Mind) with guest: Summer Jelinek
Buckle up, friends — because chaos isn't just coming. It’s already sitting at your conference table, sipping bad coffee, and emailing you at 7 p.m.In this episode, I sit down with the fantastic Summer Jelinek, leadership expert an...
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34:07