Episodes

In this episode of True Stories at Work, host Michelle Aronson introduces Tracy, an HR executive who got her first HR job the good old fashioned way, nepotism… but absorbed everything and grew from that first big break. Tracy reflects on her early ‘black and white’ thinking and the pivotal moment she was forced to report to a coworker she couldn’t stand, only to discover a valuable mentor and friend. She shares her personal growth journey, echoing Taylor Swift’s advice to sometimes look in the ...

In this episode of ‘True Stories at Work,’ host Michelle Aronson chats with Brett, a seasoned HR professional who grew up in a family of headhunters. Brett shares her unique journey into the world of human resources, highlighting the lessons she learned from her father and her knack for finding hidden talent. She discusses her early career aspirations, the pivotal moments that led her into HR, and her innovative methods for sourcing hard-to-find candidates. Brett also opens up about personal e...

Have you ever wondered about the hidden dramas lurking in office emails? In this ‘True Stories at Work’ episode, meet Leah, the former girls’ basketball coach turned legal sensei. Leah had so many great stories to share, that her stories cover two episodes. Episode one shared her experience working on employment challenges involving everything from bank heists to ‘mouse jigglers?’ This episode explores the wild world of e-discovery, revealing surprising tales of sexual misconduct (and preferen...

In this episode of True Stories at Work, host Michelle Aronson introduces Leah, a management-side attorney with great insights and stories about the human side of work. Leah takes us through her journey from dreaming of being the boss to finding her path into employment law. We explore the imperfections of humans at every level of the workplace, including two executives caught in an intimate embrace after hours on a conference room table. We discuss some legal challenges of remote work (mouse ...

Have you ever wondered about how your people and culture influence your business financials? In this True Stories at Work episode you get to meet Jolene who began in Financial Forensics on wall street to turning around companies through HR… using culture as her gateway drug into shaping companies for the better. You’ll hear how moving 33 times during the grades K-12 impacted her ability to connect quickly and build trust. Jolene shares her union negotiation tactics, call to action for leaders to...

In this episode of True Stories at Work, host Michelle Aronson sits down with Stella, an HR executive, who shares her journey from sales to Human Resources during the 2009 housing crisis. Stella opens up about the art of building a strong company culture, highlights the core values driving her employees, and reflects on her career journey across three different industries. Don’t miss the workplace confession to find out what happens when three people try to hide in the same closet—for very diffe...

Have you ever considered how luck and timing impact your career? In this episode of True Stories at Work, meet Norah, who worked VERY hard but also showed up in the right place at the right time with the right skills. From her serendipitous encounter at a smoothie shop to landing her first formal HR role at a bank during the 2008 financial collapse – she shares the moments that changed her career. We also discuss the challenges of office romance, return-to-work strategies, and how assuming posit...

In this episode of ‘True Stories at Work,’ Michelle Aronson interviews Keri-Lynne (KL), a seasoned HR professional who transitioned from sales and marketing to human resources by accident. KL shares her unique journey from selling cars to becoming a Chief People Officer, highlighting the importance of career ownership, empathy in leadership, and navigating challenges during the pandemic. She also discusses her experiences with global HR projects and the critical role of culture in organizations....