Summary:

What happens when your biggest critic is you? In this raw and reflective conversation, Selyn Hong shares the messy, defining moments that pushed her from law to HR, from obligation to intention. We talk about the moment she dropped out of college to reconnect with her estranged father, how she redefined what it means to “play it safe,” and why fear can actually be a compass. This episode is about transformation—from compliance to courage.

Chapters:

00:00 – The Weight of Expectations and Internal Pressure

03:45 – Reaching a Breaking Point in College

07:30 – Losing and Finding Her Father

11:15 – A Scary But Empowering Decision to Withdraw

15:00 – From Compliance to Clarity: Living Into Her Values

18:30 – The Second Diagnosis That Changed Everything Again

22:00 – Prioritizing People Over Prestige

26:15 – From Lawyer to HR: The Unexpected Pivot

30:45 – Designing Human-Centered Workplaces

33:15 – Redefining Safety, Risk, and Regret

34:45 – Advice to Her Younger Self: “Lean Into the Fear”

Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp

Guest Selyn Hong: linkedin.com/in/selyn-hong-b467784a

Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

Summary:

What happens when two things that feel opposite are both true? In this conversation, Keri opens up about navigating a new executive role while moving through a divorce—holding professional composure at work and real, messy feelings at home. We unpack how she leveraged support systems, practiced grace, and built confidence she didn’t know she had—without oversharing or hiding who she is.

Keri Smith is the Senior Vice President of HR at HH Hunt, known for people-first leadership, deep EQ, and building trust through candid, compassionate conversations.

Chapters:

00:00 – Letting It Out, Not Shutting Down (naming feelings and the role of silence)

03:00 – The “Both/And” Messy Middle (new company + divorce at the same time)

08:00 – A Boss Who Gets It (prior context, trust, and early candor)

13:00 – Facts Over Stories (stopping the spiral with better questions)

19:00 – The Friend Who Coaches (open-ended questions that heal)

24:00 – Reading the Room (EQ at work, introvert strengths)

29:00 – From Private to Helpful (others start seeking her counsel)

35:00 – Faith, Family, and Hard Choices (prayer, discernment, and next steps)

42:00 – Where to Connect + Final Advice (know yourself early; trust your gut)

Host Alexa Beavers: linkedin.com/in/alexabeaverspmp

Guest Keri Smith: linkedin.com/in/kerilsmith11

Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka

Summary:

Early in her career, Melissa was steering a major system implementation when the unthinkable happened: the go-live slipped and then slipped again. In this episode, we unpack how things went sideways, the vendor dynamics that masked risk, and the leadership moves that turned a multi-department fire drill into a stronger, smarter program.

Melissa Turley is a globally experienced HR executive and operations leader with 10+ years in senior roles across healthcare, education, construction & engineering, and maritime oil & gas. She specializes in large-scale implementations, cross-cultural team building, and business process development.

Chapters:

00:00 – The ‘go-live’ that didn’t: setting the scene

00:03 – Early signals: smooth meetings, hidden risks

00:09 – Slipped once, slipped twice: how dates quietly erode

00:15 – Standing up change agents inside each function

00:21 – Communication that actually changes behavior

00:27 – Delegation and leadership altitude: getting out of the weeds

00:33 – Go-live approach 2.0: phased, controlled, and transparent

00:36 – Lessons learned and the new operating rhythm

Host Dr. Jim: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Guest Melissa Turley: linkedin.com/in/melissa-turley-mhrm-mba-iapmc-shrm-scp-phr-b275403a

Executive Producer Jim Kanichirayil: linkedin.com/in/drjimk

Music Credit: "Lost in Dreams" by Kulakovka