Looking back, the warning signs always seem obvious. But in the moment? It's surprisingly easy to explain them away.

In this episode of HR Stew, Regina and Holly share real stories about the interview moments, hiring decisions, and workplace experiences that should have set off alarm bells, but… didn't. From candidates who oversold themselves to employees who slowly revealed their true colors, the team discusses why we ignore red flags, the lessons learned, and how experience changes the way we evaluate people and organizations.

Whether you're interviewing candidates, starting a new job, or reflecting on decisions you've made throughout your career, this episode is a reminder that not every red flag predicts disaster, but they're always worth paying attention to.

Employees want transparency and leaders want trust. But somewhere between open communication and complete oversharing, things can get messy fast.

In this episode of HR Stew, hosts Regina and Holly tackle one of the most complicated balancing acts in leadership and HR: workplace transparency. How much should employees really know about layoffs, company finances, leadership disagreements, promotions, and salary decisions? And when does transparency stop building trust and start creating panic?

The conversation explores how employee expectations have changed over the years, why modern workplaces demand more openness, how social media and instant communication have reshaped workplace culture, & more!

They close the biggest deals, hit every target, and look like a dream on paper. But behind the scenes, they may be creating tension, damaging morale, and pushing others out the door. In this episode of HR Stew, Regina and Holly take on the complicated reality of toxic high performers and the uncomfortable question many organizations eventually face: how much bad behavior is too much when someone delivers results?

The conversation digs into what really happens when companies prioritize performance over people, and how that decision quietly impacts culture, retention, and trust across a team. If you’ve ever worked with someone who delivers results but leaves a trail of frustration behind them, this episode will feel all too familiar. Because in the end, culture isn’t built by your top performer, it’s built by what you choose to tolerate.