From “Hunger Games” Interviews to People-First Leadership with Jon Beck, VP of People at ButcherBox

In this episode of My Worst Memory: A Workplace Safe Space Podcast, host Robin Cohen (Founder of Happier Office) talks with Jon Beck, VP of People at ButcherBox, about one of the most infamous hiring processes of his career — and the leadership lessons it sparked.

What starts as a “Hunger Games–style” interview story quickly unfolds into a conversation every executive should hear: how candidate experience shapes brand reputation, why values-based leadership is non-negotiable, and how people strategy directly drives business performance.

Together, Robin and Jon explore:

• Why candidate experience is as important as customer experience for your brand.

• How values-based hiring creates long-term ROI and retention.

• The case for authenticity and vulnerability as executive leadership traits.

• Onboarding as a strategic lever for productivity and cultural alignment.

• Why investing in benefits, flexibility, and people-first practices is not a cost center but a competitive advantage.

Whether you’re scaling a startup or leading an established enterprise, this conversation challenges you to rethink how hiring and culture directly impact growth.

• Every interview is a brand moment. Poor processes turn top talent away.

• Culture is strategy. Values alignment beats technical skills for long-term performance.

• Onboarding is leadership. First 90 days define engagement and retention.

• Authenticity scales. Vulnerable leaders build trust and unlock stronger teams.

• People investment fuels growth. Benefits and flexibility create loyalty that compounds.

If you’re leading through growth, restructuring, or cultural transformation — this episode will change the way you think about people strategy.

Layoffs delivered with a side of pizza? Sales leader and DEI advocate Jevic Muteba joins Robin to unpack one of the most bizarre workplace stories—and the leadership lessons that followed. They talk layoff survivor guilt, emotional EQ, and how real culture is built in community, not conference rooms.

What do you do when you do everything right, and it still isn't enough? In this episode of My Worst Memory, host Robin Cohen sits down with Demi Tsasis, Founder of Product Growth Coach (ex-AllTrails, MyFitnessPal) to discuss how she survived switching careers during the major Under Armour / MyFitnessPal acquisition. Oh, and don't worry–it definitely wasn't easy, straightforward or intuitive. Formative career moment? ✅

Episode themes: self-advocacy, knowing your worth, salary discrepancies, job changes, personal growth

Chapters

03:00 "Let's circle back"

04:57 When Business Feels Personal

09:06 Demi's Worst Professional Memory

18:12 An Advocate vs. Friend vs. Ally

22:45 STUDY: Debate Training Can Change Your (Work) Life

28:26 Embracing Discomfort for Growth

30:10 Recognizing When to Move On

31:53 The Watercooler: Take It or Leave It

33:48 It's a Scam: Unlimited PTO

Keywords: workplace culture, product management, self-advocacy, corporate jargon, decision-making, communication, career growth, organizational dynamics, employee relationships, professional development