If you believe HR should be a catalyst—not corporate theater—you’re in the right place.

Welcome to The HR Misfits, hosted by Ami Graves, LaToya Davis (Executive HR Business Partner, Corporate Function), and Marci Coppola (Founder & President, Seshen Coaching & Wellness).

Born from The People of Work, The HR Misfits evolved into something bigger: a space for HR leaders who don’t fit the traditional mold. Leaders who are business-minded and human-centered. Strategic and empathetic. Bold enough to challenge outdated systems while still caring deeply about people.

In this intro episode, we share why we created The HR Misfits, the moments that showed us polished playbooks weren’t enough, and what it really means to lead from the HR seat when work gets messy, political, or uncomfortable. You’ll hear how each of us found our way into HR, why we’re pushing back on the “policy police” stereotype, and what to expect from the show—real stories, real leadership lessons, and a little sass.

Each week, we bring honest conversations from behind the scenes of leadership—where people, power, and progress collide. Alongside guest voices and featured People of Work episodes, we explore what it takes to build workplaces that actually work.

Up next: we unpack Peacock’s All Her Fault through an HR lens and share what we’re building with the HR Misfits Collective for leaders who want real counsel—not performative HR.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro

(00:58) Why The HR Misfits exists

(03:37) LaToya Davis and 22 years in the HR seat

(05:18) Marci Coppola from wellness to HR coaching

(08:46) What makes a true HR misfit

(15:19) How we fell into HR on purpose

(17:03) The talent acquisition entry point

(19:51) Marci’s pivot and the corporate reality check

(22:16) How HR work has changed and why it matters

(24:29) Three paths one shared point of view

(26:44) What you’ll get here real talk and real leadership

(31:45) Next up, All Her Fault through an HR lens

Connect with us:

Explore The HR Misfits: https://www.thehrmisfits.com/

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/

Check out Ami’s website: www.amijograves.com

Check out Bell Techlogix: https://belltechlogix.com/

LaToya Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/latoyandavis/

Marci Coppola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcikerwick/

Check out Seshen Coaching & Wellness: https://www.seshencoaching.com/

“Honor who you are becoming, not who you’ve been.”

In this episode, I sit down with Marci Coppola, former HR leader turned transformational coach and founder of Seshen Coaching & Wellness, to explore her journey from a high-pressure corporate career to a life focused on alignment, calm, and purpose. Growing up in a hardworking family, she was influenced by hustle culture, which led her into corporate HR and talent acquisition. However, after years of chasing external success, she found herself burned out and unfulfilled.

We discuss how the pandemic helped her realize what was missing and ultimately sparked her transition into coaching. She also opens up about overcoming imposter syndrome, battling people-pleasing, and the transformative power of slowing down to reconnect with inner truth.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro

(01:25) Early career influences and pull toward wellness

(03:04) Transition to corporate and embracing hustle for stability

(05:29) HR journey and talent acquisition

(11:55) Shifting to coaching and realizing need for growth

(15:32) Launching session coaching and transitioning

(24:44) Energy alignment and impact of mind-body connection

(32:20) Why coaches need coaches and the power of mentorship

(37:58) Overcoming imposter syndrome and conquering doubt

(47:29) Client transformations through self-advocacy and boundaries

Connect with my guest:

Marci Coppola on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcikerwick/

Check out Seshen Coaching & Wellness: https://www.seshencoaching.com/

Connect with me:

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/

Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/

“Finding your way doesn’t require having it all figured out.”

In this episode, I sit down with Brittany Whitenack, founder and owner of Antique Candle Co., to explore how her relationship with work grew from early lessons in grit to leading a team of 40 making thousands of candles a day. Brittany reflects on her first jobs, her time at Purdue, and the intense season of managing 70 employees at age 22. She shares the burnout that led her to walk away with no plan, the months she spent reconnecting with creativity, and how a simple candle-making hobby slowly turned into a real business.

We talk about the unglamorous parts of entrepreneurship, including signing her first lease, hiring help for the first time, and holding the weight of responsibility during moments like the 2020 shutdown. Brittany also gives a look into the craft behind her candles, from testing to naming, and why building a caring workplace matters to her as much as the products themselves.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Intro

(02:01) Growing up with grit and hard work

(05:14) Finding her path in college and early jobs

(07:58) Learning hard lessons in retail leadership

(10:58) Walking away and starting over

(13:32) A simple hobby that sparked something new

(15:19) The first steps toward Antique Candle Co

(20:22) Carrying the weight of leading others

(24:29) Trust, courage, and leading through hard moments

(26:23) Inside the craft of candle making

(31:51) Navigating the pace of the holiday rush

(33:29) The honest reality behind entrepreneurship

(35:07) Looking ahead at what comes next

Connect with my guest:

Brittany Whitenack on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanytruax/

Check out Antique Candle Co.: https://antiquecandleco.com/

Connect with me:

Ami Graves on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amigraves/
The People of Work on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepeopleofwork/

Explore The People of Work: https://www.thepeopleofwork.com/