Episode 55: Mike Coffey on Building a Purpose-Driven Business, Podcasting, and Finding Joy in the Hard Way

Behind the Screens: Conversations with Background Screening Pros hosted by Les Rosen

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In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Mike Coffey, founder of Imperative, host of the Good Morning HR podcast, and a familiar force in the background screening world. If you think you know Mike—think again. From his early days managing chinchillas and tearing up carpet with P90X, to founding one of the industry’s most meticulous and high-touch screening firms, Mike’s story is as entertaining as it is inspiring.

We cover his HR roots, the philosophy behind his screening approach, and why investing in relationships—whether with clients, employees, or regulators—has always been at the core of his business. Mike also opens up about his yoga journey, family, and the story behind Concerned CRAs—a movement that challenged the industry to raise its standards.

Whether you’re new to background screening or a seasoned professional, Mike’s mix of humor, honesty, and hard-earned insight makes this one of our most engaging conversations yet.

🔹 Key Takeaways:

1. Do It the Hard Way—Because It’s Worth It: Mike shares why being thorough, detailed, and client-first isn’t the easy path—but it’s the right one.
2. From HR to Screening Pioneer: His deep HR roots shaped how he built Imperative—and why he still thinks like a practitioner first.
3. Podcasting with Purpose: Good Morning HR became a post-COVID passion project that’s now helped over 275,000 listeners—and counting.
4. Values Drive Everything: From quoting Seneca to prioritizing “earned appreciation,” Mike shows how values shape decisions at every level.
5. Invest in Your Industry: Whether it’s PBSA, Concerned CRAs, or mentoring the next generation, Mike shows that advocacy, standards, and service matter.
   
   

🎧 Episode 55 is now streaming. If you enjoyed this conversation, share it with a colleague, leave a review, and subscribe for more stories from behind the scenes of background screening.

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This podcast is sponsored by:
The Preemploymentdirectory, publisher of the Background Buzz! https://preemploymentdirectory.com/