HRchat Podcast

The HR Gazette
  • 4.9 (8)
  • Careers
  • Updated Biweekly

Listen to the HRchat Podcast by HR Gazette to get insights and tips from HR leaders, influencers and tech experts. Topics covered include HR Tech, HR, AI, Leadership, Talent, Recruitment, Employee Engagement, Recognition, Wellness, DEI, and Company Culture.Hosted by Bill Banham, Pauline James, and other HR enthusiasts, the HRchat show publishes interviews with influencers, leaders, analysts, and those in the HR trenches 2-4 times each week. The show is approaching 1000 episodes and past guests are from organizations including ADP, SAP, Ceridian, IBM, UPS, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Simon Sinek Inc, NASA, Gartner, SHRM, Government of Canada, Hacking HR, McLean & Company, UPS, Microsoft, Shopify, DisruptHR, McKinsey and Co, Virgin Pulse, Salesforce, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Coca-Cola Beverages Company.Want to be featured on the show? Learn more here. Podcast Music Credit"Funky One"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

  1. Adaptability is the New Currency of Work with Dallas Counts

    3d ago

    Adaptability is the New Currency of Work with Dallas Counts

    Margins are under siege. Between tariffs, retail media costs, markdown pressure, and the explosion of e-commerce complexity, suppliers are juggling more P&L lines than ever—and the fallout doesn’t stop with finance. We sit down with Dallas Counts, COO at Vendormint and former Walmart/Sam’s Club leader, to explore how operational strain shows up in culture, talent decisions, and the day-to-day realities of AR, logistics, and sales teams. The conversation goes beyond buzzwords and into the mechanics of building resilient organizations when chargebacks climb and retailer policies keep changing. Dallas breaks down why deduction recovery is only half the story and how the real win comes from fixing root causes—modernizing legacy systems, aligning with retailer tech shifts, and empowering tenured teams to embrace new tools. We dig into a practical, human approach to AI: where it truly helps, how to communicate its impact without triggering panic, and why hiring for adaptability now prevents painful corrections later. You’ll hear the hallmarks of healthy change management—plain language objectives, weekly reinforcement, scenario training, and anonymous feedback loops that invite candor and speed adoption. We also zoom out to strategy. From channel choices and cost-to-serve visibility to sourcing shifts and org design, agility becomes the differentiator. Dallas shares how clear decision rights cut through blame loops, why transparent goals keep people moving in the same direction, and how to structure cross-functional teams so they can act fast when policies or tariffs move overnight. If you lead HR, operations, or revenue teams in retail or adjacent industries, this playbook helps you protect margins, reduce leakage, and keep your best people engaged through change. Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone navigating chargebacks or system rollouts. Your feedback helps us bring on more leaders like Dallas and keep the conversation sharp. Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    25 min
  2. Modern Leaders Build Trust By Managing Themselves with Russell Robinson

    Jun 4

    Modern Leaders Build Trust By Managing Themselves with Russell Robinson

    The fastest way to lose trust as a leader is to pretend you’re fine when you’re not. Bill Bannham sits down with leadership strategist and emotional intelligence practitioner Russell Robinson to unpack a deceptively simple idea: leadership has to be “selfish” first. Not selfish in the ego sense, but selfish in the disciplined sense of knowing your values, naming your non-negotiables, protecting your well-being, and building the self-awareness needed to show up consistently for other people.  We talk about what’s changing across generations and what isn’t. No matter your age, people want meaningful work, to feel heard, and to operate in a psychologically safe culture where they can take smart risks. But Russell explains why Gen Z and younger Millennials are bringing more of the outside world into the workplace, and why emotionally intelligent leaders have to meet that reality with curiosity, not control. The conversation also gets practical for HR pros and talent leaders: hiring emotionally intelligent people early, building leadership development programs that strengthen self-awareness, and treating relationship-building as “personal currency,” not a soft extra.  Then we go straight at uncertainty. When the world feels unstable and fear shows up, Russell shares what separates leaders who keep teams grounded from those who amplify stress. We explore decision-making without guarantees, learning loops after setbacks, and how to be realistic while still giving people confidence that the sun will come up.  Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    23 min
  3. Gen Z and Mental Health with Dr. Mary Collins

    May 19

    Gen Z and Mental Health with Dr. Mary Collins

    AI is moving faster than most workplaces can rewrite their playbooks, and that raises a blunt question: if machines can handle more tasks, what should people leaders double down on? We sit down with chartered psychologist and leadership coach Dr. Mary Collins to make the case that emotional intelligence, empathy, and relationship building are not “nice to have” anymore. They are the skills that keep teams healthy, productive, and connected when the pace of change keeps spiking. We get practical about what AI can and cannot replace, including a candid take on AI therapists and why deep trust still comes from human-to-human presence. From there, we zoom in on the real cost of distraction at work: weaker listening, thinner connection, and declining empathy. Mary shares why this matters for culture, mental health, and performance, plus how leaders can rebuild attention and communication habits in everyday moments like 1:1s and hard conversations. Gen Z at work is a major focus too. We unpack the strengths younger workers bring, the data on stress tolerance and wellbeing, and what leaders often miss when managing intergenerational teams. Mary also breaks down three emotional intelligence competencies she consistently sees in leaders who thrive through uncertainty: self-awareness, cognitive empathy, and adaptability. If you care about leadership development, workplace wellbeing, and building human skills in an AI-driven workplace, this one will give you clear language and smarter next steps. Subscribe for more conversations on the future of work, share this with a leader who’s navigating change, and leave a review with your take: which human skill will matter most over the next decade? Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    23 min
  4. Workplace Bullying Risk with Mary Cullen

    May 12

    Workplace Bullying Risk with Mary Cullen

    Workplace bullying isn’t rare — it’s a persistent, under-recognised business risk that quietly erodes culture, trust, and retention. In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham speaks with Mary Cullen, Founder and Managing Director at Insight HR and host of The HR Room, to unpack the findings from the Insight HR Irish Workplace Bullying Report 2026. Together, they explore what workplace bullying really means in practice — and why the legal definition often clashes with employee expectations. Mary shares patterns she sees time and again: complaints most frequently involve managers, the emotional toll affects both the accuser and accused, and unresolved issues often lead to exits, damaged trust, and long-term cultural harm. The conversation goes beyond definitions to tackle what organisations get wrong. Many companies have policies, but far fewer invest in meaningful training, conflict resolution skills, or investigation capability. Bill and Mary also challenge the idea of “zero tolerance,” particularly when high performers are protected despite poor behaviour. You’ll learn why complaints can spike during restructuring or performance management cycles, why malicious complaints are less common than assumed, and the single most effective step organisations can take to reduce risk quickly: train managers properly. In this episode:  What the latest Irish data reveals about bullying complaints  The difference between bullying and poor management behaviour  Why legal thresholds create confusion in real workplaces  The impact on mental health, performance, and retention  Where most organisations fall short (even with policies in place)  Why “zero tolerance” often fails in practice  How to reduce risk quickly with limited budget If you care about psychological safety, employee relations, and building a culture where people actually want to stay — this episode is essential listening. Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    30 min
  5. Social Media Screening For Safer Hiring Decisions with Ben Mones

    May 7

    Social Media Screening For Safer Hiring Decisions with Ben Mones

    A candidate can look perfect on paper and still become the person who damages your culture, erodes trust, or puts your employer brand at risk with a single post. In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham speaks with Ben Mones, founder and CEO of Fama, about how “people risk” has evolved in a world where work and behaviour increasingly play out online. With up to six generations now sharing the workforce and hybrid work pushing more interaction into platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and Discord — the line between “online” and “at work” is disappearing. HR leaders must now rethink how they identify, assess, and manage risk in a way that is ethical, compliant, and fair. Ben explains why regulators are starting to treat online behaviour as workplace conduct, how public posts can amplify organisational risk, and what HR teams can do to stay ahead — without turning hiring into surveillance. What You’ll Learn:  Why people risk is increasingly visible in digital spaces  How online behaviour can impact culture, trust, and employer brand  The growing role of regulation in workplace conduct beyond the office  Why intent and patterns matter more than one-off mistakes  How to build a meaningful, modern code of conduct  Ethical AI in hiring: moving beyond black-box decision-making  The importance of consent, transparency, and public-only data  Why AI should support — not replace — human hiring decisions  A future-facing take: why employers may soon encourage candidates to use AI Key Takeaway: The risks aren’t new — but where and how they show up has changed. HR leaders who adapt their approach to people risk in digital environments will be better positioned to protect culture, trust, and brand. About the Guest: Ben Mones is the Founder and CEO of Fama, an AI-powered platform that helps organisations identify job-relevant insights from candidates’ public online presence while flagging potential misconduct risks. His work focuses on ethical AI, workplace safety, and the future of hiring. Call to Action: If you care about ethical AI, safer hiring, and protecting workplace culture, follow HRchat, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a review to help others discover the show. Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    30 min
  6. Your Digital Twin Wants to Review You with Kevin Oakes

    May 1

    Your Digital Twin Wants to Review You with Kevin Oakes

    AI is forcing a question many leaders would rather avoid: are we improving work — or quietly deleting it? In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham is joined by Kevin Oakes, CEO and co-founder of the Institute for Corporate Productivity and author of Culture Renovation, to cut through the hype and explore what’s actually changing inside organisations right now. Together, they compare the current AI moment to the early internet era — but with one critical difference: speed. Kevin explains why many organisations start with efficiency and ROI conversations before addressing workforce design, and why that sequence is starting to break down as AI reshapes roles, entry-level pathways, and management structures. The conversation also explores emerging use cases such as digital twins, the growing importance of skills readiness, and why HR is increasingly stepping into a central role in shaping AI strategy. With examples from companies like ServiceNow and IBM, Kevin outlines how leading organisations are approaching workforce redesign, internal mobility, and culture in a more intentional, data-driven way. What You’ll Learn:  Why AI adoption is moving faster than the early internet — and catching companies off guard  How AI is reshaping jobs, entry-level roles, and organisational structures  Why organisations default to efficiency conversations before workforce design  The emerging role of digital twins in HR, coaching, and decision-making  Why HR is becoming the architect of the future of work  How leading companies approach skills readiness and workforce planning  The importance of mapping human vs AI tasks across roles  Why internal talent mobility is critical for reskilling at scale  How culture health and change readiness are becoming board-level priorities Key Takeaway: AI isn’t just a technology shift — it’s a work design challenge. Organisations that rethink skills, structure, and culture together will be best positioned to adapt. About the Guest: Kevin Oakes is the CEO and co-founder of the Institute for Corporate Productivity, a research organisation focused on the practices of high-performance companies. He is also the author of Culture Renovation, a widely cited book on building and sustaining high-performance workplace cultures. Call to Action: Subscribe to HRchat, share this episode with an HR or business leader building an AI roadmap, and leave a review with the biggest work redesign you expect to see next. Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    16 min
  7. Why Your Job Title Is Not Your Identity with Jennifer Outlaw

    Apr 23

    Why Your Job Title Is Not Your Identity with Jennifer Outlaw

    “I think I’m resigning.” Jennifer Outlaw still remembers blurting those words out in a meeting, and the clarity that followed. That single moment opens a bigger conversation about career reinvention, values-based leadership, and what it really means to be successful when the job looks great on paper but feels wrong in your body. Pauline James is joined by Jennifer Outlaw, a values-rooted leadership strategist, licensed clinical social worker, and organizational change consultant with decades of nonprofit leadership experience. We talk about why she’s less interested in formal leadership titles now and more committed to being a builder and connector. Jennifer shares how getting honest about what she actually loves to do, like strategizing, teaching, and creating, has changed how she shows up at work. We also explore why play is not fluff, especially for leaders navigating fast change, burnout risk, and the pressure to keep producing. If you’re feeling stuck, depleted, or nervous about making a change, you’ll hear practical steps you can try today: start with quiet reflection, name your intention, test your strengths with trusted friends, find communities that align with your goals, and consider working with a coach to spark new options. Jennifer also offers a powerful reminder for HR leaders and executives alike: your job title is not your identity, and your “next chapter” can be designed around healing, sustainability, and purpose. Subscribe for more conversations on leadership development and the future of work, share this with someone who needs a reset, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What would you pursue if you stopped chasing titles? Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    23 min
  8. What If Wellbeing Is A Work Design Problem with Jo Yarker

    Apr 22

    What If Wellbeing Is A Work Design Problem with Jo Yarker

    Workplace wellbeing is everywhere, yet too many programs still feel like duct tape on a deeper problem. Bill Banham sits down with Professor Jo Yarker, Professor of Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck University of London and managing partner at Affinity Health at Work, to get practical about what actually drives healthy performance and what HR leaders can do when quick fixes fail. We dig into why the “tick box” approach breaks down, how to measure whether an intervention truly helps, and why job design often matters more than another round of stress training. Jo walks Bill through the IGLU framework, a multi-level model that looks at resources across the individual, group, leader, and organization, plus the wider world outside work. If one layer is missing, people feel exposed, and performance stops being sustainable. From there, we get real about flexible work: when it boosts wellbeing and when it quietly creates strain as teams juggle competing needs. We also cover return to work after sickness absence, including mental health absence, and the small leadership choices that can prevent someone from feeling overwhelmed on day one. Jo shares overlooked psychological risks tied to international business travel, and we close with a forward look at healthy organizations in an AI-shaped labor market, including responsible technology, data transparency, consent, and support for different digital mindsets. Subscribe for more conversations on workplace health, share this with an HR leader who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway. Support the show Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score. Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here. Follow us on LinkedInSubscribe to our newsletterCheck out our in-person events

    22 min
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4.9
out of 5
8 Ratings

About

Listen to the HRchat Podcast by HR Gazette to get insights and tips from HR leaders, influencers and tech experts. Topics covered include HR Tech, HR, AI, Leadership, Talent, Recruitment, Employee Engagement, Recognition, Wellness, DEI, and Company Culture.Hosted by Bill Banham, Pauline James, and other HR enthusiasts, the HRchat show publishes interviews with influencers, leaders, analysts, and those in the HR trenches 2-4 times each week. The show is approaching 1000 episodes and past guests are from organizations including ADP, SAP, Ceridian, IBM, UPS, Deloitte Consulting LLP, Simon Sinek Inc, NASA, Gartner, SHRM, Government of Canada, Hacking HR, McLean & Company, UPS, Microsoft, Shopify, DisruptHR, McKinsey and Co, Virgin Pulse, Salesforce, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Coca-Cola Beverages Company.Want to be featured on the show? Learn more here. Podcast Music Credit"Funky One"Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Information

  • Creator
    The HR Gazette
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    937
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The HRchat Podcast and The HR Gazette are the property of Iceni Media Inc.
  • Show Website
    HRchat Podcast

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