HRchat Podcast

The HR Gazette
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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. 2d ago

    Reinventing Events for HR Leaders with Robbie Jones

    Big HR conferences often promise valuable networking, but how many meaningful conversations actually happen with the people making strategic decisions? In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham is joined by Robbie Jones, CEO and Co-Founder of Double Centurion Events and a global advisor in HR technology and people platforms, to explore why the traditional conference model is evolving and what senior HR leaders are looking for instead. Drawing on experience from both the events industry and the HR tech sector, Robbie explains why many CHROs and CPOs have grown tired of crowded exhibition halls and generic agendas. Instead, they're seeking curated, invitation-only experiences where they can have honest conversations with peers, build trusted relationships, and tackle the biggest challenges shaping the future of work. The conversation explores the thinking behind the Leaders Summit for HR & People series, including its concierge-style delegate experience, executive think tanks, and carefully selected mix of HR leaders and solution providers. Bill and Robbie also discuss the growing impact of AI on HR, the importance of trust and authentic networking in a post-pandemic world, and why memorable venues—from Lord's Cricket Ground to Niagara Falls—can help create stronger business connections. Whether you're an HR executive, people leader, HR technology provider, or event organizer, this episode offers fresh insights into what makes executive communities thrive and how live events can deliver genuine value beyond the exhibition floor. In this episode you'll discover:  Robbie's journey from global exhibitions to HR technology and executive events  Why many senior HR leaders skip traditional expos in favor of curated experiences  How invitation-only summits create stronger conversations and better ROI  The biggest topics dominating executive HR discussions, including AI, leadership, wellbeing, and workforce transformation  Why relationship-building has become more important than ever in today's HR landscape  How the Leaders Summit for HR & People is rethinking executive networking Connect with Robbie Jones: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbiejonesdce/ Learn more about the Leaders Summit for HR & People series: https://www.theleaderssummitforhr.com/canada/  If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to HRchat, leave a review, and share it with a colleague who wants more meaningful HR conversations. 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

    Reinventing Events for HR Leaders with Robbie Jones

  2. Aug 11

    The Truth About Psychometric Tests with Paula Baetu

    How much trust should employers place in psychometric assessments? In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham is joined by Paula Baetu, Psychometric Specialist, Business Psychologist, and Executive Coach at Awemetrics / Pawsometrics, to demystify workplace assessments and explore how HR leaders can make better, more evidence-based talent decisions. With extensive experience evaluating and implementing psychometric assessments for recruitment, leadership development, internal mobility, and organizational development, Paula explains what psychometric assessments really measure—and why they're about far more than personality tests. Together, Bill and Paula discuss why HR and talent acquisition teams are increasingly turning to assessments to improve hiring quality and objectivity, while also highlighting the risks of relying on tools that lack independent validation or transparency. Paula explains why every HR professional should ask vendors for a technical manual, how to determine whether an assessment is fit for purpose, and why organizations often continue using legacy tools simply because "that's what we've always used." The conversation also explores some of the most common mistakes organizations make—from hiring based on a single assessment score to benchmarking against outdated norm groups—and why psychometric results should always inform decisions rather than make them. Finally, Bill and Paula examine the growing impact of artificial intelligence on workplace assessments. They discuss AI-generated tests, candidates using AI during assessments, skills-based hiring, and the practical steps employers are taking to AI-proof recruitment processes while maintaining fairness and validity. Whether you're an HR leader, recruiter, talent acquisition specialist, people manager, or organizational psychologist, this episode offers practical guidance for selecting better assessment tools and making smarter hiring decisions. In this episode, you'll learn about: What psychometric assessments really measure—and why they're more than personality testsWhy independent validation and technical documentation matter when selecting assessment toolsHow to evaluate psychometric vendors and choose assessments that are fit for purposeCommon mistakes organizations make when interpreting assessment resultsWhy skills-based hiring is changing assessment strategiesHow AI is transforming candidate assessment and recruitmentPractical ways to improve fairness, validity, and transparency in hiring decisionsBest practices for using psychometrics in recruitment, promotion, and leadership developmentIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to the HRchat Podcast, leave a review, and share it with colleagues working in HR, talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational psychology. 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

    The Truth About Psychometric Tests with Paula Baetu

  3. Aug 3

    Future of Work, AI and the New Employment Deal with Kevin Empey

    What does it really take to thrive in the future of work? In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham is joined by Kevin Empey, founder of Work Matters and author of Thrive in the Future of Work, to explore how AI, hybrid work, digital transformation, and changing employee expectations are reshaping organizations around the world. Together, Bill and Kevin examine how the workplace has evolved over the past decade—from hyper-digitalization and the lasting impact of COVID-19 to the rapid adoption of generative AI and the changing relationship between employers and employees. They discuss why many organizations are focusing on employee engagement when the real challenge may be a growing alignment gap between business priorities and workforce expectations. The conversation also explores the future of hybrid work, the return-to-office debate, AI's impact on job design, and why HR leaders must rethink early careers if they want to create opportunities for the next generation of talent. Whether you're a CHRO, HR leader, people manager, talent professional, or business executive, this episode offers practical insights into building more adaptable organizations and preparing employees for an increasingly uncertain future. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why AI is accelerating change faster than previous workplace transformationsThe long-term impact of hybrid work and evolving employee expectationsWhy employee engagement may be the wrong problem to solveClosing the alignment gap between organizational strategy and employee experienceRethinking the employment relationship in the age of AIPreparing graduates and early-career professionals for an AI-enabled workplaceWhy career agility and continuous learning are becoming essential workplace skillsIf you enjoy the episode, please subscribe to the HRchat Podcast, leave a review, and share it with colleagues who are shaping the future of work. Connect with Kevin at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-empey-4968731b/ 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

    Future of Work, AI and the New Employment Deal with Kevin Empey

  4. Jul 28

    Workplace Wellbeing and Evidence-Based Hiring with Dr. Paul Jones

    Are your organization's wellbeing initiatives making a real difference—or simply creating the appearance of caring? In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham sits down with Dr. Paul Jones, Associate Dean for Postgraduate Education and Student Experience at Aston Business School and upcoming DisruptHR Birmingham speaker, to explore the difference between genuine workplace wellbeing and what Paul calls "well branding"—highly visible wellbeing initiatives that fail to address the root causes of employee stress, burnout, and disengagement. The conversation then shifts to evidence-based recruitment, where Paul explains why better hiring decisions don't come from adding more interviews or assessments, but from collecting the right evidence. He shares practical insights into structured interviews, psychometric assessments, ability testing, and why many hiring processes unknowingly measure the same qualities multiple times while overlooking the capabilities that truly predict success. Bill and Paul also discuss bias in recruitment and the growing role of AI in hiring. They explore why bias begins long before interviews take place, how AI can unintentionally reinforce poor decision-making, and why human judgment remains essential throughout the recruitment process. Whether you're an HR leader, recruiter, hiring manager, or organizational psychologist, this episode offers practical strategies to improve employee wellbeing and make smarter, more evidence-based hiring decisions. In this episode, you'll learn about: Why workplace wellbeing initiatives sometimes become "well branding"Addressing the root causes of burnout instead of treating symptomsThe value of structured interviews and evidence-based recruitmentHow psychometric and ability assessments improve hiring qualityWhy more recruitment stages don't always produce better hiring decisionsThe "bananas, raspberries and strawberries" framework for evaluating recruitment evidenceRecognizing and reducing bias throughout the hiring processUsing AI responsibly to support—not replace—human decision-makingIf you enjoy this episode, subscribe to the HRchat Podcast, leave us a review, and share it with colleagues working in HR, talent acquisition, and people leadership. Connect with Paul: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmjones/ 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

    Workplace Wellbeing and Evidence-Based Hiring with Dr. Paul Jones

  5. Jul 14

    Midlife Career Change with Renée Hackett, Diane Loveys and Audley Stephenson

    Is it ever too late to reinvent your career? In this episode of the HRchat Podcast's Next Chapter series, guest host Pauline James speaks with three inspiring professionals who prove that meaningful career transitions don't have an expiry date. Actor, writer, and producer Renée Hackett shares her journey of creating opportunities instead of waiting for them, discusses building confidence later in life, and opens up about balancing career growth with the realities of perimenopause and menopause. Former financial services marketing executive Diane Loveys explains how she successfully returned to paid employment after years focused on family and community, offering practical advice on workforce re-entry, transferable skills, flexible working, networking, and rebuilding confidence. Leadership coach and podcaster Audley Stephenson discusses developing a purposeful portfolio career while maintaining a full-time role, embracing experimentation, and building a legacy-focused future beyond traditional retirement. Whether you're planning a career pivot, returning to work after a break, exploring a portfolio career, or supporting experienced employees in your organisation, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring perspectives on what comes next. In this episode:  Why careers don't have to follow a linear path  Building confidence during midlife career transitions  Creating your own opportunities instead of waiting for permission  Menopause, perimenopause, and supporting experienced professionals  Returning to work after caregiving or a career break  Recognising transferable skills gained outside traditional employment  Flexible work and second-career opportunities  Networking tips for career changers  Building a portfolio career alongside full-time work  Planning a purpose-driven retirement and lasting legacy  Redefining success in the second half of your career Guests  Renée Hackett – Actor, writer and producer  Diane Loveys – Former financial services marketing executive and travel professional  Audley Stephenson – Leadership coach, podcaster and founder of The Audacious Living Podcast 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

    Midlife Career Change with Renée Hackett, Diane Loveys and Audley Stephenson

  6. Jul 7

    Episode 900 with Bill Banham and Steve Foulger

    Welcome to a landmark episode of HRchat. As we celebrate Episode 900 and a decade of conversations with the world's leading HR thinkers, host Bill Banham is joined by longtime friend, strategic HR leader, and DisruptHR co-organizer Steve Foulger. Bill and Steve reflect on how the HR profession has evolved over the past ten years, separating genuine progress from recycled ideas wrapped in new terminology. The conversation explores why employee listening has become more effective through pulse surveys, how organizations are replacing annual performance reviews with regular one-to-one conversations, and why learning and development is increasingly focused on building capability rather than simply delivering training. Steve also tackles one of today's biggest topics: generative AI in HR. Steve explains why AI should not yet be trusted as a standalone solution for compensation benchmarking, how poor-quality data can produce highly convincing but inaccurate recommendations, and why pay transparency makes human judgement more important—not less. The discussion then shifts to leadership, productivity, and sustainable performance. Steve introduces his practical "Five to Twenty-Five" approach for helping teams prioritize work that either generates revenue, reduces costs, or saves valuable time. They also explore why energy management is becoming a critical leadership capability in an era of constant pressure and rapid change. Finally, Bill and Steve discuss what HR can genuinely learn from elite sport without falling into tired clichés, examine the ongoing debate around culture fit versus culture add, and share advice for the next generation of HR leaders navigating an increasingly complex profession. In this episode you'll discover: Why Episode 900 is the perfect time to reflect on HR's biggest changesWhere the profession has genuinely improved over the past decadeWhy pulse surveys work—and where they don'tHow regular one-to-one conversations are replacing annual appraisalsWhy AI cannot yet replace human expertise in compensation benchmarkingHow pay transparency raises the importance of trustworthy workforce dataWhy energy management may be leadership's next competitive advantageSteve's practical "Five to Twenty-Five" framework for improving business performanceLessons HR can borrow from elite sport without copying the clichésWhy culture fit and culture add should complement rather than compete with one anotherAdvice for emerging HR leaders on staying adaptable, collaborative, and humanIf you're interested in HR strategy, workforce planning, leadership, organizational performance, AI in HR, employee experience, or the future of work, this is an episode you won't want to miss. 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

    Episode 900 with Bill Banham and Steve Foulger

  7. Jul 1

    Dashboards Are Dead with Ankita Poddar

    For years, HR leaders have relied on dashboards to guide workforce decisions. But what happens when AI agents can analyse data, surface insights, and even recommend actions faster than any human? In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham is joined by Ankita Poddar, speaker, blogger, and Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Amazon Web Services (AWS), to explore why the future of HR analytics isn't about building better dashboards - it's about asking better questions. Fresh from her Disrupt Dublin presentation, "Dashboards Are Dead," Ankita explains how AI is fundamentally changing workforce planning, leadership, and organisational decision-making. Together, Bill and Ankita discuss why HR professionals must shift from reporting metrics to solving business problems, how global organisations are adapting to geopolitical uncertainty and changing talent mobility, and why leadership skills like empathy, systems thinking, and intellectual honesty are becoming more valuable than ever. Whether you're an HR leader, People Analytics professional, Talent strategist, or simply curious about how AI is reshaping work, this conversation offers practical insights into what's coming next. In this episode, you'll learn:  Why traditional HR dashboards are becoming less valuable in an AI-driven world  How AI agents are changing workforce analytics and decision-making  Why better questions matter more than better reports  How global businesses are adapting to geopolitical uncertainty and changing talent mobility  What organisations are learning from the ongoing hybrid work experiment  The five leadership capabilities every future leader will need:  Intellectual honesty  Empathy  Systems thinking  AI fluency  The ability to slow down and think  How leaders can rebuild trust through better communication  Why HR professionals should look beyond HR for inspiration and innovation If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone passionate about the future of work. 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

    Dashboards Are Dead with Ankita Poddar

  8. Jun 17

    How To Personalize Employee Support Across Every Life Stage with Chris Locke

    In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham talks with Chris Locke, Executive Director for Work + Family at Bright Horizons, about how employee benefits are evolving to meet the realities of modern life and work. Traditional benefits packages were once built around a handful of standard offerings. Today, employers are being asked to support employees through a much wider range of life events and responsibilities, including fertility journeys, childcare challenges, menopause, eldercare responsibilities, and end-of-life care. Chris explains why this shift is happening and what it means for HR leaders tasked with attracting, retaining, and supporting talent across an increasingly multi-generational workforce. The conversation explores the growing pressures faced by the "sandwich generation" – employees simultaneously caring for children and ageing relatives – and the significant impact caregiving responsibilities can have on wellbeing, productivity, engagement, and retention. Bill and Chris also examine the growing complexity of benefits administration. Many organizations now manage dozens of benefits providers, creating fragmented employee experiences and making it difficult to demonstrate ROI. Chris shares practical insights into how benefits consolidation, personalization, and smarter technology can help organizations reduce friction and connect employees with the right support at the right time. In this episode, listeners will learn: How Chris Locke's career journey led him from sales and innovation into work and family supportWhy employee support expectations have changed dramatically over the past decadeThe impact of a multi-generational workforce on benefits strategyHow caregiving responsibilities affect employee wellbeing, productivity, and retentionWhy the sandwich generation presents a growing challenge for employersThe importance of making benefits easy to access at the moment of needHow personalization can improve employee engagement with benefitsThe hidden costs of managing 30-40 separate benefits providersWhy benefits consolidation can improve both employee experience and ROI measurementHow Bright Horizons is expanding from emergency care into expert guidance, planned care, and coachingPractical ways HR leaders can build a stronger business case for caregiving and wellbeing supportAbout Chris Locke Chris Locke is Executive Director for Work + Family at Bright Horizons UK. He works with leading employers to develop solutions that help employees navigate the challenges of balancing work and personal responsibilities across every stage of life. His experience spans leadership, innovation, learning, and workforce support, helping organizations create more inclusive and effective employee experiences. Key Takeaway Employee benefits are no longer simply about offering perks. The most effective organizations are building life-stage support ecosystems that help employees navigate real-world challenges while improving retention, engagement, productivity, and business performance. Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe to HRchat, leave a review, and share this conversation with an HR leader who is rethinking their benefits strategy. 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

    How To Personalize Employee Support Across Every Life Stage with Chris Locke
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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
    946
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The HRchat Podcast and The HR Gazette are the property of Iceni Media Inc.
  • Show Website
    HRchat Podcast