Primal HR Podcast

Terry Smith & Leslie Lulham
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CAREERS

Primal HR is a bold, no-BS podcast about the real human side of work. Hosted by longtime HR leader Terry Smith and people strategist Leslie Lulham, Primal HR cuts through corporate jargon to tackle what’s actually happening in today’s workplaces — from return-to-office mandates and toxic culture to leadership failures, employee burnout, and the future of work. Each episode blends sharp insight, real stories, and practical advice for HR professionals, managers, and employees who care about building workplaces that actually work for people. No fluff. No performative HR. Just honest conversations about leadership, culture, and the decisions that shape our working lives. If you’re tired of sanitized corporate talk and want real perspectives on HR, leadership, and workplace culture — this is your podcast.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    AI in HR: Guardrails, Bias, and the Risks We Can’t Ignore

    In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham dig deeper into the risks and blind spots of artificial intelligence in the workplace and why HR leaders must approach AI with caution. While AI tools can be powerful, they lack human context, cultural understanding, and nuance. Terry and Leslie discuss how bias shows up in prompts and outputs, why AI sometimes fabricates convincing but false information, and how convenience can quietly replace critical thinking. They also emphasize the urgent need for guardrails: company policies, training, and clear expectations about what should never be entered into AI systems, including PII, confidential employee data, and trade secrets. A candid conversation about balancing innovation with responsibility. Key topics: Bias and hallucinations in AIWhy AI lacks human context and nuanceOverreliance and complacency risksPII, confidential data, and trade secretsNeed for AI policies and trainingHR’s role in responsible AI adoption Primal HR PodcastWebsite: https://primalhrpodcast.comEmail: primalhrpodcast@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/

    19 min

  2. 2D AGO

    AI in HR: Smart Uses, Real Risks

    In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore how artificial intelligence is actually being used in HR and where teams need to slow down and proceed with caution. AI can dramatically speed up work like writing job descriptions, drafting policies, analyzing HR data, researching compensation, and creating employee communications. But it also comes with real risks, including hallucinated outputs, privacy concerns, and overreliance on tools that still require human judgment. Terry and Leslie share practical ways HR professionals can use AI as a productivity partner while protecting sensitive information, maintaining data hygiene, and avoiding common pitfalls. A grounded, no-hype conversation about using AI responsibly in the HR space. Key topics: Real-world AI use cases in HRWriting job descriptions with AIHR analytics and compensation analysisPrompting and proofreading best practicesData privacy and PII risksWhere HR should slow down on AI adoption Primal HR PodcastWebsite: https://primalhrpodcast.comEmail: primalhrpodcast@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/

    18 min

  3. 2D AGO

    The Loneliness Epidemic at Work: Why “Squishy HR” Is a Business Imperative

    In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham tackle one of the most widespread and least openly discussed challenges in today’s workplace: loneliness and mental health. Loneliness affects every generation in different ways and has a direct impact on productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. Terry and Leslie explore why this issue accelerated during the pandemic, how remote and hybrid work can increase isolation, and what leaders and HR teams can do to intentionally build connection and community. They also break down what Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are, how loneliness shows up physically and emotionally, and why supporting mental health at work is not just compassionate, it’s a business imperative. A candid, human conversation about caring for the whole person at work. Key topics: Loneliness as a workplace epidemicMental health across generationsRemote work and isolationWhat EAPs are and how they helpBuilding community and belongingWhy mental health drives productivity Primal HR PodcastWebsite: https://primalhrpodcast.comEmail: primalhrpodcast@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/

    23 min

  4. 2D AGO

    Networking Without the Ick: How to Connect With People

    Perfect — here’s a short, SEO-friendly, platform-optimized description for Episode 4, formatted specifically for podcast hosting services, with links at the bottom. In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham continue the networking conversation by breaking down how to build professional connections without feeling awkward, transactional, or fake. Why do so many outreach messages get ignored? Why does networking feel uncomfortable for most people? And what actually makes someone respond? Terry and Leslie share practical, human-first strategies for in-person networking, LinkedIn outreach, and recruiter communication. They explain why leading with curiosity beats pitching, how listening creates real connection, and how to stay visible without becoming annoying. A candid, no-fluff conversation about networking as relationship-building — not job begging. Key topics: Why “I want job” messages failHow to start conversations that feel naturalHuman-first LinkedIn outreachListening vs. pitchingStaying on a recruiter’s radarCommon networking mistakes to avoid Primal HR PodcastWebsite: https://primalhrpodcast.comEmail: primalhrpodcast@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/

    17 min

  5. 2D AGO

    Job Hunting in 2026: Why Referrals Beat Resumes

    In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham break down what the 2026 job market really looks like — and why traditional online applications aren’t working for most job seekers. With thousands of applicants per role, overwhelmed recruiters, and AI-driven screening tools, simply submitting resumes is no longer enough. Terry and Leslie explain why referrals remain the most reliable path to interviews, how networking actually works (and what it isn’t), and how job seekers can position themselves to stand out in a crowded market. They also share practical advice on becoming memorable, warming up your network before you need a job, protecting your mental health during the search, and playing the long game with intention. A candid, no-fluff conversation about how hiring really happens — and how to improve your odds in 2026. Primal HR PodcastWebsite: https://primalhrpodcast.comEmail: primalhrpodcast@gmail.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/

    17 min

  6. JAN 27

    SHRM’s $11.5M Lawsuit: A Primal HR Hot Take

    In this Primal HR Hot Take, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham react to SHRM’s $11.5 million lawsuit involving harassment, discrimination, and wrongful termination inside its own organization. They unpack the hypocrisy, leadership failures, Glassdoor reviews, and what this moment means for HR credibility, culture, and accountability.

    19 min

  7. JAN 27

    Return to Office: What Actually Works

    In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham move beyond the doom and gloom of return-to-office mandates and focus on what actually works. They explore practical benefits, flexible policies, commuter support, office amenities, and people-first strategies that can make RTO more humane, effective, and sustainable for both employees and employers.

    19 min

  8. JAN 27

    Return to Office: Why It’s Failing (and What HR Isn’t Saying Out Loud)

    In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore why return-to-office mandates are failing, how they impact employee experience, and what HR leaders need to consider when shaping RTO policies that actually work.

    16 min

  9. JAN 27

    Welcome to Primal HR: Real People, Real Talk, Real HR

    Hosts Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham introduce Primal HR, a new podcast focused on HR, leadership, and workplace culture from the human side. In this pilot, they explain the show’s purpose, their perspectives, and what listeners can expect in upcoming episodes.

    15 min
  • 9 Episodes

About

Primal HR is a bold, no-BS podcast about the real human side of work. Hosted by longtime HR leader Terry Smith and people strategist Leslie Lulham, Primal HR cuts through corporate jargon to tackle what’s actually happening in today’s workplaces — from return-to-office mandates and toxic culture to leadership failures, employee burnout, and the future of work. Each episode blends sharp insight, real stories, and practical advice for HR professionals, managers, and employees who care about building workplaces that actually work for people. No fluff. No performative HR. Just honest conversations about leadership, culture, and the decisions that shape our working lives. If you’re tired of sanitized corporate talk and want real perspectives on HR, leadership, and workplace culture — this is your podcast.

Information

  • Creator
    Terry Smith & Leslie Lulham
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    9
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Terry Smith & Leslie Lulham
  • Show Website
    Primal HR Podcast