Originally published 9/16/21, updated 7/31/24.
The world of human resources is constantly evolving, especially recently. In the last few years we’ve seen the widespread adoption of AI in the workplace, a growing emphasis on company culture, and heightened attention on the employee experience. As such, HR professionals are always on the hunt for new ways to stay up-to-date on the latest industry trends. But as busy bees, you need resources that are practical and efficient. Enter: HR podcasts.
Podcasts are like a secret weapon for the most productive folks out there. There’s an endless supply of high-quality content, at your fingertips, for FREE. Plus, you can listen on your commute or while completing low-level tasks. As a bonus, it seems like everyone has a podcast these days. So you can invite your favorite celebrity, or in this case, HR thought leader, into your home or office for an intimate chat on relevant topics.
But, with so many options for human resources podcasts out there, how do you know where to start? That’s where we come in! We’ve rounded up the ten best HR podcasts for your listening pleasure. We know you’re busy, so we’ve included podcast length, frequency, plus the highlights of what you can expect.
Happy listening! 🎧
1. HR Happy Hour
Length: 30-45 minutes (occasionally longer, ~50 minutes)
Frequency: Weekly
Listen for: An interesting weekly podcast with two great hosts, made better due to their easy-going banter and relationship, covering all the latest HR trends via industry guests. All in all, a solid HR listen!
Think of this as one of the OGs of human resources podcasts. HR Happy Hour has been around since 2009. Due to its success, it’s spawned a network of shows under its umbrella. Other podcasts include; WorkTech, Inclusion Crusade and Radical Research. We recommend starting with the original.
Hosts Steve Boese and Trish McFarlane tackle a wide range of HR and workplace topics. Most episodes include a guest who’s in a leadership role with a well-known organization. Some episodes feature just the hosts. But they’re still enjoyable, as Steve and Trish have an excellent repartee, making them very fun and easy to listen to. (Think morning radio talk-show hosts but without any of the bubblegum topics, only HR and workplace convos).
2. Punk Rock HR
Length: 30 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
Listen for: Intriguing discussions that go deeper than your regular HR conversations, including no-holds-barred questions for guests.
We love a good alternative, edgy title (especially in the typically buttoned-up HR world). As the name would suggest, Punk Rock HR is a podcast that’s not afraid to push the envelope. You’ll note the “Explicit” notification next to a lot of episodes.
Host Laurie Ruettimann asks provocative questions that get to the heart of HR issues. What makes Punk Rock HR stand out on our list of best HR podcasts is that deeper dive into why the workplace faces certain issues or uncomfortable topics we often avoid.
3. HR unConfidential
Length: 50-60 minutes
Frequency: Monthly
Listen For: Real and authentic conversations about workplace-related topics from two HR professionals with over 30 years of combined experience.
Hosts, Gina Flaig, Owner of HR Imprints, and Turiya Gray, CHRO at Jellyvision (yes, Jellyvision’s own!) talk to guests about their shared experiences as HR leaders that some listeners have coined as therapeutic.
Putting aside our own bias, we like this podcast because it feels like you’re meeting up for lunch with some good friends who understand what you’re experiencing at work. Add in the fact that you’ll walk away with some practical tips and we can’t help but tune in each month.
4. The Josh Bersin Company
Length: 20-30 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
Listen for: Tune in for the genius that is Josh Bersin, stay for research-based insights on the current state of the workplace.
You are likely familiar with workplace expert Josh Bersin, founder of Bersin by Deloitte. Since retiring from Deloitte, Josh founded the Josh Bersin Academy which offers professional development training for HR professionals.
The Josh Bersin Company podcast features complex topics (like AI disrupting the HR tech world) but also touches on general themes (such as unlocking employee experience). The value truly comes in with the inclusion of research and reports. Josh breaks down data and results and explains what they mean in the grander scheme of HR and the workplace.
5. All Hands with Katelin Holloway
Length: ~40 minutes
Frequency: Weekly (during their season)
Listen for: High-profile HR guests from top companies you’ve definitely heard of.
All Hands is an HR podcast by people management software company, Lattice, hosted by Katelin Holloway. What makes this a unique listen is the roster of C-Level guests sharing insights on their leadership strategies. They chat about the success behind their core practices, principles and beliefs, offering key takeaways for HR professionals.
The host Katelyn’s soothing voice also makes this one of the best HR podcasts for when you want a zen vibe. (But don’t let that calm, collected manner fool you, she’s an all-star in her own right, with previous roles at Reddit and Pixar).
6. WorkLife with Adam Grant
Length: 40-50 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
Listen for: A totally different perspective on workplace issues, with a psychologist’s view on people management. (Plus, amazing celeb guests sharing their intimate feelings).
WorkLife has the chops of being under the TED audio collective. In other words, guaranteed good content. Adam Grant, an organizational psychologist, “takes you inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover the keys to a better work life.”
The guests are NBA superstars, bestselling authors and celebrities like Lin-Manuel Miranda. But the journey they take you on is completely unexpected, like Lin-Manuel and his father breaking down his success and relating it back to finding a balance between creativity and productivity.
Honestly, this is really more than just an HR podcast – listen with your family or friends; they’re sure to enjoy it too.
7. Digital HR Leaders with David Green
Length: 30-45 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
Listen for: The analytics. Does data speak to you? Or alternatively, are you looking for ways to take on a more data-driven approach to HR?
Then Digital HR Leaders with David Green may be the podcast for you. As an expert on people analytics and data-driven HR, David and his guests tackle relevant topics and how people leaders can address the future of work.
8. Talent Culture #WorkTrends
Length: 15-20 minutes
Frequency: Bi-monthly
Listen for: A concentrated dose of information on well-defined HR topics. Also, keep it as a resource in your back pocket when you’re facing challenging HR situations and need quick advice.
If you’re looking for an HR podcast and Twitter chat in one — #WorkTrends is where it’s at. Host Megan M. Biro interviews folks each week, and on Twitter, one of TalentCulture’s sponsors hosts themed chats (Wednesdays, 1:30 pm EST).
We like this podcast because it’s a quick listen and gets right down to it with the topic and guest. Episodes are also very focused on specific, topical subjects. In addition, there’s a vast library, so #WorkTrends can be a great resource if you’re looking for guidance in a particular area, i.e., workplace conflicts, fighting employee isolation, humanizing recruiting, and more. Just scroll through and find what you need!
9. Benefits Influencer
Length: ~30 minutes
Frequency: Bi-monthly
Listen for: Perfect for benefits brokers or agents looking for sales and strategies to uplevel their approach.
Dennis Carlson, Founder of Agency Leverage, hosts the broker-centered podcast Benefits Influencer. Dennis and his guests chat about their previous experiences, parlaying that into actionable insights for their audience. While this podcast has been on a bit of hiatus, there are over 100 episodes to choose from geared toward brokers and agencies.
10. HR Party of One
Length: ~10 minutes
Frequency: Weekly
Listen for: A quick rundown on an HR topic or issue.
HR Party of One is a YouTube series and podcast created by BerniePortal (an HR software). The target audience is HR leaders, particularly small or single-person teams, i.e., the name ‘party of one.’
Host Sarah Hecht shares short, bite-sized episodes (approximately 10 minutes or less) that cover a specific topic, such as:
- How to hire a broker
- Compliance training
- Handling tough conversations
The podcast offers quick pieces of information when you want particular answers.
