Primal HR Podcast

When does onboarding really begin? On an employee’s first day, or the moment they apply for a job? Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham kick off Season 3 of Primal HR with a conversation about recruiting, hiring and the candidate experience. From automated rejection emails to endless rounds of interviews, they look at how the hiring process shapes a candidate’s impression of an organization long before a...

Is a performance improvement plan really about helping an employee improve, or is it just the first step toward firing them? Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham take a closer look at performance improvement plans, better known as PIPs, and why they've earned such a bad reputation. Drawing on their own experiences, they discuss what happens when managers fail to address performance problems early and the...

A $7.5 million verdict against Nike raises a question every HR professional should be asking: Where was HR? Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham kick off Season 3 of Primal HR with a conversation about a gender discrimination case involving pay and promotional opportunities at Nike. They examine how workplace complaints can escalate into costly legal battles, why employees sometimes hesitate to report pr...

What can the Rooney Rule teach organizations beyond the NFL? Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham continue their conversation with Dr. Enrique Washington, exploring how the Rooney Rule has influenced hiring practices across professional sports and corporate America. But adopting a policy is only the beginning. The real question is whether it actually changes outcomes. The conversation examines the differ...

Getting the opportunity is one thing. Having a clear path to get there is another. Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham continue their conversation with Dr. Enrique Washington, exploring what his research with NFL coaches reveals about succession planning, mentorship, access, and career advancement. From informal networks to formal development programs, they examine what happens when organizations fail t...

What happens when a hiring policy designed to create opportunity becomes just another box to check? Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham welcome Dr. Enrique Washington to the Primal HR Podcast for a conversation about the NFL’s Rooney Rule and what his research reveals about hiring, advancement, and opportunity. Drawing on extensive interviews with Black NFL coaches, Dr. Washington explores the differenc...

Compensation isn't just about salary. Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore why employees leave organizations, the growing disconnect between how companies and employees view fair pay, and why benefits, communication, and trust all play a critical role in the employee experience. They also discuss total rewards statements and why understanding your complete compensation package matters more than e...

Good communication isn't just talking—it's building trust. Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham discuss why effective communication is one of the most important leadership skills in any organization. From active listening and adapting communication styles to creating transparency around company goals, they explore practical ways leaders can improve engagement, strengthen teams, and build a healthier work...

The employee experience starts long before someone sits down at their desk. Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham discuss what separates memorable onboarding from forgettable first days. From setting clear expectations and defining success to building meaningful connections and accountability, they share practical ideas for creating onboarding programs that help employees feel confident, productive, and r...

Employment lawsuits affect more than just companies—they affect the people leading them. Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham discuss what every manager and HR professional should know about workplace litigation, from documentation and manager training to why preventing problems is always better than defending them in court. They also explain why, despite what many people think, nobody really wins when l...

You got the promotion. Now comes the hard part. Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore what happens after someone becomes a manager for the first time. They discuss why management is a learned skill, the value of mentorship and leadership training, and how organizations can better prepare new leaders for success instead of expecting them to simply "figure it out." What we get into: Why great indivi...

Welcome to Season 2 of Primal HR Podcast! Politics and polarization do not stop at the office door. In this season two premiere, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham discuss how HR leaders and organizations can navigate difficult conversations, workplace tension, and political division while still maintaining respectful, productive environments. What we get into: • How politics impacts workplace culture...

Networking does not have to feel awkward or transactional. In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham share a more practical, relationship-first approach to networking and explain how authentic conversations can lead to real opportunities, meaningful connections, and long-term professional relationships. What we get into: • Why relationship-first networking works • How Terry and Leslie met thr...

What happens when companies stop designing jobs and start designing work? In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore how organizations can rethink hiring, workforce planning, and team structure in a world where technology, AI, and business needs are changing fast. What we get into: • What companies can learn from Blockbuster and Netflix • Why skill-based hiring matters more than job ti...

Remote work and distributed teams have completely changed the HR landscape. In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore the challenges of navigating compliance, labor laws, remote workforce management, and state-by-state regulations in an increasingly complex workplace environment. What we get into: • The growing complexity of multi-state HR compliance • How AI tools can support HR team...

Should you hire an in-house HR leader or bring in fractional support? In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham break down how each approach works and when it makes the most sense, especially for growing companies. What we get into: • The difference between fractional and in-house HR • Cost and flexibility considerations • When each model makes sense • Common mistakes when hiring HR too early...

Can a single workplace incident reveal bigger cracks in how organizations hire, onboard, and support their people? In this Primal HR Hot Take , Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham react to a warehouse fire allegedly set by a contractor just three weeks into the job and unpack what it means for HR leaders. What we get into: • Contractor accountability and third party hiring • Gaps in onboarding and commu...

Is artificial intelligence shaping hiring decisions more than companies realize? In this Primal HR Hot Take , Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham react to a major legal case involving Workday and what it could mean for the future of hiring. What we get into: • How AI is used in applicant tracking systems • The risks of automated resume screening • Bias and discrimination concerns • What job seekers and...

What happens when HR professionals drop the script and just have some fun? In this season one finale, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham take a step back from traditional topics and have a candid, fast-paced conversation about the real human side of work. What we get into: • Workplace pet peeves and everyday habits • Return to office perspectives • Meetings, communication, and what works • Personal sto...

Do exit interviews really matter, or are they just a formality on the way out the door? In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham break down how exit interviews and surveys actually work, why employees often hold back honest feedback, and how organizations use that information to improve workplace culture and employee experience. What we get into: • Why employees hesitate to be fully honest •...

HR often gets labeled the villain. \In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham unpack where that perception comes from and what HR is actually doing behind the scenes. What we get into: • Why HR has that reputation • The tough conversations HR handles • The work employees do not see • The balance between people and business Short conversation. Honest look. Stay connected: Website: https://prim...

AI can be powerful, but it comes with real risks. In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham take a closer look at where AI falls short and why HR leaders need to move thoughtfully when bringing these tools into the workplace. What we get into: • How bias and false outputs show up in AI • Why AI lacks context and nuance • The risks of overreliance • Why guardrails, policies, and training matte...

AI is already showing up in HR workflows. In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore how teams are actually using AI, where it can help, and where caution matters most. What we get into: • Real-world AI use cases in HR • Writing and analysis with AI tools • Common risks and limitations • How to use AI responsibly Short conversation. Practical takeaways. Stay connected: Website: https:/...

Loneliness is showing up in the workplace more than we talk about. In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore how isolation and mental health are impacting employees, and what leaders and HR teams can do to build real connection and support. What we get into: • Why loneliness is rising at work • The impact of remote and hybrid environments • What EAPs are and how they help • How connec...

Networking does not have to feel awkward or transactional. In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham break down how to build real connections in a way that feels natural, human, and actually effective. What we get into: • Why most outreach gets ignored • How to start real conversations • Human-first LinkedIn outreach • Common networking mistakes to avoid Short conversation. Real talk. Stay co...