Honest HR

With SHRM research revealing leadership development as a top priority for HR leaders in 2025, this episode dives into strategies for sourcing and nurturing executive talent. Host Nicole Belyna is joined by Jeremy Eskenazi, managing principal of HR consulting firm Riviera Advisors, to share actionable insights on aligning executive roles with business goals, attracting quality candidates, and foste...

Andy Biladeau, SHRM’s chief transformation officer, sits down with guest host Marjorie Morrison, SHRM’s executive in residence for mental health, to explore HR’s evolving role in organizational transformation. With change management being one of the top CHRO priorities for 2025, Biladeau shares what meaningful transformation looks like, from building trust with teams to identifying the readiness f...

The Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is one of the top topics SHRM gets member questions about in our HR Knowledge Center. So, host Monique Akanbi sits down with Liz Petersen and Sheri Martel, two FMLA experts within SHRM’s own ranks, to tackle the questions HR pros ask the most. Together, they break down key FMLA areas such as eligibility, intermittent leave, compliance, job restoration, and s...

Need to help your new managers lead? Join Chelsea C. Williams, CEO and founder of Reimagine Talent Co., and host Nicole Belyna as they discuss how HR pros can best support their colleagues stepping into first-time leadership roles. Discover key insights to aid them in such challenges as overseeing direct reports who were previously their peers, having difficult conversations, avoiding common mista...

Find out how HR pros can apply basic principles of neuroscience to foster a more positive workplace culture where psychological safety thrives. Matt Kalb, vice president of client experience at T3 Expo, explains to host Raiyana Bryant what chemically happens to people’s brains every time they feel valued — and how leaders can use this understanding to be more vulnerable, self-aware, and appreciati...

Did you know that up to 50% of employees have allergies and/or asthma? And whether attributed to food or the environment, these conditions are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. Dr. Carla Davis — president-elect of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI) — and host Wendy Fong discuss best practices for setting allergy and asthma accommodations across your organ...

Learn from a retired SWAT negotiator how to handle workplace crises and difficult conversations as an HR professional. Scott Tillema, keynote speaker and corporate trainer at The Negotiations Collective, goes over the four principles of crisis negotiation with host Monique Akanbi, as well as quick decision-making strategies for high-stakes and sometimes emotionally charged situations. Episode Tran...

Husbands and wives of armed forces personnel are not just an underutilized talent pool. According to Brytnee Fallan, a 16-year military spouse within SHRM’s own ranks, they can also be formidable agents for change. Find out how HR pros can better support and tap into the talents of military spouses as Fallan and special guest host Marjorie Morrison discuss the unique strengths and challenges of th...

An inclusive workplace is one that works for all, and one of its key building blocks is women’s mental health. Marjorie Morrison, SHRM’s executive in residence for mental health, is joined by Tamla Oates-Forney, CEO of SHRM Linkage, to dive into strategies for HR professionals to support women’s mental health as part of creating an inclusive workplace culture.  Episode Transcript This podcast is a...

Take your strategic decisions to the next level by combining data and emotional intelligence. Guest host Jay Jones, lead of talent and employee experience at SHRM, picks the brain of Jevon Wooden, CEO of BrightMind Consulting Group, about how data alone is not enough to build long-term organizational resilience and the importance of humanity in HR.    Episode Transcript   This podcast is approved...

Learn how to attract and retain top talent by fostering a culture of civility and inclusivity. Hosted by Nicole Belyna, Kenston Henderson, chief empowerment officer of Live With Lyfe, shares what that culture looks like, how to assess your organization for civility, and introduces his REM-C framework to navigate difficult conversations. Episode Transcript This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs towar...

In today's growing landscape of layoffs and uncertainty, more professionals are moving away from traditional career paths -- opening the door for HR pros to take a skills-first approach in recruiting and hiring. Host Nicole Belyna and John Morgan, president of career transition & mobility and leadership development at LHH, discuss how HR professionals can use tools like HRIS data and AI to guide d...

Are you thinking about a career pivot to HR? Find out if human resources is a good fit and how to get started on pivoting from another role or industry. Host Nicole Belyna and Claire Stroh, senior talent acquisition business partner at ATI, discuss ways for professionals in a variety of industries to join the field. Episode Transcript This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SC...

How can HR pros ensure dress code policies are equitable and culturally sensitive? What’s the best way to address violations? Is it okay for different departments to create their own guidelines? Honest HR’s newest host Nicole Belyna, SHRM’s director of talent, and Deron Lehman, CHRO of Barber National Institute, discuss strategies and best practices for how organizations can balance the need for p...

Mental health challenges often creep into the workplace, affecting productivity and the bottom line. Host Wendy Fong and Marjorie Morrison, SHRM’s new executive in residence for mental health, discuss how HR can support employees going through mental health challenges while maintaining healthy boundaries for themselves. This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertifi...

Self-care is especially important for HR professionals, who take on the challenges of an entire organization. Host Monique Akanbi sits down with Joelle Moray, founder and CEO of Integrate Wellness, to discuss attainable practices to improve self-care and boundary setting.  This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your a...

Discover best practices for recruiting, developing, and retaining employees through thoughtfully curated learning and development (L&D) programs. Jay Jones, lead of talent & employee experience at SHRM, discusses how an investment in L&D can help organizations bridge key skills gaps, grow high-performing employees, and keep their workforce on the leading edge. Jones also shares how HR pros can ens...

Saying goodbye to an employee is never easy. Host Monique Akanbi and Tina Schust Robinson, founder & CEO of Workjoy, discuss helpful tips for HR professionals who need to conduct either tricky terminations or smooth sendoffs once employees give notice. Tune in for insights on how to balance HR’s role of organizational steward with showing empathy for co-workers during these transitional moments. T...

The 2025 LA wildfires prompted a national response from affected organizations. Host Monique Akanbi and Christine Rodman, founder and CEO of Lynx Employer Resources LLC and state director for SHRM CA, discuss how HR professionals can prepare and support their fellow employees in the event of a natural disaster.   This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Lis...

Parent out loud. Host Monique Akanbi is joined by Chelsey Gonzalez, VP Human Resources, Acklen Avenue, SHRM-CP, to discuss how working parents can harmonize their competing priorities and how HR professionals can best support them.  This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires March 1...

How many interviews is too many? Is a work assignment appropriate for the role you’re filling? Host Amber Clayton sits down with Nicole Belyna, Director of Talent Acquisition & Inclusion at SHRM, to answer these and other HR questions about the recruiting process. Learn ways to make job descriptions and your organization’s digital presence stand out to quality applicants. Plus, get tips for ensuri...

Incorporate humor in the workplace. Host Monique Akanbi sits down with Jamie Jackson, HR leader by day, “Chief Meme Officer” by night, to discuss the value of humor and lightheartedness at work, as well as how to make sure it stays appropriate. Episode Transcript This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID...

Be proactive in supporting transgender employees. Host Amber Clayton is joined by Ben Greene, transgender educator and speaker, to discuss the ways HR professionals can advocate for their transgender colleagues. Learn the difference between cultural and structural acceptance and how both are essential in creating an inclusive workplace. This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-...

Understand biases with the “if, then, therefore” framework. Host Amber Clayton sits down with Sarah Bettman, founder & principal, Bettman Consulting Group, to discuss the cognition behind our biases and how to counteract them, as well as when it’s appropriate to solicit leadership buy-in and address them within your organization. This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP rec...

Allyship is a verb. And when done correctly, it can be a great tool to further your I&D goals. Host Monique Akanbi sits down with Victoria Mattingly, founder and CEO of Mattingly Solutions, and Sertrice Shipley, founder & CEO of Plan to Action LLC, to dig into common misconceptions about allyship, what the ally/partner relationship looks like, and what HR professionals can do to be a good ally.  E...