Honest HR

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...

How can you tell if you or a colleague is suffering from burnout? How do you then recover from and prevent it? Host Monique Akanbi dives into these questions with Deidre Gestrin, Founder at Abundant Wellness Essentials, Wellness Consultant, Author, and Trainer. From the individual to organizational level, Deidre shares actionable insights on how to manage burnout.  Episode Transcript This podcast...

Be a champion of change. Host Amber Clayton and Heather Hansen, CEO, Advocate to Win, discuss the three Cs of advocacy and how to wield the tools of a trial attorney to win over your leaders and colleagues to enact change.  Episode Transcript This podcast is approved to provide 0.5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end....

Equip yourself with the tools to handle microaggressions in the workplace whether you were the recipient, witness, or perpetrator. Hosts Monique Akanbi and Amber Clayton sat down with Eden-Reneé Hayes, CEO and Owner, Pluralism Solutions, at SHRM INCLUSION 2024 to dive into what microaggressions are, why it’s so important to combat them, and what HR professionals can do to minimize them.  Episode T...

Gen Z, the latest generation to enter the workforce, stands out from other generations. Hosts Wendy Fong and Monique Akanbi sit down with Keri Mesropov, Founder, Spring Talent Development, at SHRM INCLUSION 2024 to discuss considerations for Gen Z at work, the value they bring, and how HR professionals and leaders can best integrate them into the workforce. Episode transcript This podcast is appro...

All three Honest HR hosts Amber Clayton, Monique Akanbi, and Wendy Fong sit down at SHRM’s 2024 INCLUSION conference in Denver, Colorado to discuss their experiences, as well as their key takeaways and insights. Register for SHRM INCLUSION 2025 here. Episode transcript This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activ...

The discussion around FMLA continues as host Amber Clayton and Helen Applewhaite, Director, Division of FMLA and Other Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, dive into specific scenarios and whether they qualify for FMLA. They also cover how the U.S. Department of Labor can help you stay in compliance with FMLA. Watch part one here. Episode transcript This podcast is ap...

Get answers to your most common FMLA questions from an expert. Host Amber Clayton and Helen Applewhaite, Director, Division of FMLA and Other Labor Standards, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, discuss what scenarios qualify for FMLA, certification requirements, how to stay in compliance with FMLA, and pitfalls to avoid. Episode transcript This podcast is approved for 0.5 PDCs towar...

For Domestic Violence Awareness month, host Wendy Fong sits down with Carmen Aliber, Director of HR at Dexter Southfield, to discuss how domestic violence and abuse can affect both employees and employers. Carmen defines abuse, dispels misconceptions, and offers insights and strategies as to how HR professionals can prevent, identify, and address domestic violence and abuse in the workplace.  This...

On this special episode of Honest HR, Hosts Amber Clayton and Wendy Fong discuss “HR Horror Stories” directly from SHRM’s Knowledge Center. From natural disasters to harassment to cybersecurity and more, learn how to navigate some of these spooky situations.  Episode transcript This podcast is approved for 0.5 professional development credits toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to...