HRchat Podcast

What happens when 19 million jobs face potential displacement from automation and AI? And why aren't half of all workers using AI at all? Dr. James Atkinson, Vice President of Thought Leadership at SHRM, uncovers these startling insights and more in our illuminating conversation about workplace transformation. Fresh from celebrating his one-year anniversary at SHRM after an impressive 11-year...

What makes a truly effective CHRO in today's complex business landscape? Chelle O'Keefe, Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer at Associa , brings refreshing clarity to this question through her remarkable journey from psychology graduate to C-suite leader. The power of Chelle's approach lies in her unique perspective: despite never taking a formal business class,...

Your next hire could be a deepfake. Identity fraud in employment has exploded, with a 30% increase in 2025 alone and experts predicting one in four candidates will use some form of deepfake technology by 2028. This isn't just resume padding—it's a sophisticated attack on your organization. Joelle Smith , President of First Advantage Corporation , reveals how the convergence of massive da...

The U.S. faces a talent crisis with millions of skilled candidates overlooked due to outdated hiring practices. The SHRM Foundation's Center for a Skills-First Future aims to bridge this gap by transforming how employers approach talent acquisition. In this HRchat conversation with Bill Banham , SHRM Foundation President Wendi Safstrom reveals why skills-first hiring has moved to the forefron...

The gap between casual ChatGPT users and organizations with massive AI teams seems unbridgeable for most departments. But what about that middle ground where small teams can leverage AI effectively without specialized expertise? Dr. Tim Scarfe , CEO of Machine Learning Street Talk, discusses practical AI implementation for smaller organizations with hosts Pauline James and David Creelman in this H...

What does it mean when a Vice President, Global Talent Acquisition declares "recruiting is broken" ? Jenn Cunningham of Pearson doesn't just diagnose the problem – she offers a vision for how artificial intelligence can bring the human element back to hiring. Drawing from her fascinating career journey from McDonald's store manager to leading global talent acquisition at a majo...

The boundary between professional and personal life has never been more blurred. As Dr. Alexander Lovell, Research Director at the O.C. Tanner Institute , reveals in this compelling episode, employees worldwide are increasingly operating in " survival mode " rather than thriving at work, and the consequences extend far beyond productivity metrics. Alex introduces guest host Dr. Bill Howa...

In a world increasingly dominated by AI-powered recruiting tools, the human touch of employee referrals might just be your organization's secret weapon. Mike Stafiej , CEO and founder of ERIN, joins Bill Banham on the HRchat Show to reveal how properly implemented employee referral programs drive five times more hires while cutting turnover in half. " Employee referrals is not a new conc...

Meet the woman who understands how robots think and more importantly, how we think about them. Professor Kerstin Fischer brings over 20 years of research expertise to this fascinating exploration of human-robot interaction and what it means for our workplaces. The conversation delves into a critical distinction most of us miss: the power of embodiment. While we're all getting comfortable with...

What does it take to create a unified culture when your team spans 50 countries and includes thousands of employees? Sue Quackenbush , Chief People Officer at Dynatrace, reveals the secret sauce behind their "real vibes, real people" approach that keeps their global workforce connected. With 33% of Dynatrace's 4,000+ employees working fully remotely and the rest following a hybrid m...

In this episode, Bill Banham talks with Marina Farthouat, the new Vice President, People at Oyster - the global employment platform that enables companies to hire, pay, and care for distributed teams.  Marina brings a refreshing perspective to the HRchat Show about transforming workplace norms through remote and distributed teams. Drawing from her diverse background spanning investment banking to...

Curtis Vincent, CHRO at The Estate Registry, offers a fascinating look at how digital estate management is transforming employee benefits packages and addressing a critical gap in financial wellness programs. The days of the fireproof lockbox stuffed with important papers are long behind us. As Curtis explains, modern employees lead increasingly complex digital lives with countless online accounts...

In this episode of the HRchat Show, Bill Banham talks with Douglas Leach about the upcoming Disrupt London and HR Analytics Summits.  Doug's journey to founding the HR Analytics Summit reads like a masterclass in entrepreneurial resilience. Launching his venture in October 2019 - mere months before a global pandemic would shut down in-person events worldwide - Doug faced what seemed like insu...

Ever wondered what makes the Association for Talent Development (ATD) a key player in the world of HR and professional development? This episode pulls back the curtain as Bill Banham talks with Mallory Flynn, Content Manager for Career Development, Organization Development, and Talent Management Communities at ATD. Mallory walks us through three game-changing conferences on the horizon. First, ATD...

Ever wondered what Formula One racing and career websites have in common? More than you might think, according to Bryan Adams, CEO and founder of Happydance, who recently joined Bill Banham on the HRchat Show to discuss an innovative new campaign that's bringing F1-inspired competition to the talent acquisition space. The " Careers Site Grand Prix " pits career websites against each...

The workplace has fundamentally transformed, dramatically increasing the emotional demands on leaders at all levels. From managing virtual teams to navigating workforce polarization, today's leaders face unprecedented challenges that require a new set of emotional skills to thrive. Executive coach and leadership strategist Dina Denham-Smith joins Bob Goodwin to discuss her new book, "Emo...

What makes an HR conference truly exceptional? According to veteran attendee Jackye Clayton , it's the willingness to tackle tough issues while maintaining a human-centered approach - precisely what sets Workhuman Live apart from the crowd. In this conversation with HRchat host Bill Banham, Jackye shares her enthusiasm for the upcoming Workhuman Live 2025 in Colorado . As a frequent attendee...

What happens when artificial intelligence meets human connection in the workplace?  Jesse Harriott , Executive Director of Workhuman iQ, reveals a groundbreaking approach to workplace analytics that's transforming how organizations understand their people and culture. Dive into the Human Intelligence 2025 release from Workhuman, which leverages recognition data to uncover hidden insights abou...

The human element of HR technology is often overlooked in favor of features and functions but, as our latest HRchat episode reveals, successful HCM technology implementation hinges on strategic alignment with business goals and effective change management. Jacqueline Kuhn and Priscilla Redd Sparrow , two of the four authors of the newly updated second edition of HRchitect’s Guide to HCM Technology...

In this special episode, Jackye Clayton joins Bill Banham to preview UNLEASH America 2025, an event she describes as offering key solutions to the most pressing workplace challenges. UNLEASH AMERICA Conference & Exhibition , one of the fastest-growing HR event in the world, is a place where global HR Leaders come to do business and discover inspirational stories that change ways organizations...

Navigating workplace anxiety during turbulent times requires leaders who understand both the science behind effective communication and the practical steps needed to create psychological safety. Kirsten I’Anson , Vice President of People and Culture at Community Savings Credit Union , delivers masterful insights on leadership approaches that calm rather than inflame tensions during political and e...

Ever wonder why traditional hiring processes fail so often? In this eye-opening conversation, The Predictive Index's Chief People Officer Jackie Dube reveals how data-driven talent optimization transformed their approach to finding and developing exceptional talent. Jackie shares the compelling evolution of PI's interview process with host Bob Goodwin . She explains how their behavioral...

In this episode of the HRchat show, Bill Banham is joined by David Hayden. David has a background in L&D, organisation design, recruitment and lean engineering.  David says has seen his profession move from traditional training functions to multi-digital approaches to learning and development. David has contributed to CIPD content on L&D, including podcasts, research reports, factsheets, a...

What does it take to transform HR while navigating uncertainty? Mary Faulkner, Principal at IA, returns to the HR Chat Show to share powerful insights on sustainable transformation, strategic HR, and creating adaptable organizations. Mary 's journey from aspiring stunt car driver to HR transformation expert began with a passion for statistics and continuous improvement. Her unique "build...

What happens when a 7-year-old's innocent question about smartphones forces us to confront our own digital habits? Technology expert Alexander Bell joins Bill Banham on the HRchat Show to share the powerful moment that transformed his relationship with technology and launched his mission to help others reclaim control over their digital lives. Alex draws from over two decades of experience wo...