Primal HR Podcast

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...

The job market isn’t what it used to be. Applying online is not enough anymore. In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham break down what is really happening behind the scenes, from overwhelmed recruiters to AI-driven screening, and why networking still matters more than ever. What we get into: • Why online applications are not working • How hiring actually happens today • The role of referra...

A major HR organization is facing a major credibility moment. In this Primal HR Hot Take , Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham react to SHRM’s $11.5 million lawsuit and what it reveals about leadership, culture, and accountability inside the very organization meant to set the standard. What we get into: • The details behind the lawsuit • The gap between standards and reality • Leadership accountability...

Beyond the headlines and frustration around return-to-office mandates, what actually works? In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham shift the conversation toward practical solutions — from flexibility and commuter support to workplace policies that put people first. What we get into: • What makes RTO more sustainable • The role of flexibility in workplace policy • How companies can better s...

In this episode, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore why return-to-office mandates are failing, how they impact employee experience, and what HR leaders need to consider when shaping RTO policies that actually work. Duration: 00:16:24 Stay Connected Website: primalhrpodcast.com LinkedIn: @primalhrpodcast Email: primalhrpodcast@gmail.com

Here's the updated version: Welcome to the Primal HR pilot! Hosts Terry Smith (HR leader) and Leslie Lulham (People First strategist) introduce the show's mission: honest conversations about HR, leadership, and workplace culture—without the corporate mask. In this episode, you'll hear what "Primal HR" means, why HR often gets a bad reputation, and who this podcast is for: HR professionals, manager...