We Need to Talk About...

AI is reshaping the workforce, but are HR teams ready? Felix Mitchell talks to Alan Walker, co-founder of Udder, about how HR leaders can embrace AI, overcome digital maturity gaps, and take charge of their tech transformation journeys.

In this episode, Rachel Cox, Chief People Officer at Low Carbon Contracts Company, dives into the power of transparency in leadership. From overcoming fears of vulnerability to empowering employees as partners in solving challenges, Rachel shares transformative lessons from her career across diverse industries.

In this episode, Felix welcomes Olivia Parrish, HRBP at Wealth Wizards, to discuss the power of purpose in organisations. Together, they explore how to embed purpose into company culture, the role of leaders and teams in defining purpose, and how to align day-to-day tasks with long-term mission.

In this episode, Susan Steele, former Chief People Officer turned board member and venture partner, shares her journey from HR leadership to the boardroom. We discuss the unique value HR leaders bring to boards, how to position yourself for board roles, and strategies to build the right networks. A must-listen for anyone looking to elevate their career and influence

In this episode of We Need to Talk About HR , host Felix Mitchell sits down with Michael Tobin—former CEO, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author—to explore leadership without management, the role of luck in success, and why trust is the currency of meaningful connections. From running 40 marathons to trekking to the South Pole, Mike shares insights that inspire, challenge, and motivate.

In this episode, Felix Mitchell is joined by Sarah Barillaro, Chief People Officer at 3Play, to discuss the evolution of leadership. They explore the value of early career experiences, the rise of partnership-driven leadership, and what businesses can do to empower their managers for success.

In this episode, Felix chats with Jeff Standridge, bestselling author and innovation leader, to explore the critical role of HR in shaping organisational success, the six pillars of a culture of excellence, and why culture is a business issue. A must-listen for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone driving change in their organisations!

Join Felix Mitchell and leadership coach Erica Woods as they explore the art of mindful leadership, the power of code-switching, and how to build trust within teams. From hilarious cultural miscommunications to the deeper layers of meeting people where they are, this episode offers practical tools to elevate your leadership game.

Join us as Ben Tyrer, former Chief of Staff & current COO at Grantify, shares his journey from hospitality to tech and leadership. We dive into why fairness can stifle HR conversations, how coaching transforms leadership, and the importance of trusting the process for better outcome.

Explore how automation and AI are reshaping HR and business processes. From lean teams that punch above their weight to the human side of automation, this episode dives into the innovations and challenges defining the future of work.

In this episode of We Need to Talk About HR , Felix Mitchell chats with Karl Klevan, Head of People Enablement at Papirfly. Together, they explore the intersection of technology, performance management, and leadership training in modern HR. From choosing the right tools to fostering great managers, Karl shares actionable strategies for HR teams to empower employees and elevate the workplace experi...

Join host Felix Mitchell as he sits down with Angela Cheng-Cimini, CHRO at Harvard Business Publishing, for a candid and thought-provoking conversation about the evolving role of talent acquisition in business. From hiring strategy to creating diverse teams, this episode is packed with actionable insights for HR professionals and leaders alike.

Katie Lynch, CEO of Apiary Life, shares how her company supports employees during major life events. From tackling practical challenges like paperwork to addressing emotional burdens, Apiary Life is redefining employee benefits for happier, more productive workplaces.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Claire Williams, Chief People and Operations Officer at Ciphr. Claire shares her journey from HR practitioner to boardroom leader in a private equity-backed company, offering invaluable lessons on strategic growth, the evolving role of HR, and driving value creation through people.

In this episode, we’re joined by Renuka Iyer, the EVP and Chief People & Culture Officer at Pharma, to discuss how organizations can foster civil conversations, create impactful cultures, and drive innovation. Renuka shares actionable advice on building clarity, cultivating curiosity, and navigating a noisy information age with respect and understanding.

In this episode, we welcome Sarah Touzani, CEO and co-founder of Waggle AI, an innovative platform transforming leadership coaching. We dive into the evolving workplace and the critical shift towards "human skills" in an AI-enabled world. Discover Sarah's vision of how leadership and team dynamics are changing—and why understanding your unique strengths is more important than ever.

Kerri O'Neill, Chief People Officer at Ipsos UK, joins us to discuss HR’s evolving role in the boardroom and beyond. From the increasing influence of the Chief People Officer to the unique perspectives HR brings to executive decision-making, Kerri unpacks how HR leaders can shape culture, strategy and future growth.

In this episode, we dive into the essentials of building trust within teams, examining the role of ego, unconscious behaviours, and the power of intentional listening. Our guest, Fergal McDonnell, shares real-life examples and techniques from years of team coaching, offering a fresh perspective on how trust and openness drive effective collaboration in executive environments. Tune in to explore th...

In today’s competitive recruitment landscape, traditional hiring approaches often fall short in securing top talent. Join us as Ellie Dinter, Head of Sourcing at Instant Impact, shares the cutting-edge strategies her team employs to attract niche talent across industries. From leveraging data-driven insights to building multi-channel pipelines, Ellie reveals how companies can shift from relying on...

In this episode of We Need to Talk about HR, we dive into the often overlooked yet critical leadership skill of listening. Join us and Rachel Peck, founder of Metronome, as we explore how listening can transform leadership, feedback, and workplace dynamics. From executive coaching to unstructured conversations, discover how deep listening is at the heart of effective communication and leadership s...

In this episode, we dive deep into the critical conversation about neurodiversity in the workplace. Host Felix is joined by Louise Brown, Non-Executive Director at City HR Association, to discuss the personal and professional impacts of neurodivergence. They explore how companies, especially SMEs, can build more inclusive workplaces, capitalize on diverse talent, and rethink people strategies to u...

In this episode, we delve into the transformative effects of artificial intelligence on the workforce with special guest Susan Youngblood, Chief People Officer and seasoned HR leader. Together, we discuss how AI is reshaping organizational roles and the critical need for HR leaders to assert their influence in workforce strategy discussions. Susan shares insights on the challenges of securing reso...

In this episode, we chat with Morgane Hamilton, Head of HR at Africa Specialty Risks, about the critical role HR plays in fast-growth companies. From being employee number eight to shaping the organisation's HR framework, Morgane shares insights on early HR involvement, building structures that support rapid growth, and the importance of partnering with stakeholders. Tune in to learn how HR ca...

In this episode, we chat with Mike, VP of People at Steno, who shares his unique journey from defense attorney to HR leader. We explore the often unplanned paths into HR, the mindset shifts required for major career transitions, and the challenges of breaking free from the conventional upward career trajectory. Whether you’re considering a career change or just curious about navigating new industr...

Felix chats with Ted Blosser, CEO of WorkRamp, about the evolving landscape of learning and development (L&D). They explore the future of AI in L&D, the rise of consolidated learning ecosystems, and how companies can optimize training through both proprietary and universal learning content. Key Talking Points : The Rise of the Learning Center of Excellence : Ted discusses how companies are...