When you need a break but can’t afford to stray too far from work, HR podcasts are a great way to keep your head in the game without having to make a big commitment to it. DemandSage’s reports tell us that there are 5 million podcasts currently airing and while true crime and fiction podcasts rank high on this list, top HR podcasts have a lot to offer as well. With 464.7 million listeners globally tuning in, podcasters have a lot to share if you’re willing to listen, often in a lighthearted way that doesn’t feel like a lecture.
Feeling unproductive? Listen to these top HR podcasts to take a break or push yourself to get back on track. (Image credit – Freepik)
HR podcasts provide a lot of insight into the industry, equipping you to join a business or even lead one with ease. There’s something for everyone, whether you want to grow your skills or listen to some HR industry drama for a bit.
Top HR Podcasts to Listen To
Let’s take a look at the top HR podcasts you might want to listen to this year.
1. Punk Rock HR Podcast
Laurie Ruettimann’s podcast builds on her long career in the HR field and presents a show that is destined to help careers. Recognized by CNN as one of the top five career advisors in the U.S., her book, Betting On You: How to Put Yourself First and (Finally) Take Control of Your Career, has helped many people take a chance on themselves.
Having personally witnessed many of the shortcomings of HR as it stands today, Ruettimann encourages her listeners to be the change the industry needs. Her later Corporate Drinker series talks about the drinking culture in the workplace and is a fascinating exploration of a topic that many would much rather avoid talking about. With a regularly scheduled episode waiting for you every Monday, this is definitely among the top HR podcasts to listen to.
2. Honest HR Podcast
SHRM or Society for Human Resource Management has a podcast and you know you should be listening. A leader in the research into the field of HR, their insights into the workplace and all the facets that affect it are very helpful while navigating the industry. Led by Amber Clayton, Wendy Fong, and Monique Akanbi, the conversations range from how to build multigenerational workplaces to mental health. While the podcast is available once a month, each episode serves as a great repository of information. The podcast is authorized to offer recertification Professional Development Credits (PDCs) for SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) designations.
3. HR Unplugged Podcast
BambooHR’s HR Unplugged is an interactive podcast where Anita Grantham, Head of HR at BambooHR, traverses complex areas of human resources, discussing ways to improve the community with the long list of guests who appear on the show. Their recent episode on how to find the best hires in the highly saturated employment conditions today provides a lot of helpful titbits on hiring the right way. If group discussions and multiple perspectives are what you look for in a podcast, then this might be among the top HR podcasts for you. You can expect an episode twice a month on Tuesdays.
4. Future of HR Podcast
Creator and host JP Elliot began the podcast to inspire the next generation of HR leaders. Now, this HR podcast takes on a forward-thinking approach and gathers inputs from industry leaders so a new generation of executives can learn from their advice and adapt it to fast-track their careers. With many authors like Matt Abraham and Andre Martin featured on the show, you are sure to get a glimpse of their expertise in different domains, maybe even enough to pick up a book or two. Tune in for an episode every Tuesday to see what this HR podcast has to say.
5. HR Works Podcast
This podcast by HR Daily Advisor has had a long run of showing the HR world what works best in their fields. Their website provides helpful reading material while their podcasts allow you to listen to a conversation with host Josh Zygmont, about the actionable elements you can incorporate into your company as well. Their HR podcast A Seat At The Table show explores diversity with a close eye on the range of situations where inclusion can be encouraged. You can expect an episode twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday.
6. HR Happy Hour
Steve Boese and Trish McFarlane’s Happy Hour Media Network has a wonderful collection of shows you can tune into, with an episode out every Tuesday and Friday. One of the top downloaded podcasts, the show covers HR-related discussions from news to tech updates of the industry, even throwing in some pop culture discussions on the HR Happy Hour Work Break podcast.
The Play by Play podcast episode under their network features Jack McFarlane and Nick Schlemmer who give us the Gen Z perspective on the modern world. Inclusion Crusade episodes by Sarah Morgan explore the DEI (Diversity, equity, and inclusion) concept, treating it with more care than a trendy buzzword. We think you should definitely include this one in your list of podcasts to listen to.
7. HRchat Podcast
HR Gazette’s podcast series has been following the HRM scene closely since 2016. Their collection of high-profile interviews with host Bill Banham at the helm only keeps growing longer and it is one of the most popular global podcasts today. With 2-4 short episodes out every week, the HR podcast is a great way to take a break between tasks and learn something new each time. Their episodes on employment law can help workers educate themselves on the legalities of the HR field with a simple addition to their HR podcast listening.
8. HRD Masterclass Podcast Series
The Academy of Human Resource Development provides a very structured approach to podcasting through its Human Resource Development Masterclass series. Hosted by Darren Short every Tuesday, their ongoing HR podcast series has been divided into 4 seasons, where the first two looked at the foundations of HRD. The next season explored the relationship between HR development and alternate disciplines while the latest series that began this month covers trends in the field.
If you’d like your top HR podcast to be an eye-opening, learning experience, this would be the perfect fit for you.
9. HR Superstars Podcast
Just as the name suggests, 15Five‘s renowned podcast celebrates HR leaders who have found a way to shape the domain of people-centric work. The show, out once a week, talks to people who have overcome many challenges in the HR/People Ops field and have come out on the other side with a wealth of experiences.
If you think neuroscience and HR sound like a fascinating combination, you will enjoy listening to Dr. Zak’s breakdown of his immersion framework in the “What Neuroscience Reveals About Employee Experience” episode, in conversation with host Adam Weber. Their other episodes are just as fascinating, and who knows, the podcast might inspire you to work towards being featured as an HR superstar yourself someday.
10. WorkLife with Adam Grant Podcast
This TED original podcast hosted by organizational psychologist Adam Grant is one of the most popular podcasts of the past years. With his insightful, well-read perspectives to guide the show, the HR podcast explores the world of human behavior and work, bringing in unexpected guests to enrich the minds of listeners. While there is no scheduled posting of the episodes, you can expect 3-4 interesting discussions to come your way every month. Referred to as the “Porsche of podcasts” by Inc. we believe that if there’s one podcast you pick from our top HR podcasts, then this is the podcast to listen to.
We’d like to make a special mention of the HR Social Hour Half-Hour Podcast which is an old series but with a 250-episode catalog in the bag, there is enough to catch up on when you want to listen and relax but also listen and learn.
And so we have the top HR podcasts to listen to for those who want to see why podcasts have taken over the world of TED talks so completely. Whether you listen at once or take breaks to make your way through these HR podcasts, we believe you’ll find something to love about each one.