Honest HR

Workplace romances are more common than many organizations realize, and even consensual relationships can carry serious legal and cultural risks. Jenn Betts, employment lawyer and office managing shareholder of Ogletree Deakins law firm, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, to unpack how power dynamics, perception, policy, and digital communication shape legal exposure — and what HR leaders can do to manage risk, respond to breakups, and foster a respectful workplace culture. 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, 2027. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Learning and development remains a top priority for HR, yet many professionals still struggle to see a clear path forward. Elizabeth S. Egan, Director of Talent Management and Organizational Development at Cerence AI, joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to explore how personalized learning and development strategies can better support career growth, engagement, and retention. Get guidance for HR leaders focused on building sustainable, people-centered development strategies.  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, 2027.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Work has never been busier — yet progress often feels elusive. Eric Martin, executive director of Blue Pinnacle Solutions, joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to unpack why meetings, hidden work, and outdated productivity norms are draining organizational capacity. Together, they explore how reclaiming capacity supports agility, focus, and performance — and what HR leaders can do to move from measuring activity to driving impact.  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 February 1, 2027. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

As the cost of living rises, employee financial wellness has become a growing concern for workers and a complex challenge for employers. Tyler Horn, Head of Planning at Origin and a Certified Financial Planner, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, to discuss how HR can approach financial wellness as an employee experience strategy while balancing organizational sustainability.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

HR is often seen as the people function, but the reality is far more complex. Warren Wang, founder of Double Fin, joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to unpack the hidden weight HR leaders carry as they balance trust, compliance, and business performance. Together, they dismantle outdated views of HR, showing how speaking the CHRO language — and aligning closely with finance — elevates credibility and drives real business outcomes.  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 February 1, 2027. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Employee perks are evolving beyond traditional benefits, with workers expecting more personalization, choice, and support than ever before. Jordan Peace, CEO and co-founder of employee experience platform Fringe, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, to explore how non-traditional perks, recognition programs, and employer-covered AI tools are reshaping the employee experience in 2026 and beyond. Learn how creative approaches to benefits can strengthen workplace culture, reduce burnout, rebuild trust, and become essential tools for attracting and retaining talent.  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 February 1, 2027.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Posting a job and waiting for candidates to apply is no longer enough in today’s competitive labor market. Tim Sackett, CEO of HRUTech.com, joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to explore how HR leaders can use creative sourcing strategies, social media, and networking to find top talent where it’s actually active. They dig into the uncomfortable realities of recruiting, how to attract culture-fit candidates, measure ROI in hiring, and build proactive talent pipelines that go beyond the job board.  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  January 1, 2027. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

AI coaching is reshaping how employees learn, grow, and navigate their careers — but the real story is what it means for the humans at the center of it all. Theresa Fesinstine, AI educator and founder of peoplepower.ai, sits down with host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to explore how HR can use AI coaching to personalize development, support diverse learning styles, and make growth more accessible across the workforce.  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 January 1, 2027.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

As businesses face faster timelines and shifting skill needs, flexible talent has become a core part of the modern workforce — not a backup plan. Sunita Solao, CPO of Upwork, the freelance marketplace to hire top talent, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-SCP, to unpack what that shift means for HR pros, how organizations can use flexible talent strategically, and why freelancers and contractors are rewriting the rules of talent planning.  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 January 1, 2027.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Updating your employee handbook isn’t just about compliance — it’s about connection. With major workplace law changes coming in 2026, now’s the time to refresh your policies. Kiri Grant from SHRM’s HR Product Solutions team joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, to explain how HR professionals can get ahead of upcoming changes, make their handbooks more engaging, and use SHRM’s Employee Handbook Builder to ease the stress of updates.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

As politics continue to dominate the headlines, HR professionals find themselves on the front lines of free speech at work. Can employees be fired for expressing political opinions — or does the First Amendment protect them? Attorney Tom Spiggle joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to unpack the legal limits, HR policy challenges, and real-world scenarios workplaces must navigate when politics and employment collide.  For SHRM members tuning into this episode, we have an exclusive bonus: a SHRM HR Knowledge Advisor answering real member questions about political expression in the workplace, direct from the SHRM HR Knowledge Center!  View the Honest HR Q&A: https://www.shrm.org/topics-tools/tools/hr-answers/ask-an-advisor-navigating-political-affiliation-and-activity 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 November 1, 2026.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Many employees juggle significant responsibilities beyond their professional roles. Those in the “sandwich generation” are balancing careers alongside caring for children and supporting aging parents, managing a complex and demanding load. Marvell Adams Jr., CEO of the Caregiver Action Network, speaks with host Marjorie Morrison to discuss the emotional and financial strains often faced by this growing segment of the workforce, how their competing responsibilities can affect productivity, and the steps HR can take to recognize and support employees who may be struggling to “do it all.” 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 December 1, 2026.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

When outdated leadership ideas linger, they don’t just slow progress — they shape how people think, act, and connect at work. Alex Haslam, co-author of “Zombie Leadership: Dead Ideas That Still Walk Among Us,” joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to uncover why these poor leadership practices keep coming back and what it takes to break the cycle. Together, they unpack the myths, behaviors, and cultural patterns that haunt organizations. As an extra trick-or-treat for this episode, Belyna joins some of her SHRM colleagues for “HR Horror Stories": real jaw-dropping moments submitted by our subscribers to make you laugh, cringe, and maybe even update your HR policies.  Got an HR Horror Story? Tell Us!  https://shrm.formstack.com/forms/hrd_2025_10_03_hr_horror_stories 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 November 1, 2026.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

As entry-level roles shrink, internships are filling the gap and reshaping how businesses grow talent. Ranked number one on Yello’s Top 100 Internship Programs of 2025, engineering consulting firm Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc., demonstrates how a well-designed program can fuel long-term success for both interns and employers. Lane Greene, Kimley-Horn’s college recruiting leader, joins host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to share how HR leaders can make internships more inclusive, valuable, and sustainable for the future workforce.  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 November 1, 2026.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

The silent threat in today’s workplaces isn’t people “quiet quitting,” or doing the bare minimum in their job. It’s employees who stay but are stuck, burned out, and silently disengaging — a newer phenomenon known as “quiet cracking.” Jared Pope, a benefits and employment law attorney and the CEO of Work Shield, joins Marjorie Morrison to discuss the early warning signs HR and people managers often miss and why quiet cracking is harder to spot than traditional burnout. From tackling toxic culture to emphasizing wellness programs, discover practical HR strategies you can use to address disengagement at your organization before it becomes a crisis.  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 November 1, 2026.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Stay interviews go beyond job satisfaction surveys — they uncover why employees stick around, what frustrates them, and what might send them looking elsewhere. Carlyne Ervin, SHRM-CP and VP of HR at Chrysalis, a nonprofit removing barriers to work, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, to share how HR can make these proactive conversations meaningful to minimize the high expense of turnover. She also explains how to spot hidden red flags and turn insights into actions that keep your top talent engaged and committed before it’s too late — and you’re saying goodbye at the exit interview.  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 October 1, 2026.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

We’ve all heard it: coworkers sharing a little too much or swapping gossip while at the office. These behaviors can create tension, blur boundaries, and impact team dynamics. HR consultant Heidi Hartman, SHRM-SCP, sits down with Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, to discuss practical strategies for guiding conversations, maintaining boundaries, and cultivating a respectful, authentic workplace.    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 October 1, 2026.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Over 70 million Americans have incarceration records that make finding work after serving time extremely difficult. In today’s tight labor market, overlooking this vital talent pool could be a costly mistake.   Judge Songhai Armstead (Ret.) — now director of the Los Angeles County Justice, Care, and Opportunities Department — explains how HR teams can embrace second-chance hiring for these individuals. Learn how to recognize the skills justice-involved candidates bring, navigate fair and comprehensive background checks, and reimagine recruitment and retention practices to match these often-neglected workers to the right roles at your organization.

Amid today’s talent shortages, older workers remain one of the most overlooked sources of skill and experience. Isaac Agbeshie-Noye, Ed.D., of the SHRM Foundation joins Nicole Belyna to share how HR teams can overcome biases, engage older talent, and reimagine recruitment, retention, and development strategies for a rapidly growing segment of the workforce.   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 October 1, 2026.   Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

Curiosity might be the spark your workplace is missing — the key to unlocking innovation, engagement, and even retention. Diane Hamilton, Ph.D., behavioral expert and creator of the Curiosity Code Index, joins host Monique Akanbi to dig into what blocks curiosity at work, how HR can turn it into a culture-shaping advantage, and why curiosity might just be the competency of the future. Expect fresh insights on how to fuel curiosity on your team and keep it alive, even when dealing with fear, assumptions, or burnout.   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 Sept. 1, 2026.   Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r