Honest HR

When outdated leadership ideas linger, they don’t just slow progress — they shape how people think, act, and connect at work.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 

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.  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 

Jared Pope, a benefits and employment law attorney and CEO of WorkShield, discusses the concept of 'quiet cracking'—a silent struggle where employees feel stuck and burned out without outward exhaustion. He details how economic pressures and hybrid work contribute to this issue and emphasizes the importance of spotting subtle signs of disengagement. Jared advocates for open communication, mental health support, and creating a culture of transparency to prevent such crises in the workplace.

Carlyne Ervin, VP of HR at Chrysalis and SHRM-CP, dives into the crucial topic of stay interviews, shedding light on their role in employee retention. She explains how these proactive conversations can reveal hidden frustrations and red flags before they result in turnover. Carlyne shares best practices for conducting effective interviews, emphasizes building trust, and discusses turning insights into actionable strategies. Listeners learn how to address tough issues, spot warning signs, and retain top talent with practical advice and real-world examples.

Heidi Hartman, an executive coach with over 20 years of experience, joins to dissect the pitfalls of workplace gossip and oversharing. She emphasizes the fine line between authenticity and oversharing, especially in remote work settings. Hartman shares how oversharing can erode trust among teams yet also highlights the benefits of vulnerability in leadership. She advises on preventing biases in performance decisions and stresses the importance of proper boundaries, especially in digital communications like Slack.

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

Burnout is brewing, layoffs are looming, and AI is changing the game! SHRM’s Chief Human Resources Officer Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, sits down with host Nicole Belyna, SHRM-SCP, from his HR team for a candid conversation about the challenges and opportunities shaping today’s workplaces. From reductions in force to managing worker well-being to reimagining HR’s role in business risk, learn how HR can lead with agility, safeguard employees, and prepare for the future of work. 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