
Honest HR
Honest HR is the go-to podcast for aspiring and informed HR professionals intent on transforming workplace challenges into golden opportunities. Hosted by Nicole Belyna, Monique Akanbi, and Wendy Fong, this podcast brings you insights, trends, and actionable advice through relatable stories from the REAL world of HR.
Latest episodes

Jul 16, 2021 • 36min
Ronda Wakefield on How HR Can Serve Those Who Served
Despite their strong technical backgrounds and experience working in specialized teams, veterans still have a hard time securing employment when they enter the civilian workforce.In this episode of Honest HR, host Gloria Sinclair Miller speaks with Ronda Wakefield, a human resources consultant and talent acquisition specialist, on how HR and talent acquisition professionals can become more inclusive in their hiring, engaging and retaining veterans. Earn 0.50 SHRM PDCs for Listening to This EpisodeEpisodes of Honest HR help you build your competencies while also earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the episode.

Jun 28, 2021 • 46min
The First 100 Days’ Big Issues Roundup (Pt. 2 of 2)
In this episode of Honest HR¸ co-hosts Wendy Fong, Amber Clayton and Gloria Sinclair Miller continue their discussion of workplace-related issues the Biden administration has acted on in the first half of 2021, alongside discussion of other pertinent workplace topics, such as the PRO Act and approaches for finding untapped talent.Earn 0.75 SHRM PDCs for Listening to This EpisodeEpisodes of Honest HR help you build your competencies while also earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the episode.

May 10, 2021 • 29min
Season 4 Premiere and The First 100 Days’ Big Issues Roundup (Pt. 1 of 2)
In this premiere to Season 4 of Honest HR, hosts Gloria Sinclair Miller, Amber Clayton and Wendy Fong share stories on unexpected impacts of COVID-19, and Amber leads a discussion on the first 100 days of the new presidential administration and what it all means for businesses and employees. Earn 0.50 SHRM PDCs for Listening to This EpisodeEpisodes of Honest HR help you build your competencies while also earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the episode.

Apr 15, 2021 • 44min
Marjorie Morrison on Supporting Employees' Mental Health During the Pandemic
This episode is Part 2 of a 2 part Mini-Series on Communication and Consultation.Reported symptoms of depression and anxiety tripled and quadrupled since the start of the pandemic, and nearly 75 percent of workers say they’re experiencing burnout as they try to successfully manage the blurry divide between remote work and personal life. In this episode of Honest HR, host Gloria Sinclair Miller is joined by Marjorie Morrison, the CEO and co-founder of Pysch Hub, the largest online platform for mental health that provides impactful and engaging videos and courses on mental health, substance abuse and suicide prevention. Gloria and Marjorie discuss key indicators for HR professionals and people managers to know for recognizing employees’ mental health struggles, as well as Mental Health and Wellness in the Workplace, the joint initiative from Psych Hub and The SHRM Foundation to engage HR professionals in education and training opportunities to lead mental health and wellness change in the workplace.Listen to Psych Hub's podcast: The Future of Mental HealthEARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENINGEpisodes of Honest HR help you build your competencies while also earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification! All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during podcast episodes.

Apr 5, 2021 • 36min
Heather Myers on Communicating in a New Era of Work
This episode is Part 1 of a two (2) part Mini-Series on Communication and Consultation.Whether it’s a big announcement from your CEO or a quick email you send to a coworker, all communication at work plays a role in shaping both your organization’s effectiveness, and its future. In this episode of Honest HR, host Gloria Sinclair Miller speaks with Dr. Heather Myers, chief psychology officer at Traitify, a personality data company that uses assessments to help organizations optimize their talent experience. They discuss communication strategies and channels organizations can adopt to help them effectively navigate periods of turbulence and business uncertainly.EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENINGEpisodes of Honest HR help you build your competencies while also earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during podcast episodes.Music courtesy of bensound.This episode of Honest HR is sponsored by PNC.

Apr 1, 2021 • 1h 18min
Creating Positive Change In Your Workplace with Trisha Zulic, SHRM-SCP
In this episode of Honest HR, host Wendy Fong leads a wide-ranging conversation with HR consultant and SHRM instructor Trisha Zulic, SHRM-SCP, on how to develop into a more effective and empathetic HR professional. Trisha provides her insights on topics including how to identify professional mentors, the value of volunteering and professional development and how HR professionals are poised to change workplaces into more diverse, equitable and inclusive spaces.EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENINGEpisodes of Honest HR help you build your competencies while also earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP or SHRM-SCP recertification. All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during podcast episodes.This episode of Honest HR is sponsored by PNC.

Mar 25, 2021 • 59min
Michelle Kim on Supporting Employees of Color and LGBTQIA+ During the Pandemic
Employees identifying as POC and LGBTQIA+ have disproportionately experienced negative outcomes resulting from the pandemic, including higher rates of infection, greater loss of employment and AAPI discrimination. In this episode of SHRM’s Honest HR podcast, host Wendy Fong speaks with Michelle Kim, entrepreneur, writer, DE&I thought leader and CEO of Awaken, to provide insights and action steps on how to proactively and effectively support the POC and LGBTQIA+ employees at your organization.EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENINGHonest HR podcast episodes will help you build your competencies while earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP recertification! All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the podcast episode.Additional topic resources:How U.S. Companies Can Support Employees of Color Through the Pandemic - Harvard Business ReviewLearn more about SHRM's Together Forward @Work initiative

Mar 19, 2021 • 30min
Todd Holzman’s Push to Rethink Leadership Development
Leadership is never just about “staying the course”. Rather, effective leadership involves actively monitoring the efficacy and impact of your decisions for the organization. Todd Holzman is an organizational leadership consultant who works with CEOs, business leaders and HR executives to simultaneously upgrade their organization's leadership capabilities and solve their toughest business challenges. In this episode of SHRM’s Honest HR podcast, host Gloria Sinclair Miller speaks with Todd on a new approach to leadership development emphasizing real-world problem solving and personal behavioral change.This episode is Part 3 of a three (3) part Mini-Series on Leadership and Navigation.EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENINGHonest HR podcast episodes will help you build your competencies while earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP recertification! All you have to do is listen to a full Mini-Series to earn PDCs! All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the podcast recording itself.

Mar 16, 2021 • 32min
Denise Montoya on Developing the Leaders of Tomorrow
Exceptional leaders don’t focus exclusively on the here and now, they commit to the long game of helping others grow and emerge as the next generation of leaders. Dr. Denise Montoya serves as associate vice president for finance administration and government relations, as well as adjunct faculty at New Mexico Highlands University. In this episode of SHRM’s Honest HR podcast, host Gloria Sinclair Miller speaks with Dr. Denise Montoya on her 32 year career as an HR leader and her advice for those doing the work to help develop the leaders of tomorrow.This episode is Part 2 of a three (3) part Mini-Series on Leadership and Navigation.EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENINGHonest HR podcast episodes will help you build your competencies while earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP recertification! All you have to do is listen to a full Mini-Series to earn PDCs! All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the podcast recording itself.

Feb 24, 2021 • 33min
Susan Gygax on Influencing Without the Title
You don’t need to be a C-suite executive to make an impact at your organization: In this episode of SHRM’s Honest HR podcast, host Amber Clayton and talent acquisition maven Susan Gygax consider what it means to have influence as an HR professional. They also identify approaches and effective habits to help you expand your influence and consistently make meaningful contributions at your workplace. Susan is the founder of Spectacle Talent Partners, a talent acquisition firm that specializes in helping startups and high growth companies face their recruiting challenges head-on. Learn more at spectacletalentpartners.com.This episode is Part 1 of a three (3) part Mini-Series on Leadership and Navigation.EARN SHRM RECERTIFICATION PDCs FOR LISTENINGHonest HR podcast episodes will help you build your competencies while earning professional development credits (PDCs) toward your SHRM-CP/SHRM-SCP recertification! All you have to do is listen to a full Mini-Series to earn PDCs! All relevant details, including the Activity IDs, are provided during the podcast recording itself.