
HR Unplugged
HR Unplugged is a show for HR and business leaders unafraid to ask the tough questions needed to tackle the competing challenges posed by today’s complex global economy. Each highly interactive episode will feature unfiltered conversations with HR professionals answering the most pressing questions in people leadership — including many sent in by listeners like you. Whether you’re seeking to re-engage your workers, navigate social justice issues, or simply learn the secrets to competitive pay — if you care about your people, you’ll find a home in our community.
Latest episodes

Feb 18, 2025 • 49min
How AI Can Help HR Work Faster, Smarter, and Better
AI has been one of the biggest talking points in HR for the past five years and it has already transformed the way HR operates. Whether you are already using it in your processes or are keen to experiment, this episode offers plenty of actionable tips on the best practices and use cases for AI.Joining the episode are Ben Eubanks, Chief Research Officer at Lighthouse Research and Advisory and BambooHR’s Head of AI, Alan Whitaker, to share their experiences and advice for using AI the right way.Ethical considerations around bias are a conundrum for HR pros, but did you know that AI could actually help you stamp out those biases in the recruitment process? Alan and Ben share their tips on how you can use what you know about bias and train AIs to help rather than hinder the process. We hear how to best use AI across different levels of HR, including recruitment, retention, employee satisfaction, and learning and development.Key moments: Ben explains what’s new in his recent book edition of Artificial Intelligence for HRThe problems with recruiters and candidates using AIThe upside of using AI in recruitmentHow AI can help to improve employee retentionUse cases for AI in HRHow AI can help in L&DTips for ensuring you use AI ethically Key links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community:https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Ben on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beneubanks/Connect with Alan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/digiduke/

Feb 4, 2025 • 49min
The Top Concerns for HR in the New Year
In between ongoing technological developments, new expectations from leaders, and lurking challenges, 2025 is promising to be a big year for HR teams. But how will the average HR leadership role change in the year ahead?For this episode, we grab the crystal ball and share our top predictions on how roles like Chief People Officer and more are changing as expectations broaden and tech makes new things possible. Vanessa Brulotte speaks with Brandon Welch, Head of Talent Acquisition at BambooHR, and Brad Warga, Partner at Heidrick & Struggles, to hear their takes on the top challenges facing HR professionals this year.We look at what CEOs want from CPOs today, the current state of AI implementation in HR, how HR teams can plan out a training roadmap for leaders, and much more. Key moments:Why shortage of HR talent remains a top challenge How the average role of Chief People Officer has changed Why a good balance of hard and soft skills are needed more than ever The current state of AI implementation in HRHow HR teams of one can get ahead in 2025The biggest challenge facing HR leaders today Attributes that companies need from HR professionalsAdvice for HR professionals in 2025Why training remains the biggest asset to a team like HRWhy employee wellness initiatives are still a major focus for companies in 2025Key links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community:https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/

Jan 21, 2025 • 44min
Hiring and Retention—The Most Popular Topics from 2024
Discover the hottest HR topics of 2024, from overcoming hiring challenges to the critical role of onboarding. Learn how the 'cake' framework can enhance HR strategy and attract bilingual candidates effectively. Explore why recruiters shouldn't feel subordinate to hiring managers and the importance of setting clear milestones for new hires. Dive into the intricacies of performance management and the need for structured feedback to ensure employee success. It's all about aligning hiring practices with organizational goals for a thriving workplace!

Jan 14, 2025 • 52min
Speed Up Your Hiring Process and Find High Quality Talent
In this discussion with Tim Sackett, President of HRU Technical Resources and bestselling HR author, listeners explore the intricacies of the hiring process. Tim highlights the importance of well-crafted job descriptions and the use of job samples to assess candidate quality. He emphasizes that hiring should not be viewed as a cost center but as a critical business function. The conversation also touches on how generative AI impacts talent acquisition and the emotional dynamics involved in hiring decisions. Tim shares memorable HR experiences to illustrate these points.

16 snips
Jan 7, 2025 • 45min
Compensation Trends for 2025: New Data Readout and HR Advice
Compensation drives employee engagement and retention, but recent trends reveal growing dissatisfaction linked to economic challenges. The discussion highlights the generational divide in salary negotiations, with Gen Z embracing transparency for better pay. Strategies for effective compensation communication and the importance of aligning leadership perceptions with employee realities are explored. The episode also dives into best practices for implementing surveys and strategic salary increases to cultivate a more satisfied and motivated workforce.

Jan 2, 2025 • 56min
Best Practices for Implementing 360 Feedback at Your Business
Done right, 360 feedback is a great way of promoting growth in an organization, providing a more well-rounded view of individual and team performance, and strengthening collaboration. Done wrong, it can contribute to a culture of fear, lead to resentment, and be too focused on weakness rather than strength.In this episode, we sit down with Jordan Burton, Co-Founder of Talgo.io, to explore the ins and outs of 360 feedback. We discuss the challenges, the risks, and how to put in place a review system that leaves all parties satisfied. Jordan also offers some examples from his own professional life, suggests the times when a business is ready to implement a 360, and talks about why this process shouldn’t be remedial – that is to say, with the aim of ‘fixing’ somebody. Key moments: The ‘three levels’ of 360 feedback The importance of trust in the process Why 360 feedback risks being overly evaluative How to prepare employees The value of including a third-party Why the ‘no attribution’ aspect of 360 feedback is so essential How employees can provide feedback on the feedback they have received Key links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Jordan on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanwburton/

Dec 26, 2024 • 57min
How to Compete for Employee Attention in a Dopamine Addicted Society
Scott Byrd, Co-founder of Pathways Global, is an expert in executive coaching and brain chemistry. He dives deep into how dopamine drives employee motivation and performance, especially in today’s overstimulating world. Scott shares insights on the impact of blue light and ADHD on mental engagement. He emphasizes the importance of empathetic communication by being 'up, light, and direct.' Strategies for enhancing dopamine levels and self-care among leaders are also discussed, offering a roadmap for improving workplace interactions and productivity.

12 snips
Dec 17, 2024 • 1h 1min
Company Culture Red Flags and What You Can Do to Fix Them
In this engaging discussion, Julie Turney, Founder and Chief Impact Architect at HR@Heart Consulting, shares her insights on navigating workplace challenges. She highlights the importance of recognizing red flags in company culture, from overbearing CEOs to unrealistic demands. The conversation also delves into the impact of personal life on employee happiness and the risks of compassion fatigue. Julie emphasizes setting boundaries and the need for HR to engage with organizational strategy while fostering a supportive work environment.

Dec 10, 2024 • 53min
How HR Can Build Opportunities for Peer-to-Peer Support
Derek Lundsten, President and Chief Culture Officer at LifeGuides, discusses innovative approaches to employee well-being. He emphasizes the need for holistic support that addresses diverse life challenges like caregiving and illness. Lundsten highlights how peer-to-peer connections foster resilience and the importance of empathy in mental health resources. He also critiques traditional benefits approaches, advocating for a better alignment between employee needs and organizational support systems. Insightful strategies for enhancing work-life balance and personal empowerment take center stage.

Nov 26, 2024 • 57min
Bad Bosses Problem? How to Help Employees and the Organization Deal with Poor Managers
What’s your worst bad boss story? It seems like everyone’s got one. We expect leaders to provide guidance and make sound decisions, but that’s not always the case, and it can put employees and HR in a tricky position.In this episode (our first live show!), we sit down with Amy Butler, VP of People Operations at Awardco, and Jared Olsen, VP of People Experience at JobNimbus for a candid discussion about the challenges of poor leadership.We kick the conversation off by swapping our worst bad boss stories, including a shocking tale of fraud and an unexpected firing during maternity leave. But more importantly, Amy and Jared share the best lessons learned from bad past experiences and how they feed into their approach to people management today.We cover the importance of good coaching, transparent communication, setting expectations, and much more in this episode. It’s a must-listen for anyone looking to improve leadership at their organization!Key moments: Our worst bad boss stories and lessons learnedHow a poor onboarding experience inspired Jared’s thorough approach to onboarding todayStrategies to help employees dealing with poor managementWhy you should build a coaching cultureWhy Amy uses AMAs alongside engagement surveysHow poor people leaders can repair relationships with employeesWhy transparency and difficult conversations are importantHow responsible is HR for dealing with poor management?Key links:Subscribe to HR Unplugged Series: https://www.bamboohr.com/resources/podcasts/hr-unplugged/Join HR Heroes Slack Community: https://join.slack.com/t/hrheroesworkspace/shared_invite/zt-21ad3f1r8-dkWC2EdmyhxUAHw9cGLdQwBamboo HR Homepage: https://www.bamboohr.com/Connect with Amy on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-poll-butler-b13b5291/Connect with Jared on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaredolsen/