Everyone loves a great podcast. And even though many of us no longer have hours of commute time dedicated to our favorites, we still make it a point to carve time out of our busy days to listen. For those of us in HR and people roles, podcasts can be an incredible professional resource, especially in today’s rapidly evolving world of work.
The list of great HR podcasts keeps growing every year, and there’s no way we can listen to them all. So, here are twelve of the best to check out as we launch into 2024:
1. DriveThruHR
Since 2010, DriveThruHR has carved out a reputation as the fast-paced, tongue-in-cheek lunchtime show for HR professionals. Show hosts Mike Van Dervort, Robin Schooling, Crystal Miller-Lay, and Dwayne Lay air this favorite across the HR world. The hosts and their motley crew of HR superstar guests spend half an hour every two weeks deliberating the hottest topics in the HR space, from the challenges of recruiting and talent management to company culture and the best (and worst) of HR tech. So, turn up the volume on your own wellbeing, and hit the play button on this show while you step out for some fresh air and some dedicated you time during your lunch break.
2. At Work in America
This weekly podcast is the HR industry’s longest-running show and holds the number-one spot for downloads. The show hosts, Steve Boese and Trish McFarlane are the Co-Chair of the HR Technology Conference and CEO of H3 HR Advisors, respectively. According to listeners, this hour-long show is “a must listen for HR teams, organizations and more!” with its in-depth coverage of management, workforce tech, leadership, and everything HR.
3. HR Party of One
Sarah Hecht, a celebrated HR leader at Bernard Health, hosts this popular HR YouTube series-turned-podcast. Invite your teammates to an HR party of two or more (see what we did there?) and dive into the nitty-gritty of regulations and compliance. Stay ahead of the game on the latest trends and developments in the HR world–from payroll to onboarding and offboarding to people management–HR Party of One is your go-to weekly show.
4. myHRfuture
Future-focused HR leaders, this one’s for you! In this weekly podcast and video series, David Green hosts a variety of today’s most progressive people leaders. He digs into the A-to-Zs of data-driven and digital HR strategy and implementation. From deploying ethical AI to striking a balance between tech- and human-centric workplaces, episodes explore how today’s HR leaders can best prepare for the future of work and use technology to drive effective transformation across their organizations.
5. #WorkTrends
Meghan M. Biro, an influential HR thought leader, hosts this fun and interactive podcast every Wednesday afternoon. In a unique twist on the traditional HR podcast format, listeners can jump right into the conversation on the live Twitter feed. An assortment of HR leaders, tech vendors, and thought leaders join Meghan and listeners to talk about the rapidly evolving modern workplace and “what inspires them.”
6. Josh Bersin Academy
Josh Bersin is one of the most well-respected thought leaders, educators, and analysts in the HR world. His podcast is a go-to resource for all things progressive HR. In this monthly, 15-minute show, his discussions set out to arm global HR professionals with the tools, resources, and know-how to meet today’s challenges, from DE&I and company culture to HR strategy and the latest and greatest of HR tech.
7. HR Sound Off
HR Sound Off, hosted by Julie Turney, an “HRforHR coach,” is an international HR podcast designed to help HR professionals connect and share their experiences–like “misconception[s] that people have about the HR profession that [drive them] crazy.” Every episode discusses current events and the hottest trends in the HR industry. You’ll learn how guests broke into the HR profession and about the resources they use to make their day-to-day work life easier (and hopefully, yours, too!).
8. Leading the Future of Work
In his weekly podcast show, Jacob Morgan (TED speaker and author) hosts conversations with the world’s top business leaders, CEOs, best-selling authors, and thinkers. Perfect for future-focused HR professionals, his podcast asks the tough questions about the future of work, how businesses can adapt and prepare, and applying leadership lessons to life. If you’re interested in the impact of AI on our careers, the importance of having a growth mindset, or how technology will influence the future of work, then this one’s for you!
9. WorkLife
WorkLife was one of Apple Podcasts’ most downloaded new shows back when it launched in 2018. Since then, it’s gone on to become one of the top HR podcasts out there. It’s little wonder why: The show’s tagline is “You spend a quarter of your life at work. You should enjoy it!” And the podcast’s host, organizational psychologist Adam Grant, definitely bases his show on this premise, taking listeners inside the minds of some of the world’s most unusual professionals to discover ways to make “work not suck.” From learning to love your rivals to harnessing the power of frustration, one thing’s for sure: You’ll never see your job the same way again.
10. We’re Only Human
In this modern world, HR professionals are armed with an enormous range of tools and technology, which means it’s easy to forget that we’re all only human. This podcast focuses on how people and technology can join forces in the workplace, allowing businesses to support the diverse needs of their people while continuing to grow quickly. Ben Eubanks started the podcast as a way to debunk the myth that HR professionals are a stodgy, uptight bunch of administrators. Instead, his show demonstrates that great HR leaders are actually dynamic, innovative business professionals whose people programs are some of the main drivers of organizational success in the modern world of work.
11. Lead from the Heart
This podcast, launched by best-selling author Mark C. Crowley, showcases world-class authors, innovators, CEOs, and other top thinkers, whose work supports Mark’s “heart-based leadership” philosophy. His thinking draws upon recent medical science that proves it’s the heart, not the mind, that drives human motivation and achievement. Don’t be fooled into thinking that his philosophy is a soft approach, though: Mark claims heart-based leadership represents the future of workplace management and offers a people-first way to boost productivity and profitability.
Recommended For Further Reading
12. HR Leaders
Despite what the name suggests, this show isn’t just for leaders. It’s for anyone interested in becoming a leader and gaining insights into the C-level world. Join host Chris Rainey as he explores the future of work with the world’s top Chief People Officers, Chief HR Officers, and HR executives as they share their experiences and insights. These top-level experts give their opinions and advice on topics such as people analytics, diversity, and L&D. What does the future of work look like? Why is it changing? What are leading organizations doing about it? Tune in to find out.
Keep on listening
HR leaders’ responsibilities changed tremendously over the last few years. As people professionals, it’s more important than ever to stay on top of your game.
There’s no better way than to join the discussions taking place around you: Listen to the year’s best HR podcasts. Talk to your colleagues and talk to your people. Make it a priority to participate in the best conversations in the HR space today.
