Whether you are currently working in human resources or are an HR student looking to expand your knowledge base, podcasts can be a great tool to use. Many HR podcasts are hosted by industry leaders or bring them in as guests. Podcasts are free and can provide invaluable insight into things you really need to know to succeed in the human resources field. You can listen to them as you drive, walk across campus, do your chores, or prepare to go to bed at night. Any time you have a few minutes free, a podcast gives you the chance to learn just a little bit more about the HR world.
These HR podcasts tackle the challenging issues that HR students and professionals face, offering insight into what you can do in these tricky situations. They may talk about recruitment and talent management, or they may interview HR leaders and business professionals to get insights into what is happening in the real world of human resources. If you are looking to add some HR podcasts to your listening library, these 10 should be at the top of your list.
1. HR Happy Hour
HR Happy Hour‘s Steve Boese and Trish McFarlane have been speaking to the human resources world since 2009. It has a series of different shows including HR, leadership, technology, and management, and holds the distinction of being the longest continuously running Internet podcast dedicated to HCM and HR. It is full of not only current information for HR professionals, but also a rich library of past episodes you can listen to. Of the various programs within the HR Happy Hour, At Work in America is the one that has the most HR-specific content. With so many dedicated listeners and such a long history, this podcast deserves a spot at the top of any HR list.
2. How I Built This
If you’ve ever wondered how major companies got their start, you will find the answers on How I Built This with Guy Raz. Each episode explores the stories behind some of the top companies in the world and the entrepreneurs who started them. What does this have to do with HR? Understanding what gets a business off the ground can help HR professionals do what they can to keep it going in the future and seeing inside the minds of innovators and idealists will inspire new HR leaders to help their own companies find similar drive and success.
3. The Future of Work Podcast
The Future of Work Podcast offers a weekly podcast starring host Jacob Morgan. In each episode, Morgan talks to senior executives and business leaders with a focus on the future of work and where the workforce is likely heading in the coming months and years. Episodes are approximately one hour, and each one has its own topic and special guest speaker. The length and the variety of speakers both make this a valuable podcast to add to your listening schedule. Though this isn’t specifically an HR podcast, its focus on the business and work world makes it particularly valuable to human resources professionals, which is why it is on this best HR podcast list.
4. The HR Uprising Podcast
Host Lucinda Carney of The HR Uprising Podcast is a psychologist and coach. She is also an HR change agent, bringing in-depth knowledge about the HR industry to every episode. Episodes vary between interviews with experts in the HR field and specialty topics she discusses on her own. The episodes are between 25 and 45 minutes in length, and new episodes get released each Monday. They often cover hot topics like company culture changes and mental health concerns within the HR world. HR professionals will finish these episodes inspired with new knowledge and the desire to think more critically in the future. Because of the psychological aspect of this podcast, it can really help human resources workers understand the people they are trying to lead and manage.
5. DriveThruHR | HR Conversations
DriveThruHR | HR Conversations is a short 30-minute podcast that has interesting topics but in an easy format that HR leaders can easily take in during their lunch hour. Some of the topics covered include company culture, talent management, recruiting, and HR technology. With over 1,500 episodes in the library, DriveThruHR | HR Conversations has plenty of past knowledge that listeners can tap into, and it has been running continuously since 2010. The name ‘DriveThruHR’ comes from the simple language and format of the podcast which makes it a convenient way to learn without delving too deeply into heavy topics.
6. HR Coffee Time
Career coach Fay Wallis takes on the world of HR in HR Coffee Time. This podcast taps into her experience as an HR professional in the past and her current experience coaching HR professionals. She posts new episodes weekly that vary in length. Some are solo episodes, while others bring in guests from the HR world that listeners can relate to. Because Wallis is a career coach, these podcasts are particularly inspiring in nature, and listeners will finish episodes ready to tackle the problems they face at work.
7. Honest HR
The world of HR can be messy, and Honest HR is not afraid to get into the nitty-gritty. Co-hosts Gloria Sinclair Miller, Amber Clayton, and Wendy Fong are honest and forthright about what it takes to work in HR. These podcast episodes are about an hour long and focus on forward-thinking conversations and vital topics that will improve the workplace, in the HR office and beyond. Some episodes of the podcast can count for SHRM-CP-SCP re-certification units, which makes it an important one to add to this list of must-listen podcasts. Not only does it provide practical advice, but it also may help with your certification goals.
8. HR Party of One
If you are looking for practical “how-to” style information about the world of HR, then HR Party of One is an excellent podcast to add to your listening library. In it, Sarah Hecht focuses on the issues that HR professionals and other business leaders face. She hosts conversations about these issues with a specific focus on small businesses and startups. She posts her podcast weekly and covers all types of topics, including on-boarding and off-boarding, people management, tech, and company culture. The episodes are short and recorded on video for those that prefer a visual format.
9. HR unConfidential
Gina Flaig and Turiya Gray were once colleagues in the HR world. Today, these two friends host the HR unConfidential Podcast. Through it, they share some of the crazy things they experienced in the HR world. The podcast is humorous, but it also helps enhance the work experience of those still in the field or studying to be in the field, because it shows just how crazy it can be out there. The episodes are a behind-the-scenes look at the world of HR. They vary in length but are typically around an hour long. HR professionals will find them very entertaining, while at the same time educational.
10. All About HR
All About HR is the podcast of Neelie Verlinden. She brings in HR experts and thought leaders to have real conversations about HR and what is happening within the business world. It streams on most popular platforms, and it has episodes around 30 minutes in length. They also have YouTube recordings for those who prefer a video format. This podcast comes from the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR), which offers online training for HR professionals. However, the podcast is free and provides a wealth of information, earning it a spot on this list.
Start Your HR Training with the Right Program
Podcasts are a great way to supplement your training in human resources, but they are no substitute for the right college education program. Johnson & Wales University has a robust program in human resource management at both the bachelor’s level and master’s level. Whether you are just starting out in your career or are looking to add additional training to your existing skill set, these programs can help get you there. Then, make a listening library of these podcasts to keep you informed about what is going on in the HR industry so you will be well-prepared for your future profession.
If you’re interested in a career in human resources, earn your Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Human Resource Management or your MBA in Human Resource Management online from Johnson & Wales University. For more information about completing your degree online or on-campus, complete the Request Info form, call 855-JWU-1881, or email [email protected].