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Do you love podcasts and want to stay ahead in your human‑resources career? If you are working front and back in hiring, engagement and culture, you might feel like there’s no time to read long reports. Podcasts give you a hands‑free way to learn while driving, running or cooking.
When we searched for podcasts for HR professionals, the top articles agreed on two things: podcasts make learning easy, and they connect you to a supportive HR community. HR roles cover so many responsibilities, audio content helps you fit fresh insights into your day.
Based on those themes, we selected 10 shows that blend expert voices, short run times and real stories about people and culture. Each section below ends with a bridge to the next pick, so you can follow a smooth path from one topic to the next.
What Makes a Great HR Podcast?
Before diving into the list, it helps to know what sets great shows apart. The best podcasts for people leaders share a few traits:
- Practical learning: They focus on real workplace challenges and offer clear steps you can apply right away.
- Short episodes: Most run between twenty and forty‑five minutes, so you can listen during a commute or lunch break.
- Expert voices: Hosts invite seasoned practitioners and researchers to share tips and stories.
- People focus: They remind us that HR is about people first, with topics like engagement, recognition, wellness and equity.
Now, grab your headphones and join us on a tour of ten shows that will make you smarter, kinder and more confident as a people leader.
1. People Managing People Podcast – Short, Actionable Advice
This show is built for managers and culture builders who want quick wins. Host David Rice talks to leaders about hiring, retention and team dynamics. Episodes are around thirty minutes and pack a lot of wisdom into a short time. Guests share stories about recruiting the right people, keeping them engaged and using technology without losing the human touch.
Listen on:
About the host:
David Rice, an HR leader and community builder, invites innovators and executives to share insights that help leaders thrive in the AI era.
What you’ll learn:
Quick wins for recruiting, retaining and engaging people, plus how to balance technology with human touch.
Why you should listen:
Episodes are short and practical; you’ll gain actions you can use immediately and hear real stories from experts.
If you want to dive deeper into recognition and well‑being, our next pick explores how to celebrate people and create positive cultures.
2. Vantage HR Influencers – Celebrating People and Culture
Vantage HR Influencers brings together thought leaders to discuss engagement, wellness and benefits programs. Hosts share techniques for recognition and explain how to design wellness strategies that boost morale. Guests talk about building people‑first workplaces and aligning values with daily actions.
Listen on:
About the host:
Members of Vantage Circle’s team—including Shabana Shahnaz and Sanjeevani Saikia—interview HR influencers and guests, with some series hosted by award‑winning HR leader Matt Burns.
What you’ll learn:
How to create recognition programs, boost morale with wellness initiatives and ensure that company values show up in daily actions.
Why you should listen:
To get ideas for celebrating people and designing wellness initiatives that energise your team.
If you are looking for a quick, lively chat with a dash of humor? Our next podcast has been serving bite‑sized HR wisdom for more than a decade.
3. Drive Thru HR – Fast Food for HR Minds
Since 2010, Drive Thru HR has offered quick, thirty‑minute conversations on a wide range of topics. Hosts Mike Van Dervort and Robin Schooling tackle recruiting, compliance and talent management with a light and friendly tone. There are more than 1 ,600 episodes to choose from, so you’ll always find something that fits your interests.
Listen on:
About the host:
Mike Van Dervort and Robin Schooling mix humor with serious talk about recruiting, compliance and talent management.
What you’ll learn:
Insights into HR law, technology, strategy and inclusive leadership across a huge archive of topics.
Why you should listen:
Episodes are short and lively, making complex subjects easy to digest; with over 1 ,600 conversations, you can find advice for any HR challenge.
Ready for thoughtful discussions about fairness and policy? The next podcast gives voice to a global community of HR professionals tackling tough issues.
4. CIPD Podcast – The Voice of a Global Community
Produced by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, this podcast brings together practitioners and academics from around the world. Episodes explore topics such as harassment policies, non‑disclosure agreements and the impact of legislation. The focus is on creating fair processes and supporting good work across sectors.
Listen on:
About the host:
Produced by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, with episodes often hosted by CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza and other experts.
What you’ll learn:
Insights on harassment policies, NDAs, employment legislation and fairness, with diverse voices sharing research and practice.
Why you should listen:
To connect with a global community of HR professionals and learn how to create ethical, fair processes that support good work.
If you’re fascinated by data and analytics, our next recommendation will show you how numbers and stories combine to improve people management.
5. Digital HR Leaders – Turning Data into Insight
For fans of data‑driven HR, host David Green sits down with senior leaders to discuss how analytics and technology are shaping the future of work. Episodes often run about forty‑five minutes and tackle topics like hybrid teams, employee experience during rapid growth and workforce planning. Case studies from companies such as MetLife and Spotify bring theory to life.
Listen on:
About the host:
David Green is a leading voice in data‑driven HR and analytics.
What you’ll learn:
How to use data and technology in HR; case studies on hybrid teams, workforce planning and digital transformation.
Why you should listen:
To build your analytics mindset and hear from senior leaders about the future of work.
6. HR Break Room – Coffee Chats with Experts
Imagine catching up with colleagues over a cup of coffee. That’s the feel of HR Break Room, a show from Paycom where hosts Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice talk with experts about time‑off policies, automation and wellness. The goal is to show how technology can empower HR teams and improve the employee experience.
Listen on:
About the host:
Paycom team members like Caleb Masters and Chelsea Justice sit down with industry experts to discuss HR policies and technology.
What you’ll learn:
How to manage time‑off, automation, wellness, inclusion and empowering women at work.
Why you should listen:
The show’s friendly tone makes complex topics easy to understand, and short episodes give quick, actionable ideas.
7. HR Confessions – Honest Stories and Lessons
Hosts Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer take a candid look at modern HR. They share stories about AI in hiring, social‑media missteps and toxic cultures to remind us that HR is full of human moments. You’ll also learn about the concept of “HR debt,” meaning the overload of perks and tools that don’t improve culture.
Listen on:
About the host:
Rebecca Taylor and Kim Rohrer candidly share their experiences and invite guests to reveal the funny, messy and inspiring sides of HR.
What you’ll learn:
About AI in hiring, social‑media missteps, toxic cultures and the idea of HR debt—the overload of perks and tools that don’t improve culture.
Why you should listen:
To hear authentic stories that show HR is human, learn from mistakes and successes, and get a dose of humor.
8. Getting Personal – The Heart of the Workplace
This show explores the human side of work. Host Lauren Schneider talks with guests about handling grief, designing meaningful benefits and creating inclusive hiring practices. Episodes are around twenty minutes, making them easy to fit into a busy day.
Listen on:
About the host:
Lauren Schneider, Head of Brand and Communications at Compt, hosts conversations with trailblazers who champion people‑first culture.
What you’ll learn:
How to support employees through life’s highs and lows, design benefits that truly matter and create inclusive hiring practices.
Why you should listen:
Episodes are short and focus on empathy, making them ideal for busy leaders seeking to build a caring workplace.
9. People Strategy Leaders – Stories from the Top
Hosted by Srikant Chellappa, president of Engagedly, this podcast features CEOs, Chief People Officers and other change‑makers. Guests share how they build cultures, solve problems and drive change across industries. Topics include employee experience, talent mobility and inclusive leadership.
Listen on:
About the host:
Srikant Chellappa interviews CEOs, Chief People Officers and other change‑makers to uncover how they build cultures and solve problems.
What you’ll learn:
How leaders build cultures, solve problems and drive change; topics like employee experience, talent mobility and inclusive leadership.
Why you should listen:
To gain insight from leaders shaping the future of work and apply their strategies to your own team.
10. All About HR – Everything You Need in One Place
Produced by the Academy to Innovate HR (AIHR), All About HR covers every corner of the people profession. Knowledgeable hosts invite CHROs and thought leaders to discuss trends, case studies and tools. Whether you’re new to HR or a seasoned leader, there’s a topic here for you.
Listen on:
About the host:
Produced by the Academy to Innovate HR, the show features interviews with CHROs, thought leaders and HR experts from around the world.
What you’ll learn:
How HR drives business outcomes through recruitment, analytics, case studies and trends.
Wrap‑Up and Your Next Step
These 10 shows prove that learning doesn’t have to be boring or time‑consuming. They offer stories and tips that help you hire smarter, improve engagement and build a culture of trust.
Listening is only the first step. To turn ideas into action, you need tools that help you recognise and empower your team. ThriveSparrow is a employee success platform designed to amplify performance and create a thriving workplace. It lets you connect with employees from anywhere, recognise achievements and gather insights into satisfaction and motivation.
Right from turning feedback into action and celebrating excellence every day, ThriveSparrow helps you build a culture where people feel valued and ready to do their best.
Pair the inspiration you’ll gain from these podcasts with ThriveSparrow, and you’ll be well on your way to creating a happier, more engaged workplace. Start listening and see how far your team can climb.
Start your 14-day free trial with ThriveSparrow!
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