• 30 minutes 12 seconds
    Workplace Bullying Risk with Mary Cullen

    Workplace bullying isn’t rare — it’s a persistent, under-recognised business risk that quietly erodes culture, trust, and retention.

    In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham speaks with Mary Cullen, Founder and Managing Director at Insight HR and host of The HR Room, to unpack the findings from the Insight HR Irish Workplace Bullying Report 2026.

    Together, they explore what workplace bullying really means in practice — and why the legal definition often clashes with employee expectations. Mary shares patterns she sees time and again: complaints most frequently involve managers, the emotional toll affects both the accuser and accused, and unresolved issues often lead to exits, damaged trust, and long-term cultural harm.

    The conversation goes beyond definitions to tackle what organisations get wrong. Many companies have policies, but far fewer invest in meaningful training, conflict resolution skills, or investigation capability. Bill and Mary also challenge the idea of “zero tolerance,” particularly when high performers are protected despite poor behaviour.

    You’ll learn why complaints can spike during restructuring or performance management cycles, why malicious complaints are less common than assumed, and the single most effective step organisations can take to reduce risk quickly: train managers properly.

    In this episode:

    •  What the latest Irish data reveals about bullying complaints 
    •  The difference between bullying and poor management behaviour 
    •  Why legal thresholds create confusion in real workplaces 
    •  The impact on mental health, performance, and retention 
    •  Where most organisations fall short (even with policies in place) 
    •  Why “zero tolerance” often fails in practice 
    •  How to reduce risk quickly with limited budget 

    If you care about psychological safety, employee relations, and building a culture where people actually want to stay — this episode is essential listening.

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    12 May 2026, 8:00 am
  • 30 minutes 21 seconds
    Social Media Screening For Safer Hiring Decisions with Ben Mones

    A candidate can look perfect on paper and still become the person who damages your culture, erodes trust, or puts your employer brand at risk with a single post.

    In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham speaks with Ben Mones, founder and CEO of Fama, about how “people risk” has evolved in a world where work and behaviour increasingly play out online.

    With up to six generations now sharing the workforce and hybrid work pushing more interaction into platforms like LinkedIn, Reddit, and Discord — the line between “online” and “at work” is disappearing. HR leaders must now rethink how they identify, assess, and manage risk in a way that is ethical, compliant, and fair.

    Ben explains why regulators are starting to treat online behaviour as workplace conduct, how public posts can amplify organisational risk, and what HR teams can do to stay ahead — without turning hiring into surveillance.

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  Why people risk is increasingly visible in digital spaces 
    •  How online behaviour can impact culture, trust, and employer brand 
    •  The growing role of regulation in workplace conduct beyond the office 
    •  Why intent and patterns matter more than one-off mistakes 
    •  How to build a meaningful, modern code of conduct 
    •  Ethical AI in hiring: moving beyond black-box decision-making 
    •  The importance of consent, transparency, and public-only data 
    •  Why AI should support — not replace — human hiring decisions 
    •  A future-facing take: why employers may soon encourage candidates to use AI 

    Key Takeaway:
    The risks aren’t new — but where and how they show up has changed. HR leaders who adapt their approach to people risk in digital environments will be better positioned to protect culture, trust, and brand.

    About the Guest:
    Ben Mones is the Founder and CEO of Fama, an AI-powered platform that helps organisations identify job-relevant insights from candidates’ public online presence while flagging potential misconduct risks. His work focuses on ethical AI, workplace safety, and the future of hiring.

    Call to Action:
    If you care about ethical AI, safer hiring, and protecting workplace culture, follow HRchat, share this episode with a colleague, and leave a review to help others discover the show.

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    The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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    7 May 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 16 minutes 9 seconds
    Your Digital Twin Wants to Review You with Kevin Oakes

    AI is forcing a question many leaders would rather avoid: are we improving work — or quietly deleting it?

    In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham is joined by Kevin Oakes, CEO and co-founder of the Institute for Corporate Productivity and author of Culture Renovation, to cut through the hype and explore what’s actually changing inside organisations right now.

    Together, they compare the current AI moment to the early internet era — but with one critical difference: speed. Kevin explains why many organisations start with efficiency and ROI conversations before addressing workforce design, and why that sequence is starting to break down as AI reshapes roles, entry-level pathways, and management structures.

    The conversation also explores emerging use cases such as digital twins, the growing importance of skills readiness, and why HR is increasingly stepping into a central role in shaping AI strategy. With examples from companies like ServiceNow and IBM, Kevin outlines how leading organisations are approaching workforce redesign, internal mobility, and culture in a more intentional, data-driven way.

    What You’ll Learn:

    •  Why AI adoption is moving faster than the early internet — and catching companies off guard 
    •  How AI is reshaping jobs, entry-level roles, and organisational structures 
    •  Why organisations default to efficiency conversations before workforce design 
    •  The emerging role of digital twins in HR, coaching, and decision-making 
    •  Why HR is becoming the architect of the future of work 
    •  How leading companies approach skills readiness and workforce planning 
    •  The importance of mapping human vs AI tasks across roles 
    •  Why internal talent mobility is critical for reskilling at scale 
    •  How culture health and change readiness are becoming board-level priorities 

    Key Takeaway:
    AI isn’t just a technology shift — it’s a work design challenge. Organisations that rethink skills, structure, and culture together will be best positioned to adapt.

    About the Guest:
    Kevin Oakes is the CEO and co-founder of the Institute for Corporate Productivity, a research organisation focused on the practices of high-performance companies. He is also the author of Culture Renovation, a widely cited book on building and sustaining high-performance workplace cultures.

    Call to Action:
    Subscribe to HRchat, share this episode with an

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    1 May 2026, 10:00 am
  • 22 minutes 59 seconds
    Why Your Job Title Is Not Your Identity with Jennifer Outlaw

    “I think I’m resigning.” Jennifer Outlaw still remembers blurting those words out in a meeting, and the clarity that followed. That single moment opens a bigger conversation about career reinvention, values-based leadership, and what it really means to be successful when the job looks great on paper but feels wrong in your body.

    Pauline James is joined by Jennifer Outlaw, a values-rooted leadership strategist, licensed clinical social worker, and organizational change consultant with decades of nonprofit leadership experience. We talk about why she’s less interested in formal leadership titles now and more committed to being a builder and connector. Jennifer shares how getting honest about what she actually loves to do, like strategizing, teaching, and creating, has changed how she shows up at work. We also explore why play is not fluff, especially for leaders navigating fast change, burnout risk, and the pressure to keep producing.

    If you’re feeling stuck, depleted, or nervous about making a change, you’ll hear practical steps you can try today: start with quiet reflection, name your intention, test your strengths with trusted friends, find communities that align with your goals, and consider working with a coach to spark new options. Jennifer also offers a powerful reminder for HR leaders and executives alike: your job title is not your identity, and your “next chapter” can be designed around healing, sustainability, and purpose.

    Subscribe for more conversations on leadership development and the future of work, share this with someone who needs a reset, and leave a review so more people can find the show. What would you pursue if you stopped chasing titles?

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    23 April 2026, 9:00 am
  • 22 minutes 9 seconds
    What If Wellbeing Is A Work Design Problem with Jo Yarker

    Workplace wellbeing is everywhere, yet too many programs still feel like duct tape on a deeper problem. Bill Banham sits down with Professor Jo Yarker, Professor of Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck University of London and managing partner at Affinity Health at Work, to get practical about what actually drives healthy performance and what HR leaders can do when quick fixes fail.

    We dig into why the “tick box” approach breaks down, how to measure whether an intervention truly helps, and why job design often matters more than another round of stress training. Jo walks Bill through the IGLU framework, a multi-level model that looks at resources across the individual, group, leader, and organization, plus the wider world outside work. If one layer is missing, people feel exposed, and performance stops being sustainable.

    From there, we get real about flexible work: when it boosts wellbeing and when it quietly creates strain as teams juggle competing needs. We also cover return to work after sickness absence, including mental health absence, and the small leadership choices that can prevent someone from feeling overwhelmed on day one. Jo shares overlooked psychological risks tied to international business travel, and we close with a forward look at healthy organizations in an AI-shaped labor market, including responsible technology, data transparency, consent, and support for different digital mindsets.

    Subscribe for more conversations on workplace health, share this with an HR leader who needs it, and leave a review with your biggest takeaway.

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    The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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    22 April 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 24 minutes 46 seconds
    From HRIS Sprawl To A Clear Tech Roadmap with Matthew Hamilton

    Your HR tech stack can feel like a living creature: new tools arrive, contracts renew, integrations sprawl, and suddenly you are paying multiple vendors for the same capability. We wanted a grounded conversation on how to regain control, so Bill Banham brought back Matthew Hamilton, VP of People Analytics and HRIS at Protective Life, to talk about building a guiding HR tech strategy that actually drives decisions when the pressure is on.

    We dig into why consolidation is not automatically the goal and how the real win is finding the right balance between an all-in-one platform and a maze of point solutions. Matthew shares how his team sets a clear vision, then makes it actionable with guiding principles that serve as a North Star when leaders disagree. From there, we get specific about what to document in your HR technology roadmap: a clear inventory of vendors and capabilities, centralized visibility into spend, an ecosystem map that reveals overlap, and a long-range plan built around subscription renewals so you do not accidentally box yourself into bad timing.

    If RFPs have ever felt like a procurement checkbox exercise, you will like this part. We talk about owning the process inside HR, partnering effectively with procurement and IT security, and writing capability-based requirements that invite better vendor responses without creating a 900-item monster. We also cover how to build an HR tech business case and ROI story that resonates with executives by tying benefits to what matters most right now: cost savings, reduced complexity, employee experience, better analytics, and risk control. Plus, Matthew shares how market research resources and even generative AI tools like Microsoft Copilot can help validate a shortlist faster.

    If you want to stop being a passenger in HRIS and HR tech decisions, listen, subscribe, share this with your HR leadership team, and leave a review so more HR pros can find the show.

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    The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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    7 April 2026, 12:00 pm
  • 19 minutes 43 seconds
    Redirection After 50 with Dr. Suzanne Cook

    For decades, careers have been framed as a linear path, one that builds, peaks, and then winds down. But what if that model no longer reflects how we live and work today?

    In this episode of The Next Chapter, Pauline James, CEO of Anchor HR, speaks with Dr. Suzanne Cook, a Canadian social gerontologist and adult educator whose research is reshaping how we understand later-life careers. At the heart of the conversation is her concept of “redirection”, a stage where individuals transition into new, meaningful work in the second half of life rather than stepping away from it entirely.

    Drawing on her research and real-world insights, Dr. Cook explains how people are navigating this shift, often independently, seeking both purpose and income. While some are driven by a desire for fulfillment, others continue working out of financial necessity, revealing a complex and evolving picture of today’s workforce.

    The discussion also surfaces the realities behind these transitions. Redirection is rarely quick or straightforward; it can take months or even years, requiring resilience, new skills, and significant personal investment. At the same time, systemic challenges, particularly ageism, continue to limit opportunities for experienced workers, highlighting the need for organizations to rethink how they attract, support, and retain talent across all career stages.

    In this episode, you’ll learn:

    • What “redirection” means and why it matters now more than ever
    • How later-life career transitions are changing traditional career models
    • The key challenges individuals face when reinventing their work
    • Why ageism remains a critical barrier and how to address it
    • How organizations can better engage and support experienced talent

    Whether you’re an HR leader, people manager, or simply reflecting on your own next chapter, this episode will challenge assumptions and open new ways of thinking about work and life at every stage.

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    The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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    31 March 2026, 8:00 pm
  • 22 minutes 32 seconds
    A 90-Day Blueprint For Building High-Performing Offshore Teams with Ingo Piroth

    In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham is joined by Ingo Piroth, Chief Revenue Officer at Emapta Global, a leader in building high-performing global teams for some of the world’s fastest-growing companies. 

    Listen as they explore how outsourcing and offshore teams are evolving into a strategic lever for workforce transformation.

    With over 30 years of experience across global technology, outsourcing, and digital transformation, Ingo shares what organizations must get right to build high-performing distributed teams that go beyond cost savings and drive real business impact.

    Together, they unpack a practical 90-day blueprint for launching offshore teams successfully—covering clarity of roles, workflow design, and leadership alignment. The conversation also explores how culture is built across borders, why governance matters more than ever, and how AI is reshaping outsourcing from labor arbitrage to capability arbitrage.

    If you're scaling globally, rethinking workforce strategy, or exploring outsourcing in 2025 and beyond, this episode offers actionable insights to help you avoid common pitfalls and build sustainable, high-performing teams.

    Key Topics Covered:

    •  Workforce transformation through outsourcing and offshore teams 
    •  The critical first 90 days when building global teams 
    •  Designing clear roles, expectations, and workflows 
    •  Why “minimum viable workflows” outperform perfection 
    •  Embedding leadership to build trust across locations 
    •  Creating culture through rituals, relationships, and recognition 
    •  Structuring teams for agility through standardization 
    •  What to demand from outsourcing partners beyond cost savings 
    •  AI’s role in shifting outsourcing to capability arbitrage 
    •  Managing compliance, risk, and privacy across international markets 
    •  Aligning HR, finance, operations, and delivery teams 
    •  Leadership skills for managing distributed, outcome-based teams 

    About the Guest

    Ingo Piroth has held senior leadership roles at global organizations including IBM, SAP, AT&T, and Cognizant Softvision. He brings deep expertise in helping organizations scale through global talent strategies and operational transformation.


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    26 March 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 26 minutes 6 seconds
    Everyone’s a Cyborg Now: Talking Culture with Bryan Adams

    Hiring used to be about looking shinier than the competition. Now that AI can polish any resume to perfection, the real work is separating signal from noise—and telling the truth about what it takes to thrive. In this episode, Bill Banham sits down with Bryan Adams, CEO and founder of Happydance, to unpack why employer branding is key to business strategy, why “friction by design” beats mindless speed, and how culture can be measured and used as a competitive advantage.

    Bill and Bryan talk through the new landscape: soaring application volumes, keyword-perfect CVs, and the growing need to qualify rather than simply attract. Bryan shares how his team built focused tools—job matching, a smart employer brand manager, and a culture compass—to help candidates self-select and help recruiters spend time where it matters. Instead of showcasing 1,200 roles, the experience narrows choices to the few that match mindset, behaviors, and real capability needs. The outcome is fewer mismatches, faster clarity, and a candidate journey that respects everyone’s time.

    We also explore how DEI has evolved from a label to embedded practice through authentic storytelling and social proof. By elevating employee voices and openly stating the “give and get” of work, companies help people make better decisions before they apply. That honesty can feel bold, but it reduces churn and strengthens teams that already operate in high-change environments. Along the way, Bryan offers a candid 2026 outlook, practical guardrails for AI-era hiring, and a vision for employer brand that finally earns its seat at the C-suite table.

    If you’re ready to move from volume to value, design smarter hiring steps, and sell the truth without the hype, this conversation is your playbook. Subscribe, share with a colleague, and leave a quick review telling us your favorite tactic for improving fit.

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    The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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    25 March 2026, 10:00 am
  • 21 minutes 14 seconds
    AI, Employment Law, and the Entry-Level Squeeze with Craig McCoy

    AI is no longer a future concept—it’s embedded in day-to-day HR operations. But with adoption comes pressure: to prove ROI, manage new risks, and rethink workforce strategies.

    In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, Bill Banham speaks with Craig McCoy, Chair of the HR Connection Group and a trusted advisor to boards and C-suite leaders across the UK. With leadership experience at Sky, BT, BUPA, and The Crown Estate, Craig brings a front-row view into what senior HR leaders are really discussing behind closed doors.

    Together, they unpack the realities of AI in HR, from automation wins to unexpected workload increases, and explore how shifting employment laws and economic pressures are reshaping workforce planning.

    They also tackle one of the biggest emerging challenges: what happens to entry-level roles when AI begins to replace the work that traditionally starts careers?

    Key Topics Covered:

    •  AI in HR: From hype to real-world deployment 
    •  Proving ROI on AI investments 
    •  Automation vs. new workload: the hidden trade-off 
    •  Employees using AI for grievances and complaints 
    •  UK Employment Rights Act: risks and implications 
    •  Rising employment costs and cautious hiring strategies 
    •  Strategic workforce planning and skills prioritisation 
    •  Recruitment challenges in a volatile labour market 
    •  The growing threat to entry-level roles 
    •  Apprenticeships, work experience, and future talent pipelines 

    Why This Episode Matters:

     HR leaders are navigating a perfect storm of AI disruption, regulatory change, and economic pressure. This conversation offers grounded insights into what’s working, what’s not, and what needs urgent attention.

    About Craig McCoy:

     Craig is Chair of the HR Connection Group and London HR Connection, a thriving community of senior HR professionals across the UK. A former Chief People Officer and experienced NED, Craig has held leadership roles at organisations including Sky, BT, BUPA, and The Crown Estate.

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    Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

    The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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    23 March 2026, 5:00 pm
  • 31 minutes 56 seconds
    The Future Work World with Barry Winkless

    The future of work isn’t about trends - it’s about design.

    From the Cpl studio in Dublin, Bill Banham sits down with Barry Winkless, Head of the Future of Work Institute at Cpl and author of Future Work World, to explore what’s really changing in work, HR, and leadership - and what organizations need to do next.

    Barry shares a practical framework for understanding the future of work through three core lenses: "Workplace, Workforce, and Worktasks". Together, they unpack how HR leaders can move beyond policies and become designers of better organizations, stronger employee value propositions, and more compelling talent destinations.

    You’ll also hear insights on:

    • The real drivers of employee retention and engagement
    • Why leadership teams often misread what talent actually wants
    • Flexible work, hybrid work, and the presence vs performance debate
    • AI in HR and the workplace: human replacement vs human augmentation
    • Building future-ready organizations with human-centered design
    • The rise of cooperative leadership and shared accountability
    • Using storytelling and “future objects” to improve strategic decisions

    If you’re an HR leader, talent strategist, or business executive navigating AI, hybrid work, and workforce transformation, this episode offers a clear and actionable perspective on designing the future of work.


    Connect with Barry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barry-winkless-7357094/

    Check out Barry's new book: https://www.amazon.com/Future-Work-World-Leaders-Destinations/dp/1394349378


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    The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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    20 March 2026, 3:00 pm
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