Honest HR

Hosted by SHRM

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Episodes

181

Latest episode

Oct 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Honest HR is the go-to podcast for aspiring and informed HR professionals intent on transforming workplace challenges into golden opportunities. This podcast brings you insights, trends, and actionable advice through relatable stories from the REAL world of HR.

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60 recent

October 13, 202636 min

The Early Lessons Gen Alpha Is Teaching HR

As Gen Alpha begins to enter the workforce, their expectations around learning, technology, communication, career growth and workplace culture could challenge some long-standing assumptions about how organizations develop talent. James Harrell, former chief of Human Capital Management at the San Antonio Independent School District, shares practical lessons on building youth workforce programs and what they can teach employers about mentorship, career growth, workplace learning, communication and culture.  This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires November 1, 2027.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

September 29, 202642 min

Getting Value from Pharmacy Benefits in a High-Cost Era

As pharmacy costs continue to rise, employers need a clearer understanding of what’s driving their prescription drug spending – and where there may be opportunities to manage costs more effectively. Eric Papp, vice president of employee benefits consulting, M.E. Wilson Insurance, and Eric Porter, vice president of sales, SmithRX, share what HR leaders should know about pharmacy costs, GLP-1s, biosimilars, employee communication, and getting more value from their benefits strategy.  This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires October 1, 2027.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

September 15, 202636 min

Your Offboarding Process Could Be Costing You

An employee’s experience doesn’t end on their last day Sarah Rodehorst, CEO and co-founder of Onwards HR, discusses how thoughtful offboarding can strengthen trust, reduce compliance risks, and reinforce an organization’s values — even during difficult departures.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

September 1, 202640 min

Talent Tug-of-War: The Pull Between Acquisition vs. Development

Hiring can fill immediate skills gaps, but developing talent builds for the future. SHRM26 speakers Amy Jauman, HR director for the DNA Doe Project, and Amber Watts, chief everboarding officer at Radical GrowthWorks, explore how HR professionals can balance talent acquisition and employee development — and build a stronger talent strategy in the process. They discuss when to hire versus develop, what metrics can help leaders find the right balance, and how to make employee growth a strategic investment.   Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

August 18, 202625 min

Money Problems Don’t Stay at Home

  Nearly three-quarters of U.S. workers experience financial stress, from worrying about unexpected expenses to navigating major life decisions — and those concerns don’t disappear during the workday. Explore new SHRM research on the state of employee financial wellness with Ragan Decker, director of commercial research at SHRM, and Kristen Koluch, retirement plan advisor at Raymond James. They discuss how financial wellness influences engagement, productivity, and retention — and why closing the gap between employee needs and employer support is becoming a business imperative.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

August 4, 202635 min

No Script Required: How Improv Builds Better HR Leaders

HR rarely happens exactly as planned. From difficult conversations to organizational change, leaders need to think on their feet. Dave Collins, founder and CEO of Oak & Reeds, a training company that combines improv techniques with proven learning strategies to help organizations tackle communication and collaboration challenges, shares how improvisation can strengthen decision-making, build resilience, and help HR professionals navigate uncertainty with more confidence.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

July 21, 202636 min

How AI Can Improve Onboarding Without Losing the Human Touch

New hires don’t need more portals; they need clarity, support, and time to breathe. Hannah Toney, consultant at Serendipity Sellers and author, discusses how HR professionals can use AI to streamline onboarding, define meaningful milestones, deliver personalized support, and establish privacy-conscious guardrails that strengthen both engagement and performance.  Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

July 7, 202642 min

The Power of Influence: Elevating Your Impact at Work

HR leaders are expected to influence business decisions, but gaining executive buy-in requires more than great ideas. In this live recording of Honest HR, Bruce Waller, vice president of corporate relocation at the Armstrong Company and bestselling author, shares practical strategies for building trust, developing business acumen, and communicating the value of HR initiatives. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz   ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

June 23, 202635 min

What It Takes to Pass the SHRM Certification Exam

Successful SHRM certification candidates spend significant time preparing — but how you study matters just as much as how long you study. Charles Glover, director of certification & assessment products at SHRM, breaks down the structure of the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP exams, discusses proven preparation strategies, and shares advice for navigating test day with confidence. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r

June 9, 202634 min

Balancing Cost and Care With GLP-1 Employee Benefits

With growing employee interest and increasing healthcare costs, GLP-1 medications are creating new challenges for HR and benefits leaders. Ginny Crisp, CEO of Prescription Benefit Solutions, discusses the evolving role of GLP-1s in employer-sponsored health plans and what organizations should consider before adding coverage to their benefits programs. This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires July 1, 2027. Subscribe to Honest HR to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/voegyz --- Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r