Tap'd Talks HR

Hosted by Tap'd Solutions

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114

Latest episode

May 2026

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About the show

At Tap’d, we help you make sense of the Future of Work, making technology understandable and easy to adopt. Our HR experience and consultancy = Your performance.

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60 recent

May 18, 202636 min

Why AI is a huge opportunity for HR

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony is joined by Erica Farmer, an AI and Future Skills Specialist and author of AI for People Professionals, to explore how AI is reshaping the workplace, and why HR and people professionals need to lead the conversation. Erica shares why AI is no longer a future trend but a present-day capability that is fundamentally changing how organisations operate, how people work, and what modern people functions need to look like. Together, Anthony and Erica discuss the opportunities AI creates for HR, L&D and leadership teams - from automating repetitive admin and onboarding friction to enabling more strategic, people-focused work.

April 20, 202637 min

PODCAST: Forget Normal, I want M.A.G.I.C

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony speaks with Claire Brumby, speaker, author, leadership trainer and coach, about modern leadership and why the old “normal” no longer fits the world of work. Drawing on her entrepreneurial journey and her new book, Forget Normal, I Want M.A.G.I.C, Claire shares why leadership today must move beyond hierarchy, command-and-control and outdated ideas of who gets access to leadership development. Together, we explore the role of self-leadership as the foundation of modern leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence and intuition, and why organisations need to invest more deeply in the human side of work if they want resilient cultures and sustainable performance. Claire also introduces her M.A.G.I.C framework - Mindset, Awakening, Gumption, Intuition and Charisma - and explains how these five elements can help leaders adapt, build trust and lead more effectively in a fast-changing world. This is a thoughtful, energetic conversation for leaders, managers and HR professionals who want to rethink leadership for the future, and start with themselves.

March 23, 202628 min

How to handle real workplace situations with clarity and confidence

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony Ryland speaks with Anne-Maartje Oud, behavioural expert and founder of The Behaviour Company, about her new book "What to do if..." a practical guide to handling everyday workplace situations with more confidence and skill. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Anne-Maartje explains why so many people at work are looking for immediate, practical answers to tricky moments, from giving feedback and handling emotion to working with diverse teams and navigating difficult conversations. Together, they explore why soft skills have become essential workplace skills, why managers and leaders are often promoted without enough preparation for the people side of their role, and how context is always key when deciding how to respond. They also discuss some of the most common workplace questions people struggle with, including what to do if someone starts crying, how to think about non-verbal communication, and how to create conversations that feel effective and comfortable for both sides.

February 23, 202629 min

The Squeezed Middle

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony welcomes back Gary Cookson, founder of Epic HR and author of Making Hybrid Working Work, to discuss his latest book: The Squeezed Middle. They explore why the middle manager role has become more complex than ever, together with the “invisible work” managers do that never appears in job descriptions, and the skills modern managers need to thrive today from sense-making to emotional intelligence.

January 19, 202633 min

Accessible Communication at Work

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony is joined by Lisa Riemers, communications specialist, accessibility advocate and author, to explore accessible communication and why it matters far more than many organisations realise. Together, they unpack what accessible communication really means in today’s digital and hybrid workplaces, not just for people with disabilities, but for everyone trying to get information, make decisions and do their jobs well.

December 21, 202524 min

Tap’d Talks HR Christmas Compilation 2025

Welcome to our Tap’d Talks HR 2025 Christmas Compilation, our annual episode where we look back at the standout insights from the year and share highlights from some of the great conversations with our guests. 2025 has been shaped by major political and economic change, and as the year closes it’s a chance to reflect on what matters most for our workplaces, and for our own growth going into 2026. If any of the clips sparks your interest, you can find the full episodes in the Tap’d Talks HR back catalogue.

December 8, 202534 min

The science behind Sustainable Performance - A special reverse interview!

In this special edition of Tap’d Talks HR, the tables are turned. Guest host Andi Roberts interviews Anthony about our recently released research and white paper: The Journey to Sustainable Performance. Anthony breaks down the 12-component sustainable performance framework - built from academic research, organisational psychology and commercial insights. Together, Andi and Anthony explore the real-world link between wellbeing, psychological safety, team culture, leadership behaviours, and long-term high performance. From overcoming burnout and overwhelm, to establishing cultures of learning, feedback, accountability and innovation, this episode reveals why short-term performance bursts aren’t enough, and how organisations can build the right conditions for people and performance to thrive over the long term.

November 17, 202538 min

How Leaders Can Better Support Menopause

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony steps out of his comfort zone to explore a topic that quietly affects huge numbers of people at work: menopause and perimenopause. Anthony is joined by Sam Mancey, consultant, business coach and specialist menopause coach, to unpack what menopause really looks like in the workplace and why you can’t afford to ignore it. Sam explains how seemingly “out of nowhere” anxiety, brain fog, confidence crashes and broken sleep can derail even the most capable, senior women - often right at the peak of their careers. Whether you’re in HR, a line manager, or a senior leader, this episode will help you understand menopause in a more human, practical way, and give you ideas to better support the people around you.

October 20, 202533 min

The Business Case for Fair-Chance Hiring

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony sits down with Jacob Hill, an ex-prisoner and Founder of Offploy, a specialist HR consultancy, to unpack how organisations can confidently and fairly employ people with convictions. Jacob reframes common assumptions with eye-opening context (e.g. one in four UK adults of working age has a criminal record, many for minor offences), shares his own rehabilitation story, and explains why fair-chance hiring boosts retention, social value, and talent pipelines. You’ll hear practical steps for HR and leaders: how to update policy and language, design risk-based assessments, prepare hiring managers for disclosures, and build a culture that welcomes socially excluded talent, without lowering standards. Whether you’re starting out or ready to deepen your approach, this conversation shows how doing the right thing can also be the smart thing for your organisation.

September 22, 202534 min

Understanding Moral Injury

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony speaks with Dr. Natalie Isaia, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Empresa Psychology, about a hidden but powerful challenge in the HR profession: moral injury. They explore what moral injury is, why HR professionals are particularly vulnerable, and how it differs from burnout. Natalie shares practical tools, from naming emotions to practicing “moral repair” and self-compassion, that can help HR leaders protect their own wellbeing while supporting their organisations. If you’ve ever felt torn between business needs and people-first values, this conversation will give you language, insights, and strategies to better navigate those conflicts. You can visit Natalie's website at: https://empresapsychology.co.uk/