Best CIPD Podcasts (2025)

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HR People Pod – Episode 37: Leading Under Pressure with Professor Kevin Fong 20:47

Play Pause

1h ago20:47

20:47

How can people make the best decisions when time is short and the stakes are high? Why is decentralising decision-making critical for organisations who want to move decisively? And how can the people profession strike the right balance between innovation and risk mitigation when adopting and implementing AI? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souz…

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Live from the CIPD ACE 2025 33:49

3d ago33:49

33:49

Jo and Ant talk SEEDL and HR from the CIPD ACE (Annual Conference and Exhibition). Listening to us for the first time? Get a free 30 day trial for your business! #cipdace #cipdace25 #cipdace2025By SEEDL Group Ltd

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Podcast 224: Is HR ready for ‘renaissance’ of union power in industrial relations? 30:42

2h ago30:42

30:42

A new CIPD report revealed that 62% of employers believe the UK is entering a more unstable period of employee relations. With potential new legal changes arriving soon, those wishing to build positive industrial relations will need to have a transparent approach, underpinned by shared expectations and behaviours. So, what role must people professi…

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HR People Pod – Ep 36: Value of the profession | Employment Rights Bill | AI performance reviews 33:13

20d ago33:13

33:13

Some consider annual reviews ‘irrelevant’ and a ‘burden’, but how would you feel about AI playing a role in the performance review process? As media scrutiny continues to question the impact and growing influence of HR, we reflect on the value the profession brings to workplaces. And finally, we ask: trick or treat, when it comes to the Employment …

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HR People Pod – Ep 35: Slow wage growth | Lifelong learning | ‘Green skills’ 37:54

16d ago37:54

37:54

What does loyalty look like in 2025? In a climate of low wage growth, how can you keep employees motivated and engaged? As warnings come of retirement ages potentially rising above 70 years old, how can employers foster opportunities for skills development for older workers? And are organisations missing a vital growth opportunity by not investing …

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Podcast 223: Beyond learning – Mobilising L&D for organisational change 32:13

24d ago32:13

32:13

Organisations face constant and increasingly complex change, making it critical to bring people along on the journey. But can L&D play a more proactive role in enabling successful transformation by fostering buy-in, anticipating resistance, and building change capability? How can learning professionals go further than training, positioning themselv…

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World Mental Health Day - Special 49:19

28d ago49:19

49:19

Laura Avery joins Anthony Price, both from SEEDL to talk Mental Health. They explore what employers can do, what management can look at as best practice and also consider what we can all do more to support people around their mental wellbeing. SEEDL users can also watch a video optimised version at SEEDL.com…

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HR People Pod – Ep 34: Digital IDs | Grievances against HR | Incentivising social posts 35:40

2M ago35:40

35:40

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HR People Pod – Ep 33: Enabling high performance working: The organisation lens – with Matthew Syed (Episode 2) 23:37

1M ago23:37

23:37

Just how important are team dynamics and psychological safety in driving organisational performance? What behaviours do leaders need to model to create an environment of high performance? In the second and final episode, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by best-selling author and broadcaster Matthew Syed to explore the role of or…

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HR People Pod – Ep 32: AI and conflict | Eye-rolling | 'Hire-to-retire'| Succession planning 27:56

2M ago27:56

27:56

Should AI be used to resolve conflict in the workplace? Are over-sensationalised stories of ‘eye-rolling’ leading to legal issues masking deeper problems in the workplace? Does ‘lifelong learning’ apply from hire-to-retire for employees? And what lessons can we take around succession planning from a messy football transfer saga? CIPD Director of Pr…

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Suicide Prevention Podcast 1:12:07

2M ago1:12:07

1:12:07

Anthony from SEEDL is joined by Laura Avery-Jackson (Mental Health Lead for SEEDL) and Becky Fussey (Mental Health Ambassador) who have lived experiences with suicide, and mental health issues. This podcast is a audio version of a live panel event which was broadcast on SEEDL and social media on Monday 8th September 2025, coinciding with Suicide Pr…

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Purpose Beyond Profit ...... Sarah Whale, Founder of Profit Impact, chats with Jane O'Gorman at Ten2Two 20:41

2M ago20:41

20:41

Sarah shares practical ways SMEs can measure success beyond profit and offers her top leadership tips for creating a culture where people, purpose, and profit thrive together. Sarah is a Fellow of the ACCA with broad financial leadership experience across corporates, start-ups and scale-ups. Who believes short-term financial decision-making in busi…

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Podcast 222: Improving organisational outcomes by tackling loneliness at work 32:00

2M ago32:00

32:00

Is loneliness at work the hidden crisis no one is talking about? The CIPD’s Good Work Index 2025 report revealed that more than a third of working adults say they sometimes, often, or always feel lonely at work — a feeling that carries serious consequences for organisations. But what can be done? Is it an inevitable by-product of modern working lif…

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HR People Pod – Ep 31: Merging HR/IT functions | Oversharing at work | Absence management | Accountability 33:00

2M ago33:00

33:00

Are we seeing a trend in the merging of HR and IT functions, and how could this reshape the role of the profession? Where’s the line between healthy openness and harmful oversharing in the workplace? Do we still need hard-and-fast, rigid rules for triggering absence management conversations? How do we make accountability a collective standard, rath…

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HR People Pod – Ep 30: Enabling high performance working: A growth mindset – with Matthew Syed 27:19

3M ago27:19

27:19

What are the enablers and barriers to high performance working? What factors should individuals and teams consider to improve and achieve better performance outcomes? In the first of two episodes exploring these questions, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza investigates with best-selling author and broadcaster Matthew Syed the type of mindse…

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Podcast 221: Employee engagement and the evolving psychological contract 26:45

3M ago26:45

26:45

The psychological contract – those unwritten expectations between employer and employee, so fundamental to building trust and engagement at work – has dramatically shifted. Once based on the promises of security and long-term service, employees now expect the contract to more closely reflect their values, offer flexibility, and align with a deeper …

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HR People Pod – Ep 29: Unfair dismissal | Hybrid working | Graduate jobs 35:00

3M ago35:00

35:00

Would capping the qualifying period for unfair dismissal protection at six months be a reasonable compromise for employers? With hybrid working perceived to have a negative impact on managers’ ability to lead teams effectively, what could organisations be doing differently? And what impact is AI having on the prospects of the latest wave of graduat…

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HR People Pod – Ep 28: Hilary Scarlett special – Neuroscience for organisational change 31:21

4M ago31:21

31:21

When is the right time to communicate organisational change, and how can we strengthen people’s resilience to change? Can a better understanding of neuroscience help manage and implement the change process more effectively? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza, is joined by author, international speaker, and consultant in the field of neurosci…

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Podcast 220: Do leaders establish culture, or are they a product of it? 30:02

4M ago30:02

30:02

Is it chicken or egg – does leadership shape culture, or does culture shape leadership? The relationship between the two is complex and either one could be the critical ingredient in organisational success. But to what extent can leaders truly set the culture they want or will culture ultimately shape the kind of leadership an organisation produces…

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Flexible Working - Reviewing 18 years of change ...... Deborah O'Sullivan, Our Founder and MD, chats with Jane O'Gorman at Ten2Two 21:45

5M ago21:45

21:45

In this special episode of Talking SME, Deborah O'Sullivan, our Founder and MD, joins one of our Directors, Jane O'Gorman, to give our take on: • How AI is changing hiring • The biggest hiring shifts we’re seeing across SMEs • The biggest recruitment challenges (and how to tackle them)By Ten2Two - Experts in Flexible Recruitment and Consultancy

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HR People Pod – Ep 27: Management span | People profession: perceptions, challenges, career prospects 32:42

4M ago32:42

32:42

What is the ideal ‘span of control’ for a manager and are there obvious warning signs that they might be overstretched? Also in this episode, we discuss results from a new CIPD survey revealing the current perceptions of and the challenges within the people profession, as well as what practitioners have said about their career development prospects…

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HR People Pod – Ep 26: Getting Britain working - UK Employment Minister Alison McGovern 25:17

5M ago25:17

25:17

The Get Britain Working white paper outlines a bold vision to tackle economic inactivity and raise the UK employment rate to 80 per cent. But what does this mean for the people profession? In this episode of the HR People Pod, we put key questions from the CIPD Community to Alison McGovern, Minister for Employment. We explore the UK government's pl…

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Podcast 219: Dealing with AI use in recruitment and job applications 36:55

5M ago36:55

36:55

A third of organisations are already using some form of AI or machine learning in recruitment and onboarding. As employers increasingly make use of AI to craft job specifications, screen candidates and streamline processes, what about job seekers? Is it unreasonable for job seekers to use the same technology to improve their chances?Join Nigel Cass…

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HR People Pod – Ep 25: 'Tinkering with a system that doesn’t work' – Apprenticeships overhaul 32:25

5M ago32:25

32:25

How much should ‘policy compliance’ inform pay and bonuses? Apprenticeships are vital to building talent pipelines, but how welcome are upcoming reforms? Is rule breaking essential to breaking into new levels of performance? And how can you best manage the impact of long-term absences on the rest of your team? CIPD Head of Learning, Steve George, i…

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HR People Pod – Ep 24: International HR Day special 33:03

6M ago33:03

33:03

What’s the state of AI adoption across different regions around the world, and how are people professionals reacting to it? Where does the onus lie when it comes to skills development? How can people professionals support and develop employee resilience? And finally, what should be done about the rising trend of ‘stress bragging’?CIPD Director of P…

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Podcast 218: Bridging learning and organisational development 33:15

6M ago33:15

33:15

L&D and OD often operate in silos – one focused on individual learning, the other on strategic and cultural change. But is this separation intentional, and can they truly be effective apart if they share the same goals for organisational growth and adaptation?Join Nigel Cassidy and this month’s guests—Natal Dank, Author of Agile L&D and Executive D…

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HR People Pod – Ep 23: Suggestion boxes | Managing voice | ‘Gamifying’ performance | ‘Job polygamy’ 34:30

6M ago34:30

34:30

Could the humble suggestion box make a comeback as the key to acquiring honest, off-the-cuff feedback? What risks do organisations face by ignoring or mismanaging employee voice? Is a gamified approach to performance management the future? And are employees staying faithful or taking part in ‘job polygamy’?CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza …

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HR People Pod – Ep 22: Ethical AI | Future skill requirements | Supporting change | ‘Pleasenteeism’ 33:28

7M ago33:28

33:28

As we look ahead to some of the key themes for International HR Day 2025, this episode — recorded at the CIPD Annual Conference and Exhibition 2024 — explores what organisations need to be doing in practical terms to ensure AI becomes a force for good. How are skill requirements expected to evolve over the medium to long term? What role should the …

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HR People Pod – Ep 21: Juggling core priorities | AI and progression | Communication | Body doubling 33:32

8M ago33:32

33:32

Change and uncertainty seem inevitable. As organisations navigate global tariffs imposed by the US president, what other priorities should the C-suite address? How might an overreliance on AI affect career progression? Is it time to rethink effective workplace communication? And should we consider adopting body doubling to boost productivity?CIPD D…

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Podcast 217: Willing and able: Unlocking opportunities for prison leavers 32:57

8M ago32:57

32:57

People with past criminal convictions are a proven source of loyal, capable employees. Yet despite clear benefits, stigma – within business and society – continues to prevent many from finding meaningful work. Our research shows only 17% of prison leavers can secure a job within a year of release. So, what can employers do to offer a second chance …

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HR People Pod – Ep 20: Lockdown: five years on | Media scrutiny | ‘Coachbots’ | Gentle leadership 31:40

8M ago31:40

31:40

Five years after the first UK Covid-19 lockdown, many employers are still adapting to the knock-on effects of the pandemic but what has been the lasting impact on the HR profession? Meanwhile, how can you best manage the internal narrative in the face of public and media scrutiny? Can a ‘coachbot’ really offer mentorship? And what do our panel thin…

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HR People Pod – Ep 19: Curiosity to learn | Right to switch off | Toxic cultures | Career catfishing 34:40

9M ago34:40

34:40

With plans to introduce a ‘right to switch off’ facing the axe in the UK, do we need formal legislation, or could boundaries be better managed by employers? What role should people professionals play in shifting the culture of toxic workplaces? How can we maintain that curiosity and hunger for learning? Finally, how big of an issue is ‘career catfi…

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Work Smarter, Not Longer – The Case for a 4-Day Week ...... Florence Cassell, Founder and Creative Director of Studio Floc, chats with Tracey Adams at Ten2Two 12:04

9M ago12:04

12:04

Florence Cassell, Founder and Creative Director of Studio Floc, talks about why she was an early adopter of the 4 day week, explains how it benefits everyone, from employees to clients and leaves us with her top tips for utilising the 4 day week model. Florence is the Founder and Creative Director of Studio Floc, an award-winning, B Corp-certified …

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Podcast 216: Why and how people professionals should prioritise their wellbeing 34:42

9M ago34:42

34:42

HR professionals play a unique role within organisations but often find themselves in morally challenging or conflicting situations. These challenges may include balancing business needs—such as managing large-scale redundancies—while also supporting individuals through deeply personal difficulties and absorbing the emotional weight that entails. O…

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HR People Pod – Ep 18: Labour Market Outlook | Managing redundancy | Mini-retirement 37:43

9M ago37:43

37:43

Times are tough; is there an alternative to headcount reductions and hiring freezes? With redundancy intentions at their highest level in a decade, how can HR professionals manage the mental load of implementing redundancies and can there ever be a ‘best’ way to deliver news about job losses? Finally, is there such a thing as a ‘mini-retirement’?In…

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HR People Pod - Ep 17: Dry promotions | Determining job value | Work ethic | Intelligent failure 36:42

10M ago36:42

36:42

Workers are being afforded more responsibility with no uplift in pay - but how commonplace are ‘dry promotions’? How do we decide the value of a job and therefore how much an employee gets paid? Does the UK have a work ethic crisis? And can you fail ‘intelligently’ or do mistakes always carry a risk? In this episode CIPD Director of Profession Davi…

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Podcast 215: Are apprenticeships the forgotten key to building talent pipelines? 31:37

10M ago31:37

31:37

If employers were offered a way to meet their skills and workforce needs while also addressing long-term engagement and retention challenges, wouldn’t most, if not all, jump at the chance? Statistically, apprenticeships offer exactly that. Yet only 6% of young people are undertaking an apprenticeship. So, is it time for employers to reacquaint them…

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HR People Pod – Ep 16: US – UK business relations | AI agents | ‘Snitch tagging’ 37:25

10M ago37:25

37:25

How will a new government in the White House and changing business attitudes in the United States affect the UK? Is 2025 the year where ‘AI agents’ enter the workforce, and if so, how should the people profession manage virtual employees? And what is the practice of ‘snitch tagging’ and how should your organisation respond?CIPD Director of Professi…

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HR People Pod – Ep 15: The Traitors | Business confidence | ‘Corporate catfishing’ 36:10

10M ago36:10

36:10

From strategic alignment to establishing a common purpose, what lessons can people professionals learn from the hit TV show ‘The Traitors’? As business confidence diminishes, and employers face rising business costs, what approach should you take with communicating with your people? And are you guilty of ‘corporate catfishing’? CIPD Director of Pro…

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Podcast 214: Success starts small - Building sustainable workplace habits 28:23

11M ago28:23

28:23

New Year’s resolutions fail. Surprised? Probably not. But is the high failure rate a reason to avoid setting goals – especially in our professional lives? Behavioural science would argue ‘failure’ isn’t down to a lack of will power, but rather a reliance on vague goals without the structure of actionable habits. So are small, consistent actions tha…

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HR People Pod - Ep 14: Youth employment | 2025 Predictions | Xmas parties | 'Malicious compliance' 38:56

12M ago38:56

38:56

Can companies make their festive celebrations fun and risk-free at the same time? Will the new youth guarantee for 18–21-year-olds actually help to address economic activity among young people? Are you alert to the practice of ‘malicious compliance’? And what bold predictions do our panel have for the profession in 2025? CIPD Director of Profession…

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HR People Pod - Ep 13: Professor Michael Wooldridge 22:06

12M ago22:06

22:06

Are people justified in their resistance of artificial intelligence, or should they accept its power in creating progress in the workplace? Equally, are organisations under too much pressure to act quickly in the face of evolving AI capability?In this special recording of the HR People Pod, CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by Pro…

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Podcast 213: Skilling up your organisation now and for the future 32:49

1y ago32:49

32:49

The rapid acceleration of change has left many organisations grappling with the most immediate requirements, but people professionals also have an instrumental role to play in demonstrating necessary upskilling strategies and transforming the skills required for future long-term success. So, what can they do to avoid falling into a familiar cycle o…

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HR People Pod – Ep 12: Crisis events | Supply chains | Politics at work | ‘Ghost jobs’ 36:46

1y ago36:46

36:46

How prepared is your organisation to support employees through a crisis event? Can employers ensure their supply chains are fully ethical? Should politics and work ever mix? And what’s behind the spooky rise of ‘ghost jobs’? CIPD Director of Profession David D’Souza is joined by David Bearfield, Director of the Office of Human Resources at the Unit…

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The Culture Factor – What Makes a Great Workplace? ...... Jenny Copeland, Behavioural Change Leader and Executive Coach, chats with Jane O'Gorman at Ten2Two 29:59

1y ago29:59

29:59

Jenny Copeland, Behavioural Change Leader and Executive Coach, talks about the definition of culture, explains how you promote what you permit and leaves us with her top tips for a thriving workplace culture. Jenny is a Professional Performance and Transformation Coach, Author and Accredited Facilitator for Life Success Productions. For the last 30…

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HR People Pod - Ep 11: Workplace wellbeing | Real Living Wage | 'Fauxductivity' 30:32

1y ago30:32

30:32

What does a wellbeing-focused work environment really look like, and how involved should employers be to ensure their workforce can live healthy working lives? Should all employers pay the recently uprated Living Wage, and how can you support your people if paying the voluntary Real Living Wage is simply unaffordable? Finally, are your colleagues w…

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A Generational Dunk 54:52

1y ago54:52

54:52

JB and Ant are back on tour with their microphone, enabling joyous conversation in 'exotic' places. This week, in an industrial park, near Barcelona. Joined by an employee of a customer, Duncan (Duncy to JB and Ant) joins them to chat about generational differences, following 2 pieces of research by HR Magazine and SEEDL. Additionally, they discuss…

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HR People Pod – Ep 10: Employment Rights Bill special 45:31

1y ago45:31

45:31

The UK Government has proposed the biggest overhaul of workers’ rights in a generation. What will this mean for employers and people professionals? Our panel reflects on the Employment Rights Bill announcement, examining the potential impact of the provisions, such as removing the two-year qualifying period for protection against unfair dismissal, …

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Podcast 212: Creating a culture of psychological safety at work 36:18

1y ago36:18

36:18

It’s widely recognised that developing a psychologically safe working environment can significantly enhance both individual and organisational performance. However, while organisations seek to reap these benefits in the long term, the immediate challenge is to cultivate a culture of psychological safety from which these benefits can grow. Join Nige…

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HR People Pod – Ep 9: RoboCop| Presenteeism | Discretionary effort | ‘Un-bossing’ 35:27

1y ago35:27

35:27

Are RoboCop-style security guards and AI accountants a glimpse of the future of work? Are longer hours more likely to be the norm, especially if you want to progress in your career? What are the differing perceptions and attitudes of a multigenerational workforce and how is this giving rise to the purported trend of ‘conscious un-bossing’? CIPD Dir…