Shows
Honest HRToday’s Shifting Priorities for an HR Department of OneWhat’s behind the changing priorities for an HR department of one in 2025? Jennifer Currence, senior partner at HR Soul Consulting, joins host Monique Akanbi, SHRM-CP, to break down the results of her annual survey of small business HR professionals. She reveals why organizational effectiveness surged to the top of the list, how business acumen is becoming essential for HR pros, and what’s driving shifts in engagement and leadership priorities. Tune in for actionable advice on strengthening relationships across the business, starting change initiatives, and making an immediate impact with limited resources. This podcast is app...
2025-08-0528 minHonest HRHow Student Loan Assistance Can Improve Hiring and RetentionImagine stacks of $100 bills stretching from Earth past the International Space Station — that’s the staggering reality of America’s $1.77 trillion student debt crisis. Heather Jarvis, executive director of Fosterus — a nonprofit that helps employers administer loan assistance programs — joins host Monique Akanbi to unpack how this burden affects today’s workforce and why employer-sponsored loan repayment programs are a win for both employees and organizations. Together, they explore how expanding access to these benefits can help close equity gaps across race, ethnicity, and gender. They also share tax-advantage strategies for offering cost-effective support. This podcast is ap...
2025-07-2229 minHonest HRNavigating ADA Challenges Across the Employee Life CycleExpert legal voices Amy Epstein Gluck, Esq., founding partner at Pierson Ferdinand LLP, and SHRM’s Allen Smith, J.D., share best practices in applying the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) across the full employee lifecycle, from recruitment to post-employment. Starting with their own personal experiences with managing a disability, they join host Monique Akanbi to tackle real HR dilemmas in compliance, accommodation requests, performance management, and more — including answering top ADA questions straight from SHRM's HR Knowledge Center. Expert legal voices Amy Epstein Gluck, Esq., founding partner at Pearson Ferdinand LLP, and SHRM’s Allen S...
2025-07-1536 minHonest HRHR’s Top FMLA Questions from the SHRM Knowledge CenterThe Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) is one of the top topics SHRM gets member questions about in our HR Knowledge Center. So, host Monique Akanbi sits down with Liz Petersen and Sheri Martel, two FMLA experts within SHRM’s own ranks, to tackle the questions HR pros ask the most. Together, they break down key FMLA areas such as eligibility, intermittent leave, compliance, job restoration, and special circumstances. Whether it's calculating requirements, managing leave patterns that suggest misuse, handling benefit coverage obligations, or navigating tricky return-to-work cases, their conversation delivers practical insights for appr...
2025-06-1731 minHonest HRCrisis Management and Resolving Contentious ConversationsLearn from a retired SWAT negotiator how to handle workplace crises and difficult conversations as an HR professional. Scott Tillema, keynote speaker and corporate trainer at The Negotiations Collective, goes over the four principles of crisis negotiation with host Monique Akanbi, as well as quick decision-making strategies for high-stakes and sometimes emotionally charged situations.Episode TranscriptSubscribe to HR Daily 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 yo...
2025-05-1333 minHonest HRHR Pros and Workplace Mental HealthMental health challenges often creep into the workplace, affecting productivity and the bottom line. Host Wendy Fong and Marjorie Morrison, SHRM’s new executive in residence for mental health, discuss how HR can support employees going through mental health challenges while maintaining healthy boundaries for themselves.This podcast is approved for .5 PDCs toward the SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires April 1, 2026Honest HR is the go-to podcast for aspiring and informed HR professionals intent on transforming workplace challenges into golden opportunities. Hosted by...
2025-03-1834 minHonest HRSelf-Care for HR ProsSelf-care is especially important for HR professionals, who take on the challenges of an entire organization. Host Monique Akanbi sits down with Joelle Moray, founder and CEO of Integrate Wellness, to discuss attainable practices to improve self-care and boundary setting. 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 April 1, 2026Honest HR is the go-to podcast for aspiring and informed HR professionals intent on transforming workplace challenges into golden opportunities. Hosted by Amber Clayton, Monique Akanbi, and Wendy F...
2025-03-1128 minHonest HRLearning & Development Across the Employee LifecycleDiscover best practices for recruiting, developing, and retaining employees through thoughtfully curated learning and development (L&D) programs. Jay Jones, lead of talent & employee experience at SHRM, discusses how an investment in L&D can help organizations bridge key skills gaps, grow high-performing employees, and keep their workforce on the leading edge. Jones also shares how HR pros can ensure these programs are implemented inclusively and cost-effectively, even with limited resources.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...
2025-03-0430 minHonest HRGraceful Goodbyes: The Art of Facilitating Employee FarewellsSaying goodbye to an employee is never easy. Host Monique Akanbi and Tina Schust Robinson, founder & CEO of Workjoy, discuss helpful tips for HR professionals who need to conduct either tricky terminations or smooth sendoffs once employees give notice. Tune in for insights on how to balance HR’s role of organizational steward with showing empathy for co-workers during these transitional moments.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 March 1, 2026Honest HR is the go-to podcast fo...
2025-02-2632 minHonest HRManaging Natural Disasters as an HR ProThe 2025 LA wildfires prompted a national response from affected organizations. Host Monique Akanbi and Christine Rodman, founder and CEO of Lynx Employer Resources LLC and state director for SHRM CA, discuss how HR professionals can prepare and support their fellow employees in the event of a natural disaster. 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 March 1, 2026Honest HR is the go-to podcast for aspiring and informed HR professionals intent on transforming workplace challenges into golden opportunities. H...
2025-02-1828 minHonest HREmpowering Working ParentsParent out loud. Host Monique Akanbi is joined by Chelsey Gonzalez, VP Human Resources, Acklen Avenue, SHRM-CP, to discuss how working parents can harmonize their competing priorities and how HR professionals can best support them. 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 March 1, 2026Honest HR is the go-to podcast for aspiring and informed HR professionals intent on transforming workplace challenges into golden opportunities. Hosted by Amber Clayton, Monique Akanbi, and Wendy Fong, this podcast brings you i...
2025-02-1130 minHonest HRJoking Around at Work (Without Offending Anyone)Incorporate humor in the workplace. Host Monique Akanbi sits down with Jamie Jackson, HR leader by day, “Chief Meme Officer” by night, to discuss the value of humor and lightheartedness at work, as well as how to make sure it stays appropriate.Episode TranscriptThis 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 February 1, 2026Rate/review Honest HR on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
2025-01-2824 minHonest HRWhat It Truly Means to Be an AllyAllyship is a verb. And when done correctly, it can be a great tool to further your I&D goals. Host Monique Akanbi sits down with Victoria Mattingly, founder and CEO of Mattingly Solutions, and Sertrice Shipley, founder & CEO of Plan to Action LLC, to dig into common misconceptions about allyship, what the ally/partner relationship looks like, and what HR professionals can do to be a good ally. Episode TranscriptThis podcast is approved to provide 0.5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the e...
2025-01-0729 minHonest HRBurnout: Symptoms, Recovery, and PreventionHow can you tell if you or a colleague is suffering from burnout? How do you then recover from and prevent it? Host Monique Akanbi dives into these questions with Deidre Gestrin, Founder at Abundant Wellness Essentials, Wellness Consultant, Author, and Trainer. From the individual to organizational level, Deidre shares actionable insights on how to manage burnout. Episode TranscriptThis podcast is approved to provide 0.5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires February 1, 2026. Rate/review Honest HR on...
2024-12-3135 minHonest HRNavigating Microaggressions with GraceEquip yourself with the tools to handle microaggressions in the workplace whether you were the recipient, witness, or perpetrator. Hosts Monique Akanbi and Amber Clayton sat down with Eden-Reneé Hayes, CEO and Owner, Pluralism Solutions, at SHRM INCLUSION 2024 to dive into what microaggressions are, why it’s so important to combat them, and what HR professionals can do to minimize them. Episode TranscriptThis podcast is approved to provide 0.5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires January 1, 2026.Rate/review Hone...
2024-12-1035 minHonest HRGen Z’s Impact in the WorkplaceGen Z, the latest generation to enter the workforce, stands out from other generations. Hosts Wendy Fong and Monique Akanbi sit down with Keri Mesropov, Founder, Spring Talent Development, at SHRM INCLUSION 2024 to discuss considerations for Gen Z at work, the value they bring, and how HR professionals and leaders can best integrate them into the workforce.Episode transcriptThis podcast is approved for 0.5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires January 1, 2026.Rate/review Honest HR on Apple Podcasts...
2024-12-0325 minHonest HRNeurodiversity in the Workplace with Jhillika KumarOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month, so in this episode of Honest HR, host Monique Akanbi sits down with Jhillika Kumar, CEO and Founder of Mentra—a neurodiversity employment network—to discuss how HR professionals can support neurodiversity in their workplaces. Jhillika offers insight into the value of hiring neurodiverse employees, as well as common misconceptions around neurodiversity in the workplace.Episode transcriptThis podcast is approved for 0.5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires Oct. 15, 2025.Rate and revi...
2024-10-1627 minHonest HRWhat Makes a Good Boss with Tony MooreHost Monique Akanbi sits down with culture architect Tony Moore to discuss what makes a good boss. Tony offers insights into the best mindset for leading a team and what leaders at every level can do to set their employees and business up for success.This podcast is approved for 0.5 PDCs toward SHRM-CP and SHRM-SCP recertification. Listen to the complete episode to get your activity ID at the end. ID expires Oct. 17, 2025.Episode transcriptRate and review Honest HR on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
2024-10-0924 minHonest HRLessons from Ted Lasso on Creating Positive Workplace Cultures with Jeff HarryIf you haven’t already heard, Ted Lasso star Jason Sudeikis is joining the Main Stage at SHRM’s Annual Conference and Expo in Chicago, June 23rd through 26th. In anticipation of the event, motivational speaker and Ted Lasso super fan Jeff Harry joins host Monique Akanbi for a discussion of the show and accompanying takeaways for creating positive workplace cultures on topics including leadership style, relationship building, and psychological safety at work.Register for SHRM24 today.Episode transcriptRate and review Honest HR on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podc...
2024-05-2328 minHonest HRNicole Armstrong on Creating Empathy-Centric WorkplacesEmpathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings, perspectives, or experiences of another person, and for workplace leaders, empathy is a communication skill that helps transform debates into conversations premised on understanding of shared experiences. In this episode of Honest HR, host Monique Akanbi is joined by workplace consultant and Ellequate founder/CEO Nicole Armstrong to discuss topics including the relationship between empathy and vulnerability, leveraging empathy to create safe spaces to communicate at work, and how to lead with empathy while also instilling accountability among employees.Episode transcriptEarn 0.75 SHRM PDC by...
2024-04-1839 minHonest HRHow AI Will Transform HR’s Work with Jim LinkAI represents the next wave of technological advancement for society, and is expected to transform how work gets done across every industry. In this episode of Honest HR, SHRM CHRO Jim Link, SHRM-SCP, joins host Monique Akanbi to discuss everything HR professionals and business leaders should know about AI and integrating it into their organizations.Earn 0.75 SHRM PDC for listening to this podcast; all details provided in-episode.Episode transcriptRate and review Honest HR on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.
2024-02-2846 min