HR has never stood still, but the pace of change has accelerated dramatically. From AI and evolving employment law to changing employee expectations and new ways of working, People leaders are expected to navigate an increasingly complex landscape while continuing to support employees and drive business outcomes.
Keeping up with the latest thinking isn't a nice-to-have; it's part of the job. But with competing priorities and packed calendars, finding time to read every report, article, or research paper simply isn't realistic.
That's where podcasts come in.
The best HR podcasts make it easier to stay informed, hear different perspectives, and learn from experienced practitioners and industry experts. Whether you're interested in leadership, talent acquisition, organisational culture, employee experience, or the future of work, there's a podcast that can help you sharpen your thinking.
This list brings together some of the best HR podcasts for People leaders, covering a range of topics and perspectives. Whether you're leading a global HR team, supporting a fast-growing business, or simply looking for fresh ideas, these podcasts are well worth adding to your listening list.
10 best podcasts for HR professionals
From a People Perspective
Candid and refreshingly unpolished, From A People Perspective is hosted by Martin Hauck, founder of The People People Group, North America's most engaged community of HR, Recruitment, and People Ops professionals. True to its name, the show is about people: how they got started, what they're up to now, and where they're headed next. Guests range from Zapier CPO Brandon Sammut and Oyster's own Director of People Services Erin Goodey to Emmy-winning filmmaker Topaz Adizes, and they share the honest version of their stories, including the layoffs, tough calls, and pivots that never quite make it into a LinkedIn post.
Josh Bersin Podcast
Hosted by globally recognised HR industry analyst Josh Bersin, The Josh Bersin Company podcast explores the biggest trends shaping the future of work. Episodes feature conversations with HR leaders, CEOs, researchers, and technology innovators on topics including AI, skills-based organisations, leadership, learning, talent, and workforce transformation. Rather than focusing on day-to-day HR challenges, the podcast takes a strategic view of where the world of work is heading, making it a valuable listen for senior HR and People leaders looking to stay ahead of what's next. Listen to Tony Jamous talk about global employment at scale.
People Managing People
Hosted by David Rice, People Managing People explores what it takes to lead high-performing teams in a rapidly changing world of work. Episodes feature conversations with executives, founders, and People leaders on topics including AI, workplace culture, performance management, leadership, and organisational design. With a strong focus on practical takeaways, it's a great listen for managers and HR leaders looking for actionable ideas they can apply within their own teams. Tune in to hear from Oyster’s Erin Goodey chat about how her team is leveraging AI for efficiency gains so time can be reinvested into People partnering.
HR Happy Hour
Upbeat and conversational, HR Happy Hour is both a podcast and a web radio show that tackles topics like recruiting, leadership, and HR technology. Hosted by Steve Boese and Trish McFarlane, it is the longest-running HR podcast, giving you plenty of episodes to catch up on. Turn to this podcast for up-to-date insights on evolving HR issues, including recent developments in employment laws and other need-to-know workforce updates.
DriveThruHR
Quick and witty, DriveThruHR is a half-hour show that airs once every two weeks—perfect for a lunch break listen. Tune in as hosts Mike VanDervort, Robin Schooling, Dwane Lay, and Crystal Miller Lay cover topics like talent management, leadership, and HR technology. Look to these experts for insights into the latest workforce trends in an engaging and easily digestible format.
The Recruiting Brainfood Podcast
Taking deep dives into topics like recruiting trends, the state of the job market, and AI’s role in HR, the Recruiting Brainfood Podcast invites founders of recruitment tech companies from around the globe to share practical insights. They’ll keep you in the loop with timely HR updates on topics like employee engagement, talent acquisition, and HR compliance. The podcast also hits on remote hiring, so be sure to subscribe if your company operates globally or is expanding its hiring territories.
#WorkTrends
With bite-sized episodes spanning 15 to 20 minutes, #WorkTrends covers virtually every HR-related topic imaginable. Host and HR thought leader Meghan M. Biro interviews industry experts to discuss everything from hybrid work to HR tech. With its fun and engaging interview format, this podcast is a long-time favorite and consistently ranks among the best podcasts for HR professionals. In between new episodes released each Wednesday, listeners can also engage in conversations on X using the #WorkTrends chat.
We’re Only Human
Recognizing the fact that HR professionals are often stigmatized as being uptight, host Ben Eubanks started We’re Only Human to remind listeners that the best HR leaders are in fact visionaries whose contributions have a far-reaching impact on business outcomes. Tech-savvy HR professionals will especially want to take a listen, as the podcast highlights the ways in which technology can empower leaders to meet the needs of the modern workforce.
Future of Work Podcast
Hosted by futurist and best-selling author Jacob Morgan, Future of Work Podcast explores how work, leadership, and the employee experience are evolving. Through interviews with CEOs, CHROs, bestselling authors, and business thinkers, the show examines topics such as leadership, workplace culture, technology, AI, and the changing expectations of today's workforce. It's ideal for HR leaders looking beyond day-to-day operations to understand the broader trends shaping the future of work. Tune in to learn more from the Oyster team about distributed working.
HR Chat | HR Gazette
One of the longest-running HR podcasts, HRchat is hosted by Bill Banham and features conversations with HR practitioners, business leaders, analysts, and technology experts from around the world. Covering everything from HR tech and recruitment to employee engagement, wellbeing, DEI, AI, and leadership, its broad range of topics and frequent episodes make it an easy way to stay up to date with the latest thinking across the People profession.
Empower your HR team with Oyster
The best HR leaders are lifelong learners—always exploring new ideas, perspectives, and strategies to lead their people well. These podcasts offer a window into the conversations shaping the future of work—from talent strategy and culture-building to leadership in a global, distributed world.
If you’re building a distributed team, Oyster provides end-to-end global employment support as well as deep local knowledge of local compliance, compensation, benefits, and more. Learn how Oyster can help you stay competitive and thrive in an evolving, borderless world of work, or reach out for a personalized consultation.
