The HR L&D Podcast

Episod

• Leadership Is Worthless. Leading Is Everything with Dr. Thom Mayer 01.07.2026 50min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Hire, manage and pay, anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Dr. Thom Mayer, emergency physician, crisis leader, NFL Players Association Medical Director, and bestselling author of Leadership Is Worthless But Leading Is Priceless. Having led through 9/11 at the Pentagon, the national anthrax response, and medical training on the ground in Ukraine, Dr. Mayer brings a career forged under the highest pressure imaginable to challenge everything we think we know about what it means to lead.Nick and Dr. Mayer explore why the concept of leadership has become dangerously hollow, why every person on your team is already a leader whether you treat them that way or not, and why innovation never moves at the speed of genius but always at the speed of trust. They unpack the critical difference between bravery, courage, and tenacity, why making failure your fuel is the foundation of elite performance, how victim mentality disappears the moment people own their agency, and why calling someone a future leader is one of the most toxic things you can say. They also examine how AI is being dangerously misused as a substitute for leadership wisdom and why luck is really just a discipline meeting opportunity.In a world where trust is eroding, burnout is rising, and pressure is relentless, this episode makes the case that the leader you have been looking for has been there all along and it is you.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone ready to stop talking about leadership and start actually leading.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Dr. Thom Mayer's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thom-mayer-md-40342024/Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Stay tuned for the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!Timestamps:(00:01) Why Leadership Is Worthless But Leading Is Priceless(02:09) Everyone Is Already a Leader, Not a Future One(05:15) The We Suite vs The C Suite, Empowerment Over Hierarchy(08:10) Vulnerability, Authenticity and Making Failure Your Fuel(15:23) Leadership as Identity vs Leadership as Behavior(18:12) Leading Through 9/11, the NFL and Ukraine(22:36) Bravery, Courage and Tenacity, Three Very Different Things(28:44) Can AI Close the Leadership Gap or Is It Widening It(39:00) The Book and Why It Is Not Just Another Leadership Book(43:06) Luck, Discipline and Saying Yes to the Invitation(46:11) Limiting Beliefs and How They Hold Leaders Back(50:24) How to Sustain Leadership Performance and Connect with Dr. Thom Mayer
• Truths Every HR & Leadership Professional Needs to Hear | Enter the Vault #3 | The HR L&D Podcast 18.06.2026 42min

  In this special Enter The Vault episode of ‪@thehrldpodcast, we unlock the HR L&D vault, a curated collection of the most powerful insights, lessons, and truths shared by the brightest minds shaping the future of work.You'll hear game-changing perspectives on trust-based leadership, skills-based hiring, imposter syndrome, fear in the workplace, building high-trust cultures, HR as a strategic function, and what it truly takes to move from command and control to trust and inspire.From practical advice on rebuilding lost trust and professionalising HR, to deeply human lessons on vulnerability, failure, calmness under pressure, and original thinking, this episode captures the mindset shifts that separate reactive HR from truly transformational people leadership.If you're an HR professional, CHRO, L&D leader, talent strategist, people manager, or founder navigating culture change, leadership development, and the evolving world of work, this episode is packed with timeless insights you can apply immediately.Subscribe for more conversations redefining HR, leadership, and the future of work.Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast ‪@thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Welcome to the HR L&D Vault(00:48) Everyone Is Making It Up: Imposter Syndrome at Every Level(03:53) The One Quality Every Great Leader Has: Calm Is Strength(07:08)Take More Risks: The Career Advice You Needed Earlier(08:28) Skills-Based Hiring and Walking Away from CVs(10:11) Why You Should Hire an HR Leader Sooner Than You Think(14:36) Trust Can Be Lost But It Can Be Rebuilt Through Behaviour(17:19) Trust and Inspire: The Leadership Model for the Modern World(21:50) Inspiration Is the New Engagement Frontier(31:06) How Fear Is Silently Sabotaging Your Leadership(34:06) Failure Is Not the Opposite of Success, It Is Part of It
• Why Work Feels Empty and How Behavioral Science Can Fix It with Jackie Dube 01.06.2026 38min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Jackie Dube, Chief People Officer at The Predictive Index, with over two decades of experience helping organizations unlock performance through behavioral science and talent optimization. Grounding her work in a simple but powerful belief, that happy, aligned people do better work and live better lives, Jackie brings both the science and the human heart to one of the most pressing challenges facing workplaces today.Jackie brings a rare blend of behavioral expertise and people leadership into the world of HR and organizational performance. Together, Nick and Jackie explore why so many employees, despite better tools, more flexibility, and greater leadership investment than ever before, still feel a deep sense of emptiness at work, and what leaders can actually do about it.This conversation unpacks what it truly means to align people with their work from the inside out. Nick and Jackie discuss why engagement and meaning are not the same thing, how the four behavioral drives of dominance, extraversion, patience, and formality determine what energizes or drains each employee, and why the same task can be deeply motivating for one person and completely demotivating for another. They explore how hiring for speed quietly erodes culture, why interpersonal conflicts at work are almost always behavioral mismatches rather than personality clashes, and how leaders can use the three whys technique to reconnect people to organizational purpose.They also cover the four forces of engagement, the role of pulse surveys in detecting disengagement early, and how AI adoption is creating a new wave of workforce fear that behavioral science is uniquely equipped to address. The discussion highlights PI's J-curve framework for navigating change, why transparency around AI matters more than most leaders realize, and how understanding what drives each individual is the foundation of a truly high-performing team.In a world shaped by remote work, rapid AI adoption, and growing disconnection, this episode examines why behavioral science may be the most practical and powerful tool HR and L&D professionals have in 2026 to restore meaning, motivation, and performance across their organizations.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone ready to stop guessing what their people need and start building workplaces where people are genuinely wired to thrive.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Connect with Jackie Dube & The Predictive Index:Predictive Index: https://www.predictiveindex.comPredictive Index behavioural science insights: https://www.predictiveindex.com/blog/Jackie Dube's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-dube/Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Stay tuned for the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Why Work Feels Empty in the Modern Workplace(01:40) Meet Jackie Dube, Chief People Officer at The Predictive Index(02:28) Jackie's Origin Story, From Family Therapy to HR(05:30) How Behavioral Science First Clicked for Jackie(08:33) What Is Driving the Emptiness at Work Today(12:44) How Organizations Unintentionally Drain Meaning from Work(14:39) Early Warning Signs of Disengagement and How to Spot Them(16:22) The Four Behavioral Drives and How They Shape the Way We Work(20:13) How Behavioral Differences Create Motivation or Demotivation(22:52) Why Engagement and Meaning Are Not the Same Thing(27:31) AI Adoption, Workforce Fear and the J-Curve Framework(36:01) How The Predictive Index Helps Organizations Build Meaning and Performance
• The Real Reason Your L&D Team Is Overwhelmed with John Peebles 20.05.2026 51min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by John Peebles, CEO of Administrate, one of the leading voices in enterprise learning operations with over 15 years of experience helping large organizations fix the hidden chaos inside their training functions. Administrate is the number one Training Management System for instructor-led and virtual instructor-led training, trusted by enterprise teams around the world to plan, schedule, and scale complex training programs.Together, Nick and John explore why L&D teams are more overwhelmed than ever despite having more tools than ever, and why the solution almost nobody is talking about has nothing to do with buying something new. The real problem, as John makes clear, is not technology. It is operations.This conversation unpacks what training chaos actually looks like behind the scenes, why the more technology L&D teams add the worse things tend to get, how the absence of a true system of record is quietly killing training effectiveness, and why 70 to 80 percent of high-value corporate training still happens in a classroom regardless of what the e-learning industry has been promising for decades.They also dig into the truth about training ROI, why up to 80 percent of the training budget is consumed by manual admin work nobody signed up for, and how fixing that frees teams to double or even triple their training throughput within a year, with downstream gains in retention and performance that most HR leaders never connect back to training operations.On AI, John delivers one of the most grounded perspectives you will hear from any operator right now, covering where LLMs genuinely add value, where they fall short, and why operational clarity remains the real competitive advantage that winning L&D teams will be built on in 2026 and beyond.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone ready to stop letting fear make their decisions for them and start building the kind of courage that moves teams, careers, and organisations forward.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Connect with John Peebles LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnjpeebles/John Peebles Website: https://bit.ly/4dkz7mmNick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Stay tuned for the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Is Your Training Problem Really a Technology Problem?(01:29) Meet John Peebles: CEO of Administrate(02:00) What Human Resources Really Means(03:36) How John Discovered Training Operations Were Broken(06:12) What Training Chaos Actually Looks Like Behind the Scenes(08:18) Why More Tools Are Making Things Worse(12:26) The Right Tool for the Right Job: A Framework for L&D Leaders(16:24) The Case for Instructor-Led Training (The Data Might Surprise You)
• The Hero Trap: Why Your Best Leaders Are Your Biggest Risk with Bill Flynn 11.05.2026 54min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Bill Flynn, business growth coach, ten-time startup veteran, and best-selling author of Further, Faster and the upcoming Hero Trap. With over 30 years of experience advising hundreds of companies and leaders, Bill brings a bold and provocative perspective to one of the most overlooked problems in leadership development today: leadership centrality.Bill challenges the assumption that better leaders automatically means better organizations. Together, Nick and Bill explore why decades of leadership development investment have failed to move the needle on employee engagement, why the behaviors that make individuals successful so often become the very things that hold their organizations back, and why the real measure of great leadership is how well the organization runs without you.This conversation unpacks what the Hero Trap really is and why so many leaders fall into it without ever realizing it. Nick and Bill discuss why organizations need to move from creating followers to building members, how mission sustains what inspiration starts, and why the most dangerous single point of failure in any business is often the leader at the top. They also explore the three-stage journey from Controller to Builder to Architect, the neuroscience behind why leaders love being the hero, and why HR professionals should stop asking for a seat at the table because they are the table.In a world shaped by fragility, burnout, and over-dependence on heroic leadership, this episode delivers the mindset shifts and practical frameworks every HR and L&D professional needs in 2026, including how to design organizations that scale beyond any single leader, how to build a culture of membership over followership, and how to make yourself unnecessary in the best possible way.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone ready to move from being the hero to becoming the architect of something that lasts.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Connect with Bill Flynn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/billflynnpublic/Bill Flynn's website: www.catalystgrowthadvisors.comNick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Stay tuned for the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction: Why Leadership Centrality Is Breaking Organizations(01:27) What "Human Resources" Really Means(03:40) The Problem with 50 Years of Leadership Development(07:41) What Every Great Leader Actually Has in Common(14:42) The Hero Trap: The Paradox of Success(18:55) Why Promoting Your Best People Often Backfires(24:04) From Followers to Members: Why Mission Gets It Done(27:04) The Controller, Builder, Architect Model(34:35) Why Purpose Is What Sustains a Business(42:20) The Neuroscience Behind the Hero Trap(49:29) The Reframe Every HR Leader Needs to Hear(52:33) Bill Flynn's Work, Books, and What's Coming Next
• It's Never About the Spider: Confronting the Hidden Fears That Hold Leaders Back with Britain Stelly 28.04.2026 51min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/ In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Britain Stelly, founder of Creature Courage and one of the UK's leading experts in phobia therapy and fear transformation, featured on Good Morning Britain, Sky News, BBC Radio 2, and ITV. With over a decade of experience helping thousands of people break free from deep-rooted fears, Britain is now bringing that proven science directly into the workplace.Britain brings a rare combination of exotic animal husbandry, clinical anxiety coaching, and over a decade of live exposure therapy into the world of leadership and organisational development. Together, Nick and Britain explore why fear is the most underrated and underdiagnosed cost inside organisations today, and why the gap between a good team and a high-performing one almost always comes down to the fears nobody is talking about.This conversation unpacks what it truly means to overcome fear from the inside out. Nick and Britain discuss why avoidance never makes fear smaller, only louder, how the caveman brain is quietly sabotaging your team's decisions and conversations every single day, and why exposure therapy creates lasting transformation that no lecture, workshop, or wellbeing initiative ever could. They explore why psychological safety cannot be built on comfort alone, why the most effective leaders are the ones willing to face fear openly, and how a single shared experience of courage can transform the culture of an entire team.They also explore the neuroscience behind why you cannot think your way out of fear, why the amygdala and prefrontal cortex must be shown rather than told, and how Britain's Reject, Reframe, Replace technique gives individuals a practical tool to interrupt anxiety at the thought level. The discussion highlights why imposter syndrome is just fear wearing a professional disguise, why failure is a primitive survival instinct that modern leaders must learn to override, and how vulnerability in leadership is not a weakness but the most respected quality a leader can possess.In a world where anxiety is at an all-time high and teams are growing more disengaged, this episode examines why fear transformation may be the most important investment HR and L&D leaders can make in 2026, and how organizations that build cultures of courage will outperform those that simply manage comfort.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone ready to stop letting fear make their decisions for them and start building the kind of courage that moves teams, careers, and organizations forward.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content! Connect with Britain Stelly & Creature Courage: 🌐 Website: creaturecourage.coNick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/ Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9ea Sign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7 Stay tuned for the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon! Timestamps: (00:00) Most Teams Aren't Held Back by Skill, They're Held Back by Fear (01:47) Meet Britain Stelly: The UK's Leading Fear Transformation Expert (06:04) The Caveman Brain: Why Your Mind Is Wired to Keep You Stuck (09:44) How Avoidance Makes Fear Worse (And What to Do Instead) (11:46) Bringing Fear Science Into the Workplace (15:06) Why Exposure Therapy Works When Nothing Else Does (19:12) Inside a Creature Courage Corporate Session (26:39) The Neuroscience of Fear: Amygdala vs. Prefrontal Cortex (31:40) You Are Not Your Fear: How to Separate Yourself from Your Caveman (36:44) Reject, Reframe, Replace: A Practical Tool You Can Use Today (43:48) Britain's Services: 1-to-1, Corporate Workshops & Events (47:22) Career Lessons, Leadership Fears & One Piece of Advice for 2026
• The Art of Communication: How HR Leaders Can Master Public Speaking & Executive Presence with Michael Campion 21.04.2026 58min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Michael Campion, executive coach, corporate trainer, motivational speaker, and host of the Playing the Inner Game podcast, with over two decades of experience helping leaders, executives, and high performers communicate with clarity, confidence, and impact.Michael brings a rare combination of professional sport, investment banking, and 15 years on the global speaking circuit into the world of leadership communication. Together, Nick and Michael explore why communication is the single most overlooked skill in HR and leadership development, and why the gap between a good leader and a great one almost always comes down to how well they can communicate, influence, and connect.This conversation unpacks what it truly means to master the art of communication from the inside out. Nick and Michael discuss why talent is nothing more than practice in disguise, how preparation is the real source of confidence on stage, and why the spotlight effect is quietly destroying the impact of otherwise brilliant leaders. They explore why most professionals have never received a single hour of public speaking or presentation training, and why that gap is costing organizations more than they realize.They also explore how elite communicators listen just as powerfully as they speak, why reading the room is a skill that separates good presenters from exceptional ones, and how the deepest wounds in our personal story often sit right next to our greatest strengths. The discussion highlights why most presentations fail not because of poor content but because of poor emotional design, and how shifting the question from what do I want to say to how do I want them to feel changes everything.In a world where AI is rapidly commoditizing information and content, this episode examines why human communication has never been more valuable, why effort and personalization are the ultimate costly signals in business, and how HR and L&D professionals can invest in the one skill that touches every part of their role.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone ready to stop leaving their communication potential on the table and start showing up with the presence, preparation, and emotional intelligence their message deserves.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Connect with Michael Campion: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelxcampion/Michael Campion's website: www.michaelxcampion.comNick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Stay tuned for the next episode of the HR L&D Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!Timestamp:(00:00) Introduction and Welcome to the HR L&D Podcast(02:10) What Human Resources Means to Michael Campion(03:59) From Banking to Football to Executive Coach(08:46) Purpose, Curiosity, and Why "Follow Your Passion" Is Bad Advice(16:52) How to Nail Your Next Presentation: Strategies for HR Leaders(24:03) The Art of Listening in Public Speaking(29:11) Energy, Effort, and the Two-Way Street of Communication(36:48) What Michael's Corporate Workshops Actually Cover(41:46) AI, Human Connection, and the Costly Signal(47:09) Designing Emotion, Not Slides(51:47) HR Vault: Michael's Rapid Fire Advice(55:12) Michael's Greatest Skill and Its Dark Side
• Train Your Brain Like an Elite Athlete: The Science of Sustainable Leadership Performance with Lara Milward 15.04.2026 51min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel. Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Lara Milward, neuroleadership coach, speaker, and founder, with over a decade of experience helping leaders and teams build mental stamina, emotional regulation, and high performance without burning out. Blending neuroscience, physiology, psychology, and real world leadership experience, Lara brings a rare and refreshing perspective to what it truly means to lead at your best.Lara brings a powerful athletic background and science-backed coaching methodology into the world of leadership development. Together, Nick and Lara explore why the leaders who thrive are not the ones who push hardest but the ones who understand how their brain works and train it with the same discipline, intention, and care that elite athletes give their bodies.This conversation unpacks what the Leader Shift framework really means and how six practical tools can transform mindset and behaviour in any leader at any level. Nick and Lara discuss why mental conditioning for leaders is no longer optional, how the neuroscience of threat and reward state directly impacts team performance, and why emotional regulation and self-awareness are now non-negotiable leadership skills.They also explore why the brain needs off-task time to generate its best ideas, the critical role of rest and recovery in avoiding burnout, and how physical challenge builds the same neural pathways as professional resilience. The discussion highlights the importance of the mind-body connection in leadership, the dangers of back-to-back meeting culture, and how leaders can use the SCARF model to keep their teams in a reward state and performing at their peak.In a world shaped by complexity, distraction, and burnout, this episode examines the practical leadership performance tools every HR and L&D professional needs in 2026, including how to manage energy strategically, set boundaries with confidence, and build a high-performing mindset from the inside out.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone ready to stop surviving and start thriving in both their professional and personal lives.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Connect with Lara Milward: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lara-milward/Lara Milward's website: www.laramilward.comNick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Stay tuned for the next episode of the Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction and Welcome to the HR L&D Podcast (02:04) What Human Resources Means to Lara Milward (02:43) The Biggest Leadership Challenges Facing Leaders Today (05:17) The Leader Shift Framework Explained (11:39) Lara's Journey From Athlete to Neuroleadership Coach (18:46) How to Help Leaders Thrive Rather Than Just Survive (22:46) The Neuroscience of Performance and Reward vs Threat State (27:26) Emotional Regulation as a Leadership Superpower (32:28) Avoiding Burnout and Sustaining High Performance (36:59) Why Rest and Recovery Are Critical for Peak Performance (43:42) About Lara's Brand and What She Offers (44:07) HR Vault: Lara's Rapid Fire Leadership Advice
• The Uncomfortable Truth HR Leaders Refuse to Face with Dr Hamira Riaz 07.04.2026 1j 2min

  This episode is sponsored by 'Deel. Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, Nick Day is joined by Dr. Hamira Riaz, chartered psychologist, clinical neuropsychologist, and behavioural strategist with over 25 years of experience, to challenge everything you think you know about HR, leadership, and what it means to truly evolve as a professional.Dr. Hamira brings a rare outside-in perspective, having moved from clinical neuropsychology and high-performing executive coaching into the heart of global corporate HR functions. Together, Nick and Dr. Hamira explore why HR as a profession may be overdue for its most uncomfortable conversation yet and why facing that discomfort is the only path forward.This conversation unpacks what meta-modern HR actually means and why the profession needs a paradigm shift, why behavioural science must underpin the HR function, how metacognition and self-awareness are the skills most HR leaders are missing, why tolerating darkness and uncertainty is a prerequisite for original thinking, the case for defensive pessimism over blind optimism, what makes us uniquely human in an age of AI, and the psychological tips every HR leader needs to thrive in 2026.A must-listen for HR leaders, L&D professionals, and anyone who wants to think more boldly, lead more honestly, and show up better, even when the path forward isn't clear.Connect with Dr. Hamira Riaz: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamirariaz-innovativehr/HRiazConsults website: www.hriazconsults.comNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Stay tuned for the next episode of the Payroll Podcast, brought to you by Nick Day, CEO at JGA Recruitment, landing soon!(00:00) Introduction and Sponsor Message(03:06) Why "Human Resources" Feels Outdated(04:46) From Neuropsychology to Corporate HR(10:38) Meta-Modern HR and Metacognition Explained(17:51) Managing Paradox and the HR Identity Crisis(23:00) Where Behavioural Science Fits In(29:33) Constructive Tension in Coaching Leaders(36:14) Defensive Pessimism vs Blind Optimism(44:08) Being the Antibody Inside Organisations(48:26) Three Psychological Tips for Thriving in 2026
• Why Purpose-Led Business Is the Future of HR & Talent with Ros Winchester 31.03.2026 40min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel. Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode, we go behind the scenes of a real B Corp transformation with Ros Winchester, Sustainability & Operations Director at JGA Recruitment. This isn’t theory or surface-level culture talk - this is what happens when a company decides to measure, validate, and prove its values.Most businesses claim to care about purpose, culture, and impact. But very few are willing to go through the rigorous process of external validation, operational change, and continuous improvement that it actually takes.Connect with Ros: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ros-winchester/Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Why Purpose & Values Matter in Business(00:35) The Problem: Most Companies Don’t Prove Their Values(02:50) Meet Ros & What This Episode Covers(04:05) Why We Started the B Corp Journey(06:40) Why Measuring Impact Changes Everything(08:25) What B Corp Actually Is (Simple Breakdown)(11:24) Why Purpose Matters for Talent & Hiring(14:00) Behind the Scenes: A Real Business Transformation(17:26) Biggest Challenge During the B Corp Process(22:02) From Values on Paper to Real Behavior(26:07) The Impact: Culture, Engagement & Pride(30:45) Final Advice: Should You Become a B Corp?
• Why Trust Is the Future of Leadership with Stephen M.R. Covey | HR L&D Podcast 24.03.2026 1j

  Trust and Inspire is the leadership model redefining how great leaders unlock the best in their people — so why are so many organisations still stuck in command and control?This episode is sponsored by Deel. Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of @thehrldpodcast Nick Day is joined by Stephen M.R. Covey, bestselling author of The Speed of Trust and Trust and Inspire, and former President and CEO of the Covey Leadership Center, to explore why the old model of leadership has reached its expiration date and what it takes to build the kind of high trust culture that attracts, retains and inspires the best people.Drawing on decades of research and work with organisations across 55 countries, Stephen breaks down why trust is a learnable skill and not a personality trait, what it actually looks like to extend trust in remote and hybrid teams without losing control, and how leaders can move from merely motivating people to truly inspiring them.This conversation explores how inspired employees outperform engaged ones by 56%, why the shift from command and control to trust and inspire is the most important leadership move of our time, and what Warren Buffett, Satya Nadella and Eric Yuan all have in common as leaders.A must listen for HR leaders, people managers, L&D professionals, and anyone responsible for building culture and developing leadership capability inside their organisation.Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Connect with Stephen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-m-r-covey-6400191a5Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/ Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9ea Sign up to the HR L&D Newsletter: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Timestamps:(00:00) Preview(01:02) Introduction and Guest Welcome(03:43) What Human Resources Really Means(05:21) Is Trust a Learnable Skill(08:54) Why Leadership Styles Have Not Kept Up With the World(12:51) The Two Epic Imperatives of Modern Leadership(15:18) How to Extend Trust in Remote and Hybrid Teams(19:07) The Stewardship Agreement and Clarifying Expectations(22:04) What Being Trusted Does to Human Performance(26:33) The 3M Post It Note and the Reciprocity of Trust(29:12) Inspiration vs Motivation and the Highest Form of Human Drive (36:40) See Communicate Develop Unleash(43:15) How to Restore Trust After You Have Lost It(48:20) What Trust and Inspire Is Not(54:10) Where Leadership Is Going Next
• The Engineering Hiring Crisis: What Every HR Leader Gets Wrong with Alex Rashkovan 17.03.2026 50min

  This episode is sponsored by 'Deel.Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, Nick Day is joined by Alex Rashkovan, Chairman of Filuet and CEO & Co-Founder of Atalef, to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing HR leaders today: hiring engineers when you are not a tech company.Drawing on more than two decades of building and scaling operational and technology-enabled businesses across the globe, Alex breaks down why CV-first hiring fails for technical roles, what evidence-early screening actually looks like in practice, and how companies can move from guesswork to skills-based hiring that identifies real capability and team fit.This conversation explores how to turn vague requests like "we need a senior developer" into clear role profiles with measurable success criteria, why a 30-minute real-work assessment gives a cleaner signal than three interviews, how AI is reshaping both the work engineers do and the way companies evaluate talent, and what it really means to hire for your company's DNA.A must-listen for HR leaders, talent professionals, L&D teams, and anyone responsible for hiring technical talent in non-tech organisations.Connect with Alex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-rashkovan/Atalef: https://atalef.ai/Nick Day's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Preview(01:16) Introduction and Guest Welcome(03:14) What Human Resources Really Means(05:51) Defining the Right Engineer vs the Best Engineer(08:50) Why CVs Are the New Fax Machine(11:18) The COVID Hiring Failure That Changed Everything(15:11) Evidence-Based Screening and the Role Definition Gold Mine(17:58) Why Companies Struggle to Find Engineers(22:04) Turning Vague Requests Into Real Success Criteria(26:33) Why Synthetic Coding Tests Are Losing Integrity(29:12) The Birth of Atalef and Solving the First Mile of Tech Hiring(39:10) Hiring for Your Company's DNA and Work Style Match(42:26) The HR L&D Vault(48:12) The Future of Hiring and Walking Away From CVs
• Why Learning Habits Will Decide Your Company’s Future with Annabelle Vultee 10.03.2026 51min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel – hire, manage, and pay anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/AI is transforming the workplace faster than most organizations can adapt. But according to Annabelle Vultee, CEO of GoodHabitz, the real competitive advantage in the AI era isn’t technology. It’s human skills.In this conversation with Nick Day on the HR L&D Podcast, Annabelle explains why the global workforce is facing a growing skills crisis and why traditional training programs are no longer enough. As AI lowers the barrier to entry for technical work, capabilities like curiosity, adaptability, critical thinking, and communication are becoming the skills that truly set people apart.Annabelle shares why learning must move beyond one-off training sessions and become a continuous habit inside organizations. She also explores how AI is democratizing access to technology, why leaders should approach it with opportunity rather than fear, and what companies must do now to build future-ready teams in a world where skills are evolving faster than ever.Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!Annabelle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabellevultee/GoodHabitz Website: https://www.goodhabitz.com/(00:00) Setting The AI Context(01:20) The Case For Continuous Upskilling(01:24) Welcome And Guest Introduction(03:00) Defining Modern HR’s Strategic Role(04:05) Leading Globally And Culturally(08:10) The Global Skills Crisis Explained(12:05) Human Skills As Competitive Advantage(16:20) Habit-Building That Makes Learning Stick(20:35) Designing Joyful Micro-Learning Journeys(25:20) From Swiss Army Knives To Skills Maps(28:40) Five Timeless Human Skills(33:45) Democratising Learning: Role Of Leaders(39:10) Diversity As A Performance Engine(44:00) A CEO’s Own Learning Path(49:00) Embracing GenAI: From Fear To Utility
• Key Insights from the World’s Top People Leaders | Enter the Vault #2 | The HR L&D Podcast 25.02.2026 17min

  In this special *Enter The Vault* episode of the HR L&D Podcast, we bring together powerful insights from some of the most influential HR, leadership, and learning experts shaping the future of work.You’ll hear distilled wisdom on AI in learning and development, leadership vulnerability, employee wellbeing, resilience, burnout prevention, emotional intelligence, and what it truly takes to unlock workforce potential.From practical advice on AI readiness and L&D strategy to deeply human lessons on trust, belief, and authenticity, this episode captures the mindset shifts that separate good HR leaders from transformational ones.If you're an HR professional, CHRO, L&D leader, talent strategist, or people manager navigating digital transformation and culture change, this episode is packed with timeless leadership insights you can apply immediately.Subscribe for more conversations redefining HR, leadership, and the future of work.Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7
• How Jessi Beyer's L.I.F.E. Model Prevents Suicide at the Workplace 17.02.2026 1j 1min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel – hire, manage, and pay anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/Suicide is the leading cause of death for people under 35, yet most workplaces are not prepared to recognise or respond to a suicidal crisis.In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, I speak with Jessi Beyer, a mental health professional, former SWAT crisis negotiator, international speaker, author, and creator of the L.I.F.E.™ Model — a proven approach that helps organisations build crisis-ready teams, improve culture, and reduce risk and liability.Jessi introduces her L.I.F.E. Framework, a practical model that equips HR professionals and managers with the skills to listen, ask directly about suicide, and respond with confidence before a crisis escalates. We explore why traditional workplace mental health approaches often fall short and how organisations can build crisis-ready cultures rooted in courageous listening.This conversation is not about turning HR into therapists. It is about leadership, awareness, and human connection. If you work in HR, L&D, or people management, this episode could fundamentally change how you approach mental health and suicide prevention in your organisation.Please share this episode with your colleagues. It could help save a life.Connect with Jessi: https://jessibeyerinternational.com/consultNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7Enjoyed this? Check out our sister podcast @thepayrollpodcast for more great content!(00:00) Why Suicide Prevention Belongs in the Workplace(04:28) Why EAPs & Hotline Posters Fall Short(07:50) Hidden Warning Signs HR Teams Miss(11:55) Jessi Beyer’s Personal Story & Crisis Background(16:07) Essential Skills That De-Escalate Crisis(21:15) Mirrors, Open Questions & Avoiding Interrogation(26:53) Summary Statements & The Power of Silence(33:21) What NOT to Say in a Suicide Conversation(39:02) The LIFE Framework(48:21) Building a Crisis-Ready Workplace Culture(52:16) The One Skill That Could Save a Life(57:26) Why Suicide Prevention Is an HR Responsibility
• 3 Qualities That Make A Great Leader with Andrea Lynn 27.01.2026 46min

  This episode is sponsored by 'Deel. Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/Leadership isn’t built through authority, strategy, or performance alone. It’s built from the inside out.In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, Nick Day is joined by Andrea Lynn, intuitive mindset coach and host of Wake Up Your Soul, for a deep conversation on what truly makes great leaders.Drawing from Andrea’s life-altering health experiences and years of coaching leaders, the discussion explores how mindset, intuition, and self-awareness shape resilient, human-centered leadership. They unpack why emotional ownership matters more than control, how silence and reflection improve decision-making, and why values-led leadership creates stronger connection, trust, and fulfillment at work.This episode is for HR and L&D leaders who want to lead with clarity, empathy, and conviction, without burning out or losing themselves in the process.Connect with AndreaWebsite: andrealynnintuitive.comInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/andrealynnintuitive/?hl=enNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Preview and Intro(02:24) What Human Resources Should Really Stand For(03:17) Near-Death Experiences That Changed Everything(08:29) Self-Leadership Before Leading Others(13:14) Turning Pain Into Power(17:39) Emotional Ownership and Reframing Events(20:01) Identifying Values to Create Fulfillment(22:37) Intuition as a Leadership Skill(26:39) The Power of Silence and Mental Space(29:28) Stories of Extreme Resilience and Meaning(35:22) The Bigger Mission Behind Wake Up Your Soul(38:46) Daily Practices to Build Intuition and Self-Awareness(42:19) Advice for HR and L&D Leaders
• How HR Leaders Can Build Resilient Teams and Retain Talent with Janice Litvin 13.01.2026 43min

  This episode is sponsored by 'Deel.Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, Nick Day is joined by HR expert Janice Litvin to explore why burnout has become one of the biggest challenges facing today’s workforce.Janice breaks down the difference between stress and burnout, the early warning signs leaders often miss, and how organisational culture, leadership behaviour, and constant change contribute to long-term exhaustion. The conversation also explores the impact of AI on employee wellbeing, the importance of preserving the human element in HR, and how leaders can build environments where people feel supported, engaged, and able to perform at their best.This episode offers practical insights for HR professionals, people leaders, and L&D teams looking to reduce burnout, improve retention, and create healthier, more sustainable workplaces.Learn more about Janice and her work, head to JaniceLitvin.comBooks: https://janicelitvin.com/books-by-janice-litvin/Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Why burnout has become a major workplace issue(03:18) The difference between stress and burnout(07:42) Early warning signs of burnout leaders should notice(12:06) How burnout shows up physically and emotionally(16:55) The real business cost of burnout(21:48) AI, uncertainty, and rising workplace anxiety(27:06) Why the human element still matters in HR(31:58) Leadership responsibility in preventing burnout(37:05) Practical steps HR teams can take to reduce burnout(41:20) Building resilient, human-centred workplaces
• The New Science of Momentum: How HR Leaders Can Ignite and Sustain Momentum with Don Yaeger 07.01.2026 51min

  This episode is sponsored by 'Deel. Hire, manage and pay – anyone, anywhere: https://www.deel.com/nickdayhr/In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, Nick Day is joined by Don Yaeger, Hall of Fame speaker, 12-time New York Times bestselling author, and co-author of The New Science of Momentum.Drawing on six years of research and more than 250 interviews across business, sport, politics, and the military, Don breaks down how great leaders create momentum before it appears, how they sustain it under pressure, and how poor leadership decisions can destroy it overnight.This conversation explores why momentum is a mindset, not a moment, how storytelling shapes belief inside organizations, why hiring A-players who can cheer for other A-players is critical, and what leaders must do when momentum starts moving in the wrong direction.A must-listen for HR leaders, talent professionals, L&D teams, and executives responsible for culture, engagement, and performance at scale.Connect with Don: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donyaeger?utm_source=chatgpt.comThe New Science of Momentum: https://donyaeger.com/shop/new-science-of-momentum/?utm_source=chatgpt.comNick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7(00:00) Preview(02:52) What Human Resources Really Means(04:06) The Difference Between a Spark and Real Momentum(08:21) Recruiting A-Players Who Can Celebrate Each Other(10:26) The Scottie Pippen Lesson on Ego and Leadership(14:57) Why The New Science of Momentum Was Written(22:02) Peaking at the Right Time as a Leader(28:05) Conviction When the Odds Are Against You(33:41) The One Trait Shared by All Great Leaders(36:01) Team Chemistry vs Culture(39:04) Building a Leadership Story Bank(43:04) Why Employees Leave When Momentum Is Lost(45:18) A Defining Leadership Failure and Lesson Learned(47:33) The Advice Don Wishes He’d Received Earlier
• The Hidden Risks Of Workplace Celebrations And How To Fix Them | HR L&D Podcast Christmas Special 25.12.2025 44min

  This episode is sponsored by Deel.Ensure fair, consistent reviews with Deel’s calibration template. Deel’s free Performance Calibration Template helps HR teams and managers run more equitable, structured reviews. Use it to align evaluations with business goals,reduce bias in ratings, and ensure every performance conversation is fair, consistent,and grounded in shared standards.Download now: www.deel.com/nickday In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, host Nick Day explores how organizations can design safer, more inclusive workplace events, with a specific focus on protecting women at work social gatherings such as Christmas parties. The conversation examines why festive events often increase risk, how alcohol, travel, and power dynamics contribute, and why employers still underestimate their legal and moral responsibilities.You will hear practical guidance from Moraig Henderson, Advocacy Programme Director from Soroptimist International Great Britain and Ireland, on preventative planning including clear codes of conduct, alcohol controls, venue and transport considerations, and the use of trained observers and bystander intervention to stop issues before they escalate. The discussion also covers the Worker Protection Act, gender impact assessments for workplace events, and how organizations can create psychologically safe reporting processes without victim blaming.Whether you are an HR leader, CEO, people manager, or L&D professional, this episode will help you rethink workplace celebrations as an extension of culture and duty of care. Expect actionable steps to reduce risk, strengthen compliance, protect your employer brand, and create events where everyone feels safe, respected, and included.Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/ Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9ea Sign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7
• Revolutionizing HR: AI's Role in Modern Learning & Development 21.12.2025 52min

  In this episode of the HR L&D Podcast, host Nick Day sits down with John Kannapell, President and COO of Cypher Learning, to explore how AI is reshaping learning and development and what this means for the future of HR.The conversation covers why traditional LMS models are no longer fit for purpose, how AI native learning platforms are collapsing months of work into minutes, and why personalization, engagement, and learning in the flow of work are now critical. John shares how AI agents, microlearning, and conversational learning can help organizations close skill gaps faster while protecting IP and maintaining strong governance.You will hear practical insights on AI driven course creation, learning agents, gamification, and skills based career pathways, alongside real world examples showing improved engagement, faster onboarding, stronger compliance, and higher retention. The discussion also looks at how the role of the L&D professional is evolving from content creation to designing scalable learning systems and managing behavior change.Whether you are an HR leader, L&D professional, or business executive, this episode will help you understand how to move from slow, compliance driven training to high impact, human centered learning powered by AI. Expect clear guidance on where to start, how to assess AI readiness, and how to build a workforce that can upskill faster and perform at a higher level in a rapidly changing world.John's Kannapell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kannapell/Nick Day’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickday/Find your ideal candidate with our job vacancy system: https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/919cf6b9eaSign up to the HR L&D Newsletter - https://jgarecruitment.ck.page/23e7b153e7