Strategy beats panic when work changes this fast. We sit down with Karla Eidem, North American Regional Managing Director at the Project Management Institute, to explore how HR can turn AI disruption into a springboard for skills, execution, and meaningful outcomes. From facts over fear to practical, lightweight tools, we walk through the moves that help teams adapt with less noise and more impact.

Karla breaks down the PMI Talent Triangle—power skills, ways of working, and business acumen—and shows why these capabilities now matter across every HR function. We dig into skills-based hiring, internal mobility, and creating early-career on-ramps when routine tasks are automated. If you’ve ever run a “meeting for everyone with no one accountable,” you’ll get immediate value from simple project tools like a team register, a sharp charter, and a clear cadence that turns ambition into action.

We also tackle the tough questions about AI: where it helps, where it can’t, and how HR should evaluate tools to truly capture value. Karla shares field stories, including leading a COVID-19 vaccine rollout, to illustrate how project management provides structure in ambiguity. Plus, we highlight insights from her SHRM session and extend an invitation to stay connected with PMI’s global community through year-round learning and networking, including the annual PMI Global Summit.

If you’re ready to shift from operations to strategic leadership, this conversation offers a practical playbook. Subscribe, share this episode with your team, and leave a review with the one skill you’re prioritizing next—we’ll feature our favorites in a future show.

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The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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How much of your benefits budget actually helps people live and work better?

In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham sits down with David Duckworth, Co-Founder and COO at Ben, to explore why so much global benefits spend gets wasted—and how a smarter, more human approach can turn perks into performance.

David draws on his background in payments, financial services, and HR tech to reframe benefits as what they really are: complex, recurring payments that deserve the same precision and transparency as payroll. That mindset, he argues, is key to building cleaner, simpler, and more impactful experiences for employees everywhere.

The conversation covers:

• The shift from work-life balance to work-life integration—and how policy design must evolve
• How Ben encourages real-time off and embeds wellbeing into daily workflows
• Why boldness and resilience define great hires and high-performing teams
• The mechanics of fixing a fragmented benefits ecosystem with AI, automation, and open architecture
• How to measure ROI in practical ways—through adoption, engagement, experience scores, and retention impact

We also preview Disrupt London 25.0, hosted at Ben on November 12, 2025, and discuss why bringing innovators together accelerates progress in employee experience and HR tech.

If you’re rethinking your benefits strategy or building the next generation of workplace experience, this conversation is your playbook.

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Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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Policy headwinds are rising, but the work still needs doing. In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham sits down with Pavel Shynkarenko, founder of Mellow, to unpack the ripple effects of proposed H-1B and L-1 visa reforms—and a possible 25% outsourcing levy—on the global freelance and contractor economy.

Pavel has spent more than 20 years in financial and HR technology, building platforms that help freelancers access fair pay, benefits, and social protections on par with employees. He brings a pragmatic, data-informed view of how these policy changes could reshape the cost calculus for U.S. employers, HR leaders, and cross-border teams in 2025 and beyond.

Together, Bill and Pavel explore how tightening U.S. visa policies could unintentionally accelerate the shift toward remote-first and distributed workforces. When companies face rising administrative costs or talent shortages at home, they often turn to Employer of Record (EOR) and Contractor of Record (COR) models to stay compliant while continuing to access top talent worldwide. Pavel walks through the hidden math behind total landed cost—how everything from currency fluctuations to social contributions can alter hiring decisions—and why the real bottleneck isn’t policy, but supply: there simply aren’t enough local workers to replace the global freelance engine that powers innovation.

The conversation then turns to platform evolution. Legacy marketplaces once promised cheaper rates through mass competition, but that model no longer serves enterprise needs. Today, trust, verified track records, and long-term fit matter far more. Pavel explains how Mellow is redefining the space by using AI and behavioral data to connect companies with freelancers they’re statistically more likely to succeed with—based on shared networks, past project outcomes, and verified credentials. This AI-first approach also simplifies complex backend tasks such as KYC, tax, and payments across 100+ countries, giving HR teams one compliance-ready platform to manage their distributed workforce.

Bill and Pavel also compare U.S. protectionist trends with Europe’s fragmented response. Some countries, especially those with aging populations and shrinking workforces, may loosen immigration for high-skill talent, while others tighten entry. The result? A global balancing act where companies must blend onshore, nearshore, and offshore strategies

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Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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How can HR leaders use AI and data-driven insights to make work fairer, more engaging, and more efficient — without adding complexity or risk?

In this episode of the HRchat Podcast, host Bill Banham welcomes back Lindsay Clayborne, Chief of Staff at Cardata, the fully managed vehicle reimbursement partner helping companies modernize outdated car allowance programs with smarter, fairer, and IRS-compliant solutions.

Last time, Bill and Lindsay explored the basics of why a strong vehicle reimbursement program matters to both employees and employers. This time, they go a step further — looking at how HR and People leaders can use AI and automation to free up time, improve compliance, and empower teams to focus on the work that really matters.

Lindsay reflects on her own evolution into a Chief of Staff role, sharing how her lens has widened from people operations to company-wide clarity, planning, and performance. That experience shapes a broader conversation around how HR can leverage AI to streamline processes, make data actionable, and strengthen its voice in strategic business decisions.

Together, they explore:

• How AI reduces HR admin overload, freeing up time for judgment, coaching, and culture-building
• The evolution of vehicle reimbursement programs — from mileage tracking to integrated, automated systems that reveal valuable patterns
• Why data centralization and cross-system integration are key to eliminating friction and improving workforce insights
• How to design AI guardrails to ensure safe, ethical, and compliant adoption across teams
• The growing importance of curiosity, adaptability, and critical thinking in the age of AI

The conversation also tackles a challenge many HR teams face: fear of AI. Lindsay and Bill discuss practical ways to build trust and confidence — defining sensitive data by function, educating teams on safe use, and setting clear policies that encourage experimentation without risk.

Tune in for real-world insights on how HR can harness AI to boost fairness, retention, and impact — and become a smarter, more strategic business partner.

Learn more about Cardata: cardata.co

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Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.

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According to today's guest, most hires don’t fail because they can’t do the work, they fail because their mindset clashes with how the work gets done. In this HRchat episode, Bill Bnaham sits down with New York Times best‑selling author Mark Murphy, founder of Leadership IQ, to unpack why attitude, not technical skill, is the main reason good resumes turn into bad hires, and how to fix the interview process without adding complexity or bloat.

Mark breaks down the traps that sink interviews: stock questions that beg for canned responses, interviewers who talk too much, and prompts that accidentally coach candidates toward a “success story.” He offers a simple, repeatable structure: define the few core attitudes your team truly needs, ask targeted behavioral questions tied to those attitudes, then leave the question hanging so candidates reveal how they think under light pressure. We explore what humility looks like in real answers and why growth after mistakes is a universal green flag.

Mark also tackles a timely question: where does AI help, and where does it fall short? Automation already shines at scheduling and screening, but trained interviewers still catch evasive language, tense shifts, and non‑answers that slip past machine analysis. We compare in‑person and video formats, explain why asynchronous recordings reward scripts over substance, and show how to separate the assessment from the culture pitch so candidates still get a rich view of your team, values, and expectations.

Support the show

Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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In this episode, guest hosts Pauline James and David Creelman welcome culture strategist and author Dr. Jessica Kriegel for a conversation on how leaders can use AI thoughtfully to enhance, not replace, the human side of work.

In this lively discussion, Jessica unpacks what’s really happening inside organizations as AI, culture, and change management collide. She explains why this is the “moment for change management,” how leaders can create experiences that shift employee perceptions, and why the illusion of control is the biggest barrier to transformation. Jessica also shares fascinating examples, from manufacturing firms using AI for data insight to companies experimenting with “culture-measuring” chatbots.

Key Themes

• How leaders can move beyond “the action trap” to shift employee perceptions through meaningful experiences
• Real-world AI use cases that reveal both opportunity and risk, from sales analytics to culture analytics
• The fine line between empowerment and surveillance in workplace technology
• Why “surrender” is the surprising secret to stronger leadership and sustainable change

Why HR Professionals Should Listen

For HR leaders navigating the dual revolutions of AI and culture, Jessica Kriegel offers a rare combination of candor, intelligence, and humor. She speaks the language of both strategy and humanity, reminding us that change doesn’t start with systems or data, but with what people believe.

Her upcoming book, her co-authored with Joe Terry, Surrender to Lead, which will be released in January 2026, expands on her insights. Jessica invites leaders to let go of the illusion of control and focus on what really drives results: their presence, mindset, and the ability to create meaningful experiences for employees which inspire alignment and action.

Support the show

Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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In April–June 2025, 948,000 young people aged 16–24 in the UK were classified as NEET, not in education, employment, or training. That’s 12.5% of the youth population, a worrying rise from the previous quarter and year.

In this episode, host Bill Banham sits down with Sam Squire, CEO of Inspire 2 Ignite CIC, to unpack what’s driving this crisis—and how a new generation of community leaders, educators, and employers are turning disconnection into opportunity.

Sam shares his journey from aspiring pro footballer to NEET to social impact CEO, and how that lived experience informs a practical blueprint built on psychological safety, real-world exposure, and data-driven youth engagement.

Tune in and discover:

From disengagement to ignition

• How Inspire 2 Ignite’s programmes transform potential into purpose through experiential learning, short-form work trials, and coaching.
• Why qualification filters and rigid job criteria shut out emerging talent—and how HR teams can rethink hiring to unlock hidden value.

Action for HR leaders and educators

• Removing barriers to early-career access.
• Building local ecosystems where education, employers, and youth services collaborate in real time.
• Measuring impact through lived outcomes, not just qualifications.

Bill and Sam also preview the November 6th Disrupt Milton Keynes, produced in partnership with Inspire 2 Ignite CIC and supported by Securitas UK, bringing HR, business, and education leaders together to co-create solutions to the NEET challenge.

Agenda highlights:

• Keynote by Julius Probst, European Labor Economist at Appcast
• Disrupt talks featuring Richard Page-Brown (NFU Mutual), Isi Ojobo (North Central London ICB), Kesiena Ogefere (Copieux Group), Rebecca Poxon (Pluxee UK), and more
• Interactive learning lab led by Sam Squire, exploring data, design, and social innovation in youth employment

Connect with Sam Squire: linkedin.com/in/sam-squire-43308619b

Learn more about Inspire 2 Ignite: inspire2ignite.co.uk

Sign up for Disrupt MK 2.0: eventbrite.ca/e/disrupt-mk-20-tickets-1292640716179

Support the show

Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

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Change doesn’t fail because people are stubborn; it fails because the rollout forgets how humans actually change. In this HRchat episode, Bill Banham sits down with Georgie Cooke, Learning and Change Strategist co-founder of Lima Delta, to unpack why so many transformations lose steam and how to design plans that stick.

From status quo bias and risk aversion to the quiet power of team norms, Georgie explains the psychology that shapes every initiative and shows how to turn insight into action.

Tune in to hear a clear breakdown of the Inspire, Train, Sustain framework and why sequence matters. Inspire builds urgency with a story that balances opportunity with the cost of staying the same. Train turns ideas into decisions through scenario-based practice and feedback that builds real capability. Sustain locks in new habits with aligned processes, incentives, communities of practice, and ongoing communication that respects the forgetting curve. We walk through a global engineering case study where leadership behavior shifted from vision on slides to norms in daily work—town halls and toolbox talks, a custom self-assessment, scenario learning, leadership labs, mentoring, and performance systems all pulling in the same direction.

Managers are the hinge that determines whether culture moves or snaps back. Georgie, a speaker at the November 12th Disrupt London summit, shares how to equip them as a distinct audience: early access, practical tools for local contexts, and clear expectations for the first 90 days.

Bill and Georgie also explore how to align company values with local realities, making the “why” personal to each team. If you’re leading HR, transformation, or people development, you’ll leave with concrete steps to diagnose resistance, tailor messages, and build environments where the right behavior is the easy behavior.

If this episode sparks ideas for your own rollout, follow along and share your biggest challenge. Subscribe for more conversations on change, leadership, and the future of work, and leave a quick review to help others find the show.

Connect with Georgie: linkedin.com/in/georgina-cooke-ld

Learn about Lima Delta: limadelta.com

Check out Lima Delta's Pathfinder workshop: limadelta.com/pathfinder

Support the show

Feature Your Brand on the HRchat Podcast

The HRchat show has had 100,000s of downloads and is frequently listed as one of the most popular global podcasts for HR pros, Talent execs and leaders. It is ranked in the top ten in the world based on traffic, social media followers, domain authority & freshness. The podcast is also ranked as the Best Canadian HR Podcast by FeedSpot and one of the top 10% most popular shows by Listen Score.

Want to share the story of how your business is helping to shape the world of work? We offer sponsored episodes, audio adverts, email campaigns, and a host of other options. Check out packages here.

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