Latest Articles
Nada Adel Sobhi
January 30, 2025Podcasts are one of the top ways people develop themselves personally and professionally. For one thing, they offer insights and perspectives from around the world. The HR field is no exception and there are many popular HR podcasts globally.
Finding local podcasts about the HR field might prove challenging. However, we will try to cover the best global HR podcasts and some lesser known ones from the Middle East.
Why listen to HR podcasts
People listen to podcasts for various reasons. From entertainment to personal and professional development.
For HR podcasts, the reasons vary but the target audience usually comprises HR specialists, recruiters, newbie HR professionals, among others.
Here are several benefits to listening to HR podcasts:
Continuous learning
Podcasts offer an opportunity to stay updated on the latest HR industry trends, best practices, industry insights, along with common HR challenges.
Expert insights
Many HR podcasts feature interviews with industry experts, thought leaders, and practitioners, offering valuable advice and perspectives.
Networking opportunities
Surprisingly, podcasts can help you connect with other HR professionals. By listening to podcast episodes, you can uncover top HR and recruitment professionals.
You can then connect with them via platforms like LinkedIn to connect with to share experiences and expand your professional network.
Cost-effective and accessible
Most HR podcasts are free to listen to, making them an affordable resource for professional self development.
They’re also accessible, meaning you can listen to them anytime and anywhere. During your commute to or from work, while working out, or doing household chores.
Diverse topics
The best HR podcasts cover a wide range of topics, from recruitment and talent management to employee engagement and workplace culture, among others. This means listeners can get a well-rounded education.
Best HR podcasts to listen to in 2025
Now, let’s look at some of the world’s top HR podcasts.
Everybody Hates HR
The weekly Everybody Hates HR Podcast aims to bring practical and relatable work-related content to its listeners.
The hosts, Lola and Velisa, are HR professionals who share their experiences, respond to work-related dilemmas, and keep listeners updated on news that affects their rights.
Pros:
- Practical advice: The hosts provide actionable advice on various HR topics.
- Relatable content: The podcast covers real-life HR issues that many listeners can relate to.
- Engaging hosts: Lola and Velisa have a great dynamic and keep the content entertaining.
Cons:
- Regional focus: Some content may be more relevant to listeners in certain regions.
Listen to Everybody Hates HR conversations via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Everybody Hates HR website.
Futurize This podcast
"Futurize This" is a thought-provoking podcast that delves into the future of work, and the impact of AI on HR.
The hosts, Matthijs Metzemaekers and Baren Raaff, are the co-founders of Carv, an AI-powered recruitment solution for recruiters.
The Futurize This podcast delves into how AI affects talent acquisition, the recruitment cycle, and streamlines interviews and hiring. This HR podcast also explores “cutting-edge concepts, revolutionary tools, and transformative developments that are redefining the future of [talent acquisition].”
- Pros:
- Insightful and thought-provoking discussions
- Focuses on AI and future trends and technologies
- Diverse range of guests from the HR and recruitment industry
- Episodes vary in length from 15 minutes to 30 minutes
- Cons:
- Content may sometimes get too technical for some listeners
Listen to Futurize This via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Carv website.
McKinsey Talks Talent
Created by leading strategy and management consulting firm McKinsey & Company, McKinsey Talks Talent is one of the world’s best HR podcasts.
It focuses on navigating the fast-changing landscape of talent management and preparing for the future of work.
The podcast features discussions with talent experts on transformational change, leadership development, and turning talent into a competitive advantage.
The twice-a-month McKinsey Talks Talent podcast is hosted by Bryan Hancock and Brooke Weddle, both of whom are McKinsey partners who lead the company’s people & organizational performance practice.
- Pros:
- Insightful discussions with industry experts.
- Focuses on practical strategies for talent management.
- Covers a wide range of topics relevant to HR and leadership.
- Cons:
- Some episodes might be too technical for general audiences.
Listen to The McKinsey Talks Talent Conversations via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the McKinsey Talks Talent website.
The Employer Branding podcast
This bi-monthly podcast is dedicated to helping organizations attract and retain top talent through effective employer branding strategies.
Hosted by Jörgen Sundberg, CEO of Link Humans, the podcast features interviews with employer branding leaders and innovators from companies like Google, Microsoft, Salesforce, GE, Walmart, L'Oréal, and Unilever.
- Pros:
- Practical advice: Offers actionable tips and strategies for employer branding.
- Diverse guests: Features a wide range of guests from various industries, including top brands and organizations.
- Short episodes: Episodes are around 20 minutes long, making it easy to fit into a busy schedule.
- Cons:
- Niche focus: This podcast primarily focuses on employer branding, which might not appeal to everyone.
Listen to The Employer Branding podcast Conversations via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and The Employer Branding website.
SHRM, All Things Work
Everyone in the HR field has heard of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). However, what many may not know is that SHRM has a weekly podcast called All Things Work.
Created by one of the world’s leading organizations in the HR field, All Things Work covers topics such as trends, peer mentoring, interviewing tips, employee engagement and retention strategies, among others.
The SHRM podcast also features conversations with HR leaders and industry experts who share their insights, research, and advice on various workplace issues, such as employee burnout, women in the workplace,...etc.
The hosts of All Things Work are media professional Anne Sparaco, who leads insightful discussions on the ever-changing landscape of work, and SHRM’s VP and head of content Tony Lee, who brings an insider's perspective on all things work.
- Pros:
- Insightful discussions: Features conversations with leading HR experts across a wide range of topics.
Listen to The SHRM All Things Work Podcast Conversations via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and The SHRM All Things Work website.
HR Leaders Podcast
Hosted by Chris Rainey, The HR Leaders Podcast features insightful conversations with top Chief People Officers (CPOs), CHROs, and other industry experts who share their experiences, lessons learned, and how they are shaping the future of work.
Pros:
- Leadership insights: This podcast doesn’t just feature HR leaders, but specifically Chief People Officers, HR managers, and others.
- Diverse topics: Covers a wide range of HR topics, including HR innovation, talent management, HR tech, and leadership.
- High-quality production: Well-produced episodes with clear audio and engaging content.
Cons:
- Frequency: Daily episodes can be overwhelming for some listeners who prefer less frequent updates.
Listen to The HR Leaders Podcast Conversations via YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and The HR Leaders Podcast website.
Best HR podcasts in the Middle East
Besides the above leading global podcasts, the following HR podcasts cover the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), including countries like Egypt and the UAE.
This offers additional regional perspectives, which global HR podcasts may lack.
HR Talks by The HR Observer
The HR Observer Podcast is a leading HR podcast in the Middle East, featuring interviews with HR leaders in the UAE and the broader MENA region.
This bi-weekly podcast’s episodes often offer practical advice to MENA-focused HR and business issues.
Hosts: Various industry experts and thought leaders from the HR field.
Listen to The HR Talks by The HR Observer Conversations via Spotify, and The HR Talks by The HR Observer website.
HR in Arabic-Speaking Countries with Amy Dufrane Podcast
The HR in Arabic-Speaking Countries with Amy Dufrane Podcast is a part of the RecruitingDaily Podcast series.
Hosted by William Tincup and Amy Dufrane, CEO of HRCI, the podcast covers topics like HR practices, hybrid work tips, and trends in Arabic-speaking countries.
This bi-weekly podcast aims to provide insights and practical advice for HR professionals operating in or interested in the Middle East.
Listen to The HR in Arabic-Speaking Countries website.
Further reading
Top 15+ HR Statistics to Guide Your Next Steps
Top Talent Acquisition Statistics & Trends to Drive Your Next Decision
8 Key HR Outsourcing Statistics for 2024 and 2025
8 Tips to Identify Leadership Potential in Your Team
How to Conduct a Performance Review for Employee Promotion [Guide]
What Are the 8 Employability Skills? And Why Are They Important?
What Are the Top KPIs for an HR Manager?
What Is Recruitment Marketing? 9 Strategies to Attract Talents