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If half your workforce will face it, why is it still taboo?
Today Margaret Wood, a menopausal transition facilitator, dismantles the myths, explains the brain science, and shows leaders how to stop losing brilliant women at their peak.
You’ll hear how menopause actually shows up (it’s not just hot flushes), why men must be in the conversation, and the simple, practical moves any company can make this quarter.
We also talk about “menopause concealment”, early menopause, and the surprising upside: the post-menopausal “upgrade”.
In this episode:
What menopause is (and isn’t). Symptoms differ wildly, from heat to feeling cold
The brain changes: why mood, memory and confidence can dip, and how to respond
Culture over policy: moving beyond desk fans to real psychological safety
The business case: retention, reputation and productivity you can’t ignore
Bringing men in: how mixed-group education shifts behaviour fast
Post-menopause power: why many women hit a new gear and how to harness it
If this helped you lead better, subscribe and share with a manager who needs it.
Chapters:
00:00:15 — Chance, Not a Plan
01:08:00 — Inviting Men Into the Room
02:59:00 — Menopause, Simply Explained
04:35:00 — One Size Doesn’t Fit Anyone
05:33:00 — Hot… Or Freezing?
07:09:00 — Education Over Assumptions
09:21:00 — The Cost of Getting It Wrong
11:46:00 — Proactive, Not Performative
13:15:00 — It’s the Brain, Not Just Heat
15:06:00 — The Epiphany: Mixed Groups
16:26:00 — Early Menopause Happens
17:51:00 — IVF & Induced Menopause
19:39:00 — Concealment & Confidence Dips
21:16:00 — The Upgrade: Brain Renovation
22:57:00 — From Chaos to Rewire
24:56:00 — Support Now, Strength Later
26:50:00 — When Joy Goes Missing
28:02:00 — How to Start, Today
29:55:00 — This Isn’t ‘Nice To Have’
31:15:00 — The Career Jungle, Not Ladder
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They’re not lazy. They’re anxious and misunderstood.
In this powerful episode, Jessamine Ringer breaks down what every leader needs to know about Gen Z and the future of work. From why this generation values purpose over prestige to how managers can bridge the gap through empathy, clarity, and coaching, Jessamine exposes what’s really happening between generations in the workplace.You’ll learn:
Why Gen Z behave differently and what shaped them
How to manage with empathy without lowering standards
The three things every young employee actually wants
How to build confidence, resilience, and innovation in your team
If you lead people or plan to, this conversation will change how you see the next decade of work.
Subscribe and share to help others lead better.Chapters
00:00:00 — Was HR Ever the Plan?
00:01:22 — Falling in Love with Coaching
00:02:57 — Why Early Careers Need Coaching Now
00:04:37 — The Power of Knowing Your Values
00:05:34 — How Managers Can Really Help
00:06:45 — Understanding Gen Z’s Context
00:08:30 — Growing Up Online: Anxiety & Screens
00:09:47 — Why “We Just Got On With It” Doesn’t Work
00:11:14 — Building Inter-Generational Intelligence
00:13:36 — How Curiosity Builds Better Managers
00:15:49 — Coaching Early Careers to Push Back
00:18:06 — Clarity, Confidence & Communication
00:19:52 — Purpose, Wellbeing & Money: The Real Priorities
00:23:36 — The Truth About Money Anxiety
00:25:42 — Why Gen Z Care About Wellbeing
00:27:55 — How Exhausted Leaders Lose Impact
00:31:01 — The Iceberg Model of Self-Awareness
00:32:43 — Managers Aren’t Trained to Manage People
00:35:03 — Coaching the Future Workforce
00:37:06 — Advice to My Younger Self
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She lost everything, but refused to lose herself.
After surviving domestic abuse, Chloe Wallace rebuilt her life from scratch, turning pain into purpose. Today she’s a trauma informed HR consultant specialising in preventing workplace sexual misconduct and her framework is transforming how companies protect their people.In this episode, Chloe opens up about:
The truth about escaping abuse and finding independence through work
Why most organisations still get harassment prevention wrong
How her CEASE Framework® helps leaders create truly safe cultures
The rise of AI-driven misogyny and what HR must do next
This is one of the most powerful conversations we’ve ever had on The Plumm Podcast.
If it moved you, subscribe, share, and help us keep these stories seen and heard.Chapters
00:00:00 — From Chemistry to HR: The Unexpected Start
00:01:25 — Falling Into HR and Finding Purpose
00:02:40 — A Secret Life of Survival
00:04:50 — Escaping Abuse & Rebuilding Independence
00:06:10 — Turning Trauma Into a Calling
00:07:00 — Prevention vs Deterrence: The Big Misunderstanding
00:08:40 — The Real Psychology of Misconduct
00:10:00 — Why Bystander Training Matters
00:11:30 — What Sexual Harassment Actually Looks Like
00:13:55 — A Real Case That Bankrupted a Company
00:15:40 — “It Doesn’t Happen Here” — The Dangerous Myth
00:16:50 — Introducing the SEAS Framework
00:18:30 — Call It Out. Educate. Assess. Strengthen.
00:20:56 — What To Do When It’s a Third Party
00:23:20 — How to Handle Disclosures with Care
00:25:07 — Changing Mindsets Through Real Conversations
00:26:50 — AI, Deepfakes & The New Age of Sexism
00:28:15 — The Future of HR: Specialists Over Generalists
00:30:00 — Why NDAs Are Ending—and Why It Matters
00:31:50 — Choosing Purpose Over Fear
00:33:50 — Education, Empathy & Real Change
00:34:28 — Advice to My Younger Self
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In this episode, Alice Stone shares her journey from HR apprentice and young mum to People Director and why a truly human-centred approach beats rigid rules. We unpack the real difference between legal flexible working and lived flexibility, how to kill presenteeism, and the systems that create safety, trust and performance.
You’ll learn:
Legal vs lived flexibility and what high-trust cultures actually do
How to measure impact (pulse checks, outcomes over hours, retention signals)
The manager shift: from micromanaging time to coaching for results
Practical playbook: job-sharing, hybrid done well, “Level 10” meetings, employee voice
If this gave you something useful, subscribe and share it with a leader who needs to hear it.
Chapters:
00:00:00 — Plan or Chance? Alice’s Start
00:00:20 — From Midwife Dreams to HR
00:02:21 — Apprenticeships, Not One Path
00:03:18 — Becoming a Mum Changed HR
00:04:19 — Kind vs Nice at Work
00:05:12 — Flexibility: Law vs Reality
00:06:20 — Job-Sharing, Hybrid, Wellness Days
00:07:58 — What Flexible Cultures Feel Like
00:09:57 — Trust Adults, Measure Outcomes
00:11:45 — Productivity Gains, Not Presenteeism
00:13:52 — Winning Stakeholders: Speak Their Language
00:15:54 — Presenteeism & Sick-While-Working Trap
00:17:11 — Outcomes Over Hours, Anywhere Work
00:18:52 — Safety First: “If You’re Ill, Rest”
00:20:58 — Spot Burnout: Pulse & Training
00:22:44 — Define Flex Here: What We Celebrate
00:23:54 — Employer Brand: Compete on People
00:25:34 — Retention Proof & Real Support
00:27:28 — Building Safety: Ways-of-Working Labs
00:30:11 — What Is a Level 10 Meeting?
00:31:30 — From ‘How Do We…?’ to ‘We Will’
00:33:42 — Advice to My Younger Self
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Working parents aren’t the exception, they’re half your workforce.
In this episode, Becki Nazareth (L&D leader, turned working parent & carer specialist) shares what really breaks and fixes the experience for parents at work, from policy basics to culture, flexibility and line manager reality.You’ll learn:
Why policy is just the foundation and what proactive support really looks like
How to educate “accidental managers” and build inclusive, flexible teams that perform
The return to work gap: identity shifts, re-induction, and using the SCARF model for certainty
What data leaders need (and how to get it) to win the case for flexibility
If this helped you, subscribe and share it with a leader who needs to hear it.
Chapters (Timestamps)
00:00:00 — People Work: Plan or Chance?
00:00:36 — From Teaching to L&D to HR
00:02:23 — Why Becki Backed Working Parents
00:04:10 — Who Counts: Parents and Carers
00:05:36 — Policy Shifts & Systemic Gaps
00:07:20 — Start With Policy, Don’t Stop There
00:09:03 — The Manager Mindset Shift
00:11:12 — Beyond One-Off Workshops
00:12:40 — Spaces That Actually Help (ERGs, Talks)
00:14:05 — What “Doing It Well” Looks Like
00:16:00 — The Identity Shock of Return
00:17:35 — SCARF & Creating Certainty
00:19:42 — Reactive vs Proactive HR
00:21:10 — Re-Induction: Onboarding… Again
00:23:22 — Hybrid, Mandates & Real Flexibility
00:25:24 — Win Leaders With Data
00:27:28 — Measure What Happens After Return
00:29:28 — New Stages: School & Holidays
00:30:51 — One Piece of Career Advice
00:31:37 — Know Your Values, Decide Faster
00:32:20 — Closing Thanks
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A career in HR isn’t about formal training, it’s about skills you already have.
In today’s episode, Rosalinda Buttice shares her remarkable journey from barista to Head of People Operations at Pension B. She talks about how the skills she developed in hospitality have shaped her approach to leadership and people management in the world of HR.
Key Takeaways:
The power of interpersonal skills in leadership, from hospitality to HR
How leadership is the most transferable skill for success, and why it’s key to building trust within teams
Why adaptability is crucial in the fast-paced world of HR, and how you can start practicing it today
The importance of prioritisation in both hospitality and HR to stay ahead in a constantly changing environment
If you’re ready to take your career to the next level, subscribe and share this episode with someone who needs to hear Rosalinda’s inspiring journey!
Chapters:
00:00:00 From Barista to HR
00:01:59 The Importance of Mentorship
00:04:03 What are Transferable Skills?
00:06:22 Top Skills from Hospitality to HR
00:08:07 Building Human Connections in HR
00:09:33 The Power of Leadership
00:11:43 Creating a Circle of Safety
00:13:33 Leadership Skills Beyond the Workplace
00:16:59 Skills Needed for the Future of HR
00:18:12 How to Be More Adaptable in HR
00:19:12 The Art of Prioritization
00:23:20 Building Bridges Between Teams
00:25:01 How to Influence Senior Stakeholders
00:26:33 The Importance of Being Yourself
00:29:01 The One Skill to Focus On Today
00:30:50 Advice to My Younger Self
00:32:05 Closing Thoughts
Subscribe, share and stay tuned for more insights.
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We say we’re “people first”, but candidates can tell when we’re not. This conversation is a reality check for how hiring actually feels in 2025.
In this episode, Marie Chaproniere reveals how she fell into HR from performing arts and why great Talent Acquisition is far more than filling roles. We unpack what a real candidate experience looks like today, the mess, the honesty, and why transparency beats polish every time.
You’ll learn:
The difference between recruitment and true TA and why strategy wins over speed
What “good” candidate experience looks like now (and the red flags to kill immediately)
How to stay human with ATS and AI, you can’t automate empathy
Practical inclusion: accommodations, the “cafeteria” model, and why truth-telling attracts the right people
If this helped you hire better or get hired better subscribe and share this with someone who needs it.
Chapters
00:00:00 — From Dance Studio to HR
00:00:29 — Falling Into TA by Accident
00:02:57 — TA vs Recruitment: The Real Difference
00:04:11 — What “Good” Candidate Experience Means in 2025
00:05:39 — Tech’s Limits: You Can’t Automate Empathy
00:07:16 — Public Call-Outs & Why Brand Behaviour Matters
00:08:34 — Small Wins in Hypergrowth Hiring
00:09:56 — Radical Transparency in Job Ads
00:11:43 — Attracting for Fit, Not Volume
00:13:28 — Truth-Telling Cultures Beat Perfect Stories
00:14:43 — Inclusion by Default: Real Accommodations
00:16:41 — The “Cafeteria” Model for Interviews
00:19:30 — Where to Communicate Adjustments (Beyond JDs)
00:21:33 — What Great Looks Like: Real Examples
00:24:33 — Start With an Audit: Language, Process, Data
00:26:38 — Map the Bad to Design the Good
00:27:17 — Sharing Interview Questions Ahead of Time
00:28:44 — Safe to Fail: Culture That Grows People
00:30:36 — Using AI Well (Without Losing Yourself)
00:31:15 — Metaview, Notes & Better Feedback Loops
00:32:39 — Advice to My Younger Self
00:33:58 — Choosing Authenticity (Even When Scary)
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What if it all works out?
In this episode, we chat with Abigail Cooper, People Partner, who shares invaluable insights on scaling teams and HR strategy. Abigail Cooper's journey from admin roles to shaping internal communication and succession planning provides a powerful blueprint for businesses navigating the future of work.
You’ll learn:
The core principles of internal comms that will keep your team engaged and aligned.
Why managers are key to successful HR communication (and how to train them).
How to create clarity and reduce overwhelm with a simple, scalable communication framework.
The key to creating psychological safety and a resilient leadership culture.
If you’re ready to rethink your internal comms and team strategies, subscribe for more impactful HR insights.
Chapters:
00:00:00 — From Admin to HR Strategy
00:02:30 — Confidence in the Chaos
00:04:02 — Internal Comms: A New Era
00:06:56 — The HR Role Shift
00:09:55 — Internal Comms Framework
00:12:25 — Connecting with Managers
00:14:18 — Overcoming the Overwhelm
00:16:58 — Communication Cadence
00:18:53 — The One Source of Truth
00:21:40 — Understanding Your Team’s Needs
00:23:10 — Planning for Success
00:25:40 — Storytelling for HR
00:27:39 — Scaling for the Future
00:29:12 — What’s Missing in Your Strategy?
00:31:10 — Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
00:34:18 — What If It All Works Out?
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In this episode, Claire shares her journey from HR to well-being strategist, revealing why setting boundaries is key to both personal and professional success.
Claire talks about the challenges of overcommitting and how finding balance in the workplace is more crucial than ever, especially after the pandemic.
You'll learn:
Why well-being should be prioritised in the workplace to boost productivity
How to set and maintain boundaries without feeling guilty
Why internal comms play a huge role in employee satisfaction and engagement
The importance of knowing your worth and advocating for your needs
Don't miss this insightful conversation, subscribe for more episodes and share with a leader who needs a plan, not a panic!
Chapters:
00:00:00 — The Road to HR
00:02:30 — Why HR Wasn’t What I Expected
00:04:02 — Internal Comms: The Emotional Infrastructure
00:06:56 — HR’s Evolving Role in Well-Being
00:09:55 — Why Well-Being Comes First
00:12:25 — The Shift from Hustle to Sustainable Work
00:14:18 — Creating Micro Boundaries for Maximum Impact
00:16:58 — How Stress Impacts Productivity
00:18:53 — Fighting the People-Pleasing Cycle
00:21:40 — Advocating for Yourself at Work
00:23:10 — Leading with Vulnerability
00:25:40 — Boundary Setting Without Guilt
00:27:39 — Why Everyone Needs Boundaries
00:29:12 — How to Build Healthy Work Relationships
00:31:10 — What I Wish I Knew About Boundaries Earlier
00:33:40 — The Power of Saying ‘No’
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When 42% of leaders leave without warning, most companies panic. Amanda, finance turned HR strategist and chartered manager, explains how to future-proof your team before the vacancy hits.
In this episode, we unpack practical, data-driven succession planning, why “accidental managers” are costing you growth, and how HR earns a real seat at the table by thinking like a business owner.
You’ll learn:
What succession planning really is (and isn’t) and how to start it in a week
The data, dashboards and conversations HR must run to stop talent gaps
How to develop managers who can actually lead (not just do the job)
Why cross-generational hiring (T-Levels, grads) keeps you relevant in an AI world
The underrated skills: mediation, communication, reflection, resilience
If this helped, subscribe for more episodes and share with a leader who needs a plan, not a panic.
Chapters
00:00:00 — Chance, Not Plan: Amanda’s HR Origin
00:02:18 — Thrown In: Studying While Doing the Job
00:04:50 — Succession Defined: Your People Contingency Plan
00:06:56 — Scaling Playbook: Building Talent “Our Way”
00:07:58 — From Gut to Data: Decisions That Stick
00:09:55 — HR at the Table: Think Like an Owner
00:12:25 — Why Most Succession Fails (And Who’s Missing)
00:14:18 — Planning in Uncertainty: Hire the Future In
00:16:58 — Maintain vs. Hyper-Scale: Knowing Your Path
00:18:53 — Career Moats: Learning, Credentials, Confidence
00:19:50 — Reflection as Strategy: Walk, Think, Improve
00:23:10 — Accidental Managers: The Hidden Cost
00:27:00 — Next-Gen Leadership: Firm, Human, Resilient
00:29:12 — Post-COVID Reality: Psychological Safety Pays
00:31:10 — Hard Talks, Soft Skills: Mediate & Communicate
00:34:18 — One Thing I’d Tell My Younger Self
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We say we want “nice” cultures, then wonder why people burn out.
Tiger de Souza, People leader at Samaritans, reveals how charities and mission-driven teams can balance purpose, limited resources, and real human support without losing clarity or standards.
What you’ll learn:
Why “nice” cultures exhaust people and why kind cultures perform
The 4 leadership principles Samaritans use (accountability, empowerment, inclusion, connection)
How to equip managers for monthly, meaningful performance conversations
Hybrid/volunteer culture at scale: 20,000 volunteers, new norms, real psychological safety
Where AI helps ops, but can’t replace human connection in crisis
If you lead people (in charities or beyond), this conversation will reset how you think about culture, performance, and wellbeing.
👉 If this helped, subscribe and share with a leader who needs it.
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What happens when you climb to the top of your career… but lose yourself along the way?
In this powerful conversation, Matt shares how he accidentally fell into HR, rose through global roles at UBS, and then faced the devastating reality of burnout that cost him his health, career, and identity.We uncover:How recruitment turned into a global HR careerThe hidden drivers behind burnout and why so many ignore the signsWhy HR professionals are at the highest risk of emotional exhaustionThe three “buckets of burnout” and how to protect yourself from themPractical tools to set boundaries and recover before it’s too lateThis is not just an HR story, it’s a human story. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, detached, or on the edge of burnout, this episode might just change the way you approach your work and your life.Chapters00:00 – Falling into HR by accident01:00 – Recruitment, sales pressure & global moves02:40 – UBS opportunity & career breakthrough04:30 – Burnout disguised as success06:20 – The toxic drive of “not good enough”08:00 – What burnout really feels like09:45 – Therapy, coaching & rebuilding identity11:30 – Discovering the power of coaching13:10 – Why HR faces higher burnout risks15:20 – The breaking point moment16:40 – Catching stress before it becomes burnout18:20 – Signs of exhaustion & irritability20:00 – Detachment, cynicism & losing purpose23:20 – The tension at the heart of HR25:10 – The three buckets of burnout explained28:40 – Purpose, values & dangerous overcommitment32:00 – Overwhelm vs. burnout – the difference34:10 – Weekly check-ins to stay vigilant35:40 – Boundaries, respect & saying no37:20 – Peak performance through rest39:20 – Advice to my younger self: “Look at the evidence”
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What if the key to retention, engagement, and authentic leadership isn’t perks or pay but community?
In today’s episode, I sit down with David Hughes, Global Head of Talent at Costa Coffee, whose journey took him from competing for Great Britain in athletics to leading people, purpose, and community in one of the world’s most recognisable brands.
We explore:
How sport shaped his leadership philosophy and resilience.
Why community is the most overlooked driver of engagement and retention.
The rising influence of Gen Z and their demand for authenticity.
How brands can avoid “whitewashing” and build trust through meaningful action.
This is a masterclass in understanding why authenticity, purpose, and connection will decide the future of work.
👉 If you found this conversation valuable, subscribe for more episodes and share this with someone who needs to hear it.
Chapters
00:00:29 – HR: Planned or by chance?
00:01:27 – From GB athlete to HR leader
00:02:19 – How sport shaped leadership
00:04:04 – Leaving athletics & finding purpose
00:05:51 – From recruitment to Boots & HR
00:07:03 – What community really means
00:09:55 – The data: community reduces turnover by 50%
00:11:23 – Why Gen Z changed everything
00:12:45 – Community, charity & the HR function
00:14:42 – Building local impact: the SEN school project
00:16:24 – Skills vs. qualifications: the future of work
00:18:38 – The four pillars of talent at Costa
00:20:11 – What EVP really means (and why most get it wrong)
00:23:09 – Authenticity vs. whitewashing in employer branding
00:24:59 – Gen Z: why they can’t be fooled
00:27:03 – The real cost of ignoring community
00:29:47 – A life-changing trip to Colombia
00:31:54 – How to convince senior stakeholders
00:33:02 – Advice to my younger self: mistakes & fourth gear
00:34:55 – Why slowing down creates better work
00:36:10 – Closing reflections on purpose and belonging
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What if your financial health is the key to improving your work performance?
In this powerful episode of The Plum Pod, Georgia is joined by Andrew Mulder, People Director at Nudge, as they explore the often-overlooked connection between financial well-being and employee productivity. From the impact of financial stress on mental health to why businesses should prioritise financial education, Andrew reveals why this topic is essential for a thriving workforce.
Key Learnings:
Financial Well-being Defined: What it truly means and why it's crucial for employees at all income levels.
The Business Case for Financial Education: How it drives retention, reduces absenteeism, and boosts productivity.
Practical Advice for Employers: How to implement financial education programmes on a budget and with global scalability.
Don’t miss out on this insightful conversation ,subscribe to The Plum Pod for more episodes on HR and mental health!
Chapters
00:00:00 – The Surprising Link Between Money and Mental Health
00:03:15 – How Andrew Ended Up in HR by Chance
00:08:45 – Breaking Down Financial Well-being: What It Really Means
00:12:30 – Financial Education: The Missing Piece in Corporate Wellness
00:17:00 – The Problem with 'More Money' as a Solution
00:22:15 – Nudge’s Approach to Financial Well-being Education
00:26:40 – Making Financial Education Accessible Without the Jargon
00:30:10 – Building Leadership Buy-In: The Key to Implementation
00:34:05 – How to Start a Financial Well-being Programme on a Budget
00:38:30 – A Powerful Lesson for Your Future Self
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In this episode, Alan, a seasoned HR leader, shares his insights on the emotional journey of navigating change in the workplace. He highlights the difference between change and transition, the importance of acceptance, and why transparency is essential in leadership. Alan also explores how self-awareness and personal growth can transform your leadership style.
If you're an HR professional or leader dealing with change, this episode offers practical advice and deep insights. Subscribe and share this episode with your network!
Chapters:
00:00:00 - Alan's Unexpected HR Journey
00:04:12 - Change vs. Transition: What's the Difference?
00:07:38 - The Power of Acceptance in Leadership
00:13:24 - The Middle: Finding Clarity in Uncertainty
00:16:58 - Trust, Transparency & the Leadership Dilemma
00:21:42 - Personal Growth Through Struggles
00:26:03 - Forgiveness: The Secret to Lasting Change
00:31:08 - The Role of Breath and Self-Care in Leadership
00:35:20 - Giving Yourself Permission to Be Human
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HR isn’t protecting people. It’s protecting companies. But what if that’s the problem?
In this raw and eye-opening conversation, Georgia from Access HR sits down with Shane Mays, startup veteran and ER (employee relations) specialist for a brutally honest deep-dive into the real purpose of HR, why it’s broken, and how we can rebuild it from the inside out.
From his beginnings as a software engineer to leading people teams at fast-scaling startups, Shane brings a human-first perspective to the most misunderstood function in business today.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why HR still feels like the company’s bodyguard and how to change it
The hidden cost of treating ER as a legal process
How to scale employee relations without burning out
The power of playbooks, trust, and co-creation in leadership
If you’ve ever felt stuck between doing what’s “compliant” and doing what’s right, this episode will shift your thinking, for good.
👉 Don’t forget to subscribe and share with someone who needs to hear this.
Chapters
00:00:00 – HR Is Not Here to Protect You
00:01:16 – Meet Shane: From Engineering to HR
00:03:04 – Why He Stayed in People Ops
00:04:36 – What Employee Relations Really Means
00:07:13 – Social Media, Fear & Legal Influence
00:09:17 – Why ER Needs a Human-First Lens
00:11:39 – A Manager’s Mistake: Process Before People
00:16:03 – Building a Legal Wall vs. Human Bridge
00:19:12 – Why Leaders Need a Compass, Not a Policy
00:22:18 – Make Playbooks Public. Remove the Ambush.
00:23:35 – How ER Changes as You Scale
00:25:06 – Teach People How to Eat
00:27:09 – Co-Create Your ER Strategy
00:28:59 – Flexing Your ER Muscle Without the Cases
00:30:34 – You Don’t Need a Pocket Lawyer
00:33:16 – You’ll Never Have All the Answers—And That’s Okay
00:34:26 – The One Thing Shane Would Tell His Younger Self
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What does it really take to lead a successful HR team in today’s fast-changing world?
In this episode of The Plumm Pod, Georgia sits down with Lauren McDonagh, Head of People at Soho House, to reveal the realities of building high-performing HR teams.
From creating psychological safety to managing burnout and leading with authenticity, Lauren shares practical insights and personal lessons every HR professional needs to hear.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why HR leaders must lead by example (and why most don’t)
How to create a culture of trust and psychological safety within your team
The power of diversity of thought in driving real innovation
Why personal development and getting uncomfortable are non-negotiable for growth
If you want to be a better leader or build a team that thrives, this conversation is a must-watch.
👉 Subscribe for more conversations on HR, leadership, and mental health.
Chapters
00:00:00 – Welcome to The Plumm Pod
00:02:26 – Was HR Always the Plan?
00:04:55 – The Reality of HR Careers
00:07:01 – How Hospitality Changed My Leadership Style
00:08:45 – Inside Soho House’s People Team
00:09:56 – Leading by Example as an HR Leader
00:11:32 – How We Invest in Our HR Team
00:14:37 – What I Look for When Hiring HR Talent
00:17:53 – Why Discomfort Is the Key to Growth
00:19:56 – Managing Change & Building Trust
00:21:27 – The Biggest Shift in My Leadership Style
00:23:06 – Creating Psychological Safety for Teams
00:24:53 – Balancing Business Goals & People Needs
00:28:30 – Protecting HR Teams from Burnout
00:32:44 – The Truth About Being ‘Busy’ vs ‘Productive’
00:36:18 – Managing Different Personalities Effectively
00:38:55 – The Untold Emotional Load of HR
00:41:14 – Advice to My Younger Self
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Every failed strategy starts with one blind spot: the lack of curiosity.
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the power of curiosity as the foundation of successful people strategy. This isn’t just about business, it’s about the decisions that define us as leaders.
Our guest Kenny Temowo shares a piercing insight: if you’re not asking why, you’re already behind. Through a candid conversation, we unravel why making hard choices in leadership starts with understanding what makes your organisation different and why most get it wrong.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why curiosity is the non-negotiable starting point of all great strategy
How leaders should approach hard decisions through contextual insight
The overlooked “Z” that makes or breaks your business direction
Why saying no is more important than saying yes in strategy
If you’ve ever questioned your strategic decisions or want to lead with greater intention, this is the episode to start with.
Subscribe for more episodes that challenge the way you think.
🔔 Don’t forget to share this episode with someone who needs to hear it.
Chapters:
00:00:00 – The Hidden Power of Curiosity
Why every strategy starts with asking the right questions
00:01:02 – Strategy Is About Saying No
Understanding the difficult trade-offs behind every big decision
00:02:10 – What’s Your ‘Z’?
The one overlooked factor that defines your entire approach
00:03:20 – Getting Strategy Right Starts Here
How self-awareness and context build winning strategies
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She didn’t fit the mould, so she became the blueprint.
Keeran Gunnoo is a powerhouse in personal and corporate employer branding, shaping narratives for some of the world’s most recognisable companies, including LinkedIn, Unilever and Flow. In this raw and empowering conversation, she shares how she built a career that broke every rule and why it worked.
From being headhunted by LinkedIn before people knew what LinkedIn was, to being complimented by Barack Obama on her Louboutins, Keeran’s story is as inspiring as it is unconventional.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why squiggly careers aren’t chaotic, they’re strategic
How your reputation is your brand (especially when you're not in the room)
The uncomfortable truths about diversity, employer branding and internal comms
How to build a career and life that align with your values, not societal norms
✨ Subscribe to The Plumm Pod for more honest conversations about HR, wellbeing and careers that don’t follow the script.
⏱️ Chapters
00:00:00 – Intro: She Became the Blueprint
00:01:04 – HR was never the plan
00:02:10 – From cold calls to leadership: the Essex charisma advantage
00:03:27 – Getting headhunted by LinkedIn before it was big
00:04:58 – Meeting Obama & the power of great shoes
00:06:04 – Unilever hired her without an interview
00:07:19 – Becoming a Strategic Career Architect
00:08:31 – Reporting to Chanel’s future CEO
00:10:33 – The importance of working for brands you believe in
00:11:51 – Flow, reproductive health, and brand affinity
00:13:00 – What a squiggly career really means
00:14:44 – Breaking ceilings: race, gender & neurodiversity
00:17:20 – Ditching the fairytale career path
00:20:20 – Culture add, not culture fit
00:21:51 – Why Gen Z are changing career norms
00:23:01 – Internal bias, ATSs, and being mistaken for a man
00:24:58 – Writing job ads that actually speak to humans
00:26:17 – Helping companies overcome DEI friction
00:27:59 – The truth behind Glassdoor reviews
00:29:49 – Who owns comms: HR vs. Marketing
00:33:42 – Creating Unilever’s first editorial team
00:35:11 – Data, communication, and internal trust
00:37:47 – Taking Unilever from #24 to #7 on Glassdoor
00:39:07 – EVP: What’s in it for me?
00:40:35 – Stuck? Give yourself a performance review
00:41:39 – Self-belief and your personal brand
00:42:50 – Audit your energy—don’t stay where you can’t shine
00:43:59 – Final message: If they’re not advocating for you, go
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What if HR wasn’t just support... but your biggest brand asset?
In today’s episode, we sit down with Jessie, People Director at one of the UK’s most innovative creative agencies, to uncover how HR can redefine brand strategy from the inside out.
Jessie shares her journey from hairdressing to HR leadership, and how she’s tearing up the traditional rulebook to build a people-first workplace rooted in trust, creativity, and culture.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
Why onboarding is your most powerful brand moment
How to turn your team into your greatest advocates
The secret to getting buy-in from senior leadership
Why Gen Z are changing everything about workplace culture
This isn’t compliance. This is creativity. This is culture.
And it’s time HR took its seat at the table.
👉 If this inspired you, share it with someone who needs to hear it and don’t forget to subscribe.
Chapters
00:00:00 – The Hairdresser Who Became HR
00:01:45 – Learning the Hard Way in the NHS
00:04:10 – HR IS Brand Strategy
00:05:00 – Bringing Company Values to Life
00:07:35 – Listening: The Most Underrated Strategy
00:09:05 – Building a Culture That Retains
00:11:20 – Why Only 31% Align With Company Values
00:13:00 – Recognition That Actually Works
00:14:45 – From Team Members to Brand Ambassadors
00:16:10 – Designing Culture for Gen Z
00:18:40 – Human-First HR Strategy
00:20:40 – How to Start Thinking Creatively
00:22:00 – The Power of Diverse Teams
00:24:00 – Why Candidates Choose You
00:26:40 – What Gen Z Really Want at Work
00:28:30 – Managers Are the Secret Weapon
00:30:00 – Getting Senior Leadership Buy-In
00:32:40 – What I’d Tell My Younger Self
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