10 HR and Culture Podcasts to Listen to in 2025

We’re doing a bit of travelling this fall, and like any good road trip or flight, the right podcasts make the journey even better. So, we asked around the Chocolate Soup office: What HR and People & Culture podcasts are you listening to right now?

The result is this updated list of shows that are packed with insights, stories, and practical advice. From leadership lessons to culture-building tips, these are the podcasts our team will be queueing up. We hope you’ll love them too.

Punk Rock HR

What it’s about: Hosted by Laurie Ruettimann, Punk Rock HR takes a bold, unfiltered look at the realities of work. From burnout to leadership missteps, Laurie and her guests tackle the tough stuff HR leaders face every day.

Why we love it: It’s candid, funny, and practical. Laurie cuts through corporate jargon and delivers real-world advice you can put into action.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

WorkLife with Adam Grant

What it’s about: Adam Grant uses psychology and research to explore how we can make work not just bearable, but meaningful. Episodes mix storytelling, expert insights, and humour.

Why we love it: Adam balances entertainment with evidence-based lessons. It’s smart, inspiring, and often surprising.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

HR Besties

What it’s about: HR professionals Leigh Henderson, Jamie Jackson, and Ashley Herd bring warmth and humour to discussions on HR headaches, toxic workplaces, and hiring gone wrong.

Why we love it: It feels like a chat with friends who just get the challenges of HR—funny, insightful, and refreshingly real.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Chad & Cheese Podcast

What it’s about: Hosts Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman deliver irreverent, uncensored takes on recruiting, HR tech, and workplace trends.

Why we love it: No fluff here—just sharp opinions, debate, and insights that will challenge the way you think about the industry.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

HR Leaders

What it’s about: Chris Rainey hosts conversations with CHROs and senior executives shaping the future of work. Episodes dive into strategy, leadership, and organizational transformation.

Why we love it: It brings you insider perspectives from the people actually leading change in global organizations.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Transform Your Workplace

What it’s about: A weekly podcast featuring HR experts, authors, and leaders who share practical tips on leadership, communication, and workplace culture.

Why we love it: It’s consistent, actionable, and approachable—great for HR pros looking to stay sharp without being overwhelmed.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Recruiting Future with Matt Alder

What it’s about: Matt Alder explores the evolving world of talent acquisition and recruiting with industry leaders from around the globe.

Why we love it: Recruiting is changing faster than ever, and this podcast keeps you ahead of the curve with thoughtful, future-focused discussions.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Aspire to Inspire Podcast

What it’s about: Produced by Staffbase, Aspire to Inspire features conversations on topics like imposter syndrome, psychological safety, and ethical AI in HR.

Why we love it: It’s uplifting and practical, offering real tools to build workplaces that are supportive and inclusive.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

DriveThru HR

What it’s about: A fast-paced, bi-weekly HR podcast hosted by Robin Schooling and Michael VanDervort, DriveThru HR has been serving up sharp, real-world conversations on everything from workplace culture to HR tech and labor issues since 2010

Why we love it: It’s quick, candid, and never dry. In just 30 minutes or so, you’ll get smart takes on today’s most pressing HR challenges—from AI and job trends to union news—served with wit and clarity.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

HR Happy Hour

What it’s about: Launched in 2009, HR Happy Hour is one of the longest-running and most popular HR podcast networks. Hosted by Steve Boese and Trish Steed, it covers a wide range of topics including HR tech, employee experience, workplace culture, and leadership. With multiple shows under its umbrella, there’s something for everyone in HR and People & Culture.

Why we love it: It’s a go-to source for staying current. The mix of industry leaders, practitioners, and experts means every episode brings fresh insights and practical takeaways.

Where you can listen: Apple Podcasts | Spotify

Podcasts are one of the easiest ways to keep growing, whether you’re commuting, taking a walk, or sipping that first coffee of the day. Each of these shows offers something different: candid conversations, future-focused insights, or practical tips you can use right away.

At Chocolate Soup, we believe recognition and culture aren’t just nice-to-haves. They’re the foundation of great workplaces. These podcasts are proof that when we share knowledge and experiences, we all get better at building cultures that last.