Most HR conversations are about doing more, fixing more, holding more - and then nothing ever changes. There are only so many conversations about HR's role in the future of work that we can tolerate, surely.
This isn’t one of them.
The HR Big Meet Podcast is where we amplify the voices of women in HR by telling the truth about what this work actually feels like so that once and for all we can realise none of us have this thing figured out, and we are not the problem.
In each episode, I speak to women who’ve made brave decisions in their careers by pushing back, doing things differently, and redefining how they interact with their work. Sometimes, I'll draw on experts from outside of the profession to share their wisdom in pursuit of helping you amplify your own voice within the context of so many of us feeling unheard and undervalued.
Expect conversations we don’t have enough of in HR:
The ones that remind you you’re not the only one. The ones that help you think differently. The ones that make you feel a little bit braver.
Creating sustainable impact doesn't come from doing more of the same year after year after year. It comes from backing yourself, knowing your worth, realising you are just as deserving of your love and attention as everyone else and being humans resourced.
And all of that is much easier when we can see other people who have walked that path.
I’m Emma Djemil, coach, speaker, walking bullshit button and creator of rebellious Humans Resourced - and this is the conversation you need to be part of.
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EP 04 - Michelle Hartley: When Corporate Life Makes You Forget Who You Are
Season 1 · Episode 4
Friday, May 29, 2026 • Duration 45:43
In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil sits down with Michelle Hartley to talk about burnout, identity, leadership and what happens when you slowly disconnect from yourself in the pursuit of credibility at work.
Michelle shares her experience of “beiging herself out of existence” in corporate HR, navigating burnout after the sudden illness and death of a CEO she worked closely with, and the pressure many women feel to tone themselves down in order to fit into leadership environments.
Together, Emma and Michelle explore:
burnout and emotional exhaustion in HR
hustle culture and over-functioning
losing confidence and sense of self at work
women in leadership and “fitting in”
rebuilding confidence through small acts of rebellion
why HR professionals struggle to prioritise themselves
sustainable leadership and self-trust
This is an honest, funny and deeply relatable conversation for anyone who has ever felt disconnected from themselves at work.
Expect colourful outfits, occasional (?!) swearing, and plenty of moments where you’ll realise you’re definitely not the only one feeling this way.
Find out more about Michelle's 'Find Your Awesome' programme for HRBP's here, and if in person events are your thing, check out her 'The Great Geek Together' here.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, burnout, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
EP 03 - Katy Walton: The Two Words That Could Change Your Life
Season 1 · Episode 3
Friday, May 29, 2026 • Duration 32:36
In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil sits down with leadership development specialist, coach and facilitator Katy Walton to talk about courage, confidence and what happens when you stop living on autopilot.
Together, they explore the French phrase "Métro, Boulot, Dodo" - commute, work, sleep, repeat - and how easy it is to become so caught up in the mechanics of life that you lose sight of what you actually want for yourself.
Katy shares the story of walking away from secure employment to build a business, why she believes two small words can change the course of your life, and how confidence is built through action rather than waiting until you feel ready.
Together, Emma and Katy explore:
why so many of us end up living by default rather than design
how curiosity can open up new possibilities for your career and life
the power of asking "what if?"
confidence, self-belief and taking action before you feel ready
overcoming fear, self-doubt and limiting beliefs trusting yourself when others don't understand your choices
creating a life that's bigger than your job
knowing when it's time to walk away from something that no longer fits
This is a thoughtful and energising conversation for anyone who feels stuck, disconnected from themselves, or caught in the cycle of work becoming their entire identity.
Expect reflections on confidence, intuition, influence, career decisions and why the smallest action can sometimes create the biggest change.
If you've ever found yourself wondering, "Is this really it?" then this episode is for you.
Ep 02 - Adele Currie: The Emotional Cost of Working in HR
Season 1 · Episode 2
Friday, May 29, 2026 • Duration 44:57
In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil sits down with Dr Adele Currie to talk about toxic workplaces, mental health, leadership and one of the hardest lessons many HR professionals ever have to learn:
You cannot fix everything.
Adele shares the story behind the breakdown she spoke about at the very first HR Big Meet, what recovery looked like afterwards, and why so many HR professionals carry impossible levels of responsibility for problems they didn't create and can't solve alone.
Together, Emma and Adele explore:
toxic workplace cultures and the impact they have on our mental health
why HR professionals often feel responsible for fixing everything
the danger of staying too long in environments that are harming us
the surprising similarities between toxic workplaces and toxic relationships
confidence, self-worth and knowing when enough is enough
ethical leadership and doing the right thing, even when it's uncomfortable
why "being nice" isn't always the kindest thing to do
the importance of community, support and reaching out when you're struggling
creating an escape fund and giving yourself more choice and freedom at work
This is an honest, wise and occasionally hilarious conversation about burnout, boundaries, courage and what happens when we stop carrying responsibility for things that were never ours to hold in the first place.
Expect stories about breakdowns, leadership, suffragettes, skirts tucked into knickers, the importance of finding your "Norah Balls", and plenty of moments that will leave you feeling a little less alone.
EP 01 - Emma Djemil: 'Not Like Normal HR' Personified
Season 1 · Episode 1
Friday, May 29, 2026 • Duration 33:09
In the very first episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil shares her own story and the experiences that shaped the work she does today.
From wanting to work in HR as a teenager, to being bullied in a senior leadership role, navigating IVF, leaving jobs without another role to go to, and eventually walking away from a corporate career during a global pandemic to start her own business, this is a conversation about trusting yourself when the path in front of you no longer feels right.
Along the way, Emma explores why so many women in HR feel unheard, unsupported and disconnected from themselves at work, and why she believes the profession has the potential to change the world of work if it can first stop abandoning itself in the process.
In this episode, Emma shares:
why she always knew she wanted to work in HR
the leadership experiences that transformed her career
bullying, burnout and feeling let down by the profession she loved
IVF, motherhood and redefining success
why she left corporate HR to become a coach
the hidden cost of constantly proving your worth
why HR professionals often feel isolated and misunderstood
the philosophy behind Humans Resourced
what sustainable impact without compromise really means
This is an honest and deeply personal conversation about career decisions, identity, self-trust, leadership and doing things differently when the "normal" path no longer fits.
If you've ever questioned whether you're the problem, wondered if there's a different way of working, or felt like you've lost yourself somewhere along the way, this episode is for you.
If this episode resonated with you, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
EP 07 - Kirsty Baggs-Morgan: How To Rebuild Your Confidence After A Career Setback
Thursday, June 18, 2026 • Duration 38:28
In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil sits down with Kirsty Baggs-Morgan to talk about confidence, identity, authenticity and what happens when the career you've built your life around suddenly disappears.
After more than a decade with the same organisation, Kirsty was unexpectedly let go from her role as Head of HR. What followed was a period of self-doubt, rebuilding and ultimately redefining who she was beyond her job title.
Together, Emma and Kirsty explore:
Losing your job and rebuilding your confidence
Why so many HR professionals tie their identity to their work
Authenticity, values and understanding what really matters to you
Setting boundaries and refusing to tolerate poor behaviour
The pressure to fit in within corporate environments
Confidence, resilience and career reinvention
Why HR professionals need support too
Creating a career that aligns with who you are, not who others expect you to be
This is an honest, funny and thought-provoking conversation about self-worth, authenticity and finding your way back to yourself when the thing you thought defined you is taken away.
Expect stories of unexpected redundancy, Australian flights booked after too much wine, terrible management decisions, metal music, and plenty of moments that will have you questioning how much of your identity is wrapped up in your work.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
EP 06 - Kate Jenkinson: Why So Many HR Professionals Lose Themselves At Work
Season 1 · Episode 6
Thursday, June 11, 2026 • Duration 43:44
What happens when you spend years helping everyone else find their voice, while slowly losing touch with your own?
In this episode, listen to Emma Djemil speak with Kate Jenkinson, former HR Director, executive coach, performance poet and founder of the Association of Business Poets, to explore creativity, self-expression and why so many people in HR end up disconnected from who they really are.
Kate shares her unconventional journey from research scientist to HR leader, through burnout, coaching and ultimately building a business centred around poetry and human connection. We talk about the role creativity plays in wellbeing, why words have more power than we realise, and how organisations often ask people to belong while quietly expecting them to leave parts of themselves at the door.
This conversation is a reminder that confidence isn't about becoming someone else. It's about reconnecting with who you already are.
In this episode we explore:
Why self-expression matters more than we think
The link between creativity, wellbeing and leadership
What burnout can teach us about losing ourselves
The power of words to heal, connect and create meaning
Why HR professionals often put everyone else's needs ahead of their own
How giving yourself permission can change the direction of your life
Expect poetry, laughter, thoughtful challenge and a conversation that might just inspire you to stop waiting for permission - Because the world of work doesn't need more polished versions of people, it needs more humans being themselves.
EP 05 - Paula Brockwell: The Real Reason HR Isn't Being Heard
Season 1 · Episode 5
Thursday, June 4, 2026 • Duration 41:41
In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil is joined by psychologist, culture strategist and professional disruptor Paula Brockwell for a conversation about confidence, credibility, influence and the stories that keep us stuck.
Paula shares why she believes HR professionals have accepted far too many limitations about what they can contribute, why waiting for a seat at the table is the wrong strategy, and how changing the way we see our own value can transform the way others see it too.
Together, Emma and Paula explore:
Why so many HR professionals feel like they are "just HR"
The hidden stories and labels that undermine confidence
Building credibility without changing who you are
Why culture should never be treated as a fluffy add-on
The link between people experience and business performance
How women can navigate environments where they are underestimated
What it really takes to influence senior leaders
Knowing when it's time to stop fighting and leave
This is a conversation about rebellion in the best possible sense. Not rebellion for the sake of it, but the courage to stop accepting the limits other people place on you and start showing up differently.
Expect strong opinions, practical wisdom, a few swear words, and plenty of moments that will make you rethink the stories you've been telling yourself about your value.
Find out more about Paula's work here.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
EP 08 - Gemma Bryan: What If You're Not The Problem?
Season 1 · Episode 8
Thursday, June 25, 2026 • Duration 37:22
In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil sits down with Gemma Bryan to talk about confidence, self-worth and what happens when one person's opinion makes you question everything you thought you knew about yourself.
After spending nearly two years building an HR function, securing Great Place to Work accreditation and being publicly recognised for her contribution, Gemma found herself unexpectedly out of a job. What followed was a journey through self-doubt, rebuilding confidence and ultimately finding a role where she could thrive, be valued and rediscover her belief in herself.
Together, Emma and Gemma explore:
Losing your job unexpectedly and the impact it can have on your confidence
Why so many of us tie our identity and self-worth to our work
Trusting your intuition when something doesn't feel right
The difference between being the wrong person and being in the wrong environment
The importance of support, community and asking for help
Rebuilding confidence after rejection
Authenticity, self-trust and being comfortable in your own skin
Remembering your value when others fail to see it
This is an honest, hopeful and relatable conversation for anyone who has ever had their confidence knocked by a workplace experience, questioned whether they're good enough, or found themselves wondering if they're the problem.
You'll hear reflections on leadership, identity, resilience and why one person's opinion should never be allowed to define your worth.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
EP 09 - Laura Morton: When Your Head Says Stay and Your Body Says Go
Season 1 · Episode 9
Thursday, July 2, 2026 • Duration 24:52
In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, which was recorded at our live event in May 2026, Emma Djemil sits down with Laura Morton to explore what happens when your life looks successful on paper, but something inside you knows that something needs to change.
Laura was a trusted and highly regarded Head of People, working in a role she loved, with people she respected and a business she believed in. Yet despite all of that, she found herself feeling increasingly disconnected from herself, her energy and what she wanted from life.
So she did something many people only ever dream about - she left. No job lined up. No guaranteed next step. No master plan. Just a decision to trust herself and create the space to figure out what came next.
Together, Emma and Laura explore:
What it feels like to leave a successful career without another job to go to
The relationship between identity and work
Why so many HR professionals ignore the signals telling them something isn't right
Intuition, self-trust and listening to your body
Burnout, energy and being "well resourced"
The pressure to keep going when you know you need a break
Why rest isn't failure
Creating a life that works for you, not just one that looks good on paper
This is an honest, thoughtful and deeply relatable conversation about courage, self-awareness and having the confidence to choose something different when your head is telling you one thing and your heart is telling you another.
Whether you're considering a career change, feeling stuck in a role you once loved, or simply wondering what it might look like to prioritise yourself for a change, this episode is a powerful reminder that sometimes the bravest thing you can do is pause and listen.
Katy is a specialist in Leadership development. A post-graduate certified coach, consultant and creative facilitator. She helps organisations close the gap between the leaders they have now and the leaders they need to deliver results. Her specific expertise lies in developing emotional intelligence, collaboration and impactful communication so that leaders build confidence, have influence and create high performing teams.
Katy also supports in-house HR / L&D – for FREE – to Set their Leaders Up for Success with her epic ‘Success Jams’ programme. Find out more about her work here.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
If you've ever felt trapped in a role, responsible for fixing a broken system, or worried that you're somehow failing because you can't change everything around you, this episode is for you.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a whole heap of time talking about confidence, leadership, burnout, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Check that out here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, burnout, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
If this episode resonated, firstly, welcome. You are very much amongst your people here.
You can connect with Emma on LinkedIn, where she spends a lot of time talking about confidence, leadership, visibility, self-trust and the realities of working in HR.
If you're at a point in your career where you're questioning things, feeling stuck, disconnected from yourself or wanting greater impact without sacrificing your entire nervous system in the process, Emma also works with women in HR through 1:1 coaching. Find out more about that here.
If you enjoyed this episode, do all the lovely podcast-y things: subscribe, leave a review, share it with your HR bestie, or stick it on LinkedIn so more women realise they're not the only ones feeling this stuff.
🎙️ Subscribe for more conversations about confidence, leadership, vulnerability and sustainable impact in HR.
