The HR Big Meet Podcast

What happens when you know your stuff, you’ve done the preparation, you have something important to say…and then you get into the room and start second-guessing yourself? In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil is joined by communications coach, keynote speaker and comedian Louise Stevenson to talk about finding your voice, backing yourself and communicating with confidence when it actually matters. Louise is CEO of Speakeasy Coaching and has more than 25 years’ experience in stand-up comedy - including teaching Emma how to get on stage and attempt to make strangers laugh. So naturally, we explore what comedy can teach us about confidence, dealing with challenge and being OK with the fact that not everyone is going to like you. We talk about: Why so many capable women wait until they feel completely ready before speaking up What actually makes someone persuasive How to handle difficult questions without panicking or pretending you know everything Why bringing your personality and humour into work doesn’t make you less credible. Quite the opposite. We also get into the self-belief underneath all of this: how you stop relying on other people to validate your expertise and start recognising the evidence that you’re actually pretty bloody good at what you do. If you’ve ever stayed quiet in a meeting, over-prepared because you were terrified of being challenged, or waited for permission to say what you already knew needed saying, this one’s for you. Louise works with organisations, leadership teams and individuals through in-house workshops, group coaching programmes and 1:1 coaching through Speakeasy Coaching. She also runs public masterclasses, including Find Your Voice, throughout the year. Her next masterclass on 25 September 2026 covers being heard, influencing senior stakeholders, communicating with confidence and getting buy-in - and if you message Louise over on LinkedIn and mention this podcast to sign up by 14th September 2026, she is offering you £25 off! 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. #HR #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #HumanResources #MentalHealth #Burnout #HRLeadership #Confidence #SelfTrust #HumansResourced

This isn't just the end of a podcast season. It's a reminder of what's possible when you stop waiting for confidence to arrive and start trusting yourself instead. Across this first season of The HR Big Meet Podcast, you've heard women in HR share honest stories of burnout, redundancy, self-doubt, career change, finding their voice and redefining success on their own terms. In this season finale, Emma reflects on the common threads running through every conversation and the lessons we can all take from them. If you've ever questioned your value, wondered whether it's too late to make a change, or felt like there must be more than simply surviving your career, this episode is for you. Because lasting change doesn't happen overnight. It starts with one decision, one brave step, and the willingness to believe there's another way. Now, let's make this mean something. 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 , or come along to Emma's free webinar on 6 August 2026 12 - 1pm BST on how to fall in love with HR again (without changing your career). Register for 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. #HR #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #HumanResources #MentalHealth #Burnout #HRLeadership #Confidence #SelfTrust #HumansResourced

In this episode of The HR Big Meet Podcast, Emma Djemil is joined by LaShawn Davis for a conversation that proves the challenges facing women in HR don't stop at borders. LaShawn is a faith and work strategist, founder of The HR Plug and creator of The UNPLUG Experience. With a background in labour relations and workplace strategy, she helps organisations transform their cultures while supporting individuals to reconnect with who they are, so they can stop striving and start leading from a place of alignment. Together, Emma and LaShawn explore: Why so many HR professionals feel like they're constantly fighting to prove their worth What it means when work starts to feel like a battlefield How our identity can become tangled up in our careers The power of discovering your "organic brilliance" Why burnout isn't inevitable when you're working in alignment with your strengths Building confidence from self-awareness rather than external validation Creating influence without compromising who you are This is an energising, thought-provoking conversation about identity, purpose and remembering that your greatest contribution doesn't come from trying to be someone else. It comes from fully understanding who you already are. Whether you're questioning your place in HR, feeling exhausted by constantly trying to prove yourself, or wondering how to create a career that feels more aligned, this episode will leave you thinking differently about success, influence and the value you already bring. 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. #HRLeadership #WomenInHR #HumanResources #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #Confidence #SelfTrust #Purpose #HumansResourced

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. 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. #HRLeadership #WomenInHR #HumanResources #CareerDevelopment #Confidence #Leadership #SelfTrust #BurnoutPrevention #HumansResourced

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. 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. #HRLeadership #WomenInHR #HumanResources #CareerDevelopment #Confidence #Leadership #SelfTrust #HRCommunity #HumansResourced

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. 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. #HRLeadership #WomenInHR #HumanResources #CareerDevelopment #Confidence #Leadership #Authenticity #SelfTrust #HRCommunity #HumansResourced

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. Find out more about Kate's 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. #HRLeadership #WomenInHR #ConfidenceAtWork #BurnoutRecovery #LeadershipDevelopment #NeurodiversityAtWork #AuthenticLeadership #CareerDevelopment

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. 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. #HRLeadership #WomenInHR #Leadership #Influence #WorkplaceCulture #SelfTrust #HumansResourced

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. #HR #Burnout #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #HumanResources #CareerDevelopment #Confidence #HRLeadership

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. 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. #HR #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #Confidence #CareerDevelopment #SelfTrust #Influence #HumansResourced

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. 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. #HR #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #HumanResources #MentalHealth #Burnout #HRLeadership #Confidence #SelfTrust #HumansResourced

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. 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. #HR #WomenInLeadership #Leadership #HumanResources #CareerDevelopment #Confidence #HRLeadership #SelfTrust #CareerChange #HumansResourced