Welcome to Employee Activation, the HR podcast that takes you into the minds of the world's brightest workforce strategists to find out how they make both their employees and their organisations thrive. In each bite-size episode, we sit down with top HR innovators to uncover practical tips and actionable insights on how they cultivate skilled workforces that are always prepared, fit for purpose and inclusive. Designed for HR professionals, this podcast aims to empower you to activate your employees' potential and create a thriving workplace.
Find out more: www.withyouwithme.com/podcasts
From spreadsheets to strategy: making workforce planning human | 014
Spreadsheets, headcount forecasts and workforce models don’t exactly scream “riveting listening”. But when workforce planning is done right, it can be one of the most powerful levers an organisation has — and that’s exactly what this episode uncovers.
In this conversation, David Edwards, author of The Strategic Workforce Planning Handbook, takes us behind the scenes of how some of the world’s most complex organisations — including RBS, NatWest Group, and Ericsson — have turned workforce planning from a once-a-year numbers exercise into a true business advantage.
David shares his proudest real-world wins, unpacks why workforce planning must be both strategic and human, and explains how aligning HR, finance and operations can unlock smarter decisions, stronger capability, and a more resilient workforce. We also explore what workforce planning looks like in an age of AI and skills disruption — and why leaders who get this right now will be miles ahead tomorrow.
If you’ve ever felt that workforce planning was important but hard to bring to life, this episode will change the way you think about it.
14 Oct 2025
Behind the buckets: How the KFC Foundation empowers its people | 013
When you think of KFC, you probably picture the Colonel, that finger-lickin’ chicken, and a brand recognised across the globe. But behind those iconic red-and-white buckets is a workforce of thousands—diverse, hardworking people from every walk of life, serving their communities in restaurants all around the world.
At the heart of it all is the KFC Foundation, a powerful force for good, helping team members build brighter futures through education and support.
In this episode, we sit down with Emma Horn, Executive Director of the KFC Foundation. Emma first connected with our host through a shared partnership with the GED Testing Service and quickly discovered a shared vision: empowering people through education, reskilling, and unlocking potential.
Under Emma’s leadership, the KFC Foundation is delivering life-changing programs for restaurant employees and their families—everything from scholarships and emergency aid to personal development and career advancement.
27 Aug 2025
Leading through AI change: Lessons from financial services | 012
In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Katharine Wooller, a strategic voice in the UK’s financial services sector, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the skills landscape.
As the Chief Strategist for Financial Services at Softcat, Katharine brings a sharp, pragmatic perspective on what the sector needs next—from digital capability to critical thinking—and the risks of leaving legacy mindsets unchallenged.
We unpack current insights on the widening skills gap and examine the practical implications for talent development, organisational resilience and future readiness in one of the most regulated and fast-evolving industries in the world.
While the conversation centres on financial services, the lessons are widely applicable, because when it comes to digital evolution, this sector is often the canary in the coal mine, offering early insights every leader can learn from.
Whether you’re in HR, transformation, or workforce planning, this episode offers valuable insight into how financial institutions can activate their people, not just their technology.
23 Jul 2025
From courseware to careers: How skills strategy is reinventing L&D | 011
For years, corporate learning has been synonymous withmandatory training modules and bloated course libraries. But what happens when L&D stops being a box-ticking function — and starts driving real workforce transformation
In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Richard Pedley, former head of talent experience at Fidelity, to unpack how the skills agenda is redefining the future of learning and development. With nearly two decades of experience in talent strategy, Richard has led one of the most ambitious internal skills transformations in recent memory, mapping capabilities across 10,000 employees and turning insight into action.
He argues that the first step is treating people like the critical business assets they are — pointing out that most companies know more about the chair an employee sits on than the skills and potential of the person sitting in it. It’s time to flip that script.
If you’re an HR or L&D leader tired of chasing course completions and ready to start solving real business problems, this conversation will light the path forward.
https://withyouwithme.com/podcasts/
2 Jul 2025
A brain-based approach to high performance | 010
Sue Langley, founder of the Langley Group, discusses how neuroscience, emotional intelligence, and positive psychology cultivate thriving workplace cultures, in this interview episode.
12 Jun 2025
How a skills-based RTD model de-risks hiring and powers business performance | 009
Nick Walrond, Managing Director at Sanderson, discusses skills-based Recruit Train Deploy models and how they help companies grow smarter and move faster in this interview episode.
15 May 2025
Designing the workforce of the future – How to thrive in the age of AI and automation | 008
AI isn’t coming for our jobs — it’s already sitting at the desk next to us. The real question isn’t how we stop it. It’s how we redesign work so humans and machines can actually win together.
In this episode, we get real about the future of work with Pav Bilkoo from Lace Partners — a workforce transformation expert who spends his days helping some of the world’s biggest brands figure this stuff out for real (not just in theory).
Forget buzzwords. Pav breaks down what it actually takes to rethink how work gets done, why matching people to tasks based on skills, potential and mindset is the future, and how HR can move from playing catch-up to leading the charge.
Whether you're still trying to figure out where AI fits in, or you’re already knee-deep in a workforce redesign, this episode is packed with straight-talking insights, practical advice, and some much-needed optimism about what’s ahead.
Because the future of work isn’t just about technology — it’s about activating the full potential of your people, and giving them the space to thrive in a world that's moving faster than ever.
3 Apr 2025
From hacker myths to hidden gems: Rethinking talent with Monash’s Cyber Chief | 007
In this episode, we blow up the traditional hiring playbook with Dan Maslin, Group Chief Information Security Officer at Monash University. Dan’s not your average cyber leader—he’s championing a bold, skills-first approach to workforce building that’s challenging everything we think we know about talent.
Forget poaching from the same talent pools. Monash is pulling future stars from unexpected places, proving that with the right mindset (and the right support), potential can come from anywhere. Whether you're in HR, talent acquisition or just tired of the “we can’t find good people” narrative, this episode is a call to arms.
It’s time to ditch the cookie-cutter and get real about building teams for tomorrow. Dan’s insights might just be the spark your talent strategy’s been missing.
9 Jan 2025
Cracking the code of your workforce: Michela Browne on unlocking potential | 006
Building the Future Workforce with Michela Browne
In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Michela Browne, a business psychologist and HR leader with global experience at organisations like Canon, McDonald’s, Korn Ferry, Cochlear, and QBE Insurance. Michela shares her unique insights into building a workforce that is prepared for the future by focusing on skills, potential, and purpose.
From rethinking traditional talent management frameworks to embracing psychometric assessments, Michela explores how organisations can shift their approach to engagement and workforce development to better align employee aspirations with organisational goals.
She also discusses the importance of normalising change, particularly in industries undergoing rapid digital transformation, and how a focus on skills over roles can help employees thrive in evolving workplaces.
Key Topics:
How to identify and prepare for future workforce needs
Why traditional concepts of "high potential" no longer serve diverse workforces
The power of aligning employee skills and aspirations with organisational goals
Building global engagement programs with local nuance
Learn more about future workforces: https://withyouwithme.com/platform/
6 Nov 2024
Unlocking talent from within: Tara Karver on building a culture of growth | 005
What does it take to turn your workforce into a powerhouse of rising talent? In this episode of Employee Activation, we sit down with Tara Karver, an HR strategist and executive coach who has driven people development at Comcast, Hershey, Procter & Gamble, and Pearson.
Tara pulls back the curtain on how leading brands create a ‘promote-from-within’ culture that drives engagement and skyrockets capability.
From leveraging talent councils to designing workforce skilling experiences that stick, Tara shares actionable strategies to tap into the potential within your team. This episode is packed with real-world insights and bold strategies that HR leaders can’t afford to miss.
21 Oct 2024
How skills-based hiring is supercharging diversity and driving greater ROI | Leonardo UK | 004
In Episode 4 of Employee Activation, we dive into a game-changing approach to recruitment with Craig Drysdale, VP of Talent and Engagement at Leonardo UK.
Forget outdated qualifications and strict hiring requirements — Craig reveals how Leonardo is leading the charge in a skills-first revolution that’s transforming how they find, build and acquire top talent. From slashing costs and speeding up time-to-hire to boosting diversity, this episode uncovers how a focus on skills can reshape your workforce in a meaningful way. Plus, Craig gives us the inside scoop on cohort hiring and rapid upskilling, helping mid-career pros break into tech with ease.
Packed with real-life success stories and actionable insights, this episode is a treasure trove for HR leaders ready to future-proof their talent strategy.
24 Sept 2024
Episode 3: Skills mapping a 30,000-person workforce
When Australia’s biggest telco realised they lacked a true understanding of the skills in their workforce and were losing tech talent to the competition, HR leader, Kate Stewart and her team embarked on a large-scale skills mapping project way ahead of its time.
In this episode, Kate shares the complex challenges and practical lessons learned mapping the skills of Telstra’s 30,000-strong, nationally dispersed workforce, encompassing a broad range of roles from city-based retail workers to outback field technicians.
Learn how this award-winning project delivered unprecedented insight that would underpin Telstra’s workforce strategy for years to come. Plus, learn how innovative technologies are streamlining the skills mapping process for organisations looking to get started today.
www.withyouwithme.com/podcasts
8 Sept 2024
Episode 2: How DE&I is driving innovation in space, aeronautics, defence and cyber
Northrop Grumman is a global defence prime working at the cutting-edge of technology in highly complex security domains. They’ve got a workforce of over 100,000 employees solving their customers’ toughest challenges in aerospace and defence – and yet, they still manage to maintain a focus on DE&I, with innovative initiatives for hiring and fostering inclusive workplace culture.
In this episode, Cia catches up with Northrop Grumman UK’s Head of Talent, Sophie Ball. Sophie has been with the company for more than 15 years and has played a crucial role in establishing and championing truly impactful DE&I programs in the UK, especially when it comes to supporting military veterans and their families.
Learn how Sophie has adapted methods from the global business to deliver DE&I at Northrop Grumman in the UK, using data to underpin talent development and creating the diverse workforce needed to remain at the forefront of innovation.
14 Aug 2024
Episode 1: How to keep up award-winning culture through 10x growth
Black market donuts, iconic global brands, revolutionary benefits and 10x employee growth – career Chief People Officer, Edweena Stratton has truly seen it all. But at the core of her 20+ year career is culture; the kind of culture that dominates best place to work award lists year after year, the kind of culture that attracts the best talent, and the culture holy grail that keeps people in it for the long haul.
In this episode, Edweena shares the trials and tribulations of building company culture from the ground up with some of the world’s biggest brands including Starbucks, Krispy Kreme, Oracle, Salesforce and Culture Amp.
Discover what it takes to break out of the ivory tower, truly know your employees and build genuine, lasting engagement across your workforce.
www.withyouwithme.com/podcasts
1 Aug 2024
Introducing Employee Activation
Welcome to Employee Activation, the HR podcast that takes you into the minds of some of the world's brightest workforce strategists to find out how they make both their employees and their organisations thrive.
This season we‘re going to introduce you to an incredible line up of HR leaders who’ve guided the employee experience of leading global companies including Krispy Kreme, Salesforce, Northrop Grumman, McDonalds, QBE Insurance, Korn Ferry, Culture Amp and more.
Tune in to discover innovative new ways to activate your employees' potential and create a thriving workplace.
Learn more: https://withyouwithme.com/
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
23,288
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
2 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
32
Social presence
0
YouTube
85
Engagement
32
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