Real World HR
Claim This Podcastby Louise Kennedy
Podcast Overview
<p>Welcome to <strong>The Louise Kennedy Podcast</strong>, the show that puts the human back into the heart of business.</p><p>Hosted by award-winning HR expert and Oculus HR founder <strong>Louise Kennedy (FCIPD)</strong>, this podcast explores the real stories behind the processes. From navigating complex workplace problems to building future-ready cultures, Louise and her expert guests offer actionable advice for small business owners, large-scale leaders, and HR professionals alike.</p><p><strong>What to expect:</strong> This feed is home to deep-dive series designed to help you thrive in the modern world of work, including:</p><ul><li><strong>Mind the Generation Gap:</strong> Our latest series exploring the fusion of technology, culture, and communication across different generations in the workplace.</li><li><strong>Real World HR:</strong> The foundation of our show, humanising HR topics like recruitment, mental health, and diversity and inclusion with direct, "no-nonsense" guidance.</li></ul><p>Whether you're looking to understand the digital habits of Gen Z or seeking specialist support for a growing team, this podcast gives you an inside look at the evolving world of people management.</p><p><strong>Ready to build a better workplace? Subscribe and join the conversation.</strong></p>
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
9/26/2022
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Recent Episodes
June 23, 2026
Can Purpose-Driven Work Close the Generation Gap? (with Sam England)
<p>In this episode of Mind the Generation Gap, host Louise Kennedy sits down with Sam England, Director of People at Gentoo Group, to explore how a housing association with 1,200 employees is turning traditional HR on its head to engage a truly multi-generational workforce. </p><p>From a colleague celebrating 60 years of service to an influx of Gen Z apprentices, Sam explains how Gentoo bridges the gap by ditching "stuffy" corporate rituals in favour of trust, flexibility, and a deep-rooted sense of community purpose.They dive into Gentoo’s "Brilliant Conversations" model - a flexible, employee-led approach to performance that swaps formal office meetings for coffee-shop chats and walks, ensuring every generation feels heard and supported. </p><p>Sam also shares Gentoo's radical commitment to the Northeast, detailing how their Trades Academy and primary school outreach are building career aspirations for the next generation in the face of rising regional unemployment.</p><p><strong>Key takeaways from this episode include:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Values from the Bottom Up</strong>: How Gentoo moved away from top-down mandates by letting employees build their own values and behaviour frameworks.</li><li><strong>The Power of Over-Communication</strong>: Why transparency is vital for building trust across generations—even when there is "nothing to say".</li><li><strong>Mentorship and Belonging</strong>: How dedicated mentors and "buddy" systems help Gen Z and new starters feel secure and authentic at work from day one.</li><li><strong>Tackling Regional Poverty</strong>: Why businesses must look beyond their walls to address child poverty and pay a real living wage to future-proof their community.</li><li><strong>Strategic Future-Proofing</strong>: Balancing routes to retirement for veteran staff with massive apprentice intakes to solve long-term skills gaps.</li><li><strong>Advice for the Next Generation</strong>: Why Sam urges young people to be "curious over perfect" and never be afraid to ask the "stupid" questions.</li></ul><p><strong>About Our Guest: Sam England</strong></p><p>Sam England is the Director of People at Gentoo Group, a Sunderland-based housing association where she has played a pivotal role in organisational culture for over a decade.Overseeing a diverse workforce of 1,200 colleagues, Sam is a passionate advocate for moving away from traditional, "stuffy" HR toward a strategic, purpose-driven model centred on trust and inclusivity.</p><p>Connect with Sam on LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-england-fcipd-a3454222/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-england-fcipd-a3454222/</a></p>
June 8, 2026
Is Gen Z actually lazy? (with Lewis Hutchinson)
<p>Host Louise Kennedy is joined by Gen Z entrepreneur Lewis Hutchinson to dismantle the stereotypes surrounding the modern young professional. </p><p>Rejecting the traditional university route, Lewis has carved a unique path through social strategy and software development by prioritising human connection and "failing fast".</p><p><strong>Key Discussion Points:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Accidental Entrepreneurship</strong>: How Lewis built Cura by simply saying "yes" to a problem he didn't yet know how to solve.</li><li><strong>The "Fail Fast" Mantra</strong>: Building resilience through problem-solving and viewing every failure as a lesson.</li><li><strong>Managing Expectations</strong>: How employers can help Gen Z navigate "decision fatigue" and provide clear direction.</li><li><strong>The Power of In-Person Connection</strong>: Why a "coffee and a catch-up" is more valuable than any online meeting in a remote-first world.</li></ul><p>Lewis offers a refreshing perspective on what it takes to succeed today, from managing the pressures of the digital age to the drive for personal fulfilment and "bragging rights" in one’s career.</p><p></p><p><strong>About Our Guest:</strong></p><p></p><p>Lewis Hutchinson is a Newcastle-based digital strategist and entrepreneur. He currently serves as Social Media Strategist at the award-winning agency Bumbl. Driven by a "yes, can do" attitude and a passion for problem-solving, Lewis expanded into accidental entrepreneurship by creating Cura, a software development agency that provides booking systems for the hair and beauty industry.</p><p>Join us as we bridge the gap and learn how to future-proof your business by embracing the drive and resilience of the next generation.</p><p>Connect with Lewis on LinkedIn: <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-hutchinson-a49174229/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/lewis-hutchinson-a49174229/</a></p>
May 26, 2026
Why Esports is the Secret to Gen Z Employability (with Stephen Gallagher)
<p>In this episode of Mind the Generation Gap, host Louise Kennedy sits down with Stephen Gallagher, Commercial Vice President at the British Esports Federation, to explore how the rapidly growing world of competitive gaming is solving one of today's most pressing challenges: youth unemployment.</p><p></p><p>While many dismiss gaming as just "kids in bedrooms," the UK esports industry is now a powerhouse, generating more annual income than the film and recorded music industries combined. Stephen discusses how esports serves as a vital "vehicle" to engage Gen Z and teach them high-level, transferable skills - from live broadcast production and graphic design to communication and strategic thinking.</p><p><strong>We dive into:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>The Power of Esports Education</strong>: How BTEC programs and the National Esports Performance Campus in Sunderland are preparing young people for the modern workforce.</li><li><strong>Bridging the Generational Divide</strong>: Why parents and employers must "own the responsibility" to understand what Gen Z is telling us through their passion for gaming.</li><li><strong>Economic Impact</strong>: The upcoming launch of the "British Arena" in Sunderland and its role as a multi-purpose venue for the city.</li><li><strong>Engaging the "Unengaged"</strong>: How esports can be used by local authorities to reach unemployed youth and provide a path out of the benefits trap.</li></ul><p>Whether you are a parent wondering about your child’s future or a business leader looking to better manage Gen Z talent, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how to future-proof our organisations by embracing the next generation’s interests.</p><p><strong>About our guest...</strong></p><p>Stephen Gallagher is the Commercial Vice President at the British Esports Federation, where he leads marketing and commercial growth in the booming esports sector. With over 25 years of experience in professional audio, broadcast, and creative technology, Stephen previously held senior roles at Mo-Sys Engineering and Canford, delivering advanced solutions for global projects like the World Cup. </p><p><strong>Connect with Stephen:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>LinkedIn:</strong> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-gallagher-80a58517/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-gallagher-80a58517/</a></li><li><strong>Website:</strong> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.google.com/url?source=gmail&sa=E&q=https://britishesports.org/">British Esports Federation</a></li></ul>
35 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Real World HR?
<p>Welcome to <strong>The Louise Kennedy Podcast</strong>, the show that puts the human back into the heart of business.</p><p>Hosted by award-winning HR expert and Oculus HR founder <strong>Louise Kennedy (FCIPD)</strong>, this podcast explores the real stories behind the processes. From navigating complex workplace problems to building future-ready cultures, Louise and her expert guests offer actionable advice for small business owners, large-scale leaders, and HR professionals alike.</p><p><strong>What to expect:</strong> This feed is home to deep-dive series designed to help you thrive in the modern world of work, including:</p><ul><li><strong>Mind the Generation Gap:</strong> Our latest series exploring the fusion of technology, culture, and communication across different generations in the workplace.</li><li><strong>Real World HR:</strong> The foundation of our show, humanising HR topics like recruitment, mental health, and diversity and inclusion with direct, "no-nonsense" guidance.</li></ul><p>Whether you're looking to understand the digital habits of Gen Z or seeking specialist support for a growing team, this podcast gives you an inside look at the evolving world of people management.</p><p><strong>Ready to build a better workplace? Subscribe and join the conversation.</strong></p> - How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates weekly.
- Where can I listen to this podcast?
This podcast is available on 9 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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