HR Voices Podcast

Episode 57: HR Voices with Mike Pagan — Building Mental Wealth and Breaking Executive Isolation

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents, HRi. 
DATE: 1st September 2025
Episode 57: HR Voices with Mike Pagan — Building Mental Wealth and Breaking Executive Isolation
Guest: Mike Pagan, Executive Coach, Author & Mental Wealth Advocate
🎙️ In this episode:
Mary Asante is joined by executive coach and performance expert Mike Pagan to explore the concept of mental wealth—and how isolation at the top levels of leadership can quietly erode wellbeing and effectiveness.
From solopreneurs to C-suite executives, many leaders struggle with executive isolation, often silently. Mike offers practical tools, real stories, and powerful strategies for building support networks that protect and enhance our personal and professional wellbeing.
This is a must-listen for HR professionals, consultants, and business leaders looking to support themselves and their people more meaningfully.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
🔓 What Is Mental Wealth?
The difference between mental health and mental wealth
Why isolation equals mental poverty—and how to avoid it
The importance of having a proactive support team around you
👥 Executive Isolation & Why It’s So Common
Why asking for help still feels like weakness for many leaders
Why HR professionals often look after everyone except themselves
How hybrid work can increase (not decrease) isolation
💬 How to Build Your Support Network
The “mental wealth team” audit: who truly has your back?
Understanding the 1–10 scale of support—why most people have few (if any) 8s, 9s or 10s
It’s okay if relationships aren’t equal—support goes both ways, but not always evenly
🏗️ Creating Cultures of Connection
The role of psychological safety in encouraging openness
Bringing back meaningful team time—not just for work, but for relationships
Why isolation can happen in any setting—even an open office
📞 Small Actions with Huge Impact
Why you should pick up the phone—not just send a text
The ripple effect of checking in on someone
Human social responsibility: the HSR that matters more than CSR
✨ Key Takeaways:
✅ Mental wealth is about investing in relationships that support your growth and wellbeing ✅ Executive isolation is real—but it doesn’t have to be inevitable ✅ HR needs to model and protect its own self-care, not just deliver it for others ✅ A strong peer network is critical, especially in hybrid and solo work environments ✅ One phone call can change (or even save) a life—don’t delay it
🔝 Top Tips from Mike Pagan:
Audit your mental wealth team – Write down who’s in your support network, and score them 1–10 for commitment. Do this regularly to track and grow your “wealth.”
Create psychological safety – Build spaces at work where people can ask for help without fear or shame. Start with yourself.
Pick up the phone – Don’t wait. If someone’s on your mind, call them. Your timing might be more needed than you’ll ever know.
🎧 Listen & EngageEnjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your HR network or leadership team.
📩 Have a question or want to suggest a topic? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk 🌐 Discover more episodes and resources: www.hrindependents.co.uk
 

Episode 56: HR Voices with Charlie Hart — Neurodiversity Inclusion at Work

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents, HRi. 
DATE: 18th August 2025
Episode 56: HR Voices with Charlie Hart — Neurodiversity Inclusion at Work
Guest: Charlie Hart, Neurodiversity Inclusion Speaker, Writer & Advocate
🎙️ In this episode:
Host Mary Asante is joined by the passionate and insightful Charlie Hart, neurodiversity inclusion speaker and former HR analyst, also known online as Awesome Charlie. Diagnosed as autistic at age 42, Charlie brings a powerful mix of personal lived experience and professional HR expertise to explore how we can create truly inclusive workplaces for neurodivergent individuals.
Together, they unpack the real meaning of neurodiversity and explore what true inclusion looks like—not just in policy but in everyday practice, culture, and conversations. From recruitment to hybrid working, this episode is full of practical advice and honest reflection.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
🧬 What Is Neurodiversity (and Why It Matters)?
Understanding the concept and movement of neurodiversity
Everyone has a unique brain—neurodiversity includes all of us
Context matters: the same person may function differently depending on environment and support
🤝 What Inclusion Really Means
Creating environments where people are not just present but welcomed
Supporting neurodivergent employees isn’t about special treatment—it’s about accessibility
Building psychologically safe cultures through empathy and flexibility
🚧 Workplace Barriers (and How to Remove Them)
The unseen challenges: sensory overload, verbal instructions, scattered meetings
Why lived experience should inform policies—not assumptions
The power of communication preferences and scheduling that works for humans, not just processes
🛠️ Practical Strategies That Make a Difference
Informal tweaks vs. “reasonable adjustments”
Collaboration between employees and managers—not confrontation
Why conversations should be human, not legalistic
📈 Why It’s Everyone’s Business
Inclusive practices benefit all employees, not just neurodivergent ones
How to support individuals without singling them out or creating more stigma
Encouraging storytelling, ERGs, and active listening to embed inclusion
✨ Key Takeaways:
✅ Neurodiversity is natural—and valuable in every workplace ✅ Inclusion isn’t about policies; it’s about people and practices ✅ Simple changes like advance interview questions or respecting communication preferences can have huge impact ✅ Don’t assume—ask ✅ Believing people when they share their needs is the foundation of an inclusive culture
🔝 Top Tips from Charlie Hart:
Allow communication preferences – Encourage people to state how they prefer to be contacted in email signatures or profiles.
Send interview questions in advance – It helps everyone, not just neurodivergent candidates.
Believe us – When someone says they’re struggling with an environment or process, trust them. It’s not about drama—it’s about dignity.
🎧 Listen & Engage Did you enjoy this episode? Please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your HR and leadership community.
📩 Have questions or suggestions? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk 🌐 Discover more episodes and insights: www.hrindependents.co.uk
 
 

Episode 55: HR Voices with Linda Gent — From Limiting Beliefs to Building Confidence

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents, HRi. 
DATE: 4th August 2025
Episode 55: HR Voices with Linda Gent — From Limiting Beliefs to Building Confidence
Guest: Linda Gent, Executive Coach & HR Professional
🎙️ In this episode:
Mary Asante is joined by the brilliant Linda Gent, executive coach and seasoned HR professional, to explore the inner voice that holds many of us back—limiting beliefs—and how to transform them into the confidence we need to thrive.
Linda shares how these beliefs take root, from childhood memories to difficult work experiences, and how they often evolve into what we know as imposter syndrome. Through powerful coaching insights, practical techniques, and real-life stories, Linda shows how HR professionals and business leaders can start dismantling these beliefs and begin showing up more powerfully.
🧠 What You’ll Learn:
🔎 What Are Limiting Beliefs?
The connection between limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome
Common signs of self-sabotaging internal dialogue
Why confidence is often a skill—not a trait
📚 Where They Come From
Early experiences, workplace trauma, and ingrained messaging
Why some beliefs become part of your persona
The role of fear, shame, and internalised criticism
🔁 How to Start Rebuilding Confidence
Coaching techniques that challenge limiting narratives
Tools like journaling, reframing, and reflective cycles
Using positive psychology (PERMA) and strength-based approaches
🧍 Why It’s Not About Perfection
Breaking the myth that you must “know it all” to be credible
Recognising the “archetypes” of imposter syndrome: the perfectionist, the expert, the superhuman
How overcompensation can lead to burnout
💬 Being Vulnerable, Being Human
The power of authentic leadership
How hybrid working has shifted perceptions of professionalism
Why showing vulnerability can build team trust
✨ Key Takeaways:
✅ Your internal voice has the power to shape—or shatter—your confidence ✅ Confidence can be developed with tools like reflection and reframing ✅ It’s okay not to have all the answers—leadership is a team sport ✅ Self-awareness helps you break the cycle of fear-based thinking ✅ Vulnerability, empathy, and connection can boost both wellbeing and performance
🔝 Top Tips from Linda Gent:
Reflect – Use journaling, self-inquiry, or post-it exercises to explore the beliefs shaping your decisions.
Reframe – Add the word “yet” to your inner dialogue. “I can’t do this…yet” changes everything.
Rejoice – Acknowledge your wins. Celebrate the small stuff. Confidence grows when you recognise progress.
🎧 Listen & Engage Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network.
📩 Have feedback or a topic suggestion? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk 🌐 More episodes and resources: www.hrindependents.co.uk
 

Episode 54: Redefining Visibility: Why Your Story Matters More Than Your Image

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents, HRi. 
DATE: 21st July 2025
Episode 54:  HR Voices with Pippa Tanko — Redefining Visibility: Why Your Story Matters More Than Your Image
Guest: Pippa Tanko, Brand Photographer & Visibility Coach
In this episode:
Mary Asante is joined by the inspiring Pippa Tanko, a brand photographer and visibility coach who helps entrepreneurs show up as their true selves online to attract the right clients. Together, they dive into what visibility really means—and why your story holds more power than your polished image.
This conversation explores how authenticity (in its rawest, most real form) is not just a buzzword but a business strategy. Pippa shares her journey, insights, and powerful advice for HR consultants who want to build trust, stand out online, and connect meaningfully with their audience.
🎙️ What You’ll Learn:
🧭 Why Your Story Matters More Than Your Image
How authenticity builds trust
Why your lived experiences are more powerful than polished trends
Storytelling as a visibility tool and business strategy
🧠 Overcoming Visibility Fears
Using fear as a compass to guide your next move
The mindset shift: making visibility about your audience, not you
The balance between vulnerability and privacy
📸 Strategic Visibility for Business Growth
Building the “know, like, and trust” factor online
Showing up consistently without burning out
How to repurpose content meaningfully and sustainably
🫶 Why Being Human is Your Superpower
The power of relatability in building your brand
Visibility for those juggling business and life (e.g. carers, parents)
Real life vs. curated perfection—and why honesty wins
✨ Key Takeaways:
✅ Visibility is about connection, not performance ✅ People relate to your story, not your perfection ✅ You attract the right clients by showing who you really are ✅ Your voice and story are part of your business’s most valuable assets ✅ There’s power – and profit – in showing up as your whole self
🔝 Top Tips from Pippa Tanko:
Use fear as a compass – What scares you might be exactly what moves the needle in your business.
Have an opinion – Sharing your perspective sets you apart and builds credibility.
Practice visibility – Start small. Get on camera. Try video or share a personal post. You don’t have to be perfect—just present.
🎧 Listen & Engage Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with your HR network.
📩 Want to be a guest or suggest a topic? Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk 🌐 More episodes & insights: www.hrindependents.co.uk
 

Episode 53: How Psychometrics Can Support People & Organisations

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents, HRi. 
DATE: 7th July 2025
Episode: HR Voices with Katy McMinn — How Psychometrics Can Support People & Organisations 
Guest: Katy McMinn, Task HR
In this insightful episode, host Mary Asante speaks with the fabulous Katy McMinn, founder of Task HR, to explore how psychometric assessments can support individuals, teams, and organisations. Katy shares practical insights for HR consultants and businesses looking to apply psychometric tools effectively.
In This Episode:
🔢 Understanding Psychometrics
What psychometric assessments are and what they measure.
Their wide application across recruitment, development, team dynamics, leadership, and organisational restructuring.
The importance of selecting the right tool for the right purpose.
🔍 How Businesses Use Psychometrics
Integrating psychometrics into recruitment for better hiring decisions.
Using psychometrics for leadership and personal development.
Team dynamics: improving collaboration and breaking down barriers.
🧬 Choosing the Right Tools & Accreditation
Popular tools: DISC, MBTI, Golden, True Colors, Emotional Capital, EBW.
Why accreditation and proper training are crucial.
The danger of misinterpretation and pigeonholing without expert guidance.
🔑 The Role of HR Consultants
How HR consultants can add psychometrics into their service offerings.
Collaboration opportunities with other accredited consultants.
Using psychometrics to enhance coaching and leadership programs.
🫰 Individual, Team, and Organisational Benefits
Self-awareness and personal growth.
Enhancing team communication and dynamics.
Supporting organisational culture, talent management, and business success.
🔢 Key Takeaways
Psychometrics are a valuable tool when applied correctly, not in isolation.
Self-awareness is at the heart of personal and team development.
Accreditation is essential for ethical and effective use.
Collaboration with other consultants expands your offering.
Be mindful of neurodiversity when applying psychometric tools.
🔟 Top Tips from Katy McMinn
Don’t pigeonhole people — use psychometrics to explore, not to label.
Always combine psychometric results with wider assessment tools.
Consider neurodiversity and adapt assessments accordingly.
🎧 Listen & Engage If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your HR network.
Have feedback or want to be a guest? 
📧 Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk 
🌐 More insights at: www.hrindependents.co.uk
 
 
 

Episode 52: Conversations That Move HR Forward: Highlights from Episodes 47–51

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Episode 52
Title: Conversations That Move HR Forward: Highlights from Episodes 47–51 Host: Mary Asante | HR Independents Ltd Release Date: 23 June 2025
In this special recap edition of the HR Voices Podcast, host Mary Asante reflects on the standout insights, frameworks, and tools shared over the past five episodes. From navigating difficult conversations to smart marketing, ethical investigations, outplacement support, and scaling your business with virtual assistants—this recap brings together the best of recent guest wisdom to help you grow your HR practice with clarity and purpose.
Whether you're a long-time listener or just joining us, this episode is your quick-start guide to some of the most valuable conversations we've hosted this season.
🔍 Episode Highlights:
🎤 Ep. 47 – Facilitating Difficult Conversations with Sarah Harvey Discover the STREET CREDS framework and learn how to balance candour and sensitivity. Psychological safety, timing, and emotional intelligence are key to getting tough conversations right.
🎤 Ep. 48 – Marketing Beyond Referrals with James Lyon James challenges HR consultants to stop relying on referrals and embrace strategic, repeatable marketing systems. Get practical tips on using LinkedIn, email, websites, and automation to grow visibility and stability.
🎤 Ep. 49 – Investigations and the PEACE Model with Kate Marston Explore the PEACE model for evidence-based investigations. Learn the importance of planning, impartiality, and clear terms of reference to conduct fair and legally sound investigations.
🎤 Ep. 50 – Outplacement Support with June Hogan Redundancy doesn't have to mean disengagement. June shares how outplacement services can protect morale, support leavers compassionately, and maintain your employer brand.
🎤 Ep. 51 – How Virtual Assistants Help HR Consultants Scale and Succeed with Kelly Matcham Kelly explains how virtual assistants can be your “25th hour in the day,” helping HR consultants outsource admin, marketing, and more—so you can focus on the work that matters.
🧠 Key Themes Across Episodes:
✅ Structure supports success – Frameworks like STREET CREDS and PEACE give you tools to handle complexity.
✅ Marketing is risk management – Consistency builds trust and pipeline stability.
✅ Delegation is strategic – From VAs to outplacement, smart support enables growth.
✅ Compassion is not optional – Whether navigating redundancies or hard conversations, how you show up matters.
🎧 Listen & Engage
Catch up on any episodes you missed—or revisit your favourites for another dose of inspiration.
💬 We’d love to hear from you! Got feedback, questions, or a guest recommendation? 📩 Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk 🌐 Visit: www.hrindependents.co.uk
📌 Don’t forget to subscribe, review, and share the podcast with fellow HR professionals.
Thank you for being part of the HR Voices community!
 

Episode 51: How a Virtual Assistant Can Help HR Consultants Grow Their Business

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents Ltd.
DATE: 9 June 2025
Episode 51: HR Voices with Kelly Matcham – How a Virtual Assistant Can Help HR Consultants Grow Their Business
Guest: Kelly Matcham, Pink Spaghetti Mole Valley & Dorking
In this episode, Mary Asante is joined by Kelly Matcham, a virtual assistant from Pink Spaghetti Mole Valley & Dorking. Kelly shares insights on how working with a VA can help HR consultants and independent professionals streamline their operations, free up time, and ultimately grow their business.
What to Expect in This Episode
💼 What Is a Virtual Assistant (VA)?• Understanding what a VA does and why “virtual assistant” can be a misleading term.• How VAs act as the 25th hour in the day for busy business owners.
🔍 Identifying the Right Tasks to Delegate• How to identify the tasks that don’t suit your skillset or consume too much time.• Starting small and scaling support as needed.
🧰 Common Tasks Delegated to VAs• Inbox and diary management.• Onboarding clients, recruitment support, CRM and process support.• Social media and marketing assistance.• Event and project coordination.
🧠 Choosing the Right VA for Your Business• Importance of rapport and relationship building.• How to vet potential VAs based on your business needs.• Consideration of their background, team structure, and ability to scale.
🗣️ Communication and Onboarding• Best practices for communicating and sharing access with your VA.• Tools and platforms to streamline collaboration.• The importance of onboarding both ways and setting clear expectations.
📈 Growing Together• How VAs can help identify business blind spots.• Using the VA’s broader experience across industries to your advantage.
✅ Key Takeaways
VAs are a flexible and scalable way to reduce admin burden.• Build trust and start small—then scale as confidence and needs grow.• Communication, clarity, and realistic expectations are essential to success.• VAs can become an extension of your team and help drive business growth.
📣 Top Tips from Kelly Matcham
Start by listing tasks you dislike or repeat frequently.2. Talk to several VAs to find the right fit for your needs and values.3. Start small with a few hours a week and grow the relationship gradually.🎧 Listen & Engage
If you found this episode helpful, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with fellow HR professionals. Got a topic or want to be a guest? Get in touch at: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk
For more resources, visit www.hrindependents.co.uk plus take a look at this BLOG for more information. 

Episode 50: Outplacement Support

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents Ltd.
DATE: 26 May 2025
Episode 50: Outplacement Support  
Guest: June Hogan, Wildwood Coaching
In this heartfelt and highly practical episode, host Mary Asante is joined by June Hogan, founder of Wildwood Coaching and a seasoned outplacement specialist. Drawing on her rich HR background and personal experience with redundancy, June shares why outplacement support matters now more than ever—and how HR professionals can integrate it into their practices compassionately and effectively.
What to Expect in This Episode
🔄 Understanding Outplacement
What outplacement is and what services it includes—from CV writing to emotional support.
When and how to implement outplacement in the redundancy process.
Why it’s an investment in both individuals and your organization.
💼 The Human Side of Redundancy
June shares her personal experiences with redundancy—and what she learned on both sides of the table.
How emotion, identity, and support play a role in employee transitions.
Why good offboarding impacts retention, morale, and future talent engagement.
🧰 Designing an Effective Outplacement Offer
Group vs. individual support — how to tailor your approach based on employee needs and budget.
How much outplacement costs and why it doesn’t need to break the bank.
Why communication, clarity, and choice are key to employee uptake.
Key Takeaways
Outplacement support can soften the impact of redundancy and guide people forward.
Consider it early and build it into your redundancy planning and budget.
Effective support should be empathetic, practical, and flexible.
The way you treat leavers affects the culture and morale of those who remain.
Personal experiences of redundancy can inform better HR practices.
Top Tips from June Hogan
Plan early – Involve outplacement in your initial redundancy planning.
Focus on people – Never lose sight of the individuals behind the roles.
See it as investment – It builds trust, resilience, and long-term reputation.
🎧 Listen & Engage
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network.Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Or want to be a guest?📩 Email us at: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk🌐 Visit: www.hrindependents.co.uk for more insights and resources.

Episode 49: Investigations and the PEACE Model

A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents Ltd.
DATE: 12 May 2025
Episode 49: Investigations and the PEACE Model
 
Guest: Kate Marston, MaST People Support
In this episode of HR Voices, host Mary Asante is joined by Kate Marston, founder of MaST People Support and former police detective. With a career that spans law enforcement and corporate investigations, Kate shares her expertise on how HR professionals can approach workplace investigations effectively using the PEACE model.
What to Expect in This Episode
 
Understanding Investigations in the Workplace
How investigations go beyond disciplinaries and grievances to support compliance, safety, and fairness.
Why collaboration between HR, legal, IT, and other departments is critical for effective outcomes.
The PEACE Model Explained
A breakdown of the PEACE acronym: Planning, Engage & Explain, Account, Closure, and Evaluation.
Why the model fosters non-confrontational, evidence-based interviews.
How it’s used across sectors to improve investigation quality.
Best Practice for Conducting Investigations
How to assess whether an investigation is necessary.
The importance of terms of reference, planning, and proportionality.
Managing stakeholders including HR, legal, and PR with transparency and care.
Keeping impartiality and record-keeping front and center.
Key Takeaways
 
Define clear terms of reference to guide scope and decisions.
Plan every investigation phase with care, especially interviews.
Use the PEACE model for ethical, effective interviews.
Be impartial, not just “independent”—let evidence guide your process.
Keep thorough records and evaluate your own performance for future improvement.
Top Tips from Kate Marston
 
Create strong terms of reference to anchor your investigation.
Take time to plan—not just the steps, but your interview strategy.
Follow evidence methodically and document your decisions.
Choose the right investigator—skills, training, and impartiality matter.
Reflect on every investigation to improve for the next one.
🎧 Listen & Engage
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your network.
Have a topic you'd like us to cover? Or want to be a guest?
📩 Email us at: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk
🌐 Visit: www.hrindependents.co.uk for more insights and resources
 

Episode 48: How to stop relying on referrals and start marketing your consultancy

HR Voices Podcast
A podcast for independent HR and people professionals, and the businesses they support.
Hosted by Mary Asante of HR Independents Ltd.
DATE: 28 April 2025
Episode 48: HR Voices with James Lyon – How to stop relying on referrals and start marketing your consultancy  
Guest: James Lyon, HR Marketing Box
In this insightful and high-energy episode, host Mary Asante is joined by the dynamic James Lyon, known as the world’s go-to HR marketing guy. Together, they explore a common challenge facing HR consultants: how to break free from relying solely on referrals and build a sustainable marketing strategy.
In This Episode
 
🚫 Why Referrals Alone Aren’t Enough
The hidden risks of relying solely on word-of-mouth.
How losing one client can severely impact income.
Why referrals are unpredictable and put your future out of your control.
🔁 Shifting the Mindset: From Hope to Strategy
Marketing as a form of risk management—not just growth.
The danger of “hope marketing” and its role in the boom-and-bust cycle.
How proactive marketing protects income and improves stability.
🌱 The Power of Brand Awareness
Farmer vs. hunter marketing explained.
Becoming the “go-to” HR consultant in your niche.
Effective channels: LinkedIn, websites, emails, and more.
🛠️ Tools & Tips to Get Started
Build your brand through daily LinkedIn content—no Premium required.
Use the four key marketing channels: LinkedIn, website, email, and Google profile.
Automate outreach with tools like Meet Alfred to grow your network.
Key Takeaways
Brand awareness is essential for consistent client flow.
Marketing mitigates risk and builds business resilience.
Automation and content help maintain visibility and engagement.
Value-based pricing using the HR Service Pyramid unlocks scale.
A marketing system beats guesswork—you don’t have to be an expert.
Top Tips from James Lyon
Be consistent – Post regularly on LinkedIn to stay visible.
Focus your audience – Connect with potential clients, not just peers.
Build smart systems – The right setup saves time and secures leads.
Listen & Engage
Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, leave a review, and share with fellow HR consultants.Want to get involved or suggest a topic?📩 Email: hrvoices@hrindependents.co.uk🌐 More insights at: www.hrindependents.co.uk