Heart at Work with Trina Sunday

What happens when the world feels unpredictable, and even showing up as yourself starts to feel risky?

I’ve just come out of a week inside the United Nations, and what stayed with me wasn’t just the conversations on gender equality. It was something more personal. A moment where I questioned how safe it really is to fully show up, even in environments we assume are stable.

In this episode, I talk about how global uncertainty is shaping psychological safety at work. Why geopolitics is no longer separate from the workplace, and what it mean...

What happens when progress on gender equality stops feeling guaranteed and starts feeling fragile?

I’ve just stepped out of the room at CSW 70 at the United Nations, and this episode is my real-time reflection on what I saw, felt, and couldn’t ignore. This wasn’t business as usual. I take you inside the conversations shaping global gender equality, from access to justice to the growing pressure on human rights frameworks.

I talk about what it means when an outcome document on women’s rights can’t reach consensus, and why that moment matters more than...

Have you ever sat in a leadership meeting where everyone agrees that people come first, until the pressure hits?

In this episode, I talk about the uncomfortable gap between what leaders say they value and how they actually behave when urgency, performance pressure or competing priorities take over. Because knowing what good leadership looks like is one thing. Practising it under pressure is another.

I tell you about my Head, Heart and Hands framework and share why integration is the real leadership challenge facing organisations today. This isn’t about theory, it’s about behaviour. It’s...

Are we thinking about HR all wrong? And what if the real shift isn’t capability, but philosophy?

In this episode, I take you behind the curtain and talk about the thinking behind HEART Work™. After more than two decades in HR and organisational leadership, I’ve realised something confronting. HR doesn’t have a skills gap. It has an identity gap. We’ve outgrown the old definition of our role, yet many of us are still operating inside it. I share why “business has no profit without a pulse” and why the future of HR requires both courage a...

Are you still being seen as the compliance department with good intentions, when your organisation needs your influence?

In this episode, I tackle HR’s identity crisis head on. I share why I believe HR’s biggest threat right now isn’t compliance failure, it’s irrelevance. After 25 plus years in HR leadership and consulting, I’ve seen brilliant HR professionals shrink themselves to fit outdated expectations. Reliable, responsive, diplomatic and often invisible at the executive table.

I explore what it takes to shift from technical expert to strategic influencer. We talk about courage, commercial fluency, e...

Have you ever felt the tension between what work is and what it could be?

In this episode, I draw a line in the sand for our profession. As Reimagine HR marks six years in business, I share why this moment feels bigger than an anniversary. It’s a turning point. A renewed commitment to leading HR more boldly, more visibly, and more human-first than ever before.

I introduce my Human-First Workplace Revolution manifesto and unpack what it really means to put people at the centre of performance. We talk about burnout, outdated leadership models, HR...

There’s a quiet tension in HR.

We’re told people are our greatest asset… right before people strategy gets pushed aside for operational urgency.

So what if there’s a braver way to lead work?

Heart at Work with Trina Sunday is for HR leaders and change-makers who believe people and performance can thrive side by side, and who refuse to let people become the collateral damage of ambition.
Hosted by human-first leadership strategist and creator of the HEART Work™ model, Trina Sunday brings 25+ years of global insights to honest con...

There’s a quiet tension in HR.

We’re told people are our greatest asset… right before people strategy gets pushed aside for operational urgency.

So what if there’s a braver way to lead work?

Heart at Work with Trina Sunday is for HR leaders and change-makers who believe people and performance can thrive side by side, and who refuse to let people become the collateral damage of ambition.
Hosted by human-first leadership strategist and creator of the HEART Work™ model, Trina Sunday brings 25+ years of global insights to honest con...

What if the real story of HR isn’t about HR processes at all?

This episode marks a milestone. Not because it’s number 50, but because it prompted me to pause and really listen. Not just to the words, but to the patterns across every guest and every theme. It turns out, this podcast was never just about HR. It’s been about humanity, identity, grief, power, exhaustion, courage, and everything in between.

I share what stood out most from 50 episodes: the recurring truths about burnout, invisible labour, trust, and the human cost of broken system...

Ever been pulled aside for a “quick chat” that blew out your whole day?

In this episode of Reimagining HR, I’m pulling back the curtain on what HR really looks like in Australia. From “she’ll be right” risk management to navigating the weird mix of informality and high-stakes regulation. This one’s for the HR professionals holding it all together, often with a straight face and a cancelled lunch.

You’ll hear what sets Australian HR apart. What makes our leadership style so uniquely low-key, and how we balance influence, culture and compliance with quiet stren...

Are we outsourcing our thinking to AI, and what does that mean for leadership, decision-making and HR?

What happens when HR stops telling people what to think, and starts helping them think for themselves? In this episode, I speak with critical thinking expert Bethan Winn about reclaiming our “human edge” in a tech-saturated world.

We discuss cognitive sovereignty, decision confidence, and why soft skills are anything but soft. Bethan shares practical ways leaders can strengthen strategic thinking and create space for better decisions, even in fast-paced, reactive workplaces.

If you’re wrestling with how to...

Is your reward system really reflecting what you value most, or just what’s easiest to measure?

As the year wraps, I sat down with Warren Land, Director of the Reward Practice and one of Australia's leading experts in remuneration and incentive design, to talk about what rewards are really saying in our workplaces. This conversation goes beyond the bonus to look at fairness, transparency, and the power dynamics hiding in our pay structures.

You’ll hear what’s changing in total rewards, what leaders often get wrong about incentives, and how to spot when your p...

What does fairness look like when AI is making the decisions?

Artificial intelligence is changing the way we hire, develop, and lead, but who benefits when we rush to automate? In this episode, I speak with Aubrey Blanche, Director of Ethical Advisory and Strategic Partnerships at The Ethics Centre, about why AI isn’t just a tech issue, it’s a human one.

We explore the messy middle of ethical leadership, the overlooked risks in how HR teams use AI, and how to ask better questions before adopting shiny tools. Aubrey brings years of experience from...

What does fear look like in your workplace, and what would happen if we replaced it with trust?

This episode of Reimagining HR is a heart-first, straight-talking conversation between me and workplace transformation expert Prina Shah. We unpack what fear-based leadership really looks like, how it shows up in our systems and behaviours, and what it takes to lead with trust and courage instead.

We talk about HR’s unique role, absorbing fear, protecting trust, and helping leaders do both. We also explore legacy, cultural transformation, and why the consultation process needs a serious rethink. If...

What happens when your job title fades and you’re no longer the go-to HR guru? Who are you then?

Ever felt like your whole identity is wrapped up in your job title? In this episode, I talk about the messy truth about identity in HR. From burnout to belonging, and from Cambodia to corporate Australia, I share what I’ve learned about separating self-worth from work ethic, and why that matters more than ever in our profession.

I discuss what makes identity in the workplace so powerful and so risky, including the bonds that shap...

Feeling the weight of holding it all together in HR? What if your exhaustion isn’t just stress... but accumulated trauma?

HR fatigue is real, and it’s quietly burning out the people at the heart of our workplaces. In this solo episode, I talk about the emotional weight of being the organisational shock absorber, and why traditional HR models are no longer sustainable for many of us.

You’ll hear why exhaustion in HR goes deeper than just being busy, what people fatigue really looks like, and how it connects to imposter syndrome and moral...

What if your team could build real trust and momentum without the old-school hierarchy?

In this episode, I’m joined by Keith Ferrazzi, renowned coach, author of Never Eat Alone and Never Lead Alone, and leading voice on connection and teamship. We talk about what it takes to build genuine human connections in fractured workplaces, why “serendipity bonding” doesn’t cut it anymore, and how AI is reshaping the way teams are formed.

We cover the power of co-elevation, leading without authority, and why cultural change is simpler than we make it. Keith also shares his pers...

Are your people spiritually starving at work and is that quietly costing your business?

In this episode, I’m talking about soul food at work. Not catered lunches or coffee tabs, the real stuff. The kind that nourishes your spirit and shifts a workplace from transactional to transformational.

I’ll walk you through what feeding the soul looks like inside an organisation, and why it’s far from fluffy. You’ll hear how practices like gratitude, purpose alignment and emotional awareness are backed by science (not just vibes), and why they directly impact performance, creativity and rete...

Are HR leaders really locked out of the CEO seat, or are we holding ourselves back?

In this episode, I talk about the real reasons HR professionals aren’t landing the top job, and why it’s not because we're underqualified.

From imposter syndrome to commercial confidence and the myth of “not being given the chance.” I break down the habits and mindset traps keeping us small and how to break free from them.

You’ll walk away with practical ways to strengthen your CEO readiness: how to build your personal board, sharpen your comme...

What if the skills you’ve honed in HR are exactly what’s needed to be a CEO?

In this episode, I challenge one of the most frustrating myths in the business world. That HR leaders can’t become CEOs. I spotlight some standout CHRO-to-CEO success stories, from Leena Nair’s leap from Unilever to Chanel, to Mary Barra’s transformation of General Motors, to Anne Mulcahy pulling Xerox back from the brink.

These aren't just career highlights; they’re proof that people leadership is business leadership.

You’ll hear how these leaders used empathy...

What happens when a Coldplay kiss cam moment spirals into a corporate crisis, executive resignations, and a global HR debate?

In this episode, I unpack the very public Coldplay kiss cam controversy that led to the sudden exit of Astronomer’s CEO and CPO, and what it reveals about power dynamics, bias, and the hidden cracks in organisational culture. Using this as a case study, I explore how HR should respond when the function itself is caught in the storm.

We’ll talk about why due process matters, even when public opinion is demanding instant acti...

What if leading with heart was the most strategic move you could make?

In this episode of Reimagining HR, I challenge the old-school discomfort around emotions in the boardroom and unpack why heart-led leadership isn’t fluffy, it’s functional. From the red dust of the Pilbara to the pressure of the C-suite, I share real stories, data and practical tools that prove heart is hardwired for performance.

You’ll hear about the ripple effects of compassion in action, autonomy that works, and connection rituals that don’t feel like corporate karaoke. Plus, we unpack the four...

Do you ever wonder if workplace conflict could strengthen relationships, instead of breaking them?

In this episode, we chat with mediator Tania Waters about how conflict shows up in the workplace and what happens behind closed doors in mediation. We break down the myths about conflict resolution, from the “personality clash” label to why grievances often fester instead of getting solved.

You’ll hear how Tania’s lived experience from high-pressure law firms to her work as a conflict specialist has shaped her unique approach to resolving tough workplace issues. She shares the real reasons relation...

What if creativity wasn’t just a nice-to-have at work, but the missing link for real belonging, innovation and impact?

In this episode, I’m joined by Bourby Webster, a creative powerhouse and the founder of the Perth Symphony Orchestra. We talk about the power of creativity in the workplace and beyond. Bourby’s lived experience shows how creative spaces can spark community, drive fresh thinking, and open doors to authentic self-expression, even in the most buttoned-up workplaces.

From challenging Australia’s cultural cringe around art, to rethinking HR’s role in helping people feel seen and h...

Have you ever wondered if your self-respect is the missing piece to your success?

In this episode, I chat with Dr. Katherine Iscoe about why self-respect matters just as much, if not more, than confidence in your career. We explore the difference between self-respect, confidence and self-esteem, and how understanding these can help HR leaders, and anyone really, to build healthier, more authentic workplaces.

Dr. Katherine shares her insights on what keeps people stuck in people-pleasing and high-achieving patterns and why many HR professionals struggle more than others with owning their worth. I open up...

Ever felt like change is happening to your people, not with them?

In this episode, I sit down with emotional intelligence and human behaviour specialist Amy Jacobson to talk about what’s really behind resistance to change and why our usual strategies often miss the mark. Amy explains why emotional intelligence isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must-have if you want to lead change, tackle difficult conversations and stop the script-reading madness.

We explore emotional hijacks, “tick-box” HR, and the risks of promoting change without acknowledging what people stand to lose. Amy also introduces...

Do you ever look around your organisation and think... are we just pretending everything’s fine?

In this episode, I talk with Dominic Thurbon about truthful leadership. What happens when lying becomes the norm, and how truth telling could be the biggest lever for real change in our organisations.

We cover the difference between positioning and spin, why some leaders use “candour” as an excuse to be rude, and how culture, fear and incentives all play into honesty at work.

You’ll hear why truth is more than just a value, it’s a strategy...

Ever thought "I hate people" and then realised... you're in HUMAN resources?

If you've ever felt over people, tired of the drama or drained from being everyone's emotional hijacks, this one is for you.

In this episode, I’m calling out the contradictions, chaos and humour that come with working in HR. From enforcing rules no one likes, to managing conflict, carrying others' emotions, and handling those daily WTF moments.

This is the real talk on what it’s like in the people business.
There is also a healthy serve of satire so d...

Is your remote team thriving, or just surviving under the weight of constant check-ins?

In this episode, I’m unpacking why micromanagement has gone into overdrive in remote and hybrid workplaces, what’s really driving it (spoiler: it’s not your team), and what HR can do to shift it. I’ll walk you through how to spot the red flags, how to have the hard conversations, and what it takes to build trust without losing accountability.

If you're an HR leader, people manager, or just quietly clutching your calendar because your boss wants screenshots, this one...

Are your HR insights driving decisions, or just filling dashboards?

If you're tired of your people data being ignored, this episode is your guide for turning metrics into influence. I’ll show you how to shift from reporting numbers to shaping strategy, using storytelling, psychology, and persuasion. From the “so what” test to Robert Cialdini’s 7 principles of persuasion, we explore practical ways to make data land with impact.

You’ll learn how to frame your insights for different audiences, why storytelling is the secret to executive buy-in, and how to move beyond the spreadsheet to true st...

How much time is your HR team spending on the work that actually moves the needle?

In this episode, I discuss lean thinking and how it can transform your HR function from reactive to high-impact. I’ll walk you through real stories from my clients and colleagues, showing how they've slashed admin, halved the time to hire, automated approvals, and saved thousands just by mapping their processes and fixing one thing at a time.

Suppose you’re stuck in firefighting mode, constantly chasing approvals, or drowning in manual data entry. In that case, this episode will...

Are we actually solving the right HR problems, or are we just managing the symptoms?

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of HR in Cambodia, what’s changing, where they’re ahead of the game, and where Australian HR can learn a thing or two.

I break down how businesses in Cambodia are tackling recruitment, retention, leadership, and performance management, and how some of their approaches could shake up the way we do things here.

If you want to know how to stop managing symptoms and start solving real HR chal...

What happens when you take leadership out of the boardroom and into the heart of Cambodia?

In this episode, I'm coming to you live from Phnom Penh, halfway through a leadership experience that's already proven to be more transformative than any classroom session could ever be. I'm reflecting on the power of connection through shared experiences and why travel creates bonds that feel deeper, more authentic, and more human.

We’ll talk about what it means to connect as people first, without titles or status getting in the way, and how these insights can reshape th...

Are we outsourcing HR too much… or just enough?

HR outsourcing is booming, but what does that really mean for the profession? In this episode, I’m breaking down the real impact of outsourcing, consulting, and fractional HR. What’s driving the trend, the risks and rewards, and where in-house HR teams must hold their ground.

I’m cutting through the noise to help you figure out when outsourcing makes sense, when it weakens your internal HR function, and how to stay relevant in a world where external providers are on the rise. If you want to...

Just when you thought you knew what was in store for HR in 2025... the landscape has changed.

From political shifts and cultural clashes to the rollback of DEI initiatives, there’s no shortage of challenges shaking up workplaces right now. In this episode, I unpack what’s making organisations and HR teams uncomfortable and, more importantly, what leaders should and could be doing to support their people, including themselves.

We’ll cover everything from navigating divisive topics in the workplace, preparing for AI-driven workforce changes, and tackling the ongoing debate around flexible work. You’ll walk awa...

What does it take for organisations to thrive amidst the challenges of talent disruptions and technological change?

In this final episode of my three-part series unpacking AIHR's HR Trends Report for 2025, I run through the tactical strategies organisations need to not just survive but succeed in a world defined by constant evolution.

We’ll talk about why execution in HR is everything, how antifragile workforces can emerge stronger from challenges, and the critical role of managers in driving engagement and innovation. You’ll gain ideas on creating adaptable, agile workplaces that thrive on reinvention and turn...

How can HR leaders turn the challenges of shifting talent dynamics into opportunities to create a thriving, future-ready workplace?

This episode is part two of the AIHR HR Trends Report for 2025, highlighting how shifting talent dynamics, from the golden age of the silver worker to the women's equity effect, are shaping both challenges and opportunities in HR. Find out how these trends are reshaping the workplace and what it takes to build a resilient and inclusive workforce.

Gain valuable insights into leveraging the expertise of older workers, tackling gender equity challenges, and addressing organisational anxiety...

Are you ready to embrace AI in HR and future-proof your organisation?

In this episode, I explore the cutting-edge insights from AIHR’s HR Trends for 2025 report, talking about how technology and AI are reshaping the workplace. You’ll hear about the latest trends driving organisational transformation, from AI adoption and adaption to overcoming challenges like AI techno-stress and workforce anxiety.

Join me as I give you strategies to help lead with confidence, establish a robust AI strategy, and address the widening skills gap. You’ll learn how to drive innovation, build resilience, and empower your w...

What does reimagining HR truly look like, and how can HR leaders rise to meet today’s challenges?

In this episode I sit down with Deborah Wilkes, founder of Enable HR International, to explore how HR can step into a more impactful and strategic role within organisations. Deborah shares insights from her 25+ years in HR, her groundbreaking research on the seven enablers of HR excellence, and practical ways to empower HR teams to lead with confidence and clarity.

You'll discover how to shift HR from reactive to proactive, the key to building trust and connection ac...

Are you ready to reimagine how HR can truly make an impact? In this episode, I sit down with Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano, Vice President of Equitable Operations at CultureAmp, to talk about the critical shifts needed to create equitable, inclusive workplaces. We discuss her unique approach to equitable design, why unconscious bias training isn’t the solution, and how HR leaders can take meaningful action today to drive sustainable change.

Aubrey shares her story as The Mathpath—combining analytical rigour with human-centred empathy—and how she rethinks systems to ensure equitable opportunities for all. Together, we unpack the tangib...