In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony welcomes back Gary Cookson, founder of Epic HR and author of Making Hybrid Working Work, to discuss his latest book: The Squeezed Middle. They explore why the middle manager role has become more complex than ever, together with the “invisible work” managers do that never appears in job descriptions, and the skills modern managers need to thrive today from sense-making to emotional intelligence.

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony is joined by Lisa Riemers, communications specialist, accessibility advocate and author, to explore accessible communication and why it matters far more than many organisations realise. Together, they unpack what accessible communication really means in today’s digital and hybrid workplaces, not just for people with disabilities, but for everyone trying to get information, make decisions and do their jobs well.

Welcome to our Tap’d Talks HR 2025 Christmas Compilation, our annual episode where we look back at the standout insights from the year and share highlights from some of the great conversations with our guests. 2025 has been shaped by major political and economic change, and as the year closes it’s a chance to reflect on what matters most for our workplaces, and for our own growth going into 2026.

If any of the clips sparks your interest, you can find the full episodes in the Tap’d Talks HR back catalogue.

In this special edition of Tap’d Talks HR, the tables are turned. Guest host Andi Roberts interviews Anthony about our recently released research and white paper: The Journey to Sustainable Performance. Anthony breaks down the 12-component sustainable performance framework - built from academic research, organisational psychology and commercial insights. Together, Andi and Anthony explore the real-world link between wellbeing, psychological safety, team culture, leadership behaviours, and long-term high performance. From overcoming burnout and overwhelm, to establishing cultures of learning, feedback, accountability and innovation, this episode reveals why short-term performance bursts aren’t enough, and how organisations can build the right conditions for people and performance to thrive over the long term.

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony steps out of his comfort zone to explore a topic that quietly affects huge numbers of people at work: menopause and perimenopause. Anthony is joined by Sam Mancey, consultant, business coach and specialist menopause coach, to unpack what menopause really looks like in the workplace and why you can’t afford to ignore it. Sam explains how seemingly “out of nowhere” anxiety, brain fog, confidence crashes and broken sleep can derail even the most capable, senior women - often right at the peak of their careers. Whether you’re in HR, a line manager, or a senior leader, this episode will help you understand menopause in a more human, practical way, and give you ideas to better support the people around you.

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony sits down with Jacob Hill, an ex-prisoner and Founder of Offploy, a specialist HR consultancy, to unpack how organisations can confidently and fairly employ people with convictions. Jacob reframes common assumptions with eye-opening context (e.g. one in four UK adults of working age has a criminal record, many for minor offences), shares his own rehabilitation story, and explains why fair-chance hiring boosts retention, social value, and talent pipelines. You’ll hear practical steps for HR and leaders: how to update policy and language, design risk-based assessments, prepare hiring managers for disclosures, and build a culture that welcomes socially excluded talent, without lowering standards. Whether you’re starting out or ready to deepen your approach, this conversation shows how doing the right thing can also be the smart thing for your organisation.

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony speaks with Dr. Natalie Isaia, Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Empresa Psychology, about a hidden but powerful challenge in the HR profession: moral injury.

They explore what moral injury is, why HR professionals are particularly vulnerable, and how it differs from burnout. Natalie shares practical tools, from naming emotions to practicing “moral repair” and self-compassion, that can help HR leaders protect their own wellbeing while supporting their organisations.

If you’ve ever felt torn between business needs and people-first values, this conversation will give you language, insights, and strategies to better navigate those conflicts.

You can visit Natalie's website at: https://empresapsychology.co.uk/

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, we speak with Lord Mark Price, former Managing Director of Waitrose, Deputy Chairman of the John Lewis Partnership, government Trade Minister, and founder of WorkL. With over 40 years of leadership experience, Lord Price shares why happiness at work matters, not just for employees, but for productivity, profitability, and long-term success. Drawing on insights from his bestselling book Happy Economics and his upcoming release Work Happier, Lord Price reveals: Why the John Lewis Partnership made happiness its “supreme purpose” nearly a century ago, The six essential drivers of workplace happiness (and why free pizza nights aren’t one of them), The role of managers in shaping micro-cultures that define organisational success, and Practical steps HR leaders and individuals can take to build happier, more resilient workplaces. So, whether you’re an HR professional, a business leader, or simply passionate about the future of work, this conversation will inspire you to rethink how happiness drives performance.

In this episode of Tap'd Talks HR, Anthony speaks to author and communications consultant Alison Arnot. They discuss the importance of internal communications during times of crisis and how you can motivate and empower your people with the trust and knowledge they need to advocate for the organisation as you negotiate a path to recover.

In this episode of Tap'd Talks HR, Anthony speaks to Hilary Scarlett, an international speaker, consultant and author on change management and neuroscience. They explore the psychology of the brain, the importance of social connection at work, how best to manage emotions, and why we need to really think about communication, involvement and storytelling to help us through change.