Welcome to HR Would Like a Word — a brutally honest, painfully funny podcast chronicling real stories of terrible decisions made by powerful people. These are the kinds of tales HR departments whisper about over cocktails and compliance training. Told with dry wit and forensic-level attention to ego, each episode is a true story (yes, actually true) with names changed just enough to protect the legally exposed. Hosted by Benedict Sterling, we shine a spotlight on the moments when intelligence failed, self-awareness disappeared, and HR had to step in. New episodes drop every Friday. Just real people, making unreal choices.
Richard is back. Car wash billionaire. Chaos connoisseur. This time, he wants something no money can easily buy: a one-on-one meeting with the Pope.
Victor, his long-suffering lieutenant, is tasked with the impossible—again. What follows is eight months of holy lobbying, canon law, and dinner with cardinals.
It’s real. It’s divine nonsense. And the selfie made it all worth it.
“Can we move it? That date doesn’t really work...
You’d like Bob. Everyone does. He’s charming, dependable, and once left something very important behind after a business trip.
In this episode, a routine field visit turns into an expensive mystery—and a masterclass in forgetting the basics of corporate travel. There’s no scandal. No meltdown. Just a Nissan, a bill, and one truly spectacular oversight.
It’s real. It’s absurd. And yes—Bob still owes money on it.
“Bob… we pa...
Meet Cynthia. Head of Strategy. Master of buzzwords. Dangerously confident with file attachments.
In this episode, one click in the company’s women’s Slack channel triggers a full-scale layoff leak—complete with names, dates, and a Caribbean vacation itinerary. What follows is chaos, crying, and a crash course in how not to handle confidential information.
It’s real. It’s corporate catastrophe. And it all started with:
“LAYOFF PLAN CO...
Fresh off abandoning his team on a French tarmac, Richard is back—and somehow even less self-aware.
In this episode, a champagne-soaked dinner at Richard’s luxury hotel takes a sharp left turn when he publicly praises his CEO… then privately orders her firing minutes later. Fortunately, not everyone at the table had lost their mind.
It’s real. It’s ruthless. And it’s a masterclass in how not to run a business—or a dinner party.
Becaus...
Claire was ready. Color-coded sock drawer. Laminated onboarding email. Confidence set to 100.
Then Newark Airport happened.
In this episode, a first day unravels at 30,000 feet—after panic, missed flights, and a full emotional meltdown in short-term parking. Fortunately, she had Marcy. And a backup outfit.
It’s real. It’s a mess. And somewhere out there, people are still calling her Gate F24.
“THIS AIRPORT IS DESIGNED BY TH...
Chad is back. Yes—that Chad. The guy who once lost a fight with a trampoline and let a YouTube boxer hit on his wife in Vegas.
This time, he’s not shirtless in the suburbs or bragging at dinner. He’s behind a microphone. And he’s about to turn a deeply personal announcement into an all-staff crisis.
It’s real. It’s excruciating. And somehow, Chad still thinks he nailed it.
“Everyone needed to know about the bathroom thing.” — Chad, co...
This is Richard. Billionaire. Car wash mogul. The kind of boss who thinks clapping counts as leadership and jet fuel is a personality trait.
In this episode, Richard invites his top lieutenant on a private jet. What follows is a masterclass in power trips, precision scheduling, and a level of ego that makes Chad look downright self-aware.
It’s real. It’s ridiculous. And unfortunately, it’s just the beginning.
Oh—and wait until you hea...
This is Big Mike. Executive. Former college athlete. The kind of guy who thinks “team culture” means open bar and bad decisions.
In this episode, one night out turns into one very public disaster—with HR, the internet, and a tow truck all involved by morning.
It’s real. It’s reckless. And it left a dent you’ll need more than PR to fix.
Know a real-life Michael Scott?
Or just have a workplace story so awkward it deserves its own HR fil...
This is Rick. Executive. Bluetooth headset guy. The kind of leader who ends emails with just his initials and thinks “executive presence” is a real metric.
In this episode, Rick turns a routine meeting into a courtroom drama—complete with a panicked monologue, surprise evidence, and a final twist ending: he’s the one on trial.
It’s real. It’s reckless. And Rick has no idea he just fired himself.
This story has everything: drama, delus...
Chad is back. CEO. Shirtless in the suburbs. The kind of guy who skips the instructions, cracks a beer, and decides he’s got this.
In this episode, Chad takes on a backyard trampoline with nothing but overconfidence and a thirst for dad glory. What follows is a physics-defying disaster, one misplaced spring, and a moment so painful it echoes across the neighborhood (and his reproductive future).
It’s real. It’s ridiculous. And Chad’s...
This is Chad. CEO. Loafers, no socks. The kind of guy who thinks bottle service counts as leadership and attention counts as admiration.
In our debut episode, Chad tells a story at a corporate dinner that he thinks makes him look cool. It doesn’t. What starts as a night out in Vegas turns into an accidental masterclass in how not to be in charge.
It’s real. It’s cringey. And unfortunately for Chad, it’s just the beginning.
This story ...
This is Bradly. CFO. Spreadsheet wizard. The kind of guy who can model a buyout in Excel but refuses to acknowledge expiration dates.
In this episode, Bradly ignores medical advice (from his doctor wife), basic food safety, and common sense—all for a pastry. What follows is a masterclass in self-inflicted disaster, featuring expired dairy, high-altitude regret, and a bathroom he may never emotionally recover from.
It’s real. It’s a m...
Have you ever wondered what life might be like if you stopped worrying about being wanted, and focused on understanding what you actually want? That was the question Hope Woodard asked herself after a string of situationships inspired her to take a break from sex and dating. She went "boysober," a personal concept that sparked a global movement among women looking to prioritize themselves over men. Now, Hope is looking to expand the ways we explore our relationship to relationships. Taking a bold, unfiltered look into modern love, romance, and self-discovery, Boysober will dive into messy stories about dating, sex, love, friendship, and breaking generational patterns—all with humor, vulnerability, and a fresh perspective.
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
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The perfect companion to Kate Mackz's popular online series The Running Interview Show, Post Run High captures the feel-good energy and real, unfiltered conversations that flow after a great run. Each episode dives into stories, insights, and candid moments with inspiring guests—from entrepreneurs to well-known public figures. Tune in for conversations that get real when the endorphins kick in.
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy And Charlamagne Tha God!