Reimagining HR with Trina Sunday

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. Betha...

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 pa...

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 H...

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 ...

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...

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 j...

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 c...

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 grat...

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.

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&apos...

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 funct...

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 ab...

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 li...

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...

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. K...

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 th...

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 c...

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, a...

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 accountab...