Primal HR Podcast

In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham dig deeper into the risks and blind spots of artificial intelligence in the workplace and why HR leaders must approach AI with caution.

While AI tools can be powerful, they lack human context, cultural understanding, and nuance. Terry and Leslie discuss how bias shows up in prompts and outputs, why AI sometimes fabricates convincing but false information, and how convenience can quietly replace critical thinking.

They also emphasize the urgent need for guardrails: company policies, training, and clear expectations about what should never be entered into AI systems, including PII, confidential employee data, and trade secrets.

A candid conversation about balancing innovation with responsibility.

Key topics:

• Bias and hallucinations in AI
• Why AI lacks human context and nuance
• Overreliance and complacency risks
• PII, confidential data, and trade secrets
• Need for AI policies and training
• HR’s role in responsible AI adoption

Primal HR Podcast
Website: https://primalhrpodcast.com
Email: primalhrpodcast@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/

In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham explore how artificial intelligence is actually being used in HR and where teams need to slow down and proceed with caution.

AI can dramatically speed up work like writing job descriptions, drafting policies, analyzing HR data, researching compensation, and creating employee communications. But it also comes with real risks, including hallucinated outputs, privacy concerns, and overreliance on tools that still require human judgment.

Terry and Leslie share practical ways HR professionals can use AI as a productivity partner while protecting sensitive information, maintaining data hygiene, and avoiding common pitfalls.

A grounded, no-hype conversation about using AI responsibly in the HR space.

Key topics:

• Real-world AI use cases in HR
• Writing job descriptions with AI
• HR analytics and compensation analysis
• Prompting and proofreading best practices
• Data privacy and PII risks
• Where HR should slow down on AI adoption

Primal HR Podcast
Website: https://primalhrpodcast.com
Email: primalhrpodcast@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/

In this episode of Primal HR, Terry Smith and Leslie Lulham tackle one of the most widespread and least openly discussed challenges in today’s workplace: loneliness and mental health.

Loneliness affects every generation in different ways and has a direct impact on productivity, engagement, and overall well-being. Terry and Leslie explore why this issue accelerated during the pandemic, how remote and hybrid work can increase isolation, and what leaders and HR teams can do to intentionally build connection and community.

They also break down what Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) are, how loneliness shows up physically and emotionally, and why supporting mental health at work is not just compassionate, it’s a business imperative.

A candid, human conversation about caring for the whole person at work.

Key topics:

• Loneliness as a workplace epidemic
• Mental health across generations
• Remote work and isolation
• What EAPs are and how they help
• Building community and belonging
• Why mental health drives productivity

Primal HR Podcast
Website: https://primalhrpodcast.com
Email: primalhrpodcast@gmail.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/primalhrpodcast/