The Squeezed Middle

Digital Wellbeing at Work

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony speaks with Petra Velzeboer, author, psychotherapist and culture consultant, about digital wellbeing and the impact our digital habits are having on work, attention, connection and performance. Petra explores why being constantly connected can leave us feeling more distracted, overwhelmed and isolated, and how workplace technology, meeting culture, notifications and digital overload can affect both individual wellbeing and team effectiveness. The conversation covers practical ways to create healthier digital habits, including micro-pauses, movement, reflection, honest feedback loops, and team-level conversations about how work gets done, not just what needs doing. Petra also discusses the role of AI, the importance of experimentation, and why digital wellbeing is not about rejecting technology, but making sure it supports our intentions rather than controls our attention.

Why AI is a huge opportunity for HR

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony is joined by Erica Farmer, an AI and Future Skills Specialist and author of AI for People Professionals, to explore how AI is reshaping the workplace, and why HR and people professionals need to lead the conversation. Erica shares why AI is no longer a future trend but a present-day capability that is fundamentally changing how organisations operate, how people work, and what modern people functions need to look like. Together, Anthony and Erica discuss the opportunities AI creates for HR, L&D and leadership teams - from automating repetitive admin and onboarding friction to enabling more strategic, people-focused work.

PODCAST: Forget Normal, I want M.A.G.I.C

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony speaks with Claire Brumby, speaker, author, leadership trainer and coach, about modern leadership and why the old “normal” no longer fits the world of work. Drawing on her entrepreneurial journey and her new book, Forget Normal, I Want M.A.G.I.C, Claire shares why leadership today must move beyond hierarchy, command-and-control and outdated ideas of who gets access to leadership development. Together, we explore the role of self-leadership as the foundation of modern leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence and intuition, and why organisations need to invest more deeply in the human side of work if they want resilient cultures and sustainable performance. Claire also introduces her M.A.G.I.C framework - Mindset, Awakening, Gumption, Intuition and Charisma - and explains how these five elements can help leaders adapt, build trust and lead more effectively in a fast-changing world. This is a thoughtful, energetic conversation for leaders, managers and HR professionals who want to rethink leadership for the future, and start with themselves.

How to handle real workplace situations with clarity and confidence

In this episode of Tap’d Talks HR, Anthony Ryland speaks with Anne-Maartje Oud, behavioural expert and founder of The Behaviour Company, about her new book "What to do if..." a practical guide to handling everyday workplace situations with more confidence and skill. Drawing on more than two decades of experience, Anne-Maartje explains why so many people at work are looking for immediate, practical answers to tricky moments, from giving feedback and handling emotion to working with diverse teams and navigating difficult conversations. Together, they explore why soft skills have become essential workplace skills, why managers and leaders are often promoted without enough preparation for the people side of their role, and how context is always key when deciding how to respond. They also discuss some of the most common workplace questions people struggle with, including what to do if someone starts crying, how to think about non-verbal communication, and how to create conversations that feel effective and comfortable for both sides.

The Squeezed Middle

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.