Podcasts.
People Matters Unplugged is your front-row seat to the strategies exceptional leaders use to drive success in today's dynamic world of work. Hosted by Cheshta Dora, Head of Research & Content Strategy at People Matters, this podcast brings you candid conversations with top HR leaders across geographies, industries and organisation sizes.
Each episode takes you beyond the buzzwords—into the real, behind-the-scenes thinking on navigating modern talent and organisational complexities.
Whether you're leading a team of 10 or 10,000, People Matters Unplugged offers actionable insights, bold ideas, and fresh perspectives to help you lead with purpose and adapt with confidence.
Tune in, reflect, and reimagine what's possible.
EPISODE 6 - Talent and Inequity
EP 6: Rethinking Bias-Free Talent Systems
Swadesh Behera
Chief People Officer, Titan Company
If conversations around fairness, inclusion, and workplace equity often feel limited to policies and promises, this episode takes the discussion several layers deeper. From unconscious bias and equitable hiring to supporting working mothers, artisan communities, and differently abled employees, this conversation explores what it truly takes to build workplaces where opportunity is genuinely accessible to all. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Cheshta Dora, Head of Content, Research and Community at People Matters, speaks with Sudesh Behera about how organisations can move beyond performative DEI and build fairer talent systems. Sudesh shares insights on tackling bias through leadership, governance, technology, and listening-led HR practices. The episode also explores AI-powered talent marketplaces, inclusive career mobility, and maternity support frameworks that are helping shape more equitable workplaces today.
Episode 5 – Talent & AI
EP 5: Building the Core Levers of AI-Ready HR
Laura Maffucci
VP and Head of HR, G-P
Today, AI is emerging as one of the most defining forces shaping the future of work. As it reshapes roles, redefines skills, and raises complex ethical questions—from bias and surveillance to data privacy—it’s also compelling organizations to rethink how they support, protect, and empower their people. The challenge for leaders is no longer just adoption, but responsibility: how to move beyond reactive workforce strategies and actively shape the development and use of AI. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Cheshta Dora, Head of Content and Community at People Matters, is joined by Laura Maffucci, VP and Head of HR at G-P. Bringing a pragmatic yet forward-looking perspective, Laura unpacks what it takes to navigate ambiguity, adopt AI with intent, and build organizations that balance innovation with accountability.
Episode 4 – Talent & Education
EP 4: Building Lifelong Learning at Scale
Shana Kruse
VP – HR, Starbucks Asia Pacific
Today, organisations are confronting a reality where skills expire faster than they are acquired, and traditional education systems alone can no longer prepare the workforce for constant disruption. The question for leaders is no longer whether to invest in learning — but how to build lifelong learning at scale. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Cheshta Dora is joined by Shana Kruse, VP – HR, Starbucks Asia Pacific. Leading people strategy across one of the most dynamic regions in the world, Shana is embedding learning into the very fabric of the Starbucks Partner Promise — from frontline baristas to regional leaders. Together, they explore what it takes to democratise access to education, design micro and cohort-based learning experiences, and create cultures of belonging that fuel continuous growth. This conversation unpacks how organisations can move beyond episodic training to build scalable, purpose-driven learning ecosystems that prepare people — and communities — for the future.
Episode 3 - Talent & Healthcare
EP 3: The Wellbeing Imperative
Priyank Parakh
Director – HR, Haleon ISC
Today, organisations are grappling with intertwined challenges across talent, business and societal wellbeing. For Priyank Parakh, Director–HR at Haleon India, health, safety and wellbeing are no longer compliance mandates — they are leadership and performance priorities that shape culture, productivity and long-term resilience. In this episode of People Matters Unplugged, Priyank joins Cheshta Dora to discuss how organisations can embed wellbeing into everyday systems — from flexible work and caregiver support to capability building across sales, supply chain and corporate teams — and what it takes to move from policy intent to cultural impact.
Episode 2 - Talent & Education
EP 2: A Commitment To Build Careers
Dr. Guruvayurappan PV
CHRO, Omega Healthcare
Hiring and retaining talent today goes far beyond merely paying them a salary to do work. For Dr. Guruvayurappan PV, CHRO of Omega Healthcare, it is a commitment employers make: to ensure that people are equipped not only for their roles, but also to advance in their careers at the organisation. In this second episode of Season 4 of People Matters Unplugged, Dr. Guru tells us about the work that he and his team have done to bridge the employability gap and ensure that talent in his organisation has the opportunity for lifelong learning.
Episode 1 - Talent & AI
EP 1: The Catalyst For Potential
Larissa Murmann
Digital CHRO, Unilever
What do you do if AI can perform parts of your job better and more consistently than you yourself can? For Larissa Murmann, Digital CHRO of Unilever International, the answer was clear: use it to augment her and her team's productivity. In this first episode of Season 4 of People Matters Unplugged, Larissa shares her journey with AI and her thoughts about how to use it responsibly and thoughtfully.