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Small Team, Massive Footprint: How to Scale Without the Overhead - ep. #027
Return to PeopleCan a company scale to thousands of retail stores and achieve millions in revenue with a team that fits at a single dinner table? In the latest episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Lisa Curtis, the Founder and CEO of Kuli Kuli Foods. A Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree and one of Inc. Magazine's top 100 female founders, Lisa shares how her mission-driven superfood brand cracked the code on building a high-performing, globally distributed team without sacrificing impact or profitability. Lisa unpacks the reality of running a global remote team without a tech company budget, explaining how she turned unexpected tariff challenges into an opportunity to tap into international talent. Instead of viewing time zones as an obstacle, Kuli Kuli treats geographic dispersion as a quiet competitive advantage that enables nearly 24-hour operations. She also emphasizes the importance of intentionality in the distributed employee experience. From flying executives across borders for side-by-side training to celebrating diverse cultural traditions at weekly standups, Lisa argues that running a lean business across borders requires moving away from startup hustle culture and treating entrepreneurship as a marathon, not a sprint. As Lisa puts it, "No market, no mission. We gotta sell products. But we also have to do it in a way that really improves the lives of people around the world." The conversation dives deep into the realities of navigating this modern workplace framework, mapping out the core friction points and breakthroughs every leadership team faces. Learn more about Lisa: Lisa´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisamariecurtis/ Kuli Kuli´s website: https://www.kulikulifoods.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#93 - Unmasking RTO Motives & Social Media Bias - Presented by CalendarPA
The Purple Acorn HR Morning ShowWelcome to Episode 93 of The HR Morning Show, part of the Purple Acorn Network! In this packed episode, hosts Joel Lalgee, Danielle Farage, and Serge Boudreau pull back the curtain on the real motivations behind five-day return-to-office (RTO) mandates, exposing how executive ego and "CEO groupthink" often overrule data-driven productivity metrics. The team also breaks down the heavy legal and compliance implications of highly subjective corporate social media policies, using a recent high-profile lawsuit involving an Alaska Airlines flight attendant to highlight how inconsistent disciplinary enforcement can trigger costly Title VII discrimination claims. Later in the broadcast, the hosts dive into a fascinating discussion on technical architecture and scaling operations with industry veteran Alan Seales, Founder and CTO of the Broadway Podcast Network and the creator behind the AI-first scheduling platform CalendarPA.com. Seales shares his journey from managing a performance-and-compensation review system for over 180,000 employees at Google to building an enterprise-grade AI assistant that aims to eradicate the interview-scheduling "black hole" for talent acquisition teams. To round out the morning, Serge delivers a special weather report detailing LinkedIn’s new Creator Marketplace ecosystem and its potential to revolutionize brand-to-creator connections across the professional network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode 7: The Coach — How to Lead the Workforce Overhaul Nobody Wants
The Human CapitalistThere are two kinds of coaches. The kind that makes everyone feel supported. And the kind that makes the team win. Most organizations hire the first kind and pray they never need the second. In Episode 7 of The Five Mindsets of the Modern CHRO, we close out the framework with The Coach. Not the warm developmental coach. The hard coach. The CHRO who walks into the room, looks at everything the organization believes about how talent works, and says: we are doing this wrong, and I can prove it. This episode uses Billy Beane and the 2002 Oakland A's as the blueprint, layers in Alexander the Great burning the ships at the Hellespont, and ends with four capabilities every Coach CHRO must build, plus three action steps you can take this week. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ CHAPTERS 00:00 Cold open: the two kinds of coaches 00:45 Welcome and where we are in the series 01:30 Episode setup: why this mindset is different 02:30 The Coach nobody hired 04:00 The Moneyball blueprint 08:00 What a real workforce overhaul requires 10:30 Four capabilities of the Coach 12:30 Three action steps for this week 14:00 Close: change what is possible ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ THE FOUR CAPABILITIES OF THE COACH Truth delivery without apology Conviction under pressure Talent arbitrage: find the value the market has mispriced Coaching upward: the CEO, the board, the executive committee ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ACTION STEPS FROM THIS EPISODE Identify the one conversation you have been avoiding. Schedule it this week. Run the talent arbitrage question on your own organization. What does your current model systematically undervalue? Find one place to burn the ships. Where have you made the case, the data supports you, and the organization still has not moved. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ WATCH THE FULL MODERN CHRO SERIES https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLt89w_O9KY0J3C66aw1g-R0uEYlm1n5OV ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ REFERENCES Moneyball by Michael Lewis (the foundational story behind this episode) The Billy Beane / Oakland A's 2002 season — American League record 20-game winning streak Alexander the Great crossing the Hellespont, 334 BC ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ CONNECT WITH TRENT Website and newsletter: https://www.trentcotton.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentcotton/ The Human Capitalist podcast: https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com/podcasts/the-human-capitalist If this episode hit, drop a comment telling me which of the four capabilities you find hardest in your seat right now. I read them. ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ #ModernCHRO #HumanCapitalist #CHRO #HRLeadership #TheCoach #Moneyball #TalentStrategy #FutureOfHR #WorkforceStrategy #HRTransformation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Homegrown Employer Branding for AEO & GEO
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastAI answer engines are changing how candidates discover and learn about employers.Join Dalia's Mikaela Fitzwilliam along with Danny Rojas, a forward thinking TA leader who's worked at nation-wide brands like JCPenny, The Container Store to learn how to build an employer brand that gets surfaced and cited by ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Copilot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
College is Not the Only Path to Success
The Jim Stroud PodcastWhat if college is no longer the only path to a meaningful, high-paying career? In this episode of The Jim Stroud Podcast, Jim sits down with Reuben Ogbonna, co-founder and executive director of the Marcy Lab School, a tuition-free, one-year alternative to college helping young adults launch careers in tech. Reuben shares why the traditional higher education model is failing too many talented students, especially those facing crushing tuition costs, uneven college outcomes, and limited access to professional networks. Together, Jim and Reuben explore how Marcy Lab is preparing fellows for an AI-enabled economy through technical training, leadership development, communication skills, financial literacy, and direct employer partnerships. They also discuss the future of entry-level work, why recruiters should look beyond four-year degrees, and how companies can build stronger, more diverse talent pipelines by opening doors to nontraditional candidates. This is a timely conversation about education, opportunity, AI, and the urgent need to rethink how talent is discovered, trained, and hired. Learn more about the Marcy Lab School at marcylabschool.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#95: How In-Person Events Build Community
Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content CreationHosting an event is easy. Building a community that people return to month after month is much harder. In this episode of Workfluencer, Rhona sits down with Chaselle Gazelle, founder of Jacksonville Bestie, to explore what separates unforgettable in-person events from forgettable networking mixers. Chaselle shares how she turned casual brunches with friends into one of Jacksonville's most recognizable community brands, why relationships matter more than transactions, and how businesses can use recurring in-person events to strengthen their brand, grow loyal audiences, and create genuine human connection. Whether you're in Talent Acquisition, HR, Marketing, Employer Branding, or you're building a business around community, this episode is packed with practical ideas you can apply immediately. What You'll Learn: How to use in-person community events as a long-term brand and business growth strategy Why recurring, scheduled events build real culture faster than one-off activations The professional harasser method for maximizing attendance without annoying your audience How to negotiate revenue splits with bars and venues to earn beyond ticket sales Why word of mouth still drives more growth than paid advertising What separates events that build community from ones that just fill a room How remembering names and personal details creates the belonging that keeps people coming back Resources Mentioned: Chaselle's Website: https://www.chasellegazelle.com Connect with Us: Connect with Chaselle: https://www.instagram.com/chasellegazelle/ Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Appcast Partners with Open AI
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastIs your career site delivering the conversion you need? Dalia’s plug-and-play tech turns any employer career site into a high-performance candidate conversion engine — no replatforming required, live in days.Visit dalia.co to learn more. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — EarnIn, a leading earnings management company, announced the launch of Earn Better, a jobs platform designed to help the American workforce get back to work faster and improve their earnings over time with better-paying roles. https://recruitingheadlines.com/earnin-launches-jobs-platform/ BOSTON — In a move signaling the next evolution of talent acquisition, recruitment marketing giant Appcast has announced a strategic partnership with OpenAI. The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between traditional job boards and generative AI, allowing employers to make their open roles directly discoverable within ChatGPT. https://hrtechfeed.com/appcast-partners-with-openai-to-bring-real-time-job-discovery-to-chatgpt/ ATLANTA,— uRecruits today announced the launch of uRecruits 2.0, a recruiter-first AI hiring platform built to bring the hiring process into one connected workflow. https://hrtechfeed.com/urecruits-launches-2-0-with-new-ai-agents/ Findem, the AI platform for talent outcomes, today announced an expanded partnership with RecruitMilitary, the nation’s leading veteran hiring network, to set a new standard for veteran people intelligence. https://hrtechfeed.com/hr-tech-bytes-findem-lumapps/ NEW YORK, — Niural, the AI-native platform for global payroll and benefits, today announced the launch of Niural AI Labs, a dedicated research lab focused on building long-horizon agents for high-stakes domains along with a new round of funding. https://hrtechfeed.com/global-payroll-and-benefits-platfom-lands-52m/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Terraforming the Future: Tyler Weeks on Human-Centric AI at Marriott
Transformation RealnessIn this live episode of Transformation Realness, recorded straight from the floor at Unleash and Transform in Las Vegas, host Kyle Lagunas reunites with an official show OG: Tyler Weeks, who oversees HR technology, analytics, and HR service centers for Marriott International. In a candid and energetic conversation—complete with a surprise cameo from a past guest—Kyle and Tyler dig into what it truly means to design an enterprise tech ecosystem around human beings. Tyler shares fascinating insights from Marriott's massive global footprint, explaining why viewing AI solely through the lens of automation is a short-sighted strategy. Instead, he advocates for using AI as a measurement tool to better understand user behavior and reshape the employee social contract. Listeners will discover how to combat fragmented employee experiences, why hyper-personalization can actually work against building a strong company culture, and how Tyler uses his ultimate guiding mantra—"terraforming the future"—to ensure technology always leaves employees feeling genuinely taken care of. Whether you're navigating shrinking resources or trying to push past the vendor hype to build a unified employee experience, this episode delivers a masterclass in human-centric innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode #205 Why CareerTALKS Is Changing: The Career Conversation We Need Now
CareerTALKS PodcastIn this episode of the CareerTalks Podcast, host Orlando Haynes introduces a new direction for the show, focusing on deeper conversations about identity, resilience, and the human experience behind career decisions. He reflects on the evolution of career advice, the impact of modern challenges like layoffs and AI, and emphasizes the importance of clarity in career choices. The podcast will now feature solo episodes where Orlando shares insights from his extensive experience in recruiting and coaching, aiming to help listeners navigate their careers with intentionality and purpose. Podcast Sponsor 🌐Career Capital Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Talkin' RecTech on the HR Morning Show
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastI was a gust on the recent HR Morning Show which happens every tuesday live on Linkedin. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are we becoming less human?
The Jim Stroud PodcastAI is reshaping work, hiring, dating, leadership, and how we connect. But as technology gets smarter, are we becoming less human? Jim Stroud talks with Victor Cho, CEO and founder of Emovid and former CEO of Evite, about empathy, leadership, automation, and building AI that amplifies people instead of replacing them. Learn more at www.Emovid.com. ... Victor ChoCEO and Co-Founder Emovid Corpvictor@emovid.com Starting your job search?Start Connecting. Get Noticed. Get Hired. https://www.emovid.com/job-seeker/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#94: What Makes a Great DisruptHR Talk
Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content CreationMost people spend months preparing for a single DisruptHR presentation. Ashlynne Valdez delivered two different talks in 30 days, won Best Speaker at one event, and helps select speakers for DisruptHR Las Vegas. In this episode, we go behind the scenes of DisruptHR to explore what separates a good talk from a great one. Ashlynne shares how she develops topics, finds a disruptive angle, prepares for the fast-paced five-minute format, and what organizers are really looking for when reviewing speaker applications. Whether you're thinking about applying to DisruptHR or simply want to become a more impactful speaker, this conversation offers a rare look inside one of the most unique speaking formats in the workplace community. What You'll Learn: Why a five-minute talk is harder than an hour-long presentation and how to prepare for it The three things Disrupt HR selection committees look for in speaker applications How to find the disruptive angle in any topic, even one that seems overdone Why "less is more" is the most critical principle when the slides are beyond your control How to use LinkedIn content to test and validate your talk ideas before you even submit How to take a narrow, specific topic and make it land for every person in the room Resources Mentioned: SoundHR Website: https://www.soundhr.com/ Connect With Us: Connect with Ashlynne: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashlynne-valdez-phr-295706219/ Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Anthropic CEO Admits: We Overstated AI Job Losses
The Human CapitalistThe media and companies keep AI layoffs on the wrong thing. But what if that's not the real story? Dario Amodei — the CEO of Anthropic — spent 2025 warning the world that AI would eliminate 50% of white-collar jobs. Then in May, both he and Sam Altman publicly walked back their predictions. So if the people who *built* the technology are backing off the apocalypse narrative... what's actually driving these cuts? In this video, I break down what I believe is really happening: companies built their organizations wrong — measuring power by headcount instead of value creation. Now AI is being used as the perfect corporate alibi to fix a problem that has nothing to do with AI. **What we cover:** - Why the "AI did it" narrative is the perfect corporate cover story - Cameron Herold's square root principle + Pareto's 80/20 — and the uncomfortable math they create together - How augmented high performers (think Tony Stark + Jarvis) change the workforce equation entirely - The Human Capitalist Value Matrix — how to identify where value is created, accelerated, and must be protected - Why most CHROs are either reactive or ra-ra — and what the modern CHRO actually needs to be - Why reskilling your workforce isn't just smart strategy — it's a moral obligation **Referenced in this video:** - AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act (full breakdown): https://youtu.be/tH_OhrxPrY4 - Cameron Herold / COO Alliance: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronherold/ - Zuckerberg's leaked memo (Reuters, June 12, 2026): https://www.reuters.com/business/metas-zuckerberg-admits-mistakes-made-ai-transformation-2026-06-12/ - Challenger, Gray & Christmas — May 2026 job cuts report: https://www.challengergray.com/blog/challenger-report-may-job-cuts-rise-16-from-april-highest-may-total-since-2020/ - *FutHRist* by Trent Cotton — Take the Assessment: https://www.trentcotton.com/futhrist-self-assessment TIMESTAMPS 00:00 They Got It Wrong 01:43 AI Is the Perfect Corporate Alibi 03:21 The Real Reason Companies Are Cutting Jobs 06:16 The High Performer Equation 07:41 The Value Creation Framework 13:31 Why HR Keeps Missing the AI Conversation 15:57 The Hard Truth About Layoffs 17:56 Who Wins Next --- 🔔 Subscribe for weekly content on workforce strategy, HR leadership, and the future of talent. #CHRO #WorkforceStrategy #AIJobs #HRLeadership #FutHRist #Rightsizing #HumanCapitalist #TalentStrategy #Layoffs2026 #CameronHerold #Meta #Zuckerberg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#35 - The Championship Starts at Home: Fathers, Family & Legacy
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary BrackettThis Father's Day, George Rogers and Gary Brackett explore what it truly means to build a championship legacy. From the memories our children carry, to balancing ambition and family, to creating traditions that last for generations, this conversation challenges listeners to rethink success. Whether you're a father, mentor, leader, or simply someone looking for a fresh start, this episode will remind you that the greatest championship is won at home. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#34 - The Human Advantage: Winning Through AI & Technological Disruption
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary BrackettAI is changing the way we work faster than most people expected. In Episode 34 of Champion Blueprint, George Rogers and Gary Brackett unpack the real impact of technological disruption, from massive layoffs and shifting workplace expectations to the growing pressure to stay relevant in an AI-driven world. This conversation challenges the idea that people are becoming less valuable and explores why human skills like adaptability, leadership, emotional intelligence, and trust may matter more than ever. If you’re navigating change, leading a team, or wondering how to future-proof your career, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
HeyMilo Lands $6 Million
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastIs your career site delivering the conversion you need? Dalia’s plug-and-play tech turns any employer career site into a high-performance candidate conversion engine — no replatforming required, live in days.Visit dalia.co to learn more. Alright rec techies…..here’s what's happening this week. CORK, Ireland — Workvivo by Zoom today unveiled Workvivo HQ, an AI-native digital headquarters that unites communication, knowledge, and action in one intelligent platform. Designed for every employee, from frontline workers to corporate teams, Workvivo HQ gives every organization one place where work gets done. https://hrtechfeed.com/workvivo-launches-workvivo-hq-the-ai-native-digital-headquarters-for-every-employee/ AUSTIN, Texas—-Indeed, the world’s #1 job site1 and a leading hiring platform, today introduced Sourcing Assistant, an AI-powered feature that finds, engages, and delivers quality applicants faster for stronger hiring outcomes. https://hrtechfeed.com/indeed-launches-ai-powered-sourcing-assistant/ NEW YORK — June 16, 2026 — HeyMilo AI, an emerging New York-based agentic recruiting platform, has announced it has crossed a major funding milestone, bringing its total capital raised to $6 million. https://hrtechfeed.com/heymilo-raises-6-million-to-scale-agentic-recruiting-for-high-volume-hiring/ Deel, the leading global payroll and HR platform, announced the launch of Deel Field Services (DFS), a purpose-built solution for organizations operating in medium-to-high complexity, on-site environments. Built on the infrastructure and expertise of Employ Africa Group (acquired April 2025), Deel Field Services extends Deel’s existing workforce platform into a new category: operationally intensive, location-based deployment for industries including oil & gas, mining, construction, and heavy logistics where standard EOR models were never designed to go. https://hrtechfeed.com/deel-launches-hr-infrastructure-for-rigs-mines-construction-and-more/ Hirevue, the global leader in skills-based hiring, today announced the launch of Hirevue AI Interviewer, a voice-based solution to help enterprises identify qualified candidates through dynamic, skills-focused interviews. Built on more than two decades of hiring science and validation studies, AI Interviewer helps recruiters prioritize their most qualified candidates based on predictive insight. https://hrtechfeed.com/hr-techbytes-hirevue-adds-ai-voice-interviewer/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hybrid Workplace Strategy: Proximity Without Office Mandates - ep. #026
Return to PeopleWhat happens to your company culture when your team is scattered across multiple time zones and continents? In the latest episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson sits down with Dustin Hutton-Alcorn, the Director of People at Intellistack. With a background in human rights and people operations, Dustin shares how his company evolved from an office-centric setup into a mature, flexible SaaS organization that treats culture as a core business driver. Dustin unpacks the challenge of building what he calls "connective tissue" across a distributed workforce, especially during remote onboarding. To solve this, Intellistack utilizes a clever people hubs strategy, recruiting near major cities to encourage organic, employee-led gatherings rather than forcing performative attendance. He also emphasizes the importance of protecting budgets for purposeful in-person collaboration. Dustin argues that maintaining true workplace flexibility serves as a powerful recruiting weapon, especially as larger tech companies push for strict return-to-office policies. As Dustin puts it, "At the core of who I am as a person, what I love is being able to craft experiences and deliver results that have the human experience at the core of what I do.” The conversation dives deep into the realities of navigating this modern workplace framework, mapping out the core friction points and breakthroughs every leadership team faces: Learn more about Dustin: Dustin´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinhuttonalcorn/ Intellistack´s Website: https://www.intellistack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#92 - Court Blocks $100K H-1B Fee, a Massive Win for Skilled Talent - Presented by CalendarPA
The Purple Acorn HR Morning ShowHosts Serge Boudreau and Dan Riley tackle the massive legal and technological shifts disrupting the workforce in mid-2026. The episode kicks off with two major headline stories. First, the team breaks down the recent nationwide block of a $100K H-1B fee, which a federal court struck down as an unconstitutional tax—delivering immediate relief to tech, healthcare, and higher education employers. Next, they dive into "The Great Regret," exploring a new report revealing that 55% of employers regret their AI-driven layoffs, with nearly a third quietly rehiring human workers after automated systems failed to manage complex workflows and triggered costly public relations crises. The core of the episode features a deep-dive interview with Chris Russell, the Founder of RecTech Media and the "Mad Scientist of Online Recruiting". Chris brings his extensive expertise to the table to discuss the erosion of traditional job search widgets in favor of conversational ChatGPT-driven interfaces, the flaws of rigid Applicant Tracking System (ATS) architectures in talent acquisition analytics, and how federal contractors can navigate OFCCP compliance amidst heightened scrutiny on automated screening tools. He also breaks down why talent attraction must be treated as a marketing function and analyzes the shift toward automated AI sourcing campaigns. Closing out the show, Serge delivers the Weather Report segment, examining the 2026 landscape of Talent Acquisition careers based on recent ERE insights. Sponsored by CalendarPA.com and Talent Tech PR, this episode offers a highly tactical look at the balancing act between automation and human judgment in modern HR. Presented by Talent Tech PR and CalendarPA.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What happens when AI hiring platforms completely ignore the human experience?
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastWhat happens when AI hiring platforms completely ignore the human experience? In this episode of the Rec Tech Podcast, host Chris talks with Torin Ellis, founder of Ngoma (spelled N-G-O-M-A), a groundbreaking service acting as an additional trust layer for AI data systems and tools. Ngoma specializes in auditing and testing AI platforms by employing real individuals from the disability community to surface algorithmic gaps and prevent real-world hiring discrimination. Using real-world examples like the recent HireVue litigation, Torin highlights why relying on "synthetic data" leaves vulnerable communities behind and how auditing software with real human experiences builds better, higher-performing, and more profitable technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Why the Resume Is Dead (And What Actually Predicts Performance)
The Human CapitalistCandidates are gaming the hiring process. And honestly? Good. In this episode I sit down with Charlotte Melkert, CEO of Equalture, a game-based hiring intelligence platform out of the Netherlands, to unpack something SHRM just put a name to: skill phishing. Skill phishing is the act of presenting credentials and capabilities that never translate into real execution. We've always experienced it. AI just made it impossible to ignore — and that's exactly why it's an opportunity, not a crisis. Charlotte and I go deep on why candidates polishing their CVs with AI isn't the problem. The problem is that we've been using the wrong tools to evaluate talent for decades, and we just got caught. We also dig into frontline hiring — an area where job openings keep climbing but application rates are dropping. There's a reason for that, and it has everything to do with a broken process that was designed to filter people out, not bring the right people in. This one is for TA leaders, CHROs, and HR practitioners who are tired of defending a process they know isn't working. What we cover: Why skill phishing is exposing tools we should have retired years ago The difference between a job description and a job advertisement (and why it matters) The AI literacy paradox: we want it, then penalize candidates who show it How HR must lead AI adoption — or step out of the way The frontline hiring crisis hiding in plain sight How top frontline employers are achieving 4.5-star candidate experience AND 30-45% less early attrition Charlotte's 3 rules for choosing and using a skills assessment Internal mobility: flipping the model so the assessment finds the job, not the other way around Connect with Charlotte: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-melkert-07987b81/ Website: https://www.linkedin.com/company/equalture/about/ Subscribe for weekly conversations at the intersection of AI, workforce strategy, and the future of talent. 0:00 - Is This Assessment Ruining Your Hiring? 0:32 - Welcome to The Human Capitalist 1:04 - Meet Charlotte: CEO of e-culture (Game-Based Hiring) 2:20 - What Is "Skill Phishing"? The New SHRM Term Explained 3:52 - Why AI Exposing Bad Hiring Tools Is Actually Great News 5:28 - Job Ads vs. Job Descriptions: We're Doing It Wrong 6:32 - The AI Literacy Paradox: We Penalize What We Need 7:14 - Why Gen Z Is Forcing a Skills Assessment Revolution 9:55 - Meet Your New Coworker: AI (WEF Report Breakdown) 11:53 - HR's Mandate: Lead AI Adoption or Step Aside 12:20 - Frontline Hiring Is Broken. Here's the Proof. 14:47 - The Quality vs. Speed Trap (It's Not Binary) 16:46 - What Good Frontline Hiring Actually Looks Like (Client Data) 19:17 - The Ideal Frontline Hiring Process Step by Step 21:19 - The Results: 4.5 Stars, 7-10x Faster, 30-45% Less Attrition 23:18 - How to Pick the Right Assessment (Charlotte's 3 Rules) 24:30 - Soft Skills Are Just as Critical for Frontline Roles (DHL Example) 25:45 - Stop Putting Your Own Bias Into the Scoring Model 27:45 - Trent's Framework: The Three-Legged Stool 29:31 - How to Remove Manager Bias Completely 30:50 - Your Frontline Workers Are Your Future Leadership Pipeline 32:09 - Can You Point Assessments Inward? Internal Mobility Deep Dive 35:07 - How to Use Assessment Results to Supercharge Interviews 37:27 - The 80% of Assessment Value Nobody Is Using 39:42 - Two Ways Top Companies Use Assessments for Internal Mobility 42:20 - Flip the Model: Match People to Roles They Don't Know Exist 45:28 - Where to Find Charlotte + Wrap Up CHAPTERS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
A Tale of Two Resumes
The Jim Stroud PodcastAfter months of rejections, a 58-year-old man decides to test the system. He submits two nearly identical job applications to the same company—one with his real work history and graduation year, the other carefully scrubbed of any age clues. One gets an immediate rejection. The other gets a callback. What starts as a quiet experiment to beat the algorithm quickly turns into something much darker once he lands a job inside the company. There, he discovers how the hiring software actually works—and who it’s designed to keep out. A tense, true-story-style account of one man’s collision with AI-powered age discrimination in today’s job market. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#93: How to Stand Out on LinkedIn
Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content CreationMost LinkedIn advice teaches you how to fit in. Jillian Richardson believes the opposite. In this episode of Workfluencer, Rhona sits down with one of LinkedIn's most recognizable ghostwriters to discuss why being a little weird might be your biggest advantage online. Jillian shares the story behind her viral "Be Weird on LinkedIn" movement, what founders get wrong about personal branding, and why authenticity is becoming the best defense against AI-generated content. They also discuss employee-generated content, ghostwriting, creator monetization, brand partnerships, and the realities of putting yourself out there online. If you've been playing it safe on LinkedIn, this episode will challenge you to rethink what professional content should look like. In this episode: Why blending in is becoming riskier than standing out The real meaning of "being weird" on LinkedIn How founders and executives can create more engaging content Why employee-generated content builds more trust than corporate messaging How ghostwriting actually works behind the scenes The relationship between authenticity and AI-generated content What creators should know about negotiating brand partnerships How to find your unique voice on LinkedIn Resources Mentioned: Jillian's Website: https://www.makelinkedinweird.com Connect With Us: Connect with Jillian: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thatjillian/ Connect with Rhona: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce Want to turn your team into creators? Visit workfluencermedia.com to learn how we help companies build video-first content systems that attract, engage, and retain talent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Ziprecruiter Integrates with Claude
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastMONTREAL — Lucas Martinez, the co-founder and long-time CEO of global job search platform Talent.com, has announced he is stepping down from his role effective July 31st. https://hrtechfeed.com/talent-com-ceo-to-step-down-after-15-years/ Lattice CEO Sarah Franklin declared that AI transformation is fundamentally a people and process transformation – and introduced the platform infrastructure to help solve it. https://hrtechfeed.com/lattice-announces-new-solutions-including-lattice-mcp/ CENTENNIAL, Colo.—DHI Group, Inc. (NYSE: DHX) announced today that ClearanceJobs, its leading online community for security-cleared professionals in the defense and intelligence sectors, has reached 2 million registered candidates. The milestone reflects both the accelerating demand for cleared talent and the growing role of the platform, founded in 2002, at the center of the national security workforce. https://hrtechfeed.com/clearancejobs-reaches-2-million-registered-candidates/ ZipRecruiter® (NYSE: ZIP), a leading online employment marketplace, is expanding its AI job search offerings with the launch of the ZipRecruiter connector for Claude. ZipRecruiter is bringing its millions of job opportunities to Anthropic’s AI assistant, giving job seekers a new way to find work and expanding ZipRecruiter’s presence across AI platforms. https://hrtechfeed.com/ziprecruiter-expands-ai-powered-job-search-with-claude-integration/ HR tech execs on the move https://hrtechfeed.com/hr-tech-exec-changes-3/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#33 - Financial Habits No One Taught You
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary BrackettMost leaders know how to drive revenue, but far fewer know how to build personal financial discipline. In this episode, we break down the habits, mindsets, and hidden behaviors that separate income from true wealth and how financial stress may be impacting your leadership more than you realize. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#91 - The Deprioritization of SHRM & Uber’s Big HR Overhaul - Presented by CalendarPA.com
The Purple Acorn HR Morning ShowIn Episode 91 of The HR Morning Show, hosts Adam Posner, Brian Fink, and Robin Schooling break down major structural shifts shaking up the HR profession. The team dives into findings from HR Dive’s 2026 Identity of HR survey, revealing a massive pivot away from traditional credentials like SHRM and HRCI in favor of niche, skills-based certifications in areas like artificial intelligence, executive coaching, and workplace neurodiversity. The headlines segment, featuring guest Trish Steed during the "Talk Nerdy with iCIMS" block, also addresses Uber’s massive operational overhaul—a restructuring push cutting 23% of its People and Places division. Strikingly, Uber explicitly stated that AI was not a factor in these senior-level layoffs, choosing instead to target internal fragmentation while simultaneously rolling back remote-work privileges by enforcing a strict three-day in-office mandate for remaining HR staff. The episode's guest lineup provides deep operational and recruitment insights, starting with Brittany Truszkowski, who explains why organizational dysfunction is an operational warning sign rather than a personality problem, urging growing companies to audit their people and systems instead of just their numbers. Next, JJ Owen of the Skilled Careers Coalition challenges traditional talent acquisition methods by discussing how community, narrative, and hands-on mentorship are capturing Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Highlighting data from a successful @SkillsJam TikTok pilot that generated over 466,000 career-exploration visits, Owen argues that America doesn't have a worker shortage but a connection shortage, proving that HR must leverage platforms like TikTok and YouTube to meet the next generation at the point of career formation. Sponsored by CalendarPA.com and Talent Tech PR, this episode underscores the vital role of employer branding as a corporate necessity for modern talent acquisition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#32 - The Reset: 3 Systems to Get Your Health Back on Track
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary BrackettSuccess without sustainability is a risk most leaders don’t see coming until it shows up in their energy, decisions, and results. In this episode of Champion Blueprint, George Rogers and Gary Brackett challenge the idea that health is personal and reposition it as a leadership responsibility. Through a powerful 3-system framework, mental, physical, and financial. They break down how clarity sharpens decision-making, energy fuels influence, and stability builds confidence. This conversation is a call to reset, realign, and lead at a higher level by protecting the one asset on which everything else depends: YOU. If your energy drops, does your leadership follow? This episode will push you to answer that question and act on it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#31 - You’re Successful…But Are You Stable
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary BrackettSuccess can open the door, but stability determines how long you stay in the room. In this episode, George Rogers and Gary Brackett break down the hidden instability behind high performance, exploring how burnout, emotional decision-making, and lack of structure can quietly derail even the most accomplished leaders. Through the lens of the NFL Draft and the transition to the next level, this conversation challenges leaders to move beyond achieving success and start sustaining it. #LeadershipStability #HighPerformance #BurnoutinLeadership #EmotionalIntelligence #ExecutiveMindset #SustainableSuccess #LeadershipDevelopment #PeakPerformance Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Episode #204 Building Strategic Influence
CareerTALKS PodcastPreston Sharpston is an Influence and Promotability Coach who helps corporate professionals build influence, get promoted, and lead with confidence. As a 4x Head of Talent with over a decade of multi-industry experience, Preston's insights have been featured by publications like Forbes Advisor and Industry Dive, and he has spoken at events like RecFest, DisruptHR, TalentSphere, and more. Orlando and Preston discuss the critical role of influence in HR, communication and recruiting. They explore how HR professionals can articulate their value to the business, bridge the gap between talent acquisition and executive leadership, and build meaningful relationships within their organizations. They explore proactive strategies for talent acquisition, the role of executive leadership in managing talent, and the need for effective problem-solving frameworks. The discussion emphasizes the importance of business acumen for talent acquisition professionals to enhance their influence and effectiveness within organizations. 🌐Guideline Talent 📍Preston Sharpston Orlando Haynes 🌐Career Capital Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From SEO to AIO - Preparing for the New Frontier of Job Search | JobSync Roundtable
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastThe way candidates find their next role is changing fast. Instead of just keyword searches and job boards, they’re also asking AI chatbots for shortlists and clicking through AI-generated overviews that synthesize opportunities in a single response. The algorithms that used to rank your roles are being replaced by models that interpret, summarize, and recommend them, and the recruiters who adapt now will own candidate attention for the next decade. Join JobSync for a candid roundtable on what’s really happening inside the AI response layer, and what it means for your sourcing strategy, employer brand, and media spend. If you’re filling a pipeline in 2026 and beyond, this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Are There Really Jobs, or Just Openings Nobody Plans to Fill?
The Jim Stroud PodcastAre there really jobs out there, or just openings nobody plans to fill? In this episode, Jim Stroud breaks down the strange, tangled reality of today’s labor market, where job postings are up, hiring feels frozen, recruiters are stuck in limbo, and job seekers are losing trust in the system. The market is not booming. It is not collapsing. It is entangled. This episode brought to you by: The Recruiting Life & Career Intelligence Weekly. Find both newsletters at https://newsletter.jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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