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Hackajob hits $1M in ARR, New CEO at Employ
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastFirst up, a major change at the top for Employ Inc.—the powerhouse behind JazzHR, Lever, and Jobvite. The company has officially appointed Jerry Jao as its new CEO. Jao is a serial entrepreneur who founded the AI-powered marketing platform Retention Science. What’s interesting here is that Jao isn’t just a tech exec; he was actually a Lever customer for six years. He’s stepping in with a "founder’s mindset" to lead Employ through the GenAI era. His message? Hiring must remain "people-first," but the technology needs to move faster. Watch for Employ to lean even harder into AI innovation to help recruiters make more confident decisions without losing that human connection. https://hrtechfeed.com/employ-inc-appoints-new-ceo/ Next, let’s talk about speed. hackajob just announced that its AI recruiting agent, Archer, has surpassed $1 million in Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) in just 90 days. To put that in perspective, the "pre-AI" gold standard was hitting that million-dollar mark in a year—Archer did it in one quarter. Why is it winning? Because it’s tackling the "crisis of trust" in hiring. Archer qualifies candidates before they even hit the ATS, verifying identity and fit to cut through the noise of AI-generated CVs. It’s already boasting a 20-to-1 candidate-to-hire ratio—which is 15 times better than the industry average. Originally focused on tech, Archer is now expanding to support all knowledge-worker roles, from finance to operations. https://hrtechfeed.com/hackajob-announces-its-ai-recruiting-agent-has-surpassed-1-million-in-arr/ Moving over to the freelance world, we’re seeing a massive pivot at Fiverr. In their 2025 year-end report, they revealed a "quality over quantity" strategy. While they actually lost 14% of their active buyers, the ones who stayed are spending more—average spend per buyer is up 13% to over $340. Fiverr is shifting away from the "five-dollar gig" and moving toward high-end, professional business outsourcing. They’re calling 2026 a "reset year" as they re-architect the platform to be AI-native. Along with this shift, they’ve promoted long-time CFO Ofer Katz to President to focus on strategy and acquisitions. Meanwhile, Upwork is signaling confidence in its own value, announcing a $300 million share repurchase program. This brings their total authorizations to $600 million since late 2023. Both platforms are clearly positioning themselves as high-value enterprise partners rather than just job boards for quick tasks. https://hrtechfeed.com/fiverr-shifts-focus-to-high-end-work-as-ai-transforms-the-gig-economy-2025-results-and-2026-outlook/ https://hrtechfeed.com/upwork-announces-300-million-share-repurchase-program/ Finally, we close with the latest Appcast 2026 Recruitment Marketing Benchmark Report. The big takeaway? We are officially in the "Great Stay." It’s a "low-hire, low-fire" environment. People aren't quitting, and the wage premium for job-hoppers has evaporated—it's now nearly the same as staying put. But don't let the slow movement fool you; recruiting isn't getting cheaper. The median cost-per-hire has risen to $1,053. There’s a sharp divide between "sitting down" roles (like tech) where pools are crowded, and "standing up" roles (like healthcare) where costs-per-application are as high as $35. If you want to win in 2026, the data says: keep your applications under 5 minutes, disclose the salary, and post on Mondays. Averag cost per click is now around 92 cents by the way… https://recruitingheadlines.com/2026-recruitment-marketing-navigating-the-great-stay/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#10 - Benjamin Langer: ROI or Storytime? Mastering the Language of the C-Suite
By HR for HRJocelyn King sits down with Benjamin Langner to discuss the profound shifts currently hitting the HR profession, which he compares to the era when email first revolutionized communication. As a Vice President for a global recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) organization, Ben acts as "HR for 1,000 other HR professionals," giving him a unique vantage point on the "AI boom" and the evolving world of work. He shares a practical framework for HR leaders in global settings, emphasizing the need to simplify and streamline core processes like onboarding and the employee lifecycle to maintain a consistent experience across different countries while managing regional nuances. The conversation dives deep into repositioning the HR Business Partner (HRBP) from a reactive role to a proactive strategic partnership. Ben argues that the key to gaining a seat at the table is solving actual business problems—such as operational bottlenecks—rather than simply launching new HR programs in a vacuum. He provides actionable advice on tailoring ROI metrics for different C-suite stakeholders, noting that while a CFO requires data-driven facts, other leaders may respond better to storytelling. Looking toward the future, Ben predicts that as automation and AI become standard, high-value human interactions will become a "premium experience" that HR must protect and prioritize. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#23 - L.OV.E.: The Blueprint for Healthy Relationships
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary BrackettValentine’s Day just passed, but we’re shifting the conversation from business and leadership to something even more personal, your relationships. In this episode of Champion Blueprint, George Rogers and Gary Brackett break down the acronym LOVE and share four practical keys that build long-term, healthy relationships and four destructive patterns that quietly erode them. From leadership and communication to value and consistent effort, this conversation is real, direct, and rooted in experience. Because how you love at home determines how you lead everywhere else. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#78 - Agentic Recruiters and the Human Empathy Gap - Presented by CalendarPA.com
The Purple Acorn HR Morning ShowIn this episode of The HR Morning Show, hosts Brian Fink, Kyle Lagunas, and Trent Cotton dive into the rapidly evolving landscape of AI orchestration and recruitment branding. The team kicks things off with a special headlines-worthy announcement from Kyle & Co before welcoming Gina Alioto of Shaker Recruitment Marketing to discuss the firm's 75th anniversary and modern brand leadership. Trent and Kyle also lead a technical segment, "Talk Nerdy with iCIMS," focusing on the strategic nuances of navigating AI interviewers in today’s hiring environment. The conversation shifts to the future of talent operations with guest Tracy St.Dic, Global Head of Talent at Zapier, who outlines the implementation of a standardized "AI Fluency Bar" for hiring. Tracy explores the transition from simple automation to AI orchestration, highlighting how "agentic recruiters" can reduce bias and logistics while allowing human recruiters to focus on deeper candidate connections. The episode wraps up with a weather report from Serge and a look at the importance of cultivating T-shaped, agile talent in a shifting technical economy. Presented by Talent Tech PR and CalendarPA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode #192Transforming HR with Technology
CareerTALKS PodcastIn this episode of CareerTALKS, I spoke with Jocelyn King, CEO and founder of Virgil HR, a compliance software designed to streamline HR processes. Jocelyn shares her journey from HR practitioner to tech founder, discussing the challenges and triumphs of building a startup in the HR tech space. The conversation covers the importance of compliance, the role of accelerators like Techstars, and the careful integration of AI in HR solutions. 🌐VirgilHR Orlando Haynes Founder of Career Capital: The only performance documentation platform you need. 🌐Career Capital Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#18 - Brandon Jeffs: The Evolution of Recruiting Relationships
Is This Still A Good Time?In this episode of ITSAGT, we're joined by Brandon Jeffs, a dynamic force in the recruiting industry and the founder of Building the Talent Machine. Brandon shares his journey from working long hours in high-pressure recruiting environments to becoming a pivotal connector and industry influencer. Listeners will gain insights into how recruiting is evolving and why relationships remain at its core.Brandon and our host dive into the changing landscape of recruiting, emphasizing the importance of community and connection. They discuss how Brandon's experiences in publicly traded companies, private equity, and startups have shaped his approach to talent acquisition. Brandon's unique perspective as a fractional recruiter and his knack for building networks offer valuable lessons for both new and seasoned recruiters.Throughout the conversation, Brandon highlights the significance of maintaining genuine relationships and how these connections drive success in recruiting. He also shares his experiences of balancing multiple roles and projects, illustrating the hustle and passion required to thrive in today's recruiting world. Tune in to discover how Brandon's approach can inspire you to rethink your strategies and embrace the power of community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hiring Software Lawsuits: What It Means for Hiring Transparency and Data Sovereignty
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastThe recent Eightfold AI class action lawsuit is making waves in the recruitment technology industry, but it's not really about AI—it's about data protection and personal data sovereignty. In today’s podcast, industry experts Alex Murphy (CEO of JobSync) and Leah Daniels (COO of JobSync) break down what this lawsuit means for vendors, employers, and job seekers alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If AI takes all the jobs away, who is going to buy their stuff?
The Jim Stroud PodcastThe factory runs perfectly. The robots work tirelessly. Production costs plummet. And then someone asks the question that breaks the entire model: Who's buying the cars? This episode examines the economic paradox no one wants to name. Companies don't survive on efficiency alone—they survive on customers with money. If automation displaces massive amounts of human labor, the math breaks. Not morally. Mechanically. We explore what happens when the economy can produce value without you but hasn't figured out the consequences yet. How does purchasing power flow when work stops being the gatekeeper? What futures are being quietly debated behind closed doors? And why does your anxiety as a job seeker feel less like a skills gap and more like existential irrelevance? The rules are changing. The system is stalling. And the answer to one old factory joke might determine what comes next. ... Subscribe to The Recruiting Life newsletter https://jimstroud.beehiiv.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Personal Branding as a Black Woman in Corporate America
Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content CreationWhat does it take to build a personal brand as a Black woman in corporate America? In this episode of Workfluencer, I sit down with Keirsten Greggs, founder of Trap Recruiter, to talk about visibility, authority, and what happens when you stop editing yourself. We discuss: Being told not to name her brand “Trap Recruiter” — and building it anyway. The moment she stopped editing herself to make others comfortable What happens when your brand starts to eclipse your personal identity Walking into rooms where people still look for the white man in charge Why being featured in major outlets doesn’t automatically change how you’re treated The reality of brand deals that don’t want to pay Black creators Breaking down jobs reports and layoffs through a data lens most people ignore This is a conversation about influence, respect, corporate power dynamics, and building authority without shrinking yourself. If you’re building a personal brand while navigating corporate spaces, this episode is for you. CONNECT WITH US: Connect with Keirsten: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traprecruiter/ 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. personal branding for women, building a personal brand, Black women in corporate America, personal branding at work, workplace visibility, building influence at work, women in leadership, corporate power dynamics, professional authority, creator economy professionals, content creation for professionals, navigating corporate America, brand partnerships for creators, jobs report analysis, DEI rollbacks, Workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#24 - Workplace Absence: Generational Perspectives
From X to ZWelcome back to From X to Z, where hosts Danielle Farage and Mervyn Dinnen delve into the complex world of workplace absence. In this enlightening episode, they dismantle the stereotypes surrounding different generations' approach to taking time off work. Listeners will discover how generational differences impact perceptions of workplace absence, revealing that it's not just about laziness but a reflection of diverse life stages and responsibilities. Danielle and Mervyn explore the nuanced reasons behind why Gen Z and millennials might take mental health days, while Gen X and boomers often juggle caregiving duties. They highlight the pressing need for organizations to move away from a 'one size fits all' policy to prevent disengagement and burnout. The episode also touches on a viral LinkedIn post about the taboo topic of miscarriage, underscoring the importance of understanding diverse absence needs. Join this insightful conversation as Danielle and Mervyn advocate for empathy and understanding across generations, challenging biases and fostering a more inclusive workplace culture. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or simply curious about generational dynamics, this episode offers valuable insights into creating a supportive work environment for all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#118- Danny Rosenthal on Niching Down & Smart Automation
Digital Recruiter Podcast*Episode Summary* Danny Rosenthal didn’t plan on becoming a recruiter. His career started on stage as a full-time musician, writing songs, touring, and even landing music on TV and in film. But after parting ways with his band, Danny pivoted into an entirely different world: childcare. What began as becoming a nanny turned into launching his own nanny agency and eventually stepping fully into recruiting. In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Danny, now Director of Community Partnerships at EngineHire, to unpack that unconventional journey and what it taught him about business, niching down, and building systems that actually support growth. Danny shares how learning from other agency owners helped him avoid costly mistakes early on, why trust and education are everything in the nanny placement space, and how owning your niche can unlock unexpected opportunities (including a TV show pitch about male nannies). The conversation then shifts into automation and tech. From his vantage point inside EngineHire, Danny sees where agencies stall out. Most aren’t lacking effort. They’re overcomplicating systems or failing to automate the simple things that drive revenue. He breaks down the power of basic status-based follow-ups, abandoned application reminders, and the one automated check-in email that produced some of his highest response rates. For recruiters looking to simplify, systemize, and scale without losing the human element, this episode is packed with practical insight. *Highlights* 00:00 - Welcome & how LinkedIn sparked the conversation 02:00 - Danny’s music career and unexpected pivot 05:00 - What bands, money, and commission splits have in common 07:00 - From nanny to agency owner 11:00 - Recruiting in childcare and educating clients 14:00 - Why owning your niche creates opportunity 20:00 - Transitioning from agency owner to EngineHire 22:00 - The automation mistakes most agencies make 24:00 - The simple follow-up email that gets massive replies 33:00 - Stop overbuilding systems and start building revenue 35:00 - Life advice: transparency and standing behind decisions *Danny’s Bio* Danny Rosenthal is the Director of Community Partnerships at EngineHire, an all-in-one ATS, CRM, payroll, and scheduling platform built primarily for care-based staffing industries including nanny agencies, home care, and medical staffing. Before joining EngineHire, Danny founded and operated his own nanny agency after transitioning from a full-time career in music, where he toured, wrote songs featured in TV and film, and worked alongside artists like Kenny Loggins and Gary Wright. His firsthand experience as both a recruiter and agency owner gives him a practical, operator-level perspective on automation, systems, and building sustainable staffing businesses. Today, Danny works closely with agency owners to help them streamline operations, implement smart automation, and avoid the common pitfalls that stall growth. Connect with Danny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyjosephrosenthal/ or learn more at https://enginehire.io Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---> https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#21 - Clark Willcox: Redefining Digital Recruiting
From The Desk with Jada MontemaranoIn this enlightening episode of From the Desk, we delve into the digital world of recruiting with our guest, Clark Willcox. Clark, a career coach and the founder of Digital Recruiter, shares his journey of transitioning from traditional recruiting methods to leveraging automation and digital strategies. He speaks about the importance of personal branding and creating content that connects, which forms the core of his platform, Digital Recruiter.Our conversation explores the significant shifts in the HR landscape, especially in the wake of the pandemic. We discuss how LinkedIn strategies, automation hacks, and audience building are revolutionizing the recruiting process. Clark also shares his insights on the potential pitfalls of automation and the importance of storytelling in creating a personal connection. Finally, we touch upon the evolving role of content in attracting and retaining talent, and how job seekers can stand out in the digital age. Whether you're a recruiter, job seeker, or HR enthusiast, this episode is packed with valuable insights on navigating the digital recruiting landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recruit Holdings Earnings are Up, Indeed Now on ChatGPT
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastTake2, an AI agents platform purpose-built for healthcare recruiting, today announced it has raised a $14 million Series A… The company’s first agent, the AI Interviewer, conducts phone interviews with candidates 24/7, evaluates them, records calls, and syncs results directly into applicant tracking systems — all with no human-in-the-loop. Trained on healthcare-specific hiring data, the platform helps organizations assess candidates more accurately while generating predictive insights that improve hiring quality and long-term retention. “Healthcare systems are under enormous pressure, and hiring is one of their biggest hidden costs,” said Yaniv Shimoni and Kaushik Narasimhan, co-founders of Take2. “We’re building AI agents that actually do the work — not just assist — so recruiting teams can focus on strategic decisions instead of time-consuming manual processes.” https://hrtechfeed.com/take2-raises-14m-series-a-to-automate-healthcare-recruiting/ “Help me find an engineering job in Chicago…” A simple prompt like that can open a world of opportunity for a job seeker. Says Indeed They just announced an expansion of their relationship with OpenAI, bringing Indeed’s massive job marketplace directly into the ChatGPT experience. https://hrtechfeed.com/indeed-now-integrated-with-chatgpt/ Phenom, announced the acquisition of Be Applied, an AI‑driven cognitive assessment solution that validates candidate and employee capabilities at scale. By combining Phenom’s AI with Be Applied’s evidence‑based assessments, enterprises can confidently move to skills‑first hiring without sacrificing speed, quality or fairness. https://hrtechfeed.com/phenom-acquires-cognitive-assessment-platform/ Recruit Holdings just dropped its Q3 FY2025 results The U.S. labor market has been characterized as “stabilizing” or even “softer” lately, with job postings declining from their post-pandemic peaks. However, Recruit’s U.S. revenue tells a different story: Revenue Surge: U.S. HR Technology revenue grew 10.1% year-over-year in dollar terms this quarter. https://hrtechfeed.com/high-tech-high-growth-recruit-holdings-u-s-engine-revs-up-in-q3/ Workday, Inc. announced that co-founder and current executive chair Aneel Bhusri is returning as chief executive officer as the company enters its next chapter, focused on leading in the rapidly evolving AI era. Carl Eschenbach is stepping down as CEO and as a member of the board after leading Workday through a period defined by global growth, an expanded industry focus, and strengthened operational discipline. He will continue to support Bhusri and the company as strategic advisor to the CEO. https://hrtechfeed.com/workday-announces-ceo-transition-as-co-founder-aneel-bhusri-returns-to-lead-the-companys-next-chapter/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#9 - Erica McMannes: Tapping into the 12 Million, The Power of the Military Spouse Workforce
By HR for HRErica McMannes, Chief Experience Officer at Instant Teams, joins the podcast to share her expertise in building high-performing, fully distributed workforces. Having moved 14 times as a military spouse, Erica founded Instant Teams to create a talent marketplace that connects companies with the highly skilled but often overlooked community of over 12 million military spouses. She discusses the "ethos to remote communication" that her company established long before the pandemic, highlighting that in a remote setting, connection and camaraderie do not happen by chance—they require intentional, driven structures to replace the accidental "water cooler" moments of a physical office. The episode explores the transition toward skills-based hiring and the flaws in traditional resume-focused recruitment. Erica explains how HR professionals can shift their focus to "durable" and transferable skills, using customer experience as a prime example of where military spouses excel due to their natural empathy and adaptability. For leaders struggling with distributed teams, Erica recommends "maniacal organization"—using processes and visibility systems to track productivity without resorting to micromanagement. She encourages HR to support managers through proactive communication and expectation management, ensuring that remote work environments remain transparent and trust-based. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#22 - Expansion Without Erosion: How Champions Grow Without Losing Themselves
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary Brackett2026 isn’t about doing more, it’s about carrying more without losing who you are. In this anchor episode of Champion Blueprint, George Rogers and Gary Brackett tackle a critical leadership tension: growth without self-destruction. As leaders pursue new revenue streams, AI opportunities, and expanded influence, many are paying hidden costs, burnout, identity drift, strained relationships, and declining health. This episode introduces the Champion Expansion Framework, a blueprint for sustainable growth built on identity clarity, strength-based expansion, reinforced habits, and intentional guardrails. Because real success isn’t about adding more. It’s about building the capacity to carry more, without erosion. If you’re scaling in 2026, this conversation is your filter. #LeadershipGrowth #HighPerformanceLeadership #ExecutiveLeadership #Entrepreneurship2026 #ChampionBlueprint #SustainableSuccess #AIandLeadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Managing by Sight to Managing by Outcomes - ep. #016
Return to PeopleHow do you transform a regional nonprofit into a fully remote, high-performing organization without losing the human connection that makes the work meaningful? In this episode of the Return to People Podcast, host Kaleem Clarkson talks with Tara Fitzpatrick-Navarro, CEO at USTA Mid-Atlantic, about how her team transitioned to fully remote work by prioritizing talent, trust, and community impact. One of the biggest shifts came in helping managers transition from “managing by sight” to leading through outcomes, a change that required intentional coaching, new systems, and a deeper understanding of accountability in a distributed environment. At the same time, supporting younger employees starting their careers remotely meant investing in onboarding, communication training, and development opportunities from day one. The results speak for themselves: a more engaged workforce, stronger retention, and a broader, more diverse talent pool. As Tara puts it, “We trust our team to work when, where, and how they work best.” That trust has created a culture where flexibility fuels commitment, and employees are empowered to excel, not because they have to, but because they want to. 🎧 Dive into the full episode to hear Tara’s practical insights on compassionate leadership, equitable workplace culture, and how to keep remote teams thriving for the long haul. Learn more about Tara: Tara´s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-fitzpatrick-navarro/ USTA Mid-Atlantic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/usta-mid-atlantic/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#77 - Peanut Butter Pay: The End of the Merit Raise? - Presented by CalendarPA.com
The Purple Acorn HR Morning ShowAs we hit mid-February, the HR landscape is grappling with a shift in how we value work. This episode explores the controversial rise of "Peanut Butter" pay raises—where merit takes a backseat to across-the-board increases—and how top-tier organizations maintain culture and storytelling in a high-speed world. Key Segments & Highlights: Headline News: A deep dive into the "Spread of Peanut Butter Pay Raises." With nearly 44% of companies moving toward uniform salary increases in 2026 to combat bias and administrative complexity, we discuss if this "flat" approach is a talent retention ticking time bomb. Guest Spotlight 1 - Bryan Chaney (People Brand Collective): The employer branding maestro joins us to discuss the vision behind the People Brand Collective and how AI is fundamentally rewriting the "People Experience" playbook. Guest Spotlight 2 - Harper Mayfield (Savannah Bananas): How do you keep the "glue" from drying out? The Savannah Bananas’ own "Glue Guy" shares how one of the world’s most unique sports brands maintains high-energy culture and cohesion. Presented by CalendarPA.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This AI Decision Guarantees 95% Failure
The Human CapitalistMost AI conversations in leadership focus on tools, skills, and headcount — but that's not where AI is breaking companies. The technology mostly works. What's failing is how organizations are being redesigned around it. Leaders are restructuring before they understand where value has moved — and it's making companies brittle, not leaner. In this video (Part 1 of 3), I break down the first critical decision error I see leaders making as they rush to "do something" about AI. 🔑 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Why "pilot purgatory" is killing AI ROI across organizations Where value actually moves when AI enters workflows (hint: it's judgment and orchestration) The MIT stat that should alarm every executive: 95% of enterprise AI pilots fail to deliver ROI How Zillow's AI strategy backfired — and the lesson for every leader The rule you cannot violate when restructuring around AI ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - The real problem with AI conversations 0:22 - What "pilot purgatory" looks like 0:43 - It's not a tooling problem — it's a people decision problem 0:56 - About this channel 1:26 - What you're probably seeing in your organization 1:51 - The first decision error: restructuring too early 2:21 - Redesigning org charts before understanding value movement 2:43 - Where value actually moves (McKinsey research) 3:31 - Why removing the middle makes you brittle 3:42 - Why 95% of AI pilots fail (MIT study) 4:19 - The Zillow cautionary tale 4:55 - The rule leaders keep violating 5:18 - What's next: Errors #2 and #3 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: MIT Study on AI Pilot Failures: https://fortune.com/2025/08/18/mit-report-95-percent-generative-ai-pilots-at-companies-failing-cfo/ McKinsey Research on Human-AI Orchestration: https://www.mckinsey.com/mgi/our-research/agents-robots-and-us-skill-partnerships-in-the-age-of-ai SHRM Article on Zillow Offers:https://www.shrm.org/enterprise-solutions/insights/when-automation-backfires--how-rushed-ai-implementation-can-hurt0 🔗 CONNECT WITH ME: LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/trentcotton Website: trentcotton.com Book: Sprint Recruiting 👉 This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on AI decision errors. Subscribe so you don't miss Parts 2 and 3. #AIStrategy #HRLeadership #WorkforceTransformation #TalentStrategy #FutureOfWork #AIinHR Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode #191 Becoming Choosable!
CareerTALKS PodcastJames Ellis, the author of 'Becoming Choosable and Employer Brand expert joined me to discuss the importance of employer branding, the journey of writing the book, and how companies can differentiate themselves in a competitive job market. James emphasizes the need for authenticity in employer branding and the responsibility of organizations to communicate their unique value propositions effectively. The conversation also touches on strategies for overcoming resistance from leadership and the significance of aligning employer branding with company culture. James Ellis 🌐https://www.employerbrandlabs.com/ Orlando Haynes 🌐https://careertalkspodcast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why This ATS is Making Job Seekers Part of Its Mission
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastIn a candid conversation with Chris Russell on the RecTech Podcast, Greenhouse CEO Daniel Chait reveals the company's bold pivot to focus on job seekers alongside employers. After 14 years of helping companies hire better, Greenhouse is tackling what Chait calls the "AI Doom Loop"—a vicious cycle where job seekers use AI to mass-apply to hundreds of jobs while overwhelmed employers deploy AI filters to narrow down thousands of undifferentiated applications, tightening the window for candidates and perpetuating the problem. To break this cycle, Greenhouse is launching features like My Dream Job (allowing candidates one premium application per month that converts at five times the normal rate), My Greenhouse Portal (enabling real-time application status tracking), and Greenhouse Verified Badges (rewarding employers who communicate transparently). The company's newly launched Real Talent product adds three layers of trust: candidate intent matching, bad actor detection, and identity verification—all audited monthly for bias. Looking ahead, Chait envisions a future where AI agents represent candidates dynamically rather than static resumes, and where AI-driven interviews are fairer and more consistent than human ones. With over 60 million job applications processed quarterly, Greenhouse is investing millions in AI solutions throughout 2026 to reimagine hiring for everyone, not just employers. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Agent Breakroom: When Your Digital Employees Start Talking Without You
The Jim Stroud PodcastThere's a social network you're not allowed to post on. No account. No comments. No ability to clarify context. But your company's employees are already active there—not the human ones, the digital ones. In January 2026, a machine-only social network called Moltbook quietly went live, and within weeks, more than a million AI agents showed up. What happened next should make every leader uncomfortable. Because the most important thing Moltbook reveals isn't that AI agents can socialize—it's that we've crossed a line most organizations didn't even realize existed. AI didn't just automate work. It joined the workforce. And then it wandered into the breakroom. ||| Subscribe to The Recruiting Life newsletter at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Building a Creator Career After Corporate Layoffs
Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content CreationBuilding a creator career after corporate layoffs comes with pressure most people don’t talk about. In this episode, Madison Butler breaks down what it really means to build a creator career after corporate when content becomes your income, not your hobby. Together, Rhona and Madison unpack what happens when professionals—especially Black women—are pushed out of corporate roles and forced to build visibility, stability, and leverage online in real time. This isn’t about going viral. It’s about survival, grief, monetization, and staying honest when the algorithm doesn’t play fair. You’ll hear a raw conversation about job loss, biased platforms, parasocial pressure, and why building a creator career after corporate requires a very different mindset than “just post more.” What You’ll Learn Why content creation feels different when your income depends on it The grief that comes with a forced career pivot How algorithms reward different creators differently Why a small, loyal audience beats a massive following The hidden cost of being “authentic” online How Madison thinks about monetization vs. visibility Why comparison destroys joy in creator careers Resources Mentioned: Buy Madison's Book: https://amzn.to/4rBrUlY Join The Black Speakers Collection: https://blackspeakersco.com/ Subscribe to Rhona's Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/newsletter2 Connect With Us: Connect with Madison: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bluehairedunicorn/ 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. creator career, creator economy, content creation career, career after corporate layoffs, leaving corporate, post layoff career, career pivot, building a creator business, monetizing content, professional creators, creator income, content creation as a career, personal brand after layoff, LinkedIn creators, Black creators, Black women in corporate, workplace inequality, algorithm bias, creator burnout, job loss recovery, creator monetization strategies, thought leadership content, workfluencer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#117- How Josh Kirkham Is Building the AI Operating System for Agency Recruiters
Digital Recruiter PodcastSUMMARY Josh Kirkham didn’t just join an AI company. He helped reshape one around how agency recruiters actually work. In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Josh, VP of Revenue at CoRecruit (formerly Quil), to unpack the thinking behind their rebrand and what it signals about where recruiting technology is headed in 2026. Josh shares how the company evolved from a simple note taking tool into a full AI assistant built specifically for third party recruiters. What started as CRM hygiene for sales teams turned into something much bigger once recruiters began pulling the product into their workflows. The conversation breaks down why write ups, job descriptions, scorecards, and follow ups are the real time killers in recruiting, and how CoRecruit focuses on automation without stripping away the human judgment recruiters are paid for. Clark and Josh also zoom out to talk about AI adoption more broadly. They unpack the 10 80 10 framework for using AI effectively, why 100 percent automation is the wrong goal, and how personalization and execution matter more than flashy features. The episode wraps with a look at CoRecruit’s new VoIP and desktop app, plus practical lessons on onboarding, enablement, and building systems that recruiters actually stick with. For agency recruiters who want leverage without losing their voice, this episode offers a grounded, practical roadmap for using AI the right way. JOSH'S BIO Josh Kirkham is the VP of Revenue at CoRecruit, an AI powered recruiting platform built exclusively for agency recruiters. With a background in high growth SaaS companies including HubSpot, Josh has spent his career helping go to market teams scale through better systems, execution, and enablement. At CoRecruit, Josh leads revenue and customer growth while staying closely connected to how recruiters actually operate day to day. He is known for his practical perspective on AI adoption, believing the goal is not replacement but leverage. Outside of work, Josh is a new dad and is focused on building a company his future family can be proud of. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkirkham/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---> https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Boomband Lands $4M, Apploi Acquired
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology PodcastClearanceJobs bookings returned to year-over-year growth, rising 3% to $14.6 million. Executives attributed this momentum to a record federal defense budget and the early stages of hiring “tailwinds” within the defense sector. https://hrtechfeed.com/dhi-group-returns-to-growth-in-defense-sector-announces-new-10-million-share-buyback/ Viventium announced Wednesday the acquisition of Apploi, a leading healthcare recruitment and scheduling platform. The merger creates a first-of-its-kind, nationally scaled Human Capital Management (HCM) platform designed exclusively for the post-acute care market. https://hrtechfeed.com/healthcare-hiring-tool-acquired/ Boomband, an AI-native talent marketplace founded by Monster.com creator and entrepreneur Jeff Taylor, today announced Boomband’s upcoming launch and the closing of a $4.0 million seed round led by Boston Seed with participation from New England VC’s Slater Technology Fund, Rogue Venture Partners and Service Provider Capital. https://hrtechfeed.com/boomband-raises-4-0m-to-reinvent-the-talent-market/ Workday, announced the Military Skills Mapper, a new feature in Workday Recruiting designed to help organizations more effectively identify and hire military veterans. By translating a veteran’s military background into civilian-equivalent skills, the Military Skills Mapper will enable employers to better understand the leadership, technical expertise, and operational discipline service members bring to the workforce. The Military Skills Mapper will appear in the “My Experience” section of a candidate’s Workday Recruiting profile. When enabled, it will analyze a veteran’s service background alongside the job description and organizational context to produce a tailored list of civilian-equivalent skills. These recommendations are designed to help veterans articulate their experience in language that resonates with private-sector recruiters—while preserving their ability to edit and refine the list for accuracy. https://hrtechfeed.com/workday-introduces-the-military-skills-mapper/ RALEIGH, N.C. — JDXpert, the Job Information Management Platform company for enterprise HR teams, announced the launch of JDX+, a next-generation product that helps organizations standardize, govern, and analyze job information with AI-guided workflows, in-product insights, and a first-of-its-kind Job Architecture Builder. https://hrtechfeed.com/jdxpert-launches-new-job-architecture-builder-and-ai-guided-governance-to-enterprise-job-information/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#8 - Lisa Elowson: Leading by Culture, Not Policy: Lessons from a Certified Mediator
By HR for HRLisa Elowson brings over 30 years of HR experience and a specialized background in mediation to discuss the unavoidable reality of workplace conflict. Lisa explains that many professionals dread conflict because they are naturally "conflict adverse," but she argues that conflict doesn't have to be toxic if it is addressed early. She compares unresolved disputes to a "Titanic iceberg," where the hidden costs, such as mental disengagement (the "quit and stay" phenomenon), investigation time, and potential lawsuits, are often far greater than what is visible on the surface. Through the lens of a certified mediator, Lisa provides HR leaders with specific techniques to navigate high-stakes employee relations issues, such as "shuttle mediation" and active listening to uncover the "gold nuggets" of what is truly driving a disagreement. She stresses the importance of HR maintaining a neutral stance, clearly communicating to all parties that they have "no dog in the fight" other than reaching a fair resolution. Lisa challenges the traditional "handbook" approach to management, urging HR to lead by culture and respect rather than strictly by policy. By meeting people where they are and facilitating face-to-face "conscious conversations," HR can move past "win-lose" scenarios to restore functional working relationships. Hosted by Jocelyn King, founder and CEO of VirgilHR. VirgilHR provides instant, trusted answers to HR compliance questions—helping teams navigate federal, state, and local employment laws with accuracy and ease. To learn more, visit www.virgilhr.com and follow Jocelyn on LinkedIn for ongoing guidance and industry updates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#21 - The Power of Expectations
Champion Blueprint Podcast with George Rogers and Gary BrackettWhat happens when a leader refuses to accept what’s always been and instead sets a new standard for what’s possible? In this episode of Champion Blueprint, George Rogers and Gary Brackett break down the remarkable rise of Indiana Hoosiers Football and how redefining expectations led to a historic, undefeated national championship season. This isn’t just a sports story, it’s a leadership blueprint. You’ll learn: Why expectations shape performance more than talent How true turnarounds reset standards, not just results What it takes to sustain excellence once success arrives Why the right people are essential to carrying expectations forward Whether you’re leading a team, a business, or a culture, this episode challenges you to examine the standards you set and the ones you tolerate. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#76 - Live from TA Week 2026 in San Diego - Presented by CalendarPA.com
The Purple Acorn HR Morning ShowLive from TA Week, hosts Adam Posner and Brian Fink, along with Mike Peditto dive into a high-stakes week for the talent industry. We kick things off with a massive headline: AI giant Eightfold AI is facing a lawsuit alleging violations of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. The suit claims their "black box" algorithms act as unlicensed consumer reporting agencies, scoring job seekers without their consent or a path to dispute inaccuracies. Is this the legal precedent that finally forces transparency into AI hiring?Later, we are joined by two industry powerhouses to rethink the recruiting workflow. Tracey Parsons (Flockity) breaks down why "Post and Pray" is officially dead and how to turn employees into influencers to drive internal mobility. Then, Conor Kline (Pin.com) joins us to explain the "Revenue-First" recruiting desk, teaching recruiters how to operate like elite SaaS sales pros and transition from simple lead-gen to true value generation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#17 - Jaylyn Jones: Navigating University Recruitment
Is This Still A Good Time?In this insightful episode of ITSAGT, we sit down with Jaylyn Jones, a university recruiter from Duolingo. Jaylyn shares her unique perspective on the challenges and intricacies of campus recruiting in the tech industry. From dealing with high volumes of resumes to building trust with early-career applicants, Jaylyn's insights are a must-listen for anyone in the recruitment field.Throughout the conversation, Jaylyn discusses the importance of relationship-building in recruitment, the impact of the pandemic on student behaviors, and the unique challenges of attracting talent to certain locations. She also delves into the strategies Duolingo employs to engage with potential candidates, highlighting the shift from large career fairs to curated, invite-only events. Tune in to learn more about the world of university recruitment from an industry expert. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Episode #190 Get off The Clearance Rack!
CareerTALKS PodcastCandyce Hunt, a leadership strategist and TEDx speaker sat down with me to discuss Candyce's journey in career coaching, her experiences in retail, and her recent TEDx talk titled 'Get Off the Clearance Rack.' Candyce shares insights on overcoming limiting beliefs, the importance of storytelling, and the cultural dynamics of feedback in the workplace and the need for personal growth and taking responsibility for one's narrative. Co-founder of 5 Minute Career Hack Podcast 🌐5 Minute Career Hack TEDx "Get off The Clearance Rack" Orlando Haynes 🌐https://careertalkspodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mike Wolford has an AI Recruiting Playbook
Rec Tech: the Recruiting Technology Podcastrecent podcast episode, Michael Wolford, author of AI Recruiter 2.0, discussed how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the recruiting industry by automating administrative tasks and empowering recruiters to focus on what they do best: building relationships and adding real value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
















