Is This Still A Good Time?
Purple Acorn Network
Is This Still A Good Time? is the podcast where recruiters finally ask themselves the same question they’ve asked candidates thousands of times: is this still a good time? Hosted by Mike Peditto, each episode digs into the messy, funny, and all-too-real world of recruiting today. From building trust with skeptical hiring managers to surviving counter-offers, recruiter burnout, and the flood of AI tools reshaping the industry, Mike and his guests share candid stories, practical advice, and the occasional recruiting nightmare. Whether you’re a veteran talent pro or just starting out, you’ll find honest conversations about what’s broken in hiring, what actually works, and how community keeps us all going when the job gets tough. Mike Peditto is a seasoned recruiter, writer, and creator whose unfiltered insights have made him a trusted voice in the talent acquisition space. Known for his engaging newsletter and his willingness to challenge conventional wisdom on LinkedIn, he blends humor with hard-earned experience from years in both corporate and agency recruiting. Mike’s passion lies in building community among recruiters and giving job seekers a transparent look behind the curtain of the hiring process.
Episodes
#13 - Kara Mignanelli: Exploring Talent Acquisition Week
Is This Still A Good Time?
Use code PEDITTO10 for 10% off Talent Acquisition Week. Join us in this insightful episode as we delve into the world of talent acquisition with our special guest, Kara Mignanelli, founder of the TA Week Conference. Kara shares her unique perspectives on the evolution and future of recruiting, offering listeners an inside look at the TA Week Conference and its role in fostering a community for recruiters. We discuss the integral role of AI in reshaping workflows, not just in automating tasks but also as a partner in recruitment. Kara also shares the origin story of TA Week, its structure and the benefits it offers recruiters. From pre-conference workshops and labs to the mentorship program, TA Week is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Listen in as we also explore the importance of professional development, the power of networking, and the significance of transparency in the recruitment industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#12 - Shaun Hervey: The Unfiltered Recruiter & Candid Conversations
Is This Still A Good Time?
In this riveting episode, we dive deep into the world of recruitment with the charismatic and candid Shaun Hervey. As an independent recruiter specializing in the software and tech space, Shaun brings a unique perspective to the table. He shares his journey from trying to fit into a buttoned-up mold to embracing his authentic self and how this shift has impacted his career. During the conversation, Shaun opens up about his decision to be unfiltered and how it has helped him navigate the recruitment industry. He discusses the importance of being genuine, his experiences in the software sales recruitment sector, and his thoughts on the perception versus reality of online personas. He also shares his insights on the role of content creation in his career, his stance on cold calling, and how he has managed to stay afloat in the industry for over two years. Tune in to hear Shaun's refreshing take on recruitment and his advice for those trying to make their own mark in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#11 - Richie Lampani: Why Agency Recruiting Feels Like a Knife Fight
Is This Still A Good Time?
Recruiter, author, and LinkedIn fire-starter Richie Lampani joins Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about the real state of recruiting today. From the brutal realities of the 2024 job market to the decline of agency work, Richie breaks down what it’s like to job search as a recruiter for the first time in his career and why so many teams are struggling to keep the lights on. He also opens up about building Underground Admin with his partner Amy, what agencies are truly facing behind the scenes, and how AI is reshaping the role—if recruiters let it. Richie walks through the inspiration for his upcoming book Head and Heart: Winning the AI Recruiting War, dives into the growing wave of fraudulent interviews, and shares the mindset shift required for recruiters to stay valuable while surrounded by tools that can do “the middle work” faster. From nightmare clients to fake candidates to LinkedIn chaos, this episode captures what it really feels like to be a recruiter “hanging on by a thread” in 2025. Whether you’re agency or internal, this one will make you laugh, nod, and maybe cry a little. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#10 - Laura Gassman: The Battle for Respect, Why Managers Don't Trust Recruiters
Is This Still A Good Time?
Mike welcomes talent acquisition consultant and friend Laura Gassman, who is well-known for rage-quitting her cushy corporate job two years ago to launch her own fractional TA consulting and RPO business. The conversation immediately dives into the current recruiting breakdown and the profound instability shaking the industry to its core. Mike and Laura explore the massive exodus of recruiters, discussing how years of companies cutting L&D budgets have created a crisis where no new, properly trained talent is entering the field. They predict a chaotic future where companies will either rely entirely on high-cost boutique RPO models or revert to a losing cycle of untrained, inexpensive internal hires. This "merry-go-round of layoffs" is causing both experienced and junior talent to leave the profession for good. The two then shift to the daily frustrations faced by those still in the fight, tearing apart the toxic LinkedIn debate that falsely pits "headhunters" against "recruiters." Laura argues that this distinction is unnecessary—a good recruiter must be a hybrid, expertly blending tech tools for efficiency with essential, irreplaceable human relationship-building skills. This lack of respect for the recruiting function is perfectly captured in Laura's all-time nightmare story: an executive team that used a final-round candidate as a personal chauffeur for six hours—with the CEO's dog in the car—illustrating the kind of out-of-script chaos that drives burnout. It’s an honest, funny, and deeply relatable conversation that speaks directly to recruiters' shared experience of being under-resourced and undervalued. The episode concludes with a look at how to cope in this volatile environment, culminating in Laura's unusual but effective method for protecting her peace: disassociating from social media and reality by reading fantasy novels about dragons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#9 - Sean Page, Desirée Aguirre, Beth Wolfe, Stephanie Kara Jordan: LIVE from RecFest 2025 Day 2
Is This Still A Good Time?
Recorded live on Day 2 at RecFest 2025, this episode keeps the energy rolling with another round of rapid-fire conversations from the Purple Acorn livestream — mixing laughter, lessons, and the real-life chaos of recruiting. Mike Peditto sits down with four new voices to explore everything from AI tools and hiring horror stories to burnout, resilience, and why community is the recruiter’s true secret weapon. Sean Page (TA Manager, Propel) Shares how a startup mindset shapes his approach to “quality of hire,” why the best AI partners understand the hiring ecosystem, and a cautionary tale about a hiring manager’s lowball offer that backfired spectacularly. Desirée Aguirre (Senior Recruiter, Hims & Hers) Reflects on RecFest’s “carnival meets conference” vibe, a nightmare scenario involving visa sponsorship gone wrong, and how intentional team rituals and celebrating small wins keep recruiters grounded and connected amid the chaos. Beth Wolfe (Senior Director of Recruiting, Daxko) Finds inspiration in Johnny Campbell’s talk on agentic AI, then shares her own fresh recruiting nightmare involving a rogue hiring manager and an unapproved offer — a reminder that even seasoned recruiters aren’t immune to surprises. Stephanie Kara Jordan (Senior Recruiter, The Washington Post) Closes out Day 2 with a deeply human story — filling a role after a team member’s passing — and her mission to bring empathy and transparency to recruiting. She discusses neurodiversity, AI ethics, and why real connection still matters most. Four unfiltered snapshots from RecFest Day 2 — proof that even under the blazing Nashville sun, recruiters show up, share stories, and remind each other why this profession still matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#8 - Desiree Goldey, Ashley King, Daniela Herrera, and Tejal Rives: LIVE from RecFest 2025 Day 1
Is This Still A Good Time?
Recorded live on Day 1 at RecFest 2025, brings four rapid-fire conversations that mix heat-wave humor with real talk on burnout, community, AI, and the wildest recruiter stories. Mike Peditto opens each chat with his signature question, as the Nashville sun turns up the temperature and the energy stays high. Desiree Goldey (host, “Talentless”)Why in-person events reset careers, how last year pushed her to launch a podcast and rethink her path, and a reality check on the current market where resilience matters. She caps it with a classic recruiter horror story about a candidate arriving drunk to an interview. Ashley King (co-host, “Talentless”) Day 1 highlights like the Shaker Booth and money-grab machine, plus people-first leadership tactics including weekly “peaks and pits,” holding space for teams without forcing it, and remembering that people come before headcount. She adds a clear PSA on conference safety based on a past incident she had to manage. Daniela Herrera Spotlights sessions on neurodiversity and a purpose-built bot that beat generic chat tools for onboarding and performance prompts. Uses that example to urge leaders to vet AI carefully, question the ethics behind tools, and confirm the problem they actually solve before buying the buzzword. Tejal Rives (Product Marketing Manager, Amazon, former recruiter) Explains a TA-adjacent role and the vendor attention that comes with a recognizable badge. Closes with durable lessons: have a burnout plan before you burn out, and show up as your true self to attract the right community. Four quick hits from RecFest Day 1, equal parts sweaty, candid, and useful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#7 - Erin Riska - The Worldschooling Recruiter’s Story
Is This Still A Good Time?
In this episode of Is This Still a Good Time?, Mike Peditto sits down with Erin Riska, a longtime talent acquisition leader and full-time digital nomad who’s spent the last five years traveling the world with her husband and kids. From her current home base in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, Erin shares how she built a career that supports her lifestyle — balancing independent recruiting work with Roam Base, the worldschooling hub she created for families learning and living abroad. Mike and Erin dig into what it really means to build a meaningful recruiting career outside of big tech and flashy logos. Erin talks about thriving in small and midsize organizations, the joy of “doing it all,” and why autonomy and curiosity have guided every stage of her journey. They also unpack the reality of recruiting in industries like mental health and construction — where hiring is harder but impact runs deep. The two trade stories about fake résumés, over-involved parents (including one mom who actually did her kid’s interview!), and the wild world of LinkedIn “career advice.” Erin’s grounded, analytical approach to recruiting — and her calm take on AI, social media, and career design — is a refreshing reminder that you can build success on your own terms. It’s a funny, honest, and inspiring conversation that speaks directly to recruiters who don’t have big-name logos on their résumés — but still make a big difference every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#6 - Heidi Barnett: AI That Helps Recruiters, Not Replaces Them
Is This Still A Good Time?
Live from HR Tech, Mike Peditto sits down with Heidi Barnett, President of Talent Acquisition at iSolved, for a fast-paced, insightful conversation about how technology is reshaping recruiting—without losing the human touch. Heidi shares an inside look at Indeed Talent Scout, a new collaboration between iSolved and Indeed that’s bringing AI-driven matching and real-time job ad optimization directly into recruiters’ ATS systems. The goal? To help talent teams work smarter, not harder, and focus on what matters most—building real human connections. Together, they unpack what it’s like leading large TA teams in an unprecedented market, how AI can actually support recruiters instead of replacing them, and why it’s time to rethink interview practices—especially when it comes to unpaid “trial” work and candidate experience. Heidi also shares her wildest “recruiting nightmare” story and her advice for building community and staying human in an industry full of burnout. About Heidi Barnett Heidi Barnett is the President of Talent Acquisition at iSolved, where she leads global recruiting strategy and innovation. With deep expertise in building and scaling teams, Heidi has partnered with industry leaders like Indeed to shape the next generation of talent technology. She’s known for championing recruiter wellbeing, ethical hiring practices, and community-driven TA leadership. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#5 - Farah Sharghi: The Psychology of Recruiting
Is This Still A Good Time?
Former software engineer turned recruiter Farah Sharghi has built hiring strategies at some of the biggest names in tech — Google, TikTok, Uber, Lyft, and The New York Times. In this lively conversation with host Mike Peditto, she breaks down what most people get wrong about internal recruiting, how to manage “difficult” hiring managers, and why the psychology of influence is a recruiter’s most important skill. Farah also shares candid stories from inside high-pressure environments — including a complete process overhaul at The New York Times that left her entire department fuming before it turned into a massive success — and her unfiltered thoughts on AI replacing recruiters (spoiler: “good luck with that”). Farah Sharghi is a recruiting and career coach with a background that spans engineering, people management, and creative storytelling. A former recruiter for Google, TikTok, Uber, Lyft, and The New York Times, she now helps job seekers and recruiters alike navigate the ever-changing world of hiring. Connect with Farah: YouTube: Farah Sharghi LinkedIn: Farah Sharghi Instagram: @farahsharghi TikTok: @farahsharghi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#4 - Leah Dillon: Credibility Over Clout - Rethinking Recruiter Content
Is This Still A Good Time?
We are joined by recruiter and talent acquisition professional Leah Dillon to break down the realities of recruiting in 2025. Together, they examine how recruiters can build credibility online without falling into the trap of hot takes or viral-driven content. Topics covered include: Shifts in recruiter-driven content on LinkedIn and how it affects candidate trust. Best practices for maintaining a professional digital presence while avoiding unnecessary online conflict. The recruiter’s role in setting clear expectations for both hiring managers and candidates. Common pitfalls in hiring processes—like vague role definitions—and their impact on candidate experience. Practical coping strategies for recruiter burnout, including building supportive peer networks and adopting healthier communication habits. This conversation offers tactical insights for recruiters seeking to improve candidate experience, maintain credibility in a noisy online environment, and build sustainable practices in an increasingly complex hiring landscape. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#3 - Jamie Leonard: Why RecFest Feels More Like Burning Man Than a Recruiting Conference
Is This Still A Good Time?
What if a recruiting conference felt less like a business meeting and more like a music festival? That’s the idea behind RecFest, the world’s largest talent acquisition event — and today, its founder Jamie Leonard joins the show. Jamie shares the story of how RecFest grew from an experiment in the UK into a global phenomenon, including its expansion into Nashville. He explains why the festival-style approach works, how it breaks down barriers between recruiters, and why real human connection is the core of the experience. We dig into: Why recruiters often feel isolated and misunderstood in today’s market How RecFest builds community and gives TA pros a “big virtual hug” The green lanyard initiative that gives free tickets to job seekers The ongoing “AI arms race” between recruiters and candidates Wild recruiting advice (like mailing résumés on thick paper!) and nightmare candidate stories What attendees can expect at RecFest Nashville this October, from speakers like Melissa Thompson (Ford) and Rachel Alan (7-Eleven) to parties, activations, and unexpected connections This episode is packed with stories — from recruiters behaving badly on LinkedIn to Jamie’s personal “recruiting nightmare” of being confronted by a rejected candidate outside his office. If you’re a recruiter looking for connection, inspiration, and maybe a little fun, this conversation will convince you that RecFest is worth the trip. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2 - Bonnie Dilber: AI, Job Seekers, and the Future of Hiring
Is This Still A Good Time?
Zapier’s Senior Recruiting Manager, Bonnie Dilber, sits down with Mike to talk about the rise (and overload) of AI recruiting tools, what’s hype versus what’s useful, and how recruiters can adapt without losing the candidate experience. They unpack the daily pressures of managing hundreds of applications, why recruiters often feel misunderstood, and the importance of building supportive communities to cope with burnout and negativity online. Bonnie Dilber leads recruiting at Zapier and has become one of the most recognizable voices in the talent space through her newsletter and massive LinkedIn following. Named a LinkedIn Top Voice, she’s known for her transparency, job seeker advocacy, and sharp insights on how technology is reshaping the world of work. Connect with Mike Peditto LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mpeditto Instagram: @realisticrecruiting TikTok: @realisticrecruiting YouTube: @RealisticRecruiting Website: mikepeditto.com Is This Still a Good Time? on Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#1 - Amy Miller: Recruiting in the Wild
Is This Still A Good Time?
Recruiter, speaker, and LinkedIn Top Voice Amy Miller joins Mike to dig into the realities of building trust with hiring managers, battling egos on both sides of the table, and surviving the chaos of big-tech recruiting. From counter-offer debates to the Workday lawsuit, Amy shares hard-won lessons, candid stories, and her signature one-liners about keeping your sanity in an industry that seems determined to test it daily. Amy Miller is a veteran tech recruiter with experience at Microsoft, Google, and Amazon. Known for her popular blog Recruiting in Yoga Pants and her active LinkedIn presence, she’s built a reputation as a truth-teller and mentor within the recruiting community. Connect with Mike Peditto LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mpeditto Instagram: @realisticrecruiting TikTok: @realisticrecruiting YouTube: @RealisticRecruiting Website: mikepeditto.com Is This Still a Good Time? on Amazon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices