Digital Recruiter Podcast

*SUMMARY* In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Willcox sits down with former professional poker player turned recruiter, Joe Sebok, to talk about his wild career journey. Joe was part of the poker boom in the 2000s, playing on televised World Series of Poker tables, running his own media company, and even building an early social media platform for poker pros. But when the online poker industry collapsed in 2011, he had to reinvent himself—eventually landing in the world of recruiting, where he’s now building a thriving business. Joe shares the lessons he’s learned from poker that apply directly to recruiting and business: reading people, managing risk, and knowing when to go all-in. He talks about the power of reinvention, why so many recruiters fail because they avoid doing the actual work, and how leaning into your strengths can give you a real competitive advantage. He also opens up about navigating public scrutiny, handling high-pressure situations, and overcoming mental blocks that hold people back from success. If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, doubted your next move, or struggled to stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with insights on mindset, personal branding, and making strategic bets on yourself. Don’t miss this one! *HIGHLIGHTS* 00:00 - Introduction & Digital Recruiter Newsletter 01:00 - Welcoming Special Guest: Joe Seabock 02:00 - Joe’s Background: From Poker Pro to Recruiter 04:00 - Life After Poker: A Reset in Wine Country 06:00 - Transition to Recruiting & Career Growth 09:00 - The Power of Strategic Advantages 12:00 - Social Media & Content Marketing for Recruiters 15:00 - Joe’s Journey into Professional Poker 18:00 - The Poker Boom & Media Evolution 22:00 - Lessons from Poker Applied to Recruiting 27:00 - Recognizing Industry Trends & Pivoting 32:00 - The Mental Game of Business & Success 38:00 - The Role of Confidence & Commitment 45:00 - Overcoming Setbacks & Navigating Change 50:00 - Social Media Challenges & Haters 55:00 - Recruiting, Market Trends & Career Advice 1:00:00 - Final Thoughts & Takeaways *JOE's BIO* After beginning his career as a professional poker player in 2005, winning several titles and competing in both the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour, Sebok ceased playing full-time in 2009 to make his shift into media and business. He did so effectively, helping spearhead poker’s first televised media reporting program, as well as several of poker’s most popular radio programs across the globe. Sebok joined the recruiting and talent acquisition ranks in 2015 and won awards while at the largest creative recruiting agency in North America before transitioning to work in-house and build several entire teams from scratch. His additional experience in marketing, sales, and operations further strengthens his robust proficiency in understanding clients’ open positions and what is required to staff them both effectively and expeditiously. You can find Joe on LinkedIn at 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

SUMMARY In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark welcomes Paul Champaneria, SaaS veteran, staffing agency founder, and the mind behind CallMantra, a purpose-built calling and texting platform for recruiters. Paul’s story is a masterclass in organic innovation: he didn’t set out to create recruiting tech. He just needed a better way to scale his own internal team. What started with solving hiring inefficiencies in his software companies led to the creation of a high-performing staffing agency. From there, Paul built CallMantra, a system that now helps recruiters increase connection rates by 40%, reduce manual work, and deliver better candidate experiences, faster. Paul unpacks how his team retained talent for over a decade, the tech stack philosophy that makes it possible, and why smaller agencies have a massive opportunity if they lean into automation the right way. He also gives a glimpse into the future, think AI voicebots that sound like you and submit candidate write-ups automatically. Whether you’re a solo recruiter or a 100-person firm, this episode is packed with insight and practical direction. PAUL'S BIO Paul Champaneria is the founder of Expert Hiring, a high-performance staffing agency, and the creator of CallMantra, a communications platform designed exclusively for recruiters. He began his career building software companies in the 1990s, including TeleCenter and Focal Point, before organically stepping into staffing through internal hiring needs. His blend of SaaS experience and recruiter empathy led him to develop tools that solve real-world workflow bottlenecks. Paul is known for running lean, culture-forward teams that retain top talent for over a decade. He attributes that success to trust, autonomy, and arming his people with world-class tools. When he’s not building tech or scaling businesses, Paul recharges with daily meditation and workouts, and stays grounded by avoiding the noise of social media. Connect with Paul on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulchampaneria/ and check out https://www.callmantra.co/ 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

SUMMARY In this powerful episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Marcus Quigley, founder of Recruitify, to unpack a raw, real, and inspiring journey from burnout to breakthrough. Marcus didn’t plan on becoming a recruiter, he stumbled into it after falling out of love with sales finance. But what started as a pivot became a purpose-driven career that would eventually lead him to launch his own agency focused on legal and professional services. This episode isn’t about startup fluff or highlight reels. Marcus takes us into the messy middle: the six months of struggle after going solo, the desperation that nearly derailed him, and the $20K loan against his 401(k) that bought him breathing room. From there, he got laser-focused, tightening his niche, his vetting process, and his mindset. Along the way, he racked up 24 placements and found something more valuable than revenue: confidence, clarity, and conviction. The conversation also veers into personal territory. Marcus opens up about losing his father, his five-year sobriety, and the lessons those moments etched into how he runs his business. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re cut out for entrepreneurship, or needed proof that authenticity still wins, this episode is for you. MARCUS' BIO I’m the founder of Recruitify, a boutique recruiting firm focused on legal and professional services. I built this business on being real with people, honest, direct, and straightforward. I don’t sugarcoat things or hide behind buzzwords. My job is to do the right thing for both my clients and my candidates, even when it’s not the easy thing. That’s how you build long-term trust and real results. Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-quigley-a7146ba1/ 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

SUMMARY Ashley Woods didn’t just build a successful recruiting desk. She redefined what success looks like. After starting her career at Allegis Group with no prior knowledge of the industry, she quickly rose through the ranks by applying an athletic mindset and a relentless hunger to master her craft. But after hitting big wins including five President’s Club awards, she burned out, left recruiting altogether, and came back on her own terms. In this episode, Ashley shares how she built her $10 million desk at Tema, the systems she used to break the hustle trap, and why she launched Time Rich Recruiter to help others do the same. She and Clark go deep on time audits, the emotional toll of overworking, the role of vulnerability in client relationships, and how to leverage partnerships and automation without losing the human touch. Whether you're scaling or stuck, this is a masterclass on sustainable success. ASHLEY'S BIO Ashley Woods is the founder of Time Rich Recruiter, a coaching platform designed to help recruiters break free from burnout and build systems that scale. A five-time President’s Club winner and top biller at TEEMA, Ashley built a $10M desk while traveling the world. She's trained Muay Thai in Phuket, learned Spanish abroad, and is passionate about helping others build lives they don’t need a vacation from. Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjcwoods/ or at https://www.timerichrecruiter.com/ 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

SUMMARY In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Wilcox sits down with Mike Bradshaw, Vice President of Talent at Pinpoint, a next-gen ATS platform that's redefining hiring for in-house teams. With ERE’s Recruiting Innovation Summit just around the corner, Mike shares a preview of his upcoming talk and dives deep into the urgent challenges recruiters are facing today. As recruiting teams are stretched thinner than ever, juggling a surge in applicants, tighter budgets, and growing expectations, Mike explains how smart workflow automation can actually elevate the recruiter’s role instead of replacing it. From simplifying complex hiring to maintaining candidate empathy at scale, the conversation highlights how Pinpoint's human-centered tech design is helping companies hire faster and fairer. Clark and Mike also unpack what to look for in an ATS, why design and support matter as much as features, and how to evaluate innovation in a crowded HR tech market. It’s a candid, practical discussion on transforming recruiting operations while keeping the human element front and center. MIKE'S BIO Mike Bradshaw is the VP of Talent at Pinpoint, a high-growth HR tech company building software that helps in-house recruiting teams attract, hire, and onboard the right talent. With over 15 years of experience leading People and Talent strategy across early-stage startups, mission-driven organizations, and nationally scaled brands, Mike has built and scaled talent infrastructure from the ground up—guiding teams through high-growth periods and successful exits. Follow Mike on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsmikebradshaw/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this high-impact episode, Clark Wilcox sits down with Jim Durbin, aka the “Indeed Whisperer”, for a wide-ranging conversation on recruitment marketing, process design, and how to think like a TA consultant in an era of automation. Jim has trained over 10,000 recruiters, led campaigns that delivered 500,000 candidates for less than 30 cents each, and worked across high-volume, executive, and everything in between. They dive into a case study from NHHS Management, where Director of Recruiting Mike Dickinson reimagined the application process for skilled nursing roles in some of the toughest markets in the U.S. What happened next? A dramatic drop in cost per applicant, and better candidate experience. But this episode is about more than just tactics. Jim explains why TA leaders need to stop chasing AI and start fixing broken processes. He shows how reframing metrics like source of hire can mean the difference between strategic credibility and being replaced. This one’s a masterclass in thinking differently about scale, quality, and impact in recruiting. Come for the Indeed insights. Stay for the storytelling, salty takes, and timeless truths about how recruiting really works. JIM'S BIO Jim Durbin is a veteran recruiter, trainer, and recruitment marketing consultant best known as “The Indeed Whisperer.” With decades of experience across staffing, RPO, executive search, and corporate TA, Jim is a rare hybrid who understands both front-line sourcing and strategic TA operations. He’s helped optimize recruitment strategies for companies like Marriott, PSG, and dozens of mid-market firms, often reducing costs while increasing candidate quality. A former headhunter turned high-volume hacker, Jim brings a sharp sense of humor, deep insight, and a hat you won’t forget. Find Jim on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdurbin/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY Christine Nichlos didn’t set out to build an RPO and HR tech firm that would partner with some of the world’s most complex enterprises, she simply saw a better way to do recruiting. Since launching People Science in 1997, she’s stayed at the forefront of talent acquisition by staying relentlessly curious and customer-focused. In this episode, Christine joins Clark Wilcox to talk about the evolution of recruiting from paper resumes to AI-augmented systems, and what most leaders still get wrong about applicant tracking systems (ATS). They dive deep into how her team developed Hire Gate, a recruiter- and candidate-tracking platform that augments existing ATSs to provide actionable intelligence. Christine explains why TA leaders need better data, not more tools, to make strategic decisions, and how platforms like Hire Gate are helping teams shift from reactive hiring to proactive workforce planning. She also shares why AI alone can’t save you, how her team pilots tools before implementation, and what true recruiter enablement looks like. Christine’s passion is clear: if we don't fix talent acquisition, the economy can’t grow. This episode is a powerful reminder that TA isn’t just back-office HR, it’s mission-critical. Whether you’re an enterprise TA leader, agency recruiter, or HR tech buyer, this conversation will make you rethink your tech stack, your team structure, and your own influence. CHRISTINE'S BIO Christine Nichlos is the Founder and CEO of People Science and Hire Gate, a next-generation RPO and HR tech firm that specializes in solving high-volume, complex hiring challenges. With roots in talent advisory and a sharp focus on execution, Christine’s companies have supported global enterprises like Lucent, Verizon, and others in redesigning how they attract and retain talent. She is a passionate advocate for elevating talent acquisition as a business-critical function, and her firm’s platform Hire Gate helps TA teams plan, track, and optimize recruiter performance beyond what a traditional ATS allows. When she’s not designing systems to fix recruiting, she’s mentoring teams to think strategically and speak the language of business. Connect with Christine on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/cnichlos/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast’s ERE Summit Series, Clark Wilcox is joined by Larry Hernandez, founder of Recruiter DNA. With over 25 years in the industry, Larry now teaches recruiters how to build their own AI-powered workflows that boost productivity without sacrificing the human side of recruiting. His approach is grounded, tactical, and built for scale, making AI accessible to recruiters at any level. Larry shares how he trains recruiting teams to use ChatGPT and generative AI as collaborative tools instead of replacements. He introduces the concept of “scaling brilliance” capturing the workflows of your top performers and turning them into custom AI copilots anyone can use. From intake meetings to writing job posts in your brand’s tone, Larry offers a refreshing and empowering take on AI’s role in modern hiring. This is a must-listen for anyone overwhelmed by AI and unsure where to start. LARRY'S BIO Larry Hernandez is the founder of Recruiter DNA, a training and AI strategy firm for modern recruiting teams. With a background spanning agency, in-house, RPO, and consulting roles at companies like Zappos, Microsoft, and Twitter, Larry now helps TA leaders and recruiters build practical, no-code AI assistants using the tools they already have. He specializes in demystifying AI and helping teams scale their top performers' knowledge through custom GPT workflows. Connect with Larry on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/larryhernandezrecruiter/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Wilcox talks with Aaron Wang, co-founder and CEO of Alex.com, one of the most exciting AI platforms in recruiting today. Just weeks after announcing their $20M Series A, Aaron joins the show to break down how Alex is helping companies run autonomous interviews, shorten time to hire by over 80%, and let recruiters focus more on human connection. Aaron shares how Alex.com is transforming talent acquisition at some of the largest accounting firms, Fortune 100s, and staffing agencies in the country. More than a screening tool, Alex acts as an AI recruiting partner, handling phone screens, candidate outreach, and real-time ATS updates while surfacing the best talent. The conversation also dives into the real impact of automation on recruiter roles, what skills will matter most over the next decade, and why personal connection still beats any software feature. AARON'S BIO Aaron Wang is the co-founder and CEO of Alex.com, an AI recruiting platform that automates high-volume screening, outreach, and candidate engagement. Since launching just two years ago, Alex has raised $20 million in venture capital and is being used by some of the most recognized brands in staffing, finance, and hospitality. Aaron is a passionate advocate for combining automation with empathy, helping recruiters do more of the work that actually drives hiring success. Connect with Aaron on Linked in at https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaronjwang/ and explore Alex at alex.com 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Wilcox talks with Nick Livingston, co-founder and CEO of Honeit, a platform built to modernize and streamline one of the most neglected parts of the recruiting process: the interview. Honeit doesn’t just record calls or generate transcripts, it creates a complete interview intelligence system that helps recruiters run better conversations, submit stronger candidates, and speed up hiring without sacrificing quality. Nick explains the gap Honeit was built to fill between sourcing and the ATS, why AI should be used to elevate, not replace, recruiters, and how automation can empower every recruiter to perform like an executive search pro. The two explore how Honeit helps recruiters turn phone screens into high-value interviews, submit with one click, and share insights that accelerate stakeholder buy-in. This is an inside look at how smart tech is making recruiters better, not obsolete. NICK'S BIO Nick Livingston is the co-founder and CEO of Honeit, a platform built to empower recruiters with interview intelligence and modern communication workflows. With over a decade of experience in recruiting and HR tech, Nick has been a long-time voice in the innovation space, regularly contributing to conversations at SourceCon, ERE, and beyond. He’s passionate about using automation and AI to elevate human interaction, not remove it. Connect with Nick on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicklivingston/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast’s ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit Series, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Mike Dickinson, Director of Recruiting at NHS Management. Mike shares the story of transforming hiring at a skilled nursing organization that had been operating with paper applications as recently as 2020. With over 40 long-term care facilities under NHS’s umbrella, the stakes were high—and the changes had to be practical, fast, and scalable. Mike walks through how he took the organization from manual job posts and outdated systems to a modern tech stack using UKG, Chattr, and AI-enhanced workflows. He breaks down what’s worked, what hasn’t, and why change management matters more than the tools themselves. They also discuss why frontline healthcare hiring is one of the hardest challenges in TA today, and how to recruit with heart, clarity, and a long game mindset. Whether you’re in healthcare or not, this is a masterclass in moving from reactive to strategic recruiting inside a complex system. MIKE'S BIO Mike Dickinson is Director of Recruiting at NHS Management, where he leads talent acquisition for over 40 skilled nursing and rehab facilities across Alabama, Florida, and Arkansas. He’s known for guiding NHS through a digital hiring transformation during COVID, introducing ATS, AI tools, and content strategy into an industry segment often slow to modernize. Mike brings a hands-on, honest perspective on healthcare hiring and the real-world lessons of driving change in a high-stakes environment. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-dickinson-4b296b1/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode of the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit Series, Clark Wilcox sits down with Kevin Grossman, VP of Candidate Experience Benchmark Research at Survale and the driving force behind the CandE Awards. With over 14 years of research into candidate sentiment, Kevin shares why the current job market is one of the roughest for professionals in decades and what that means for recruiters, hiring managers, and employer brands. They explore why even in a market where companies aren’t hiring aggressively, candidate experience still matters. Kevin explains how poor communication, slow feedback, and ghosting can damage long-term brand loyalty, while thoughtful rejections, feedback for finalists, and timely follow-ups can actually create advocates out of people you don’t hire. The episode also touches on the real impact of AI screening, the importance of interview training, and what companies can do now to reduce candidate resentment. KEVIN'S BIO Kevin Grossman is Vice President of Candidate Experience Benchmark Research at Survale and President of the Talent Board. For over 14 years, he has led the CandE Awards program, working with hundreds of companies to measure and improve every aspect of the candidate journey. Known for his data-backed insights and clear-eyed analysis, Kevin is a trusted voice on what actually moves the needle in talent acquisition. Connect with Kevin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinwgrossman/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode of the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit podcast series, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Jen Jones, Senior Technical Recruiter at Cedar. While new to AI, Jen has quickly transformed her workflow by adopting automation and practical tools. She went from a curious learner to a team trainer in less than a year. Her upcoming session, “AI Fundamentals for Recruiters: Building Confidence, Not Confusion,” is tailored for those who feel overwhelmed by AI but want to use it effectively. Jen shares how one bootcamp sparked her journey into AI, leading her to create a writing assistant that mirrors her tone and helps her draft content faster. She has since trained her team and built a library of tools that make AI practical and approachable. The conversation dives into real recruiter challenges, from fake candidates to optimizing processes with limited resources. Jen shows how AI helps recruiters become more human and strategic, not less. JEN'S BIO Jen Jones is a Senior Technical Recruiter at Cedar and an emerging voice in the AI-for-recruiting space. Since early 2023, she has embraced AI tools to optimize her work, train her team, and share practical workflows that anyone can use. She is also the wife of Josh Jones, the ERE Summit organizer, giving her a unique insider view of the event. Jen is known for her relatable, no-jargon approach to AI and is passionate about helping other recruiters build confidence with technology. Connect with Jen on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/recruitradical/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY Jay Olson didn’t just ride the wave of recruiting trends, he’s been shaping them for decades. From the dot-com boom to today's AI revolution, Jay brings a seasoned, thoughtful perspective as the Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic. In this conversation with host Clark Wilcox, Jay opens up about the real challenges and opportunities AI presents for recruiting leaders and why it’s not about replacing people but enabling them. The episode explores Jay’s role on the upcoming ERE panel “A Practical AI Framework for Smarter Recruiting” and dives into the emotional rollercoaster of hiring. He shares why empathy is still the recruiter’s superpower, how feedback (when done right) builds trust, and why automation must serve, not replace, human connection. If you're navigating modern hiring while trying to keep it real, this one’s for you. JAY'S BIO Jay Olson is the Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Medtronic, one of the world’s leading medical technology companies. With a career spanning both agency and corporate recruiting, Jay has witnessed and influenced the evolution of TA from faxed resumes to AI-driven workflows. Known for his emotionally intelligent leadership style, he champions a people-first approach to hiring and organizational culture. Jay will be speaking on the general session panel at ERE San Diego, “A Practical AI Framework for Smarter Recruiting.” Connect with Jay on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayolson/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this high-energy episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Wilcox sits down with the ever-electric Brian Fink, Managing Partner at the WeWork Group and MC of the upcoming ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit. Known for his sourcing wizardry, bold AI workflows, and relentless optimism, Brian dives into what makes this event, and this moment in recruiting, so powerful. The episode kicks off with Brian’s enthusiasm for ERE and why this smaller, 200-person gathering beats mega-conferences for real relationship-building. He shares what he’s most excited about: agentic recruiting, ethical AI adoption, building custom search engines, and having hallway conversations with the brightest minds in the space. But this isn’t just a hype session. Brian brings insight after insight, from his "core four" recruiting values (curiosity, empathy, tenacity, mischievousness) to how recruiters should be thinking about AI legally, ethically, and tactically. Whether you're agency, corporate, or in career transition, this episode will fire you up and make you want to lean in, not back. BRIAN'S BIO For nearly two decades, Brian Fink continues to help startups, scale-ups, and global enterprises find the people who build the future. Whether it's engineers architecting AI systems, marketers driving growth, or leaders defining culture, Fink specializes in recruiting talent that doesn't just fill a seat. They raise the bar. Leading searches for companies ranging from early-stage ventures to Fortune 100s, partnering directly with founders, execs, and hiring managers to close hard-to-fill roles, Fink believes great recruiting isn't just about pipelines and platforms. It's about business acumen, storytelling, and knowing when to challenge the status quo. Connect with brian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianfink/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this special episode from the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit series, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Michael Vroman, Senior Executive Talent Acquisition Researcher at Equinix, to unpack his unique journey into recruiting, his philosophy on sourcing, and his role in this year's SourceCon Hackathon. What begins with a childhood obsession with rare car parts evolves into a sourcing career defined by curiosity, technical precision, and AI-enabled strategy. Michael shares how he sharpened his Boolean skills hunting for discontinued Volkswagen and Audi parts, a passion that became a surprising precursor to a sourcing career. From helping veterans land jobs to supporting space-tech talent needs, he discusses how tools like Perplexity and ChatGPT now help him go deeper, faster. This isn’t just about automation. It's about being a sharper, more informed problem solver. The conversation dives into how sourcing has changed (and hasn’t), how AI is reshaping workflows without replacing core skills, and why events like the ERE Hackathon offer something irreplaceable: community, challenge, and growth. If you’ve ever felt like sourcing was a solo sport, Michael’s journey will remind you how collaboration and innovation fuel the next level. MICHAEL'S BIO Michael Vroman is the Senior Executive Talent Acquisition Researcher at Equinix, a global digital infrastructure leader. His journey into recruiting started unconventionally, searching online for rare vintage car parts. A U.S. Army veteran with a passion for sourcing puzzles, Michael built his chops across companies like Recruit Military, Macy’s, and Maxar Technologies. He’s a contributor to SourceCon, a sourcing competition veteran, and currently pursuing his master’s degree. When he's not sourcing or writing, you can catch him cheering on FC Cincinnati. Connect with Michael on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/talent-sourcer-michael-vroman/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode from the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit series, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Anita Chandrasekhar, Global Head of Talent Strategy and Operations at Zapier, to explore one of the most urgent challenges in modern recruiting: candidate fraud and AI misuse. From deepfakes to fraudulent interview swaps, Anita shares how this new wave of deception is transforming hiring risks, especially in remote-first environments. Anita dives into her team's journey of discovery, detection, and proactive system-building. She shares how Zapier uses layered tech safeguards, including IP checks, ATS-level fraud detection, and interview recordings, to flag bad actors before they get too far into the hiring funnel. With AI empowering both recruiters and candidates, Anita stresses that fraud isn’t just a recruiting problem, it’s a core business risk that demands real solutions. Beyond the fraud conversation, Clark and Anita talk about vendor vetting, tech partner selection, and how to build strong, reciprocal relationships with software companies. Anita also reflects on what’s changed, and what hasn’t, in her 17-year TA career, including the enduring importance of candidate experience. This episode is a must-listen for recruiting leaders who want to future-proof their process without sacrificing humanity. ANITA'S BIO Anita Chandrasekhar is the Global Head of Talent Strategy and Operations at Zapier, a fully remote, automation-first company. With over 17 years in recruiting and talent leadership, she’s known for building scalable systems that balance innovation with integrity. Anita is especially passionate about protecting hiring processes from emerging fraud risks—an issue she’s led from the front lines at Zapier. She’s also a thoughtful advocate for people-first candidate experiences and intentional vendor partnerships. Connect with Anita on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/anita-chandrasekhar/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY Elaine Orler didn’t plan on disrupting the candidate experience. She lived it. With roots in early childhood education, she transitioned into recruiting at Qualcomm before launching a consulting firm and co-founding the Candidate Experience Awards. In 2023, she took a bold leap again, joining forces with Doug to tackle one of the industry’s biggest pain points: the candidate black hole. In this episode, Elaine shares the origin story of Match 2, a platform designed to empower candidates with ATS-style tools while helping employers surface better-qualified applicants. Instead of relying on vague job boards and outdated resumes, Match 2 uses intelligent matching to serve candidates the right roles and helps recruiters cut through the noise. It’s candidate experience, reimagined. Elaine and Clark also preview what to expect at this year’s ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit, where Match 2 is a featured Silver Sponsor. From real-time resume data feeds to deeper CRM integration and personalized job matches, this conversation is a masterclass in how thoughtful tech is making hiring more human. ELAINE'S BIO Elaine Orler is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy and Product Officer at Match 2, a platform aimed at transforming candidate-employer relationships through intelligent matching and profile-driven job discovery. A long-time champion of the candidate experience, Elaine previously founded Talent Function and co-founded the Candidate Experience Awards (Talent Board). Her career spans recruiting operations, consulting, and product leadership across the globe. Bonus fact: She began her professional life as a kindergarten teacher, proving that people-first skills never go out of style. Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/elaineorler/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY Joel Cheesman didn’t just witness the evolution of recruiting media, he helped shape it. In this candid conversation, the co-host of the iconic Chad & Cheese Podcast sits down with Clark Wilcox to share how a friendship, a few blog posts, and a bold bet turned into 1500-plus episodes and one of the most trusted voices in HR tech. They dig into the early days of podcasting, back when it meant blog embed codes and desktop speakers, the mindset shift from hobbyist to business builder, and the lessons learned from staying consistent in an industry where most shows fizzle by episode six. Joel shares why having a clear mission, and one early sponsor check, was crucial, and how the show keeps evolving to match the chaos of recruiting and tech. From the rise of AI to the rebirth of trust-based influencer marketing, Joel pulls no punches on what’s working, what’s failing, and what every recruiter and startup should pay attention to right now. Whether you're a content creator, agency owner, or just trying to survive the noise, this is a masterclass in endurance, brand, and being unapologetically yourself. JOEL'S BIO Joel Cheesman is the co-founder and “Cheese” of the Chad & Cheese Podcast, often described as “TMZ meets TechCrunch for HR.” With over 1500 episodes recorded, Joel has become one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in recruiting media. A former blogger at Cheesehead, Joel turned early podcasting experiments into a thriving brand that blends industry news, irreverent commentary, and sharp analysis. He’s known for keeping it real, building partnerships rooted in trust, and showing how media can still be both entertaining and essential. When he’s not podcasting, you might find him at the bar with fellow recruiting OGs or quoting obscure ‘80s movies. Connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joelcheesman/ or at https://www.chadcheese.com/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SUMMARY In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark sits down with Shally Steckerl, known across the industry as the godfather of sourcing, for a deep dive into one of the most overlooked elements in executive hiring: how to actually make selection decisions faster, smarter, and fairer. Shally shares his journey from transforming niche fellowship reviews to streamlining Fortune 100 hiring processes with his now-proven Side Ticket Frick framework, which cuts review time by 86%. Far from theory, this is a hands-on method built in the trenches, one that combines rubric-driven calibration, candidate segmentation, and AI-driven simulations to ensure fewer, better decisions. And yes, he’s even singing Hotel California from a wheelchair at the ERE Summit karaoke night. But this conversation goes way beyond sourcing hacks. Shally and Clark unpack how recruiters can lead the hiring conversation by interpreting data, reading between the lines of “I need more resumes,” and creating clarity from chaos. Whether you're overwhelmed with applicant volume or trying to teach hiring managers how to choose, this episode brings sharp perspective on balancing the art and science of recruiting in the age of AI. SHALLY'S BIO Shally Steckerl is a globally recognized sourcing strategist, founder of The Sourcing Institute, and an associate principal consultant at Riviera Advisors. He’s built recruiting systems and sourcing strategies for giants like Google, Microsoft, Cisco, and Coca-Cola. With over three decades of experience, Shally’s mission has always been to blend data, human behavior, and scalable frameworks into hiring decisions that work. He’s also known for his karaoke skills and candid takes on the AI revolution in recruiting. Connect with Shally on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shally/ 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 Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available. Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices