At This Time

At This Time … Kara Maguire is making moves—and not the small kind. After 20 years in the education talent world, including a Chief of Staff role at Ednovate, Kara’s stepping out of the school system and into consulting. She joins Eric to talk about what it means to start fresh, why systems matter more than superheroes, and how she’s using AI to roleplay her way into new client convos. If you’ve e...

At This Time … Dylan Gruver from Friendship Public Charter Schools shares what it takes to keep nearly 5,000 students learning and hundreds of staff thriving. From rethinking teacher roles and flexible work setups to leading with empathy (and knowing everyone’s name), Dylan breaks down the real levers of retention in education. He also dives into why AI might be better for boosting student rigor t...

At This Time … we’re exploring the messy middle of AI adoption with Aaron Cuny, co-founder of AI for Equity. From using AI as a “sparring partner” in job interviews to rethinking quality control when your team is half-human, half-robot, Aaron makes the case for a blended approach. He shares how school systems can hire for AI fluency and creativity, why “don’t bring a PowerPoint—bring a prototype”...

At This Time... we go back to the early days of a founding school with Anoli Patel, who knows what it’s like to build a team from scratch when the stakes are sky-high. She shares the must-have traits she looks for in new hires, why scenario-based “pressure tests” can separate theory from reality, and how humility can be as important as skill. Plus: how AI could change the hiring game—and why even...

At This Time... we’re talking all things internships in Hollywood with Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. from Lionsgate (the studio behind such hits as John Wick and The Hunger Games). From sports journalism dreams to building one of the most respected intern programs in the biz, Ricardo shares how he helps young talent break into the entertainment industry — without needing to step in front of a camera. Hear...

At This Time... we’re stepping into the brilliant, intentional world of When We Gather—a consulting practice led by Dr. LeAnna Majors and Chinedu Udeh that’s changing how Black women lead, rest, and reclaim purpose at work. In this first-ever three-person pod, we dig into why their cohort model is essential, how it helps leaders stop second-guessing themselves, and what collective liberation actua...

At This Time... Ron Rapatalo pulls no punches about today’s brutal job market in K–12 ed and nonprofits. He breaks down why roles feel scarce (spoiler: remote + flexible = hypercompetitive), how AI is both a gift and a gamble, and why “just starting your own search firm” isn’t the silver bullet you think it is. From redefining candidate experience to surviving as a multi-hyphenate, Ron brings shar...

At This Time... Richard Leong just landed a role at Google, and he's here to spill the (well-structured, thoughtfully prepared) tea. From prepping with ChatGPT to navigating Google's surprisingly human interview process, Richard shares how he stayed authentic while chasing one of tech’s most coveted roles. Plus: why he's voluntarily commuting more than required, and how he's using LinkedIn to pay...

At This Time … ever wondered what happens when a fifth-grade math and science teacher swaps lesson plans for LinkedIn strategy? Stephanie Yesil takes us on her unexpected journey from the classroom to corporate, then to entrepreneurship—where she now helps educators pivot into new careers. From decoding job descriptions to translating "teacher speak" into corporate lingo, Stephanie spills the secr...

At This Time ... David Radcliff reminds us that “back to the office” often means “back to exclusion.” In this wide-ranging conversation, the writer and advocate unpacks how COVID temporarily gave everyone the accommodations disabled folks had long fought for—only to see them rolled back. He shares insights on ableism in hiring, the myth of the “culture fit,” and why real inclusivity means rethinki...

At This Time … we’re pulling back the curtain on the actual job market in education. Josh Czupryk—aka the “Jobs Blast Guy”—shares how a favor for friends turned into the K-12 job list everyone’s talking about. From building a hand-coded spreadsheet to serving over 12,000 subscribers, Josh reveals the real barriers to equitable hiring, why your resume probably needs an overhaul, and how AI can be y...

At This Time... we go behind the hiring curtain with Leandro Otero, who's interviewed over 10,000 candidates and still has stories to tell. From placing teachers at Teach For America to hiring at Spotify, Leandro shares real talk on what makes a candidate stand out (hint: it’s not your resume font). He dishes on how to get noticed without cold-spamming recruiters, why "fake it till you make it" ha...

At This Time, we sit down with Annie Miner, long time People Ops pro and advocate for making the hard job of teaching a little easier. From creative compensation strategies to concierge-style HR support, Annie unpacks how her team keeps talent thriving even when budgets are tight. We talk credentialing, resume gems, the emotional pitfalls of AI in the workplace, and why the human touch still matte...

At This Time ... if you're dreaming of joining Lakeshore Learning Company, it's not just about timing—it's about staying plugged in. Melanie Aldridge, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, spills the tea on why checking lakeshorecareers.com weekly and following recruiter posts on LinkedIn could be your golden ticket to a great job post-teaching. Whether you're an educator curious about corporate life...

At This Time ... we’re diving into the world of high-stakes hiring with Oscar Barajas, Director of Talent and Partnerships at Teach for America Los Angeles. Oscar shares what it’s like to help hundreds of aspiring educators—many landing their very first job—get classroom-ready. From coaching nervous candidates through demo lessons to spotting generational shifts in how people communicate, this epi...

At This Time... we’re stepping into the high-stakes world of national security with strategist and 20-year veteran Asha Castleberry-Hernandez. From ROTC to the State Department to think tanks and startups, Asha breaks down the many on-ramps into this elusive field—including how educators and STEM pros can pivot in. Want in on defense contracts, military cybersecurity gigs, or behind-the-scenes job...

Eric reconnects with recruiter Jake Sohn to talk shop on what’s working—and what needs to go—in the world of hiring. From the myth of “culture fit” to the power of a well-placed thank-you note, Jake shares smart tips for both recruiters and candidates navigating today’s weird job market. They also cover why negotiation is non-negotiable and how LinkedIn can actually work in your favor. Host: Eric...

Eric chats with longtime friend and educator Will Wong, whose weekly LinkedIn CA K-12 senior executive jobs list job has become a must-read for thousands. What started as a way to give back has turned into a full-on talent ecosystem—connecting educators with roles and shaping how people think about leadership in public schools. They explore trends in executive turnover, the power of community, and...

At This Time, we’re diving into the high-stakes world of nonprofit leadership hires. Kyle Gracey joins the show to share why boards need more than good intentions when recruiting executive directors—and why vibes don’t count as a hiring process. From micromanagement traps to onboarding strategies that actually work, this episode is packed with practical, witty wisdom for board members who want to...

At This Time, Eric talks with Arturo Natella, a recruiting expert who’s flipped the script on hiring by focusing on outcomes, not guesswork. Arturo breaks down why copy-paste job descriptions and vague interviews lead to bad hires—and how to fix them. They dive into performance-based hiring, reference check red flags, and what candidates should look for to build real career mobility. Whether you'r...

At This Time, Eric talks with Anika Manzoor, a nonprofit leader-turned-job-seeker who's navigating the current job market with candor, creativity, and a well-worn Google Doc. They dig into the emotional toll of job hunting, how to lean on your network, and why stepping away from leadership might be the power move. From ChatGPT-powered prep to mock interviews that actually work, Anika shares real t...

On this episode of At This Time, Eric sits down with Yasi Agah to flip the script — diving into what it really feels like to be the candidate in today’s wild job market. From solo ferry rides in New York City to ChatGPT-crafted cover letters, Yasi shares her strategies for staying sane and standing out. They explore how to structure your job hunt like a full-time gig, the rise of performance tasks...

At this time, we're talking with Michael Castaneda, Senior Business Partner for Talent Acquisition at Chandon, a winery in Napa. After 8 years in the recruitment world, Michael knows plenty about what a good resume is and isn't, how to manage tough interviews, and when to negotiate an offer. Come for the insight and stay for the sparking wine recommendations. Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe Micha...

Alex Horowitz on Meeting the AI Moment in Talent | At This Time Podcast At this time, we're talking with Alex Horowitz, Chief Program Officer at AI for Equity Recruiter, on all the AI things filling up your newsfeed. He trains and support talent leaders who work in school systems on adoption best practices. He's learned a ton and if you work in recruitment in any profession, check out his thoughts...

At this time, we're talking with Taylor Bostock, Principal at Edgility, on the differences between recruiting as a solo contractor vs working with search firm. Also, don't miss her thoughts on acing your interview and why everyone needs a pep talk when job hunting.   Hosts: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe Guest: Taylor Bostock; add her on LinkedIn CONNECT Instagram: / AtThisTimePodcast