WorkTech Podcast

Mapping durable skills, decoding labor data, and chasing sun with unused PTO. In this crosspod episode, George and Kate unpack a week of seismic shifts across the HR and Work Tech landscape. UKG launches a venture fund, Personio exits the U.S. with layoffs in tow, and Mercor’s $10B valuation sparks debate about the ethics and economics of AI training. They spotlight Plum’s Durable Skills Index, ex...

This episode of Up Next at WorkTech dives into the latest HR Tech funding rounds, bold M&A strategies, and the rise of AI governance. George LaRocque and Kate Achille explore digital twins, shadow AI, and the growing tension between innovation, compliance, and workforce equity in 2025. From Findem’s $51M Series C to Humanly’s three-way acquisition and FairNow’s surprise exit, the conversation blen...

In this episode of WorkTech, George LaRocque sits down with Laura Kunz, co-founder and Chief Growth Officer of Spirence, the runner-up at this year’s HR Tech PitchFest. Spirence is tackling a critical gap in workplace mental health: the 75% of employees who don’t need clinical care but still want support. Laura shares how her background in behavioral health shaped the platform’s preventive approac...

In this Breaking News episode of WorkTech, George LaRocque sits down with Prem Kumar, CEO of Humanly, alongside AJ Richichi (Sprockets) and Darrian Mikell (Qualifi) to unpack Humanly’s acquisition of three high-impact platforms: Sprockets, Qualifi, and HourWork. This move marks a major milestone in the evolution of high-volume hiring tech, consolidating capabilities across screening, scheduling, i...

In the premiere of our new bi-weekly crossover series, George LaRocque of the WorkTech and the WorkTech Podcast and Kate Achille of the Devon Group and the Up Next at Work Podcast, team up to bring a sharp, strategic lens to the headlines shaping HR and Work Tech. From the quiet but consequential developments in the Workday Mobley case to the missing BLS jobs report and the viral return of resume...

George LaRocque of WorkTech joins Daniel Chait, CEO of Greenhouse, live from HR Tech to explore AI-powered recruiting, advanced analytics, and the evolving ATS market. The conversation highlights product innovation, regulatory risk, and the urgent need to restore human connection in talent acquisition. In this episode we look at AI in HR, recruiting analytics, talent acquisition technology, HR Tec...

Rebecca Carr joins WorkTech's George LaRocque to unpack SmartRecruiters' SAP acquisition, the rise of AI-native recruiting, and what it means to stay product-first and HCM-agnostic. Rebecca Carr, CEO of SmartRecruiters, days after announcing their acquisition by SAP. We talked about what the deal means for the market, how AI is changing recruiting, why product CEOs matter now more than ever, and t...

I sat down with Allison Baum Gates to talk about what it really takes to win in today’s venture-backed WorkTech market. From launching Semper Virens' accelerator to raising $177 million across two funds, Allison shares candid lessons, real market dynamics, and founder truths VCs rarely admit. In this episode we look at venture capital, WorkTech, AI startups, HR Tech, startup funding, founder marke...

George LaRocque and Rich Wilson dig into Gigged. AI’s latest $1.34M funding round, the power of skills-based platforms, and what’s next for the future of work and agentic AI. With $1.34 million in fresh funding, George talked with Gigged. AI CEO Rich Wilson about doubling down on the rise of skills intelligence and on-demand talent. They unpack how Gigged. AI is helping enterprise tech teams navig...

George LaRocque and MeBeBot CEO Beth White unpack how Mebebot One is unlocking the next level of AI-powered support, automation, and compliance across the workplace. AI is moving fast. Beth White talks about how Mebebot One brings agentic AI to the enterprise with secure, compliant, and scalable support. From HR to IT, we explore how hybrid AI models reduce friction in the employee experience and...

I sat down with Vonq’s Ritu Mohanka and Bill Fischer to unpack CPA+, their latest AI-powered innovation. We explore how embedded agentic AI is streamlining candidate screening, optimizing recruiter workflows, and poised to make CPA models more effective by delivering quality, prescreened candidates directly inside 50+ ATSs. In this episode, we look at recruitment automation, cost-per-application,...

Hiring is slowing, the job market is increasingly less dynamic, and economic uncertainty looms. Andrew Flowers, Chief Economist at Appcast, joins me to analyze the latest job market data, including hiring trends, workforce churn, wage growth, and how factors like AI, government policy, and inflation are shaping the future of work. In this episode, we look at hiring trends, workforce turnover, wage...

Breaking down JobGet’s acquisition of Seasoned, its impact on hourly hiring, and how AI is shaping the future of recruitment. JobGet is making big moves in the hiring market, acquiring Seasoned just after Snagajob. Tony Liu, CEO of JobGet, shares insights on why this deal strengthens their AI-driven recruitment strategy, enhances candidate quality, and streamlines hiring automation—giving employer...

HR teams are under pressure to do more with less, and Symba is helping them get there. Ahva Sadeghi joins me to discuss how AI-powered workflow automation is transforming HR by streamlining onboarding, offboarding, compliance, and training—helping top employers boost efficiency while improving the employee experience. In this episode, we look at HR automation, AI-driven workflows, employee experie...

Lightcast’s Cole Napper joins George LaRocque to discuss the power of workforce data, AI-driven skills taxonomies, and talent intelligence. They explore how organizations can leverage labor market insights to navigate workforce risk, optimize hiring strategies, and prepare for the evolving future of work. This episode examines talent intelligence, workforce risk, AI-powered skills taxonomies, labo...

AI is transforming HR, but adoption stalls without governance, compliance, and trust. Guru Sethupathy, CEO of FairNow, joins the WorkTech Podcast to break down AI risk, ethics, and compliance in HR tech. We explore how organizations can simplify AI governance, reduce risk, and ensure responsible adoption at scale. This episode examines AI governance, HR compliance, risk management, ethical AI, dat...

The rise of AI in HR presents opportunities and challenges, particularly in reducing bias. I explore these dynamics with Torin Ellis, discussing insights from his latest report and strategies for implementing AI ethically. We focus on the transformative potential of AI to enhance equity and inclusion in hiring while delivering tangible business outcomes. In this episode, we look at reducing bias w...

HR innovation takes center stage as we explore how Humareso’s acquisition of Rhabit Analytics creates a new standard in data-driven talent management with Humareso CEO John Baldino and Rhabit Analytics CoFounder Kevin Kelly. We discuss gamification, behavioral analytics, and longitudinal measurement as tools to boost employee engagement, develop leadership, and deliver actionable insights for work...

Recruitment marketing is evolving, and we take a look at how HireClix’s innovative approach to career sites, advanced analytics, and employer branding is transforming the candidate experience. With CEO Neil Costa, we explore what it takes to deliver measurable ROI and create lasting impressions in today’s talent acquisition landscape. In this episode, we cover recruitment marketing, career site op...

Frontline hiring is undergoing rapid transformation. George LaRocque and Wonolo CEO Yong Kim discuss how Wonolo’s AI-powered job manager is setting a new standard for flexibility, efficiency, and transparency. They explore the balance between automation and the human touch, delivering seamless experiences for both employers and candidates in high-turnover industries. This episode looks at frontlin...

Toby Egbuna, founder of Chezie, shares his journey of building a profitable startup without relying on venture capital. In this conversation, we explore the power of bootstrapping, alternative funding sources like grants, and the critical mindset shift needed for sustainable startup success. We also learn about Chezie, an operating system for Employee Resource Groups (ERG). In this episode we look...

Recruitment marketing is evolving rapidly, and Joe Shaker joins me to share how Shaker is redefining the space with authentic employer branding, advanced HR technology, and data-driven strategies. We cover the balance between creativity and metrics and discuss how to deliver exceptional candidate experiences while meeting employer goals. In this episode, we look at recruitment marketing, employer...

In this episode of WorkTech, George LaRocque interviews John Baldino, founder of Humareso, discussing his extensive experience in HR, the founding of his consulting firm, and the importance of technology and individual well-being in the workplace. They explore the evolving landscape of HR technology, the challenges faced by small to mid-sized businesses, and the significance of personal connection...

JobGet's acquisition of Snagajob is reshaping the future of HR Tech. Tony Liu, JobGet's CEO, explains how this deal aligns with the company’s mission to empower the hourly workforce. Through their mobile-first approach and innovative technology, JobGet is driving quicker, more personalized job matching for candidates and employers alike. In this episode, we look at how the acquisition of Snagajob...

Frank Ricciardi, CEO of Maavee, joins me to discuss his innovative wellness platform that's transforming employee engagement and wellbeing. We explore Maavee's unique approach to curating wellness solutions, leveraging AI, and fostering community. In this episode we look at Maavee, employee wellness, workplace wellness, HR tech, future of work, well-care, wellness technology. Key Takeaways: Maavee...