Is This Still A Good Time?

In this episode of ITSAGT, we're thrilled to have industry analyst Kyle Lagunas join us for a deep dive into the evolving landscape of HR and talent acquisition. Kyle, who leads his own research advisory firm, Kyle and Co., is renowned for his insights into innovation cycles within the HR tech space. He shares his unique perspective on how AI is reshaping the industry, pushing beyond mere efficien...

In this episode of ITSAGT, we're joined by Brandon Jeffs, a dynamic force in the recruiting industry and the founder of Building the Talent Machine. Brandon shares his journey from working long hours in high-pressure recruiting environments to becoming a pivotal connector and industry influencer. Listeners will gain insights into how recruiting is evolving and why relationships remain at its core....

In this insightful episode of ITSAGT, we sit down with Jaylyn Jones, a university recruiter from Duolingo. Jaylyn shares her unique perspective on the challenges and intricacies of campus recruiting in the tech industry. From dealing with high volumes of resumes to building trust with early-career applicants, Jaylyn's insights are a must-listen for anyone in the recruitment field. Throughout the c...

In this insightful episode of ITSAGT, we're joined by Emily Mucken, a seasoned recruiter with a rich background in renowned companies like Netflix and Reddit. Emily candidly shares her experiences, from dealing with unexpected layoffs to harnessing the power of LinkedIn to land new opportunities. She also discusses the importance of building and maintaining relationships in the recruiting industry...

In this thought-provoking episode of 'Is This Still A Good Time?', we sit down with Brian Fink, a well-respected talent advisor with experience at renowned companies like Apple and Twitter. Brian shares his deep insights into the evolving challenges of the recruiting industry, and how recruiters can adapt to these changes. Brian and Mike delve into a range of critical topics, from the pressures fa...

In this episode of 'Is This Still A Good Time', we sit down with experienced recruiter, Kelli Hrivnak, to discuss the importance of keeping the human element in recruiting. Kelli, who has spent the better part of two decades in the recruiting industry, shares her insights on how to approach potential candidates and how to integrate personal experiences into your recruitment workflow. Throughout th...

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 rec...

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...

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 ab...

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, di...

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 sec...

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 pushe...

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...

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 directl...

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 im...

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...

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-sty...

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 communitie...

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 de...