Talking TA

In this episode of Talking TA, Denise Chaffin sits down with Jared Bruss, Enterprise Account Executive at Gem, to explore the transformation of the recruiting industry through the eyes of a sales leader. With over a decade of experience at ZipRecruiter and Gem, Jared shares unique insights into how technology—particularly AI, CRMs, and talent harvesting tools—is reshaping workflows, improving sour...

In this episode, Denise Chaffin is joined by Phil Strazzulla, founder of SelectSoftware Reviews, to dive deep into the world of HR technology. Phil shares how HR leaders can avoid costly mistakes when selecting software, why incentives shape product quality, and how AI is shifting what’s possible in recruiting and performance management. From the value of open APIs to the ethics of automation, thi...

Shannon Milhollin, founder of Empower Your Event, joins the podcast to unpack how internal and recruiting events can drive real business results. She discusses the ROI of experience, how purposeful design influences culture, and why comfort, connection, and creativity should be central to every internal event. From rethinking job fairs to aligning HR and sales teams, Shannon brings a fresh, strate...

In this compelling episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin welcomes Weslie Ricks, a global accessibility and disability consultant and founder of Divergent Talent Consulting. Together, they dive deep into the evolving conversation around neurodiversity, disability inclusion, and the return on investment for accessible hiring practices. Weslie shares eye-opening insights on the challenges neurod...

Denise Chaffin is joined again by Jim D’Amico, VP of Talent Acquisition at Caliber Collision, to discuss the transformation of recruiting from a game of attraction to a strategy of influence. Jim breaks down how psychology, storytelling, and peripheral engagement form the new ecosystem of TA. They explore real-world applications like IP targeting, persona development, and storytelling archetypes,...

In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Jeff Pearce, a seasoned recruiter and sourcing expert who led a game-changing mentorship program at Walmart Connect. Jeff shares the story of how he created a curriculum from scratch to train coordinators in strategic sourcing—and how it delivered real results, including multiple hires in just weeks. The conversation explores Jeff’s...

In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin welcomes Kevin Serwatka, founder of Benchmark, an AI-powered hiring optimization platform. Kevin takes us on his journey from agency recruiter to talent leader at Google, Meta, and Robinhood—culminating in the launch of his own company. Together, they explore the practical use of AI in recruiting, the limits of automation, and the evolving role of...

In this insightful episode of Talking To..., host Denise Chaffin sits down with Tim Sackett, CEO of HRU Technical Resources, to explore the deeply personal and professional journey that brought him to the forefront of recruiting and HR thought leadership. Tim shares what it was like growing up with a single mother who built the very company he now leads, describing vivid childhood memories of help...

Recorded live at Transform 2025, one of the leading HR and Talent Acquisition conferences, this episode captures powerful conversations with some of the industry's brightest minds. Hosted by Denise Chaffin, this dynamic discussion dives into the rise of Agentic AI in HR, where technology is evolving from supporting roles to autonomous decision-making — and what it means for people-first leader...

In this insightful episode recorded live at Transform 2025, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Janine Yancey, Founder and CEO of Emtrain, to explore how workplace culture, compliance, and leadership are deeply intertwined. A former employment litigator turned e-learning innovator, Janine shares how Emtrain’s analytics-driven approach is transforming outdated compliance training into a strategic to...

In this thought-provoking episode, Larry McAlister, an expert in talent transformation, shares game-changing insights on the evolving landscape of HR and leadership. We explore the intersection of AI and human potential, strategies for building high-performing teams, and the critical role of emotional intelligence in leadership. Larry, who is Head of Digital Transformation at Nutanix, breaks down...

In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Jim Durbin, the "Indeed Whisperer," Principal at Respondable Recruitment Marketing, to explore the evolving landscape of recruitment marketing. With a background spanning headhunting, staffing, corporate recruiting, and marketing, Jim provides unparalleled insights into how AI is reshaping hiring, the role of data-driven decision-ma...

In this episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Brian Elliott, CEO of Work Forward and a leading expert on the future of work, to uncover the real forces driving return-to-office (RTO) mandates. Brian, a former executive at Google and Slack, breaks down why some companies insist on bringing employees back—and why it’s often not about productivity. He explores how commercial real estate concern...

In this episode, host Denise Chaffin welcomes Justin Simpson, co-founder and publisher of Here. Now. AI, to discuss AI’s impact on non-technical professionals. A panelist at Transform 2025, Justin shares insights on AI adoption, overcoming fear, and how mid-to-late career professionals can leverage AI for career growth. They dive into practical AI applications, including chatbots, note-taking tool...

In this thought-provoking episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Trent Cotton, VP of Talent & Culture at Hatchworks AI, to explore the rapidly changing landscape of HR and talent acquisition. Trent shares his unique career journey, from banking to HR, and discusses the game-changing role of AI, particularly agentic AI, in workforce planning, recruitment, and employee development. They div...

In this insightful episode, host Denise Chaffin is joined by Serge Boudreau and Brian Fink to explore the evolving landscape of job hopping and career mobility. Once seen as a red flag, job hopping is now often viewed as a sign of adaptability and ambition. The discussion dives into the corporate shifts that have led to increased turnover, from mass layoffs and stagnant wages to AI-driven changes...

In this episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Jo Weech, Global Head of People and Talent at Exemplary Consultants, to discuss the evolving landscape of hiring, diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the challenges companies face in today’s workforce. Jo shares powerful insights into structured hiring, unconscious bias, and the importance of redefining professionalism. They also explore...

In this thought-provoking episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Eric Maass, a seasoned consultant and adjunct professor, to explore the evolving role of AI in HR and talent acquisition. Together, they dive into the benefits AI brings to hiring processes, from automating repetitive tasks to improving efficiency. However, they also uncover the pitfalls—bias in AI algorithms, the loss of human...

In this insightful episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with seasoned Talent Acquisition Leader Orlando Haynes, North American Talent Acquisition Lead & Program Manager at The Mosaic Company and host of the CareerTALKS Podcast. Together, they dive into the evolving role of Talent Acquisition as a strategic business partner, moving beyond transactional recruiting. Orlando shares his expertise...

In this episode, host Denise Chaffin welcomes Barbara Bruno, CEO of Good as Gold Training, to explore the vital role of transferable skills in today’s job market. With over 25 years of experience in talent acquisition and 18 LinkedIn Learning courses, Barbara shares expert insights into identifying, presenting, and leveraging transferable skills for both candidates and hiring managers. Key discuss...

In this insightful episode, Denise Chaffin sits down with Matt Rieck, Chief of Human Resources at Inszone Insurance Services and author of The Employee Retention Bible, to explore the critical topic of employee retention. Matt shares his extensive experience in HR, revealing the hidden costs of turnover and the need for proactive retention strategies. Listeners will gain valuable insights on hirin...

In this insightful episode of Talking TA we provide a sneak peak of our new series - Tech Stack! Host Denise Chaffin sits down with Mike Stafiej, the driving force behind ERIN, a cutting-edge employee referral automation platform. Together, they explore how ERIN helps businesses streamline referral programs by automating complex policies, improving user engagement, and boosting retention. Mike sha...

In this episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Clark Willcox, CEO and founder of Digital Recruiter Talent Group and the Digital Recruiter Podcast. Clark shares his inspiring journey from an Aerotek recruiter to an industry innovator, offering practical insights into optimizing LinkedIn, leveraging automation, and driving revenue with content marketing. Together, they discuss the nuances of hi...

In this episode of [Podcast Name], host Denise Chaffin welcomes Shally Steckerl, renowned as the "Godfather of Sourcing," to discuss the nuances of talent acquisition. Shally delves into his journey from recruiting to becoming a sourcing specialist, emphasizing the critical role of creativity and problem-solving. They explore the challenges of sourcing for hard-to-fill roles, the evolving relation...

In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin welcomes James Ellis, founder of Employer Brand Labs, to delve into the intricacies of employer branding and recruitment. James shares his journey from traditional marketing to becoming a thought leader in employer branding, explaining why the industry needs to move from focusing on quantity to prioritizing quality. Topics include the importance o...