The Talent Tango

Chris Kusaba (formerly at Mytra) joins the show to talk about how smaller talent teams can compete in markets where brand recognition is uneven and the demand for AI and robotics talent is rising fast. Chris brings experience from Tesla and now leads recruiting at a high growth robotics and AI company. He shares how to win attention from top candidates, how to widen the funnel when you operate in...

This episode features Todd Hazen, Head of Technical Recruiting at Gusto , in a candid conversation about what it takes to move from non-tech recruiting into the world of technical hiring. Todd shares how he built credibility, developed deep connections, and learned to thrive in a space that demands both curiosity and humility. For talent professionals navigating transitions, this one is packed wit...

Kit Krugman, SVP of People and Culture at Foursquare, joins to unpack what it really means to be a systems thinker in people leadership. She explains how to move beyond process for process's sake, design people systems that actually work together, and create the kind of vibrancy that drives both performance and connection. This is a conversation about how to think, not just how to operate—ideal fo...

AI is reshaping how talent teams work, but it's not replacing the human touch. In this episode, Logan Marsh, Head of Talent Acquisition at Calendly , joins Amir to unpack how AI is transforming recruiting from process-heavy to purpose-driven. He shares how Calendly uses AI to enhance efficiency, measure ROI, and empower recruiters to focus on strategy and storytelling—not spreadsheets. This is a r...

Emily Ellis, Chief People Officer at DriveWealth, joins the show to explore what it really takes to lead with compassion when the decisions are hard. From layoffs and shifting priorities to hiring in high-growth startups, Emily shares how people leaders can balance business realities with humanity—and why that balance ultimately strengthens culture and trust. Key Takeaways • Feedback is a gift whe...

Startups can't afford to waste time—or budget—on the wrong tools. In this episode, Amir sits down with June Lee, Global Head of People and Culture at Twelve Labs, to unpack how to choose the right people and culture tools at the right stage. From evaluating platforms to navigating AI hype, June shares battle-tested strategies for building scalable, high-impact systems that grow with your company....

How do you scale fast without lowering the hiring bar? In this episode, Mallory Plank, Head of Talent Acquisition at Guidewheel, joins The Talent Tango to break down how she navigates the constant push and pull between quality and speed. With a background in both agency and in-house recruiting, Mallory brings a clear, operator-level view of stakeholder alignment, prioritization, and TA strategy—es...

What happens when you treat employee experience like a product? Neervi Shah Patel, Chief People Officer at Faire, joins the show to share how her team brings the same level of operational rigor and customer obsession to PeopleOps that product teams bring to user experience. From leveraging data to embracing transparency, Neervi breaks down how to build scalable, fair, and high-performing orgs—with...

What does it really look like to run the entire People function solo — and still operate at a strategic level? In this episode, Anisha Thomas, Head of People at Inscribe, shares what it takes to be a team of one at a fast-paced AI startup. From managing headcount planning without over-hiring to leaning on tech to avoid burnout, she offers a refreshingly honest look at how she keeps her footing in...

In this episode of The Talent Tango , Amir sits down with Ashley Utz, Chief People Officer at Happy Money, to explore the complex task of rebuilding trust within organizations—especially during periods of change like layoffs, restructuring, or leadership transitions. Ashley offers a nuanced perspective on the differences between personal and organizational trust, shares frameworks like Covey's "Sp...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Greg Russell, VP of Talent Acquisition at CoverGenius, to unpack why talent acquisition should be treated like project management. They explore how applying frameworks like the project management triangle (scope, cost, time) can elevate recruiting conversations, drive better alignment, and ultimately improve hiring outcomes. From setting expectations with hirin...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Suzanne McGovern, Chief People Officer and HR veteran, to explore how the employee-employer relationship has fundamentally changed. From the aftermath of COVID-19 and rise of remote work to shifting generational expectations and the role of company culture, they dig into what leaders need to do to build trust, adapt to new work models, and attract talent in a p...

In this episode, Brittany Blumenthal, VP of People at HiddenLayer, shares how early-stage startups can intentionally define and evolve their culture. She breaks down the challenges of working with strong founder imprints, the importance of documenting culture as a living contract, and how to build feedback loops that go both ways. If you're scaling a team and want culture to grow with it, this epi...

In this episode of The Talent Tango , Amir sits down with Caitlin Kamm, Director of People Growth at Envoy, to unpack a real-world employer branding initiative tailored specifically for engineering talent. Caitlin walks through how her team developed a laser-focused EVP to support a return-to-office mandate—balancing culture, candidate persona, and business needs. From strategy to stakeholder alig...

In this episode of The Talent Tango , Amir Bormand is joined by Heather Cassar to unpack the nuances of giving and receiving feedback in the workplace. From real-time feedback practices to performance reviews, Heather shares practical tips on how to build trust, motivate teams, and make feedback a natural part of company culture—without making it awkward. Whether you're in HR, a people leader, or...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Girish Mirchandani, Head of Talent at WestBridge Capital, to unpack the nuances of executive recruiting across stages and geographies. From Series A scrappiness to global scale-ups, they explore what makes a successful hire, how founders should engage in the process, and why hiring for today often trumps hiring for tomorrow. Girish also offers a behind-the-scen...

In this episode of The Talent Tango , Amir speaks with Allison DiDominick, Senior Technical Recruiting Manager at Flexport, about adopting AI interview tools to tackle inefficiencies in the hiring process. From delayed scorecards to inconsistent feedback, Allison walks us through the problem Flexport faced, the pilot implementation of BrightHire, and how AI tools are improving recruiter workflows...

What does it take to thrive in talent— even when hiring freezes hit ? In this episode, Amir talks with Frank Cebek about building a durable, impactful career in talent acquisition and people leadership. From surviving market downturns to translating business context into recruiting value, Frank shares his journey from consultant to senior people leader—and what skills made all the difference. This...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Ashley Wines from Carta to dig into what it really means for talent teams to be proactive, not reactive. They unpack the need for talent leaders to embed themselves into the business earlier, how to build trust fast, the importance of internal product roadmaps, and how to handle stakeholder dynamics—especially when you're navigating complex matrix organizations...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Michelle King , Head of People and Talent at Notable Health , to break down what it really means to have a strategic relationship with the CEO. From spotting red flags in the interview process to pushing back (with impact) once you're in the seat, Michelle shares lessons from the trenches—no fluff, all substance. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in a pe...

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Kate Esterman, Director of Global Talent Acquisition at Integral Ad Science. Together, they dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of candidate experience, discussing how market shifts—from candidate-driven to client-driven—impact the way companies engage talent. Kate shares actionable strategies, real-world examples, and her perspective on balancing...

In this episode, we dive into Brittany Rohde's unconventional journey into the HR and people space. With a background in mathematics and a love for admin, Brittany has successfully navigated the world of people operations, compensation, and leadership. We explore how she transitioned from a math degree into HR, her philosophy on taking opportunities, and why she believes every people team should h...

In this episode, Amir Bormand is joined by Cory Eustice , a seasoned talent leader, to dive into the importance of transparency in the hiring process . They explore how organizations can improve candidate experiences, hiring outcomes, and long-term retention by fostering open and honest conversations from the very start. Key Takeaways: Transparency in Hiring Matters – Candidates should be given a...

In this episode, Amir sits down with Meg Henry, Head of People & Talent at Companyon Ventures, to explore why onboarding deserves just as much attention as hiring. Meg shares practical insights on structuring an effective onboarding process, ensuring a smooth transition for new hires, and increasing business efficiency through thoughtful onboarding. If you're in a people or talent leadership role,...

In this episode, we dive deep into Talent Acquisition (TA) playbooks—how recruiting leaders bring their experiences, frameworks, and best practices into new roles, and how they adapt them to different company environments. Henry shares his insights on onboarding into a new company, assessing existing hiring practices, and implementing change management strategies that actually stick. Key Takeaways...