The uncomfortable truth about why 2025's job market feels frozen, despite "low" unemployment. Michael Doran and Alex Mann expose what's really happening in corporate America.

🎯 THIS EPISODE COVERS:

• Why companies are hitting pause on hiring across all sectors
• How AI is eliminating middle management layers (the Bayer example)
• The "director trap" destroying senior careers
• Why that 4% unemployment rate doesn't tell the real story
• Trade policy uncertainty's impact on business decisions
• How to reinvent yourself before the market forces you to

💡 KEY INSIGHTS:

• "AI is forcing everyone to give away their Legos"
• The real unemployment rate may be closer to 25%
• Why "floating in the ether" perfectly describes 2025's job market
• How to build value that AI can't replicate

Perfect for recruiters, job seekers, and anyone trying to navigate today's chaotic employment landscape.

Hosted by Michael Doran (Team Sourced, Talent Grind) and Alex Mann (Growth Professional, AI Expert).

New episodes every Friday. Subscribe for weekly insights on recruiting, AI, and the future of work.

#Recruiting #JobMarket #AI #FutureOfWork #CareerDevelopment #TalentAcquisition

[00:00:00] Cold Open: "The Day Alex Mann Made Me Nervous"

• Setup and introductions
• Work from home commentary

[00:01:00] Bolt T-shirt Nostalgia & Tech Reconnections

• Early Bolt team memories
• Shopify's 85 million checkout network value
• Global supply chain reshaping post-pandemic

[00:02:00] 🔥 HIRING FREEZE REALITY CHECK

• Companies freezing hiring across software & manufacturing
• "The impact of uncertainty is people going, we're not gonna hire"
• Market pressure relief valve hasn't triggered

[00:04:00] "2025 IS F*ED" - The Wall Street Journal Article**

• "US Economy Headed Towards Uncomfortable Summer"
• Shifting tariff policies freezing business investment
• Corporate America "less sure about the future than ever"

[00:06:00] The Unemployment Numbers LIE

• Why 4% unemployment is "total horse sh*t"
• Real number closer to 25% including underemployed
• DoorDash/Lyft drivers not counted properly

[00:08:00] AI's War on Middle Management

• The Motorola example: "8 layers of people in meetings all day"
• Bayer CEO eliminates middle management
• "Too hard to get ideas approved with so many people"

[00:13:00] The Director Trap Exposed

• "I know it took 20 years to get that director title, but..."
• Why senior roles focused on "bringing stakeholders together" won't get jobs
• The reality of non-essential corporate functions

[00:18:00] 🚀 GIVING AWAY YOUR LEGOS: Startup Mindset for Everyone

• "Every 6 months you should give away half of what you're doing"
• How AI is forcing the startup dynamic on all companies
• Blitzscaling from 20 to 80 people in 12 months

[00:20:00] The New Career Playbook

• "What production can I maintain and manage?"
• "What can I build that brings value?"
• Being comfortable doing whatever needs to be done

[00:25:00] Business Relationships in the AI Era

• Why relationships will matter more as AI becomes table stakes
• Michael's database of contacts and follow-up system
• Bolt team reconnections leading to HR tech opportunities

[00:39:00] Building in the New Economy

• Using no-code tools and AI to build businesses
• Cursor, Lovable, and AI-assisted development
• From weeks of business model work to hours with AI

[00:41:00] Personal Brand Explosion

• 30 million impressions in Q1 example
• "If you put in the grind, it can happen for you"
• Entertainment vs. thought leadership strategies

[00:45:00] Wrap-Up: The Path Forward

• Fractional business opportunities for senior professionals
• "Try before you buy" consultant approach
• Building value while the market remains uncertain

Key Timestamps for Clips:

• [00:04:00] - "2025 is f***ed" moment
• [00:06:00] - Unemployment rate reality check
• [00:13:00] - The director trap explanation
• [00:18:00] - "Giving away your Legos" concept
• [00:41:00] - 30 million impressions success story