Épisodes

  • #14 - Kelli Hrivnak: Keeping the Human in Recruiting

    #14 - Kelli Hrivnak: Keeping the Human in Recruiting
    Dec 17 2025
    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 the conversation, we delve into Kelli's journey in the recruitment industry, her time as a 'slay at home mom', and her passion for working with small businesses. We also discuss the common phrases used in recruiting like 'Is this still a good time?' and how these seemingly small elements contribute to the overall humanization of the recruitment process. Tune in to gain valuable insights from Kelli's vast experience and unique perspective on the recruiting world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • #13 - Kara Mignanelli: Exploring Talent Acquisition Week

    #13 - Kara Mignanelli: Exploring Talent Acquisition Week
    Dec 10 2025
    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 recruiters. We discuss the integral role of AI in reshaping workflows, not just in automating tasks but also as a partner in recruitment. Kara also shares the origin story of TA Week, its structure and the benefits it offers recruiters. From pre-conference workshops and labs to the mentorship program, TA Week is designed to provide a comprehensive learning experience. Listen in as we also explore the importance of professional development, the power of networking, and the significance of transparency in the recruitment industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    33 min
  • #12 - Shaun Hervey: The Unfiltered Recruiter & Candid Conversations

    #12 - Shaun Hervey: The Unfiltered Recruiter & Candid Conversations
    Dec 3 2025
    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, Shaun opens up about his decision to be unfiltered and how it has helped him navigate the recruitment industry. He discusses the importance of being genuine, his experiences in the software sales recruitment sector, and his thoughts on the perception versus reality of online personas. He also shares his insights on the role of content creation in his career, his stance on cold calling, and how he has managed to stay afloat in the industry for over two years. Tune in to hear Shaun's refreshing take on recruitment and his advice for those trying to make their own mark in the industry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • #11 - Richie Lampani: Why Agency Recruiting Feels Like a Knife Fight

    #11 - Richie Lampani: Why Agency Recruiting Feels Like a Knife Fight
    Nov 25 2025
    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 about building Underground Admin with his partner Amy, what agencies are truly facing behind the scenes, and how AI is reshaping the role—if recruiters let it. Richie walks through the inspiration for his upcoming book Head and Heart: Winning the AI Recruiting War, dives into the growing wave of fraudulent interviews, and shares the mindset shift required for recruiters to stay valuable while surrounded by tools that can do “the middle work” faster. From nightmare clients to fake candidates to LinkedIn chaos, this episode captures what it really feels like to be a recruiter “hanging on by a thread” in 2025. Whether you’re agency or internal, this one will make you laugh, nod, and maybe cry a little. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    46 min
  • #10 - Laura Gassman: The Battle for Respect, Why Managers Don't Trust Recruiters

    #10 - Laura Gassman: The Battle for Respect, Why Managers Don't Trust Recruiters
    Nov 18 2025
    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, discussing how years of companies cutting L&D budgets have created a crisis where no new, properly trained talent is entering the field. They predict a chaotic future where companies will either rely entirely on high-cost boutique RPO models or revert to a losing cycle of untrained, inexpensive internal hires. This "merry-go-round of layoffs" is causing both experienced and junior talent to leave the profession for good. The two then shift to the daily frustrations faced by those still in the fight, tearing apart the toxic LinkedIn debate that falsely pits "headhunters" against "recruiters." Laura argues that this distinction is unnecessary—a good recruiter must be a hybrid, expertly blending tech tools for efficiency with essential, irreplaceable human relationship-building skills. This lack of respect for the recruiting function is perfectly captured in Laura's all-time nightmare story: an executive team that used a final-round candidate as a personal chauffeur for six hours—with the CEO's dog in the car—illustrating the kind of out-of-script chaos that drives burnout. It’s an honest, funny, and deeply relatable conversation that speaks directly to recruiters' shared experience of being under-resourced and undervalued. The episode concludes with a look at how to cope in this volatile environment, culminating in Laura's unusual but effective method for protecting her peace: disassociating from social media and reality by reading fantasy novels about dragons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    52 min
  • #9 - Sean Page, Desirée Aguirre, Beth Wolfe, Stephanie Kara Jordan: LIVE from RecFest 2025 Day 2

    #9 - Sean Page, Desirée Aguirre, Beth Wolfe, Stephanie Kara Jordan: LIVE from RecFest 2025 Day 2
    Nov 11 2025
    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 secret weapon. Sean Page (TA Manager, Propel) Shares how a startup mindset shapes his approach to “quality of hire,” why the best AI partners understand the hiring ecosystem, and a cautionary tale about a hiring manager’s lowball offer that backfired spectacularly. Desirée Aguirre (Senior Recruiter, Hims & Hers) Reflects on RecFest’s “carnival meets conference” vibe, a nightmare scenario involving visa sponsorship gone wrong, and how intentional team rituals and celebrating small wins keep recruiters grounded and connected amid the chaos. Beth Wolfe (Senior Director of Recruiting, Daxko) Finds inspiration in Johnny Campbell’s talk on agentic AI, then shares her own fresh recruiting nightmare involving a rogue hiring manager and an unapproved offer — a reminder that even seasoned recruiters aren’t immune to surprises. Stephanie Kara Jordan (Senior Recruiter, The Washington Post) Closes out Day 2 with a deeply human story — filling a role after a team member’s passing — and her mission to bring empathy and transparency to recruiting. She discusses neurodiversity, AI ethics, and why real connection still matters most. Four unfiltered snapshots from RecFest Day 2 — proof that even under the blazing Nashville sun, recruiters show up, share stories, and remind each other why this profession still matters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 min
  • #8 - Desiree Goldey, Ashley King, Daniela Herrera, and Tejal Rives: LIVE from RecFest 2025 Day 1

    #8 - Desiree Goldey, Ashley King, Daniela Herrera, and Tejal Rives: LIVE from RecFest 2025 Day 1
    Nov 4 2025
    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 pushed her to launch a podcast and rethink her path, and a reality check on the current market where resilience matters. She caps it with a classic recruiter horror story about a candidate arriving drunk to an interview. Ashley King (co-host, “Talentless”) Day 1 highlights like the Shaker Booth and money-grab machine, plus people-first leadership tactics including weekly “peaks and pits,” holding space for teams without forcing it, and remembering that people come before headcount. She adds a clear PSA on conference safety based on a past incident she had to manage. Daniela Herrera Spotlights sessions on neurodiversity and a purpose-built bot that beat generic chat tools for onboarding and performance prompts. Uses that example to urge leaders to vet AI carefully, question the ethics behind tools, and confirm the problem they actually solve before buying the buzzword. Tejal Rives (Product Marketing Manager, Amazon, former recruiter) Explains a TA-adjacent role and the vendor attention that comes with a recognizable badge. Closes with durable lessons: have a burnout plan before you burn out, and show up as your true self to attract the right community. Four quick hits from RecFest Day 1, equal parts sweaty, candid, and useful. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 min
  • #7 - Erin Riska - The Worldschooling Recruiter’s Story

    #7 - Erin Riska - The Worldschooling Recruiter’s Story
    Oct 28 2025
    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 Roam Base, the worldschooling hub she created for families learning and living abroad. Mike and Erin dig into what it really means to build a meaningful recruiting career outside of big tech and flashy logos. Erin talks about thriving in small and midsize organizations, the joy of “doing it all,” and why autonomy and curiosity have guided every stage of her journey. They also unpack the reality of recruiting in industries like mental health and construction — where hiring is harder but impact runs deep. The two trade stories about fake résumés, over-involved parents (including one mom who actually did her kid’s interview!), and the wild world of LinkedIn “career advice.” Erin’s grounded, analytical approach to recruiting — and her calm take on AI, social media, and career design — is a refreshing reminder that you can build success on your own terms. It’s a funny, honest, and inspiring conversation that speaks directly to recruiters who don’t have big-name logos on their résumés — but still make a big difference every day. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    48 min