At This Time

At This Time … Dylan Gruver from Friendship Public Charter Schools shares what it takes to keep nearly 5,000 students learning and hundreds of staff thriving. From rethinking teacher roles and flexible work setups to leading with empathy (and knowing everyone’s name), Dylan breaks down the real levers of retention in education. He also dives into why AI might be better for boosting student rigor than HR efficiency, and why “big eno...

At This Time … we’re exploring the messy middle of AI adoption with Aaron Cuny, co-founder of AI for Equity. From using AI as a “sparring partner” in job interviews to rethinking quality control when your team is half-human, half-robot, Aaron makes the case for a blended approach. He shares how school systems can hire for AI fluency and creativity, why “don’t bring a PowerPoint—bring a prototype” should be the new workplace motto, ...

At This Time... we go back to the early days of a founding school with Anoli Patel, who knows what it’s like to build a team from scratch when the stakes are sky-high. She shares the must-have traits she looks for in new hires, why scenario-based “pressure tests” can separate theory from reality, and how humility can be as important as skill. Plus: how AI could change the hiring game—and why even the smartest chatbot still can’t ha...

At This Time... we’re talking all things internships in Hollywood with Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. from Lionsgate (the studio behind such hits as John Wick and The Hunger Games). From sports journalism dreams to building one of the most respected intern programs in the biz, Ricardo shares how he helps young talent break into the entertainment industry — without needing to step in front of a camera. Hear why interns aren’t just coffee-fetc...

At This Time... we’re stepping into the brilliant, intentional world of When We Gather—a consulting practice led by Dr. LeAnna Majors and Chinedu Udeh that’s changing how Black women lead, rest, and reclaim purpose at work. In this first-ever three-person pod, we dig into why their cohort model is essential, how it helps leaders stop second-guessing themselves, and what collective liberation actually looks like at Google, nonprofit...

At This Time... Ron Rapatalo pulls no punches about today’s brutal job market in K–12 ed and nonprofits. He breaks down why roles feel scarce (spoiler: remote + flexible = hypercompetitive), how AI is both a gift and a gamble, and why “just starting your own search firm” isn’t the silver bullet you think it is. From redefining candidate experience to surviving as a multi-hyphenate, Ron brings sharp takes, real talk, and a reminder ...

At This Time... Richard Leong just landed a role at Google, and he's here to spill the (well-structured, thoughtfully prepared) tea. From prepping with ChatGPT to navigating Google's surprisingly human interview process, Richard shares how he stayed authentic while chasing one of tech’s most coveted roles. Plus: why he's voluntarily commuting more than required, and how he's using LinkedIn to pay it forward with insight and honesty...

At This Time … ever wondered what happens when a fifth-grade math and science teacher swaps lesson plans for LinkedIn strategy? Stephanie Yesil takes us on her unexpected journey from the classroom to corporate, then to entrepreneurship—where she now helps educators pivot into new careers.

From decoding job descriptions to translating "teacher speak" into corporate lingo, Stephanie spills the secrets to career shifts without going ...

At This Time ... David Radcliff reminds us that “back to the office” often means “back to exclusion.”

In this wide-ranging conversation, the writer and advocate unpacks how COVID temporarily gave everyone the accommodations disabled folks had long fought for—only to see them rolled back. He shares insights on ableism in hiring, the myth of the “culture fit,” and why real inclusivity means rethinking everything from mentorship to jo...

At This Time … we’re pulling back the curtain on the actual job market in education. Josh Czupryk—aka the “Jobs Blast Guy”—shares how a favor for friends turned into the K-12 job list everyone’s talking about.

From building a hand-coded spreadsheet to serving over 12,000 subscribers, Josh reveals the real barriers to equitable hiring, why your resume probably needs an overhaul, and how AI can be your best interview coach. Oh, and h...

At This Time... we go behind the hiring curtain with Leandro Otero, who's interviewed over 10,000 candidates and still has stories to tell. From placing teachers at Teach For America to hiring at Spotify, Leandro shares real talk on what makes a candidate stand out (hint: it’s not your resume font). He dishes on how to get noticed without cold-spamming recruiters, why "fake it till you make it" has limits, and the unexpected power ...

At This Time, we sit down with Annie Miner, long time People Ops pro and advocate for making the hard job of teaching a little easier. From creative compensation strategies to concierge-style HR support, Annie unpacks how her team keeps talent thriving even when budgets are tight. We talk credentialing, resume gems, the emotional pitfalls of AI in the workplace, and why the human touch still matters most. Oh—and if you want to work...

At This Time ... if you're dreaming of joining Lakeshore Learning Company, it's not just about timing—it's about staying plugged in. Melanie Aldridge, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, spills the tea on why checking lakeshorecareers.com weekly and following recruiter posts on LinkedIn could be your golden ticket to a great job post-teaching. Whether you're an educator curious about corporate life or just job-hunting savvy, this ep...

At This Time ... we’re diving into the world of high-stakes hiring with Oscar Barajas, Director of Talent and Partnerships at Teach for America Los Angeles. Oscar shares what it’s like to help hundreds of aspiring educators—many landing their very first job—get classroom-ready. From coaching nervous candidates through demo lessons to spotting generational shifts in how people communicate, this episode’s full of real talk on teacher...

At This Time... we’re stepping into the high-stakes world of national security with strategist and 20-year veteran Asha Castleberry-Hernandez. From ROTC to the State Department to think tanks and startups, Asha breaks down the many on-ramps into this elusive field—including how educators and STEM pros can pivot in. Want in on defense contracts, military cybersecurity gigs, or behind-the-scenes job boards? This episode’s your classi...

Eric reconnects with recruiter Jake Sohn to talk shop on what’s working—and what needs to go—in the world of hiring. From the myth of “culture fit” to the power of a well-placed thank-you note, Jake shares smart tips for both recruiters and candidates navigating today’s weird job market. They also cover why negotiation is non-negotiable and how LinkedIn can actually work in your favor.

Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe

Guest: Jake S...

Eric chats with longtime friend and educator Will Wong, whose weekly LinkedIn CA K-12 senior executive jobs list job has become a must-read for thousands. What started as a way to give back has turned into a full-on talent ecosystem—connecting educators with roles and shaping how people think about leadership in public schools. They explore trends in executive turnover, the power of community, and why more educators should consider...

At This Time, we’re diving into the high-stakes world of nonprofit leadership hires. Kyle Gracey joins the show to share why boards need more than good intentions when recruiting executive directors—and why vibes don’t count as a hiring process. From micromanagement traps to onboarding strategies that actually work, this episode is packed with practical, witty wisdom for board members who want to get it right.

Host: Eric DeSobe; I...

At This Time, Eric talks with Arturo Natella, a recruiting expert who’s flipped the script on hiring by focusing on outcomes, not guesswork. Arturo breaks down why copy-paste job descriptions and vague interviews lead to bad hires—and how to fix them. They dive into performance-based hiring, reference check red flags, and what candidates should look for to build real career mobility. Whether you're hiring or job hunting, this one’s...