Talking TA

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employment litigator turned e-learning innovator, Janine shares how Emtrain’s analytics-driven approach is transforming outdated compliance training into a strategic tool for leadership development and c...

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 the biggest challenges organization...

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-making, and the importance of treatin...

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 concerns, cost-cutting strategies, and out...

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 tools, and AI-powered HR solutions. The d...

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 dive deep into how AI is automating ted...

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 hiring practices. Serge and Bria...

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 the impact of remote work policies,...

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 judgment, and the growing concern o...

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 on bridging the gap between hiring...

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 discussion points include the distinction ...

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 hiring for attitude over experience, the...

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 shares real-world examples of how ERIN...

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 high-volume recruiting, the importanc...

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 relationship between AI and human ingenuity...

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 of hiring the best fit, strategies f...

In this episode, host Denise Chaffin interviews Jim Stroud, a sourcing expert and SourceCon editor, on the evolving landscape of AI in recruitment. Together, they explore how AI tools are reshaping hiring processes, enhancing candidate sourcing, and even automating candidate interactions. Jim shares his insights into the future of AI-driven recruiting, the quirks and community of SourceCon, and practical tips for candidates to stan...

In this compelling episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with investigative journalist Hilke Schellmann, author of The Algorithm, to explore the complex relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and the hiring process. Hilke provides a behind-the-scenes look at how AI is reshaping recruitment, often with hidden biases that can impact candidates' careers and life paths. She shares stories from her investigations, including ...

In this insightful roundtable, host Denise Chaffin brings together experts Jamie Starner, Courtney Schuelke, and Michael O'Brien to explore the transformative changes in the workforce post-2020. Each panelist, with a unique industry background—from hospitality to tech—shares personal stories of resilience and adaptation. Jamie discusses the intense impacts on the restaurant industry, where nimbleness became a necessity, while Court...