EPISODE · May 19, 2026 · 54 MIN
Why Hiring Relationships Break
from Unf*ck It · host WRKdefined Podcast Network
Katrina Collier joins the podcast for a raw conversation about the broken relationship between talent acquisition teams and hiring managers — and why recruiting problems are rarely just process problems. From overloaded recruiters and poor leadership support to toxic workplace behaviors and unhealed personal trauma, this episode dives into what actually damages hiring outcomes. Katrina also shares deeply personal lessons from her memoir, The Damage of Words, and explains how self-worth, boundaries, and emotional healing directly impact leadership, recruiting, and workplace culture. Key Takeaways - Recruiting breaks down when TA and hiring managers stop acting like partners - Most hiring problems start before a job is ever posted - People-pleasing and perfectionism quietly damage recruiters and leaders - Toxic workplace behavior often comes from unresolved personal wounds - Great hiring requires confidence, boundaries, and honest communication Timestamps 00:00 – Introducing Katrina Collier and her work 03:20 – Why TA and hiring managers clash 06:00 – The recruiting chaos created after 2020 11:00 – Why recruiters need more authority upfront 15:00 – Managers who think interviewing equals recruiting 18:30 – Why TA teams are undervalued internally 21:00 – The danger of untrained managers 24:00 – Job postings, AI applications, and candidate overload 29:00 – How recruiters should push back on bad hiring practices 35:00 – The emotional damage behind workplace behavior 38:00 – Childhood trauma, perfectionism, and people-pleasing 42:00 – Narcissism, toxic leaders, and workplace survival 50:00 – Katrina’s healing journey and The Damage of Words Keywordstalent acquisition, hiring managers, recruiting culture, workplace toxicity, Katrina Collier, leadership development, candidate experience, workplace trauma, perfectionism, emotional intelligence
What this episode covers
Katrina Collier joins the podcast for a raw conversation about the broken relationship between talent acquisition teams and hiring managers — and why recruiting problems are rarely just process problems. From overloaded recruiters and poor leadership support to toxic workplace behaviors and unhealed personal trauma, this episode dives into what actually damages hiring outcomes. Katrina also shares deeply personal lessons from her memoir, The Damage of Words, and explains how self-worth, boundaries, and emotional healing directly impact leadership, recruiting, and workplace culture. Key Takeaways - Recruiting breaks down when TA and hiring managers stop acting like partners - Most hiring problems start before a job is ever posted - People-pleasing and perfectionism quietly damage recruiters and leaders - Toxic workplace behavior often comes from unresolved personal wounds - Great hiring requires confidence, boundaries, and honest communication Timestamps 00:00 – Introducing Katrina Collier and her work 03:20 – Why TA and hiring managers clash 06:00 – The recruiting chaos created after 2020 11:00 – Why recruiters need more authority upfront 15:00 – Managers who think interviewing equals recruiting 18:30 – Why TA teams are undervalued internally 21:00 – The danger of untrained managers 24:00 – Job postings, AI applications, and candidate overload 29:00 – How recruiters should push back on bad hiring practices 35:00 – The emotional damage behind workplace behavior 38:00 – Childhood trauma, perfectionism, and people-pleasing 42:00 – Narcissism, toxic leaders, and workplace survival 50:00 – Katrina’s healing journey and The Damage of Words Keywordstalent acquisition, hiring managers, recruiting culture, workplace toxicity, Katrina Collier, leadership development, candidate experience, workplace trauma, perfectionism, emotional intelligence
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Why Hiring Relationships Break
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