PODCAST · business
Talking TA
by Denise Chaffin
Welcome to Talking TA, your go-to podcast for talent acquisition insights. Hosted by Denise Chaffin, join us for conversations with HR and recruitment experts. Uncover trends, best practices, and strategies to elevate your recruitment game. Expect insider discussions, exploration of talent acquisition techniques, and insights into pressing HR issues. Stay ahead with Talking TA—your key to building and retaining a top-tier team.
Episodes
-
Rebooting Hiring: Why Recruiters Must Become Business Partners | Katrina Collier
Katrina Collier is a recruiting keynote speaker and author of Reboot Hiring and The Robot-Proof Recruiter, focused on restoring human connection to the hiring process. As AI changes recruiting, the value of the recruiter is changing with it. The differentiator is no longer simply finding...
-
The Strong Will Survive: Recruiting Through the Shift | Drea Codispoti
Drea Codispoti is Director of Network Operations at Top Echelon, where he helps recruiting agencies build stronger partnerships and use their networks more productively and profitably. Recruiting is getting harder, and Drea Codispoti explains why the people who survive will rely on grit,...
-
From Unused Tools to Usable AI | SmartRecruiters Winston
Amy Oxley, Chief of Staff, Product at SmartRecruiters, joins Talking TA Tech Stack to discuss why AI adoption in hiring depends on usability, trust, and how well technology fits into the everyday recruiting workflow. AI is entering talent acquisition fast, but the harder question is not whether...
-
Stop Managing for Efficiency, Start Leading for Growth | Mike Scafidi
Mike Scafidi is a digital transformation strategist who helps organizations rethink performance, leadership, and growth in the modern workplace. What if the biggest threat to your organization is not talent scarcity or AI disruption, but the metrics you use to measure success? Summary In this...
-
Transactional Recruiting Is Dead, with Anna Frazzetto
Anna Frazzetto is the Founder and CEO of Affirm Strategic Partners, sales leadership expert, and author of Sales Leadership in Action. In a world increasingly driven by automation and AI, the recruiters who stand out aren't the ones sending more messages, they're the ones building stronger...
-
The Future Belongs to Human-First Leaders | Daniel Burrus | Ep 85
Futurist, innovation expert, and bestselling author Daniel Burrus joins Talking TA to discuss AI, leadership, and the future of work. The future of recruiting is becoming more human, not less. Daniel explains why organizations are approaching AI the wrong way, and why the leaders who succeed will...
-
Why the Best Employees Are More Than a Resume | Stephane Rivard
In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Stephane Rivard to explore how AI-driven hiring, soft skills assessments, and automation are reshaping talent acquisition, recruiting performance, and workforce strategy. The conversation dives into why traditional resumes and...
-
Recruiting Is Broken, AI Is Just Exposing It | Matt Alder
What if the real problem in recruiting isn’t AI taking jobs, but the fact that many of those jobs shouldn’t exist in the first place? In this episode of Talking TA, Denise Chaffin sits down with Matt Alder, CEO of Recruiting Future, to challenge the foundation of modern hiring. With over two...
-
You Don’t Have a Brand Problem, You Have an Alignment Problem | Ken Pasternack
What does “brand” actually mean inside an organization, and why are most companies getting it wrong? In this episode of Talking TA, Denise Chaffin sits down with Ken Pasternack, EVP and Chief Strategy Officer at Two by Four, to break down the real connection between brand, culture, and talent...
-
Most AI in Recruiting Is Noise, Here’s What Actually Works | Trent Cotton & Lisa Fiondella
Most AI in recruiting is noise. The problem is knowing what actually works. In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Trent Cotton, Head of Talent Acquisition Insights and Analyst Relations, and Lisa Fiondella, SVP of AI, Data, and Platform at iCIMS, to explore how AI,...
-
The Future Belongs to Leaders With Generational Intelligence | Ellen Raim
What happens when hiring shortcuts collide with a generation that refuses to stay quiet? In this powerful conversation, Denise sits down with Ellen Raim, early career advisor and founder of People Matter, LLC, to unpack the growing trust gap in today’s workforce. With Gen Z projected to represent...
-
Growth and Comfort Don’t Coexist, and That’s the Point, with Minette Norman
In this episode of Talking TA, Denise Chaffin sits down with leadership expert and author Minette Norman, founder of Minette Norman Consulting to unpack what it truly means to lead with humanity in today’s workplace. Drawing from her 30-year career in Silicon Valley and her books The…
more -
Workplace Happiness Isn’t Soft, It’s Profitable, with Valerie Alexander
Workplace happiness is often dismissed as a “nice to have,” but this conversation makes it clear, it’s one of the most powerful business levers leaders can pull. Denise Chaffin sits down with Valerie Alexander, CEO of Speak Happiness, to unpack the real economic impact of unhappy workforces, from...
-
Why Your Best Talent Knows More Than Your Systems, with David Warren
In this episode, Denise Chaffin sits down with David Warren, founder of Oomiyasa and former digital transformation leader at companies like Zara and Salesforce, to unpack one of the most overlooked challenges in modern organizations, the loss of tacit knowledge. David explains why companies have...
-
Treat Candidates Like Customers or Lose Them, with Eric Smuda
Candidate experience is no longer an HR side conversation, it is a direct reflection of your brand. In this episode, Denise Chaffin sits down with Eric Smuda, customer and employee experience leader and former executive at major consumer brands, to unpack why candidates should be treated like...
-
Why Recruiting Teams Fall Behind Without Business Insight, with Michael Goldberg
In this episode of Talking TA, Denise Chaffin sits down with Michael Goldberg, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition Operations at U.S. Renal Care, for a candid and deeply practical conversation about the future of recruiting. Michael shares his career journey from frontline recruiting into TA...
-
The Bionic Employee Era: Steven Swan on Skills That Will Matter Most
In this episode of Talking TA, Denise talks with Steven Swan, CEO of The Swan Group, about the rise of the “bionic employee” and the dramatic shifts happening across IT, business operations, and talent acquisition. Steven explains how AI is transforming technical roles, creating hybrid talent…
more -
What TA Must Change to Stay Relevant with Pernille Weitemeyer Larsen
In this episode, Denise sits down with Pernille Weitemeyer Larsen, Head of Global Talent Acquisition for Creative Force and co founder of Denmark’s largest TA network. Pernille shares an inside look at how TA is evolving and what needs to change for recruiters to become strategic partners instead...
-
Burnout, Mobility, and the New TA Skillset with Matt Charney
In this episode, Denise Chaffin sits down with industryanalyst and publisher Matt Charney to break down the real state of recruiting and what the TA community can expect in 2026. Matt brings deep context from years across recruiting, analytics, media, and workforce insights, giving a grounded and...
-
A Rising Tide Lifts All Workforces: Seth Stover on Global Talent and Purpose-Driven Outsourcing
In this episode, Denise Chaffin sits down with Seth Stover, founder and CEO of Tide Rise, a company transforming outsourcing into a force for global good. What began as a small project in Malawi evolved into a scalable model of economic empowerment and opportunity. Seth shares how his team turned…
more -
From Qualified to Chosen: Gina Riley on Standing Out in Your Career
In this episode, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Gina Riley, career transition coach and author of Qualified Isn’t Enough, to explore why great talent often gets overlooked—and how to fix it. Drawing from her “Career Velocity” framework, Gina shares a nine-step process that helps leaders…
more -
The Future of Recruiting Is Here — and It’s Still Human with Gail Houston & Jim Schnyder
Recruiters beware — the future is already here. In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Gail Houston Associate Director at Grail and Jim Schnyder, President of Recruiting Advisors, to explore how AI is reshaping the recruiting landscape. As co-directors of the DFW Texas...
-
The Back Nine of Careers: Meredith Leitch on Work, Life, and New Chapters
In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin reconnects with longtime colleague Meredith Leitch, who transitioned from a 25-year career at Intel into a purpose-driven second act. Meredith shares her journey through Encore Fellowships with The Fedcap Group, where experienced professionals...
-
Turnover, Ghosting, and Resilience: A Candid Look at Today’s Workforce
In this special annual panel discussion, host Denise Chaffin welcomes back Courtney Schuelke, Jamie Starner, and Michael O’Brien to revisit the state of work in 2025. Together, they share insights across industries—retail, restaurants, and technology—highlighting rising turnover rates, the...
-
Why Recruiting Needs Both AI Efficiency and Human Connection with Rebecca Carr
Rebecca Carr, CEO of SmartRecruiters, joins Denise Chaffin to discuss the company’s recent acquisition by SAP and what it means for the future of talent acquisition technology. Rebecca shares her journey from recruiter to product leader to CEO, her perspective on the ATS market’s evolution, and…
more -
Using AI to Empower Recruiters, Not Replace Them with Joseph Burns
Joseph Burns, CEO of Lupa, joins Denise Chaffin to share why the future of hiring isn't about replacing recruiters with AI, but empowering them. Drawing from personal experience building and shutting down an AI recruiter, Joseph walks through the trade-offs, risks, and realities of automation in...
-
Dotcom to GenAI: David Manaster Reflects on the TA Rollercoaster
In this episode, Denise Chaffin sits down with David Manaster, the longtime CEO and founder of ERE Media, to reflect on the past, present, and future of talent acquisition. With over 25 years at the forefront of recruiting media, David shares stories from the early internet days, the rise of job...
-
Hello to Hire: Rethinking the Recruiting Journey with Jared Bruss
In this episode of Talking TA, Denise Chaffin sits down with Jared Bruss, Enterprise Account Executive at Gem, to explore the transformation of the recruiting industry through the eyes of a sales leader. With over a decade of experience at ZipRecruiter and Gem, Jared shares unique insights into…
more -
The Truth About TA & HR Software: What Vendors Don’t Tell You – with Phil Strazzulla
In this episode, Denise Chaffin is joined by Phil Strazzulla, founder of SelectSoftware Reviews, to dive deep into the world of HR technology. Phil shares how HR leaders can avoid costly mistakes when selecting software, why incentives shape product quality, and how AI is shifting what’s possible...
-
Rethinking ROI: The Power of Experience with Shannon Milhollin
Shannon Milhollin, founder of Empower Your Event, joins the podcast to unpack how internal and recruiting events can drive real business results. She discusses the ROI of experience, how purposeful design influences culture, and why comfort, connection, and creativity should be central to every...
-
Why Thinking Differently Drives Results – Disability Inclusion with Weslie Ricks
In this compelling episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin welcomes Weslie Ricks, a global accessibility and disability consultant and founder of Divergent Talent Consulting. Together, they dive deep into the evolving conversation around neurodiversity, disability inclusion, and the return on...
-
How Storytelling Drives Hiring Success with Jim D’Amico
Denise Chaffin is joined again by Jim D’Amico, VP of Talent Acquisition at Caliber Collision, to discuss the transformation of recruiting from a game of attraction to a strategy of influence. Jim breaks down how psychology, storytelling, and peripheral engagement form the new ecosystem of TA.…
more -
Hunter vs. Herder: Jeff Pierce on Why Recruiters Need a Marketer’s Mindset
In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin sits down with Jeff Pearce, a seasoned recruiter and sourcing expert who led a game-changing mentorship program at Walmart Connect. Jeff shares the story of how he created a curriculum from scratch to train coordinators in strategic sourcing—and...
-
Low-Hanging Fruit and High-Impact Strategy in Hiring Tech with Kevin Serwatka
In this episode of Talking TA, host Denise Chaffin welcomes Kevin Serwatka, founder of Benchmark, an AI-powered hiring optimization platform. Kevin takes us on his journey from agency recruiter to talent leader at Google, Meta, and Robinhood—culminating in the launch of his own company. Together,...
-
Recruiter by Blood, Leader by Design: A Deep Dive with Tim Sackett
In this insightful episode of Talking To..., host Denise Chaffin sits down with Tim Sackett, CEO of HRU Technical Resources, to explore the deeply personal and professional journey that brought him to the forefront of recruiting and HR thought leadership. Tim shares what it was like growing up…
more -
Transform 2025
Recorded live at Transform 2025, one of the leading HR and Talent Acquisition conferences, this episode captures powerful conversations with some of the industry's brightest minds. Hosted by Denise Chaffin, this dynamic discussion dives into the rise of Agentic AI in HR, where technology is...
-
The Ice Cream Incident: Culture, Conflict & Compliance with Janine Yancey
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…
more -
Transforming Talent: People, AI, and the Next Evolution with Larry McAlister
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...
-
It’s Time to Adapt, Jim Durbin Shares Why
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,...
-
Workplace Flexibility: What CEOs Get Wrong—Brian Elliott Explains
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...
-
From Fear to Fluency: Embracing AI with Justin Simpson
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 Isn’t Replacing You—It’s Changing Everything. Are You Ready? Insights from Trent Cotton
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...
-
Job Hopping or Smart Hopping? Serge Boudreau & Brian Fink Break It Down
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...
-
Inclusive Hiring That Works: Jo Weech on the Future of Recruitment
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...
-
Beyond the Hype: Understanding AI in Hiring to Gain an Edge with Eric Maass PhD
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...
-
From Recruiter to Business Partner with Orlando Haynes
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…
more -
Turning Transferable Skills into Career Assets with Barbara Bruno
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...
-
Secrets to Employee Retention: Matt Rieck Talks Hiring, Training, and Culture
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...
-
Tech Stack Sneak Peak ERIN: Employee Referral Platform
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…
more -
Transform Your Talent Acquisition Game with Clark Willcox
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,...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Talking TA, your go-to podcast for talent acquisition insights. Hosted by Denise Chaffin, join us for conversations with HR and recruitment experts. Uncover trends, best practices, and strategies to elevate your recruitment game. Expect insider discussions, exploration of talent acquisition techniques, and insights into pressing HR issues. Stay ahead with Talking TA—your key to building and retaining a top-tier team.
HOSTED BY
Denise Chaffin
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Talking TA have?
Talking TA currently has 90 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Talking TA about?
Welcome to Talking TA, your go-to podcast for talent acquisition insights. Hosted by Denise Chaffin, join us for conversations with HR and recruitment experts. Uncover trends, best practices, and strategies to elevate your recruitment game. Expect insider discussions, exploration of talent...
How often does Talking TA release new episodes?
Talking TA has 90 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Talking TA?
You can listen to Talking TA on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Talking TA?
Talking TA is created and hosted by Denise Chaffin.
URL copied to clipboard!