The Staffing Show

AI is all the hype at the moment, and in recruitment, it’s obvious that it needs to be used, but how it should be used is not as clear. Today on The Staffing Show, we welcome the president and COO of Uniti Med and GQR Healthcare, Chris Sund, and the head of software solutions, technology, and trading at GQR Healthcare, Holly Stewart, to discuss how you can use AI to impact your business and how their new AI recruitment platform, Nebula, can help you do that.  Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what Nebula does, how it differs from other large-language models, how top-performing recruiters are using AI to save time and recruit different people who may not have otherwise been noticed, and so much more. We delve into where recruiting needs human relationships and why those areas should never be automated, before discussing how agencies can get the most out of Nebula and how they are making the adoption of this tool easier for recruiters. Finally, our guests share their thoughts on the future of agencies that make use of AI tools versus those that don’t. Thanks for listening.  

In an industry where margins are razor-thin and the average data breach costs over $10 million, staffing leaders are moving beyond “good enough” solutions to transform benefits and data security from mandatory requirements into a powerful strategic advantage. Today on The Staffing Show, David Folwell is joined by Carl Stecker, Founder and President of Benefits in a Card, and Scott Poeschl, Senior Vice President of Avionté+, to examine how staffing firms can rethink employee benefits as a strategic lever rather than a fixed expense. They discuss the risks of manual data transfers and why real-time API integration is crucial for protecting sensitive employee information. They explain how good data hygiene supports the use of AI tools while improving security and compliance. The conversation also covers why participation rates matter for staffing owners, the difference between bundled and unbundled benefit plans, and how firms that leverage benefits strategically differ from those that do not. Finally, they share practical steps firms can take to optimize benefits, reduce risk, and improve overall outcomes.

Many leaders say they want a culture of accountability, but building that culture starts with how they choose to lead. In this episode of The Staffing Show, Hilary Baker sits down with Dan Mori, founder of Staffing Mastery, the Staffing Dashboard, and the Staffing Sales Summit. Drawing on years of working with staffing leaders, Dan explains why accountability is often a leadership issue rather than a people issue, and how unclear expectations and reactive behavior often result in a culture based on fear rather than continuous improvement. He outlines practical tools to help you clearly communicate your vision and financial targets with your teams, and how to build an environment that allows team members to learn from their mistakes and take accountability. The conversation also explores what leaders should look for when hiring, how agencies are navigating AI adoption, and what separates firms that create lasting value from those that become replaceable. Dan closes by sharing what leaders can expect at the upcoming Staffing Sales Summit and why this moment represents an inflection point for the industry.

Recruitment for travel nursing is incredibly niche, and today on The Staffing Show, we are joined by the founder and CEO of Wayward Medical Staffing, Jordan Tallman, to discuss his incredible healthcare staffing agency and to hear his expertise in this field. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Jordan’s career, what led him to the staffing industry, what makes Wayward Medical Staffing so unique, and so much more! We delve into their approach to AI, technology, brand building, and content strategies before discussing what works when it comes to sourcing. Jordan also explains his strategy of giving and shares some insight into what nursing staff think of healthcare staffing agencies. Finally, Jordan answers our rapid-fire questions. To hear all this and more, be sure to press play now! 

What if you could own a staffing business without signing a long-term lease, hiring a full team on day one, or pouring most of your net worth into the unknown? In this episode of The Staffing Show, we sit down with Cary Daniel, Co-Founder and CEO of NEXTAFF, to explore how the franchise model in staffing is being completely reimagined for the modern market. In our conversation, Cary shares how he was “coerced” into staffing back in the 90s, how he built and sold his first multi-office firm, and how he went on to launch NEXTAFF and grow it into a multi-vertical staffing franchise. He explains how the industry has evolved from traditional territory-based franchising, what’s broken in the classic staffing franchise playbook, and how NEXTAFF’s virtual model dramatically lowers startup costs and risk. We explore why many recruiters and sales pros are now choosing franchising, the gaps in exit opportunities for mid-sized agencies, and how owners can shift into semi-absentee roles while promoting their number-two leaders. We also delve into how NEXTAFF is leveraging AI agents, what Cary thinks is overhyped about AI-driven hiring, and why humanoid robots could become part of the future staffing mix. Tune in now!

The staffing industry is one of the biggest targets for cybersecurity attacks, and in this episode of The Staffing Show, we are joined by the founder and CEO of Benefits in a Card, Carl Stecker, to discuss the hidden data risks in staffing payroll and how to combat them. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Carl’s career, why integration in the staffing industry is imperative, what his Benefit Sync Portal does, security breaches to watch out for, and so much more! We delve into how integration within Benefits in a Card is impacting the company’s growth before discussing how their clients use the incredible benefits in their marketing strategies. Carl even tells us why he believes the staffing industry should embrace AI. Finally, hear why spending time with family is the most valuable investment you can make and be inspired to check out Benefits in a Card. Thanks for listening in!

What does it take to stand out in the competitive world of nursing recruitment? According to today’s guest, it starts with authenticity, strategy, and building a brand people trust. In this episode of The Staffing Show, we are joined by the founder and president of Nurse Recruitment Experts, Adam Chambers, to discuss recruitment in the nursing industry. To kick off, Adam tells us about his recruitment career, why he built a lifestyle brand, and how that has affected how he runs his business. We then delve into some tactics that work in nurse recruitment marketing; learn about Adam’s podcast, Nurse Recruitment Secrets; and discuss what’s next for nursing recruitment and how the staffing industry is evolving. Thanks for listening in!

What does the future hold for the staffing industry? Chris Ryan is the Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer at Avionté Staffing Software. In this episode, he joins us to explore the shifting dynamics of the job market and what these changes mean for staffing and recruitment. From wage inflation to embracing technological changes, to the pandemic’s lasting impact on supply chains, we explore the forces reshaping the industry in 2025. We discuss the centralization of recruitment, the evolving role of staffing agencies, and why maintaining a high-quality talent pool remains essential, even as technology advances. If you’re looking to navigate this changing landscape with clarity and strategic focus, this conversation offers valuable insight, so tune in now!

The staffing industry is evolving fast, and today we are discussing what’s working and what’s not! We are joined by staffing industry experts, Sara Orr, Matt Dichter, Peter Sitov, Corey Grissom, and Jack Copeland to discuss how modern staffing firms are using technology to accelerate the growth of their agencies. They share insights on building a collaborative tech stack, share the biggest challenges in staffing, measuring ROI holistically, and managing multiple tech partners. We also dive into the build vs. buy debate, key client and candidate touchpoints, and the future of staffing agencies. Plus, each guest reveals their favorite way to leverage AI—and offers actionable tips for choosing the right tech partners while maintaining strong industry relationships. Thanks for listening!

MeeDerby has been the leading executive search firm specializing in staffing and workforce solutions since 1988, and today, we are joined by its founder and CEO, Robin Mee, and president, Kim Whiteley. After detailing their journeys in staffing, Robin and Kim describe the work of MeeDerby and how the company approaches its business partnerships. Then, we unpack the lessons learned at MeeDerby from having a remote work culture for over 18 years, the current state of the remote work market, why hybrid may be the only answer, and how various industries feel about returning to the office. We also unpack the pendulum of power between hiring managers and candidates, MeeDerby’s education-and-communication-first approach to its executive search and hiring talent, and its protocol for staying connected and driving culture forward in remote teams. To end, Robin and Kim share their thoughts on the possible future of staffing and remote work, and their final thoughts encourage listeners to stay flexible and open to collaboration.

For this edition of our CMO Roundtable discussions, we’re joined by Tom Kosnik, President of Visus Group; Michelle Krier, Head of Marketing at Advanced RPO; Austin Fowler, Director of Marketing at The Ash Group; Kyle Coughlin, VP of Marketing at The Reserves Network; and Amy Giessinger, VP of Marketing at Doherty. Our guests explore how to craft content and campaigns that truly grab attention, whether it’s more cost-effective to retain top talent or hire new staff (and why both options matter), and which current marketing trends are driving consumer demand. We also unpack the power of account-based marketing, shine a light on the creative tactics these leaders use to attract candidates, and take a closer look at the ROI of marketing. To wrap things up, our guests share insights on aligning sales, operations, and marketing, and future trends they’re most excited about.

In today’s rapidly changing staffing landscape, how do you grow while everyone else is flat or declining? In this episode of The Staffing Show, we’re joined by Steven Farrell, Director of Sales at Your Employment Solutions (YES) and host of The Staffing Playbook Podcast, to unpack the strategies that helped his team achieve double-digit growth in a down market. Steven shares the pivotal “why” moment that cemented his purpose in staffing, the power of niching down to an ideal customer profile, and how marketing and sales alignment can create unstoppable momentum. He also dives into the development of a 45-question discovery framework that doubled his team’s conversion rate and explains why personalized outreach trumps mass cold calls. To discover how intentionality, research, and human connection are redefining success in staffing (and how you can apply the same lessons to your business), tune in today! Get More Information About Steven’s Daughter’s Condition

For staffing professionals in healthcare, the job is more than just making the right hires; it’s about doing so quickly and efficiently but also carefully to ensure patients ultimately receive the best care possible. Today we are joined by Holly Bass, a healthcare staffing industry advocate and expert, and Executive Director at the National Association of Travel Healthcare Organizations (NATHO). Holly details her career in staffing, then unpacks NATHO’s company structure evolution since its inception and the ins and outs of its Annual Conference for Healthcare Staffing Executives. After explaining what NATHO has up its sleeves for the future, Holly walks us through the lessons she’s learned after 24 years in the staffing game, current market trends worth noting, the submission-to-placement dilemma, and the role of new technology in staffing. To end, our guest reiterates the importance of prioritizing people and relationships above all else, current cost structures in healthcare staffing, the books that keep her inspired and motivated, and her advice for newbies following a similar career path.    

Without a sense of direction, today’s technological climate can be overwhelming. To unpack how staffing tech leaders can successfully navigate this challenging landscape, we spoke with the President of Oak City Advisors, Daniel Mastropolo, and the Senior Director of Technology and Innovation at Skillwork, Tim Ratliff. Dan and Tim describe their paths to staffing before examining the tech burnout pandemic in staffing leadership and other daily challenges that have consumed the industry. We compare the woes of big corporations to those of smaller businesses, our guests’ solutions to today’s most pressing market dilemmas, how to connect tech strategy to overarching organizational goals, how to manage expectations when introducing new tech products, and how to measure success and ROI from a tech leadership perspective. To end, Tim and Dan walk us through today’s standout AI and automation innovations and how they could improve the future of staffing, and share what excites them most about the upcoming Staffing Hub Tech Roundtable discussions.

So many staffing agencies are spending way too much on job boards! What if there was another way to find suitable candidates? Today on The Staffing Show, we are joined by the co-founder of Boostie and Bullhorn Automation, Travis Arnold, to discuss the changing landscape of the staffing industry. Tuning in, you’ll hear all about Travis’ interesting career and what led him to staffing, what his company Boostie does, the changes he sees in job boards and sourcing in staffing, and so much more! We even delve into what we can learn from the E-commerce mindset about sales and how implementing those tactics can improve how staffing industries operate before discussing the value of retargeting. Travis even shares advice for staffing agencies and for anyone entering into the industry. Thanks for listening!

How do leaders stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry while preparing for the future of work? During this episode, we sit down with Jeffrey Bowling, Co-Founder and Partner at Four Piers, and Eric Gregg, Founder and CXS at ClearlyRated. First, we discuss key market trends, how AI is changing the recruitment industry, and some of the tools that leaders can leverage to navigate turbulent times effectively. Predicting how the hiring landscape may change in the next three to five years, we explore growth strategies and ways to measure performance to ensure organizational success. We examine the critical role of creativity in overcoming challenges and why it can be pivotal to bring everyone in the organization into your problem-solving process. We also get into what it looks like to prioritize progress during difficult periods through leadership and discuss what attributes to look for in new hires: grit and drive. Join us today to hear all this and more.

The culture of a firm you are acquiring is an essential factor to consider when trying to be successful in mergers and acquisitions. Today we are joined by the president of the Visus Group, Thomas Kosnik, the chief corporate development officer of TalentLaunch, Matthew Lyon, and the CFO of First Step Staffing, Reggie Harmon to discuss the staffing industry and their vast experience in it! Tuning in, you’ll hear all about what to focus on to succeed in acquisition, their biggest mistakes and greatest wins, how they structure their financial deals, how to grow organically, and so much more! We delve into their budgeting strategies before our guests explain how they develop compensation plans for staffing agencies. We even discuss how they go about hiring CFOs. Finally, Matt, Tom, and Reggie talk about their 2025 budgets and where they see the industry going in the near future. Thanks for listening!

What does it take to grow and sell a successful staffing agency? Today, we sit down with Diane Prince, founder and serial entrepreneur, to discuss her businesses and how she sold them for a profit. Diane is a seasoned entrepreneur, business leader, and founder of DianePrince.co and Recruiting Agency 360. She is best known for her remarkable achievement of building and selling a staffing agency for $28 million in just six years. With over 25 years of experience, she now empowers recruiting and staffing founders to scale their businesses and achieve profitable exits. In our conversation, Diane shares her journey from starting a staffing business with no experience to achieving a major sale. She explains the fundamentals of an entrepreneurial mindset and the importance of intentionality when building a business. Discover the role of outsourcing, the value of focusing on a niche market, and how technology plays a part in scaling a staffing agency. Tune in to hear Diane’s advice on leadership, managing growth, and her tips for exiting a business successfully.

Are you curious about the benefits of the franchise model in the staffing industry? In this episode, we dive deep into the topic with Will Skowyra, the Director of Strategic Solutions at Express Employment International, as he shares his journey from growing up in a family-owned staffing franchise to leading strategic solutions at a major corporation. With a rich background in the staffing industry, Will lends this conversation a unique perspective, having been involved in both the franchise and corporate sides of the business. Tune in as he discusses the ins and outs of the franchise model, the importance of local ownership, and how technology is reshaping the staffing industry. He also shares insights on the evolving landscape of staffing, including the integration of AI and platform staffing models, and how Express Employment International is staying ahead of the curve!

You’ve built your brand from nothing and have developed a healthy following, but have you bred superfans who are wholeheartedly invested in everything you do? Today, we are joined by the incredible keynote speaker and author of Creating Superfans, Brittany Hodak, who uses her wealth of knowledge on customer and candidate experience to explain how you can create superfans for your brand. We begin with Britany’s professional history, why she wrote Creating Superfans, and who she wrote it for, as well as how your company’s candidate experience may affect your brand overall. Then, we discover how to vet your candidate experience for clients and candidates, why many businesses fall short of making the right hires, how to build your base of superfans, and the best practices to follow for a more enriched candidate experience. We end with more recommendations for raising superfans, how to measure the value of superfans for your brand, and the belief that work and rest should always go hand-in-hand.

Your tech stack plays a vital role in the effectiveness and competitiveness of your staffing firm, but building the right one requires more than just selecting the latest and greatest software. Your tools also need to integrate seamlessly, scale with your business, and adapt to the rapidly evolving staffing industry. Today’s guest is Chris Scowden, CEO of Newbury Partners, a business process and IT services consulting firm specializing in the staffing industry. With over 25 years of transformational leadership experience in the recruiting sector, Chris is well-versed in the most effective applications of cutting-edge technology. In this episode, he shares valuable tips and practical strategies to help you leverage AI, maximize automation, optimize your existing tech stack, and much more!

In the staffing industry where the key to thriving is differentiation, creating a unique brand identity that resonates with clients and candidates is essential. Today, we are joined by Richard Rosner, the founder of Staffing Shark and America’s favorite flip-flop-wearing job agent, for a crash course in personal branding. Named one of the Top 100 Staffing Leaders to Watch in 2022 by the World Staffing Awards, Richard knows what it takes to stand out from the crowd! In this episode, he shares his unconventional approach to getting noticed as a recruitment professional and offers invaluable advice for captivating high-quality candidates, leveraging your unique personal brand to boost your company’s profile, and creating engaging content to grow your audience on social media. We also discuss Richard’s favorite AI tools to help you boost your brand strategy and your online presence. For all this and much more, don’t miss this fun, fresh, and inspiring conversation with the Staffing Shark, Richard Rosner!

If you’re struggling in this competitive landscape, then maybe it’s time to adjust your sales mindset. We are joined today by Tom Erb, the Founder and President of Tallann Resources, LLC – a national consulting firm specializing in the staffing and recruiting industry and corporate talent acquisition. We begin with Tom’s professional journey in staffing before discussing what is now one of the most influential books in the industry written six years ago by Tom, Winning the Staffing Sales Game. Then, our guest walks us through the current sales trends, the best practices to adopt, the sales framework that governs his work at Tallann, and how the company stays ahead of its competitors. We also unpack the value proposition challenge that plagues our industry, why sales is about having the right mindset first and foremost, the major industry changes that Tom has noticed in his career, his plans for the future, and more.

On this episode of The Staffing Show, David is joined by Brian Hoffmeyer, SVP of Market Strategies at Beeline. Join the conversation as they break down the inner workings of Beeline, discuss three key strategies they use to differentiate themselves from other VMSs, and unpack their MSP partnerships. Brian also shares his insights on the importance of viewing the contingent workforce from a strategic perspective, explores the term “statement of work,” and highlights other trends in this space. Finally, he provides his take on the evolution of VMS and leaves listeners with valuable advice on effective sales strategies. Tune in for all this and more!  

True leadership is more than just claiming a fancy new title; it’s about cultivating genuine relationships in your workforce, allowing others to make mistakes, taking ownership of your faults, and leading with humility and transparency. Chris Johnson encompasses true leadership in every way, and we are grateful for the knowledge that he shares with us today in his capacity as the Chief Sales Officer at CrossMed Healthcare Staffing Solutions. After explaining how he got into staffing and what CrossMed as a company is all about, Chris describes the current state of healthcare staffing and how industry changes have altered his team’s approach to certain aspects of their jobs. We discover how CrossMed maintains its vibrant office culture, how its leadership team stays connected with the rest of its employees, how it facilitates interdepartmental work relationships, and why it values humility and transparency above all else. To end, we learn about CrossMed’s approach to new technology and AI, and Chris explains how he stays motivated to keep elevating himself in all aspects of life. This episode is brought to you by Bullhorn. For more information, visit bullhorn.com/healthcare/.

In this episode of The Staffing Show, Sara Luchsinger, Senior Vice President of Operations at SEEK Careers/Staffing, joins us to explain how her years of volunteering in the right places helped her to become the leader that she is today. We discuss Sara’s entry into staffing and her interesting mid-career timeout, how volunteering at the American Staffing Association paved the way for her success, what she thinks about the current state of technology, and how staffing has evolved during her career. Sara also describes how SEEK uses technology to create a better experience for its customers, the three W’s that inform her every decision, what she’s learned from the brutal career obstacles she’s had to overcome, and her parting words of wisdom for those looking to forge a similar career path as hers.

In this episode, Lauren Jones, Founder of Leap Advisory Partners, and Rob Mann, VP of Sales at Newbury Partners, join us to unpack trends and the transformative power of technology in staffing. Lauren is a powerhouse in the staffing industry, known for her expertise in workforce technology, change management, and female leadership advocacy, while Rob is regarded as a dynamic figure in the staffing industry, renowned for his expertise in sales and recruitment automation. In our conversation, we delve into industry mergers, sales strategies, technology optimization, and the role of AI in staffing. We discuss the exciting new partnership between Leap and Newbury, how the different companies complement each other, and why it is a one-stop shop. Explore why aligning recruitment and sales teams is essential, the trend of optimization, and important considerations when investing in AI technology. Gain insights into why your tech stack is a living organism, experimenting with new technologies, actionable strategies for integrating AI into your recruitment practices, and more. Tune in to discover exciting staffing trends and how AI is reshaping the recruitment landscape with Lauren Jones and Rob Mann!

We are joined on the show today by Adam Sprecher, an industry veteran with private and public staffing agencies. After learning about Adam’s professional background in staffing, our guest discusses the current industry trends that he sees playing out, his recommended strategies for growing as a staffing company, how his work with different companies influenced the rest of his career, and the talent engagement strategies that he reveres. We also explore agencies’ common mistakes during turmoil, Adam’s vision of the future of staffing, and the undeniable value of listening to and incorporating feedback.

Talent communities are more than just the talent and the recruiters – it’s everyone and everything that you have access to more than your closest competitors. Walking us through the value of strong talent communities is the Vice President of Customer Experience at our sponsor company Staffing Referrals, Rachelle Arnold. Rachelle’s rich professional history in staffing makes her the perfect candidate to define what a talent community is and to explain why it’s important to fully understand the term.  Our conversation journeys us through the work done at Staffing Referrals, why it’s vital to have a unique talent pool to pull from, how to assess a recruiter’s quality and credentials, and the incredible power of referral placements. We also discuss how failure opens doors of opportunity, why the candidate experience matters, why trust and transparency are essential components of recruiting in today’s climate, and everything that the industry is doing to boost and streamline recruiter productivity.  

In today’s episode, we delve into the fascinating journey of Tana Greene, the visionary behind MyWorkChoice, as she shares insights into revolutionizing the hourly workforce industry, empowering individuals, and crafting a culture of flexibility and choice. MyWorkChoice is a recruitment agency that provides a modern and human-centered approach to hiring and managing the hourly workforce. In our conversation, we unpack the high turnover rates and absenteeism in the light industrial staffing industry, how her company addressed these issues by giving workers more flexibility, and the benefits of reducing turnover and increasing employee satisfaction. Hear about her company's transition from brick-and-mortar offices to a completely virtual setup, details about the growth of MyWorkChoice, the challenges of building and maintaining software, and the importance of flexibility to the modern workforce. Gain insights into why flexible work schedules have attracted more women into manufacturing, the secret behind MyWorkChoice’s success, and how to do more with fewer employees. Tana also shares her personal journey, from overcoming challenging situations to navigating domestic violence to starting her own business and reaching her full potential. Tune in as we uncover ways the staffing industry is broken and how empowering the workforce can fix it with Tana Greene!

Recruitment strategies come in all shapes and sizes, but how do you know which one works best for your organization? As you’ll discover in today’s episode, building a talent community is an effective, forward-thinking strategy that can help you attract and retain a highly skilled workforce while saving on recruitment spend and effort. To discuss this topic, we are joined by Dan Mastropolo, Chief Vision Officer of Shiftfillers and President of Oak City Advisors, a passionate staffing executive who goes beyond adapting to change and aims to shape the future. Tuning in, you’ll learn how a talent community can help you maximize your talent database, practical advice for hands-on technology adoption in your organization, the role AI will play in the future of staffing, and much more. To hear about future-proofing talent acquisition and increasing your operational performance, don’t miss this thought-provoking conversation!

In today’s episode, David Folwell sits down with Justin Clarke, Founder and CEO of F|Staff, to discuss technology, trends, and the future of staffing. F|Staff is an on-demand global platform facilitating interactions between CDL drivers and stakeholders on both ends of the market. In our conversation, we discuss his non-traditional path into staffing, lessons from his career journey, and how he founded F|Staff. Discover the benefits of a data-centric business model, why he thinks the staffing industry is broken, and how staffing agencies and customers can benefit from leveraging technology-based solutions. Gain insights into why reducing friction for customers is vital for success and the importance of streamlining the hiring process. Explore the current and future trends of the industry, ways the company is embracing AI, why AI won’t replace you but someone who is using AI will, and much more. Join us as we unpack the steps to building an on-demand future in staffing with Justin Clarke!

In today’s episode, David Folwell welcomes back one of our favorite guests, Vinda Souza, CMO at RefAssured. Tuning in you’ll hear us cover a range of topics relevant to leaders within the staffing industry, from the value of DEI and competitive differentiation to the causes and antidotes to burnout. We talk with Vinda about the importance of diversity when it comes to problem-solving and recognizing blind spots, before learning why DEI is essential for better decisions and happier cultures. We also discuss the root causes of burnout, suggested solutions, and how to make hiring decisions that lead to healthy, supportive teams. Join us for Vinda’s insights on DEI, burnout, and getting company culture right.

In this episode of The Staffing Show, Thomas Kosnik, president of Visus Group, Dawn Meyers, CEO of Malone Workforce Solutions, and Mark Holland, CEO of Ascend Staffing, discuss their experience in leadership roles. They share some best practices when it comes to recruiting and hiring talent and talk about who they trust for business advice as well as key factors to consider when growing a business.

Aaron Opalewski, CEO and Founder of Spark Talent, joined David Folwell to talk about his experience in the staffing industry. He shared what it’s been like to create Spark Companies, a portfolio of companies that operate within different niches. He talks about the company’s growth over the past year and also shares his philosophy of being transparent about both success and failure. He also talks about a unique situation where he worked with one of his former competitors and they created a new, successful company together.