Transformation Realness

Join us for an insightful episode of Transformation Realness as host Kyle Lagunas sits down with Julia Levy, a seasoned talent acquisition expert with over 25 years of experience. Julia recently made the bold move to leave corporate America and channel her vast knowledge into writing a book aimed at helping the next generation navigate the job market. In this episode, Julia shares her journey and the motivation behind her new book, offering listeners a candid look into the world of talent acquisition. Julia Levy, a former leader of global talent acquisition functions at Fortune 500 companies, discusses the persistent challenges in hiring practices and why big ATS platforms may be holding back enterprise talent teams. She emphasizes the importance of providing unvarnished truths to job seekers and steering clear of quick hacks or gimmicks. Instead, Julia advocates for working with the system to achieve meaningful career outcomes. The conversation delves into the impact of the pandemic on employment, particularly for recent graduates, and Julia’s efforts to support them through LinkedIn Live sessions and her book. Listeners will also hear about her approach to writing in a relatable tone, aiming to connect with readers on a personal level. Whether you're a student, parent, or talent professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of talent acquisition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join us on this episode of Transformation Realness as we dive deep into the current landscape of HR and talent acquisition with Steve Bartel, CEO and co-founder of GEM. Steve shares his insights on how the efficiency imperative is reshaping the hiring landscape, with a focus on AI, automation, and the pressing need to do more with less without compromising the well-being of recruitment teams. In this candid conversation, Steve and host Kyle Lagunas explore the challenges faced by recruiting teams as they navigate increasing expectations and shrinking resources. Discover what separates successful teams harnessing AI from those struggling to keep up, and gain insights into the future of recruiting under current constraints. With data-driven findings from GEM's latest research, Steve highlights the growing workload on smaller teams, the rising number of interviews per hire, and the unrealistic expectations that many hiring managers hold. If you're a talent acquisition leader feeling the pressure, this episode will resonate with you, offering not just empathy but actionable insights to help you navigate the evolving recruitment landscape. Tune in to learn how to leverage AI effectively and meet the demands of today's hiring environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformation Realness, host Kyle Lagunas dives into the evolving landscape of HR with Rocki Howard, founder and chief diversiologist at Diversiology.io and chief people and equity officer at Textio. Rocki shares her candid insights on how AI is reshaping the recruitment process and what talent professionals must do to remain indispensable in an AI-driven world. Listeners will discover how AI can be leveraged to enhance the human elements of HR, such as judgment, relationships, and trust-building, rather than replacing them. Rocki emphasizes the importance of focusing on the irreplaceable human aspects of recruiting, such as building partnerships and accountability with hiring managers. She also shares her perspective on the evolution of recruitment technology and how it should be viewed as a tool to enhance, not threaten, the human touch in HR. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling uneasy about their role in an AI-shaped future. Rocki's empowering message challenges HR professionals to embrace AI as a partner in transformation, urging them to take ownership of their unique value in the recruitment process. Tune in to learn how to navigate this pivotal moment in HR and make AI work for you, not against you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformation Realness, host Kyle Lagunas sits down with Joe Shaker, President of Shaker Recruitment Marketing, to explore the evolving landscape of recruitment marketing. Joe, coming from a lineage that's been shaping the industry for three generations, offers a unique perspective on what creativity means in an era where technology and automation dominate. Listeners will gain insights into how employer branding can stand out when everyone has access to the same tools and strategies. Joe discusses the importance of storytelling and the human element in recruitment, even as AI and automation become more prevalent. He emphasizes the need for scaling best practices rather than worst ones and highlights the critical role of AI literacy across organizations. Join Kyle and Joe as they delve into the pressures facing talent acquisition teams today, the balance between technology and personal interaction, and how organizations can use AI to enhance rather than replace human efforts. Whether you're interested in the future of recruitment or looking to understand the current crossroads the industry faces, this conversation is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hiring is messy, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Transformation Realness, I sit down with Adam Godson, CEO of Paradox, and Andrew McMannis, Head of Workday Practice at Paradox, to talk about how AI-powered hiring is transforming talent acquisition. We get into why high-volume hiring, interview scheduling and frontline recruitment are still full of friction, how Paradox is delivering AI that actually works behind the scenes and why Workday’s partner ecosystem is making hiring more seamless than ever. Adam and Andrew break down what it means to build “invisible” software that removes headaches instead of adding them, and how recruiters can finally stop bouncing between a million tabs and just focus on hiring. If you’re tired of hiring processes that slow you down instead of speeding things up, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by Mark Hanson and Caroline Effinger of Lightcast to talk all things skills-based transformation. From connecting hiring to learning to using labor market data for smarter workforce planning, Mark and Caroline share how organizations can turn skills into their biggest advantage. We also dive into Lightcast’s partnership with Workday, how AI is transforming workforce strategies and why skills are the secret to building resilience in today’s fast-changing world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by David Wachtel, General Manager of Talent Products at Workday, to explore how Workday is empowering HR leaders to take innovation into their own hands. We dive deep into Extend, the platform letting customers build tailored apps within Workday’s secure ecosystem, and Built on Workday, a marketplace unlocking new opportunities for partners to create scalable solutions.  David also breaks down how trust and customer-centricity remain at the heart of Workday’s strategy, enabling organizations to move fast without compromising on reliability. If you’re curious about how Workday is setting the bar for innovation in HR tech, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m sitting down with Ahryun Moon, CEO and co-founder, and Jasper Sone, founder and CPO of GoodTime. We’re diving into the chaos of interviews—one of the most frustrating, yet critical parts of hiring—and exploring how GoodTime’s AI-powered platform is turning things around. From smarter scheduling to empowering interviewers and creating connected ecosystems through agentic AI, GoodTime is transforming how organizations hire. If you’re ready to elevate your talent acquisition game and finally tame the Wild West of hiring, this episode is for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m sitting down with Jason Scheckner, Senior Director of Business Strategy, and Ernest Ng, Senior Principal and Product Strategist, at HiredScore—now officially part of the Workday family. HiredScore is rewriting the rules of HR tech with their AI Talent Orchestration platform, moving beyond buzzwords to deliver tools that actually work. We get into how HiredScore evolved from basic matching and scoring to becoming the orchestration powerhouse it is today, what it means to partner with Workday, and how they’re driving iconic outcomes for their customers. If you’re ready to hear what’s really possible when AI works for you instead of against you, this one’s for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by Donald Knight, SVP of People and Culture at Warner Brothers and formerly Chief People Officer at Greenhouse Software. We explore the unique challenges of leading in an HR tech company, the rise of fractional leadership, and the power of finding your village to navigate it all.  From balancing culture, customers, and brand evangelism to embracing resilience in the face of chaos, Donald shares lessons that every HR leader needs to hear. If you’re ready to rethink how to thrive in this ever-evolving field, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rebecca Carr, CEO of SmartRecruiters, joins me to talk about shaking up hiring tech with personalized workflows, API-first platforms and tools that actually work. From cutting through clunky processes to empowering users with seamless integrations, Rebecca shares how SmartRecruiters is making hiring as intuitive as unlocking your phone. If you’re ready to reimagine recruiting technology for today’s fast-paced world, this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Transformation Realness, I’m joined by Radancy’s Jahkedda Akbar and Matt Lamphear about turning HR tech chaos into streamlined solutions. We explore how Radancy’s human-first innovation, data-driven agility, and unified tech stack empower recruiters to thrive in today’s dynamic talent landscape. Our conversation hits everything from streamlining bloated tech stacks to tackling the ever-shifting whims of today’s candidates. Ready to take notes, HR leaders? Let’s go. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by none other than Yvette Cameron, Senior Vice President of Cloud HCM Product Strategy at Oracle. Yvette is a visionary (and certified badass) reshaping workforce technology with a focus on what actually matters: skills, culture, and empowering managers to lead in a rapidly changing world. We tackle big questions about how skills fit into the bigger picture of talent strategies, the challenges facing today’s managers, and the incredible potential of generative AI to transform work — without getting lost in the hype. If you’re ready to think bigger about the future of work, this conversation is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I sit down with Employ’s leadership dream team — Dara Brenner, Steve Cox and Lucy Zarlengo — to unpack how they’re flipping the script on HR tech. Employ, the brains behind Jobvite, Lever, and JazzHR, is bringing these powerhouse brands together under one mission: giving talent acquisition teams tools that actually work. We get into how they’re uniting distinct strengths, empowering recruiters to prove ROI, and building a low-ego culture that thrives on collaboration. If you’re ready to hear what scaling with excellence really looks like, this episode is for you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformation Realness, Kyle Lagunas is joined by Toya Del Valle, chief customer officer at Cornerstone OnDemand, to unpack how skills are more than just a buzzword. They explore why workforce agility matters (especially during a recession), how Cornerstone is approaching skills internally and the impact of their recent SkyHive acquisition. You’ll hear why recruiting your way out of a skills gap is a terrible idea and how to ensure your HR tech investments actually drive value. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by Keith Sonderling, former EEOC commissioner and an absolute legend when it comes to tackling AI in HR. Keith breaks down how AI can totally transform our work—but only if we strike the right balance between innovation and accountability. Tune in as we dive into the big questions: How do we embrace AI responsibly? What’s HR’s role in making it all fair, transparent, and compliant? This one’s a must-listen for anyone ready to lead the charge into the future of work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m joined by Opal Wagnac, SVP of Market & Product Strategy at isolved, to discuss how AI can empower HR leaders without compromising the human touch. Opal shares why AI’s true value depends on critical thinkers, ethical frameworks and, most importantly, real people guiding its use. She dives into the challenges and opportunities of AI for SMBs, her approach to building trust in tech and why HR leaders need to embrace their role as change agents. Get ready for a candid look at AI, innovation and why the future of HR is human-first. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformation Realness, I'm joined by Satish Kumar, CEO and co-founder of Glider AI, as we explore how assessments can be more than just gatekeepers — they can be key to discovering untapped potential in candidates. Satish shares how Glider’s next-gen tools combat candidate fraud, use hands-on assessments to validate true skills, and look beyond immediate hiring to identify potential for long-term growth.  Join us as we dig into why today’s organizations need smarter assessments and how Satish’s insights from education tech are transforming corporate hiring and development. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who wants to make the hiring process as genuine and future-focused as possible. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m talking with Natalie Egan, CEO and founder of Translator, Inc., and Steven Huang, director of social justice at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) about how much of ourselves we can — or should — bring to work. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m talking with Mara Jones, head of people and culture at Kasa, and Tara Torres, formerly Kasa’s director of talent acquisition and strategic people initiatives. We're digging into one of the hottest and most complex topics in the industry right now: skills-based talent strategy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m talking with Splunk’s Allie Wehling, IO psychologist and head of talent assessment, and Dustin Cann, senior director of people process, compliance and operations. We discuss the nuances of AI in HR, best practices for exploring the delicate balance between innovation and compliance and strategies for implementing AI in HR safely, ethically and intentionally. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m talking with HR veterans John Baldino and Robin Schooling. We discuss navigating the complex intersection of compliance and culture, including the importance of staying informed, taking care of yourself, and maintaining a steady presence despite challenges. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m talking with Hung Lee, editor of leading industry newsletter Recruiting Brainfood. We’re taking a look at the chaotic era of COVID-19 and the ripple effect the pandemic had on recruitment practices. Hung and I compare notes on where we could have done things differently, where we had absolutely no control, and where things landed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the season one finale of Transformation Realness! I’m talking with Dr. Nela Richardson, chief economist and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. We discuss ADP’s latest research findings, why they focused on a global audience and how HR can help workers even if they can’t give them an 8% raise. We also remind employers that employees saw how they stepped up during the pandemic — and they expect that to continue. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m talking to Star Carter, an attorney, startup founder, and a leadership advisor and consultant at Egon Zehnder. I’m also talking with Zach Nunn, who has deep HR and people experience and is CEO and host of Living Corporate. We get into the state of DEIB in the workplace, the backsliding of gains from the pandemic and whether we can actually have sustained DEIB improvement under American capitalism. And if not, what can people do on their own? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m talking to IA founder Mark Stelzner and podcaster, speaker and “Betting on You” author Laurie Ruettimann about the latest rounds of layoffs and why the market always overcorrects on hiring and firing. We also get deep about HR’s purpose: What does it mean to have a seat at the table anymore, and can you be all-in on HR and capitalism and still be true to yourself? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Transformation Realness, I’m speaking with Shaunda Zilich of Marriott International and Rian Finnegan of Snap. Here’s the truth: Talent brand is more important than ever before, whether you’re B2B or B2C. Shaunda and Rian talk about how they’re advancing talent brand in their current roles and what they learned at places like GE, Pandora and Peloton. We also answer two big questions about the future of talent brand: How can it get the resources it needs, and where should it live in the business? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformational Realness, I’m talking with Jane Curran and Megan Kleinick, who are JLL’s global head of talent acquisition and director of global HR technology, respectively. We discuss how TA is driving transformation in HR, why technology isn’t an “easy button” you can press, and how Jane and Megan are partnering to solve big challenges in workforce planning, internal mobility and contingent workforces at JLL.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Transformational Realness, I’m talking with Keith Sonderling, who serves as a commissioner on the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He discusses the promise of artificial intelligence to remove biases from hiring decisions, how the private sector is taking the lead on AI’s use, and why regulators need to be careful about overregulating. We also discuss why, if companies want to de-risk hiring discrimination, they need to embrace AI, not avoid it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Are you trying to transform the world of work but are tired of half-baked thought leadership and overhyped solutions? Well, this podcast is for you. In just a few weeks, I'll be launching Transformational Realness, the only podcast highlighting people who are making a difference in talent management and HR — and have the guts to share their stories. Find us on Spotify and Apple Podcasts to get notified when episodes drop. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices