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 how AI is reshaping recruiting workflows. She explains how SmartRecruiters is pioneering AI-driven solutions like Winston, an agent designed to handle workflow orchestration and recruiter support, while emphasizing the importance of humanizing hiring in the age of automation. The conversation explores industry consolidation, recruiter skill evolution, misconceptions about AI, and what TA leaders should do now to stay ahead.

Key Episode Segments:

• SAP’s Acquisition of SmartRecruiters: A milestone that signals increased consolidation in the HR tech space and accelerates AI-driven innovation.

• ATS Evolution 3.0: The shift from supply-chain-inspired systems to cloud-based platforms to AI-enabled, no-UI recruiting experiences.

• Winston, the AI Recruiting Agent: Designed to integrate into daily workflows (Slack, Teams, ATS) and coordinate with other AI agents across the recruiting ecosystem.

• Recruiting Roles Are Changing: AI will take over 82% of administrative tasks, allowing recruiters to become true talent advisors.

• Practical Advice for Leaders: Start experimenting with AI now (begin with interview scheduling) and retire the mindset that automation alone equals AI.

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 TA. He shares how Lupa uses AI to enhance decision-making, how cultural context matters in global hiring, and why his team blends human empathy with tech-powered efficiency. This episode delivers a grounded look at AI’s limits—and what thoughtful innovation really looks like.

Key Episode Segments:

• AI Isn't the Solution—It's a Tool: Joseph shares why his AI recruiting startup failed and how candidates rejected being interviewed by AI, especially top talent.

• Augmentation Over Automation: At Lupa, AI is used to support recruiters with better processes, scorecards, and prep—not to replace the human element.

• Cultural Intelligence in Global Hiring: Joseph explains why Latin America can’t be treated as a monolith and how onboarding with cultural understanding leads to better outcomes.

• Tech Stack Strategy: Lupa’s success comes from blending thoughtful AI with strong personal branding, categorizing prospects, and engaging meaningfully via LinkedIn.

• Caution Over Hype: Joseph predicts a swing back from AI recruiting hype as companies realize the real risks—negative selection bias and shallow assessments.

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 boards, and the massive shifts brought by AI. They dive into the evolution of sourcing, the changing nature of industry conferences, and how recruiters can adapt—or pivot—to thrive in an increasingly tech-driven field. From full-desk recruiting to competitive intelligence, David offers thoughtful insight into what remains timeless and what’s transforming rapidly in TA.

Key Episode Segments:

• Historical Perspective: David started ERE Media in 1998, originally creating an email discussion list for recruiters that evolved into a major media and events company.

• Tech Cycles & Parallels: He compares the current AI wave to the early internet revolution—both disruptive, both overhyped, and both ultimately transformative.

• Sourcing Evolution: While the term “sourcing” rose recently, the skillset is shifting from standalone roles to part of every recruiter’s toolkit thanks to advanced software.

• TA Conferences Have Changed: Conferences have exploded in number post-COVID, but many are now vendor-driven or pay-for-play, which shifts the learning environment.

• Futureproofing Talent: David sees early tech adopters in TA—especially sourcers—transitioning successfully to broader roles, including competitive intelligence and advisory positions.

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 how technology—particularly AI, CRMs, and talent harvesting tools—is reshaping workflows, improving sourcing, and helping teams manage increasing demands. They discuss the evolution from inbound applications to proactive outreach, the importance of analytics that capture the full funnel, and the emerging challenge of AI-generated fraudulent resumes. Together, they map the industry's shift from transactional recruiting to strategic talent engagement.

Key Episode Segments:

• Inbound to Outbound: Recruiting has moved from passive application review to active sourcing and relationship building—requiring new tech and tactics.

• CRMs Are Crucial: Traditional ATS platforms are no longer enough. CRMs now serve as indispensable systems to manage long-term candidate engagement.

• Tool Fatigue Is Real: Recruiters face a dizzying number of platforms; consolidation and proper training are key to adoption and success.

• AI’s Double Edge: While AI helps streamline sourcing and analytics, it also introduces the risk of resume fraud and demands new safeguards.

• The Knowledge Economy Requires Better Hiring: Success in today’s world depends on hiring smarter, not just faster—highlighting the value of full-funnel analytics and strategic outreach.

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 in recruiting and performance management. From the value of open APIs to the ethics of automation, this episode offers practical advice for navigating the ever-evolving HR tech landscape.

Key Episode Segments:

• Not All Software Is Created Equal – Phil explains how vendor incentives impact software quality, and why niche startups often outperform big suite providers.

• API Openness Matters – Tools like Greenhouse have excelled by being early adopters of open APIs, unlocking a robust third-party ecosystem.

• Ask Smarter Questions – HR leaders should go beyond “Do you integrate?” to “What does that integration actually do?”

• AI Is a Tool, Not a Decision-Maker – While automation can streamline tasks, final hiring and performance decisions still require human judgment.

• Don’t Fear the Tech — Learn It – As AI reshapes recruiting, embracing new tools is essential to stay relevant and effective.

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 internal event. From rethinking job fairs to aligning HR and sales teams, Shannon brings a fresh, strategic take on event planning that goes far beyond logistics.

Key Episode Segments:

• ROI of Experience: Events must move beyond logistics and deliver emotional, cultural, and business value.

• Connection Drives Retention: A single meaningful relationship can influence an employee’s decision to stay.

• Culture Isn’t Accidental: Thoughtful event design creates experiences that align with company values.

• Rethinking Job Fairs: Swap booths for immersive zones, brand stories, and real employee engagement.

• Metrics That Matter: Internal events should track ROI and ROE—retention, motivation, and team engagement.

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 investment for accessible hiring practices. Weslie shares eye-opening insights on the challenges neurodivergent individuals face in the workplace—from outdated interview processes to inaccessible environments—and provides a global perspective on the legal frameworks and best practices driving inclusive innovation. Whether you're a talent leader, HR professional, or business executive, this episode reveals why accessible design and inclusive hiring aren’t just good ethics—they’re smart business strategy.

Key Episode Segments:

• Neurodiversity Explained – Weslie breaks down the broad spectrum of neurodivergent conditions, such as ADHD, autism, and dyslexia, and how they shape communication and working styles.

• Barriers in Hiring – Outdated hiring norms like eye contact and vague communication disadvantage neurodivergent candidates, often filtering out high-potential talent.

• Global Legislation Matters – Countries like those in the EU have enforced strict accessibility laws, while the U.S. lags behind in enforcing and advancing disability inclusion.

• Universal Design Helps Everyone – From captions to quiet rooms, accommodations designed for neurodivergent workers often benefit all employees, proving the ‘curb cut effect.’

• ROI of Accessibility – Inclusive hiring boosts innovation, engagement, and retention. Companies like Microsoft and Genentech have seen measurable gains from disability-focused programs.

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. They explore real-world applications like IP targeting, persona development, and storytelling archetypes, providing actionable strategies for recruiters, hiring managers, and executives alike. This episode is a masterclass on building connection and trust before a job is even posted.

Key Episode Segments:

• The Shift from Attraction to Seduction – Jim explains that recruiting today requires more than just advertising roles; it demands strategic engagement that builds interest before a job even opens.

• Peripheral Engagement as a Long-Term Strategy – By connecting with candidates through value-driven content before they apply, recruiters can establish trust and improve conversion when roles become available.

• First-Person Storytelling Builds Authenticity – Jim emphasizes that personal stories from recruiters resonate far more than secondhand accounts, creating stronger emotional connections with candidates.

• Persona Development Drives Industry Expansion – Understanding candidate personas allows TA teams to recruit across industries by aligning messaging with the values, goals, and challenges of new audiences.

• IP Targeting Creates a Competitive Edge – With simple tools like IP targeting, recruiters can serve consistent, subtle messages to passive talent, laying the groundwork for effective future outreach.