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Digital Recruiter Podcast
Digital Recruiter Podcast episodes
- #117- How Josh Kirkham Is Building the AI Operating System for Agency Recruiters
SUMMARY
Josh Kirkham didn’t just join an AI company. He helped reshape one around how agency recruiters actually work. In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Josh, VP of Revenue at CoRecruit (formerly Quil), to unpack the thinking behind their rebrand and what it signals about where recruiting technology is headed in 2026.Josh shares how the company evolved from a simple note taking tool into a full AI assistant built specifically for third party recruiters. What started as CRM hygiene for sales teams turned into something much bigger once recruiters began pulling the product into their workflows. The conversation breaks down why write ups, job descriptions, scorecards, and follow ups are the real time killers in recruiting, and how CoRecruit focuses on automation without stripping away the human judgment recruiters are paid for.Clark and Josh also zoom out to talk about AI adoption more broadly. They unpack the 10 80 10 framework for using AI effectively, why 100 percent automation is the wrong goal, and how personalization and execution matter more than flashy features. The episode wraps with a look at CoRecruit’s new VoIP and desktop app, plus practical lessons on onboarding, enablement, and building systems that recruiters actually stick with.For agency recruiters who want leverage without losing their voice, this episode offers a grounded, practical roadmap for using AI the right way.JOSH'S BIOJosh Kirkham is the VP of Revenue at CoRecruit, an AI powered recruiting platform built exclusively for agency recruiters. With a background in high growth SaaS companies including HubSpot, Josh has spent his career helping go to market teams scale through better systems, execution, and enablement.At CoRecruit, Josh leads revenue and customer growth while staying closely connected to how recruiters actually operate day to day. He is known for his practical perspective on AI adoption, believing the goal is not replacement but leverage. Outside of work, Josh is a new dad and is focused on building a company his future family can be proud of.Connect with Josh on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkirkham/Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcampGet the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletterFor more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiterLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
39 min - #116- How Milan Levy is Redefining Offshore Hiring with Talent Sam
Summary
Milan Levy didn’t just start a company; he’s building a bridge between South Africa’s untapped talent and the world’s most competitive businesses. In this episode, host Clark Wilcox dives deep with Milan, founder of Talent Sam, to explore the rise of South Africa as a nearshore hiring destination. Milan shares how his tech-driven, compliance-first model is helping U.S. and U.K. companies access skilled, hardworking talent in South Africa, without the legal landmines or logistical headaches.
The conversation unpacks the unique opportunities and pitfalls of hiring from South Africa, including misclassification risk, payroll tax nuances, and cultural integration. Milan doesn’t just talk theory, he details how Talent Sam supports clients with end-to-end solutions: from candidate sourcing and vetting to employer of record services, equipment setup, and even ongoing team engagement. Later in the episode, Milan opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, starting as a teen DJ and DVD editor, and scaling tech ventures before launching Talent Sam.
For recruiters and founders tired of churn and ready to build global teams that actually last, this episode is both a tactical roadmap and a mindset shift.
Milan's Bio
Milan Levy is a South African tech entrepreneur and founder of TalentSam, a full-service remote hiring platform that helps global companies access and manage top-tier talent from South Africa. With a background in software automation and a passion for solving complex systems problems, Milan has turned TalentSam into a compliance-forward, culture-conscious hiring solution. Known for his lean ops mindset and hands-on approach, Milan’s team processes 50,000+ applications monthly and manages every detail from recruitment to retention.
When he’s not scaling companies, Milan’s known for deep tech chops, fast problem solving, and starting his entrepreneurial journey as a teenage DJ.
Connect with Milan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/milanlevy/
Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp
Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
46 min - #115- Jacob Stripling on Redefining the Resume: Humanizing the Job Search
EPISODE SUMMARY
In this compelling episode, Clark welcomes Jacob Stripling, founder of Future State Careers and creator of WholeStory.me, for a candid conversation about reinvention, relevance, and recruiting in the age of AI. Starting like many recruiters, accidentally, Jacob cut his teeth at a major staffing firm before launching his own agency just months before the pandemic hit. Fast forward six years, and he’s not only built a niche in accounting and finance but is now pushing the entire industry to rethink how we present candidates.
Jacob walks through the "why" behind WholeStory.me, a new platform designed to give job seekers a voice beyond bullet points and buzzwords. He unpacks how AI has created a sea of sameness in resumes, the rising distrust in hiring processes, and what happens when you flip the script, letting people lead with video, story, and human context. This isn't just a new tech tool; it’s a movement toward authentic representation and better hiring matches on both sides.
Whether you’re a recruiter, job seeker, or hiring leader, Jacob’s insights challenge the status quo and offer a hopeful path forward: one where substance wins, not surface. From branding lanes to burnout, from tactical content to philosophical takeaways, this episode is packed with practical ideas and real emotion. Don’t miss it.
JACOB'S BIO
Jacob Stripling is the founder of Future State Careers, a recruiting agency specializing in accounting and finance, and the creator of WholeStory.me—a platform designed to restore humanity to the hiring process. With over a decade in recruiting, Jacob has built his brand on honest conversations, client trust, and a commitment to showcasing the full context behind every candidate. A proud dad, thoughtful entrepreneur, and content creator, he’s not just innovating how we hire—he’s reimagining who gets seen and why.
Connect with Jacob on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-stripling-bb143594/
Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp
Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
55 min - #114- Brian Samson on Scaling Recruiting Firms Through Nearshore TalentSUMMARYBrian Samson didn’t plan on building nearshore tech teams across Latin America, he just followed curiosity and opportunity. Starting in a high-pressure staffing bullpen in Chicago, Brian quickly made a name for himself through hustle, whiteboard metrics, and old-school recruiting grit. But what came next set him apart. After stints in internal talent leadership and multiple founder roles, Brian raised $2M, moved to Argentina, and launched a company to help fintech startups build faster through offshore development.In this episode, Brian shares the entire arc, from being a top-performing account manager with a $90K weekly spread, to becoming a founder of Plug Technologies (with 100+ LATAM engineers), and how his lived experience in Latin America gave him an unbeatable edge. He and Clark explore why US recruiters are missing a massive opportunity by ignoring the nearshore market, and how partnerships, white-labeling, and shifting client conversations can unlock real scale. Whether you’re a solo recruiter or agency leader, this is a playbook in business model innovation, trust-building, and compounding relationships over time.BRIAN'S BIOBrian Samson is the founder of Plug Technologies, a nearshore talent firm connecting top Latin American software developers with US companies. With 100+ engineers deployed and multiple 7-figure businesses under his belt, Brian brings a rare mix of agency hustle, in-house leadership, and founder wisdom. A Chicago native turned Buenos Aires transplant, Brian has built his career around grit, relationships, and being early to big trends. He's passionate about elevating overlooked talent pools and helping US staffing firms grow through white-labeled partnerships.Connect with Brian on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/briansamson/Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcampGet the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletterFor more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
53 min - #56- Poker Pro, Media Mogul, Recruiter: Joe Sebok Always goes All In
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Willcox sits down with former professional poker player turned recruiter, Joe Sebok, to talk about his wild career journey. Joe was part of the poker boom in the 2000s, playing on televised World Series of Poker tables, running his own media company, and even building an early social media platform for poker pros. But when the online poker industry collapsed in 2011, he had to reinvent himself—eventually landing in the world of recruiting, where he’s now building a thriving business.
Joe shares the lessons he’s learned from poker that apply directly to recruiting and business: reading people, managing risk, and knowing when to go all-in. He talks about the power of reinvention, why so many recruiters fail because they avoid doing the actual work, and how leaning into your strengths can give you a real competitive advantage. He also opens up about navigating public scrutiny, handling high-pressure situations, and overcoming mental blocks that hold people back from success.If you’ve ever felt stuck in your career, doubted your next move, or struggled to stand out in a crowded market, this episode is packed with insights on mindset, personal branding, and making strategic bets on yourself. Don’t miss this one!*HIGHLIGHTS*00:00 - Introduction & Digital Recruiter Newsletter01:00 - Welcoming Special Guest: Joe Seabock02:00 - Joe’s Background: From Poker Pro to Recruiter04:00 - Life After Poker: A Reset in Wine Country06:00 - Transition to Recruiting & Career Growth09:00 - The Power of Strategic Advantages12:00 - Social Media & Content Marketing for Recruiters15:00 - Joe’s Journey into Professional Poker18:00 - The Poker Boom & Media Evolution22:00 - Lessons from Poker Applied to Recruiting27:00 - Recognizing Industry Trends & Pivoting32:00 - The Mental Game of Business & Success38:00 - The Role of Confidence & Commitment45:00 - Overcoming Setbacks & Navigating Change50:00 - Social Media Challenges & Haters55:00 - Recruiting, Market Trends & Career Advice1:00:00 - Final Thoughts & Takeaways*JOE's BIO*After beginning his career as a professional poker player in 2005, winning several titles and competing in both the World Series of Poker and World Poker Tour, Sebok ceased playing full-time in 2009 to make his shift into media and business. He did so effectively, helping spearhead poker’s first televised media reporting program, as well as several of poker’s most popular radio programs across the globe.Sebok joined the recruiting and talent acquisition ranks in 2015 and won awards while at the largest creative recruiting agency in North America before transitioning to work in-house and build several entire teams from scratch. His additional experience in marketing, sales, and operations further strengthens his robust proficiency in understanding clients’ open positions and what is required to staff them both effectively and expeditiously.You can find Joe on LinkedIn atGet the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletterFor more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiterLearn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr 8 min - #113- Automation, Culture & The Future of Staffing: A Deep Dive with Paul Champaneria
SUMMARY
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark welcomes Paul Champaneria, SaaS veteran, staffing agency founder, and the mind behind CallMantra, a purpose-built calling and texting platform for recruiters. Paul’s story is a masterclass in organic innovation: he didn’t set out to create recruiting tech. He just needed a better way to scale his own internal team.
What started with solving hiring inefficiencies in his software companies led to the creation of a high-performing staffing agency. From there, Paul built CallMantra, a system that now helps recruiters increase connection rates by 40%, reduce manual work, and deliver better candidate experiences, faster.
Paul unpacks how his team retained talent for over a decade, the tech stack philosophy that makes it possible, and why smaller agencies have a massive opportunity if they lean into automation the right way. He also gives a glimpse into the future, think AI voicebots that sound like you and submit candidate write-ups automatically. Whether you’re a solo recruiter or a 100-person firm, this episode is packed with insight and practical direction.
PAUL'S BIO
Paul Champaneria is the founder of Expert Hiring, a high-performance staffing agency, and the creator of CallMantra, a communications platform designed exclusively for recruiters. He began his career building software companies in the 1990s, including TeleCenter and Focal Point, before organically stepping into staffing through internal hiring needs. His blend of SaaS experience and recruiter empathy led him to develop tools that solve real-world workflow bottlenecks.
Paul is known for running lean, culture-forward teams that retain top talent for over a decade. He attributes that success to trust, autonomy, and arming his people with world-class tools. When he’s not building tech or scaling businesses, Paul recharges with daily meditation and workouts, and stays grounded by avoiding the noise of social media.
Connect with Paul on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulchampaneria/ and check out https://www.callmantra.co/
Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp
Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
38 min - #112- Why Marcus Quigley Walked Away from a Safe Job and Built a 6-Figure Niche in Legal Staffing
SUMMARY
In this powerful episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Marcus Quigley, founder of Recruitify, to unpack a raw, real, and inspiring journey from burnout to breakthrough. Marcus didn’t plan on becoming a recruiter, he stumbled into it after falling out of love with sales finance. But what started as a pivot became a purpose-driven career that would eventually lead him to launch his own agency focused on legal and professional services.This episode isn’t about startup fluff or highlight reels. Marcus takes us into the messy middle: the six months of struggle after going solo, the desperation that nearly derailed him, and the $20K loan against his 401(k) that bought him breathing room. From there, he got laser-focused, tightening his niche, his vetting process, and his mindset. Along the way, he racked up 24 placements and found something more valuable than revenue: confidence, clarity, and conviction.
The conversation also veers into personal territory. Marcus opens up about losing his father, his five-year sobriety, and the lessons those moments etched into how he runs his business. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re cut out for entrepreneurship, or needed proof that authenticity still wins, this episode is for you.
MARCUS' BIO
I’m the founder of Recruitify, a boutique recruiting firm focused on legal and professional services. I built this business on being real with people, honest, direct, and straightforward. I don’t sugarcoat things or hide behind buzzwords. My job is to do the right thing for both my clients and my candidates, even when it’s not the easy thing. That’s how you build long-term trust and real results.Connect with Marcus on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcus-quigley-a7146ba1/
Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp
Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr - #111- How Ashley Woods Scaled a $10M Desk and Bought Her Time Back
SUMMARY
Ashley Woods didn’t just build a successful recruiting desk. She redefined what success looks like. After starting her career at Allegis Group with no prior knowledge of the industry, she quickly rose through the ranks by applying an athletic mindset and a relentless hunger to master her craft. But after hitting big wins including five President’s Club awards, she burned out, left recruiting altogether, and came back on her own terms.In this episode, Ashley shares how she built her $10 million desk at Tema, the systems she used to break the hustle trap, and why she launched Time Rich Recruiter to help others do the same. She and Clark go deep on time audits, the emotional toll of overworking, the role of vulnerability in client relationships, and how to leverage partnerships and automation without losing the human touch. Whether you're scaling or stuck, this is a masterclass on sustainable success.
ASHLEY'S BIO
Ashley Woods is the founder of Time Rich Recruiter, a coaching platform designed to help recruiters break free from burnout and build systems that scale. A five-time President’s Club winner and top biller at TEEMA, Ashley built a $10M desk while traveling the world. She's trained Muay Thai in Phuket, learned Spanish abroad, and is passionate about helping others build lives they don’t need a vacation from.Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyjcwoods/ or at https://www.timerichrecruiter.com/
Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp
Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
1 hr - #110- Mike Bradshaw on Amplifying Recruiters with Automation, Without Losing the Human Touch
SUMMARY
In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, Clark Wilcox sits down with Mike Bradshaw, Vice President of Talent at Pinpoint, a next-gen ATS platform that's redefining hiring for in-house teams. With ERE’s Recruiting Innovation Summit just around the corner, Mike shares a preview of his upcoming talk and dives deep into the urgent challenges recruiters are facing today.As recruiting teams are stretched thinner than ever, juggling a surge in applicants, tighter budgets, and growing expectations, Mike explains how smart workflow automation can actually elevate the recruiter’s role instead of replacing it. From simplifying complex hiring to maintaining candidate empathy at scale, the conversation highlights how Pinpoint's human-centered tech design is helping companies hire faster and fairer.
Clark and Mike also unpack what to look for in an ATS, why design and support matter as much as features, and how to evaluate innovation in a crowded HR tech market. It’s a candid, practical discussion on transforming recruiting operations while keeping the human element front and center.
MIKE'S BIO
Mike Bradshaw is the VP of Talent at Pinpoint, a high-growth HR tech company building software that helps in-house recruiting teams attract, hire, and onboard the right talent.With over 15 years of experience leading People and Talent strategy across early-stage startups, mission-driven organizations, and nationally scaled brands, Mike has built and scaled talent infrastructure from the ground up—guiding teams through high-growth periods and successful exits.
Follow Mike on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/itsmikebradshaw/
Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp
Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available.
Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
20 min - #109- Jim Durbin on Smarter Recruiting, Better Process, and What Most TA Leaders Miss
SUMMARY
In this high-impact episode, Clark Wilcox sits down with Jim Durbin, aka the “Indeed Whisperer”, for a wide-ranging conversation on recruitment marketing, process design, and how to think like a TA consultant in an era of automation. Jim has trained over 10,000 recruiters, led campaigns that delivered 500,000 candidates for less than 30 cents each, and worked across high-volume, executive, and everything in between.They dive into a case study from NHHS Management, where Director of Recruiting Mike Dickinson reimagined the application process for skilled nursing roles in some of the toughest markets in the U.S. What happened next? A dramatic drop in cost per applicant, and better candidate experience. But this episode is about more than just tactics. Jim explains why TA leaders need to stop chasing AI and start fixing broken processes. He shows how reframing metrics like source of hire can mean the difference between strategic credibility and being replaced.This one’s a masterclass in thinking differently about scale, quality, and impact in recruiting. Come for the Indeed insights. Stay for the storytelling, salty takes, and timeless truths about how recruiting really works.JIM'S BIOJim Durbin is a veteran recruiter, trainer, and recruitment marketing consultant best known as “The Indeed Whisperer.” With decades of experience across staffing, RPO, executive search, and corporate TA, Jim is a rare hybrid who understands both front-line sourcing and strategic TA operations. He’s helped optimize recruitment strategies for companies like Marriott, PSG, and dozens of mid-market firms, often reducing costs while increasing candidate quality. A former headhunter turned high-volume hacker, Jim brings a sharp sense of humor, deep insight, and a hat you won’t forget.Find Jim on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimdurbin/
Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp
Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter
For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter
Make sure to sign up for the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit on November 4th and 5th in San Diego. In person and virtual seats available.
Get 10% off your ticket by using code "DigiRec" at checkout: https://lnkd.in/ewQcNVEi
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
26 min
About Digital Recruiter Podcast
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to the Digital Recruiter Podcast, where we dive deep into the recruiting world and share valuable insights and strategies for success in the digital landscape. Join our host, Clark Willcox, as he interviews industry experts, thought leaders, experienced recruiters, and agency owners to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and what’s on the horizon in the ever-evolving field of recruitment. Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead of the curve and maximizing your recruiting efforts. Tune in and level up your recruitment game with us.
For more information about us visit click on HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter