Turnover isn't just a people problem — it's a financial one. In this episode, we break down the true cost of losing an employee, especially in leadership and specialized roles. Discover why bad hires can act like a virus in your company, and how strong culture, transparency, and smart hiring practices are your best defense. Learn the strategies successful teams use to retain top talent and reduce turnover — from pay structure to cultural alignment.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Why turnover hits harder than you think

(01:17) The shocking cost of losing an employee

(02:34) Culture as the root cause of turnover

(04:28) Specialized roles = higher risk

(05:51) How to measure and improve culture

(07:23) What real transparency looks like

(09:49) Matching roles with purpose and vision

(10:48) Most professionals leave because of poor culture fit

(11:39) Winning teams, winning culture

(12:49) Final thoughts and takeaway

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

In this episode, we explore the rise and decline of the middle class in the U.S., considered by many to be one of the country's most impactful creations—and now one of its greatest losses. The conversation contrasts the wealth and legacy of today's billionaires with those of the past, raising important questions about economic responsibility, social contribution, and the long-term impact of hiring and leadership decisions. How do we build companies—and societies—that serve more than just the few?

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro

01:05 – The American middle class: invention or accident?

03:42 – What happened after 1980

05:10 – Billionaires then vs. now

07:30 – Musk's rise to $300 billion

08:00 – Legacy, giving back, and public trust

09:00 – Reflections on wealth and responsibility

10:22 – Closing thoughts

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

In this episode of Hire Smart | Scale Fast, hosts Hunter Miranda and Eric Farber break down a critical — and often ignored — part of the hiring process: candidate communication. Did you know 50% of applicants expect regular updates, yet 80% never hear back after applying? Learn why this is costing you top talent and how to fix it.

They also explore:

• Why treating candidates like customers matters

• The role of AI in recruiting — what works and what still needs a human touch

• How to build long-term hiring strategies that create future leaders

Whether you're scaling your startup or improving your recruitment funnel, this episode delivers valuable, actionable insights.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro: Puppies, podcast growth & sunny Oakland 00:36 – The #1 mistake small companies make after interviews 01:59 – Why transparent hiring processes create better hires 02:55 – 80% of candidates never hear back—why that's hurting your brand 04:35 – Can AI do your candidate follow-up? 05:38 – Where AI helps (and where it can't replace humans) 06:59 – Listening to candidates: what most companies miss 07:45 – Long-term hiring vision: recruiting future leaders 08:46 – Why recruiting is just client experience in disguise 09:02 – Final thoughts + call to action

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

In Episode 9 of Hire Smart and Scale Fast, Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda unpack the critical importance of a new hire's first 90 days. From psychological insights to tactical onboarding strategies, this episode outlines how early experiences shape long-term retention and performance.

You'll learn why onboarding is one of the most overlooked drivers of culture, how remote teams require a different approach, and why failing to create momentum early on could cost your business its best people.

Whether you're hiring your first employee or your hundredth, this episode is packed with frameworks, stats, and real-world examples that will elevate your onboarding process and strengthen your company culture.

Timestamps

00:00 – Intro & topics

00:32 – Importance of first 90 days

00:50 – Onboarding stat (30% drop-off)

01:50 – Power of Moments insight

03:16 – 30/60/90 framework

03:46 – 30-day reflection emails

05:22 – Remote team stat (20% more contact)

06:10 – Creating connection remotely

06:41 – Culture > convenience

08:11 – Client red flags

09:55 – Outro & wrap-up

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

In this episode of Hire Smart and Scale Fast, Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda dive deep into the biggest hiring challenges startups face in 2025. With applications per role skyrocketing by 182% since 2021, founders are overwhelmed by volume—but still struggling to find the right people.

Eric and Hunter break down the key traits of successful hires, including: ✔️ Innovation ✔️ Mission alignment ✔️ Ownership mentality ✔️ Resourcefulness ✔️ Strong job history

They share actionable strategies for vetting smarter, reducing bad hires, and building teams that scale—plus why posting salary in your job ads is a game-changer.

If you're a founder, HR leader, or recruiter, this episode will help you rethink how you hire and who you're really looking for.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Welcome & the challenge of hiring smart 01:15 – 182% increase in applications per hire 04:00 – Why salary transparency matters 05:17 – The power of resourceful people 06:13 – What your resume really says about you 10:47 – How to screen for innovation 13:01 – Hiring for mission, not just money 15:39 – Ownership mentality: what to ask in interviews 17:00 – The #1 interview question that reveals long-term fit 21:06 – Two hiring horror stories you'll never forget

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

In Episode 7 of Hire Smart, Scale Fast, Eric and Hunter dive into one of the most pressing topics in the business world right now: the wave of tech layoffs.

From the automation power of AI to the rise of global talent hubs like Colombia and Argentina, they explore what's really happening behind the scenes — and what it means for the future of hiring and building companies.

They also discuss why small teams might soon dominate billion-dollar valuations, the commoditization of software, and how professionals can stay ahead by learning to lead.

Packed with insights and real industry data, this is a must-listen for founders, team leaders, and tech professionals navigating a shifting workforce.

Time Stamps

00:00 – Intro & political noise 01:26 – What's really behind tech layoffs 03:32 – AI's impact on the workforce 05:43 – Global talent shift: LATAM's rise 07:56 – Hiring less, but smarter: revenue per employee 09:30 – WhatsApp's billion-dollar team of 50 10:37 – Layoffs = tech commoditization 11:41 – Why leadership is the new must-have skill

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

Is your team truly safe to speak up? Or are they just staying quiet to survive? In Episode 6 of Hire Smart, Scale Fast, Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda break down Project Aristotle—Google's massive study on team performance—and explain why psychological safety is the #1 predictor of success.

You'll learn how to build trust in remote teams, why ambiguity kills productivity, and how meaning and impact keep employees engaged. Whether you're scaling a startup or leading a growing business, this episode will challenge you to rethink how you lead—and how your culture actually works.

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

Writing a job post isn't just a hiring task — it's a marketing strategy. In this episode, Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda dive deep into how to craft job posts that actually attract top-tier talent. From headline hooks to transparent pay and culture statements, they explore why clarity, honesty, and testing different versions matter more than ever. Plus, Eric shares why he doesn't want a "rock star" — he wants someone who shows up and does the work. Whether you're a startup or a growing company, this episode is your blueprint for smarter hiring.

About the show:

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

In this episode of Hire Smart, Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda tackle one of the most difficult dilemmas in leadership: what do you do when your highest performer is also your worst cultural fit? While most hiring strategies focus on skills and output, this conversation dives deep into the unseen costs of toxic behavior — even when it comes wrapped in top-line results.

Eric and Hunter explore real-world examples of how a single disruptive individual can unravel team cohesion, morale, and long-term success. They break down the psychology behind tolerating toxic talent, the dangers of confusing performance with alignment, and why great leaders must sometimes make tough, unpopular decisions to preserve team integrity.

This isn't just about hiring — it's about creating workplaces where people thrive, not just perform.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why Culture > Performance 01:15 – The High Performer Trap 03:00 – Identifying Toxic Talent Early 04:45 – How One Person Can Poison a Team 06:30 – Fear-Based Leadership vs. Courageous Leadership 08:15 – Navigating the Fallout of Letting Someone Go 09:50 – Building a People-First Culture That Scales 11:00 – Final Thoughts: Protecting the Mission Through Culture

ABOUT THE SHOW

Hire Smart helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

Subscribe and learn how to hire better, lead stronger, and grow smarter.

More episodes: hiresmartpodcast.com

Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123

Follow Hunter Miranda on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda

In this episode of Hire Smart, Scale Fast, Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda unpack one of the most overlooked yet high-impact elements of team building: employee onboarding.

A strong onboarding process isn't just a checklist — it's the foundation of trust, connection, and retention. Eric and Hunter share proven strategies and personal stories that transform those first days into powerful moments that inspire long-term commitment.

You'll learn how to design onboarding with intention, why swag and structure matter, and how leadership presence can make or break a new hire's experience — whether you're in-person or fully remote.

This episode is a playbook for turning new hires into loyal team members from day one.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction: Why Onboarding is Everything 01:40 – When Onboarding Actually Starts 03:25 – Swag, Structure, and Surprise 05:10 – Creating Trust with Leadership Presence 07:00 – Mistakes That Lead to Early Turnover 08:45 – Building Culture from the First Email 10:00 – Final Thoughts: Investing in the First 90 Days

ABOUT THE SHOW

Hire Smart, Scale Fast helps business leaders build teams that scale smart and stay strong. Hosted by Eric Farber and Hunter Miranda, the show offers actionable insights into hiring, company culture, and leadership in the age of rapid growth and AI-driven transformation.

More episodes at: https://hiresmartpodcast.com Follow Eric Farber on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericfarber123/ Follow Hunter Miranda: https://www.linkedin.com/in/huntermiranda/