In this episode of the HR Famous Podcast, Tim Sackett welcomes communications pro Dinah Alobeid for a brutally honest, wildly entertaining conversation about corporate comms, brand moments, and the power of good storytelling in HR tech.

Dinah, now Head of Communications at Visier and formerly with Greenhouse, joins Tim for a laugh-filled yet thought-provoking discussion that touches on everything from corporate crisis responses to acoustic wedding songs to how HR leaders get held to a higher standard than CEOs.

🔥 Topics covered in this episode include:

What real corporate communications looks like (and why most companies miss the mark)

The now-legendary Coldplay/CHRO kiss drama—and the brilliant response from Astronomer (yes, the one with Gwyneth Paltrow)

Why the CEO’s wife may have written the best PR letter in recent memory

American Eagle’s “great genes” ad featuring Sydney Sweeney and why it caused a social media uproar

Why it's nearly impossible for brands to "win" online anymore—and why maybe that's okay

The importance of honest, unscripted customer stories in HR tech marketing

Dinah also shares her career shift into HR tech and what drew her to Visier, a people analytics company powering smarter decisions with workforce data and AI. Tim pushes her to get real about what Visier actually does and how comms leaders can explain complex HR tech in simple, compelling terms.

But this episode isn’t just about work—Tim and Dinah go personal, trading stories about:

Wedding songs (Tim forgot his, kind of…)

Songs for their kids

Dinah’s upcoming podcast, Play This at My Funeral, which dives into grief, existentialism, and the music that defines us

Why Gen Z and future HR leaders crave unscripted, real content over overproduced messaging

If you’ve ever worked in HR, comms, or brand marketing—or just love when pop culture crashes into corporate drama—this episode is for you.

💡 Key Takeaway: Authenticity wins. Whether you're handling a PR crisis, launching an HR tech product, or dancing to Sam Smith at your wedding, what resonates is being real. In an age of backlash and viral moments, the best brands and leaders don’t hide behind polished messaging—they show up human.

🎧 Tune in now to hear Tim and Dinah break it all down with humor, heart, and the kind of insight you won't find in a whitepaper.

In this solo summer edition of the HR Famous Podcast, host Tim Sackett unpacks one of the biggest HR tech acquisitions of the year: SAP SuccessFactors acquiring SmartRecruiters. Tim gives his unfiltered, insider take on why this move matters, how it stacks up against Workday and Oracle, and whether SAP will actually leverage the cutting-edge, AI-driven tech they just bought—or bury it in corporate bureaucracy.

You’ll hear Tim’s firsthand reaction to:

Why SmartRecruiters was a smart buy (but maybe not the smartest one)

The risk of “Big Tech crushing little tech” and what history tells us

The future of SAP’s Talent Acquisition stack—will they go all in or keep Frankensteining?

Why TA pros should care about this acquisition right now

But that’s not all. Tim also dives into the recent Workday legal battle over alleged AI discrimination. He dissects the lawsuit, explains why it’s a misunderstanding of how AI works in TA tech, and makes a compelling argument that AI is more likely to reduce bias—not amplify it. If you're trying to make sense of where AI, algorithms, and HR law are crashing into each other, this segment is a must-listen.

Plus, Tim shares real talk about the current state of AI in recruiting:

What AI matching actually does (and doesn’t do)

Why old-school hiring processes were way more biased than today’s algorithms

What leaders need to know before joining the “AI is evil” mob

And just for fun, Tim gives a quick update on generative AI image tools—why they’ve gotten better, where they’re still awkward, and how that reflects broader trends in machine learning and bias.

This episode is loaded with:

Hot takes from a real-world HR tech advisor and investor

Cautionary tales from past acquisitions (remember Taleo + Oracle?)

Expert analysis on what this means for HR leaders and TA tech buyers

No BS commentary on the future of HR, recruiting, and AI in enterprise systems

Whether you’re a TA leader looking for insights, an HR tech nerd following every move in the space, or just trying to figure out what the hell SAP is thinking—this episode delivers.

🎧 Subscribe, share, and get ready to question everything you thought you knew about enterprise HR tech.

In this solo summer edition of HR Famous, Tim Sackett flies solo with a hot debrief from the 2025 SHRM Annual Conference in San Diego. From presidential keynotes to AI overload and his signature recruiting tech list, Tim delivers an unfiltered look at what really went down at the world’s largest HR event.

Here’s what you’ll get in this jam-packed episode:

🎤 Tim’s SHRM Annual Recap

🧠 AI in HR: Still Mostly Hype?

📉 Layoffs, Panic, and Reality Checks

📊 Behind the Scenes of the Top 100 Recruiting Tech List

👀 Candidate Fraud Is Coming for You

Whether you're in TA, HR leadership, or just want the no-BS take on what’s really happening in the industry, this episode is packed with insights, rants, laughs, and practical advice. It's the perfect mid-summer episode to catch up on what matters—and what doesn’t—in the world of work.

In one of the wildest HR pop culture crossovers we’ve ever seen, the internet was set ablaze by a Coldplay concert fan cam that exposed an alleged workplace affair between the CEO and CHRO of Astronomer — and HR Famous is on it.

In this must-listen episode, Tim Sackett welcomes back the most requested guest in HR Famous history — his son, Cameron Sackett — to break down the viral moment that brought HR, leadership scandal, and Coldplay together in the most unexpected way.

We dig into:

Why this moment blew up online and how the couple’s reaction made it unforgettable.

The HR chaos of two executives being put on leave — and how legal, optics, and power dynamics play into whether they stay or go.

Why this scandal was the first thing to unite the internet across age, political lines, and industries.

What companies can (and should) learn about public perception, workplace relationships, and crisis comms from this Coldplay cam crash.

Also in this episode:

Oh, and Tim might have invited the infamous CHRO on the show…

Key Takeaway: This moment was more than just workplace drama — it’s a cultural case study in modern leadership, HR ethics, and what happens when your worst professional moment gets broadcast to 50,000 people and TikTok.

Whether you're in HR, leadership, or just here for the internet chaos, this is the episode everyone will be talking about.

Let me know if you want alternative title options or a shorter teaser for social media!

In this eye-opening episode of HR Famous, host Tim Sackett sits down with Daniel Chait, Co-Founder and CEO of Greenhouse, to dive deep into one of the most pressing — yet under-discussed — challenges facing HR and talent acquisition today: candidate fraud. From fake resumes powered by AI to organized infiltration attempts by foreign actors, the duo explore how fraudulent candidates are shaking up recruiting processes in an era of remote work and advanced technology.

Daniel shares real-world data and examples from Greenhouse customers, shedding light on the growing sophistication of fraud tactics and the vulnerabilities organizations face. Together, they dissect the "big F" fraud, like North Korean infiltration efforts, and "little f" fraud, such as candidates outsourcing interviews or using AI-generated answers. The conversation highlights how these issues aren’t just technical problems but touch every layer of hiring — from candidate experience to national security.

Listeners will also learn about the crucial role of CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers) in protecting hiring pipelines and why traditional background checks and I-9 verifications are no longer enough. Tim and Daniel discuss innovative ways companies can maintain an open, welcoming hiring funnel while defending against sophisticated threats, including creating better signals for truly interested candidates and leveraging new verification technologies.

Packed with practical insights, real anecdotes, and forward-looking strategies, this episode is a must-listen for talent acquisition leaders, HR professionals, and executives worried about the future of hiring integrity. Tune in to discover how you can protect your organization from becoming the next headline — and why this issue might be the biggest HR risk you haven’t prepared for yet.

In this lively episode of the HR Famous podcast, host Tim Sackett welcomes Jonathan Reynolds, CEO and self-described "visionary" of Titus Talent Strategies. The two dive into an authentic, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams.

Jonathan shares how he ended up with the "visionary" title, explaining the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) approach, where someone sets the vision (the "why" and "where") while others execute. He admits to having endless ideas but relies on his team to focus and execute effectively. Their discussion reveals Jonathan’s unique talent for spotting raw potential in people, not just hiring based on skills, but on alignment with core values and the broader vision.

They also explore Titus Talent’s approach to talent strategy, going beyond traditional recruiting to focus on character, integrity, and cultural fit. Jonathan illustrates this with stories of team members whose lives he transformed, highlighting his “curator of talent” mindset.

The episode explores the significance of work for younger generations, questioning the notion that a job must always feel deeply meaningful. Instead, Jonathan suggests that meaning often comes from the impact a role has on one’s life and community. Titus showcases this by collecting personal stories from candidates 90 days after placement, emphasizing personal transformations over mere job titles or paychecks.

Tim and Jonathan also tackle topics like remote work culture, philanthropic initiatives tailored to employees’ passions, and creative interviewing techniques designed to gauge true motivation and cultural fit. The result is an honest, thought-provoking, and funny look at modern leadership and talent strategy — perfect for HR pros and business leaders alike.

Manufacturing jobs are back on American soil. The factories are running. The roles are open.

But the workers? They're missing.

In this solo episode, Tim Sackett unpacks the growing gap between opportunity and desire in today’s labor market. Why did generations of proud factory families embrace these jobs - and why do today’s young workers turn away?

From cultural shifts and education gaps to lifestyle choices and societal stigma, Tim explores the uncomfortable reasons behind this silent rejection.

Is it a temporary hesitation... or a permanent shift?

And if manufacturing jobs no longer inspire the next workforce, what does that mean for America's future?

Connect with Us:

Tim Sackett

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett

Visit Tim’s Website: hrutech.com

Read Tim’s Blog: ⁠⁠https://timsackett.com/

AI agents aren’t coming for recruiting.

They’re already here - and they don’t care how many reqs you filled last quarter.

In this episode, Tim Sackett sits down with Jason Roberts, SVP of Tech & Analytics at Cielo, to break down what AI is actually doing inside RPOs and staffing firms - and why the old recruiting playbook is about to get torched.

From sourcing automation that 5x’s recruiter output to building a fully operational AI agent of yourself, Jason pulls back the curtain on the tools reshaping talent acquisition in real-time.

They talk agentic workflows, how execs are chasing 50% AI-driven recruiting models, and why most CRMs still suck.

The future of recruiting isn’t theoretical - it’s operational.

And if you think your job’s safe because you "build relationships"? Think again.

Connect with Us:

Jason Roberts

Follow Jason on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasrober

Learn more about Cielo: cielotalent.com

Tim Sackett

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett

Visit Tim’s website: hrutech.com

Read Tim’s Blog: ⁠https://timsackett.com/

The future of recruiting isn’t coming. It’s already here. And if you’re still relying on your legacy tech stack and spreadsheets, you’re already behind.

Enter Steven Jiang, CEO and Co-founder of HireEZ, who just dropped one of the most important AI launches in the recruiting space - EZ Agent, their agentic AI companion built to fundamentally reshape the recruiter’s role.

Forget everything you know about “copilots” and “gen AI assistants.”

EZ Agent is not just another AI tool bolted onto your ATS. It’s a fully-integrated, always-on agent that plans, reasons, executes, and evolves - empowering recruiters to get out of the weeds and back into real talent relationships.

Steven joins Tim Sackett to break down:

• Why agentic AI isn’t just better - it’s a whole new operating system for recruiting

• How recruiters move from task managers to true talent strategists

• What it means to create a white-glove candidate experience at scale

• And how EZ Agent is solving the “black hole” problem by giving 100% of candidates a shot at the plate

Steven’s built more than a product - he’s building a movement to re-humanize recruiting with AI doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes.

If you care about talent, inclusion, and the future of work - this is the conversation you need to hear.

Connect with Us:

Steven Jiang

Follow Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenhireez/

Learn more about HireEZ: https://hireez.com/

Book a Demo: https://hireez.com/customer-success/

Tim Sackett

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett

Need Help with Technical Recruiting: https://hrutech.com/

Read Tim’s Blog: https://timsackett.com/

AI isn't coming - it's here. And it's changing recruiting faster than most realize.

In this crossover episode between RecTech Media and HR Famous, Chris Russell and Tim Sackett dive into the latest from Phenom’s conference in Philadelphia.

2600 attendees.

25+ new AI agents rolled out.

And a vision for HR tech that feels more like science fiction than reality.

But what happens when AI isn’t just automating tasks - it’s making decisions? And if recruiters aren’t the ones screening candidates, curating talent pools, or delivering feedback, what’s left for them to do?

Phenom is betting big on agents that can reason - detecting mistakes, providing real-time feedback, even building personalized hiring experiences. And they’re not alone. Paradox and Eightfold are in the race, each taking different approaches to AI.

But is all this innovation really making hiring better? Or just faster?

If AI agents are handling the heavy lifting, where does that leave recruiters? And if everyone’s automating, what actually sets your hiring process apart?

Phenom claims they’re two years ahead of the industry. But if that’s true, what happens to everyone else still playing catch-up?

Listen to find out why this shift in HR tech could leave even the most seasoned recruiters rethinking their entire approach.

Connect with Us:

Chris Russell

Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmrussell/

Check Out the RecTech Podcast: https://www.rectechmedia.com/podcast

Tim Sackett

Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsackett

Visit Tim’s website: https://www.hrutech.com