We’re celebrating our 21st episode live from UNLEASH America 2025 in Las Vegas! Recorded at Caesars Forum on the eve of the main conference, this special edition captures the energy, insight, and a bit of chaos that makes UNLEASH one of the most exciting events in the HR and work tech calendar.

Host Matt Alder kicks things off with Jocelyn King, diving into key themes emerging from the event—from strategic AI to the value of hands-on workshops like the pre-conference hackathon. Jocelyn shares her advice for HR practitioners on navigating large events and making the most of the content, networking, and innovation on offer.

Later in the episode, Matt welcomes Virginia Tirado, co-founder of Reku, a talent solutions firm supporting VC-backed, AI-native SaaS startups. Virginia discusses:

Reku’s mission to provide the flexible, strategic support founders need to scale

The evolution of talent acquisition and the need to think beyond hiring

The challenges and opportunities AI presents in hiring and candidate experience

Why TA leaders must proactively shape their roles to stay relevant in a shifting landscape

The episode wraps with more reflections from Jocelyn and a toast to the conversations (and cocktails) that only happen in Vegas.

🎙️ Topics covered:

How UNLEASH stands out among HR conferences

The importance of strategy in AI adoption—beyond the buzzwords

Building better onboarding with simple, scalable tech hacks

Why TA should be at the table for retention and upskilling discussions

The role of curiosity, experimentation, and self-education in navigating AI’s rise

Recorded live at UNLEASH America 2025 – Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.

🎧 Listen now and subscribe to The Alder Hour for more sharp thinking at the intersection of talent, tech, and transformation.