The Alder Hour with Matt Alder

The Alder Hour with Matt Alder

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The Alder Hour with Matt Alder episodes

  • The Alder Hour with Matt Alder Ep 8

    This week on the Alder Hour, we're going live to TAWeek — joined by our favorite forecaster Serge Bordreau, we're keeping our finger on the pulse of all things TA! Plus, Robin Schooling talks about potentially downright diabolical HR practices, and Rhona Pierce wonders what the buzz is around conference season. So clock out and tune in for the Alder Hour!

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    58 min
  • #7 - Are Recent Grads Hireable? Plus DEI Retaliation Risks and Resume Truth-Telling

    It’s Monday, it’s The Alder Hour — and your favorite way to close out the working day is back. Host Matt Alder (Recruiting Future), alongside Rhona Pierce and guest co-host Robin Schooling, brings you another lively conversation from the Purple Acorn Network.

    This week:

    • Are Recent Grads "Unhireable"?

      Matt breaks down a troubling trend: why so many HR leaders are reportedly avoiding hiring new graduates — and what this says about lazy recruiting, broken hiring processes, and companies that refuse to train.
      Spoiler: skipping out on young talent could create a major demographic time bomb for employers.

    • Myth of Replaceability:

      Are employees really replaceable, or is that a dangerous myth? Matt, Rhona, and Robin explore why companies often realize too late that some people — especially those with deep networks, collaboration skills, and institutional knowledge — can't simply be "swapped out."

    • The Situation Room: Should You Lie on Your Resume?

      Robin Schooling unpacks the ethics and realities of resume embellishment in a shifting job market. When (if ever) is it okay to tweak your job title or experience? And why are outdated hiring practices still punishing candidates for things like career gaps?

    • Guest Spotlight: Nardia Murrow, Mindset and Movement Coach

      Nardia joins to talk about corporate wellness beyond gym stipends. She shares why companies must address imposter syndrome, normalize remote work, encourage movement during the workday, and prioritize mental health if they want engaged, high-performing employees.

    • Trending or Ending? DEI Retaliation Risks

      Special guest Tara Furiani (Equity Activations) joins Rhona to unpack the fallout from recent executive orders targeting DEI initiatives in U.S. federal agencies and contractors. They discuss how private companies can stay true to their values, solidify fair business practices internally, and avoid legal risks — even as the political climate heats up.

      🎙 Clock out, pour a drink (alcoholic or not!), and rethink the future of work with us.

      Learn more at: https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com
      Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-acorn-network

      Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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      58 min
    • #6 - Meta Layoffs, Skills Mismatch, Frontline Burnout, and Retail Workers Wearing Body Cams?

      This week on The Alder Hour, host Matt Alder (Recruiting Future), co-host Rhona Pierce, and special guest co-host John Baldino bring you another thought-provoking conversation about the future of work, brought to you by the Purple Acorn Network.

      In this episode:

      • Meta’s 5% Layoffs:

        Matt kicks things off by breaking down Meta’s announcement that it plans to cut 5% of its workforce under the banner of “performance-based” layoffs. Is this truly about performance, or a cover for broader structural cuts tied to AI and changing business models? The team dives into the troubling impact on employee trust, morale, and company culture.

      • The Skills Mismatch Dilemma:

        Why do employers still complain about a skills gap when it’s always existed? Matt, Rhona, and John discuss why companies need to rethink talent development, stop chasing unicorn candidates, and build meaningful learning and upskilling programs to future-proof their workforces.

      • Burnout on the Frontlines:

        A new report highlights worsening burnout among Gen Z frontline workers. Matt, Rhona, and John talk about why three-step quick fixes won’t cut it, why frontline jobs need structural reform, and how leadership can finally shift from transactional management to real human-centered workplaces.

      • The Situation Room: Reporting Problems to the Boss (Who is Also HR!):

        John Baldino leads a discussion on the tricky situation of employees needing to report issues to a manager who also wears the HR hat — especially common in small businesses. The team shares best practices for escalation, the importance of proactive HR documentation, and why employee handbooks matter before problems arise.

      • Guest Interview: Amanda Thompson Buffington (Hope Leigh Marketing Group):

        Amanda joins to talk about recruitment marketing trends for 2025. She explains why authentic storytelling beats automation, why employers must deeply understand their candidate audiences, and why your employer brand still matters — especially when AI makes everything feel the same.

      • Trending or Ending: Body Cameras for Retail Workers:

        Rhona and Matt tackle the controversial trend of body cams for retail and healthcare workers. Is this about safety, or are we crossing serious ethical lines around employee surveillance and workplace expectations?

        Clock out, grab a drink, and rethink the future of work with us.

        Learn more at: https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com

        Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-acorn-network
        Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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        51 min
      • #5 - Skills-Based Hiring, Pregnancy Privacy Fails, and Is Hustle Culture Finally Dead?

        We’re five episodes in — and The Alder Hour, hosted by Matt Alder (Recruiting Future), is just heating up! This week’s show, part of the Purple Acorn Network, brings lively conversation, practical insights, and a pint (or half-pint) in hand.

        This week:

        • Skills-Based Hiring — More Than Dropping Degree Requirements: Matt dives into why true skills-based hiring requires more than ditching the degree filter — and how employers still have a long way to go.

        • Pregnancy and Workplace Confidentiality: Jocelyn King breaks down a real-life HR mishap where an employee’s pregnancy was disclosed without consent. What HR confidentiality truly means — and where the legal and ethical lines are.

        • Guest Interview: Dart Lindsley:

          • Dart, CEO of 11:59 and host of Work for Humans, shares why companies must rethink work itself as a product — and why employees are actually customers. A groundbreaking conversation on how work must evolve.

          • Talent Tech Trends:

            • Krista Tannahill (Talent Collective) and Peter Weddle (TATech) join to announce a new free certification program teaching recruiters how to master today’s fast-moving talent technology landscape.

            • Trending or Ending?

              • Rhona Pierce explores the demise of "hustle culture" — is Gen Z just lazy, or are we finally seeing smarter, healthier work habits take center stage?

                🎙 Clock out, pour a drink, and stay ahead of the future of work with us.

                Find out more at PurpleAcornNetwork.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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                1 hr 1 min
              • #4 - Deepfakes, Career Changes, and Should Jobs Ask for Your Instagram?

                Happy New Year! Host Matt Alder (Recruiting Future) and co-host Rhona Pierce kick off 2025 with a new episode of The Alder Hour, part of the Purple Acorn Network — your favorite way to clock out and catch up on the future of work.

                This week:

                • New Year, New Career?: Matt breaks down why switching careers is more about mindset — and why hiring managers urgently need to rethink "perfect fit" hiring.

                • Deepfake Hiring Risks: AI-generated identities are on the rise. What HR and TA teams need to know about cybersecurity and safeguarding hiring processes in the age of AI deepfakes.

                • AI Cheating in Schools—and at Work: Universities are struggling with AI use among students. What lessons does this offer for recruiters trying to distinguish resourcefulness from real fraud?

                • Guest Interview:

                  • Joanne Dennison (Talent Tech and Strategy Expert) joins to discuss why task-based hiring will overtake job-based hiring — and how TA teams must radically rethink productivity, skills, and automation.

                  • Trending or Ending?:

                    • Rhona unpacks a viral controversy: a smoothie shop asking applicants for their social media handles. Are social media checks trending, or crossing a major boundary?

                      🎙 New year, same mission: clock out, tune in, and stay ahead of the curve.

                      Find out more at PurpleAcornNetwork.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

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                      58 min
                    • #3 - The End of HR as We Know It? Plus: Career Prenups, Remote Work Realities, and Gen Z at Work

                      It’s our final show of the year! Host Matt Alder (of Recruiting Future) wraps up 2024 on The Alder Hour — part of the Purple Acorn Network — with a Guinness Zero, big reflections, and even bigger predictions.

                      In this episode:

                      • The Paradox of HR: Companies say talent is their #1 priority — so why do HR departments still fight for influence (and budget)? Matt and Rhona Pierce dig into the data and what's at stake in 2025.

                      • Is AI Overhyped?: Spoiler: not when it comes to Talent Acquisition and HR. We discuss why the tech you need to transform hiring is already here — and why 2025 must be the year of user adoption.

                      • Guest Interviews:

                        • Allyn Bailey (SmartRecruiters) joins to talk about why autonomy will matter more than location in the future of work — and why it’s time to rip up the CV.

                        • Mervyn Dinnen (analyst and author) shares insights on why Gen Z’s expectations aren’t that different — but the economic realities they face absolutely are.

                        • Trending or Ending?:

                          • Rhona explores the rise of "career prenups" — candidates negotiating severance terms during the job offer stage. Is it trending or here to stay?

                            🎙 Clock out, grab a drink, and rethink the future of work with us.

                            Find out more at PurpleAcornNetwork.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

                            Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                            1 hr 1 min
                          • #2 - Holiday Parties, Pay Transparency, and AI Hiring Chaos

                            We’re back with Episode 2 of The Alder Hour — your new favorite way to close out (or survive) the workday! Host Matt Alder (also of Recruiting Future) cracks open a Lucky Saint non-alcoholic beer and dives into another jam-packed show.

                            This week, we cover:

                            • When Chatbots Replace CEOs: We continue last week's conversation about Klarna replacing jobs with AI — including the CEO sending an AI version of himself to an earnings call! What does this mean for talent acquisition and HR teams?

                            • Pay Transparency Laws: Jocelyn King and Rhona Pierce break down how new laws are reshaping hiring practices — and why clear salary ranges are great for business (even if they scare some employers).

                            • Handling Difficult Co-Workers: In "The Situation Room," Jocelyn tackles how to professionally deal with a co-worker who won’t stop interrupting your day — and crosses the line into threatening comments.

                            • AI in Hiring: Rhona explores why companies desperately need AI interview policies — and why simply saying "don’t use AI" isn’t realistic anymore. (Spoiler: This is both trending and needs to end.)

                              Special guest Hung Lee (of Recruiting Brainfood) joins us to talk about:

                              • The real impact of AI on recruiting and HR in 2024

                              • Why Talent Acquisition needs a major rebrand

                              • What might happen to DEI conversations in the US and Europe in 2025

                                🎙 Grab a drink, clock out, and rethink the future of work with us.

                                Find out more at PurpleAcornNetwork.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

                                Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                                1 hr
                              • #1 - Is HR Your Friend? And Are Office Influencers the Future?

                                It’s our very first show — and your new favorite way to close out the working day. Host Matt Alder (you might know him from Recruiting Future) kicks off The Alder Hour, part of the Purple Acorn Network, with lively discussions, special guests, and a cold (alcohol-free) beer in hand.

                                This week, Jocelyn King tackles a tricky workplace dilemma: Is it ever okay for someone to go to HR on your behalf? Spoiler: it depends. Meanwhile, Rhona Pierce dives into the trend of companies hiring full-time “office influencers” — is this just a flash in the pan or a permanent shift in employer branding?

                                We also welcome our very first guest, Debby Clement, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Pax8. Debby shares real-world insights on scaling global hiring processes, navigating AI disruption, and why your recruitment team must master the RACI framework if you want to stay competitive.

                                Plus:

                                • Matt opens a Beavertown Laser Crush and unpacks the jaw-dropping news that Klarna plans to cut half its workforce due to AI — and why it’s a wake-up call for HR and TA professionals everywhere.

                                • A discussion on the growing distrust toward HR, and why “HR isn’t your friend” narratives are damaging organizations.

                                • Practical advice for HR leaders on how to build trust, avoid gossip-driven complaints, and focus on mentorship.

                                • Rhona reveals why companies chasing TikTok trends need to be strategic when hiring influencers — it’s about building a community, not just churning out content.

                                  🎙 Clock out, tune in, and let's rethink the future of work — together.

                                  Find out more at PurpleAcornNetwork.com. Follow us on LinkedIn and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts!

                                  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

                                  58 min

                                About The Alder Hour with Matt Alder

                                From the publisher's feed

                                The Alder Hour is a podcast that explores the future of HR and Talent Acquisition through honest conversations with people driving change. Broadcast LIVE, we cover the bold ideas and real-world innovations shaping how companies attract, hire, and retain talent. While we don’t shy away from tough or awkward topics—like layoffs, AI ethics, and DEI backlash—our focus is on sharing practical insights, fresh perspectives, and inspiring stories that help talent leaders navigate change and build stronger, more human-centric hiring practices.