This conversation with Johanna Liu is a masterclass in practical, real-world recruiting. Johanna breaks down her non-traditional path from Starbucks manager to seasoned recruiter, sharing how a temp assignment unexpectedly launched a 13-year career. She and Enrique dive into the chaos of running a recruiting desk, swapping stories about staffing struggles, candidate surprises, and the lessons learned along the way.

Johanna offers actionable, plug-and-play tips for recruiters at all levels—from building a bank of templates, to using Calendly more effectively, to knowing what’s truly worth automating. The two compare notes on sourcing, Boolean searches, AI tools like ChatGPT, candidate experience, ATS headaches, and why your spouse never wants to hear about weird LinkedIn messages. Packed with humor, honesty, and deeply relatable recruiter energy, this episode leaves listeners with time-saving hacks and a renewed sense of control over a job known for organized chaos.

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Recruiting leader and creator Mike Peditto joins Enrique Ruiz to talk about his new book, Yes, You’re Being Judged, and the very real mechanics of today’s hiring market. Known online as “The Realistic Recruiter,” Mike breaks down how he live-documented a job search across TikTok and Instagram, why TA teams should read a book written for candidates, and what actually happens in the rooms where hiring decisions are made. He shares how speaking at HR Tech, DisruptHR, RecFest, and LinkedIn’s events is shaping his work with companies, and why authenticity across platforms matters just as much as your resume.

Mike also opens up about life as a working parent, the messy balance between travel and family, and the mindset shifts that help candidates move forward. His punch-list for job seekers in 2025 is refreshingly blunt: decenter yourself from the process, stop being afraid to not get hired, and “play a little hard to get” so you land in the right role, not just any role. Plus, a quick reality check on the “Open to Work” banner and other perennial debates.

Grab Mike’s book, Yes, You’re Being Judged, and follow along for more straight talk on hiring, job search, and modern TA.

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Employee benefits might not sound like the flashiest topic—but as guest Nicole Quinn Miles explains, they’re one of the most powerful tools for attracting and keeping great talent. Nicole, an Employee Benefits Consultant with Marsh McLennan Agency, brings over 20 years of experience helping organizations design programs that truly meet employee needs.

In this conversation, host Alan Seales and Nicole unpack how comprehensive benefits have evolved since the pandemic, why mental health and financial wellness programs are more crucial than ever, and how listening—really listening—to employees can transform company culture and retention. Nicole also shares advice for recruiters and job seekers alike on how to talk about benefits in interviews and create a more transparent, human-centered hiring process.

Follow Nicole Quinn Miles on LinkedIn and Instagram at @her.view.

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After 23 years with one company, Jared McClain found himself facing a totally new chapter — navigating the modern job market. In this episode, host Enrique explores Jared’s journey from loyal operations leader to creative professional reinventing his career, blending decades of experience in IT, HR, and project management with a lifelong passion for storytelling, acting, and improv.

Jared McClain is an operations and storytelling leader with more than two decades of experience in organizational improvement, project management, and creative production. A professional actor, writer, and director, Jared brings empathy, curiosity, and leadership to every role he takes on — whether in business or the arts.

Connect with Jared:

LinkedIn: Jared McClain

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Ashley Waddington’s career path has been anything but linear—moving from bartending and managing a medical office to project management, HR, and ultimately staffing—before taking the leap to launch her own business. In this conversation, she shares the lessons learned along the way, including the tough realities of layoffs, the challenges of leading without training, and why she believes empathy and resilience are the through-lines in her professional journey.

Now as the founder of Ponder This Consulting, Ashley is on a mission to equip middle managers with the tools they need to succeed. She explains why this often-overlooked group is critical to culture, retention, and ROI, and how organizations can better support them in a post-COVID world. From communication pitfalls to the pressures of remote and hybrid work, Ashley offers a candid look at the real issues managers face—and how intentional training can transform outcomes for both people and business.

About Ashley Waddington:

Connect with Ashley:

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Joel Lalgee, better known online as The Realest Recruiter, joins Mike for a wide-ranging conversation about recruiting, personal branding, and building a sustainable career in a world where change is the only constant. Joel shares how he went from banking to recruitment, the moment he realized content could replace cold calls, and why developing multiple income streams is essential in today’s market. They dig into resilience, online authenticity, the role of faith in his journey, and the challenges of balancing a huge following with staying true to yourself.

Joel Lalgee is a recruiter, speaker, and content creator with nearly a decade in talent acquisition and a massive online presence across LinkedIn and beyond. Known for his unfiltered approach, practical advice, and community-building spirit, he’s built a brand that connects job seekers, recruiters, and hiring leaders around the realities of work today.

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What hasn’t changed in the job market over the past 25 years—and what absolutely has? In this episode of The All In Recruiting Podcast, Enrique Ruiz sits down with Mac Prichard, founder of Mac’s List and host of Find Your Dream Job, to unpack the timeless fundamentals of career success and the evolving realities of today’s hiring landscape.

From his early days sharing job postings with friends to building one of the most trusted regional job boards in the Pacific Northwest, Mac shares how community, communication, and networking shaped his career. Together, he and Enrique dive into the three career fundamentals every job seeker needs to master—knowing what you want, knowing where you want to go, and knowing what you offer—and why ignoring them makes the job search so much harder.

They also explore the tension between job seekers and employers, the importance of referrals, and why transparency in hiring isn’t just good practice—it’s a branding strategy. Whether you’re searching for your next role or hiring your next teammate, this episode delivers practical advice and fresh perspective on how to navigate the ever-shifting world of work.

Ask Enrique a question to be answered directly on the podcast by visiting ⁠⁠https://sayhi.chat/allinrecruiting⁠⁠, and make sure to find out more info by visiting ⁠⁠PurpleAcornNetwork.com⁠⁠.

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Behind every resume is a real person, a real story, and a future waiting to be shaped. In the very first episode of The All In Recruiting Podcast, host Enrique Ruiz shares his own journey from hustling in high-volume staffing—literally knocking on doors to fill jobs—to recruiting top talent for some of the world’s biggest brands. Along the way, he reveals the lessons he’s learned about how hiring really works, why the “little things” matter more than ever, and what separates the candidates who stand out from the rest.

Enrique also introduces the “triple threat” every job seeker needs to master—your LinkedIn, your resume, and you—and explains how these three elements work together to create opportunities. Whether you’re a job seeker, a hiring manager, or simply career-curious, this debut episode sets the stage for the honest, practical, and inspiring conversations to come.

Ask Enrique a question to be answered directly on the podcast by visiting ⁠⁠https://sayhi.chat/allinrecruiting⁠⁠, and make sure to find out more info by visiting ⁠⁠PurpleAcornNetwork.com⁠⁠.

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Recruiting isn’t just about filling jobs, it’s about changing lives. Hosted by recruiter, talent strategist, and business owner Enrique Ruiz, The All In Recruiting Podcast dives into the real stories behind the job search, hiring decisions, and career moves that shape our working world.

From knocking on doors to fill factory shifts, to sourcing VP talent at global brands and top secret companies, Enrique has lived recruiting at every level. Now, he’s bringing that experience to the mic, sharing practical advice, answering listener questions, and sitting down with industry leaders to unpack what’s really happening in hiring today.

Whether you’re a job seeker navigating uncertainty, a hiring manager building a team, or just curious about the hidden mechanics of the career world, this show will help you cut through the noise with honest conversations, timeless fundamentals, and a few hard truths.

Send in your questions, join the community, and get ready to go all in on your career, your hiring, and the future of work.

Ask Enrique a question to be answered directly on the podcast by visiting ⁠https://sayhi.chat/allinrecruiting⁠, and make sure to find out more info by visiting ⁠PurpleAcornNetwork.com⁠.

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