The POZCAST: Decoding Success with Adam Posner

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00:00 – Welcome to RecFest Nashville 2025
Adam sets the scene at the Juicebox.ai booth and kicks off #thePOZcast live from the field.

00:28 – Guest 1: Omar Khateeb – The Power of Authentic Video Content
CEO of JobPixel on why “vibe is everything,” how authenticity wins in 2025, and why creators should stop chasing algorithms.

02:24 – Survival Tips for RecFest
Hydrate, eat before noon, and network smarter — Omar’s pro tips for surviving outdoor conferences.

03:45 – Guest 2: Allyn Bailey – The Heart of Brand Experience at SmartRecruiters
Alynn breaks down how storytelling and connection drive talent strategy post-acquisition — and why she proudly calls herself “the class mom” of HR tech.

06:54 – Guest 3: Jamie Leonard – The RecFest Origin & Future Vision
The founder himself on why RecFest feels like summer camp for recruiters, the UK vs. US vibes, and what’s next (spoiler: Ferris wheel?).

10:50 – Guest 4: Vicky Lou – Inside Juicebox.ai’s Series A Rocketship
The founding marketer shares what makes Juicebox’s AI sourcing platform different, how startup life fuels creativity, and her secret to building high-performing teams.

14:49 – Sticker Drop & Shoutout to Juicebox.ai
Adam and Vicky unveil the ultra-rare holographic POZcast sticker and talk sponsor love.

16:11 – Guest Panel: Nikki Russell, Dan Lockhart & Chantelle Lubinger
Real-world TA leaders on quality of slate, giving rejection with empathy, and why “we’re humans first.”

21:44 – Guest 7: John Ruffini – Old School Recruiting Wisdom Meets New Tech
The VP of Professional Development at HealthTrust Workforce Solutions explains why recruiters have gotten lazy, how to bring back urgency, and the lost art of the phone call.

28:16 – The AI Debate & Juicebox Agents in Action
Adam and John discuss how to use AI as a tool — not a crutch — and how it frees recruiters for the human side of the job.

29:09 – Closing Thoughts: Stay Human, Stay Hungry
Adam wraps from the field with gratitude, laughter, and the promise that wisdom is forever.

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

Summary

In this episode, Adam Posner interviews Jay Williams, founder of Freebird Southern Springwater, who shares his journey from a successful 25-year career in real estate to launching a beverage brand. Jay discusses the importance of authenticity, hard work, and building relationships in business. He reflects on the challenges of starting a new venture, the importance of giving back to the community, and the lessons he has learned from his experiences. The conversation highlights the importance of resilience, the impact of social media, and the value of crafting a brand with a soul that resonates with everyday Americans.


Takeaways

- Jay Williams transitioned from real estate to beverage with Freebird.
- Authenticity and being true to oneself are key to success.
- Building relationships is crucial in business.
- Hard work can outpace talent in competitive fields.
- Starting a business requires action over perfection.
- Mistakes are valuable learning opportunities.
- Resilience is essential for overcoming challenges.
- Giving back to the community is a core value of Freebird.
- Creating a brand with a soul resonates with consumers.
- Networking and research are vital for new entrepreneurs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Jay Williams and Freebird
02:49 The Power of Authenticity and LinkedIn
05:38 Lessons from Family and the Importance of Hard Work
08:55 The Big Pivot: From Real Estate to Beverage
11:01 The Aha Moment: Starting Freebird
13:01 Finding a Niche in the Beverage Industry
15:05 Navigating the Beverage Landscape
19:24 Building a Team and Seeking Expertise
20:01 Understanding Your Strengths and Weaknesses
21:10 Finding the Right Partners
22:36 The Unique Selling Proposition of Freebird
24:02 Navigating Early Challenges
25:41 Commitment to Community and Philanthropy
27:15 Brand Growth and Market Positioning
28:34 Building a Brand with Soul
29:59 Future Aspirations for Freebird
32:20 Advice for Mid-Career Reinvention
33:53 Learning from Mistakes and Building Resilience
36:16 Authenticity in Leadership

00:00 – Intro / RecFest Kick-off
00:30 – Guest #1 – Tijal Rives (Amazon)
00:40 The power of speaking your truth & dealing with trolls
01:45 Career path – from recruiting → product at Amazon
02:45 Curiosity as a superpower (“the red-button” story)
03:40 Inside Amazon’s hiring process & the Bar Raiser
05:50 Making the move from recruiting to product
07:10 Curiosity & motivation in candidate conversations
08:55 “How AI Can Change Recruiters’ Lives” – conference preview
10:30 Good / Bad / Ugly of AI tools for recruiters
12:45 Candidates using AI – benefits vs pitfalls
14:30 High-touch recruiting & AI limits
15:30 Hot takes: AI in recruiting | Hot dog = not a sandwich 
17:10 Advice for job seekers – burnout plans & mindset
18:20 Open-to-Work banner debate (Helpful!)
19:25 Motherhood & work-life harmony 

20:05 – Head of TA @ Aubrey Cirillo (Custom Ink)
20:10 From banking → sales → TA leadership
21:40 Sales skills = recruiting superpower
22:25 Mentorship & self-storytelling
23:00 Aligning hiring with business goals (role clarity)
24:05 Small team challenges & cross-functional recruiting
25:10 Shadowing employees to improve storytelling
26:10 Sourcing stack – LinkedIn, Gem & AI tips
27:30 Balancing open jobs vs intentional hiring
28:40 Using AI without losing the human touch
29:30 Scaling hiring through ambassador programs
30:50 Building trust with hiring managers (proactive 1:1s)
31:45 Equity & accountability in hiring
33:00 Protecting time & energy as a recruiter
34:20 Hot takes: Open-to-Work, Sourcing vs Closing, AI Interviews, and Hot Dogs 

35:10 – Guest #3 –Sr. Technical Recruiter @ Heather Colvin (Smart Data)
35:15 Full-circle moment & intro
36:05 Recruiting as a career of creativity (no ceiling )
37:20 Bridging the trust gap with hiring managers
38:10 Using ChatGPT to close knowledge gaps (trust then verify)
39:00 Lean tech stack & HireEZ vs LinkedIn bias
39:40 Algorithm bias and why you need multiple tools
40:10 The 72-hour pipeline rule 
41:00 Transparency with multi-firm searches
41:45 Favorite tools & learning from candidates
42:10 AI interviews = “No” without feedback loop
42:30 Hot takes lightning round  & passion project “The Other 99 Athletes”

43:20 – Guest #4 – Mike Piditto (Author, Content Creator)
43:25 Career pivot from TA leader → creator & author
44:10 Balancing authenticity vs relevance
45:20 Handling trolls & mental health boundaries
46:30 “Yes, You’re Being Judged” – book story & purpose
47:15 Behind the book: real emails, rejections & reflection
48:10 Why candidate experience starts at the top
49:15 Favorite tech & why “built-by-recruiters” matters
50:00 Advice for creators – authenticity over algorithm
50:40 Find Mike online & wrap-up

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

Joey Lee — Panda Restaurant Group
00:40 – Joey Lee joins: falling into TA & purpose of helping people
02:36 – Scale at Panda: ~3,000 store openings; ~100 corporate roles
03:20 – Org design: corporate TA vs. field recruiters
03:55 – Budget realities & operator-funded recruiting
04:25 – Boots-on-the-ground sourcing: competitors, BOGO cards, observing service
04:56 – Hiring recruiters: “Tell me your story” & entrepreneurial mindset
05:45 – From transactional to transformational recruiters (driver’s seat)
06:40 – Culture & authenticity: show up as your true self
07:20 – Purpose-driven, people-first candidate experience (white-glove basics)
08:35 – Tech & AI: transactional roles will be automated; elevate or be replaced
09:41 – Digital recruiter clones? Promise and fears
10:15 – Hot Takes: Open-to-Work ✅ | Sourcing vs. Closing (closing) | Referrals ~60% | Hot dog = sandwich | Favorite Panda order

Rachel Allen — 7-Eleven
12:06 – Rachel Allen returns: AI hype, compliance “gray zone,” and lessons learned
13:25 – Don’t start with an “AI strategy”; start with a business problem
14:40 – Store hiring: 95% automated; leaders own outcomes; AI as enabler
15:40 – Keep the interview human; automate scheduling & access
16:30 – 24/7 candidates: assistants engage at 3am (Paradox “Rita”)
17:30 – Workforce planning: total work vs. workforce; assistants as a channel
18:40 – Data signals: speed, quality of submissions, retention, QoH
19:41 – Internal mobility: removed manager-permission barrier to apply
20:44 – Turnover trending down amid broader initiatives
21:20 – Hot Takes: Always-be-closing from first touch; favorite interview Q: “Greatest misconception about you?”
22:29 – Being human as the differentiator; team shoutouts & North Star
24:22 – Where to find Rachel / 7-Eleven Careers

Brandon Davis — Champions Group (Skilled Trades)
24:40 – What Champions Group does; 2,500 employees, 19 brands
25:30 – TA structure: divisions; early-career training programs (300 hires)
26:10 – Sourcing where trades talent actually is: schools, military, word-of-mouth
27:40 – Tech adoption: reduce fear by showing efficiency gains
28:15 – Practical AI for recruiters: notes, summaries, reverse-engineering avatars
29:10 – Brandon’s path into TA (ops → marketing → HR → TA leader)
30:32 – From “more candidates” to “better candidates” in two years
31:15 – Quality of submission > quality of hire (and where TA ownership ends)
32:57 – What makes a great recruiter: personality, storytelling, fast hook
34:35 – What keeps him up at night: channel ROI & data-driven decisions
35:19 – Hot Takes: Open-to-Work ✅ | Closing > Sourcing | Least-favorite Q: “What motivates you?” | Hot dog = sandwich | Where to find Brandon

Greg Russell — CoverGenius
36:20 – Greg Russell joins: coaching recruiters, storytelling & mindset
37:41 – Burnout & rejection: give feedback at scale; never ghost after contact
39:45 – ATS automation basics: close the loop, even with templates
41:20 – Offer feedback with boundaries; avoid the endless loop
42:28 – “Signal”: richer debriefs, calibration, transcripts > vague notes
44:20 – Tech stack: ATS with built-in note-taker (transcripts/video in profile)
45:40 – Debriefs aren’t a democracy: hiring manager owns the decision
47:11 – The AI bloom: noisy market now, consolidation later — lean in
49:00 – What Greg hires for: storytelling + growth mindset + tech curiosity
51:20 – Pay transparency song-and-dance & expectation management
52:10 – Best career advice: treat people like adults; trust cultures win
53:29 – Outro & where to find Greg

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

Summary

In this conversation, Adam Posner and Claude Silver discuss the importance of heart-first leadership and the need for workplaces to prioritize emotional intelligence, authenticity, and self-awareness. Claude shares insights from her upcoming book, 'Be Yourself at Work,' emphasizing the role of kindness and empathy in fostering a positive workplace culture. They explore the impact of COVID on employee dynamics, the significance of mentorship, and practical tools for building trust and collaboration within teams. The discussion highlights the ROI of kindness in business and the necessity of creating environments where employees feel valued and engaged.


Takeaways

- Claude Silver is the world's first Chief Heart Officer at VaynerX.
- COVID prompted Claude to write her book, 'Be Yourself at Work.'
- Self-awareness is crucial for personal and professional development.
- Authenticity in the workplace enhances connection and performance.
- Workplace culture is defined by the vibe and energy of interactions.
- Emotional optimism is the belief that things can improve.
- Empathy is essential for effective leadership and team dynamics.
- Kindness in the workplace leads to higher employee retention.
- Practical tools like appreciation circles can enhance team morale.
- Leaders should focus on creating a culture of trust and collaboration.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Heart-First Leadership
03:06 The Impact of COVID on Work Culture
06:00 Self-Awareness as a Leadership Superpower
08:54 The Role of Authenticity in the Workplace
11:54 Scaling Heart-Centered Leadership
14:52 Defining Company Culture
17:45 Emotional Optimism and Bravery
20:53 Empathy and Care in Leadership
23:46 The ROI of Kindness in Business
25:28 Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace
26:34 Tactical Empathy and Practical Tools
28:21 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
30:37 Running on Calm: Frameworks for Leaders
32:57 Assessing Human Skills in Recruitment
34:36 The Seven Rules of Team Citizenship
37:30 Leading with Authenticity
39:18 The Target Audience for 'Be Yourself at Work'
39:53 Optimism in Workplace Culture
42:03 Defining Success Through Generosity

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

00:00 – Intro from Nashville
00:45 – Shoutout to Juicebox.ai & why Adam actually uses it
01:40 – The Origin Story: From failed recruiting agency to AI powerhouse
03:45 – Empowering, not replacing recruiters
04:40 – How Juicebox works: data enrichment + recruiter intent
06:50 – Founder lessons in self-awareness & sales
08:10 – Real-world wins: finding the “unfindable” candidates
09:20 – The fundraising journey & landing Sequoia
10:30 – Competition, collaboration, and curiosity in HR tech
11:55 – What’s next: ATS rediscovery & surfacing hidden talent
12:45 – The future of AI in recruiting
13:25 – Team shoutouts from the Juicebox crew
14:00 – Wrap-up: Day One complete — Day Two coming soon

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

Summary

In this episode, Adam Posner interviews Dave Vu, co-founder of Ribbon, an AI voice interviewing platform. They discuss Dave's immigrant background and the work ethic instilled in him by his parents, his journey into talent acquisition, and the differences in hiring strategies between early-stage startups and scaling companies. The conversation also touches on the importance of culture add over culture fit, the role of recruiters as marketers, and the impact of AI on recruitment processes. Dave shares insights on compliance and bias reduction in AI, the challenges of being a founder, and his definition of success.


Takeaways

- Hard work is a core value instilled by immigrant parents.
- Recruiters must tell a compelling story to attract talent.
- Culture fit is outdated; culture add is essential for diversity.
- Recruiters are marketers and represent the company's brand.
- AI can enhance recruitment but should not replace human interaction.
- Compliance in AI recruitment is crucial to avoid bias.
- Founders need to be patient and resilient in their journey.
- Communication is key for effective leadership.
- Success is about building something meaningful and lasting.
- The future of recruitment will leverage AI to improve efficiency.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dave Vu and His Journey
03:06 The Immigrant Work Ethic and Its Impact
05:51 Transitioning into Talent Acquisition
09:04 Hiring Strategies: Early Stage vs. Scaling
12:12 Culture Fit vs. Culture Add
14:46 Recruiters as Marketers
18:11 The Birth of Ribbon and AI in Recruitment
20:55 Compliance and Bias in AI Recruitment
22:55 The Founder Journey: From People Ops to HR Tech
24:45 Building Trust: The Foundation of Co-Founder Relationships
27:39 The Human Element in AI Recruiting
29:56 The Future of Recruiting: Empowering Everyone
32:50 Navigating Challenges: Lessons in Leadership
35:52 Defining Success: Building a Legacy

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

Summary

In this episode of the #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Alison Baum Gates, an early-stage tech investor and author of 'Breaking Into Venture.' They discuss Alison's journey from the trading floor to venture capital, the importance of a global perspective, and the evolving landscape of entrepreneurship and employee well-being. Alison shares insights on the VC mindset, the challenges of writing a book, and the impact of AI on business and the writing process. The conversation culminates in a discussion about defining success and the importance of creating opportunities for others.

Takeaways

- Alison's parents' careers were disrupted by technology, influencing her career choices.
- She transitioned from finance to venture capital to be on the disrupting side.
- The trading floor experience taught her about opportunity spotting and creativity in finance.
- Living globally has given her a competitive advantage in evaluating investments.
- A VC mindset is essential for navigating today's abundant career opportunities.
- Writing her book was a way to save time and share knowledge about venture capital.
- Venture capital is not just glamorous; it requires hard work and patience.
- Measuring progress in venture capital is crucial to avoid FOMO.
- Success is defined by the number of successful people one creates.
- AI is changing the landscape of entry-level jobs, making it essential for new graduates to adapt.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Alison Baum Gates and Her Journey
01:17 The Impact of Technology on Career Paths
02:43 Lessons from the Trading Floor
06:34 Global Perspective and Competitive Advantage
10:59 The VC Mindset: Thinking for Abundance
13:21 Writing 'Breaking Into Venture' and Its Purpose
15:14 The Reality of Venture Capital
16:50 Self-Discovery Through Writing
19:44 AI's Role in Writing and Business
21:02 The Dual Nature of Entrepreneurship Today
21:53 Navigating the Entrepreneurial Landscape
25:08 The Role of Semper Virens
29:52 The Impact of AI on Entry-Level Jobs
32:34 Evaluating Founders and Building Relationships
35:00 FOMO in Venture Capital
36:51 Defining Success in Career and Life

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

Summary

In this engaging conversation, Adam Posner interviews Kass and Mike Lazarow, successful entrepreneurs and authors of 'Shoveling Shit: A Love Story About Entrepreneurship's Messy Path to Success.' They discuss the authenticity of their writing process, the importance of feedback, and how to stay motivated in the face of setbacks. The Lazarows share insights on navigating remote work culture, the significance of work-life integration, and the value of building a strong company culture. They emphasize the importance of networking, philanthropy, and defining success beyond monetary gains, ultimately highlighting the journey of entrepreneurship as a series of challenges and triumphs.

Takeaways

- The writing process was a new venture for both authors.
- Authenticity in storytelling is crucial for connecting with readers.
- Entrepreneurship involves overcoming numerous setbacks and failures.
- Feedback is essential for growth and should be viewed as a gift.
- Setting clear priorities helps in focusing on what truly matters.
- Remote work presents challenges for maintaining company culture.
- Work-life integration is more realistic than work-life balance.
- Quality time with family is more important than quantity.
- Hiring should focus on soft skills and cultural fit.
- Building a strong company culture requires transparency and trust.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Lazaro Duo
02:47 The Authenticity of Writing Together
06:05 The Meaning Behind 'Shoveling Shit'
08:58 Staying Motivated Through Setbacks
11:48 The Importance of Feedback
14:50 Setting Priorities and Focus
17:48 Navigating Remote Work Culture
20:56 Work-Life Integration vs. Balance
23:44 Quality Time with Family
26:36 Hiring and Team Dynamics
29:45 The Role of Culture in Organizations
32:37 The Power of Networking
35:48 Defining Success Beyond Money
38:46 Philanthropy and Company Culture
 

#thePOZcast is proudly brought to you by Fountain - the leading enterprise platform for workforce management. Our platform enables companies to support their frontline workers from job application to departure. Fountain elevates the hiring, management, and retention of frontline workers at scale.

To learn more, please visit: https://www.fountain.com/?utm_source=shrm-2024&utm_medium=event&utm_campaign=shrm-2024-podcast-adam-posner.

Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and www.youtube.com/thePOZcast

For all episodes, please check out www.thePOZcast.com 

Summary

In this episode of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Amira Barger, an executive VP at Edelman Communications and author of 'The Price of Nice.' They discuss Amira's upbringing, her journey into healthcare communications, and the importance of empathy in leadership. Amira shares insights from her book, emphasizing the dangers of being too nice in professional settings and advocating for the need to disrupt the status quo. The conversation also explores the power of storytelling, the importance of building foundations in leadership, and the significance of shared values in driving impactful change.


Takeaways

- Amira's upbringing as a minister's child shaped her empathetic approach to healthcare.
- Healthcare is a human right, and access to it is crucial.
- The book 'The Price of Nice' challenges the notion of being overly nice in professional settings.
- Being too nice can protect existing power structures and hinder progress.
- Nerve is necessary for effective leadership and communication.
- Storytelling is a powerful tool for transformation in organizations.
- True leadership involves building other leaders and fostering collaboration.
- Shared values are essential for effective teamwork and community building.
- Niceness often prioritizes comfort over necessary confrontation.
- Personal growth is a continuous journey of unlearning and relearning.