In this episode, Craig sits down with Jordan Shlosberg, Founder of Atlas, to explore the evolving intersection between recruitment and artificial intelligence. From his early days in expert networks to building a cutting-edge AI-powered recruitment platform, Jordan shares his journey, lessons learned, and bold predictions for the next three years of the industry.

Jordan explains how Atlas is redefining what a recruitment CRM can be — eliminating admin, boosting recruiter performance, and offering unique tools powered by real-time data and AI. The conversation also covers the broader changes happening across recruitment, candidate behavior, and why agency recruiters may be more important than ever in an AI-driven world.

Whether you're a recruiter, hiring manager, or tech founder, this episode offers fresh insights into how technology is reshaping recruitment — and why the human touch still matters.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 The rise of AI-powered recruitment platforms
🔹 Why traditional CRMs are falling behind
🔹 How Atlas removes admin and empowers recruiters
🔹 The changing expectations of hiring managers and candidates
🔹 Why great recruiters will thrive in the age of AI

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Opening & Nutrition Talk

• Fasting, yogurt, kimchi, and cottage cheese? Craig and Jordan kick off on a health tangent.

[02:00] – Jordan’s Background & Building Atlas

• From expert networks to AI-driven recruitment
• Why he chose to enter the recruitment space with a tech-first mindset

[06:00] – What Makes Atlas Different

• Atlas vs. traditional CRMs
• Using AI to streamline recruiter workflows
• “Do less admin, do better recruitment”

[12:00] – AI’s Impact on Recruitment

• Why the next 3 years will change recruitment forever
• How candidate outreach and client engagement are evolving
• The “magic message” feature that changes outreach forever

[20:00] – Human vs. AI in Recruitment

• Why the best recruiters still win — and how AI supports them
• The danger of over-relying on automation
• The importance of human relationships in hiring

[30:00] – Rethinking What Makes a Great Candidate

• From skills to outcomes: what clients really want now
• The rise of the “full-stack employee”
• How Atlas can help recruiters assess and present top talent

[40:00] – Training, Templates & Building Better Recruiters

• Benchmarking interviews and upskilling teams using AI
• Gamifying the training process
• Using feedback loops to create elite recruitment teams

[46:00] – Final Thoughts & Vision for the Future

• Why legacy CRMs won’t keep up
• The opportunity for Atlas to lead the next generation
• How AI will elevate — not replace — great recruiters

In this episode of The Top 10% Podcast, host Craig Whiting sits down with Remi Bernal, a global recruitment leader with a career spanning multiple industries and continents. From starting out in Paris and carving his path through New York and London, to building teams and advising top-tier financial institutions, Remi shares his journey and the lessons learned along the way.

They discuss the realities of moving countries to chase opportunity, how resilience and adaptability shaped his career, and what it takes to thrive in today’s competitive talent market. From cultural challenges to leadership insights, Remi’s story offers a candid look at building a career without borders.

Whether you’re a recruiter, an aspiring leader, or someone interested in international careers, this episode is full of practical lessons and inspiring takeaways.

🎙 Key Topics:
🔹 How Remi built a career across Paris, New York, and London
🔹 The role of resilience and adaptability in global recruitment
🔹 Lessons from advising top-tier banks and financial institutions
🔹 The cultural challenges of moving countries for work
🔹 Why mentorship and curiosity fuel long-term growth
🔹 Building teams and careers without borders

📄 Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction & Early Career
Craig introduces Remi Bernal and his journey from Paris into recruitment.
First steps into financial services and early lessons.

[07:00] – Moving Abroad & Building Resilience
Why Remi chose to move to New York and later London.
Adapting to new markets, cultures, and client expectations.

[15:00] – Recruitment at a Global Scale
Working with major banks and financial institutions.
How recruitment dynamics shift across regions.

[25:00] – Leadership & Building Teams
What Remi looks for in top talent.
How to balance cultural awareness with business demands.

[35:00] – Lessons in Growth & Adaptability
The role of mentorship, curiosity, and continuous learning.
Why resilience defines long-term success in recruitment.

[45:00] – Final Takeaways
Advice for recruiters looking to build international careers.
Why careers without borders are more possible than ever.

In this episode, Craig sits down with Lara Carty, former Team GB athlete, PhD in psychology, and seasoned financial services leader, to explore how organizations can unlock true performance through people and culture. With over 20 years of experience across the sell-side, buy-side, and now as founder of her own performance coaching consultancy, Lara brings a unique perspective on the intersection of psychology, business, and high performance.

Lara shares her journey from elite sport to psychology to leading people functions in global financial institutions. She dives into why performance reviews are often broken, how organizations lose talent by failing to see people as individuals, and what companies can do to create cultures that attract, retain, and empower their top performers.

Whether you’re a leader, recruiter, or professional striving to unlock your full potential, this episode offers deep insights into performance, motivation, and the future of people strategy.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 How elite sport shaped Lara’s views on performance and feedback
 🔹 Why most performance management systems miss the mark
 🔹 The challenges of scale in large corporates vs. smaller environments
 🔹 What truly motivates people to stay, grow, and succeed
 🔹 Practical steps for leaders to create high-performance cultures

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] Opening & Introduction

• Craig introduces Lara and her background in psychology, financial services, and Team GB athletics.

[03:00] From Sports to Psychology to Financial Services

• How Lara’s experience in high-performance sport sparked her interest in psychology.
• The importance of feedback and mindset in performance.

[06:00] The Reality of Corporate Performance Reviews

• Why traditional performance management often fails employees.
• How Lara’s early experiences highlighted the flaws in large organizations’ people practices.

[11:00] Scaling People Strategies vs. Individual Needs

• The tension between scale and personalization in large corporates.
• Why “one-size-fits-all” approaches don’t work.

[15:00] Shifting to the Buy-Side and Smaller Environments

• Why Lara made the transition from sell-side to buy-side.
• The difference in creativity, speed, and impact.

[20:00] What Motivates Top Talent

• The importance of mastery and proximity to the end user.
• Why some people thrive in smaller environments while others succeed in large corporates.

[27:00] The Role of Companies vs. Individuals

• Who is responsible for performance: the company or the individual?
• How high performers use “performance data” to grow.

[32:00] Building Effective Talent Functions

• Lara’s advice to CEOs on rethinking talent acquisition and people practices.
• Why defining “what good looks like” is essential before building processes.

[45:00] Final Thoughts & Takeaways

• The future of performance, culture, and leadership.
• Why organizations must move beyond box-ticking to truly unlock potential.

In this episode of the TTP Podcast, Craig Whiting interviews Dr. Ewelina Kurtys, a PhD in Neuroscience with extensive experience in brain imaging and biocomputing. Dr. Smith discusses her journey from academia to becoming a tech commercialization advisor and co-founding Sync, a mental wellness app. The focus of the conversation is on Final Spark, a company working to commercialize a neuro-platform for remote living neuron computation. They delve into the challenges, goals, and ethical considerations of biocomputing, and how it could revolutionize computing by being significantly more energy-efficient than traditional methods. Key topics include the potential applications of biocomputing, the complexities of programming neurons, and the future of AI and general intelligence.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Background

01:38 Journey into Neuroscience and AI

04:46 Introduction to Biocomputing

06:45 Stem Cells and Neuron Programming

09:20 Challenges and Future of Biocomputing

13:23 Final Spark's Mission and Vision

17:11 Combining Biology and Engineering

19:14 Potential Impact of Biocomputing

23:12 Digital to Analog Conversion in Neurons

23:49 Commercializing Biocomputing

24:16 Client Interest and Use Cases

26:25 Ethical Considerations in Biocomputing

29:22 Future Implications and Challenges

38:32 Technological and Societal Impact

41:58 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

In this episode of the TTP Podcast, Craig Whiting sits down with Adri Purkayastha, AI risk expert, product strategist, and former big four data scientist for a deep conversation about the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence, governance, and business value.

Adri shares his unconventional journey from building early ML products as a student entrepreneur to overseeing AI technology risk across financial services, wealth management, and investment banking. The conversation dives deep into how institutions can responsibly adopt AI, what they often get wrong, and why speed, structure, and talent will separate the winners from the rest.

If you work in tech, hiring, engineering leadership, or innovation strategy, this episode offers a rare look at the infrastructure and human decisions behind AI adoption. Plus the risks no one talks about.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 What AI “hallucination” means—and why it’s more dangerous than most realize
🔹 The future of engineering teams in an AI-native environment
🔹 Why curiosity and speed of learning will define top tech talent
🔹 The shift from cost centers to value centers in enterprise technology
🔹 How AI changes org design, governance, and product ownership
🔹 The rise of the modern IC (individual contributor) as a key strategic asset
🔹 What financial institutions can learn from product-led tech orgs
🔹 Why failing fast is essential—and why waiting to act is the bigger risk

📄 Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Adri’s Background
Entrepreneurial beginnings → AI in education → big four → enterprise risk & governance

[08:00] – What AI Risk Really Means
How hallucination, uncertainty, and infrastructure gaps create business risk

[16:00] – Cost vs. ROI of AI Adoption
Why the expense of AI infrastructure changes how businesses scale

[22:00] – The Human Layer of AI Deployment
Impact on job design, talent strategy, and upskilling across tech teams

[30:00] – Tech as a Value Driver, Not a Cost Center
Where banks, hedge funds, and tech firms differ—and what they’re getting right

[36:00] – Structural Shifts in Tech Teams
The rise of the IC, shortening the distance between tech and revenue, and rebuilding orgs to move faster

[41:00] – What to Look for in Modern Tech Talent
Curiosity, adaptability, and evidence of experimentation

[44:00] – What’s Next in AI Governance
Where Adri sees the biggest risks—and the most potential—over the next 2–3 years

In this episode of the TTP Podcast, Craig Whiting sits down with Nirav Shah, engineering leader at JP Morgan Asset Management, for a deep dive into how AI is fundamentally changing the life of a developer, and what the next generation of engineering talent needs to thrive.

Nirav shares his journey from hands-on coder to global team leader, and explains why staying close to the code still matters in a leadership role. They explore the rise of T-shaped engineers, the evolving expectations around communication, and the critical mindset shift required to succeed in an AI-augmented tech world.

Whether you're a senior engineer, hiring manager, or tech leader navigating change. This episode is full of sharp insights on staying relevant, building hybrid skillsets, and leading with both strategic and technical depth.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 Why AI is the most foundational shift in 20+ years of software engineering
🔹 What “batteries-included” developers really look like in an AI-native future
🔹 The T-shaped skillset: balancing deep technical roots with broad leadership scope
🔹 How to stay hands-on as you scale up in leadership
🔹 Communication as a key differentiator: with colleagues and with AI
🔹 Why org structures must evolve if they want tech leaders to thrive
🔹 Coding as creativity and why output still matters at every level

📄 Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Introduction & Nirav’s Background
Career journey from developer to global engineering leader
The art of translating business needs into code

[06:00] – Staying Technical While Leading
Why Nirav still codes every week — and how to make time for it
The importance of staying close to the product

[10:00] – AI as a Paradigm Shift
Why co-pilot and agentic tools are changing how engineers work
Delegation, oversight, and new ways of thinking

[16:00] – The T-Shaped Engineer Model
Why you need both breadth and depth to scale in tech
How technical leaders lose their edge—and how to get it back

[22:00] – Adaptability, Learning & Talent Strategy
What Nirav looks for when hiring engineers in an AI-native world
The traits that matter more than specific languages or tools

[29:00] – Engineering Growth Inside Large Orgs
Why “coding leadership” still matters at enterprise scale
The problem with paper titles and fake technical progression

[36:00] – Changing the Culture of Tech Leadership
Creating space for creativity and code
Why business still misunderstands tech—and how leaders can fix it

[40:00] – Career Advice & LinkedIn Strategy
Craig shares 5 tactical tips for building a recruiter-proof LinkedIn
Why outcomes, clarity, and recruiter-friendly language matter

[46:00] – Final Thoughts
The role of curiosity, communication, and partnership in thriving as an engineer today

In this episode, Craig Whiting sits down with Connor White, veteran technologist and hedge fund leader, for a deep dive into the evolution of engineering within financial services and what it really takes to succeed in the fast-paced, high-stakes world of hedge funds.

With nearly 30 years of experience, Connor shares how he went from coding in risk systems to leading global teams at elite hedge funds. They discuss the striking differences between sell-side and buy-side tech cultures, why many engineers struggle with the transition, and how the hedge fund environment shapes sharper, more well-rounded developers. The conversation also explores what hiring managers really look for, the traits that separate the top 10%, and how AI is already reshaping the job of the software engineer.

Whether you're an engineer thinking about making the leap to the buy side or a founder trying to build a top-tier team, this is an unmissable masterclass in modern technical leadership.

🎙️ Key Topics

🔹 The sell-side vs. buy-side tech culture shock
🔹 Why traders don’t care about your code, they care about delivery
🔹 The hiring red flags and green flags Connor looks for in interviews
🔹 Why domain curiosity beats academic perfection every time
🔹 How AI is transforming software engineering today and in the near future

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Opening & Introductions
Connor’s journey from quant developer to hedge fund tech leader
“Your money is the byproduct of success.”

[03:00] – Life Inside the Bank
From giant tech teams to rigid frameworks
How institutional structure limits learning

[07:00] – Transition to the Hedge Fund World
Culture shock, speed, and personal accountability
Iterative development in the real world

[12:00] – Leadership by Delivery
How Connor organically stepped into leadership roles
Why performance beats politics

[17:00] – The Buy-Side Mindset
Understanding the business problem is not optional
Why good tech = business value, not cool tools

[23:00] – Hiring the Right People
The “tell me about a project you’re proud of” litmus test
How depth, curiosity, and communication separate top candidates

[30:00] – The Role of Recruiters
What good recruiters do—and what most get wrong
Why less is more when it comes to CVs

[36:00] – Breaking In from the Outside
Advice for candidates in banks looking to pivot
How to show curiosity, research, and long-term mindset

[38:00] – AI’s Impact on Engineering
Productivity boosts, hidden risks, and future shifts
Could developers become the next business analysts?

[45:00] – Final Thoughts
Why the top 10% mindset is about delivery, not ego
“You focus on being really good at your job—and the rewards follow.”

In this episode, Craig sits down with Richard Jacobs, Head of Engineering at Thinkfolio (S&P Global), to discuss the evolving landscape of hiring, recruitment, and leadership in financial technology. With over 25 years in tech and deep experience in financial services, Richard shares his journey from hands-on development to leading high-performing teams.

They explore why being a great technologist doesn’t always translate to great leadership, how hiring processes can be refined to identify true talent, and the challenges of technical assessments in recruitment. Richard also shares insights on hiring in buy-side vs. sell-side finance, building teams that thrive, and how hybrid work is reshaping company culture.

Whether you're a hiring manager, recruiter, or tech professional, this episode dives into the nuances of tech hiring, leadership, and how companies can attract and retain top talent.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 The transition from software engineer to engineering leader
🔹 Why hiring for finance requires a different approach
🔹 How to refine technical assessments & avoid hiring bias
🔹 The impact of remote & hybrid work on career growth
🔹 Retention strategies: What keeps top talent engaged?

Tune in for a deep dive into recruitment, leadership, and the future of hiring in financial technology.

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Opening & Introduction

• Richard’s background in software engineering & leadership.
• The evolution from technologist to Head of Engineering.

[05:00] – What Makes a Great Tech Leader?

• Why technical expertise doesn’t always equal strong leadership.
• The shift from problem-solving to team empowerment.
• How leaders can create environments where teams thrive.

[12:00] – The Challenges of Hiring in Financial Services

• The differences between hiring for buy-side vs. sell-side firms.
• Why the best engineers don’t always come from finance backgrounds.
• How to identify potential in candidates beyond their resume.

[20:00] – The Role of Technical Assessments in Hiring

• Why companies use coding tests like HackerRank & Codility.
• The challenge of balancing real-world assessments vs. standardized tests.
• How to minimize hiring bias through structured evaluations.

[30:00] – Remote & Hybrid Work: Pros & Cons

• Why hybrid work benefits senior engineers but challenges juniors.
• The impact of remote setups on mentorship & career growth.
• How companies can balance flexibility with team cohesion.

[40:00] – Talent Retention & Employee Growth

• Why most people leave jobs: money vs. role progression.
• How leaders can offer growth without constant promotions.
• The importance of clear career paths in retaining top talent.

[50:00] – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

• The future of hiring in tech & financial services.
• How leaders can foster long-term career success.
• Why recruitment needs to evolve beyond just skills matching.

Ep. 3: Donal McCarthy on Recruitment, Tech Hiring & Teams

In this episode, Craig sits down with Donal McCarthy, a seasoned leader in the tech financial industry, to explore the recruitment landscape from a hiring manager’s perspective. They discuss why hiring should be about more than just checking boxes on a CV, how recruiters can add real value, and the importance of understanding company culture when making hiring decisions.

Donal, who has led hiring at energy trading firms, buy-side institutions, and sell-side banks, shares his candid thoughts on the state of recruitment today. He discusses the common pitfalls in tech hiring, why recruiters often miss the mark, and what companies can do to improve their talent acquisition strategies.

Whether you’re a hiring manager, recruiter, or candidate, this episode will challenge your thinking on recruitment, candidate engagement, and building high-performing teams.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 Why most recruiters fail to understand hiring managers' needs
🔹 The importance of deep recruiter-hiring manager relationships
🔹 How centralized recruitment can slow down hiring
🔹 Why hiring for culture is just as important as technical skills
🔹 How candidates can stand out in the hiring process

Tune in for an insightful discussion on the future of hiring, how recruitment should evolve, and what really makes a great hire.

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Opening & Introduction

• Donal’s first thought when hearing the word “recruiter.”

[01:00] – The Role of Recruiters in Tech Hiring

• Why hiring is about more than just filling a role.
• The biggest mistakes recruiters make when engaging with hiring managers.
• Why relationship-building is key to successful recruitment.

[06:00] – Why Recruitment is Broken

• The low barrier to entry in recruitment and its consequences.
• Why cold calls and irrelevant CVs frustrate hiring managers.
• The disconnect between recruiters and hiring managers.

[10:00] – The Importance of Culture in Hiring

• Why hiring should focus on long-term fit, not just technical skills.
• How companies can communicate their culture to recruiters.
• Why culture impacts employee retention and job satisfaction.

[18:00] – The Downsides of Centralized Recruitment

• Why limiting agency access can slow down hiring.
• The problem with rigid hiring processes.
• How businesses should balance internal hiring vs. agency partnerships.

[27:00] – The Candidate Experience: How to Stand Out

• Why job hunting should be about more than just salary.
• How recruiters can help candidates position themselves better.
• The role of personal projects and open-source contributions in hiring.

[37:00] – Rethinking Hiring & The Role of Recruiters

• Why recruiters should focus on understanding the industries they serve.
• How recruiters can add real value beyond just sending CVs.
• The importance of proactive career conversations.

[50:00] – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

• Why companies need to rethink their approach to hiring.
• How hiring managers and recruiters can work together more effectively.
• The future of recruitment and its impact on the tech industry.

In this episode, Craig sits down with Alexander Unterrainer, a seasoned KDB developer, to discuss the complexities of tech hiring, the role of recruiters, and what it takes to succeed in the finance industry. Alex shares his journey from a graduate at Citigroup to working with major investment banks, highlighting the challenges of breaking into the field and the importance of networking and specialization.

They dive into the common frustrations with recruitment, how companies filter candidates, and why hiring managers often struggle to find the right talent. Alex also explains why niche expertise can be both a blessing and a challenge in today’s competitive job market.

Whether you're a developer, recruiter, or hiring manager, this episode offers insights into career growth, hiring practices, and the evolving nature of tech roles in finance.

🎙 Key Topics:

🔹 The reality of tech hiring in finance & investment banking
🔹 Why recruiters and hiring managers often misunderstand each other
🔹 How candidates can stand out in competitive job markets
🔹 The value of specialization vs. general skills in tech
🔹 How the finance industry is adapting to AI and automation

Tune in for a deep dive into recruitment, hiring challenges, and the skills needed to thrive in financial technology.

Show Notes & Timestamps

[00:00] – Opening & Introduction

Alexander’s background in finance and tech hiring.

The competitive nature of investment banking graduate programs.

[01:00] – The Challenges of Breaking into Finance

Why investment banks filter heavily based on university prestige.

How candidates can improve their chances of landing top jobs.

The role of networking and personal projects in career growth.

[06:00] – Common Issues with Recruiters & Hiring Managers

Why recruiters often fail to understand technical roles.

The frustration of irrelevant job pitches.

The importance of recruiter-candidate relationships.

[12:00] – The Candidate Experience & Feedback Problem

The impact of ghosting in recruitment.

Why detailed feedback matters for candidates.

How better recruiter communication improves hiring outcomes.

[20:00] – Specialization vs. Generalization in Tech Careers

The advantages and risks of being a niche specialist.

Why KDB is highly valuable but has limited opportunities.

How developers can future-proof their careers.

[30:00] – The Role of AI & Automation in Tech Hiring

How AI is changing recruitment and candidate evaluation.

Why banks struggle to implement AI due to security concerns.

The future of AI in financial technology roles.

[40:00] – Final Thoughts & Key Takeaways

Why companies need to rethink hiring strategies.

The importance of fair recruiter-candidate relationships.

How to navigate career growth in a competitive job market.

Connect with Alexander Unterrainer:
🔗 Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexanderunterrainer/
🔗 DefconQ LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/company/defconq
Blog: https://www.defconq.tech/ 
📩 Free Newsletter: https://defconq.substack.com/