What happens when your newsletter becomes the unofficial therapy session for HR professionals everywhere?

In this episode, Rhona sits down with Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer at Workweek and the creator of I Hate It Here, one of the most read and reshared newsletters in the People space. Known for her honest tone and spicy memes, Hebba has built a brand that balances leadership credibility with creative chaos.

We unpack what it really looks like to speak truthfully in public while still leading a team, how she balances her executive role with her creator identity, and why memes sometimes say more than a whitepaper ever could.

Hebba shares the systems and mindset that have made her newsletter essential reading for HR professionals who want to do better – and have fun while doing it.

If you’re an HR or TA leader who’s wrestling with what to say, and how to say it, you’ll want to hear this.

In this episode, we cover:

00:00 – Introduction

01:13 – How I Hate It Here became part therapy, part rebellion

02:14 – The pop culture DNA of the newsletter

10:20 – Writing from memes: the “GIF-first” creative process

21:49 – What it’s like being both a CPO and a monetized creator

24:17 – How content changes internal relationships at work

30:59 – Advice for HR leaders afraid to speak up

32:16 – What Hebba wishes more HR leaders would admit out loud

34:13 – What she hopes I Hate It Here gives readers

35:34 – Plead the Fifth: memes, fake advice, and a well-timed cop-out

38:01 – How to follow Hebba, join her community, and keep up

Hebba Youssef is the Chief People Officer at Workweek and the creator of I Hate It Here, a viral HR newsletter that combines real talk, research, and memes to challenge how we think about work. She also hosts The I Hate It Here Podcast and runs the Safe Space community—all in partnership with Workweek. Hebba’s built one of the most trusted voices in HR by saying what others are afraid to, and making it impossible to look away.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

➡️ Subscribe to I Hate It Here: https://join.hateithere.co/e13d9d5b/13

➡️ Join the Safe Space community: https://hateithere.co/community/safe-space/

WORKFLUENCER RESOURCES & TOOLS:

📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/

♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn

🎧 Science-backed music for your brain. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE

→ How to Create Content That Gets Attention – with Mike Peditto

****

🌟 CONNECT WITH HEBBA

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hebbayoussef

🌐 Website: https://hateithere.co/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebbamyoussef/

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here

🎙️ Podcast: https://hateithere.co/podcast/

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/

🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce

🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/

HR newsletter, workplace content creation, authentic leadership, employee engagement, HR thought leadership, content creator, chief people officer, workplace culture, HR memes, professional branding, newsletter strategy, HR community, workplace communication, content marketing, HR trends, employee experience, workplace transparency, HR technology, content creation process, workplace humor

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

When candidates ghost your hiring process before the first interview, it’s easy to blame the job market. But what if the real problem is trust?

In this episode of Workfluencer, we’re joined by Meghan Cantrell, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at OxBlue, who shares how she tackled candidate ghosting head-on by turning hiring managers into video creators. With no production budget and no marketing team, Meghan used short, authentic hiring manager videos to boost skills assessment completions by 40%, speed up interviews, and land high-converting hires—including a million-dollar rookie.

If you're in recruiting, employer branding, or talent strategy, this episode is packed with scrappy, repeatable ideas to help your candidates engage before the first call—and help your hiring managers become your strongest content allies.

In this episode, we cover:

00:00 Introduction
02:50 – What candidates and hiring managers were experiencing
06:15 – The lightbulb moment: “What if they met the hiring manager first… through video?”
08:00 – Getting hiring managers to agree (and why scripts didn’t work)
10:20 – Tools, tactics, and keeping it scrappy
13:35 – The impact: 40% increase in assessment completions
17:00 – What kinds of videos to create: welcome, training, culture, mental health
18:40 – How video shifted hiring manager relationships and built buy-in
20:30 – Tips for working with Legal and Marketing
24:30 – First steps for recruiters ready to try this
26:45 – Plead the Fifth: Agency trauma, BS job specs, and recruiter intuition
31:00 – Next-level idea: Prepping candidates with second-tier questions
 

Meghan Cantrell is the Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at OxBlue, where she leads hiring strategies across tech, sales, and support functions. Known for her candidate-first mindset and innovative use of video in the hiring process, Meghan has transformed how her team builds trust and accelerates hiring—even in a noisy, competitive market.

RESOURCES & TOOLS:

📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/

🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook

♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn

🎧 Science-backed music for your brain. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce

 RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ How to Create Content That Gets Attention – with Mike Peditto

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH MEGHAN
💼 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghancantrell/

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/

hiring manager video content, candidate ghosting ,video in recruiting, talent acquisition strategy, how to engage candidates, recruiting video ideas, employer branding tactics, assessment completion rate recruiting, authentic hiring manager videos, candidate trust and engagement

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Mike Peditto didn’t plan to go full-time as a content creator—at least not yet. But after building a massive audience with his no-BS job search videos, the timing came sooner than expected.

Now with over 100 million views and a growing community across TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram, Mike creates content that job seekers love—and some internet trolls love to hate. In this episode, he shares what it really takes to create content that grabs attention, builds trust, and gets results.

We explore the leap from TA to full-time creator, the chaos behind his most viral videos (yes, the foil-in-the-microwave moment), and how he handles hate at scale without compromising the quality of his message.

If you’re creating content to grow your influence, attract the right audience, or just stay sane in the algorithm... this episode is for you.

In this episode, we cover:

Mike Peditto is a content creator, speaker, and former Director of Talent Acquisition. He’s built a following of over 330K across platforms by sharing real, relatable, and slightly chaotic career content that challenges how we talk about work. Through his videos, trainings, and soon-to-be-released book, Mike helps job seekers and hiring teams navigate the world of work with honesty, clarity, and a little humor.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

 📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

 🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook

 🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/ 

 ♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ Why HR Leaders Need to Create Content - with John Baldino

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH MIKE
💼 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpeditto/

🎵 TikTok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@realisticrecruiting

🌐 Website: https://mikepeditto.com/

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realisticrecruiting  

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealisticRecruiting

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.corporatepizzaparty.com/

 
🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/

Full-time content creator, go viral on LinkedIn, job search content, content creation strategy, viral content creator, quitting TA job, how to create engaging content, creator hate comments, TikTok content advice, content creator burnout, employee to creator journey, personal brand growth, career advice videos, video content strategy, content that gets attention, using props in video

******************************************************************
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498 
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
******************************************************************

If AI can help you move faster… can it also make you sound just like everyone else?

In this episode—recorded live at Transform—Rhona sits down with Trent Cotton, HR executive, content creator, and certified AI nerd (his words, not ours), to talk about the real risks of letting AI take over your voice.

They get into what authenticity really means in content creation, how to tell if someone’s phoning it in with automation, and why the messy middle—between efficiency and originality—is exactly where creators should be working.

What We Talk About:

➡️ The red flags that give away AI-generated content

➡️ How to use AI for ideation without losing your voice

➡️ Why “smart cuts” beat shortcuts in content creation

➡️ The AI myth Trent wants HR tech vendors to stop selling

➡️ Why Trent won’t follow jargon-filled posts (even yours)

This episode is for anyone navigating the line between helpful tools and hollow content. Whether you're hiring, building a personal brand, or just trying to keep up—this conversation will make you think twice before hitting “generate.”

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/ 

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ Why HR Leaders Need to Create Content - with John Baldino

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH TRENT
💼 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/trentcotton/

🌐 Website: https://www.trentcotton.com/  

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/human_capitalist/

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Human_Capitalist

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.trentcotton.com/podcast

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498 
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

If HR wants to shape the future of work, it has to be part of the conversation.

At Transform 2025, I sat down with John Baldino—HR exec, speaker, and co-host of But First, Coffee—to talk about why content isn’t just for marketers anymore. We got into what it really means to stay visible without being performative, and how creating content can help HR leaders build trust, attract talent, and show up as more than a job title.

Whether you’re already posting or still thinking about it, this one’s full of honest perspective and practical advice.

What we talk about:

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH JOHN
💼 LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnbaldinohr/

🌐 Website:  https://humareso.com/

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@humareso

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@humareso/streams

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

------------

🎬 Workfluencer is produced by: Perceptible Studios
Learn how we can help you create content to attract clients, candidates, and opportunities at www.perceptiblestudios.com

You’ve seen their posts. You’ve shared their videos. But what’s the real story behind their influence?

This is Workfluencer, a podcast about professionals who use content to challenge norms, create opportunity, and build real momentum — without needing to go “all in” as influencers.

In this trailer episode, host Rhona Barnett-Pierce introduces the show’s mission and what to expect: honest, behind-the-scenes conversations with creators, leaders, and side-hustlers using content to shape careers, spark conversations, and shift entire industries from the inside.

What you’ll hear:

 ✅ How content is becoming a career asset — not just a marketing tool
 ✅ Why professionals are turning to platforms like LinkedIn, podcasts, and video
 ✅ What future episodes will explore: strategies, struggles, and the messy middle of visibility and growth

🔔 Subscribe now to hear from the creators shaping work culture — one honest post at a time.
📍 Learn more: https://workfluencerpodcast.com

Work isn’t just what you do anymore—it’s how you show up.

In this solo launch episode, host Rhona Pierce introduces Workfluencer—a podcast about professionals using content to build careers, spark conversations, and challenge how we talk about work.

This isn’t just another podcast. It’s a redefinition of visibility, influence, and impact in today’s workplace.

What you’ll learn:

📍 Learn more: https://workfluencerpodcast.com

Is your team ready for HR tech?

Recruitment technology has never evolved faster—but without a clear strategy, even the best tools can slow you down.

In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa Skinner, CHRO at Teamtailor, live from Transform 2025. We dig into one of the biggest blind spots in talent acquisition today: adopting HR tech without first asking the right questions.

From assessing team readiness to designing people-first systems, Lisa shares what it takes to make tech actually work—for your process, your candidates, and your hiring managers.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

 • Why better tech won’t fix a broken process
 • How to assess readiness across the employee lifecycle
 • Common missteps companies make when implementing new tools
 • What great hiring could look like 5 years from now
 • How to keep candidate experience at the center of your tech strategy

Perfect for recruiters, HR leaders, and TA pros navigating the future of hiring—and looking to make smarter decisions that truly serve people, not just systems.

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 The Role of HR Tech in Simplifying Processes

02:58 The Evolution of Recruitment Technology

06:01 AI's Impact on Recruitment and Human Touch

08:57 Common Pitfalls in Adopting HR Tech

11:50 Future Trends in Hiring and Recruitment

14:59 Enhancing Candidate Experience and Inclusivity

****
  🌟 CONNECT WITH LISA
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-skinner-k%C3%A4llstr%C3%B6m-3942b82/

🌐 Website:  https://www.teamtailor.com/en-us/demo

📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@teamtailorsoftware

🎙️ Podcast: https://www.teamtailor.com/en/happy-recruiting-podcast/

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr 

Are fake candidates on the rise in 2025?

The rise of AI has made fake job applications more sophisticated than ever. In this episode, I’m joined by former FAANG recruiter, Stefanie Fackrell to discuss the rising challenge of candidate catfishing. Discover how AI tools, fake profiles, and interview fraud are impacting hiring teams. 

But instead of focusing on aggressive verification tactics that can harm diversity efforts, discover how to build genuine candidate relationships while protecting your hiring process. Learn why traditional screening methods are failing and get actionable strategies that work without compromising inclusive hiring practices.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Perfect for recruiters, hiring managers, and TA leaders who want to stay ahead of this growing challenge.

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Greenhouse AI use policy: https://www.greenhouse.com/guidelines-for-using-ai-in-our-interviewing-process

Reddit Thread on Fake applicants: https://www.reddit.com/r/recruiting/comments/1gkl0u6/fake_applicants_are_out_of_control/

📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

00:00 The Bot vs. Bot Era of Hiring

05:11 Candidate Deceit: The New Norm

09:53 Ethics and Creativity in Job Applications

15:08 AI in Interviews: Resourceful or Deceptive?

19:51 Building Relationships in Recruitment

25:07 Navigating the New Hiring Landscape

29:53 The Future of Recruitment: Community and Connection

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ #24: Building a Neuro-inclusive Hiring Strategy with Tameka Allen

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH STEFANIE
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefaniefackrell-hr-rebel/

🌐 Website: https://www.dysruptivehr.com/

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr

Create Candidate Email Campaigns using Nurture by Teamtailor link.rhonapierce.com/teamtailor

Learn how to build engaged talent pipelines and drive better hiring outcomes using email nurture campaigns. In this episode, I’m joined by TA Leader Brandon Jeffs. We discuss actionable strategies for recruiters and talent acquisition professionals to personalize their approach, streamline outreach, and create authentic connections with candidates.

Email is more than just a communication tool—it’s a powerful way to nurture candidates at every stage of the hiring funnel. Learn how to map the candidate journey, craft emails that get replies, and optimize your process to achieve incredible results.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

Brandon's Best Advice for Recruiters:

*************
📧  Become a more strategic Recruiter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

//TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 INTRODUCTION

03:10 Candidate Nurturing: A Personal Approach

06:01 Strategic Time Management in Recruiting

08:45 Optimizing Candidate Engagement

12:10 Building Relationships in Recruiting

15:03 Leveraging Newsletters for Candidate Connection

17:53 Email Strategies for High Open Rates

30:55 Crafting Compelling Content for Candidates

33:44 Tech Stack for Effective Candidate Nurturing

39:50 The Future of Candidate Nurturing

46:20 Building Relationships: The Heart of Recruiting

RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→  #14: Ditch the Cold Calls: Build a Talent Community Instead - with Taylor Desseyn

****
🌟 CONNECT WITH BRANDON
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandohires/

🎙️ Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0HS4AlUh90jnX5y7OijO0H

🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/

💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
  https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/throw-out-the-playbook/id1740429498
 

🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
  https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr