Elite Recruiters Stay Ahead: 2025’s 10 Most-Downloaded Podcast Episodes

How do top recruiters stay ahead of the curve? Many turn to podcasts as on-demand masterclasses – learning from industry trailblazers while on their commute or coffee break. The Elite Recruiter Podcast is one such resource that skyrocketed in 2025 with over 212,000 downloads on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, now racing toward a milestone of 500,000 total downloads (excluding YouTube). As the host of this podcast, I’ve seen first-hand how sharing real recruiter stories and strategies can elevate our whole community.

For recruiting professionals, every episode is a free mentorship session. Whether you’re looking for cutting-edge sourcing hacks, AI trends, mindset shifts, or leadership lessons, The Elite Recruiter Podcast delivers value in a conversational, recruiter-savvy style. Below, I’m excited to highlight the 10 most downloaded episodes of 2025 – each packed with insights to help you level up your recruiting game. (Did your favorite make the list? 😉)

Also before you check out the list. Make sure to register for the next up coming summit kicking off Jan 26, 2026. The Sales and BD Recruiter Summit = https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/

Top 10 Episodes of 2025 – The Elite Recruiter Podcast (Spotify & Apple Links Included)

1. Be a Bold, Unorthodox, and Unstoppable Recruiter with Shaun Hervey – This episode will fire you up to break the mold in recruiting. Shaun Hervey shares how bold moves and unorthodox tactics (like creative TikTok videos and fearless networking) helped him rise from selling SkyMiles at a kiosk to running his own firm. It’s an inspiring reminder that being authentically you and taking risks can lead to big wins in our industry. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

2. How To Become An Elite Agency Recruiter with Dandan Zhu – What does it take to reach the million-dollar biller level as an agency recruiter? Dandan Zhu’s journey in recruitment offers a blueprint for success. She discusses cultivating a competitive mindset, mastering the fundamentals (her “seven seven seven” rule), and why human connection still trumps tech in recruiting. This episode is packed with practical career advice for aspiring elites. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

3. Knocked Down, Never Out: Olympic Mindset, Grit & Game-Changing Self-Talk with Cam F. Awesome – Recruiting is a full-contact sport, and former Team USA boxing captain Cam F. Awesome proves that a champion’s mindset can transform your career. Hear how Cam overcame setbacks, literally changed his last name to “Awesome,” and applies Olympic-level grit to goals and self-talk. If you need motivation to bounce back from rejection or push past your limits, this energy-packed episode is a must-listen. Check it out on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

4. The Future Proof Recruiter: Mike Wolford’s Guide to Thriving with AI – Worried about AI taking over recruiting? Mike Wolford offers a refreshingly practical take on how to harness AI as your ally, not your enemy. From automating tedious tasks to becoming more data-driven, Mike’s guide shows how both agency and in-house recruiters can thrive in the age of AI. This episode will leave you feeling empowered to adapt, with concrete steps to future-proof your career. Tune in on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

5. AI Super Recruiters: How Tech Is Shaping Sourcing with Steven Lu – Ready to become an AI-powered “super recruiter”? In this lively chat with Steven Lu (CEO of Pin an AI sourcing platform), we explore how tech is revolutionizing candidate sourcing and outreach. Steven explains how freeing recruiters from “busy work” lets us refocus on what truly matters – relationships and placements. We also tackle fears about automation and why human expertise is more valuable than ever. If you’re intrigued by recruiting technology (or overwhelmed by it), this episode provides clarity and humor. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

6. The Power of Niching Down & Leading with Heart: How Cari Kraft Built a Top Recruiting Firm in Life Sciences – Sometimes the key to explosive success is going deep, not wide. Cari Kraft reveals how focusing on a life sciences niche made her firm a leader. She also shares how leading with heart and integrity – building a team culture around service, not just placements – created long-term success. From running industry compensation surveys to launching a niche magazine, Cari’s strategies show that passion + specialization = power. This episode will inspire you to find your niche and lead with purpose. Hear her story on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

7. Recruiting on the Edge with Sam Kuehnle: AI, Automation & the Future-Proof Tech Stack – Sam Kuehnle takes us to the cutting edge of recruiting tech. Are you leveraging your CRM and talent pipeline, or falling behind? This episode explores how AI and automation can give you an unfair advantage – from proactive pipelining to data enrichment – if you’re willing to experiment. It’s a candid discussion about modernizing your tech stack while staying human-centric. Don’t get left behind: hear Sam’s tips for building a future-proof recruiting operation. Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

8. Stop Strategizing, Start Doing: Carson Dimond's Action Plan for Success – Ever feel stuck overplanning your next move? Carson Dimond’s story is the ultimate antidote. He launched a recruiting firm in college(!) and proved that massive action beats endless strategizing. In this episode, Carson shares how he mastered referrals, stays connected with his network, and learns by doing. It’s an energizing blueprint for turning ambition into reality – especially for young or new recruiters ready to jump in the game. Dive in on Spotify or Apple Podcast.

9. Million-Dollar Recruiters: Jeremy Jenson 🐐’s Proven Strategies for Scaling in Today’s Market – If your goal is to build a seven or eight-figure recruiting business, let Jeremy Jenson be your guide. In this fan-favorite episode, Jeremy (who leads a $12M+ firm) breaks down how to scale beyond being a solo “hero” biller. Spoiler: it involves systematizing everything from hiring and L&D to marketing and mindset. Learn why “riches are in the niches,” how to generate inbound client demand, and when to step back from day-to-day recruiting to lead. This conversation is scaling 101 for agencies in today’s market. Check it out on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

10. What Most Leaders Get Wrong — And How Justin Bellante Gets It Right – We cap off the list with a masterclass in leadership. Justin Bellante built a mission-driven 20-person recruiting team and in this episode he reveals what many leaders misunderstand about motivating recruiters. From choosing the right niche and mapping your market, to daily huddles and cultivating underdog talent, Justin’s playbook shows how culture and consistency drive results. Whether you lead a team or aspire to, this one will have you rethinking how to elevate others (and yourself) to greatness. Listen on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Conclusion & Call to Action

2025 was a breakthrough year for The Elite Recruiter Podcast – 212,000+ downloads on Spotify and Apple alone, pushing us close to that 500,000 mark in total listens. I’m incredibly grateful to all of you in the recruiting community who tune in, share episodes with your teams, and apply these insights in your careers. 🙏 Each download represents a recruiter investing in their own growth, and that is what this podcast is all about.

As we head into 2026, I invite you to explore these top episodes and let them spark new ideas in your work. Keep learning, keep experimenting, and keep raising the bar in our industry. If one of these conversations gave you an “aha” moment or a useful tip, I’d love to hear about it.

👉 Which episode resonated most with you? Drop a comment with your top takeaway.