Reflecting on The Elite Recruiter Podcast’s Humble Beginnings

When I launched The Elite Recruiter Podcast, I never imagined how far it would come. In our first full year, we reached just 2,361 total downloads, a simple start that taught me the value of every single listener. Fast forward to 2025, and we crossed 212,000 downloads this year alone, bringing us close to half a million total downloads. The journey from those humble beginnings to this milestone has been nothing short of incredible. I want to take a moment to reflect on that early growth, the lessons learned, and the gratitude I feel for everyone who’s been part of this ride.

Humble Beginnings, Big Lessons

Don't laugh. This is the first time that I have looked at my download numbers for the entire first year of doing the podcast. When it launched in 2020 and through 2021, I was thrilled if anyone would download it. But I made a promise to myself. Don't look at the downloads till after 100 episodes. The commitment I made. If I was the only person who listened to each conversation. I would still call 100 episodes a personal success. That humble start kept me grounded and hungry. It pushed me to refine my content, improve my interviewing skills, and consistently deliver value to the recruiting community. I also need to give a shoutout to my wife! Who saw the many years of time and investing money on this and still saying that I should keep doing it.

Now, seeing 212,000+ downloads in 2025, I’m both proud and humbled. The growth isn’t just a number; it represents thousands of recruiters investing their time to learn and grow. It’s a testament to the power of community and continuous improvement. If you’re a new podcaster or recruiter just starting out, remember: great things often start small. Stay consistent, keep learning, and value each person who joins you early on.

One way I’d like to honor that first year is by highlighting the episodes that resonated the most back then. These episodes might not have huge numbers attached to them at the time, but they struck a chord and laid the foundation for what the podcast would become. Below are the top 10 most-downloaded episodes from our first full year (2021) – along with a quick summary of why each was special and direct links so you can give them a listen.

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Top 10 Year-One Episodes (2021) – Most Downloaded and Why They Mattered

1. Episode 13 – International Author and Top Biller Steve Guest 🔥 – In this episode, Steve Guest, a top-billing recruiter and author of “Top Biller,” shares what it takes to be successful in recruiting. Steve opens up about his early career (including a company that passed on hiring him) and the key habits that made him a consistent top performer. He also discusses how writing a book and launching his own podcast elevated his brand internationally. Recruiters loved this episode for its honest look at climbing the ranks and practical tips for becoming a “Top Biller.” Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

2. Episode 15 – The Secrets of Cleared Recruiting with Katie H of ClearanceJobs.com – Katie Keller offers an insider’s perspective on recruiting in the cleared (security-clearance) space. She explains the ins and outs of finding top talent for roles that require security clearances, from understanding the cleared talent market to creative ways of engaging candidates in niche communities. Katie’s insight into toolsand her tips for succeeding in this high-stakes arena make this episode especially valuable. For recruiters working in government or defense industries, this conversation was a goldmine of niche knowledge. Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

3. Episode 5 – Sprint Recruiting as a Game Changer (with Trent Cotton ) – I sat down with Trent Cotton to talk about his “Sprint Recruiting” methodology – an agile-inspired approach to talent acquisition Trent explains how applying sprint principles (like those used in software development) can transform a reactive recruiting team into a proactive, highly efficient unit. He shares how Sprint Recruiting helps recruiters stop “putting out fires” every day and start prioritizing work in focused cycles This episode was a game changer for many because it provided a framework to handle heavy req loads without burning out. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by req volume, Trent’s approach offers a breath of fresh air. Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts.

4. Episode 11 – When Continuing Education in Recruiting Impacts Earnings (with Tricia Tamkin & Jason Bote Thibeault ) – In this conversation, top industry trainers Tricia Tamkin and Jason Thibeault discuss why learning never stops in a recruiting career. They share how they each got into recruiting and why they believe it’s one of the greatest careers out. More importantly, they dive into how ongoing education and training directly affect a recruiter’s billings – from staying updated on what’s working today to avoiding the complacency that can stall our growth. Tricia and Jason also drop a ton of tips on effective recruiting tactics and even some recommended reading. This episode reminded all of us that investing in your skills is not optional if you want to stay at the top of your game (and income bracket). Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

5. Episode 12 – What It Takes to Be Successful in Recruiting (with Scott Love) – What does success in recruiting really look like? Scott Love – a big biller and well-known recruiting industry coach – joined me to break it down. Scott talks about his journey into recruiting and the core traits and habits that make a recruiter successful long-term. We discussed everything from mastering sales calls to building a personal brand (Scott even started his own recruiting podcast to gain national attention). He also shares the best advice for anyone considering recruiting as a career. Listeners appreciated Scott’s mix of high-level mindset (think: resilience and consistency) paired with tactical tips (like creative ways to stay top-of-mind with clients). It’s a blueprint for those aiming to elevate their recruitment career. Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

6. Episode 19 – How You Can Scale Your Firm 2–5X in Record Speed (with David Stephen Patterson) – “DSP” David Stephen Patterson (founder of The Digital Headhunter) brought high-octane growth strategies to this episode. We explore how recruiting firm owners can rapidly scale their business 2–5X, and David shares the marketing, prospecting, and operations system he uses to make it happen. On a personal note, I was excited about this one because DSP was pivotal in my own journey from being an internal recruiter to running my own search firm. Listeners got a mix of strategic insight (like building scalable systems and automation) and motivating stories (knowing someone out there did scale that fast makes it feel possible!). For any recruitment entrepreneurs aiming for explosive growth, this episode lights the path. Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

7. Episode 4 – Going Deeper into the Data for Better Quality Hires (with Michael G. Cox) – Data-driven recruiting isn’t just a buzzword; Michael G. Cox lives it. A leading executive recruiter, Michael shares how he climbed the corporate ladder into a leadership role by leveraging data at every step. In this episode, we talk about how analyzing recruitment metrics improved his hiring quality and even maximized revenue for his organization. Michael also recounts his leap from a corporate recruiting role to starting his own successful firm – a move that will inspire anyone considering going solo. The big takeaway here was that numbers tell a story: From conversion rates to pipeline analytics, knowing your data means making smarter decisions and better hires. Michael’s story proves that even the “people” side of business can be supercharged with the right analytics. Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

8. Episode 21 – The Future of Recruiting and HR Tech (with CJ Tufano ) – The final episode of 2021 ended the year on a visionary note. CJ Tufano – an accounting & finance recruiter-turned-tech-founder – joined me to talk about where recruiting and HR technology are headed. We discussed why so many HR tech startups fail and what problems a tech solution actually needs to solve to succeed in our industry. CJ also shared his experience building a recruiting tech company from the ground up. For recruiters, this conversation was a peek around the corner at the trends and innovations that could define our next decade. It was equal parts cautionary tale (not all tech solves real problems) and an encouraging look at how tech and human recruiters can thrive together. Listen on Pod.co | Apple Podcasts

9. Episode 1 – Leadership Lessons from the Last Recession (with Jay Veniard ) – This was where it all began. My very first episode features Jay Veniard, who leads an automation & robotics search firm, sharing how he navigated the 2008–2009 recession. Jay talks about the tough challenges he faced during that downturn and the leadership principles that got his team through it. Those same lessons – adaptability, transparency, and keeping a long-term vision – are what he’s using to guide his company through today’s economic cycles. This episode set the tone for the podcast: real stories, humility, and practical wisdom from someone who’s been through the trenches. It’s especially encouraging for anyone who might feel like they’re in a tough market now – Jay’s experience reminds us that resilience and smart leadership pay off. Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

10. Episode 6 – How Recruiters Can Use Content to Attract Clients (with Joel Lalgee ) – “Content is king” might sound cliché, but Joel Lalgee truly made it work for his recruiting career. In this episode, Joel (known as “The Realest Recruiter” on LinkedIn) reveals how posting authentic content on social media opened doors to new clients and candidates. We discuss how he leveraged LinkedIn and other platforms to build a personal brand that draws clients inbound – essentially turning himself into a magnet for business. Joel also shares tips for recruiters on creating engaging content and why showing your personality online can set you apart in our industry. This episode is a fan-favorite for those looking to modernize their approach to business development. It’s inspiring proof that recruiters can break out of the old cold-calling mold and attract opportunities by being genuine and helpful online. Listen on Spotify | Apple Podcasts

Reading through these summaries, I’m immediately taken back to that first year – the excitement of publishing new episodes, the few dozen downloads turning into a few hundred, and the messages from listeners who learned something new. Each of these episodes features a lesson or insight that helped shape the podcast into what it is today. They represent the curiosity and generosity of our guests and the enthusiasm of our early audience. If you missed any of them, I highly recommend giving them a listen. Not just to boost my nostalgia 😉, but because the advice in there is truly evergreen. (Well maybe skip my parts because I sucked at interviewing back then)

Gratitude and Looking Ahead

Seeing how far The Elite Recruiter Podcast has come by 2025 – from 2,361 to 212,000 annual downloads – I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Thank you to everyone who has tuned in, whether you were one of those first-year listeners or you just discovered the show this week. Every download, comment, and piece of feedback means so much to me. It’s the fuel that keeps this labor of love going.

For those just starting out, whether you’re launching a podcast, entering the recruiting field, or embarking on any new venture – I hope this story encourages you. Small beginnings can lead to big milestones. Stay consistent, stay humble, and always be learning. And when you hit those big wins, don’t forget to look back and appreciate how far you’ve come.

Thank you for being part of this journey. I’m excited for what’s ahead – more conversations with amazing recruiters, more learning, and undoubtedly more growth. If any of those early episodes were favorites of yours, I’d love to hear about it. Or if you’re a newer listener, let me know which episode (early or recent) has been most meaningful for you.

➡️ What was your favorite early episode, or what’s a lesson you’ve carried with you in your career? Please share in the comments.

Thank you for listening, learning, and growing with me. Here’s to the next chapter of The Elite Recruiter Podcast – together! 🙏