AI In Recruiting Episodes

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, "How To Build A $1.3 Million AI Recruiting Desk," we dive deep into the strategies that are revolutionizing the recruiting industry. This episode serves as a preview for the upcoming AI Recruiting Summit 2026, running from July 13th to July 20th. Join us for free live sessions to gain actionable insights or opt for the VIP package or Elite Recruiter Community membership for permanent access to replays. This episode is proudly sponsored ...

In part two, Danny Cahill takes Benjamin Mena behind the scenes of how he actually builds million dollar billers. He draws a sharp line between where AI genuinely helps and where it makes every recruiter sound the same, and argues that as everyone outsources their voice to a bot, the ability to write and think originally becomes the last real competitive advantage. He dismantles the myth that you need no life to be great at this, then opens up on mentorship. Why top billers become a protected class no one will push, the hidden wound behind most high achievers, and why you do not luck into a 22 year career. He closes with a challenge to rethink the pricing and sales DNA of the entire industry

Picking up where Part 1 left off, Allie gets into the money and the machinery. She explains pipelining projects — building a talent bench for a client — and why she keeps at least 20% of her business there for cash flow. Then the math: why a recruiter running five to eight retained searches can out-earn one juggling fifteen contingent reqs. The centerpiece is her contrarian thesis that "great delivery is your business development" — she tried being a salesperson, failed, and found that doing the work exceptionally well is what actually generates referrals and repeat clients. From there she walks her full kickoff-to-close process: scoping, building team alignment, writing job descriptions that captivate passive candidates, presenting offers herself, and where she does and doesn't trust AI. She closes with the hardest search of her career, the most common mistake recruiters make going retained, and three things a listener can do this week — starting with leveraging the network they alre…

Allie Milbrath, founder of the Quinn Roberts Company, returns to make the case that the biggest shift recruiting needs is the move from contingent to retained — and that AI is forcing the issue. Her opening frame: stop panicking about AI and ask the harder question of what part of your service was ever actually valuable. If it was speed, you're in trouble; if it's judgment, trust, and honest market feedback, that's what clients will keep paying for. Allie shares that she's run her firm 100% retained for a decade with zero cold business development, then unpacks the real barrier holding recruiters back — what she calls "emotional exits," the contingent habit of bailing when a search gets hard. The episode covers who retained is and isn't for, how to separate fear from a market that genuinely can't bear retained, a full live role-play of pitching a contingent-only client, and the mechanics: fee structure, holding your price, and the contract terms that protect you.

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today’s guest is Riece Keck, a recruiter and agency owner who built an astonishing $800k in billings in a single year—after nearly losing his business twice. In this episode, Benjamin Mena sits down with Riece Keck to unpack a rollercoaster journey: from the heights of the recruiting boom, through financial pitfalls and a massive market downturn, to an inspiring rebuild fueled by AI-driven business development. Benjamin Mena and Riece Keck dive into the frameworks and low-to-no-code tech stacks Riece Keck used to automate outreach and scale his recruiting practice far beyond what’s possible with traditional tools. You’ll hear actionable insights about systematizing business development, building strategic partnerships, and crafting messaging that actually gets responses. Plus, Riece Keck shares his candid advice for recruiters facing lean times—and his predictions for how AI will reshape the industry by 2028. Whether you…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Lauren Lehman, a dynamic recruiter who skyrocketed her solo firm from zero to $120,000 in billings within just six weeks—armed with nothing more than relentless determination, a well-organized spreadsheet, and a passion for building real relationships. Tune in as Lauren Lehman shares her unique journey, from her beginnings in healthcare recruiting to mastering accounting and finance placements, and ultimately taking the leap to launch her own firm. We’ll dig into the practical strategies that fueled her explosive start: the power of disciplined time blocking, business development every single day, mushrooming accounts, and why trust, human connection, and personal branding are more critical than ever in today’s recruiting landscape. Whether you’re thinking about starting your own desk or want to become a more trusted partner in recruiting, this conversation is packed with actionable a…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse recruiter Nick Pelloni for an unfiltered and eye-opening conversation about redefining success in the world of recruiting. Nick Pelloni has already surpassed $720k in billings for the quarter—without making a single cold call and using only three tools—PIN, an ATS, and a note taker. Growing up in a recruiting family and carrying a passion for both old-school grit and new-school tech, Nick Pelloni reveals how he’s merged classic recruitment fundamentals with AI-driven efficiency to become one of the industry’s top performers. From working his way up in the family business (insisting on no handouts) to building a reputation where word-of-mouth drives inbound business, Nick Pelloni shares the systems, mindset, and hard-earned lessons that transformed him from a reluctant high school data entry temp to a leader at the helm of a thriving agency. Whether you want insights on leveraging A…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Seb Sharpe, a former million-dollar biller turned entrepreneur, to dive deep into the realities behind top-performing recruiters and the evolving role of AI in the industry. Seb Sharpe shares his candid insights on why relying solely on AI may actually accelerate a recruiter's irrelevance, the crucial difference between speed and quality in recruitment, and what it really takes—behind the scenes—to build a multi-million dollar book of business. Together, they explore practical strategies, hard-earned lessons, and the mindset shifts necessary to compete and thrive as the future of recruiting rapidly changes. Whether you're a seasoned recruiter or just getting started, this episode is packed with actionable advice and a peek into the relentless work ethic that sets elite performers apart.

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Amanda Hendrix, head of growth at Ember Hiring and a seasoned healthcare staffing executive, to unravel the story behind scaling a staffing agency from $2.2 million to $11 million in revenue—all within a whirlwind 18 months. Together, they explore the dramatic shifts in the recruiting landscape before, during, and after the COVID-19 boom and dive into the challenges agencies face as the market normalizes. Amanda Hendrix reveals the critical role AI is playing in the industry, why agencies must adapt quickly or risk extinction, and what practical steps both recruiters and agency owners need to take right now to future-proof their businesses as consolidation sweeps the sector. If you’re serious about elevating your recruiting game and getting ahead in the age of AI, you won’t want to miss this insightful discussion.

Welcome to another transformative episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! This week, Benjamin Mena sits down with Norman Volsky, Managing Partner at Direct Recruiters and founder of MVP Growth Partners, to reveal the blueprint for turning your recruiting niche into a $6 million practice—and potentially even launching your own venture fund. Discover how Norman Volsky went from starting as an intern to becoming the go-to recruiter and investor in the digital health and employee benefits space. You’ll learn how to differentiate yourself in a crowded market, leverage your existing network for exponential growth, and how mastering your niche can unlock new revenue streams far beyond traditional recruiting. If you aspire to dominate your niche, build a high-performing team, and think bigger about what’s possible in recruiting, get ready—this is the episode that will expand your horizon.

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena welcomes Jordan Shlosberg, founder of Atlas, to explore the "unfair advantage" that AI is bringing to agency recruiters. Together, they dive deep into the rapidly shifting landscape of recruitment technology, revealing how AI is transforming everything from admin-heavy tasks to business development, and giving proactive recruiters a significant edge. You'll hear Jordan Shlosberg share his journey from expert networking to building a cutting-edge AI-first recruitment platform, and discuss how harnessing conversational data and automating processes isn't just increasing speed—it's redefining what it means to deliver value as a recruiter. They tackle critical questions about the future of recruiting organizations, the widening income gap brought by tech adoption, and what agency leaders should be thinking if they're considering switching systems. Whether you're a solo biller, team leader, or firm owner, thi…

Welcome to this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where host Benjamin Mena sits down with renowned recruiter, author, and entrepreneur Jeff Hyman for an eye-opening conversation about the future of recruiting in an AI-driven world. In this candid and forward-thinking interview, Jeff Hyman shares lessons from his 30-year career, including founding multiple recruiting firms, writing the book "Recruit Rockstars," and learning the power of introspection from his many wins—and mistakes—along the way. Together, Benjamin Mena and Jeff Hyman dive deep into the realities facing recruiters today: why the old way of “fetching” candidates is on its way out, how the smartest firms are using AI and process to stand out, and why being an ultra-specialist is more important than ever. You’ll hear Jeff Hyman’s unfiltered perspective on the danger of ignoring technology, his take on why contingency recruiting is a “road to nowhere,” and concrete strategies for becoming a true trusted advisor to…

1. Episode Hook The old recruiting playbook is breaking. If your business development looks the same as it did 2–3 years ago, you’re already falling behind. 🎯 2026 Sales and BD Recruiter Summit https://bd-sales-recruiter-2026.heysummit.com/ 2. Why This Episode Matters AI is reshaping recruiting faster than most agencies are prepared for. In this episode, you’ll learn how elite recruiters are adapting their business development, positioning, and client strategy to win in 2026 — not just survive...

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, we're unlocking the secrets of LinkedIn recruiting with Stephanie Holman, a powerhouse recruiter in the highly cleared national security, intel, and defense space. Hosted by Benjamin Mena, this episode explores how Stephanie Holman built a thriving community of over 72,000 LinkedIn followers—more than half with active security clearances—and turned her digital presence into a consistent engine for high-level placements. From making the leap out of education and military service to finding her footing in tech recruiting at AWS, Stephanie Holman shares her journey of relentless self-investment, genuine relationship-building, and the strategic use of LinkedIn to open doors that would otherwise remain closed. She gives practical advice on content creation, handling fear and criticism online, and leveraging authenticity to stand out in the quiet, competitive world of cleared recruiting. Whether you're new to recruiting…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Zack Gallinger, owner of TalentHero Media and a true expert in digital marketing for recruiters. With over a decade in the industry, Zack Gallinger unpacks what’s changing in AI-driven recruitment marketing, why old tactics aren’t working like they used to, and what you need to do to win new business in today’s landscape. Together, Benjamin Mena and Zack Gallinger dive into best practices for leveraging LinkedIn, SEO, and email marketing, and they get real about what’s actually generating results for recruiting firms right now. From controversial LinkedIn content strategies to Google algorithm changes, plus hard numbers on budgets and timelines, this conversation is packed with actionable advice. If you’ve been struggling to land inbound leads, wondering how AI is shifting the recruiting landscape, or just looking for the next marketing move, you’ll want to catch every minute of this …

What happens when a $900K-a-year recruiter decides to stop building for others—and builds her own AI product instead? Jessica Oliver didn’t have a tech background. No coding degree. No startup team. But that didn’t stop her from vibe coding her own SaaS platform for government contracting—all while running her recruiting business and raising three kids. This episode is a masterclass for recruiters ready to go beyond placements and build something bigger. Free Trial of Juicebox and its AI Agen...

Is AI about to make sourcing obsolete? The recruiting landscape is shifting FAST—and if you’re not evolving, you’re about to get run over. Host Benjamin Mena sits down with renowned recruiter Brian Fink in a high-voltage episode packed with strategies and mindset shifts to help you outpace the AI revolution. Whether you’re in-house, agency, or leading TA strategy, this is your roadmap to stay relevant. 🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – Register here: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.co...

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Martin Gutierrez from SourceWhale to unpack how top recruiters are using smart AI systems to win big in 2025. If you’ve ever wondered what separates the truly elite from the rest of the pack, this is the episode for you. Benjamin and Martin dive deep into the role of consistent systems, the pitfalls of chasing “shiny object” AI tools, and why success in the modern recruiting world comes down to intentionality, not just automation. You’ll hear firsthand how SourceWhale is helping teams scale their operations, automate busywork, and—most importantly—refocus on building genuine human relationships, just like the recruiters of the ‘80s. Martin shares behind-the-scenes data on outreach best practices, explains why most conversations start only after the third follow-up, and reveals common mistakes recruiters make when adopting new tech. Whether you’re running a large recruiting team or hus…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse guest Mike Mello—a top staffing producer who’s racked up over $100 million in revenue and $20 million in profit. But after reaching the peak with a staggering 75k weekly spread, Mike made the bold decision to walk away and build something new. Why? He sees the recruiting game changing fast, powered by AI and automation, and he’s ready to share the real playbook that small and mid-size firms need to future-proof their desks and crush sales. In this candid and high-energy conversation, Mike opens up about his journey from Navy deployments to recruiting struggles, and what it really took to go from almost getting fired after a single placement to becoming one of the industry’s highest producers. Mike and Benjamin pull back the curtain on the realities of AI in recruiting—what’s legit, what’s total fluff, and how top performers can harness tech to multiply their results (but not by ski…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena is joined by Roheel Ahmad—entrepreneur, AI innovator, and co-founder of Full Size Barns—to dive deep into what it really takes to build a $100 million recruiting business from the ground up, all without outside investment. Roheel shares the game-changing strategies his team used to scale from a London basement to a global powerhouse in less than eight years, including how they thought—and acted—like a big business from day one, built internal leaders instead of just hiring big billers, and created a culture of shared ownership with an equity structure that changed everything. But that’s not all: As the future of recruiting collides with the power of AI, Roheel pulls back the curtain on Imagine AI, the platform born from real recruiting needs that’s set to change the way firms operate—from freeing up recruiters’ time for actual relationship-building to supercharging business development and learning. Wh…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena is joined by Sam Kuehnle for a forward-looking conversation that pulls back the curtain on recruiting’s rapidly evolving landscape. From the explosive impact of AI and automation in recruitment, to building a tech stack that’s not just modern—but truly future-proof—Ben and Sam tackle the big questions you should be thinking about right now. They dive into the nuts and bolts of proactive talent pipelining, discuss why so many recruiters underutilize their CRMs, and explore how emerging tools and smart data enrichment can help you get ahead. If you’ve ever wondered how the best in the business are preparing for the future, or you’re looking for practical advice on leveraging AI and integrating next-gen tech, this episode is packed with insights. Whether you’re a solo recruiter or scaling an agency, make sure you listen in—because the world of recruiting is changing fast, and you don’t want to be left beh…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this exciting episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Steve Lu, CEO and co-founder of pin.com, to dive deep into the game-changing world of artificial intelligence in recruiting. Together, they explore why Steve believes we’re on the brink of becoming “super recruiters” powered by AI—finally shifting away from being bogged down by clunky technology and back to what truly matters: building relationships and making impactful placements. Steve shares his journey from launching the innovative Interseller platform to now leading PIN, an AI-driven sourcing tool he describes as “LinkedIn recruiter with AI on steroids.” You’ll hear insider insights on how AI is automating tedious sourcing tasks, improving outreach quality, and even helping recruiters stand out among the noise of today’s crowded tech landscape. Benjamin and Steve get real about what AI means for the future of recruiting, why human expertise in relationship-building is only …

Welcome to a brand new episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, host Benjamin Mena welcomes back recruitment expert James Blackwell to dive deep into the game-changing trends shaping the industry as we head towards 2025. In this forward-looking conversation, Benjamin and James break down the rise of AI Talent Partners, the evolving demands of clients, and why the days of being a “Superman” recruiter—doing it all yourself—are numbered. James shares his unfiltered take on what it REALLY takes to crush it in recruitment today, from adopting the right mindset to leveraging cutting-edge tech like Clay AI and remote assistants. You’ll hear insights into the three major shifts in recruitment history, why traditional agency models are getting swallowed up by automation, and how the top agency founders are adapting to stay ahead of the curve. Plus, they explore practical strategies for scaling your recruiting business—without burning out—through delegation, smart outsourcing, and b…

Welcome to another exciting episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, our host Benjamin Mena is joined by David Paffenholz, co-founder of Juicebox, the creators of PeopleGPT. We're diving deep into the impact of AI agents in the recruiting space and how they're driving efficiency and profitability. Discover how AI technology is reshaping the recruiting landscape, enabling small teams of recruiters to achieve incredible revenue milestones. With new advancements in AI, especially in 2025, tools and strategies have never been more intertwined with the recruiting craft. We explore the innovations, opportunities, and even challenges facing the industry today. Whether you're a recruiting agency owner or an individual recruiter, this conversation reveals insights you can't afford to miss if you want to stay ahead in the game. So, listen in as David and Benjamin discuss the future of AI in recruiting, tips for maximizing output, and strategies for leveraging the latest tech to …