AI In Recruiting Episodes

Greg Benadiba has been a recruiter for 21 years, and he opened his new book with the most expensive phone call of his career: the one he didn't make. In this return episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, Greg sits down with Benjamin Mena to put the principles from Recruitment Principles: Timeless Truths in the Age of AI to work, starting with the three he would keep if a recruiter could only live by three. Before we get into it, Finish The Year Strong 2026 kicks off September 28 through Octobe...

Sign up for Finish The Year Strong 2026, free for all live sessions, September 28 to October 5: https://recruiters-finish-the-year-strong.heysummit.com/ This episode is powered by Atlas, the CRM that captures every call, email, and LinkedIn message automatically and tells you the next action to take: https://recruitwithatlas.com/ Join the Recruiting Agents Workshop with Seb Sharp, August 25 and 26, and build your own autonomous lead agent and placement agent live: https://the-recruiting-agents-w...

Two years ago, the role of talent engineer didn't exist. Today a16z is funding a fellowship for it, and Benjamin Mena sits down with one of its founding members to find out what it means for every recruiting team, agency and in-house alike. Dan McCarthy took the least likely path into this seat: jazz musician, New York bartender, wine educator, and Brooklyn CrossFit gym owner before Shopify hired him into tech recruiting at 40 years old. Two layoffs later, he's a Senior Talent Engineer at Zapier, where he built a talent intelligence MCP in about a month using completely free APIs including the Department of Labor, WARN Act data, and Indeed Hiring Lab, so recruiters walk into every intake call armed with real market data. Benjamin and Dan get into the ego build problem on LinkedIn, the difference between building to learn and building to ship, what a solo recruiter could stand up in a weekend to change their next client pitch, whether a three person agency could really bill five …

A hiring manager types "accounting recruiter near me" into ChatGPT. Somebody comes up. Steve Gipson's argument is that it is almost never the best recruiter. It is the most visible one. Steve is Director of Sales and Operations at Recruiters Websites, now in its fourteenth year and used by over a thousand recruiting firms. One of those clients is a two person firm that had closed $404,000 of inbound business as of the day this was recorded, pulling twenty to thirty leads a month from people who had never heard of them. Steve is direct about the caveat. They started this work seven or eight years ago. Inside the episode: what Google actually changed and why SEO did not die, how topical authority works on a recruiting site, whether Wix and Squarespace can rank, the listicle and directory play for getting cited by AI, and the one on page fix to make this week. Figures are self reported and not independently verified. Recruiters Websites: https://recruiterswebsites.com/ Finis…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Dougie Loan, a recruitment tech leader who has analyzed billions of recruiting messages and has his finger on the pulse of what’s truly effective — and what’s no longer working — in modern recruiting. In this data-driven conversation, Dougie Loan shares candid insights from behind the scenes, busts outdated outreach myths, and reveals strategies that are winning business in 2026. Tune in as we talk AI's impact, wasted workdays, assembling high-growth playbooks, and actionable advice for recruiters who want to move from average to elite. Whether you’re struggling with low reply rates or searching for a competitive edge, this episode is packed with practical tips and forward-looking strategies to help you thrive in the rapidly evolving world of recruitment.

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…