Mindset Episodes

Struggling to scale your recruiting desk, close bigger deals, or turn your agency into a powerhouse? This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast is your playbook for becoming a $500k+ biller and doubling down on the exact tactics powering the fastest-growing remote firms today. Host Benjamin Mena sits down with Dante Nino, co-founder of TLO, to unpack the uncompromising frameworks and high-conversion business development strategies behind his team’s explosive growth (and their unstoppable recrui...

Are you ready to break past your recruiting plateau and become a true recruiting leader? In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast , host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry powerhouse Brent Orsuga to share strategies, mindset shifts, and tactical moves top recruiters need to crush it in 2025. If seven-figure years and becoming a recruiter of influence are on your vision board, this is required listening. 🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – Register here: https://rock-the-year-2025.hey...

Ready to close your strongest quarter ever and build a seven-figure recruitment business—even if you’re facing setbacks? In this episode, host Benjamin Mena welcomes Julia Arpag, CEO & Founder of Aligned Recruitment , who shares how she went from being laid off postpartum to building a $900K recruiting agency in just 18 months. 🎯 Finish The Year Strong 2025 Summit – Register here: https://rock-the-year-2025.heysummit.com/ 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines your ATS and CRM ...

Are you ready to discover what truly drives top recruiting teams and firm owners in 2024? This episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast goes deep with Justin Bellante, a healthcare recruiting firm owner, on the real tactics and mindsets that turn average recruiters into extraordinary leaders. Whether you’re a recruiter hungry for your next breakthrough or a firm owner on the edge of scaling up, this episode is your blueprint for success! 🚀 Sponsorship: Atlas – AI-first ATS & CRM Atlas combines you...

Do you feel overwhelmed by endless recruiting tech, tools, and “hacks”—but still wonder why top-billing recruiters win? This episode pulls back the curtain! Join Benjamin Mena as he sits down with powerhouse insurance recruiter Amy Simpson to unlock her 20 years of consistent, high-performance results. Amy proves that big wins come not from chasing shiny objects but from nailing the basics and building lasting client relationships. 🚀 Sponsor Spotlight – Get Both AI Tools FREE Try Sourcewhale’s g...

Get ready for an inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! This week, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Cari Kraft, owner of Jacobs Management Group, to explore how niching down—and leading with heart—can transform your recruiting journey. Cari shares her unconventional path from engineering and tech consulting to buying and leading a top life sciences recruiting firm, highlighting the ups, downs, and invaluable lessons learned along the way.Cari explains why focusing on a specialized niche like life sciences has been the driving force behind her long-term success, opening doors to deep client relationships, insider knowledge, and industry recognition. She and Ben also discuss building a team rooted in team goals, integrity, and consultative partnership—not just chasing placements, but making a positive impact on individuals and the industry at large.From running one of the industry's most trusted compensation and hiring surveys to launching a niche industry magazine, …

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s show, host Benjamin Mena sits down with legendary recruiter Michael Goldman to explore the mindset and strategies behind building a million-dollar career in recruitment. Michael, with over 45 years in the industry and as one of the founding members of the Pinnacle Society, shares his journey from a chance encounter at a bar that launched his career, to weathering major economic downturns and creating lasting value for clients and candidates alike.Together, Benjamin and Michael dig deep into essential topics every recruiter should hear—overcoming fear, mastering the art of influence, embracing the evolution of recruiting, and most importantly, discovering and articulating the true value you bring to the table as a recruiter. Whether you’re just starting out or have decades of experience, you’ll find invaluable insights on building confidence, adapting to change, and leaving a powerful legacy in the world of recru…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Cam F. Awesome, a 12-time national champion heavyweight boxer, former USA National Boxing Team captain, and now a top motivational speaker. Cam's journey from being bullied as a kid to becoming the winningest boxer in U.S. history is nothing short of inspiring. But this conversation isn’t just about boxing—it’s about the grit, resilience, and the unstoppable mindset recruiters need to thrive in a high-pressure industry.Cam shares how he overcame setbacks, rewrote his self-story, and developed a game-changing approach to self-talk and habits. He dives into the importance of setting massive goals (even if you fail), why you should question “the way it’s always been done,” and the power of focusing on actions that truly move the needle. Benjamin and Cam explore how these lessons translate to recruitment: from dealing with daily rejection to pushing past self-doubt and creating your own pla…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse recruiter Dan Falzarano for an inspiring deep dive into the highs and lows of a recruiting career that bounced back from the brink. Dan shares his “No-BS” blueprint for consistent, high-level billing, detailing how he rocketed to early success, hit a tough plateau, and then made the mindset and process shifts that turned everything around—transforming him into a perennial 500k to 7-figure-plus producer.You’ll hear about the hard lessons learned during market downturns, why focusing on process and personal “why” matters more than outcome, and how Dan rebuilt momentum by prioritizing grit, time-blocking, and attacking every day with discipline. Plus, Dan unpacks his approach to business development, relationships that last, leveraging tech tools, and cultivating an office culture where both rookies and veterans can thrive.Whether you’re aiming for your first breakthrough or…

On this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Rob Bowerman, founder of The Bowerman Group, to explore the true power of niching in recruitment. Rob shares his fascinating journey from the world of retail buying to becoming a leading recruiter in the luxury and premium brands space. Together, they break down why specializing—finding that focused “niche”—is a game-changer for delivering extraordinary value to clients, and how it can set recruiters apart in an ultra-competitive market. Rob gives an inside look at building a high-performance, boutique recruiting firm, discusses strategies for creating a branded “luxury experience” for both candidates and clients, and offers actionable advice for recruiters looking to dive deeper into a niche they’re genuinely passionate about. Plus, stay tuned for stories from the glamorous side of retail, insights into building long-term success, and Rob’s perspective on adapting through industry changes. Whether you’r…

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s show, host Benjamin Mena sits down with top biller Cathy Stewart to unpack her incredible journey from hitting rock bottom to achieving elite recruiting success. Cathy shares her unconventional path into recruiting, starting with a background in music education and direct sales before becoming a powerhouse in the senior living executive search space.Listen in as Cathy reveals the mindset shifts, daily habits, and accountability strategies that transformed her career—even after devastating setbacks. Discover why being relentlessly consistent, focusing on relationships, and taking 100% responsibility are at the heart of her playbook. Whether you’re just getting started or a seasoned pro feeling stuck, Cathy’s story and practical tips will inspire you to get back on the horse, trust the process, and build the recruiting career you’ve always wanted.This episode is a masterclass on perseverance, gratitu…

On this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Liam Haghighat, a seasoned recruiter who went from being laid off three times in just nine months to building a thriving solo fractional recruiting business. Liam shares his candid journey—from working in agency and internal recruiting roles, to facing the hard reality of job loss, and ultimately taking the leap to launch his own consulting venture. Listeners will hear practical advice on what “fractional recruiting” really means, how to identify your ideal clients, and why developing a modern sales and content strategy is essential for success. Plus, Liam gets real about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, the power of leveraging tech and AI, and offers actionable tips for recruiters contemplating their next big career move. Whether you’re thinking about starting your own firm or looking for ways to future-proof your recruiting career, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

On this inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with legendary recruiter Rich Bradley to dig deep into what it really takes to overcome adversity and bounce back stronger than ever. Rich shares his remarkable journey: from hustling for his first break in recruiting more than 40 years ago, through the tough choices that led him to build his own business, to his most recent battle with cancer that put his million-dollar billing streak on pause.Despite facing major health challenges and stepping away from his desk for months, Rich opens up about how he managed to cut through the setbacks, keep his business alive, and set his sights on a true million-dollar comeback. Listen in to find out the daily habits, unfiltered advice, and winning mindset that have defined his decades of success—and pick up some of the hard-earned wisdom Rich has to offer for recruiters at every stage of their career. If you’re looking to reignite your motivation, refine yo…

Welcome to another inspiring episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s show, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Kelly Dockrell, a successful agency owner, newlywed, military spouse, DJ, and now published author, to explore what it takes to go from a leap of faith to building a thriving six-figure recruiting agency.Kelly shares her remarkable journey—one fueled by intuition, relentless faith, and perseverance. From running the streets of Miami in outside sales to answering a powerful calling that relocated her to Hawaii, Kelly opens up about starting her recruiting business from scratch, working multiple jobs to make ends meet, and enduring the highs and lows of entrepreneurship during a global pandemic. She dives into how recruiting became the ideal career as a military spouse, offering flexibility, portability, and identity no matter where in the world she might be stationed alongside her husband.You’ll hear about Kelly’s resourceful approach to growing her business—l…

Are you struggling to bounce back from setbacks in your recruiting career, wondering how top recruiters cultivate the resilience to thrive no matter what challenges come their way? In today’s recruiting landscape, high-pressure environments, economic fluctuations, and constant rejection can lead to burnout or even make you second-guess your place in the industry. If you're looking to build a long-lasting career, you've probably realized that mastering resilience isn't just a “nice to have”—it’s ...

On this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Ashley Woods, a powerhouse recruiter who built a $10 million recruiting desk while traveling to 45 countries around the globe. Ashley shares her journey from being recruited into the industry herself, to burning out and bouncing back, and ultimately creating a freedom-focused, remote recruiting business—all while chasing her dream of global exploration.In this conversation, Ashley reveals the strategies and systems that enabled her to be both "time rich" and highly productive on the road. She dives into the importance of having a clear vision, developing efficient processes, building strong client relationships, and being relentless about learning and outsourcing the right tasks. Ashley also opens up about facing near-bankruptcy in Bali, the lessons learned from scaling too quickly, and how becoming a digital nomad changed her mindset about happiness, wealth, and success.If you’ve ever dreamed of…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Zach Keen, founder of Keen Search and Staffing, to unravel the real story behind launching and scaling a successful recruiting agency—especially after facing a layoff.In this powerful conversation, Zach shares his journey from being unexpectedly let go to building a thriving business in just over a year, all while balancing life as a father of three. We dive into how he leveraged industry experience, sales savvy, and investor mentorship to get his agency off the ground, and why focusing on authenticity and a strong local market presence helped him carve out a niche in a competitive field.Zach gets candid about the challenges—and rewards—of taking the leap into entrepreneurship, what it really takes to hire the right recruiters, and how building the right systems can set your team up for success. Plus, hear his advice for new recruiters just starting out, as well as seasoned pros…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Trinette Cunningham, President and CEO of the National Association of Personnel Services (NAPS), to uncover the latest trends, legislation, and strategies shaping the recruiting world. Trinette brings over a decade of experience in association management and shares her candid journey into the recruiting industry, including the comical story of her own interview process with NAPS.Together, they dive deep into the importance of professional certifications for recruiters, the critical need to stay informed about changing laws and best practices, and why networking and mentorship remain game-changers in a rapidly evolving industry. You’ll also get the inside scoop on NAPS’ annual conference, how AI and mental health are impacting the landscape, and practical, next-level advice for both new and seasoned recruiters.Whether you’re just starting your recruiting career or you’ve been in the game …

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena is joined once again by Keely Flood, a seasoned sales coach and consultant for staffing and recruiting firms. Forget the hype around the latest tech and AI tools—today’s show is all about cutting through the noise and getting real about what it takes to succeed at your recruiting desk.Benjamin and Keely get honest about the dangers of shiny object syndrome that plagues so many recruiters—jumping from one new tool or platform to the next, hoping for a magic bullet. Instead, Keely shares proven systems and mindsets that drive real results: prioritizing strategic planning, consistent activity, quality conversations, and building habits that compound over time. Whether you’re new to the industry, rebuilding your desk from scratch, or feeling overwhelmed by tech overwhelm, this episode will give you a grounded, actionable roadmap to move your recruiting business forward—no silver bullets, just proven funda…

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 episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Andy Roads, founder of High Altitude Recruiting, for a no-fluff conversation on what it really takes to launch your own recruiting firm and land clients right out of the gate.Andy shares his journey from grinding it out at a high-turnover recruitment agency, to moving internal as an HR generalist, and eventually spending a decade at a boutique search firm—only to find that his anticipated “takeover” as the next leader was not in the cards. Instead of going back to square one, Andy decided to carve out his own path, and what happened next is nothing short of inspiring.We dig deep into Andy’s first three months of business: his high-impact outreach strategies, the creative offers that got potential clients saying “yes” immediately, and how he leveraged his personal network and reputation in the food & beverage and aviation industries to build momentum from day one. Andy …

Are you ready to discover how relentless perseverance and a growth mindset can turn $12,000 in revenue—and zero connections—into a multi-million dollar staffing business in the heart of America? For recruiters, staffing entrepreneurs, or anyone navigating the challenges of being an immigrant in business, Ranjith Ravula’s journey is a living example of what’s possible against seemingly impossible odds. If you’re tired of the same old stories about overnight success and are looking for real, actio...

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s conversation, host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse recruiter Katherine Jerald to dive deep into what it really takes to thrive—and scale—in the recruiting world. Katherine’s journey is anything but ordinary: from her earliest days helping out in her father’s recruiting office at just 12 years old, to building her own highly successful search firm focused on aerospace, defense, and the GovCon space.You’ll hear Katherine share how she went from a career crossroads to pulling in $885,000 her very first year in business, the game-changing confidence she developed along the way, and the story behind a single LinkedIn DM that landed her a $261,000 deal. She breaks down the strategies that actually work for business development in 2024 (spoiler: it isn’t email), why she credits in-person conferences and her own podcast as powerful BD tools, and how being part of The Pinnacle Society boosted her billings by a wh…

In this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Admiral Jim Waters to dive deep into the world of Navy recruiting and the monumental task of leading 3,500 recruiters. Discover how Admiral Waters, a seasoned submarine officer, transitioned to his role as commander of Navy Recruiting Command and faced the challenges of adapting a massive organization to the changing landscape of military recruitment. From innovative strategies to enhance efficiency to cultural shifts that emphasize the pivotal role of the line recruiter, Admiral Waters shares invaluable insights into transforming Navy recruitment into a more agile and effective force. Whether you're in the military or the private sector, the lessons and strategies discussed here offer a masterclass in navigating large-scale organizational change. Tune in to learn how these efforts not only secure the future of the Navy but also profoundly impact the lives of young recruits, shaping a new generation of s…