Episodes

Welcome to a powerful new episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this special installment, host Benjamin Mena welcomes back one of the show's most popular guests, Mike Anderson—a recruiter with a remarkable journey from overcoming personal adversity to finding professional freedom in the recruitment industry. This episode dives deep into the pivotal question many recruiters ask themselves: Should you go “lone wolf” and start your own business, or is your best move staying right where you are? Mike Anderson shares why he left the big agency world, what drove him to burn the ships and never look back, and how making the leap changed more than just his career—but his entire life. You’ll hear raw stories of hardship, transformation, and honesty about what it really takes to make it on your own. Learn the common pitfalls recruiters face when going solo, what signs to look for before making the jump, and how to know if you need a partner (or if you’re just trying to plug a hole).…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry veteran Sean Rigsby for an honest and inspiring conversation about thriving in recruitment—even when the market is stacked against you. With over 30 years of experience and more than 900 consultants placed, Sean Rigsby opens up about his unconventional path into recruiting, the tough early years learning the ropes, and what it took to not only survive but build Riggsby Search Group from the ground up. You’ll hear how Sean Rigsby navigated dramatic shifts in the market—including political and economic uncertainty—and continued to find success by doubling down on relationships, adapting to change, and always keeping his focus on what he can control. From shifting to engaged searches to using AI tools for smarter business development, Sean shares actionable insights for both new and seasoned recruiters. If you’re facing a challenging year or just looking for real-world advice on…

🔥 JOIN THE 30-DAY BD CHALLENGE (KICKS OFF FEB 9TH) 2026 is the year of action. We are launching a 30-day challenge to help you crush your business development goals, build accountability, and implement the strategies from this podcast. Join The Elite Recruiter Community to participate: https://elite-recruiters.circle.so/checkout/elite-recruiter-community In 2026, the transactional recruiter is extinct. If your value proposition stops at "I work hard" or "we're like a family," you are invisible ...

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with sales consultant Shad Tidler to break down what it really takes for recruiting and staffing firms to scale past the elusive $10 million—and beyond. If you've been looking for the secret sauce to intentional, repeatable growth, you’re in the right place. Shad Tidler reveals his four-part "S" growth framework—Strategy, Structure, Staff, and Skills—and explains how mastering each pillar is critical for firms wanting to level up. Together, they discuss why a strong, visionary leader is often the true difference-maker, the importance of getting the right people in the right seats, and how developing processes, mindset, and accountability can transform your firm's trajectory. Get ready for a deep dive into actionable strategies, practical examples, and the leadership mindset you need to break through growth plateaus. Whether you’re aiming for your first $10 million, pushing toward $25 million, o…

Most recruiters aren’t underperforming — they’re over-filtering. Chasing “perfect” candidates is quietly costing you deals, speed, and money. 🎧 Tricia Tamkin & Jason Thibeault on Why Perfect Candidates Cost Recruiters Money 1. Episode Hook Chasing “perfect” candidates feels responsible. It’s also the fastest way to kill deals, slow your desk, and lose fees. 2. Why This Episode Matters Most recruiters are unknowingly playing the wrong game. They wait. They hesitate. They protect “standar...

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse recruiter Michael Silverstein to uncover why the top recruiters have stopped chasing deals—and how they’ve built businesses that attract consistent, inbound opportunities. Michael Silverstein, who averages an astounding $2.5 to $3 million a year in billings, shares his unique approach to leveraging relationships, compounding time, and building one of the most effective networking groups in the industry. They discuss how he took the lessons from his humble start in the 2008 recession to develop a system that generates leads and referrals without the burnout of endless cold calls or transactional networking. Get ready for a candid exploration of building trust, paying it forward, and scaling business through authenticity and genuine connection. If you’re looking to move beyond the recruiting hamster wheel and build a career with staying power, this episode is packed with acti…

1. Episode Hook Recruiters don’t have a talent problem right now. They have a client acquisition problem—and most are fixing it the wrong way. 2. Why This Episode Matters The last 18–24 months forced recruiters back into real business development. In this episode, Sharon Bondurant breaks down the simple, overlooked strategies that consistently win clients—even in tough markets—without burning out or hiding behind tools. If you want more job orders, more control, and more predictable revenue ...

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this special episode, host Benjamin Mena is joined by returning guest Julia Arpag, CEO and Founder of Aligned Recruitment, for an inspiring and tactical summit talk pulled straight from the Elite community library. Julia Arpag shares her remarkable journey from being laid off as a new mom to building a million-dollar recruitment business in just 23 months—all while prioritizing her values, family, and personal freedom. In this conversation, Julia Arpag breaks down the exact sales strategies and CEO mindset that propelled her success, including her approaches to warm lead outreach, leveraging LinkedIn content, automating lead generation with Dripify, and the power of authentic connection. Plus, she dives deep into how her mindset, daily routines, and work-life balance have sustained both her business and her wellbeing. Whether you're a solo recruiter, agency owner, or just looking for some real-world inspiration to start your year s…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Isaac James, a rising star in the recruiting industry who’s gone from knowing nothing about recruiting straight out of college to closing in on a $500k billing year—just three years into his career. Isaac James shares his unique journey starting with no industry experience, landing his first recruiting role thanks to a mentor, and learning the ropes in the trenches—making cold calls, facing rejection, and mastering both the recruiting and business development sides of the desk. You'll hear not just the tactical steps he took to build his desk, but how he stayed resilient during slow months and what habits helped compound his early hustle into significant year-over-year growth. Whether you’re a recruiter just starting out, a firm owner looking to better train and support your team, or a seasoned pro hoping for some inspiration, Isaac James brings a blend of practical advi…

Welcome to another enriching episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse recruiter Sarah Englade, founder of Monarch Talent Solutions, to unpack how she built a thriving $1.5M firm by prioritizing candidates above all else. In this candid and motivational conversation, Sarah Englade shares her journey from being laid off during the pandemic to launching her boutique agency in Houston, Texas—and reveals why focusing on relationships, building a niche personal brand, and supporting job seekers can drive exponential business growth. You’ll hear real-world advice on niching down, mastering metrics, and harnessing both tech and mindset to stay consistent and resilient through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter or just considering starting your own firm, this episode is packed with actionable insights and honest lessons from someone who’s walked the talk—and built a business on relationships that last. Tu…

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! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with top recruiter and Pinnacle Society member Katharine Wilcox to reveal the secrets behind why the most successful recruiters win clients—without ever needing to “sell.” From her beginnings in the cutthroat world of Hollywood talent agencies to building a thriving recruiting business in Atlanta, Katharine Wilcox shares her journey, lessons learned, and proven strategies for building lasting business relationships. You’ll hear how cultivating genuine connections, hustling with relentless focus, and treating everyone as a potential client have powered her two-decade career—along with her advice for recruiters who feel stuck or want to take things to the next level. Learn why authenticity and curiosity trump gimmicks, and how approaching recruiting as a true talent agent transforms your reputation and results. If you want to master business development, level up your time mana…

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 …

Welcome to this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, where host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry insider Chance Wood—a seasoned agricultural professional turned successful recruiting agency founder. Chance shares his journey from running grain elevators and trading commodities to stumbling into the recruiting world and ultimately building his own agency, One Degree Agriculture, all without fancy tech tools or shortcuts. In this inspiring conversation, you'll hear how Chance Wood leveraged his deep industry expertise and network to quickly thrive as a recruiter—securing a retainer in just 18 days on his very first job and saving his company over $1.5 million when he moved into an internal TA role. More importantly, he offers powerful insight for industry professionals considering a leap into recruiting: it's not about complex systems, but relentlessly focusing on relationships, picking up the phone, and letting your reputation work for you. Whether you're in recruitment, …

On this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with aviation and aerospace executive search specialist Craig Picken. What makes this conversation especially compelling? Craig Picken has built a powerhouse recruiting business as a true one-man show—recently closing an impressive 22 executive searches in a single year. Drawing from his experience as a naval aviator, jet sales executive, and high-end real estate pro, Craig Picken shares how he leveraged deep industry knowledge, relentless relationship building, and a willingness to do what others won’t to become a go-to figure in his niche—without a large team or complex tech stack. In this episode, you’ll learn how Craig Picken carved out his reputation, why he’s obsessed with mastering his craft and setting himself apart, and exactly how he navigates the ups and downs of search work and business development. Whether you’re a recruiter wanting to dominate your market or an industry professional consideri…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena is joined by Conor Kline, Head of Revenue at Pin, for a no-nonsense playbook on outbound recruiting, discovery, and closing more deals. Most recruiters never receive formal sales training—they pick up bits and pieces from colleagues, podcasts, and by winging it. Conor Kline brings his expertise from years of selling into one of the toughest markets: the recruiting industry itself. Together, they dive into why curiosity and structured processes are what separate average recruiters from elite performers. From hyper-targeting your ideal client, to creative outreach strategies that cut through the noise, to mastering the all-important discovery call using the MEDDIC sales framework, this conversation is loaded with actionable advice to help you build a more disciplined, scalable, and ultimately successful desk. Whether you’re looking to step up your business development, improve your outbound messaging,…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down for part two of an insightful interview with legendary recruitment trainer and author Steve Finkel. If you haven’t checked out part one yet, make sure to listen to it first to catch all the groundwork for today’s conversation. This episode dives deep into the art and science of closing in recruiting—why mastering sales skills is absolutely critical, how to break out of old habits, and the real impact of focused training on long-term recruiter success. Steve Finkel shares wisdom from his decades of experience, the importance of continuous learning outside the office, and why his newest book, “Closing for Recruiters,” is designed for experienced professionals ready to take their game to the next level. Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter aiming to fine-tune your closing skills or a manager seeking to build a culture of excellence in your firm, you’ll find practical strategies and mindset shi…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with industry legend Steve Finkel—often called the godfather of recruiting training—to dig deep into the art and science of closing as a recruiter. As the landscape of talent acquisition rapidly evolves with AI, offshoring, and increasingly sophisticated internal recruitment teams, one skill stands out as a true differentiator: closing. Steve Finkel explains why, now more than ever, recruiters must master the ability to move candidates through the hiring process and secure successful offers—not just source resumes or set up interviews. Benjamin Mena and Steve Finkel explore why the true value a recruiter brings to both clients and candidates comes at the end of the process. They discuss essential strategies for post-interview follow-up, the importance of debriefing, and how often-overlooked steps can boost placement ratios by 30–50%. Plus, Steve Finkel shares wisdom from his …

Get ready for another game-changing episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! This time, Benjamin Mena sits down with Jared Watts, a former MLS pro athlete who seamlessly transitioned his competitive mindset from the soccer field to the recruiting world—and absolutely crushed it. In this episode, you'll discover how Jared Watts leveraged the relentless discipline, data-driven focus, and high-performance mentality of a pro athlete to become a world-class recruiter and founder of Next Place Search Group. Benjamin Mena and Jared Watts break down everything from negotiating your own contracts (and your value!), to building trust, mastering KPIs, and forging lasting client relationships. You’ll hear how Jared Watts measures and tracks every detail in his business, what visualization really means for top performers, and how the work ethic that drives elite athletes is the secret sauce for unstoppable success in recruiting. Plus, you'll get real, actionable advice on networking, learning fr…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today’s episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with powerhouse recruiter Emily Audibert to discuss her incredible journey from six months with no placements to becoming a million-dollar biller. Emily pulls back the curtain on what truly made the difference in her career—embracing her feminine energy, making a mindset shift, and pioneering her own path with creative RPO strategies. You’ll hear how Emily Audibert went from struggling at the start of her recruiting career to finding her groove, building authentic relationships, and turning referrals into an almost 100% referral-based business. She dives deep into the importance of understanding your own strengths (whether they’re rooted in masculine or feminine energy), how to stay persistent through setbacks, and why doing great work is the best marketing you’ll ever have. Emily also shares actionable tips for adding RPO to your recruiting organization, building confidence …

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Kelsey Boyd to dive into the hidden “operating systems” that power high-performing recruiting firms. Kelsey Boyd, whose career journey took her from orchestrating playground games to leading digital and operational transformation at a major staffing agency, shares her first-hand experience of turning organizational chaos into clarity and growth. Together, they unpack what it takes to break through the plateaus that so many recruiting leaders face, the importance of embracing turbulence during times of change, and what practical frameworks—like EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System)—can do for solo recruiters all the way up to firms with dozens of employees. Along the way, you’ll hear how Kelsey Boyd navigated her own pivot from marketing into operational leadership, why consistency and curiosity are the keys to recruiter success, and how you can identify (or become!) the “integrator” you…

Welcome to this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! Today, we dive into the incredible journey of growing a recruiting and staffing firm from zero to an astounding $300 million in revenue—and ultimately, a successful exit. Host Benjamin Mena sits down with guest Jon Davis, a true “staffing geek” with over 32 years in the industry, who shares how he went from a mattress-on-the-car move into physician recruiting to leading a powerhouse tech staffing firm. In this conversation, you’ll hear about the real challenges, pivots, and strategies that fueled explosive growth, including the transition from direct placement to focusing on contract staffing and recurring revenue—the key ingredient in making a firm attractive to buyers. Jon Davis opens up about building strong relationships, leveraging technology smartly, and creating processes that sustain quality even in boom times. Whether you’re a desk-level recruiter, a business owner, or someone dreaming of a big exit, you’ll get act…

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Derek Pittak for an in-depth, step-by-step exploration of building a 7-figure recruiting firm that operates smoothly—even without you at the helm. This is Part 2 of their EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) deep dive, where Derek Pittak demystifies the EOS playbook, revealing the strategies and tools that top-performing recruiting agencies use to streamline processes, boost accountability, and keep teams laser-focused on growth. From the critical importance of real process documentation and training, to breaking down the differences between rocks, scorecards, and to-dos, Benjamin Mena and Derek Pittak cover it all. You’ll also hear how to clarify your company’s vision and keep your team aligned, why 90-day planning cycles matter, and the real-life challenges—and successes—of implementing EOS in staffing and recruiting. Whether you’re running a boutique search firm or scaling a high…