Episodes

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…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In today's episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Derek Pittak, a seasoned entrepreneur and certified EOS implementer who’s helped over 40 staffing companies transform their chaos into scalable clarity. We dive into Derek Pittak’s unconventional journey from military and banking to running a $125 million staffing portfolio—and how he discovered the power of the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to unite cultures, streamline processes, and take recruiting businesses to the next level. If you’ve ever wondered what EOS is, why everyone talks about “traction,” or how these concepts actually apply to recruiting firms (not just companies selling widgets!), this episode pulls back the curtain. Derek Pittak breaks down how EOS creates consistency, accountability, and clarity—making it possible to build a seven-figure recruiting firm that runs without you. Whether you're leading a multi-office staffing firm or just starting out with a few …

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...

Recruiting can feel like total chaos—constant fires, endless admin, and a million moving parts. But what if there were a simple system that top firms use to triple revenue, double profitability, and finally calm the madness? That’s what you’ll learn in this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast with host Benjamin Mena and EOS Implementer & former Executive Recruiter Jackie Kibler. Jackie reveals how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS)—the framework behind Traction—can transform your de...

Welcome back to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with John Pierson, the former Marine and CEO of P2 Investments, who’s redefining what it means to be a recruiter on Wall Street. John shares his unconventional journey from presidential air traffic controller to becoming a sought-after talent agent for top hedge funds, all thanks to grit, risk-taking, and a passion for connecting people. Benjamin and John dive into the evolution of recruiting, exploring how today’s top firms and candidates demand more than just transactional placements—they’re looking for true talent advisors who can guide careers like agents in sports or entertainment. John reveals his “agent approach,” a multi-step, candidate-centric model that focuses on building long-term relationships and bespoke services for high-flying investment and technology professionals, rather than just filling jobs. You’ll hear stories ranging from cold calling financial legends to launching …

On this episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Gregory Fischer, a recruitment agency founder who built his company from the ground up to an impressive $4 million in gross margin and $1.4 million EBITDA—only to make the bold move to walk away from it all. Greg shares the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial journey: from leaving a career in fitness, grappling with dreams that didn’t pan out, and the pivotal moment he took a leap into recruiting. Together, they explore key lessons on business partnerships, the sometimes overlooked pain of burnout, and what it really takes to find fulfillment in your work. Plus, Greg dives deep into the realities of offshoring and how his team leveraged global talent to power epic growth—after more than a few failed attempts. The conversation gets candid about misconceptions around offshore teams, why integrating people fully matters, and how AI and offshoring actually work hand-in-hand to future-proof your recruiti…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! This week, host Benjamin Mena welcomes Alexis Albright Meschi, a leader in marketing for recruiters, for a candid and insightful conversation about building an authentic brand, engaged community, and thriving client base on LinkedIn. Are you still just posting jobs and hoping for the best? Alexis reveals why traditional recruiter marketing mindsets are holding the industry back—and shares actionable strategies for moving past simple job postings to real relationship-building and brand growth. You’ll learn why human connection is the cornerstone of successful recruiting content, how to optimize your LinkedIn profile (hint: it’s not just a resume!), and the importance of serving, leading, and connecting within your network. From practical examples of meaningful content to leveraging AI as a tool (not a shortcut), Alexis and Benjamin unpack what it takes to truly stand out—and why consistency and a focus on your deeper miss…

Welcome to The Elite Recruiter Podcast! In this episode, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Zack Cress—a seasoned recruiter who spent 14 years climbing the ranks at a large corporate agency before taking the leap to start his own recruiting firm. Together, they dive deep into the decision-making process behind leaving agency life: when to stay put, when to switch companies, and what it really takes to launch your own recruiting business from scratch. Whether you’re feeling stuck in your current role, contemplating joining a smaller agency, or considering building something of your own, Zack shares the lessons he learned through years of promotions, relocations, and ultimately, entrepreneurship. You’ll get practical insights on business development, choosing the right technology, navigating compliance and bookkeeping, finding and structuring the right partnership, and building a support network to fuel your success. Zack also touches on the importance of risk tolerance, setting up sa…

Welcome to another episode of The Elite Recruiter Podcast! This week, host Benjamin Mena sits down with Kent Depwe, a recruitment prodigy who became a million-dollar biller by the age of 25—and has consistently repeated that success ever since. In this candid conversation, Kent pulls back the curtain on his rapid ascent from recent college grad with zero recruiting experience to one of the industry’s top producers. He shares the mindset shifts, daily habits, and business development tactics that helped him go from making $50k to raking in over $350k—and ultimately, to building a career where million-dollar years are the norm. You’ll hear about Kent’s strategy for bouncing back when deals fall through, why choosing the right mentor or manager early on made all the difference, and how he leverages both grit and cutting-edge AI tools to work smarter and faster than the competition. Whether you’re a brand-new recruiter or a seasoned pro, this episode is packed with actionable advice on…

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 yo...

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...

Are you ready to break free from the “average recruiter” grind and join the ranks of million-dollar billers? If you’re a recruiter, search firm owner, or ambitious TA pro, this episode is your backstage pass to the playbook that’s built one of Texas’ highest-billing recruiting teams. Host Benjamin Mena welcomes back Jeremy Jenson (Encore Search Partners) to uncover the exact strategies that have multiplied fees, modernized recruiter development, and created a talent magnet operation. 🚀 Hoxo’s P...