The All In Recruiting Podcast

#8 - Johanna Liu: AI, ATS Nightmares, and Making Recruiting Easier

This conversation with Johanna Liu is a masterclass in practical, real-world recruiting. Johanna breaks down her non-traditional path from Starbucks manager to seasoned recruiter, sharing how a temp assignment unexpectedly launched a 13-year career. She and Enrique dive into the chaos of running a recruiting desk, swapping stories about staffing struggles, candidate surprises, and the lessons learned along the way. Johanna offers actionable, plug-and-play tips for recruiters at all levels—from building a bank of templates, to using Calendly more effectively, to knowing what’s truly worth automating. The two compare notes on sourcing, Boolean searches, AI tools like ChatGPT, candidate experience, ATS headaches, and why your spouse never wants to hear about weird LinkedIn messages. Packed with humor, honesty, and deeply relatable recruiter energy, this episode leaves listeners with time-saving hacks and a renewed sense of control over a job known for organized chaos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#7 - Mike Peditto: Yes, You're Being Judged

Recruiting leader and creator Mike Peditto joins Enrique Ruiz to talk about his new book, Yes, You’re Being Judged, and the very real mechanics of today’s hiring market. Known online as “The Realistic Recruiter,” Mike breaks down how he live-documented a job search across TikTok and Instagram, why TA teams should read a book written for candidates, and what actually happens in the rooms where hiring decisions are made. He shares how speaking at HR Tech, DisruptHR, RecFest, and LinkedIn’s events is shaping his work with companies, and why authenticity across platforms matters just as much as your resume. Mike also opens up about life as a working parent, the messy balance between travel and family, and the mindset shifts that help candidates move forward. His punch-list for job seekers in 2025 is refreshingly blunt: decenter yourself from the process, stop being afraid to not get hired, and “play a little hard to get” so you land in the right role, not just any role. Plus, a quick reality check on the “Open to Work” banner and other perennial debates. Grab Mike’s book, Yes, You’re Being Judged, [https://amzn.to/43SH3pE] and follow along for more straight talk on hiring, job search, and modern TA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#6 - Nicole Quinn Miles: Attract, Retain, Repeat—Rethinking Benefits

Employee benefits might not sound like the flashiest topic—but as guest Nicole Quinn Miles explains, they’re one of the most powerful tools for attracting and keeping great talent. Nicole, an Employee Benefits Consultant with Marsh McLennan Agency, brings over 20 years of experience helping organizations design programs that truly meet employee needs. In this conversation, host Alan Seales and Nicole unpack how comprehensive benefits have evolved since the pandemic, why mental health and financial wellness programs are more crucial than ever, and how listening—really listening—to employees can transform company culture and retention. Nicole also shares advice for recruiters and job seekers alike on how to talk about benefits in interviews and create a more transparent, human-centered hiring process. Follow Nicole Quinn Miles on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolequinnmiles] and Instagram at @her.view. Learn more about the Purple Acorn Network at purpleacornnetwork.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#5 - Jared McClain: Reinvention After 23 Years

After 23 years with one company, Jared McClain found himself facing a totally new chapter — navigating the modern job market. In this episode, host Enrique explores Jared’s journey from loyal operations leader to creative professional reinventing his career, blending decades of experience in IT, HR, and project management with a lifelong passion for storytelling, acting, and improv. They dive into what it’s really like to job-hunt in 2025, why LinkedIn’s Open to Work feature might help or hurt your chances, and how mindset and community can make all the difference when rejection feels relentless. Jared’s optimism, humor, and “yes, and” approach to life remind listeners that reinvention is possible — at any age, in any industry. Jared McClain is an operations and storytelling leader with more than two decades of experience in organizational improvement, project management, and creative production. A professional actor, writer, and director, Jared brings empathy, curiosity, and leadership to every role he takes on — whether in business or the arts. Connect with Jared: * LinkedIn: Jared McClain [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jared-mcclain/] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

#4 - Ashley Waddingham: Lessons Learned from Layoffs and Leadership

Ashley Waddington’s career path has been anything but linear—moving from bartending and managing a medical office to project management, HR, and ultimately staffing—before taking the leap to launch her own business. In this conversation, she shares the lessons learned along the way, including the tough realities of layoffs, the challenges of leading without training, and why she believes empathy and resilience are the through-lines in her professional journey. Now as the founder of Ponder This Consulting, Ashley is on a mission to equip middle managers with the tools they need to succeed. She explains why this often-overlooked group is critical to culture, retention, and ROI, and how organizations can better support them in a post-COVID world. From communication pitfalls to the pressures of remote and hybrid work, Ashley offers a candid look at the real issues managers face—and how intentional training can transform outcomes for both people and business. About Ashley Waddington: Ashley Waddington is the founder of Ponder This Consulting, a firm dedicated to training and upskilling middle management teams. Drawing from her background in staffing, HR leadership, and project management, Ashley brings a unique perspective on the human side of business. Her work focuses on bridging the gap between individual contributors and senior leadership, ensuring that managers have the skills, confidence, and support needed to thrive. Connect with Ashley: * * Website: ponderthisconsulting.com * * LinkedIn: Ashley Waddington [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-waddington-856175118/] * * Instagram: @ponderthisconsulting [https://instagram.com/ponderthisconsulting] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]