Maryam Mahdaviani on Why That "Verified" LinkedIn Profile Might Be a North Korean Spy

Maryam Mahdaviani on Why That "Verified" LinkedIn Profile Might Be a North Korean Spy

At This Time ... hiring fraud has officially leveled up — and your gut instincts aren't enough anymore. Maryam, founder of Attesto, joins Eric to break down how sophisticated fraudsters are now slipping past background checks and LinkedIn verification with fully fabricated (but convincing) identities. From North Korean operatives trying to infiltrate companies to deepfake impersonators acing your interview process, the threat is real — and quietly expensive. Maryam walks through how Attesto's AI-powered trust layer analyzes hundreds of signals (IP address, phone type, email footprint, and more) to catch what human recruiters simply can't — before a bad hire costs you $700K or your company's IP. Attesto is the trust layer for hiring and is focused on bringing greater integrity and confidence to modern recruiting workflows. We partner closely with talent acquisition teams to detect fraudulent applications, synthetic candidate profiles, and other trust-related risks that are becoming increasingly prevalent as hiring becomes more digital and AI-driven. The work sits at the intersection of recruiting operations, identity, risk, and candidate experience. Host: Eric DeSobe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdesobe/]; add him on LinkedIn Guest: Maryam Mahdaviani; [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mahdaviani/] add her on LinkedIn Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/Ft8mcLLO0_U]

Nicole Wellman Noble on Taking the Leap: From In-House Talent Leader to Consultant

At This Time, Eric sits down with longtime colleague and friendly rival Nicole Wellman Noble — a charter school talent veteran who traded her in-house seat at Bright Star for the consultant life. Nicole gets real about what it actually takes to make that jump (hint: it's more than just a LinkedIn rebrand), why imposter syndrome never fully disappears, and how her work is evolving alongside some of the most heated contract negotiations happening in LA and beyond. If you're in talent, education, or just curious about what it looks like to bet on yourself — this one's for you. Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn Guest: Nicole Wellman Noble; add her on LinkedIn Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/qtzHc74AphU]

Joanna Belcher on What The Bachelorette Disaster Can Teach You About Hiring

At This Time, Eric DeSobe sits down with talent expert and reality TV enthusiast Joanna Belcher to unpack the hiring lessons hidden inside the Bachelorette's season cancellation — and yes, it gets surprisingly insightful. From the "always be cultivating" mindset to the game-changing 10-reference strategy, Joanna breaks down why charisma and ratings potential (in TV and hiring) can blind you to red flags hiding in plain sight. She makes a compelling case for why self-awareness and candid feedback are the two most underrated traits in any candidate — and any leader. Whether you're casting a reality show or building a team, this one's got receipts. Host: Eric DeSobe [https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericdesobe/]; add him on LinkedIn Guest: Joanna Belcher [https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannabelcher/]; add her on LinkedIn Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/doGBaQwm1Bc]

Henry Liu on Hiring Teachers Internationally

At This Time, we're diving into one of the most niche — and fascinating — hiring challenges in education: recruiting Mandarin-fluent teachers from overseas. Henry Liu, Director of Talent & HR at Yu Ming Charter School, one of California's top public schools, breaks down what it actually takes to hire internationally, navigate visa sponsorships, and set teachers up for success in a U.S. classroom they've never stepped foot in before. From J-1 visas to H1B sponsorships, Henry gets real about the questions recruiters need to ask before chasing international talent — and why being upfront about your organization's long-term intentions can make or break a hire. Plus, how do you assess whether someone who's never lived in America can thrive teaching American kids? Henry's got a framework for that too. If you think your hiring process is complex, wait until you hear this one. Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn Guest: Henry Liu; add him on LinkedIn Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/BH06SIBYbeM]

Dave Tassone on Leaving Education for Criminal Justice Reform — and Why the Skills Transferred Perfectly

At This Time ... we're sitting down with Dave Tassone, a former Teach For America educator turned healthcare talent leader, who made a career pivot that most people wouldn't see coming — from charter school management to a mental health agency serving people navigating the criminal justice system. Dave shares how a bond with a student who became incarcerated during his first year of teaching never quite left him, and eventually pulled him toward this work years later. Now heading up people & culture at Project 180 LA, he's building a team from scratch in one of the most mission-driven environments around. We also get into AI slop in job applications (yes, someone submitted a resume with the ChatGPT prompt still in it), how AI is quietly revolutionizing clinical documentation, and why change management in a multigenerational workforce is the real challenge nobody's talking about. Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn Guest: Dave Tassone; add him on LinkedIn Watch on YouTube [https://youtu.be/TrFJKqa4FMw]