Episodes

WATCH: https://youtu.be/pzhXicl6Al8 Live from UNLEASH 2026, Adam sits down with Jess Von Bank for a thought-provoking and at times provocative conversation on AI, transformation, and the future of work. Jess began her career as a full-desk executive recruiter, specializing in highly niche, hard-to-fill roles in pharmaceutical and clinical research—long before modern sourcing tools existed. Her foundation in true “old school” recruiting—research, persistence, and deep human understanding—anchors her perspective today. At the center of this conversation is a critical distinction most organizations are missing: AI is not transforming work. It’s scaling whatever already exists. And that’s the problem. Jess challenges the current “AI land grab,” in which companies are rushing to layer automation onto broken or outdated processes rather than rethinking how work should be done altogether. In her view, most organizations are simply doing the same work faster—not better—and leaving mass…

Live from UNLEASH 2026, Adam sits down with Suzan Vulaj, SVP of Global Talent Acquisition at NBCUniversal, to unpack the realities of recruiting in today’s high-volume, AI-driven hiring landscape. Suzan leads a global TA organization of 100+ professionals and has spent the last eight years evolving how hiring works inside a complex, fast-moving enterprise. Her perspective is grounded in both scale and experience—and she doesn’t sugarcoat the challenges. At the center of the conversation is a fundamental shift: recruiting hasn’t just changed—it’s been overwhelmed. With thousands of applicants per role, AI-generated resumes flooding pipelines, and rising candidate fraud, recruiters are being pushed to their limits. Suzan shares why the answer isn’t more tools—it’s a return to fundamentals. The best teams are leaning back into relationship-driven recruiting: tapping into networks, revisiting silver medalists, and proactively building pipelines instead of reacting to job postings. She…

At UNLEASH 2026, Adam sits down with Maryjo Charbonnier, Executive Advisor and former CHRO of Kyndryl, to unpack what HR transformation actually looks like when AI moves from buzzword to business driver. Mary Jo brings a sharp operator’s lens to the conversation, grounding AI not in hype, but in how work actually gets done. She explains why HR is no longer a support function, but increasingly at the center of business strategy—especially as AI reshapes workflows, roles, and skills at scale. From translating customer demand into skills using AI, to dynamically matching employees to opportunities, Mary Jo shares how Kyndryl is leveraging data to better understand its workforce and unlock internal mobility. Her perspective reframes AI not just as an efficiency tool, but as a mechanism to truly “see” employees—their capabilities, potential, and fit across the organization. This is a conversation about shifting HR from reactive to predictive, from administrative to strategic, and from …

At UNLEASH 2026, Adam sits down with Paul Rubenstein of Visier for a masterclass on the past, present, and future of HR—and why this moment in time is unlike anything we’ve seen before. Drawing on a 20+ year career spanning consulting, HR leadership, and now evangelism, Paul walks through the full evolution of HR—from industrial labor optimization to personnel management, to the rise of systems and shared services, and now into the age of AI-driven decision making. But this isn’t just a history lesson. It’s a reframing. Paul makes the case that AI is not just another layer of technology—it’s fundamentally changing how decisions get made, how systems talk to each other, and how organizations must think about work itself. The future isn’t about people-to-systems anymore—it’s systems-to-systems, powered by clean, connected, and contextual data. The conversation explores the promise and pitfalls of AI in HR, the danger of “shiny object syndrome,” and why the real skill gap isn’t learn…

Dulari Amin, and she is one of those rare people who’s seen the full business journey from every angle. She’s an entrepreneur, operator, and investor with over two decades of experience building and scaling high-growth companies, and now backing the next generation of founders doing the same. She’s the co-founder of Sidelines VC, Mothership VC, and Synergy Ventures, where she leads investment strategy and works hands-on with early-stage startups across consumer, healthcare, and tech. But what makes Dulari especially interesting is that she’s not just an investor — she’s a true operator at heart. She played a pivotal role at Cue Health, helping take the company from R&D to a $3 billion IPO, scaling across both enterprise and direct-to-consumer. Before that, she was the co-founder and COO of Phenomenon, a business transformation and marketing agency she helped grow to over $100 million in revenue, and a successful private equity exit. Dulari’s superpower is building. Brands, teams, syst…

At UNLEASH 2026, Adam sits down with Safira CEO Aman Shah, a young founder taking a fresh swing at one of talent acquisition’s biggest bottlenecks: the broken application and screening process. Aman shares the origin story behind Safira—born out of the frustrating reality new grads face today, where thousands of applications meet overwhelmed recruiters, creating what he calls an “AI slop cycle.” Instead of adding another tool to the stack, Safira flips the model by embedding AI interviewing directly into existing ATS platforms through lightweight APIs, enabling companies to screen candidates at scale without adding friction. The conversation dives into what actually differentiates companies in a crowded AI hiring space (hint: it’s not the tech), why bias testing and explainability are mission-critical, and what it’s like building a company as a first-time founder navigating an ecosystem full of seasoned operators. This is a candid, forward-looking discussion on the future of hirin…

In this candid, unfiltered conversation from Unleash 2026, Adam sits down with Matt Charney—industry veteran, investor connector, and one of the most outspoken voices in talent acquisition—to cut through the noise in HR tech and AI. Charney traces his unconventional path from Hollywood screenwriting to corporate recruiting leadership at companies like Amgen, Disney, and Warner Bros., ultimately landing in the world of startups, private equity, and TA tech commentary. Along the way, he challenges some of the biggest narratives dominating the industry today. At the core of the discussion is a reality check: recruiting hasn’t fundamentally changed. Despite the explosion of AI tools, vendors, and buzzwords, the job is still about making hires and improving people’s lives. Charney argues that much of the AI hype is recycled trend-chasing—echoing past waves like social recruiting and big data—while practitioners are left feeling behind in a game no one has actually mastered. The convers…

Live from UNLEASH America 2026 in Las Vegas, Adam Posner sits down with Jason Desentz, CHRO of Toshiba Americas, for a candid, practical conversation on what it really takes to lead HR and talent at scale. Jason oversees a 6,000-employee workforce across the Americas, along with a 50-person HR organization spanning talent, employee health & safety, security, and facilities. With over two decades in automotive (Ford, Chrysler, Goodyear) and consulting, he brings a deeply operational, business-first lens to HR leadership. At the core of Jason’s philosophy is a simple but often missing truth: HR only works when it understands the business. He explains why talent acquisition should sit within HR—but only if HR leaders can challenge hiring managers, calibrate expectations, and translate business needs into realistic hiring strategies. Learn more & Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-desentz/

Greg Selkoe is a serial entrepreneur and a true cultural architect. He’s best known as the founder of Karmaloop, one of the original streetwear and e-commerce pioneers that went from an idea to a global brand doing over $180 million a year at its peak. Greg’s lived the full entrepreneurial arc. The insane highs of hypergrowth, the painful reality of watching it all come apart, and the even harder work of rebuilding with real intention and clarity. Today, he’s the Co-Founder and CEO of XSET, a next-gen gaming and lifestyle organization sitting at the intersection of content, community, and culture, and honestly redefining what a modern brand can look like. What I love about Greg is how real he is. He doesn’t sugarcoat the journey. He talks openly about leadership, failure, resilience, and what it actually takes to build something that truly resonates with people in the real world, not just on a pitch deck. Connect: XSET: https://xset.com Instagram: (Greg Selkoe): https://www.insta…

My guest on episode #495 of #thePOZcast is Jay Paterno—author, coach, media voice, and a leading thinker on the future of college football. Jay spent over two decades coaching at the Division I level, including 17 years at Penn State, and brings a rare inside view of leadership under extreme pressure. He’s the bestselling author of Paterno Legacy and Hot Seat, and his latest book, BLITZED! The All-Out Pressure of College Football’s New Era explores how big money, NIL, mental health, and constant scrutiny are reshaping the sport. Jay is also the son of legendary coach Joe Paterno, a perspective that has deeply shaped how he thinks about leadership, responsibility, and legacy—while still forging a path very much his own. Today, we’re unpacking what college football’s evolution can teach all of you. In this episode, Adam Posner interviews Jay Paterno, a former college football coach and author, discussing the evolution of college football, the impact of NIL, and the importance of acc…

First aired 10/20/23 My guest E294 of #thePOZcast is Julia Menez, points strategist and founder of Geobreeze Travel! Geobreeze Travel is a platform that focuses on travel hacking and providing insights on maximizing the potential of credit card points and miles for remarkable travel experiences and financial growth. Prior to Geobreeze, Julia worked for 9 years as an actuary for Cigna Health. In addition to her great, viral social media content, where she breaks down bite-sized travel hacks, she also hosts the Geobreeze Travel podcast. After traveling to more than 30 countries before the age of 30 and saving thousands of dollars each year with points and miles, Julia distills the strategies from top award travelers around the world in the Geobreeze Travel podcast and creates content about how to use everyday business and personal expenses to earn luxury travel for next to no cost. For more on Julia, please visit: Free points 101 course: www.geobreezetravel.com/freecourse Instagram…

My guest on episode #494 on #thePOZcast is Neal Tricarico, Co-Founder of the Endurant Movement and the Endurant Show, mission-driven platforms transforming grief into purpose through community and storytelling. After losing his son Anthony to suicide, Neal now channels decades of leadership and coaching into advocacy for mental health, suicide prevention, and neurodiversity. With deep love and lived empathy, Neal leads with vision and vulnerability, ensuring no one walks through pain alone. In this deeply emotional conversation, Adam Posner speaks with Neal Tricarico, co-founder of the Endurance Movement, about the profound impact of grief following the loss of his son, Anthony. They explore themes of love, resilience, and the importance of community in navigating mental health challenges. Neal shares his journey of transforming grief into purpose through advocacy for mental health and suicide prevention, emphasizing the need for open conversations and support systems. The discuss…

On episode #493 of #thePOZcats, Adam Posner interviews Ashley Heard, founder of Manager Method, discussing the critical aspects of leadership development and the challenges faced by first-time managers. Ashley shares her journey from law to corporate life, emphasizing the importance of proper training for managers to avoid setting them up for failure. The conversation explores various management styles, the significance of the Pause, Consider, Act framework, and the role of AI in enhancing human connection in the workplace. Ashley also discusses her new book, The Manager Method, and the need for continuous leadership training in organizations. About: Ashley Herd, founder of Manager Method and one of the most practical voices in leadership development right now. Ashley helps organizations turn first-time and experienced managers into confident, capable leaders through real-world training that actually sticks. With a background as a General Counsel and Head of HR, she’s seen firstha…

In episode #492, Adam Posner welcomes Kati Morton, a licensed marriage and family therapist and bestselling author, to discuss the importance of mental health and the nuances of emotional well-being. Kati shares her journey into the field of therapy, sparked by her own experiences with family therapy as a teenager. The conversation delves into various topics, including the significance of language in shaping our emotions, the concept of 'eldest daughter syndrome,' and the patterns of behavior that lead individuals to repeat unhealthy relationship dynamics. Kati emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and communication in therapy, offering practical advice for improving mental health and relationships. Throughout the discussion, Kati highlights the challenges of navigating emotional patterns and the impact of societal expectations on personal growth. She also introduces her new book, "Why Do I Keep Doing This?", which explores the reasons behind repetitive behaviors and the journey…

On episode #491 of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner welcomes Nir Bashan, a keynote speaker and bestselling author, to discuss the importance of creativity in the workplace. Nir shares his journey from Hollywood to advertising, emphasizing that creativity is a skill anyone can cultivate, not just those who identify as 'creative.' He highlights the need for organizations to foster a culture of creativity, especially among frontline employees who can implement innovative solutions in real-time. Nir also discusses the impact of social media on human connection and the importance of in-person collaboration for effective problem-solving and creativity. Learn More: thesolutionmindset.net is out now on Wiley and Sons books LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nirbashan/

On episode #490 of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Kimberly Storin, CMO of Zoom, to discuss her career journey, the importance of curiosity in leadership, and the evolving marketing landscape in a hybrid work environment. Kim shares insights on building relationships with finance, defining organizational culture, and the resurgence of experiential marketing. They explore the balance between AI and human engagement, strategies for effective remote work, and the need for nonprofits to communicate their impact. Looking ahead, Kim emphasizes the importance of multi-generational collaboration in the future of work and redefines success as having fun and continuous learning. Kimberly Storin, the CMO at Zoom, where she leads global marketing and communications. Prior to Zoom, Kim held marketing leadership roles at tech companies ranging from SaaS start-ups to Fortune 50 companies, and was an M&A consultant at Deloitte earlier in her career. She lives in Austin, is deeply involved wit…

In this episode of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner speaks with Jason Walker, co-founder of ThriveHR Consulting, about the evolving HR landscape, the impact of AI on talent acquisition, and the importance of empathy in the workplace. They discuss the challenges job seekers face in a competitive market, the concept of 'job hugging,' and the benefits of fractional HR services. Jason emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt to AI while maintaining a human touch and offers actionable advice for job seekers to personalize their approach in a challenging job market. Jason Walker is the cofounder of Thrive HR Consulting and one of today’s leading thinkers in modern HR. Jason is an industry veteran, global speaker, and trusted talent advisor who’s helped companies transform their people practices through massive shifts—AI, workforce transformation, M&A, you name it. He and his partner launched Thrive HR to give organizations fractional, high-impact HR support across exec coaching, DEIB, emp…

On this episode of #thePOZcast, Brooke Dukes discusses the misconceptions surrounding hard work, particularly for women, and emphasizes the importance of intuition and self-care in achieving success. She shares her personal experiences with burnout and illness, advocating for a more balanced approach to work and life. Brooke Dukes — a powerhouse Behavioral Business Strategist, international best-selling author, speaker, and host of Burn On, Not Out. She’s the founder of BMD Consulting, where she helps CEOs and executive teams scale their companies without sacrificing their sanity or their soul. A former Fortune 500 leader turned serial entrepreneur, Brooke brings more than 20 years of expertise in leadership development, sales performance, and cultural transformation. She blends behavioral science, neuroscience, Human Design, and lived leadership to create systems that actually stick because they’re built around how humans really work. She’s the creator of the GRACe™ Communication…

On episode #487 of #thePOZcast, Adam and Jeff Williams discuss the common misconceptions surrounding organizational transformation, emphasizing that while a small percentage of the workforce may be enthusiastic about change, the majority are often resistant or indifferent. He highlights the importance of engaging all employees in the transformation process, rather than assuming their support based on leadership declarations. Williams argues that business leaders must invest more in understanding and facilitating this change among their teams to achieve successful outcomes. Jeff Williams — a global leader in HR and business transformation who has driven growth at some of the industry's biggest names. Jeff is now President and CEO at Aptia, and is helping shape one of the company’s most critical business lines. Previously, Jeff served as Vice President of Enterprise and HR Solutions at Paychex, where he led a $1.5 billion P&L, helped the company become America’s market-share leader …

In episode #486 of #thePOZcast, Adam Posner interviews Kelly McGinnis, a corporate innovator and strategic growth leader at Thermo Fisher Scientific. They discuss Kelly's journey in corporate America, her unique approach to leadership, the importance of self-awareness, and the balance between ambition and personal fulfillment. Kelly shares her insights on hiring for culture, the myth of the 100-hour work week, and the significance of mental marination for effective leadership. The conversation emphasizes the need for trust in leadership, the challenges of delegation, and the importance of redefining success beyond traditional metrics. Kelly McGinnis — a powerhouse corporate innovator, strategic growth leader, and all-around trailblazer redefining what success looks like in business and in life. As President of Business Operations at Thermo Fisher Scientific, Kelly has rewritten the playbook on growth — turning complex challenges into billion-dollar opportunities and driving transf…

My guest on episode #485 of #thePOZcast is Jordan Gaspari, one of the rare people who actually grew up dreaming of becoming an agency recruiter — it’s literally in his DNA. Following in the footsteps of his dad and role model, Richard Gaspari, who spent over 40 years in the industry, Jordan mastered the art of recruitment throughout the 2010s as a top performer at Randstad Technologies. He became the go-to talent partner for Fortune 500 heavyweights like Wells Fargo, McKesson, UnitedHealth Group, and Cigna. Then, just seven days after losing his father in 2018, Jordan honored his legacy by inventing a new word — and a new way to do business: Exclusent — blending “exclusive” and “talent.” Since then, Exclusent has taken off, earning a 2025 Inc. Magazine Power Partner Award and becoming one of the most recognized agencies in the Southwest. Their secret? Merging A.I. and authenticity to transform hiring across their Core 4 focus areas: Enterprise Architecture, Information Technology,…

My guest on episode #484 of #thePOZcast is Joe Nicchi, the founder of CVT Soft Serve — the Los Angeles ice cream brand that started from a refurbished Mister Softee truck named “Charlie” and grew into a national phenomenon. Within months of launching, Joe made headlines for his bold stance on influencer culture and a surprise Bill Murray cameo that helped cement CVT as an LA staple. Today, his soft-serve empire spans from trucks to grocery aisles, with CVT’s first-of-its-kind ice cream pouch named “LA’s Food Item of the Year” by Eater LA and now sold in over 3,000 stores nationwide. His story is one of grit, creativity, and the sweet taste of turning a street-corner idea into an American brand success story. Let’s get into it. CVT Soft Serve is available in grocery stores across the country, including Wegmans, Safeway, Price Chopper, Central Markets, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, and available for delivery nationwide through Healthy Goodness. Find a full list of stores at www.cvtsoftserv…

First aired 7/21/23 I am thrilled to welcome someone that I hold in the highest regard and deeply respect for HOW he conducts himself in the world, Tom Bilyeu! He is the co-founder of the 2014 Inc. 500 company Quest Nutrition — a unicorn startup valued at over $1 billion — and the co-founder and host of Impact Theory. Tom’s mission is the creation of empowering media-based IP and the acceleration of mission-based businesses. Personally driven to help people develop the skills they will need to improve themselves and the world, Tom intends to use commerce to address the dual pandemics of physical and mental malnourishment. Tom is a forever student of life. His obsession with mastering skills has molded him into a well-rounded leader, battle-hardened and unafraid to fire moonshots. He is a relentless agent for change, here to see how far he can push his own potential and the potential of others. Fun fact, Tom's Impact Theory NFT project was the first NFT that I purchased! Check o…

First aired 11/04/22 Perfecto Sanchez is a decorated military veteran with two combat tours to Iraq, who was originally born and raised in NYC by way of a tough Jamaican mom and later, West Point. He has over 10 years of corporate marketing and impact strategy experience, from launching Kraft’s most successful innovation to date, to launching Brooklyn’s first Organic Christmas Tree Company. Perfecto currently serves as the Founder and CEO of Keep The Change; an impact strategy shop that serves a wide portfolio of clients across the U.S. from household name brands and foundations to national institutions and international nonprofits. Not to mention he was the first American to row across the North Sea, a project to raise awareness for Ocean Sustainability. you don’t want to miss it. Learn more about Perfecto and his organization at www.morechange.co