Episodes

My guest on #thePOZCAST is Steve Cadigan, a globally renowned talent advisor and founder of Cadigan Talent Ventures. This Silicon Valley-based firm has guided some of the world’s most innovative organizations, including Google, Cisco, Salesforce, and Manchester United Football Club. Steve is also a trusted consultant to top venture capital and consulting firms like Andreessen Horowitz and McKinsey. As LinkedIn’s first CHRO, Steve helped scale the company from 400 employees to IPO, shaping a culture so impactful that Stanford University created a graduate-level class around his work. He’s a sought-after speaker, university instructor, and media guest, appearing on outlets like Bloomberg and CNBC. With over 25 years as an HR leader at top companies, Steve continues to inspire leaders and organizations worldwide.  We discuss Steve's journey into the HR field, the importance of the human element in recruiting, and how technology can enhance talent acquisition. Steve emphasizes the need fo…

My guest on #thePOZCAST is Lea Turner. You might know her from her first POZ appearance, Guest 108, from late 2020. She is a LinkedIn powerhouse who skyrocketed to prominence in 2019, transforming her small transcription business with her signature blend of humor, relatability, and uplifting content. In just a few years, she’s amassed a remarkable 173,000 followers and trained countless professionals on leveraging LinkedIn effectively. As the founder of The HoLT Community, a global membership of over 580 business owners, Lea empowers entrepreneurs with expert-led masterclasses and resources to help them thrive. Lea also hosts The HoLT’s Survival Guide for Small Businesses podcast, where her engaging and relatable conversations provide practical advice for navigating the challenges of small business ownership. A solo parent and vibrant content creator, Lea inspires business owners worldwide with her authentic, actionable insights." Most importantly, she is a friend and someone I deep…

First aired 2/11/19 In honor of the 6th anniversary of #thePOZcast, its fun to look back at Episode 1, where it all started....with a recorded zoom call. Enjoy! First episode of the POZ Cast! Adam & Q Connect the online, offline. Here is a look into a raw first time networking conversation. Check out all shows: www.thePOZcast.com www.youtube.com/thePOZcast If you are curious how Adam has created #thePOZcast and turned it into an ecosystem that builds real relationships, clients, thought leadership, and content, check out www.thePOZcourse.com. Thanks for listening, and please follow us on Insta @NHPTalent and X @AdamJPosner.

Tom Conlon is the founder of the award-winning independent creative services agency North Street, with offices in New York City and Providence, RI. As company lead, Tom oversees an interdisciplinary team of visual designers, strategists, content creators, and engineers on work that spans the financial services, nonprofit, B2B, and consumer sectors. Prior to founding North Street in 2010, Tom was a designer, developer, and writer/editor for such content publishers as Wired, Men’s Journal, Maxim, AOL, and Popular Science. We discuss Tom's journey from a history major to a successful entrepreneur, the challenges of color blindness in design, and the importance of communication and customer experience in retaining clients. Tom shares insights on building a team, scaling a business, and the significance of feedback loops in leadership. In this engaging conversation, Adam Posner and Tom Conlon discuss the importance of honest feedback in business, the origin story of North Street, and…

Benjamin Mena started his recruiting career after graduating from the University of Central Florida with a degree in Economics. For the first 15 years of his professional career, he supported large defense contracts, leading hiring efforts for some of the nation’s most complex and challenging government programs. In 2018 he founded Select Source Solutions to continue supporting government customers while expanding his consulting practice. Now Benjamin combines his interest and education in economics to help employers understand how the hiring landscape reflects larger economic and tech trends and adjust their recruiting practices accordingly. In his spare time, Benjamin can be found running or traveling to new wine regions. He also hosts The Elite Recruiter Podcast, a top-rated recruiting and careers show! In this episode of the POZcast, Adam Posner interviews Benjamin Mena, a seasoned recruiter and host of the Elite Recruiter Podcast. They discuss Benjamin's journey from a milit…

First Aired 3/06/24 VIDEO: https://youtu.be/Jd5Vc_ASVKg Leah McSweeney discusses her journey from reality TV on The Real Housewives of NY to entrepreneurship, as well as her conversion to Judaism. She shares her experiences and challenges in the entertainment industry and the impact of current events on her personal and professional life. Leah also delves into the origin story of her clothing brand, Married to the Mob, and the inspiration behind it. Leah McSweeney, founder of Married to the Mob, shares her journey of starting a successful streetwear brand and the challenges she faced along the way. She discusses the importance of learning on the fly and the power of obsessive thinking in entrepreneurship. Leah also opens up about her sobriety and the accountability she has found in her life. She talks about her involvement with Club Pillar, a dating app for people who don't drink, and her experience on OnlyFans. Leah emphasizes the importance of doing the right thing and finding pu…

Shaahin Cheyene has an incredible story that’s equal parts resilience and innovation. During the Iranian Revolution of 1978, Shahin’s family fled to survive and ultimately settled in Los Angeles, California. By the age of 15, Shahin left home with nothing but the clothes on his back, and through sheer determination and creativity, he went on to generate over a billion dollars in revenue by inventing the legendary smart drug, Herbal Ecstasy. His early challenges shaped his unique perspective on freedom, hard work, and entrepreneurship. Shahin didn’t stop there—he later pioneered digital vaporization, laying the groundwork for today’s vaping industry, and built multiple successful businesses along the way. Now, as the Founder and CEO of Accelerated Intelligence, Inc., he’s a top Amazon FBA seller with millions in sales. He leads Amazon Mastery, a program teaching entrepreneurs how to dominate the platform, and shares his insights as an active YouTube creator. Shaahin Cheyene shares h…

Nick Livingston: Co-Founder & CEO at Honeit Software. He is an experienced talent acquisition and recruiting leader with a track record of helping companies scale, including roles at MTV Networks (Viacom), TubeMogul (IPO/Adobe), and Taleo (Oracle). Nick is the Co-founder of Honeit Software, transforming the hiring process with real-time interview intelligence and recruitment process automation. Passionate about re-engineering the hiring process and building high-performing teams. In this conversation, Adam Posner and Nick Livingston explore the evolution of recruiting, the transition from agency to in-house roles, and the importance of candidate experience. They discuss the challenges faced in corporate culture, the significance of curiosity in recruiting, and the birth of Honet, a platform focused on interview intelligence. The dialogue emphasizes the need for alignment in hiring processes and the journey of entrepreneurship in the recruiting industry. In this conversation, Nick…

Check out my keynote from the ERE Recruitment Conference in Anaheim, CA, in November 2024. Full video: https://youtu.be/0W1814jnqH0 Elevate Your Recruiting Game: Leveraging Podcasts for Talent Attraction Drawing on his experience producing nearly 400 podcast episodes over three years, Adam Posner has transformed #thePOZcast into a powerful ecosystem that: Boosts brand awareness and acts as a lead magnet for candidates and clients. Builds and converts business relationships into long-term partnerships. Establishes thought leadership for hosts and guests alike. Provides a continuous stream of value-added content across platforms. Creates a strong, authentic community and social credibility. In this session, Adam shares his journey and actionable strategies for building and leveraging a podcast to attract top talent, foster engagement, and stand out in the competitive talent marketplace. Learn how to create a podcast-driven system that elevates your recruitment efforts and positio…

Sarah Reynolds is an award-winning B2B SaaS marketing powerhouse championing inclusive, people-first growth strategies. With over a decade of experience leading global marketing programs, Sarah has consistently delivered transformative results for modern companies. Currently the CMO at HiBob, they previously held leadership roles at Udacity, Salary.com, and PTC, excelling in pipeline generation, messaging, and team development while driving innovation in enterprise and consumer markets. Openly queer, trans, and non-binary, Sarah leverages their platform to challenge stereotypes and advocate for inclusivity in the workplace. They passionately promote inclusive language to combat unconscious bias and foster belonging. Sarah discusses their unconventional journey into marketing, the challenges of navigating identity in the workplace, and the importance of understanding unconscious biases. Sarah shares insights on building inclusive teams and the significance of language and pronoun…

Nina Sossamon-Pogue is a dynamic speaker, two-time best-selling author, and podcast host whose remarkable career spans elite athletics, television journalism, and corporate leadership. At just 13, she left home to train as a gymnast, representing Team USA and appearing alongside legends like Mary Lou Retton as an Olympic hopeful. Though an injury ended her gymnastics career during her time at LSU, it became the launchpad for a 20-year Emmy-winning tenure as a journalist and news anchor. Nina’s ability to reinvent herself led her from television to corporate America, where she excelled as an executive, playing a key role in a successful IPO. Today, she uses her vast experience in communications, leadership, and resilience research to help others navigate challenges and achieve success. Her inspiring story and expertise in overcoming obstacles empower individuals and organizations to embrace change and thrive. Nina shares her journey from being a competitive gymnast to a successful…

My guest on E391 of #thePOZCAST is Angus Rittenburg, founder of Wynk. He is an engineer focused on cannabis infusion technologies and manufacturing advancements. As CEO, Angus oversees all aspects of production, quality control and regulatory compliance while also designing and building machinery in-house to streamline productivity. Before entering the cannabis sector, Angus was a Battery Design Engineer at Tesla, where he worked on designing and manufacturing the Model 3 battery module. He now enjoys using his design manufacturing experience to create novel production processes to navigate the strict regulatory mandates that govern the cannabis industry. Angus shares his journey from working as a battery design engineer at Tesla to creating innovative production processes in the cannabis industry. The conversation delves into Angus's background, the challenges of battery design, the future of energy solutions, and the unique approach Wynk takes in the cannabis beverage market. I…

Shira Yevin, Gritty In Pink's visionary founder and CEO, is revolutionizing the music industry through her groundbreaking marketplace, INPINK. This platform empowers women and gender-expansive creators with employment opportunities, providing a space to showcase their talents, connect with employers, and, most importantly, secure fair pay. Backed by Live Nation Women and advisors like Melissa Etheridge, INPINK is a testament to her relentless pursuit of gender equality. Shira's influential work, recognized in reputable publications such as TechCrunch, Forbes, Billboard, NPR, and The New York Times, and her role as a recognized speaker at major events like SXSW underscore her position as a leading voice in the movement for inclusivity and diversity in the music industry and beyond. We have a lot to unpack, so let's get to it. Shira shares her eclectic background, journey from a performer to a businesswoman, and challenges in a male-dominated industry. The conversation delves into …

Hung Lee: 2025 Hiring Outlook: More Signal, Less Noise LIVE from ERE Recruitment Conference 2024, Anaheim, California Hung Lee is a legend in the world of Talent, HR and Hiring. He is the Editor of the leading industry newsletter Recruiting Brainfood. He is a recruitment industry professional with over 15 years of experience as an agency recruiter, Recruitment manager, Internal Head of Talent, recruitment trainer, founder of the winning online recruiting platform WorkShape, and now Editor and Community builder at Recruiting Brainfood - the best weekly newsletter in recruitment. In this engaging conversation, Adam Posner and Hung Lee discuss the evolving landscape of recruitment, particularly in the context of AI's impact on the industry. They emphasize the importance of networking at conferences, the future role of recruiters, and the challenges faced by talent acquisition professionals. The discussion also touches on the ideal industry events and the need for a community-focused …

LIVE from ERE Recruitment Conference 2024, Anaheim, California Jenn Tardy is the CEO and Founder of Jennifer Tardy Consulting, aka Team JTC, a Maryland-based firm celebrated for its prowess in both career success coaching and diversity recruiting. As an International Speaker and Diversity Recruiting Expert, Jenn masterfully bridges the gap between job seekers and hiring professionals, facilitating career and hiring success. Her commitment to increasing diversity and retention shines through her collaborations with esteemed organizations like SHRM, Red Bull, the US Chamber of Commerce, and Harvard University. Jenn’s partnerships with LinkedIn and The Society for Diversity, recognition as a 2020 LinkedIn Top Voice, and receipt of the 2020 James W. Rouse Diversity Award all highlight her dedication to inclusive hiring and retention practices. Currently, Jenn is writing a book with Hachette Books to explore these crucial themes further. As a pioneer in diversity-focused career coaching…

Recorded LIVE @ ERE Recruiting Conference: Anaheim, CA November 2024 Live from ERE: Kevin Wheeler & David Crawford: The Future of Talent Acquisition Kevin Wheeler: Kevin Wheeler is a futurist, writer, and human resource, talent acquisition and learning and development advisor and consultant to many Fortune 500 companies. He is the founder of Global Learning Resources, Inc. and The Future of Talent Institute. He speaks and writes frequently about the future of talent acquisition and Human Resources. He is the author of two books, the most recent “Talent Acquisition Excellence: Using Digital Capabilities and Analytics to Improve Recruitment.” He also authors a weekly newsletter on the future of talent acquisition and HR. He is a frequent speaker at events globally and is a director of the Australasian Talent Conference in Australia. In this conversation, Adam Posner interviews Kevin Wheeler, a thought leader in the recruitment industry, discussing the evolution of recruiting techn…

VIDEO: Recorded LIVE @ ERE Recruitment Conference. Anaheim, CA November 2024 Cheryl Peterson: Cheryl Peterson is an Associate Principal based in Arup's New Jersey office, where she serves as a pivotal leader driving transformative talent resourcing strategies for the firm. Cheryl has consistently delivered impactful results, leading a geographically dispersed team of talent advisors overseeing talent acquisition, recruitment marketing, internal mobility, and strategic talent planning for future skills. Her career spans over two decades, and she has led talent acquisition and resourcing teams in the hospitality, retail, service, technology, and engineering industries. In this conversation, Cheryl Peterson, head of talent resourcing at EREP, shares her extensive experience in recruitment and candidate experience. She discusses the importance of understanding one's own career goals, the challenges of job searching, particularly in the context of ageism, and the necessity of continuo…

My guest on #thePOZCAST is John Vasquez aka Coach JV! In 2006, Coach JV woke up from an attempted suicide to a book called “The Secret.” From that day forth, the next 17 years of his life would never be the same. After his attempted suicide, JV pursued a bachelor’s degree and graduated from CBA executive banking school and soon scaled himself up to vice president at a large bank.  After years of dedication to the corporation, he went through a great spiritual awakening and started to see the system for what it was. He decided to leave the high-paid VP job and, with his business partner Cesar Jeremy Quintanilla, created a million-dollar FREEDOM company called 3T Warrior Academy. 3T Warrior Academy has helped thousands of warriors worldwide break free from the job just over the broken system and learn how to journey to freedom in mindset, health, and generational wealth building. Besides owning 7+ companies thus far, CJV is an author of two books, a top podcast host, a social media infl…

Recorded LIVE @ ERE Recruitment Conference. Anaheim, CA November 2024 Rachel: Rachel Allen is a dynamic leader in Talent Acquisition, boasting over 15 years of industry experience. Known for her strategic acumen, Rachel is adept at fostering collaboration across teams to meet and exceed organizational objectives. As the Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at 7-Eleven Inc., she guides a robust team responsible for corporate and field recruitment, ensuring talent sourcing and placement excellence. Rachel’s communication skills are unparalleled, and her knack for building strong relationships is well-known. She champions a forward-thinking approach among her recruiters, leveraging her expertise in technology to streamline recruitment processes and boost efficiency. Her innovative use of data and design thinking has led to the development of cutting-edge digital solutions, including AI and automation tools. In 2024, Rachel received a Top Women in Convenience award as a Rising Star. I…

Recorded LIVE @ ERE Recruitment Conference. Anaheim, CA November 2024 James Ellis is an authority on employer branding, focusing on companies who think they have no choice but to post and pray for talent. He is the principal of Employer Brand Labs, a bestselling author, keynote speaker, practitioner, and podcaster with a wealth of experience across multiple industries for almost a decade. In this conversation, Adam Posner and James Ellis delve into the intricacies of employer branding and discuss its significance in recruitment and talent acquisition. They explore how companies can differentiate themselves in a crowded market, the importance of credibility in recruitment, and the process of building a unique value proposition. The discussion also touches on the future of employer branding and the evolving landscape of recruitment strategies. Learn More: https://www.employerbrandlabs.com/ Connect with James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewarfortalent/ Thanks to our friends at ERE …

Recorded LIVE @ ERE Recruitment Conference. Anaheim, CA November 2024 Ron Fish: As a Global Talent Acquisition Leader at Ivanti with over 20 years of experience building Talent Attraction and Recruitment programs, Ron Fish specializes in partnering with business stakeholders during the hiring lifecycle. He is responsible for driving initiatives that deliver top talent globally and leading geographically dispersed teams across the Americas, EMEA, and APAC regions. By empowering recruiters, Ron builds teams of independent thinkers who serve as trusted talent advisors. In addition to championing an intentional approach to diversity recruitment, he serves as an ambassador for accessibility and disability inclusion. In this conversation, Adam and Ron discuss the importance of creating an inclusive workplace for individuals with disabilities, sharing personal stories and experiences, and highlighting the need for awareness and understanding. Ron emphasizes the role of talent acquisition …

My guest on E393 of #thePOZCAST is Jade Simmons. She is a powerhouse speaker, musician, CEO, and minister known for inspiring people to live boldly and embrace their full potential. A classically trained pianist, she has been dubbed "Classical Music's #1 Maverick" for blending classical and rap music in her live performances, which she delivers to audiences ranging from corporate events to churches. Jade is the author of *Audacious Prayers for World Changers* and *Purpose The Remix,* where she challenges readers to rethink their purpose and pursue their God-given dreams with boldness. As an internationally sought-after speaker, Jade has performed at prestigious venues like the White House and US Supreme Court and has worked with major brands like Chick-fil-A and Pfizer. An ordained minister at Inspire Church in Houston, TX, she also serves in various ministries and speaks to bilingual audiences. In addition to her ministry work, Jade leads Jade Media Global, a company that delivers …

My guest on episode 380 of #thePOZCAST is Paul Ollinger. After 15 years in sales at companies like Yahoo! and Facebook, Paul bailed on the corporate world to chase the comedy dream, which has seen him headline top clubs like Carolines on Broadway, West Side Comedy Club (NYC), Cobbs (SF), and Zanies (Nashville). He has performed at the Hollywood Improv and Comedy Cellar and shared the stage with stars such as Norm Macdonald, Dave Attell, and Chelsea Handler. Paul has also opened for major music acts, including Styx and Collective Soul, and performed at some of the biggest festivals, clubs, the smallest theatres, dive bars, and everything in between. Paul is also the host of the Crazy Money Podcast. In conversations with some of the world's most interesting people, he explores the connection between money, happiness, work, and meaning. Previous guests include Judd Apatow, LL Cool J, Moby, and winners of the Nobel Prize, Heisman Trophy, PGA Championship, and Olympic gold medals. I…

Mike Robbins is the author of five books, including Bring Your Whole Self to Work and We're All in This Together. He's a former pro baseball player whose playing career ended due to an injury. For the past 20+ years, he's been a sought-after motivational speaker who delivers keynotes and seminars for some of the top companies in the world. His clients include Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Schwab, eBay, and the Oakland A's. He and his work have been featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, and The Wall Street Journal, as well as on ABC News and NPR. Mike shares his journey from playing baseball to finding his purpose in life. He talks about his upbringing, his love for baseball, and the support he received from his family. Mike discusses his experience of getting drafted by the New York Yankees and his challenges with injuries. He ultimately decided to retire from baseball and embrace the unknown. This conversation highlights the importance of resilience, self-awarenes…