The Power of the Recruitment Community: Live @ RecFest USA 2025
The Power of the Recruitment Community: Live @ RecFest USA 2025 Recruiters, creators, leaders — this one’s for YOU. From AI and authenticity to IVs of iced coffee and Ferris wheel dreams, this episode of #thePOZcast Live from RecFest Nashville has it all. 🎪 I sat down with a few legends doing the work and shaping the industry: Omar Khateeb (CEO, JobPixel) — on why vibe is everything in content, staying authentic, and never chasing algorithms. Allyn Bailey (SmartRecruiters) — on storytelling, brand experience, and using tech to actually connect people to purpose. Jamie Leonard (RecFest Founder) — on what makes RecFest magical, community over competition, and why it really feels like Sunday Funday. Vicky Liu (Juicebox.ai) — on joining a rocketship startup, Series A momentum, and working with a team full of “biggest brains.” Nicky Russell & Dan Lockhart & Shantel Lubinger (Advisor360 + SonderMind) — on quality of slate, rejection done right, and remembering we’re humans first. John Ruffini (Health Trust Workforce Solutions)— on why recruiters have gotten lazy, the lost art of the phone call, and bringing back urgency and empathy. Thanks to our friends at Juicebox for sponsoring these episodes. Juicebox helps teams win the talent war—the leading AI recruiting platform that understands who you're looking for. Today, Juicebox powers hiring for 3,000+ customers, including Ramp, Perplexity, and Quora. Level up your team with Search, CRM, and Agents. → Try for free today — www.juicebox.ai
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Chapter Breakdown
00:00 – Welcome to RecFest Nashville 2025
Adam sets the scene at the Juicebox.ai booth and kicks off #thePOZcast live from the field.
00:28 – Guest 1: Omar Khateeb – The Power of Authentic Video Content
CEO of JobPixel on why “vibe is everything,” how authenticity wins in 2025, and why creators should stop chasing algorithms.
02:24 – Survival Tips for RecFest
Hydrate, eat before noon, and network smarter — Omar’s pro tips for surviving outdoor conferences.
03:45 – Guest 2: Allyn Bailey – The Heart of Brand Experience at SmartRecruiters
Alynn breaks down how storytelling and connection drive talent strategy post-acquisition — and why she proudly calls herself “the class mom” of HR tech.
06:54 – Guest 3: Jamie Leonard – The RecFest Origin & Future Vision
The founder himself on why RecFest feels like summer camp for recruiters, the UK vs. US vibes, and what’s next (spoiler: Ferris wheel?).
10:50 – Guest 4: Vicky Lou – Inside Juicebox.ai’s Series A Rocketship
The founding marketer shares what makes Juicebox’s AI sourcing platform different, how startup life fuels creativity, and her secret to building high-performing teams.
14:49 – Sticker Drop & Shoutout to Juicebox.ai
Adam and Vicky unveil the ultra-rare holographic POZcast sticker and talk sponsor love.
16:11 – Guest Panel: Nikki Russell, Dan Lockhart & Chantelle Lubinger
Real-world TA leaders on quality of slate, giving rejection with empathy, and why “we’re humans first.”
21:44 – Guest 7: John Ruffini – Old School Recruiting Wisdom Meets New Tech
The VP of Professional Development at HealthTrust Workforce Solutions explains why recruiters have gotten lazy, how to bring back urgency, and the lost art of the phone call.
28:16 – The AI Debate & Juicebox Agents in Action
Adam and John discuss how to use AI as a tool — not a crutch — and how it frees recruiters for the human side of the job.
29:09 – Closing Thoughts: Stay Human, Stay Hungry
Adam wraps from the field with gratitude, laughter, and the promise that wisdom is forever.
