All Episodes

What does it actually mean to be AI-ready, and are you already doing it without knowing it? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole sits down with Kyle Lagunas, Founder of Kyle & Co., whose rare vantage point spanning practitioner, vendor, and analyst roles makes him one of the most grounded voices in talent today. Kyle unpacks the three dimensions of AI momentum and makes the case that getting AI-ready isn't about chasing the hottest tools. It's about the foundational work most organizations are already behind on. If you're navigating transformation, skeptical executives, or just wondering where to start, this conversation meets you exactly where you are.Takeaways:Redefine what "doing AI work" actually means for your team. Cleaning data, building integrations, and growing AI literacy all matter more than the tools you've bought.Ground your gut instincts in real data and experience. Strong instincts without receipts can come across as brash; the combination is what makes you a trusted advisor.Own the KPIs your team can actually control. Measuring interview-quality talent from inbound efforts gives sourcing and attraction teams a defensible, meaningful metric.Know your three dimensions of AI momentum: posture, capability, and investment. Every team, from a solo HR manager to a 3,000-person org, works through the same framework.Being solutions-oriented means knowing when to push back. The best TA leaders aren't yes people. They understand constraints and find a path that serves everyone.Don't wait for an executive mandate to start your AI readiness work. Most of the prep is within reach right now, regardless of company size.The AI winners in HR and talent will be the ones who stay curious, stay connected, and resist the urge to confuse buying software with building strategy.Quote of the Show:“We are solutions people, and solutions people are not just yes people.” - Kyle Lagunas Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelagunas/ Website: https://www.kyleandco.com/ Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793 iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769 

What happens when you need to double your hiring output in the middle of a global pandemic while competing with every business on the block for the same talent? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole Hammond sits down with Adam Reynolds, Head of Talent at Fraser's Group, a leader who oversees hiring for a 40,000-employee multinational retail powerhouse supporting iconic brands. Adam shares how his team scaled from 12,000 hires in 2020 to 25,000 in 2022, all while navigating the chaos of post-COVID talent wars. He reflects on the "pain-associated learning" that came from outdated systems, the critical importance of speed in modern hiring, and how they completely reimagined their candidate experience. Nicole and Adam also dive into the "Goldilocks theory" of hiring, the power of in-person hiring events, and why pace matters more than perfection.Takeaways:Speed is everything in modern hiring. Candidates have short attention spans, so your job ads, application process, and candidate experience need to grab attention immediately and move quickly.Visual appeal matters. Heat maps revealed that candidates were abandoning job ads halfway through a scroll. Colors, captivating copy, and visual design are no longer optional; they're essential.Know your competition. Post-COVID, retail wasn't just competing with other retailers. They were fighting for talent against delivery services, pubs, gas stations, and anyone else hiring entry-level workers.The Goldilocks theory works. In high-volume hiring, speed trumps perfection. Move fast, learn from what breaks, and iterate quickly. Waiting for the perfect system or process will cost you talent.In-person connections still win. Whether it's hiring events or working with your team, face-to-face interactions create momentum, accountability, and better outcomes.Quote of the Show:“ We retain talent by giving them opportunities to do things that they would never in a million years expect they were going to be doing.” - Adam ReynoldsLinks:LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/adamreynoldsrecruitment Website: https://frasers.group/ Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793 iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769 

If recruiters only spend seconds reviewing resumes, why are we still telling candidates to play a game they can’t win? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole sits down with James Ellis, employer brand strategist, author, podcaster, and unapologetic truth-teller, to unpack what’s actually broken in hiring today…and what both candidates and companies can do differently. James challenges nearly every outdated assumption we still cling to: from resumes that all look the same, to job boards that feel productive but deliver diminishing returns, to talent pipelines that exist in theory but rarely in practice. This episode is equal parts practical, provocative, and refreshingly honest, whether you’re a recruiter trying to hire smarter or a candidate tired of sending your resume into the void. Takeaways:Treat your resume like a commercial, not a biography. Lead with the value you uniquely bring, not a long list of responsibilities that look like everyone else’s.Stop trying to win the hiring game by applying more. Volume increases competition and fatigue, not your chances of being noticed.Design your resume to make a recruiter’s job easier, not harder. If they can’t quickly explain why you’re different, you won’t move forward.Don’t rely on job boards as your primary hiring strategy. They attract the same small pool of active candidates that every company is already chasing.Build relationships with talent before you need to hire them. Pipelines shorten time-to-fill and dramatically improve quality when roles open.Use employer branding to differentiate, not to polish. If your message sounds like everyone else’s, it won’t attract the people you actually want.Invest in internal mobility as a system, not a slogan. Without planning, trust, and recruiter support, it will break down under pressure.Quote of the Show: ”Think about brands not as looking good, but as being different, showing how you are not like other companies.” - James EllisLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thewarfortalent/  Company website: https://www.employerbrandlabs.com/ Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793 iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769

Can centralized hiring really scale without losing speed, quality, or trust? Or is it just another idea that sounds good on paper? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole sits down with Chris Bailey, Enterprise Solutions Architect at SmartRecruiters, to unpack what really works when scaling hiring in complex organizations. This conversation goes beyond theory into real-world decision-making, change management, and why playing your own game, not following trends, is often the smartest move. If you’re navigating TA transformation, tech strategy, or organizational resistance to change, this episode offers practical insight grounded in experience, not hype. Takeaways:Don’t centralize just to follow a trend; centralize with intention. Centralization works when it’s designed to remove friction and create consistency, not when it strips teams of ownership or context.The best tech often wins when speed and adaptability matter. Hiring moves too fast for slow release cycles, so choose technology that can evolve as quickly as your business does.Trust is built through partnership, not persuasion. Find operational allies early, work alongside them, and let shared wins become your proof points.Always show the cost of doing nothing. ROI matters, but leaders also need to understand the financial and operational risk of staying fragmented or outdated.Optimize the start of the hiring funnel to stabilize everything downstream. Fixing inefficiencies early reduces churn, volatility, and constant ramp-up cycles later.Technology should empower teams, not trap them. Systems that allow self-service configuration and continuous improvement prevent stagnation and over-reliance on vendors.Quote of the Show:“ If you don't evolve, not just the tech stack, but the ways of working, then you are never gonna be able to achieve the efficiencies that you need.” - Christopher BaileyLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisbaileysmartrecruiters/  Company website: https://www.smartrecruiters.com/ Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793 iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769 

What does it take to lead hiring through relentless change without losing the human thread that holds teams together? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole Hammond sits down with Kim Nicholas, GM of Talent Acquisition Systems & Payroll at The Warehouse Group, for a candid conversation about resilience, leadership, and high-volume hiring under pressure. Kim reflects on navigating COVID-era disruption, enterprise-wide agile transformation, and exponential growth in applications, all while supporting over 10,000 employees across 190+ retail sites in New Zealand. The conversation blends hard-earned operational lessons with deeply personal leadership insights, offering a grounded perspective on what it means to build hiring systems that endure.Takeaways:Change doesn’t pause for perfect conditions. Momentum matters more than flawless execution when organizations are under pressure.Education beats enforcement during transformation. People adapt faster when they understand the “why,” not just the process.Attitude can outweigh experience. Especially in frontline and early-career roles, curiosity and coachability drive long-term success.Candidate experience is brand experience. How applicants are treated directly impacts customer trust and loyalty.Automation should protect humanity, not replace it. The best systems remove friction so recruiters can focus on connection and judgment.Resilient leadership depends on mental health. Sustained change is impossible without boundaries, balance, and self-awareness.Quote of the Show:“ It was really about how can we make an impact to the business when we're not the ones that decide the product goes in store, but we can help the experience of who comes in.” - Kim NicholasLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-nicholas-26a23038/ Website: https://www.twgcareers.co.nz/ Email: kim.nicholas@thewarehouse.co.nz Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793 iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/ Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769 

What does it really take to build a talent team that earns trust, drives results, and plays the long game? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole Hammond sits down with Angie Goldman, Head of Talent at Greencross Pet Wellness Company, for a thoughtful and refreshingly honest conversation about leadership, team building, and specialty recruitment. Angie shares her unexpected path into a Head of Talent role, what it was like rebuilding a team from the ground up, and how blending clinical expertise with recruiting experience created a stronger, more balanced function. The conversation explores long-term workforce planning, proactive hiring, and how automation can support recruiters without sacrificing human connection.  Takeaways:Personality and trust outweigh process alone. Strong communication skills and genuine relationships are essential for both candidate experience and stakeholder partnership.Building teams requires intentional balance. Angie pairs recruiters with different backgrounds to combine clinical credibility with recruitment expertise.Specialty hiring demands long-term thinking. In highly constrained markets, success often means engaging candidates months, or years, before they can start.Proactive planning beats reactive hiring. Succession planning, internal mobility, and early conversations with grads and interns are critical to retention.Automation should remove noise, not humanity. Using technology to filter, schedule, and streamline allows recruiters to focus on strategy and connection.Leadership extends beyond work. Angie’s approach to balance, boundaries, and personal fulfillment directly informs how she leads her team.Quote of the Show:“ I want people that prioritize an excellent candidate experience and who are able to build strong bonds with the candidate because it's a big deal of changing jobs. They've gotta trust us.” - Angie GoldmanLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angie-goldman-241a2251/ Website: http://www.greencrosslimited.com.au/ Email: angela.goldman@gxltd.com.au Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369  Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793  iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/  Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769  

What happens when a recruiter refuses to let technology replace the human connection at the heart of hiring? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole Hammond sits down with Stormy Jones, HR Business Partner at Pyrotek, for a conversation centered on the human side of recruitment. Stormy shares how her transition from decentralized to centralized recruiting reshaped her career and strengthened her approach to hiring. She reflects on standout candidate experiences, the power of values alignment, and the importance of understanding team dynamics beyond the job description. Nicole and Stormy also dig into the role of AI and automation, generational differences in adopting new tools, and the need for thoughtful change management. Stormy’s farming background, people-first mindset, and deep appreciation for her team shine throughout the episode, ending with a fun “this or that” game that highlights her authentic style. Takeaways:Human connection should lead the hiring process. Technology can streamline administrative tasks, but it should never replace personal, face-to-face conversations with candidates.Values alignment drives long-term success. Stormy explains that great hires go beyond qualifications. Their mindset, collaboration style, and cultural fit matter just as much.Centralized recruiting creates clarity and consistency. Moving from a decentralized model helped Stormy build stronger partnerships with hiring managers and improve outcomes across the organization.AI is helpful, but it shouldn’t dominate. Automating tasks can create efficiency, but recruiters must remain intentional about maintaining meaningful interactions.Small gestures from candidates still stand out. Follow-up notes and thoughtful communication demonstrate genuine interest and leave a lasting impression.Quote of the Show:“We have to learn a way to blend the two of tech and human interaction.” - Stormy JonesLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stormy-jones-shrm-cp-prc-5536b327/ Website: http://www.pyrotek.com Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369  Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793  iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/  Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769  

How do you transform an underperforming talent acquisition function into an award-winning engine of efficiency, candidate experience, and innovation, while navigating stakeholders, tech stack overhauls, and the rapid rise of AI? In this episode of Hiring Happy Hour, Nicole sits down with Derek Del Simone, Chief Talent Officer at Abano Healthcare and one of Australia’s top HR and TA leaders. Derek walks through the two-year transformation that turned a reactive talent function into an industry-recognized powerhouse, earning awards for best tech stack, candidate experience, and innovation. He shares how to build trust with senior stakeholders, translate recruiting metrics into business value, advocate for the right technology, and navigate the fast-evolving world of AI with intention.  Takeaways:Transformation starts with a voice at the table. Derek emphasizes that TA leaders must advocate for their function and position themselves as revenue enablers to drive meaningful change.ROI only resonates when framed in dollars, not days. Time-to-fill means little to executives unless tied directly to revenue impact, reduced agency spend, or improved retention. Leaders must translate talent metrics into business language.Adoption is the quiet engine behind tech success. Even the best platforms fail without stakeholder buy-in and team engagement. Bringing people along early ensures long-term transformation sticks.Curiosity is a leadership skill, not a hobby. Derek dedicates time daily to learning, researching trends, and exploring emerging tools. He believes continuous curiosity is what keeps TA leaders ahead of the market.Personal balance fuels professional clarity. His first-ever four-week holiday reminded him that leaders must model the boundaries they encourage. Stepping away strengthened his perspective and renewed his energy.The future of TA is shifting rapidly, and leaders must adapt. From the potential decline of job boards to AI-powered interviewing and automation, Derek sees the next five years as a defining moment for the evolution of talent acquisition.Quote of the Show:“ I'm a firm believer that ATS suites could be right for one team, but not for another team. You have to really dive into the right tech stack for yourself.” - Derek Del SimoneLinks:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekdelsimone1/ Website: https://abanohealthcare.com/ Ways to Tune In:Substack: HiringHappyHour.com  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1Pnhu7Njmi09N6Yzye59Nf   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/hiring-happy-hour/id1868802369  Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/d60912b0-8925-4bba-aff1-f5230a0cc793  iHeart Radio: https://iheart.com/podcast/317223012/  Podchaser: https://www.podchaser.com/podcasts/hiring-happy-hour-6340769 

Welcome to Hiring Happy Hour, where we celebrate the human side of hiring. Join host, Nicole Hammond, and as she pulls back the curtain on the people shaping the future of work- the innovators, dreamers, and change makers behind today’s hiring technology experience.