Episodes

  • Curating Talent with Titus Talent CEO, Jonathan Reynolds

    Curating Talent with Titus Talent CEO, Jonathan Reynolds
    Jul 8 2025
    In this lively episode of the HR Famous podcast, host Tim Sackett welcomes Jonathan Reynolds, CEO and self-described "visionary" of Titus Talent Strategies. The two dive into an authentic, humorous, and deeply insightful conversation about leadership, culture, and what it really takes to build high-performing teams. Jonathan shares how he ended up with the "visionary" title, explaining the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) approach, where someone sets the vision (the "why" and "where") while others execute. He admits to having endless ideas but relies on his team to focus and execute effectively. Their discussion reveals Jonathan’s unique talent for spotting raw potential in people, not just hiring based on skills, but on alignment with core values and the broader vision. They also explore Titus Talent’s approach to talent strategy, going beyond traditional recruiting to focus on character, integrity, and cultural fit. Jonathan illustrates this with stories of team members whose lives he transformed, highlighting his “curator of talent” mindset. The episode explores the significance of work for younger generations, questioning the notion that a job must always feel deeply meaningful. Instead, Jonathan suggests that meaning often comes from the impact a role has on one’s life and community. Titus showcases this by collecting personal stories from candidates 90 days after placement, emphasizing personal transformations over mere job titles or paychecks. Tim and Jonathan also tackle topics like remote work culture, philanthropic initiatives tailored to employees’ passions, and creative interviewing techniques designed to gauge true motivation and cultural fit. The result is an honest, thought-provoking, and funny look at modern leadership and talent strategy — perfect for HR pros and business leaders alike.
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    59 mins
  • EP126 | Manufacturing Jobs Are Back But Workers Are Not

    EP126 | Manufacturing Jobs Are Back But Workers Are Not
    May 6 2025
    Manufacturing jobs are back on American soil. The factories are running. The roles are open. But the workers? They're missing. In this solo episode, Tim Sackett unpacks the growing gap between opportunity and desire in today’s labor market. Why did generations of proud factory families embrace these jobs - and why do today’s young workers turn away? From cultural shifts and education gaps to lifestyle choices and societal stigma, Tim explores the uncomfortable reasons behind this silent rejection. Is it a temporary hesitation... or a permanent shift? And if manufacturing jobs no longer inspire the next workforce, what does that mean for America's future? Connect with Us: Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s Website: hrutech.com Read Tim’s Blog: ⁠⁠https://timsackett.com/
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    31 mins
  • EP125 | How Jason Roberts Is Using AI to Reinvent Recruiting at Cielo

    EP125 | How Jason Roberts Is Using AI to Reinvent Recruiting at Cielo
    May 1 2025
    AI agents aren’t coming for recruiting. They’re already here - and they don’t care how many reqs you filled last quarter. In this episode, Tim Sackett sits down with Jason Roberts, SVP of Tech & Analytics at Cielo, to break down what AI is actually doing inside RPOs and staffing firms - and why the old recruiting playbook is about to get torched. From sourcing automation that 5x’s recruiter output to building a fully operational AI agent of yourself, Jason pulls back the curtain on the tools reshaping talent acquisition in real-time. They talk agentic workflows, how execs are chasing 50% AI-driven recruiting models, and why most CRMs still suck. The future of recruiting isn’t theoretical - it’s operational. And if you think your job’s safe because you "build relationships"? Think again. Connect with Us: Jason Roberts Follow Jason on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jasrober Learn more about Cielo: cielotalent.com Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s website: hrutech.com Read Tim’s Blog: ⁠https://timsackett.com/
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    51 mins
  • EP124 | Agentic AI Is Changing Recruiting - And Steven Jiang’s Leading the Charge

    EP124 | Agentic AI Is Changing Recruiting - And Steven Jiang’s Leading the Charge
    Apr 10 2025
    The future of recruiting isn’t coming. It’s already here. And if you’re still relying on your legacy tech stack and spreadsheets, you’re already behind. Enter Steven Jiang, CEO and Co-founder of HireEZ, who just dropped one of the most important AI launches in the recruiting space - EZ Agent, their agentic AI companion built to fundamentally reshape the recruiter’s role. Forget everything you know about “copilots” and “gen AI assistants.” EZ Agent is not just another AI tool bolted onto your ATS. It’s a fully-integrated, always-on agent that plans, reasons, executes, and evolves - empowering recruiters to get out of the weeds and back into real talent relationships. Steven joins Tim Sackett to break down: • Why agentic AI isn’t just better - it’s a whole new operating system for recruiting • How recruiters move from task managers to true talent strategists • What it means to create a white-glove candidate experience at scale • And how EZ Agent is solving the “black hole” problem by giving 100% of candidates a shot at the plate Steven’s built more than a product - he’s building a movement to re-humanize recruiting with AI doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. If you care about talent, inclusion, and the future of work - this is the conversation you need to hear. Connect with Us: Steven Jiang Follow Steven on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenhireez/ Learn more about HireEZ: https://hireez.com/ Book a Demo: https://hireez.com/customer-success/ Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Need Help with Technical Recruiting: https://hrutech.com/ Read Tim’s Blog: https://timsackett.com/
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    37 mins
  • EP123 | Is AI Making Hiring Better or Just Faster? The Truth Behind Phenom’s Bold Claims

    EP123 | Is AI Making Hiring Better or Just Faster? The Truth Behind Phenom’s Bold Claims
    Mar 31 2025
    AI isn't coming - it's here. And it's changing recruiting faster than most realize. In this crossover episode between RecTech Media and HR Famous, Chris Russell and Tim Sackett dive into the latest from Phenom’s conference in Philadelphia. 2600 attendees. 25+ new AI agents rolled out. And a vision for HR tech that feels more like science fiction than reality. But what happens when AI isn’t just automating tasks - it’s making decisions? And if recruiters aren’t the ones screening candidates, curating talent pools, or delivering feedback, what’s left for them to do? Phenom is betting big on agents that can reason - detecting mistakes, providing real-time feedback, even building personalized hiring experiences. And they’re not alone. Paradox and Eightfold are in the race, each taking different approaches to AI. But is all this innovation really making hiring better? Or just faster? If AI agents are handling the heavy lifting, where does that leave recruiters? And if everyone’s automating, what actually sets your hiring process apart? Phenom claims they’re two years ahead of the industry. But if that’s true, what happens to everyone else still playing catch-up? Listen to find out why this shift in HR tech could leave even the most seasoned recruiters rethinking their entire approach. Connect with Us: Chris Russell Follow Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cmrussell/ Check Out the RecTech Podcast: https://www.rectechmedia.com/podcast Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s website: https://www.hrutech.com
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    43 mins
  • EP122 | Two Sacketts, One Workplace - and a Lot of AI Questions

    EP122 | Two Sacketts, One Workplace - and a Lot of AI Questions
    Mar 24 2025
    AI is showing up in every headline. But in the workplace? Most people still aren’t sure what to do with it. Enter Cam Sackett - a social media manager from Away, and Tim Sackett’s middle son. He joins HR Famous for a candid conversation on how Gen Z views AI at work, why creative teams are skeptical, and what’s missing from most company rollouts. Cam shares how AI tools are marketed with bold promises but little instruction, and why “figure it out” isn’t a strategy. He explains the tension between speed and trust in creative roles - and why, sometimes, knowing how to explain a phone to your grandma might make you the best person to lead AI adoption. The real question? If AI is here to stay, who’s actually responsible for making it usable? One thing’s clear: Gen Z isn’t rejecting AI. They’re just waiting for someone to make it make sense. Connect with Us: Cam Sackett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cameronsackett/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronsackett/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sackettc Check Out Away: https://www.awaytravel.com/ Tim Sackett LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timsackett/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@timsackett Visit Tim’s Website: hrutech.com
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    33 mins
  • EP121 | Gen Z Isn’t Waiting - They’re Redefining Work on Their Terms

    EP121 | Gen Z Isn’t Waiting - They’re Redefining Work on Their Terms
    Mar 17 2025
    The workforce is shifting. Expectations are changing. And if companies aren’t paying attention, they’re already behind. Enter Danielle Farage, a leading voice bridging the gap between Gen Z and the workplace. She joins Tim Sackett to expose the disconnect - why leadership still doesn’t understand what younger workers want, why traditional career paths are losing their appeal, and what companies need to do before they lose top talent for good. The real question? If Gen Z isn’t playing by the old rules, why are companies still running the same game? Danielle breaks down the biggest shift in work culture we’ve seen in decades - and why most organizations aren’t prepared. The companies that adapt will attract the best talent. The ones that don’t may not have a future. Connect with Us: Danielle Farage Follow Danielle on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/danielle-farage Learn More About the Top Future of Work Influencer: daniellefarage.com Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s website: hrutech.com
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    47 mins
  • EP120 | Why Hiring Is Broken & What Elon Got Right - An Unfiltered Session with Tim Sackett

    EP120 | Why Hiring Is Broken & What Elon Got Right - An Unfiltered Session with Tim Sackett
    Mar 3 2025
    Hiring is broken - but not for the reasons you think. Recruiters flood hiring managers with candidates, yet decision-makers hesitate to pull the trigger. The process drags, top talent walks, and organizations pay the price. Tim Sackett isn’t here to sugarcoat it. In this unfiltered solo session, he lays out why the hiring machine is failing and what needs to change. From hiring managers’ paradoxical indecision to the myth of "more candidates = better hires," he breaks down how talent acquisition teams have conditioned bad behavior - and why fixing it requires a shift in trust, process, and execution. Then there’s Elon Musk. His blunt demand for accountability in government sent HR circles into a tailspin, but is he wrong? Sackett cuts through the noise to dissect why performance management is broken and why most leaders are afraid to ask their employees the one question that actually matters. The workforce is shifting. The hiring game is changing. If you’re still playing by the old rules, you’re already behind. Connect with Us: Tim Sackett Follow Tim on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/timsackett Visit Tim’s website: hrutech.com
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    25 mins