Podcast
Talent Talks
Hosted by Hunt Scanlon Media · EN
Hunt Scanlon Media hosts a podcast with luminaries on the latest talent trends.
16episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Leadership Stability at HBCUs: Breaking the Cycle of Short Presidential Tenures
Feb 1900:16:24Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, Rob Adams speaks with Dr. Gerri Williams, Partner at CarterBaldwin Executive Search, about the growing challenge of presidential turnover at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Drawing on her experience advising boards and leading presidential searches, Dr. Williams explores why leadership stability matters, what’s driving short tenures, and how governance alignment and more intentional search practices can help break the cycle. The conversation highlights the broader implications for students, faculty, donors, and the future of higher education leadership.
Transcribe →Precision Talent: The Hidden Lever in Private Equity Transformation
Oct 2000:16:44Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams sits down with Chris Gagnon, Senior Partner at CEO Works, to explore how precision in talent deployment is becoming a pivotal lever in private equity transformation. Chris explains why so many value creation plans falter—not due to strategy or capital, but because leaders fail to match the right people to the right work. He introduces the concept of aligning work, role, and capability with rigor, moving beyond generic job profiles to truly quantify talent fit. From understanding why only one in four PE-backed CEOs reach exit, to harnessing data and AI for more predictive talent decisions, Chris offers a new framework for driving sustained impact through human insight.
Transcribe →Balancing AI and the Human Touch in Executive Search
Aug 1100:23:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams is joined by Pete Petrella, President at TalentRise, an executive search and talent management consulting firm serving mid- to large-market employers across professional services, healthcare, manufacturing, technology, financial services, and non-profit sectors.Pete shares how TalentRise is navigating the evolving executive search landscape by integrating AI and automation to streamline processes—while doubling down on the human connection to improve candidate fit, culture alignment, and long-term success. From sourcing and assessments to leadership development and coaching, Pete explains how his team uses predictive analytics and behavioral tools to deliver results without compromising the personalized, high-touch experience that sets them apart.Rob and Pete also explore how TalentRise supports newly placed executives through their first 90 days with coaching that strengthens relationship-building and cultural alignment—especially critical in high-pressure, private equity environments.Tune in to hear how executive search firms are adapting to change, and why the future of talent still depends on human insight.
Transcribe →Culture as a Strategic Lever
Jun 2500:17:22Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams is joined by Elizabeth May, Organizational Development Specialist at TI Verbatim Consulting (TIVC). Elizabeth shares how TIVC helps organizations move beyond viewing culture as a soft concept and instead treat it as a strategic lever that drives measurable results and retains top talent.Elizabeth introduces TIVC’s Culture Insights Index (the KEY), a research-backed tool that distills culture into four actionable dimensions: structure, resources, growth, and communication. She explains how this practical framework helps organizations assess behaviors, build trust, and align culture with business outcomes. Together, Rob and Elizabeth explore how leaders can reframe accountability, improve communication, and take intentional steps to activate culture at every level — without overwhelming employees.Tune in for practical advice and fresh insights leaders can use to start building a culture worth staying for this week.
Transcribe →Activating Culture in a Remote World
Jun 2500:16:13Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams welcomes Jon Levitt, Chief Strategy Officer at BrainWorks, a leading boutique executive search firm with a 30-year track record of sourcing and placing top talent. Jon shares his perspective on how organizations can intentionally activate and sustain culture at every level — even in remote and hybrid environments. Together, Rob and Jon explore practical tools and frameworks BrainWorks uses to make culture actionable, the critical role communication plays in building culture, and subtle indicators that reveal whether a company’s culture is thriving or struggling. Mr. Levitt also discusses how technology should (and shouldn’t) support culture in distributed teams, and how the definition of culture fit is evolving in executive hiring.Tune in for fresh insights and actionable takeaways that leaders can apply immediately to strengthen organizational culture and drive performance.
Transcribe →Rethinking Organizational Culture: Why Managing Culture is a Leadership Imperative
Mar 17, 202500:37:54Tap to summarizeCulture doesn’t exist—at least not in the way we think it does. In this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams is joined by John O. Burdett, Founder of Orxestra® Inc. and Leadership Advisor to TRANSEARCH International, to challenge conventional wisdom on organizational culture. With decades of experience as a senior HR executive and consultant to global organizations, John offers a fresh, systems-based perspective on culture—why it’s often misunderstood, how it directly impacts performance, and why only one in five companies effectively manage it.John explains:Why culture is a system—and why failing to manage it holistically leads to failure.The proven link between strong, agile cultures and long-term business performance.Why most leaders say culture is critical but spend too little time actively shaping it.How to hire with tomorrow’s culture in mind and create an adaptable, high-performing organization.The role of trust, leadership balance, and storytelling in driving cultural change.If you're a leader looking to understand how culture truly works—and how to leverage it as a competitive advantage—this episode is for you.Tune in now to discover how to shape, measure, and manage culture with intention.
Transcribe →Cultural Humility in Leadership: How Inclusive Leaders Build Stronger Teams
Feb 26, 202500:17:17Tap to summarizeAs workplaces become more diverse, leaders must move beyond cultural competence and embrace cultural humility—a mindset that fosters inclusion, trust, and stronger teams. In this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams speaks with Dr. Sarah Prince, PhD, Curriculum Developer for Training and Development at TI Verbatim Consulting (TIVC), about why cultural humility is a critical leadership skill and how it can transform workplace culture.Dr. Prince explains the key differences between cultural competence and cultural humility, how self-reflection and adaptability help leaders foster inclusive teams, and why the shift to a majority-minority U.S. workforce by 2045 makes this leadership approach more essential than ever.You'll also learn practical strategies for:Building psychological safety to enhance trust and collaboration.Improving active listening to engage authentically with diverse perspectives.Embedding cultural humility into leadership to drive better business outcomes.If you're a leader looking to create an inclusive, psychologically safe, and high-performing workplace, this episode is for you.Tune in now to discover how cultural humility can elevate your leadership and help you build stronger, more inclusive teams.
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Navigating Organizational Culture vs. Climate: Insights for Leaders
Sep 25, 202400:16:35Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams is joined by Dr. Jeffrey Hanrahan, Director of Organizational Development at TI Verbatim Consulting (TIVC) and a renowned expert in organizational psychology. Together, they explore the crucial differences between organizational culture and climate, shedding light on how these two elements interact and influence overall performance. Dr. Hanrahan shares his expertise on how leaders can leverage culture and climate to drive success, avoid common misconceptions, and manage change effectively during times of transformation. Tune in to gain practical strategies and leadership insights that can help elevate your organization’s effectiveness.
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Building Inclusive Teams: Insights from Talento’s Leadership
Jun 26, 202400:24:56Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams sits down with Andrea Rodriguez, Group Vice President of Revenue and Operations, and Brooke Stuart, Vice President of Growth at Talento. They discuss their journeys in the staffing industry, the challenges and opportunities in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the impact of these initiatives on company culture and growth. Listen in as Andrea and Brooke share valuable insights on fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, implementing effective DEI strategies, and the critical role leadership plays in driving these efforts. Tune in to learn how Talento is setting the standard for building the best teams through innovative recruiting and human capital consulting practices.
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Elections and Nonprofit Hiring: Navigating Potential Policy Changes with Doug Trout
Jun 11, 202400:19:47Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Talent Talks, host Rob Adams sits down with Doug Trout, managing director at DRiWaterstone Human Capital. With 25 years of experience in leading nonprofit searches, Doug shares insights on how upcoming elections could impact the recruitment and hiring strategies of nonprofits and social impact organizations. They discuss potential policy changes, shifts in philanthropic giving, federal spending, and the emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Join us for a deep dive into the future of nonprofit hiring amidst political shifts.
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