
Hosted by Purple Acorn · EN

In the final episode of 2025, Matt and Rhona sit down to gaze into the crystal ball and map out what lies ahead for Talent Acquisition and Human Resources in 2026. This isn't just about buzzwords; it is a deep dive into how the tools we use and the content we create will fundamentally shift the industry landscape. From the practical application of AI software to the existential questions surrounding job security and productivity, the duo tackles the biggest anxieties and opportunities facing recruiting professionals. They discuss the future of the candidate experience and how HR must evolve to stay relevant. Finally, they pivot to the booming creator economy within TA, discussing the future of LinkedIn algorithms, the potential rise of Substack for industry thought leadership, why everyone seems to be launching a podcast, and why branding yourself as a recruiter through Employee Generated Content (EGC) is no longer optional. Join us for a candid, forward-looking discussion to prepare your strategy for the year ahead. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Join hosts Matt and Rhona as they tackle the critical shifts impacting the end-of-year HR landscape. The duo breaks down a major new Executive Order that limits state power over workplace AI, potentially ending the compliance patchwork for talent leaders. They also examine alarming new data showing CHRO turnover has hit a five-year high, as executives increasingly face burnout from stalling "workforce transformation" efforts. In the feature interview, we sit down with Claudine Trudeau, Assistant Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Vi, to discuss optimizing the candidate experience in the high-stakes world of healthcare hiring. Claudine shares how her team tackled a massive drop-off problem by slashing application completion times from over 15 minutes to just 3 minutes. By identifying friction points and removing unnecessary requirements, they successfully reduced candidate abandonment by 88%. Claudine also opens up about the operational changes that drove these results, including shortening assessments, reducing interview rounds by nearly half, and creating transparent "PUP" videos to manage expectations. The impact was immediate: applicant flow surged by 140%, and the organization achieved a 4.5/5 Glassdoor rating, proving that speed and empathy can go hand-in-hand. Finally, Matt and Rhona wrap up with a "Trending or Ending" debate on the concept of the "Vulnerable CEO". Sparked by the AT&T CEO’s recent admission of "mistakes" regarding their return-to-office rollout, the hosts ask if this is a genuine leadership shift or just a strategy to stop the talent bleed. It’s another packed episode from the Purple Acorn network—catch it now to end your workday right. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Matt and Joycelyn dig into the biggest HR and TA stories of the week before welcoming Natalie Egan, the serial entrepreneur behind PeopleLinx, Translator, and now Znario. Natalie shares the lessons she’s learned building mission-driven technology companies, her vision for Znario, and how the platform helps teams navigate moments at work where the “right” answer isn’t always obvious. She opens up about her work in DEIB tech, psychological safety, and how her personal experiences as a parent, athlete, activist, and human-first leader have shaped her approach to building better workplaces. Plus—Matt and Rhona break down new AI state laws, shifting DEI signals from major employers, and why TA teams are refreshing their tech stacks heading into 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Alder Hour, Matt and Rhona break down the latest headlines shaping the world of talent acquisition and HR, starting with the growing trend of tech companies pulling back on public DEI reporting and what that means for transparency in 2025. They also dig into new McKinsey insights on the future of work, exploring why AI may not take your job—but will almost certainly transform it. Then Trent Cotton joins the show for a deep dive into the newest Frontline Hiring Report, sharing data-backed strategies for improving hiring velocity, increasing candidate quality, and navigating the rapidly changing labor market. We wrap with a spirited round of Trending or Ending?, where Matt and Rhona decide which workplace trends deserve to stick around and which should be left behind. Tune in for smart takes, actionable insights, and your favorite end-of-day unwind with the Purple Acorn team. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Alder Hour, Matt and Rhona break down two of the most talked-about stories in talent and tech: the controversy around AI being used in Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 and a new report showing that while 70 percent of hiring managers trust AI to make faster and better decisions, only 8 percent of job seekers agree. The hosts dig into what this growing trust gap means for recruiting, how leaders should be thinking about AI in their workflows, and why transparency is becoming the defining issue of the next era of work. They’re joined by this week’s guest, Dani Herrera, a globally recognized DEI, culture, and talent strategist with more than 18 years of experience building equitable workplaces. Dani shares insights from her award-winning work designing inclusive hiring systems, building ERG frameworks, and supporting leaders as they navigate culture change in a rapidly shifting landscape. She also talks about her journey as a LinkedIn Top Voice, her work through AIR Allies in Recruiting, and what inclusive leadership really requires today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today on The Alder Hour, Matt and Rhona wind down your workday with a spirited mix of headlines, humor, and sharp takes on what’s shaping talent acquisition right now. In Points & Pints, they dig into two big stories redefining how organizations think about their TA tech stack — including why more than half of companies still rate their tools as only “average” and how ghost job listings continue to muddy the waters for both recruiters and candidates. Then Matt sits down with Hari Challapalli, the product leader behind the brand-new Recruit by HireRoad platform launching in the UK. Hari brings over two decades of cross-industry experience building intuitive, customer-centric SaaS products, and he shares how that background shaped a simplified, modern approach to talent acquisition. From aligning engineering and design to delivering real value for hiring teams, he breaks down what it takes to reimagine an ATS from the ground up. The episode wraps with a full round of Trending or Ending?, where Matt and Rhona debate which workplace trends have real staying power and which ones deserve to fade out. Tune in, drop your thoughts in the comments, and don’t forget to follow Purple Acorn on LinkedIn and everywhere you get your podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Alder Hour, hosts Matt Alder and Rhona Barnett-Pierce dive into the intersection of technology, talent, and transformation. Their featured guest, Dr. Ali Raza, joins to share how his decade as a Professor of AI and Computing at RIT Dubai inspired the launch of byteSpark.ai — a platform designed to fix what’s broken in traditional recruitment. Together, they unpack the controversial claim that “people who apply online are losers,” and debate whether AI is truly replacing humans in the world of hiring or just reshaping the process for the better. Then in Talk Nerdy with iCIMS, Trent Cotton and Evelyn McMullen return to break down the latest iCIMS research showing a surprising disconnect between C-Suite leaders and talent teams when it comes to the strategic value of recruitment. Their insights challenge the status quo and spark a lively conversation about the evolving role of talent acquisition in driving business success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of The Alder Hour, Matt Alder and Rhona sit down with Sofia Whelan, a global HR transformation expert who’s spent over a decade helping some of the world’s largest organizations navigate the intersection of people, technology, and change. After 13 years in human capital consulting at Deloitte and leading digital HR strategy at JPMorgan Chase, Sofia founded HorizonHuman, where she now advises CHROs on building AI-enabled HR strategies that actually work — without losing sight of the employee experience. In this conversation, Sofia shares how culture and geography shape digital HR adoption across regions, why she believes merging CHRO and CTO roles is a dangerous oversimplification, and how HR teams can avoid the biggest mistakes when implementing AI. Whether you’re a tech-savvy HR pro or just starting to explore the AI revolution, this episode offers a grounded look at what transformation really takes. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when HR, AI, and real-world leadership collide? In this episode of The Alder Hour, hosts Matt and Rhona sit down with Jamie Starner, a people and talent leader who’s mastered the art of connection, adaptability, and progress over perfection. From guiding HR and TA in complex, high-volume industries to fostering teams that thrive on trust and learning, Jamie shares insights that every leader can use to create impact without burning out. They also dig into today’s biggest headlines — from Walmart’s massive upskilling push to the widening gap in AI adoption between executives and employees — plus a spirited round of Trending or Ending? and some familiar Points & Pints debates. Whether you’re tuning in live or catching the replay on Spotify, Apple, or anywhere you get podcasts, this hour is packed with sharp takes and practical wisdom that’ll make you rethink how you lead and learn. Jamie Starner is an experienced HR and Talent Acquisition executive known for leading transformation in fast-paced, people-driven industries. She champions collaboration, continuous learning, and authenticity in leadership — all while staying grounded in a “progress over perfection” mindset. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Alder Hour, hosts Matt Alder and Rhona sit down with James Ellis, one of the most recognizable voices in employer branding. Together, they unpack why so many organizations still treat employer brand like “bovine makeup” — a surface-level fix instead of a strategic business tool. James shares his perspective on how true employer branding isn’t about looking good — it’s about standing out. He explains how this field was built for giant corporations but is now more crucial than ever for companies of all sizes. From talent attraction to long-term growth, James and Matt explore how a clear, authentic employer brand can be the ultimate differentiator in today’s competitive market. Plus, in this week’s Points & Pints segment, Matt and Rhona dive into: - Gartner’s 4 key priorities for CHROs in 2026 and how AI will reshape the HR landscape - Meta’s new job board — and why it might be more about AI than actual jobs Then it’s time for Trending or Ending?, where the hosts debate whether internal mobility and talent marketplaces are the next frontier or just another HR buzzword. Tune in for sharp insights, a few laughs, and a whole lot of truth about what really drives talent today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices