Talk Talent To Me

Monica Marquez has held big titles at Google, EY, and Goldman Sachs, but now she's teaching companies how to ditch their outdated playbooks and embrace a new way of working with AI. In this episode, Monica and Rob unpack why the people team, not IT, needs to lead AI transformation, how to automate without losing the human touch, and what it really means to "unlearn" your way to better work. She shares how her team at Flipwork is helping organizations build adaptive, human-centered workflows and why leaders must create safe spaces for experimentation. Also discussed: how to turn prompting into repeatable agents, the problem with "work slop," and why the best AI onboarding might come from a Clippy-inspired bot named Flippy. 📌 Key Takeaways AI transformation must be people-led, not tech-led Unlearning is the new competitive edge in a world moving faster than ever "Work slop" is real, and AI isn't to blameHigh-value work starts when you stop doing what AI can do faster The best use of AI is treating it like an intern, not an oracle Prompting is table stakes. Turning prompts into agents is the real differentiator Empowering people to automate their own workflows requires safe space and structure People teams must guide AI adoption to protect ROI and increase tool adoption AI should amplify your "authentic intelligence," not replace it A modern talent strategy must account for psychological safety, rapid experimentation, and clear permission to try new things   🔗 Links ¡Ay, Ay, Ay, AI! Newsletter Monica Marquez on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production    

Tony Castellanos has seen recruiting from every angle: Google, Square, various startups, and now as Head of Compensation & Talent at Nextdoor. In this episode, Tony breaks down how his team is using AI to rethink recruiter training, eliminating the "practice on candidates" problem by simulating real conversations with virtual personas. He and Rob also dive into community-led recruiting, why values alignment trumps pedigree, and how automation should empower recruiters to be more human. Also on the mic: the death of the "Apply Now" mentality, the future of AI interview agents, and why Nextdoor's most beloved teammate might be a benefits bot named Ben.   🔑 Key Takeaways: AI-driven training gives recruiters reps without risking candidate experience Recruiter excellence starts with values alignment and relationship building Referrals aren't just about "who do you know", they're part of a broader community activation strategy Recruiters should act like talent strategists, not inbox managers Tools like CodeSignal enable voice-to-voice interview simulations with real-time feedback Giving AI agents names and personalities makes adoption more natural and team-friendly 🔗 Links Tony Castellanos on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

André Martin has been CLO at Nike, Mars, and Target, so when he talks about the cost of disengagement, we listen. In this episode, André joins Rob to talk about his new book Wrong Fit, Right Fit, why work feels broken for so many, and what leaders can do about it. From rewriting job descriptions to rethinking culture as a daily operating system instead of a poster, André lays out a blueprint for restoring energy, engagement, and trust inside modern organizations. Also discussed: why climbing the ladder might take you further from your craft, how companies can stop catfishing candidates, and why your offsite might be a total waste of time. 🔑 Key Takeaways: Work is always happening, which is why companies must intentionally design for recovery and restoration Culture is not a value statement, it's how work actually gets done, shared, and socialized Disengagement is expensive; $9.6 trillion in lost productivity comes from people doing the wrong work in the wrong place Protective narratives are a red flag; rationalizing and blaming are signs of misalignment The best offsites are not packed with content, they are focused on building deep relationships and trust Promotions should not pull people away from their craft; getting better at your job should not always mean managing more people A more honest hiring process that includes how ideas are shared and decisions are made can reduce bad-fit attrition 🔗 Links Wrong Fit, Right Fit: Why How We Work Matters More Than Ever André Martin on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

Tracy Layney has led HR at iconic brands like Levi's, Old Navy, and Shutterfly, so it's no surprise she's now training the next generation of CHROs at the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Tracy joins Rob to unpack why HR's role is more complex (and powerful) than ever before, and how her coursework is helping senior people leaders develop the human capital strategies their companies desperately need. She breaks down the people-side of big moves—like Levi's exit from Russia—and shares the three-pillar framework she teaches for linking business goals to people strategy. Plus: why HR still doesn't speak the language of business, and how she's helping to change that   📌 Key Takeaways Tracy's journey from org strategy consulting to CHRO to professor Why executive HR education is finally getting the attention it deserves A behind-the-scenes look at Booth's program for future CHROs The people-side of major business decisions, like Levi's exit from Russia Why the CHRO role is more complex, and more influential, than ever The three-pillar framework for building a scalable human capital strategy How to tailor people strategy without reinventing the wheel Why HR still doesn't speak the language of business, and how to change it The disconnect between strategic frameworks and HR's day-to-day execution Tracy's take on lifelong learning, fractional work, and what's next in her career   🔗 Links Tracey Layney on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production

Angela Briggs-Paige, Chief People Officer at Acelero Learning, joins Rob to share why HR is not your friend—and that's a good thing. Angela breaks down how she shows up as a business leader first and a people expert always. She shares how she earned her seat at the boardroom table, what it really takes to build employee-led career paths, and why performance reviews need a serious glow-up. Plus: Angela's approach to employee growth (spoiler alert: it involves passports), starting her own fractional CPO business, and never, ever being out-peopled. 📌 Key Takeaways Why HR isn't your friend How to speak "business" instead of "HR" to get heard in leadership rooms The courage it takes to challenge decisions in the boardroom "I will not be out-peopled": Angela's mantra for CPO credibility How Acelero is replacing performance reviews with employee-led "career passports" The mindset shift from "how do we keep people?" to "how do we make staying a meaningful choice?" Why enabling managers as coaches, not judges, is the key to performance development The case for giving employees homework before their 1:1s How expanding her portfolio beyond HR helped Angela grow as a business leader What her fractional CPO venture People Power is teaching her about right-sizing HR strategy for scale   🔗 Links Angela Briggs-Paige on LinkedIn LHH Recruitment Solutions  A Beautiful Working World A Soundbeam Studios Production