Claim OwnershipThe Alder Hour with Matt Alder
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The Alder Hour is a podcast that explores the future of HR and Talent Acquisition through honest conversations with people driving change. Broadcast LIVE, we cover the bold ideas and real-world innovations shaping how companies attract, hire, and retain talent. While we don’t shy away from tough or awkward topics—like layoffs, AI ethics, and DEI backlash—our focus is on sharing practical insights, fresh perspectives, and inspiring stories that help talent leaders navigate change and build stronger, more human-centric hiring practices.
Each week, host Matt Alder (of Recruiting Future) clocks in with unfiltered insights, smart headlines, and sharp banter from the frontlines of talent, tech, and the ever-shifting world of work. Broadcasting from the UK as part of the Purple Acorn Network, Matt brings a global perspective to local workplace dilemmas — and he’s never at the mic alone.
You’ll hear from:
Rhona Pierce, our go-to trendwatcher and pop culture pulse-checker,
Jocelyn King, HR operations pro and master of The Situation Room,- Regular appearances from guest co-hosts like John Baldino and Robin Schooling,
- And bold conversations with industry leaders — from TA innovators to employer branding experts and wellness coaches.
No topic is too awkward: layoffs, AI ethics, DEI backlash, resume fibbing, hiring influencers, office politics, and yes — whether body cameras belong on retail staff.
So pour a drink (alcoholic or not), punch that mental clock, and spend 60 minutes with The Alder Hour — part news, part group chat, all future of work.
Find out more at https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-acorn-network
47 Episodes
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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On this episode of The Alder Hour, Matt Alder and Rhona dive deep into the evolving world of work — from AI “workslop” and who’s accountable for it, to the rise of TikTok as the next big hiring channel.
Then, Matt sits down with Hadeel Al-tashi, Senior Manager at SHRM Labs, to explore how SHRM’s WorkplaceTech Accelerator is fueling HR innovation. They discuss how startups are shaping the future of HR tech, what makes SHRM Labs different from a traditional incubator, and why responsible adoption of AI in HR is more urgent than ever. Hadeel also shares how founders can apply before the November 1 deadline to join the accelerator.
In Talk Nerdy with iCIMS, Matt welcomes Matt Charney, a leading expert in recruitment marketing, to unpack new data on frontline hiring. They examine why 91% of hiring managers say hiring is urgent but 62% still struggle with quality, and what employers can do to fix the candidate drop-off problem.
Finally, in Trending or Ending, Matt and Rhona debate whether authenticity and trust in recruitment marketing can survive the AI era.
Tune in for an hour of smart insights, candid opinions, and real conversations about the tech shaping tomorrow’s workforce — only on The Alder Hour, part of the Purple Acorn Network.
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In this episode, Matt and Mervyn dig into why so many workplace transformation efforts fall flat — even when the tech is great and the strategy seems sound. Drawing from real-world lessons at Accenture, our guest reveals the missing link: adoption. From confusing deployment with true behavior change to underestimating the role of managers, we unpack what it really takes to make transformation stick in today’s AI-driven world.
In Points & Pints, the hosts tackle two big stories shaping the workforce: how AI is reshaping jobs faster than expected, and why Stripe’s head of AI says she’s hiring more new grads than ever — but fears a looming mentorship crisis.
Then, in Trending or Ending, the crew debates whether virtual interviews are officially on their way out.
Catch The Alder Hour live every Monday or stream it anytime wherever you get your podcasts — powered by Purple Acorn Network.
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On this week’s Alder Hour, Matt and Rhona dive into two of the biggest stories shaping the future of work: the controversial new U.S. immigration fee hikes — including a proposed $100,000 price tag for tech visas and $1M for permanent residency — and the key takeaways from HR Tech Las Vegas 2025, where AI, agentic HR, and culture dominated the conversation. Jocelyn steps into the Situation Room with a jaw-dropping story of someone secretly working six full-time jobs at once, and we sit down with Patti Tabris, freshly honored as an AI Champion at the ISG Women in Digital Awards 2025, to hear how she’s blending innovation and people-first strategy at ResultsCX. Plus, we’ll round things out with “Trending or Ending?” — our signature hot-take segment on what’s next in HR tech.
The Alder Hour is part of the Purple Acorn Network. Catch us live, follow us on LinkedIn, or listen back on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you get your pods.
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AI is transforming HR faster than ever, but not always in ways leaders expect. In this episode, Matt Alder and Rhona Barnett-Pierce dig into the hottest stories shaping the future of work, from the rise of “Shadow AI” inside companies to the internal turmoil brewing at Meta’s much-hyped AI dream team.
Trent Cotton takes the mic for Talk Nerdy with iCIMS with guest Tim Sackett, SCP, exploring how HR leaders can balance strategy, technology, and culture while avoiding the pitfalls of fast growth. Download the 2025 Workforce Report: "https://lnkd.in/eFu9EPWv"
Then, Matt sits down with Joey Price—author, entrepreneur, and founder of Jumpstart:HR—for an unfiltered conversation about his new book, the overlooked levers HR can pull to transform culture, and how small businesses can adopt AI without losing their human edge. Finally, Matt and Rhona put the latest workplace trends to the test in Trending or Ending?, separating the hype from the strategies that actually stick.
If you’re ready for bold takes, fresh insights, and a smarter way to close your workday, this one’s for you.
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AI is rewriting the future of work, and few people understand that shift better than Rebecca Carr, a leading voice in HR tech and innovation. On this episode of The Alder Hour, Rebecca joins Matt to unpack OpenAI’s surprising move into the hiring space and share how it could completely reshape talent acquisition strategies and technology roadmaps.
Matt, Rhona, and Jocelyn also bring their signature energy to Points & Pints, tackling the story of a veteran bank employee who unknowingly trained her AI replacement, and debating whether being “overqualified” is a career killer or just a hiring myth. Plus, Jocelyn takes the Situation Room for a sharp look at how these trends collide with real-world HR challenges.
Big ideas, bold opinions, and one of the industry’s most influential voices—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.
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It’s Labor Day in the U.S., and while the rest of the team has the day off, Matt Alder brings listeners a special bonus episode. This week, he revisits a recent Recruiting Future conversation with Brandon Samut, Chief People Officer at Zapier, about how the company is weaving AI into every corner of its operations.
Brandon shares the story of Zapier’s “Code Red” call to action in 2023, the creation of AI use guidelines, and the company’s AI fluency framework that now shapes hiring and employee development. He explains how Zapier’s teams are using AI to transform customer support, sales, marketing, recruiting, and people operations—boosting productivity while actually increasing engagement and making jobs more meaningful.
From AI coaches for feedback and performance reviews, to automation that improves candidate experience and speeds up lead routing, this episode shows how thoughtful AI adoption can create both business impact and better employee experiences.
Tune in for an inside look at how one of the most forward-thinking companies in the world of automation is redefining work for the AI era.
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Matt Alder, Rhona Pierce, and Jocelyn King bring their sharp takes and playful banter to the biggest stories shaping HR and the future of work. From Workday’s acquisition of Paradox and the fallout of “the day ChatGPT went cold,” to lessons learned from employee expense fraud, the team dives deep into what these shifts mean for people leaders everywhere.
Special guest Jessica Miller-Merrell, founder of Workology and author of Digitizing Talent, joins the conversation to share her expertise on digital recruiting, HR innovation, and the evolving role of technology in talent acquisition. Recognized as one of Forbes’ Top 50 Social Media Power Users and a leading voice in HR, Jessica brings unique insights that bridge the gap between strategy, innovation, and employee experience.
Plus, don’t miss this week’s Trending or Ending? segment, where we explore the rise of hyper-personalized employee journeys powered by AI and predictive analytics.
Whether you’re tuning in live or catching the replay, The Alder Hour is your new favorite way to end the workday.
Brought to you by Purple Acorn. Follow us on LinkedIn and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
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Matt, Rhona, and Jocelyn take on the latest headlines shaping the world of work — and they're not pulling any punches.
They kick things off with Points & Pints, unpacking everything from what’s haunting HR pros about past change efforts, to the viral story of faking sick leave when they aren't granted vacation. Then it’s off to The Situation Room for a deeper dive into the week’s most urgent workplace trends.
Special guest Sharon Papo, CEO and Co-Founder of LGBTQ eLearning, joins the show to talk about navigating anti-DEI backlash, building LGBTQ+ inclusive cultures, and how inclusion impacts employee morale and retention.
Finally, in Trending or Ending?, the crew breaks down the latest data showing that business travel is not only back — it’s booming.
Segments include:
- Points & Pints: The headlines HR pros are buzzing about
- The Situation Room: A deeper look at workplace culture flashpoints
- Guest spotlight with Sharon Papo
- Trending or Ending: Are we really back to frequent flyer life?
Brought to you by Purple Acorn. Follow us on LinkedIn and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Matt, Rhona, and Jocelyn take on the latest headlines shaping the world of work — and they're not pulling any punches.
They kick things off with Points & Pints, unpacking everything from what’s haunting HR pros about past change efforts, to the viral story of faking sick leave when they aren't granted vacation. Then it’s off to The Situation Room for a deeper dive into the week’s most urgent workplace trends.
Special guest Sharon Papo, CEO and Co-Founder of LGBTQ eLearning, joins the show to talk about navigating anti-DEI backlash, building LGBTQ+ inclusive cultures, and how inclusion impacts employee morale and retention.
Finally, in Trending or Ending?, the crew breaks down the latest data showing that business travel is not only back — it’s booming.
Segments include:
- Points & Pints: The headlines HR pros are buzzing about
- The Situation Room: A deeper look at workplace culture flashpoints
- Guest spotlight with Sharon Papo
- Trending or Ending: Are we really back to frequent flyer life?
Brought to you by Purple Acorn. Follow us on LinkedIn and listen wherever you get your podcasts.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week, Matt, Rhona, and Mervyn are joined by writer, speaker, and HR truth-teller Laurie Ruettimann for a bold and brilliant conversation about the state of work today. From burnout and toxic cultures to practical ways people can take back their careers, Laurie shares why she believes work is broken—and how we can fix it.
You’ll hear:
Why HR needs more empathy and fewer buzzwords
Real talk from Laurie on the messy side of modern work
Stories from her time at Pfizer and what drove her to become a voice for change
Highlights from her book Betting on You, filled with strategies for personal accountability and joy in work
Plus, the crew dives into trending headlines:
🚀 A CEO’s shocking resignation after a Coldplay concert
😬 4 in 10 new hires are already second-guessing their job
🤔 What happens when brands chase clout through pop culture?
And don’t miss the fan-favorite segment Trending or Ending?—where Andy Byron and Kristin Cabot spark one of the most entertaining debates of the show.
Catch us live every Monday and don’t forget to follow the Purple Acorn Network on LinkedIn and your favorite podcast platform.
🟣 purpleacornnetwork.com
🎧 Find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else you listen.
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This week on The Alder Hour, Matt, Rhona, and Jocelyn break down the latest in work culture and talent strategy, including Salesforce's bold AI claims and the hidden cost of forcing RTO (Return to Office). Then, recruiting veteran Brian Fink joins the show to tackle some big questions: Is psychological safety a business imperative? Is sourcing officially dead? And how can recruiters stay relevant as AI transforms hiring?
Plus, a new segment of Trending or Ending?, surprising headlines, and a sneak peek at Brian’s upcoming podcast with Purple Acorn. If you're in HR, TA, or just curious about the future of work — this episode is for you.
Follow The Alder Hour wherever you get your podcasts and join us live every Monday as we close out the workday with ideas that matter.
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The Alder Hour returns for Episode 30 with Jocelyn and guest host Serge Boudreau at the helm—guiding us through another fast-paced, happy-hour-style breakdown of the latest headlines reshaping the world of work.
This week’s Points & Pints dives into two hot topics:
Why a financial wellness benefit is outpacing the 401(k)
Hyper-personalization and its role in shaping next-gen employee experiences
Plus, The Situation Room tackles the tricky issue of converting salaried employees to hourly—and how companies can handle it with empathy and fairness.
Then, Matt Alder sits down with the legendary Master Burnett to discuss his unique take on talent, leadership, and what's really changing in today’s workforce.
Don’t forget to like, comment, and follow along—we’re live, we’re real, and we’re feeding squirrels all day, every day.
Follow us on LinkedIn: purpleacornnetwork.com
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Hosts Jocelyn King and Rhona Barnett-Pierce are broadcasting LIVE from the San Diego Conference Center at SHRM25, talking about all things conferences - from inappropriate behavior in the Situation Room or oversized swag on Trending or Ending, we've got a great episode for you.
We are also joined by guest Michael Dickerson, CEO of Dickerson Consulting Group, to dive into all things Mental Health. This episode is presented by VirgilHR. Make sure to visit their page to learn more about them.
Catch more Purple Acorn content at PurpleAcornNetwork.com, or just swing by and say hello to us on the conference floor.
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What do pro tennis, international staffing, and "violent execution" have in common? Walter Sabrin. On this episode of The Alder Hour, Matt, Rhona, and Jocelyn welcome Walter to the show for a no-holds-barred conversation about scaling a global workforce, building culture through 91 acquisitions, and mastering LinkedIn before most people even had a profile. Plus, the crew dives into the latest headlines—from fake candidates and Gen Z hiring shifts to the future of work in an AI-powered world.
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