The Alder Hour with Matt Alder

In this episode, we dive into the evolving landscape of talent acquisition with Shandi, a seasoned professional leading talent acquisition for a Fortune 500 construction company. With 20 years of experience, Shandi shares her insights on the challenges and opportunities in recruiting skilled trades and craft workers, especially in an industry where traditional resumes are rare. Discover how AI is transforming the recruitment process by creating comprehensive candidate profiles through conversational agents, enabling recruiters to better identify and connect with top talent. Shandi discusses the potential of AI to enhance candidate experiences and the critical role of transparency and education in building trust with job seekers. Additionally, we explore the corporate perspective on AI implementation, addressing concerns about risk management and ethical considerations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into the transformative power of AI in the recruitment process with Alicia Eve, Vice President of Go-To-Market at Array. Broadcasting live from Wreckfest USA in Nashville, Alicia shares her insights on how technology is reshaping the talent acquisition landscape, particularly in high-volume hiring scenarios. Listeners will discover how Array HQ's innovative platform goes beyond traditional job boards to enhance candidate sourcing and retention. Alicia discusses the critical role of transparency in AI-driven hiring processes and the importance of maintaining human interaction to build trust with candidates. She also highlights the strategic shift talent acquisition leaders are experiencing as they adapt to technological advancements, moving towards becoming workforce planners and strategic advisors. Join us as we explore the fascinating intersection of data, technology, and human resources, and learn how employers are leveraging these tools to not only attract but also retain top talent, ultimately driving better business outcomes. Whether you're a TA leader or simply curious about the future of hiring, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of recruitment technology. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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