The Jim Stroud Podcast

Bernie says if AI takes your job, the robots should pay for it. --- Subscribe to The Recruiting Life newsletter at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Technology is moving faster than ever — and your comfort zone might be your biggest liability. In this inspiring episode, Jim Stroud speaks with Allister Frost, former Microsoft marketing leader and author of Ready Already, about what it truly means to develop a future-ready mindset. Frost argues that “if it works today, it's already obsolete,” and challenges professionals to rethink the myths of stability, future-proofing, and the comfort zone. Together, they explore how to stay adaptable in the AI age, why curiosity is a superpower, and how “augmented intelligence” — not artificial intelligence — can elevate your work instead of replacing it. Why Leaders Should Listen: • Learn how to break free from the “if it ain't broke, don't fix it” mindset. • Discover the Ready Already Growth Cycle — a model for constant personal and organizational reinvention. • Understand why future-proofing is a myth — and how to become future-ready instead. • Hear how curiosity and naïve questioning fuel innovation across generations. Whether you lead teams, manage change, or simply want to stay relevant in a world of accelerating disruption, this conversation will help you rethink how you learn, adapt, and lead. Learn more:

Scammers are flooding LinkedIn—and they're getting smarter. In this episode, Jim Stroud talks with Jay Jones (aka “The Profiler”), a copywriter-turned-scam hunter who has personally helped take down 31,000+ fake jobs and 7,000+ bogus profiles. Jay breaks down the most common grifts hitting job seekers and employers—from ATS “resume score” shakedowns to hijacked recruiter identities, one-way video “interviews” used to clone you, and brand-impostor company pages—then shares a clear playbook HR and TA leaders can use to protect their pipelines, reputations, and people. You'll learn: • The top red flags: Gmail “recruiters,” zero-activity profiles, low connection counts, camera-off interviews, missing requisitions, too-fast timelines. • How fake “ATS scores” and resume rewrites become gateways to identity theft. • Why hijacked profiles + brand impersonation are skyrocketing—and how to spot them fast. • Practical verification steps your recruiters should follow every time. • What companies can do beyond a website disclaimer to actively deter fraud. Resources & CTA • Jay's Scam Detection Guide (Vol. 1 – Free): Find it in the Featured section of Jay's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonesdoyoucopy/ • Volume 2: Advanced tactics, psychology of scams, and hijacked-profile forensics. https://theprofiler.gumroad.com/l/volume2 • Book Jay to brief your team or campus: mrjones@jonesdoyucopy.com • More info about Jay Jones https://theprofiler.gumroad.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this thought-provoking conversation, Jim Stroud sits down with Dayna Guido, a licensed clinical social worker and ethics consultant, to explore one of the most urgent questions facing HR leaders today: Where does humanity end and artificial intelligence begin in the world of work? Together, they unpack the ethical gray zones of AI in hiring, employee monitoring, and layoffs — and what transparency, accountability, and compassion look like in an age of algorithms. Dayna brings 46 years of experience in clinical supervision and ethics to this nuanced conversation, reminding leaders that the future of work is still human at its core. From AI-driven interviews to predictive analytics that “guess” who might quit, this episode challenges HR pros to reflect: Are we using technology to empower people, or to replace trust? Why HR Leaders Should Listen: * Discover how ethical frameworks can guide AI adoption in recruitment and employee management. * Understand the hidden risks of bias, surveillance, and AI fatigue on workforce mental health. * Learn how to build ethical resilience inside your organization — before regulators force your hand. If you believe in the power of people, this episode is a must-listen. --- Contact Dayna Guido via her website https://daynaguido.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Federal workers found their out-of-office messages hijacked and rewritten with partisan blame—without asking, without warning, and possibly breaking the law. | Subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" newsletter at JimStroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

California just told employers: if your AI discriminates, you own it—vendor, algorithm, and all the receipts for four years. | Subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" newsletter at JimStroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI interview scorers are docking Indian candidates for sounding Indian, not for being less qualified—and nobody's checking under the hood. | Subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" newsletter at JimStroud.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Humans follow biased AI hiring recommendations 90% of the time, even when they know it's garbage—so much for being the guardrails. | Subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" newsletter at JimStroud.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EEOC just stopped chasing policies that accidentally discriminate—right when AI is about to accidentally discriminate at scale. | Subscribe to "Recruiting Life" newsletter at JimStroud.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this thought-provoking episode of The Jim Stroud Podcast, host Jim Stroud sits down with Tullio Siragusa, a seasoned executive coach and founder of TullioSiragusa.com, to explore a timely question: Can emotional intelligence survive—and even thrive—in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence? Tullio unpacks how empathy, self-awareness, and authentic leadership aren't just “soft skills” anymore—they're strategic differentiators that determine whether organizations adapt or fall behind. From the pitfalls of command-and-control cultures to the neuroscience behind rewiring self-belief, this conversation dives deep into what it really means to lead with wisdom in a digital-first era. Listeners will discover: Why EQ-driven leaders will outperform AI-powered systems in the next decade How emotional intelligence can be developed intentionally, not just “inherited” The hidden self-esteem issues that quietly undermine executive decision-making How to build psychologically safe, self-managed teams that move faster and innovate more Why most AI adoptions fail—and how culture, not code, determines success Plus, Tullio introduces AICMO.io, an AI-powered tool built with design thinking and empathy at its core—helping brands express purpose and connect more authentically with customers. (Podcast listeners receive a free 30-day trial at AICMO.io). If you're a leader navigating the intersection of humanity and technology, this episode offers both wisdom and practical tools to help you thrive in the age of AI.

Trump's H-1B crackdown sparks chaos—balancing fraud concerns against fallout for skilled workers and U.S. competitiveness. | Subscribe to ⁠The Recruiting Life⁠ newsletter to find out what's happening now and next in the world of work. http://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When anger meets misinformation, corporate boardrooms turn into bullseyes—and the crosshairs keep widening. | Subscribe to ⁠The Recruiting Life⁠ newsletter to find out what's happening now and next in the world of work. http://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Europe's workers love remote work—but not enough to sell their paycheck for it. | Subscribe to The Recruiting Life newsletter to find out what's happening now and next in the world of work. http://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Desperate job seekers are chum in the water—and LinkedIn's sharks smell the blood. | Subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" newsletter at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Workplace friendships aren't perks—they're survival gear in a job market built to burn you out. | Subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" newsletter at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Job seeker Arshon Harper's 150 digital rejections exposed the machine's learned hatred. ... Subscribe to The Recruiting Life at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The EU's enforcement machine just awakened, turning every HR algorithm into a weapon aimed at the fragile dreams of job seekers trapped in digital purgatory. ... Subscribe to The Recruiting Life at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Salary transparency is still a shell game; post real ranges on every job under one national rule, or admit you're hiding. ... Subscribe to The Recruiting Life at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We toast long careers, then park 80-year pros at minimum wage counters; kill the birthday bias and pay for the skill, or admit the system eats its old. ... Subscribe to The Recruiting Life at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Half the office secretly hired a ghost intern named AI—quit pretending, build the guardrails, and turn it into an edge before it turns on you. ... Subscribe to The Recruiting Life at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What does it really mean to be a digital nomad—and why should businesses care? In this episode, Lesley Pyle, Founder of HireMyMom.com, unpacks the myths, benefits, and challenges of hiring and working as digital nomads. From global talent access to compliance risks, she shares practical tips for HR leaders and small business owners—plus where to grab her Free Smart Hiring Guide. Lesley Pyle, HireMyMom Founder https://www.hiremymom.com/ Free Smart Hiring Guide https://www.hiremymom.com/podcast/ Connect with Lesley Pyle via LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/hiremymom-com/ ... Connect with Jim Stroud https://www.jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

New study: men dominate AI use, women lag by as much as 20–30 points worldwide. Why? Fear of being penalized at work for using it. If AI learns mostly from men, bias only deepens. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Walmart's weekend contractor purge wasn't about budgets—it was kickbacks. 1,200 tech workers out overnight, exposing Silicon Valley's shadow staffing economy of bribes, visas, and stacked vendors. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Laid off by email, locked out in seconds. In today's workplace, every employee needs a “digital go bag”—benefits info, promo history, portfolio—ready to grab before IT pulls the plug. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nearly 1 in 5 job ads are fake. Posted to hoard résumés, impress investors, or fill phantom pipelines. One tech worker is now pushing a federal “Truth in Job Ads Act” to outlaw ghost jobs. God bless him. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Corporate America gutted middle management. Now one boss juggles 15–30 people, too swamped to mentor, coach, or even talk. Flattened orgs look lean on Wall Street—but inside, chaos rules. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When one coder makes millions and the rest feel worthless, HR can't hold the locker room together. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

AI recruiters ran 67,000 interviews—and outperformed humans. The scariest interviewer may be the one who never blinks. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

ANZ just tied bonuses to office time. Less than 50% in-office? Say goodbye to your raise. Flexibility replaced with blackmail. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For Gen Z, WFH feels less like progress and more like isolation. The price of flexibility might be belonging. | To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we sit down with Steven Puri to explore how to reach a flow state and unlock your best work. Steven shares insights on using apps, music, and intentional practices to block out distractions, sharpen focus, and stay fully engaged in the task at hand. Whether you're looking to boost productivity or bring more intentionality to your workday, this conversation offers practical strategies you can apply right away. ... Connect with Steven Puri via email - Steven@thesukha.co Download the app: https://www.thesukha.co ... To keep up with what's happening now and next in the world of work, subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" at https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

“Let's fire the cheapest, hungriest employees we've got and hope AI magically trains itself.” — every exec who didn't listen to AWS CEO Matt Garman. Subscribe to The Recruiting Life newsletter: https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A billion-dollar brand polished to a shine—while inside, an exec allegedly leers, bullies, and breaks his team. Apple's orchard has rot. Subscribe to The Recruiting Life Newsletter: https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MIT just dropped a bomb: 95% of generative AI projects are failing. The revolution isn't canceled—but the hype might be. Subscribe to The Recruiting Life newsletter: https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Startups used to measure success in headcount. Now the hottest ones are run by teams you can count on one hand. The zero-workforce era is here. Subscribe to "The Recruiting Life" newsletter: https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, I sit down with Amanda Martell, HR Director at LifeSpeak, to explore a side of AI adoption that too often goes unspoken: the emotional reality employees face when machines enter their workflow. Together, we peel back the layers of AI in the workplace. We start with the human experience behind the headlines. While companies frame AI as a technical upgrade, Amanda shares how employees wrestle with identity loss, quiet anxiety, and the mental health ripple effects leaders often overlook. We dive into the systemic cracks AI reveals in workplace culture. From eroding trust in decision-making to the hidden risks behind the “AI frees people for higher-value work” narrative, Amanda challenges the blind spots leaders can't afford to ignore. We close with a hopeful yet provocative vision: What would it look like if companies treated AI emotional readiness as seriously as healthcare? Could in-house “AI counselors” become the norm? And, ultimately—will AI make workplaces more human or less? This is not just a conversation about technology. It's about well-being, trust, and the future of work. If you lead people, shape culture, or simply wonder how AI will affect your role, this episode will leave you with new questions—and bold possibilities. ... Contact Amanda Martell via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-martell-b9a8654a/ Visit LifeSpeak: https://www.lifespeak.com/ Subscribe to The Recruiting Life newsletter: https://jimstroud.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We gave machines our spelling, our memory, our maps. Now we're giving them our thinking. In my latest 3-minute monologue — “When Machines Make Us Dumber” — I dig into what happens when convenience turns into decay. Because every answer outsourced to AI might just be one more skill we forget how to use.

⏳ Productivity is up. Burnout is worse. We've got AI dashboards, automated everything— and still, the days feel shorter. The work, heavier. In my latest 3-minute monologue — “The AI Productivity Illusion” — I break down the trap we've built: When output looks great on paper… but humans are quietly breaking underneath.

When TikTokers start slurring robots, you know the AI backlash has arrived. In this episode, we unpack why ‘Clanker' is more than a meme—and what it says about the rising war between humans and automation. | This episode brought to you by: Recruit CRM https://recruitcrm.io?fpr=jim15 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices