The Shifting People Podcast

Evercruiting Software

Welcome to The Shifting People Podcast, where we go deep into the weeds with leaders on the front lines of people management and the service industry. We interview the best minds in HR and talent acquisition, along with owner operators, franchisees, and general managers to bring you real insights that you can actually apply in your business today.

  1. 2D AGO

    Episode #18: Shift Break - The Future of Hiring: Adapting to AI and Job Market Changes

    Description: Why Hiring Feels Broken: AI Job Applications, Job Boards, and the Future of Recruiting In this episode of the Shifting People Podcast, co-hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough discuss what’s happening in the labor market as employers report hundreds of low-quality applicants while job seekers feel forced to apply to massive numbers of roles. They explore how AI is disproportionately easier and cheaper for candidates to use to mass-apply, while employers face legal, ethical, implementation, and cost barriers to using AI for screening—creating mistrust and worsening outcomes. They also examine how job boards like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, and LinkedIn have pushed quick-apply features that increase application volume, and argue job boards have little incentive to truly solve the problem because they monetize both employers and applicants. The conversation touches on the platform “value extraction” cycle and questions whether regulators scrutinize job boards enough. They conclude that there’s no easy fix, but suggest the next wave of hiring will require employers—especially larger ones—to build and “own” their talent audience through employer branding and earlier engagement, and discuss the challenge for small and medium-sized businesses to do the same and the need for tools that make it easier. 00:00 Welcome to the Shifting People Podcast (What We Cover) 00:32 What’s Going On in the Labor Market? (Low-Quality Applicants vs. Application Overload) 01:17 AI’s Uneven Impact: Mass Applying Is Easy, Screening Is Risky 02:11 Quick Apply, ATS Myths, and the Application Arms Race 03:19 Job Boards’ Broken Incentives: Monetizing Both Sides 04:12 “Enshittification” & Monopoly Dynamics in Hiring Platforms 05:28 The AI Goldilocks Problem: Too Little Help or Too Much Automation 07:13 The Way Forward: Own Your Talent Audience (Employer Branding) 08:00 SMBs: How to Stand Out Without Big-Budget Recruiting 08:48 Build the Story Early: Attract People Before They Hit Job Boards 10:22 Wrap-Up: Validation, Next Steps, and Closing Thoughts

    11 min
  2. 12/18/2025

    The Shifting People Podcast - Episode #17: Unpacking Human Resource Dynamics with Chris Harris

    Exploring HR Strategies with CARC Inc.'s Chris Harris | Shifting People Podcast Welcome to the Shifting People Podcast! Co-hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough dive deep with Chris Harris, Human Resources Director at CARC Inc., about practical HR insights you can apply in your business today. Harris shares his journey from paramedic to HR professional, discusses the diverse services offered by CARC Inc., and elaborates on recruitment, retention strategies, and the importance of a passionate workforce. The conversation also covers innovative ideas like stay interviews, the use of AI in hiring, and opening up learning management systems for employee development. Tune in for valuable insights into people management and creating a more inclusive workplace. You can follow along with Chris on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-harris-sphr/ 00:00 Introduction to the Shifting People Podcast 00:27 Meet Chris Harris: HR Director at CARC Inc. 00:44 Chris Harris' Journey into HR 01:26 Day-to-Day Operations at CARC Inc. 02:17 Understanding CARC Inc. 03:24 Programs and Services at CARC Inc. 06:09 Employee Development and Learning Management 07:43 Veterans in the Workforce 13:57 The Hidden Power of Stay Interviews 18:08 Hiring Philosophy and the Role of AI 22:13 Declining a Candidate Due to Location 22:26 The Role of AI in Recruitment 23:18 Ethics in AI and HR 25:14 Challenges and Limitations of AI 26:16 The Importance of Human Oversight 29:33 Exploring Social Media Engagement 32:58 Concluding Thoughts and Farewell

    40 min
  3. 12/18/2025

    The Shifting People Podcast - Episode #16: Navigating the HR Landscape with Brittany Di Nicolò Pride

    Leveraging Creativity in HR and Elevating Company Culture with Brittany Di Nicolò Pride Welcome to the Shifting People Podcast! In this episode, hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough sit down with Brittany Di Nicolò Pride, HR Manager at KFC, Latin America and Caribbean. Brittany shares insights into her diverse career journey, spanning roles in ed tech, global digital teams, and advertising agencies. She discusses the importance of creativity in HR, promoting internal talent, and fostering a resilient company culture. Learn how to effectively monitor employee engagement and use relationship-building as a foundation for organizational success. Whether you're a leader in the HR field or managing a team, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you elevate your business. You can view and interact with Brittany's LinkedIn post offering help and support for job-seekers here: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/brittanycpride_i-helped-my-mom-re-enter-the-job-market-after-activity-7396632713815986177-lOqp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABg4U-sB8YOLI6sjk_64r3-gwDAxbUG_itw 00:00 Introduction to the Shifting People Podcast 00:27 Meet Brittany Di Nicolò Pride 01:40 Brittany's Background and Career Journey 03:35 The Impact of Sports on Personal and Professional Life 06:47 Marketing and Creativity in HR 09:31 Global HR and Cultural Sensitivity 13:26 Building and Changing Company Culture 17:31 Promotions and Career Pathing 23:02 The Role of Engagement Surveys in Assessing Culture 23:44 Taking Action on Survey Results 26:21 Timing and Objectivity in Surveys 27:22 Bonuses Tied to Engagement Scores 29:27 Personal Goals and Manifestation 31:59 Helping Others in the Job Market 35:18 Final Thoughts on Company Culture and Engagement 00:00 Episode #16: Navigating the Global HR Landscape with Brittany Di Nicolò Pride

    45 min
  4. 12/17/2025

    The Shifting People Podcast - Episode #15: Creating Impact: From Disney and Beyond with Ryan Tiffin

    Chasing Magic: Empowering Guest Experiences with Ryan Tiffin In this episode of the Shifting People Podcast, hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough dive deep into guest experience and empowerment with Ryan Tiffin, Vice President of Brand Strategy and Guest Experience at Incredible Food and Fun Restaurant. Ryan shares his unconventional journey through various industries, including his transformative time at Disney. He highlights the importance of empowering employees, the impact of small changes in language, and the value of transparency in leadership. Tune in for insightful stories and practical takeaways to apply in your business today. 00:00 Introduction to the Shifting People Podcast 00:32 Meet Ryan Tiffin: An Unconventional Journey 03:03 The Value of Non-Traditional Career Paths 05:52 Lessons from Disney: Transformational Training 11:25 Implementing Disney's Magic in Other Companies 14:24 The Power of Empowerment and Transparency 20:09 Creating Magical Guest Experiences 22:56 Inspiring Employees Through Personal Stories 25:50 Empowering Employees for Success 26:36 Applying Disney Principles Anywhere 26:55 The Importance of Human Interaction 28:12 Empowering the Entire Team 30:12 Hiring for Hospitality: Finding the Spark 34:59 The Journey to Writing a Book 37:46 Conclusion and Final Thoughts 00:00 Episode #15: Creating Impact: Lessons from Disney and Beyond with Ryan Tiffin

    49 min
  5. 12/15/2025

    The Shifting People Podcast - Episode #13: Building Effective Teams with Ed Janikowski

    Navigating Leadership & Culture: Insights from Ed Janikowski on the Shifting People Podcast Join hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough on the Shifting People Podcast as they sit down with Ed Janikowski, District Manager at a National QSR Brand. Ed shares his extensive journey in the service industry, detailing his experiences and leadership evolution over the years. From discussing the importance of internal recruitment and the nuances of effective leadership to tackling the realities of managing high-volume and struggling locations, this episode is packed with actionable insights. Ed also shares his perspective on fostering a positive work culture, the significance of flexibility in hiring, and the impact of genuine leadership. A must-listen for anyone in people management and the service industry! You can follow along with Ed's inspiring posts on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ed-janikowski-00445128/ 00:00 Introduction to the Shifting People Podcast 00:27 Meet Ed Janikowski: A Journey to His Current Role 00:37 Ed's Early Career and Military Aspirations 02:53 Transition to the Restaurant Industry 04:41 Leadership and Career Growth 08:31 Personal Life and Family 09:21 Insights on Leadership and Recruitment 22:50 Challenges and Strategies in Managing Locations 27:10 The Importance of Store Culture 28:59 Building a Positive Work Environment 31:48 Challenges in Enforcing New Policies 36:05 Flexibility in Hiring Practices 40:47 The Power of Social Media and Mentorship 42:50 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    53 min
  6. 12/15/2025

    The Shifting People Podcast - Episode #14: Building a People-Centric Workplace with Justin Ostrynski

    From Teaching to HR Leadership: Justin Ostrynski's Journey & Insights | Shifting People Podcast In this episode of the Shifting People Podcast, co-hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough interview Justin Ostrynski, Director of People and Culture Development at Hendricks Commercial Group. Hear Justin’s incredible journey from teaching to corporate HR, including his impactful roles at Chick-fil-A and Krispy Kreme. He shares his experiences in navigating career transitions, championing frontline workers, implementing successful training programs, and fostering company culture. Gain actionable insights on listening to employees, executing change management, and measuring the ROI of investing in people. Whether you're in HR, talent acquisition, or business leadership, Justin’s story will inspire and offer practical strategies you can apply in your own organization. 00:00 Introduction to the Shifting People Podcast 00:27 Meet Justin Ostrynski: From Teacher to Director of People and Culture 01:48 Journey into the Restaurant World with Chick-fil-A 02:54 Corporate Experience and Return to Operations 04:58 Navigating COVID and Transitioning to Krispy Kreme 07:13 Joining Hendricks Commercial Properties 08:55 Challenges and Strategies in People Development 11:15 Importance of Frontline Worker Engagement 16:50 Values and Culture in Organizations 20:56 Project Spark: Building an LMS from Scratch 23:36 Collaborative Training Development 24:27 Project Spark: Igniting Learning 24:59 Celebrating Small Wins 26:33 Executive Support and ROI 31:56 Scaling Culture for Growth 33:54 The Value of the Food Service Industry 37:08 Listening to the Frontline 39:31 Calculating Turnover Costs 44:02 Final Thoughts and Farewell

    44 min
  7. 12/15/2025

    The Shifting People Podcast - Episode #12: The Dunkin’ Dynasty of Christopher Angiolillo

    Inside Dunkin's Success: CEO Christopher Angiolillo's Journey & Insights Welcome to the Shifting People Podcast! In this episode, co-hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough delve into the intricacies of people management and the service industry with Christopher Angiolillo, CEO of Dunkin and Signify Ventures. Discover how Christopher's journey from growing up in the family business to leading a major franchise has shaped his unique approach to management. Learn about the value of sports and team environments in leadership, the importance of simplifying processes, and the strategies for retaining long-term employees in a franchise model. This episode is packed with lessons on balancing growth, protecting established processes, and using social media to document and share valuable business insights. If you're involved in or curious about the franchise business, this episode is a must-watch! 00:00 Introduction to the Shifting People Podcast 00:27 Meet Christopher Angiolillo: CEO of Dunkin and Signify Ventures 00:52 Christopher's Journey: From Family Business to CEO 02:39 The Impact of Sports and Construction on Leadership 05:58 Franchisee Challenges and Strategies 10:26 Simplifying Management for Longevity 20:34 The Importance of Information and Exit Interviews 22:55 Creative Solutions for Employee Retention 24:03 The Importance of Conversations and Information 25:58 The Video Series: Concept and Execution 27:59 Balancing Technology and Human Interaction 29:26 Engaging Employees Through Social Media 32:31 Final Thoughts and Future Plans 34:35 Reflecting on the Conversation 00:00 Episode #12: Generational Growth: The Dunkin' Dynasty of Christopher Angiolillo

    42 min
  8. 12/15/2025

    The Shifting People Podcast - Episode #11: Cheerful Flexibility: Qristen Allen’s Restaurant Insights

    Mastering Restaurant Operations: Insights from Qristen Allen of Doghaus In this episode of the Shifting People Podcast, hosts Derek Williamson and Kathleen McDonough sit down with Qristen Allen, a seasoned expert in restaurant operations at Doghaus. Qristen shares her extensive journey from starting at her grandparents' restaurant to working at Disneyland, Courtyard Marriott, Shake Shack, and finally Doghaus. She discusses the importance of being adaptable in the constantly changing environment of the restaurant industry, prioritizing guest satisfaction, and effective franchise management. This episode is packed with real-world insights and practical advice that can be applied to improve your business operations. 00:00 Introduction to the Shifting People Podcast 00:27 Meet Qristin Allen: From Childhood to Doghaus 00:50 Qristin's Journey Through Various Roles 03:06 Transitioning to Doghaus: Corporate and Franchise Insights 05:27 Challenges and Learning in Restaurant Operations 09:30 New Restaurant Openings: A Team Sport 12:50 Handling Emergencies and Constant Change 20:31 Generational Differences in the Workforce 23:37 Spotting and Nurturing Talent 25:08 Hiring the Right People 25:58 Evaluating Resumes and Initial Phone Screenings 26:53 Interview Techniques: Dining Experience Stories 28:00 Empowering Employees to Handle Guest Complaints 30:10 The Importance of Apologizing in Customer Service 34:21 Qristen's Career Aspirations and Industry Insights 36:53 Final Thoughts and Reflections

    49 min

About

Welcome to The Shifting People Podcast, where we go deep into the weeds with leaders on the front lines of people management and the service industry. We interview the best minds in HR and talent acquisition, along with owner operators, franchisees, and general managers to bring you real insights that you can actually apply in your business today.