DE Talk

DirectEmployers Association
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Non-Profit

For DirectEmployers, it’s all about valuable connections and meaningful conversations. DE Talk brings together HR and workforce experts for candid conversations on the issues, trends, and technologies shaping today’s workplace. From OFCCP compliance and federal contractor requirements to equal employment opportunity, recruiting, talent acquisition, AI in hiring and selection, and emerging workforce trends, each episode delivers practical insights, expert perspectives, and actionable ideas to help HR professionals navigate change and strengthen their strategies.

  1. Mar 23

    Reworking Recruitment: AI, a Frozen Job Market & the Human Edge

    The headlines say unemployment is low. The front lines tell a different story. In this episode of DE Talk, Jeff Gill sits down with Brian Fink, managing partner of The ReWork Group and author of Talk Tech to Me, to unpack what's really happening in today's talent market—and what it means for the future of recruiting. From trust erosion in tech hiring to AI's role as a force multiplier for mid-size companies, Brian challenges conventional wisdom and makes the case that in a frozen, patience-driven market, the recruiters who win are the ones doubling down on relationships, curiosity, and human judgment—not just automation.

  2. Mar 9 ·  Bonus

    Cutting Through the Noise with AI-Powered Recruitment

    In this episode of the DE Talk podcast, host Shannon Offord, VP of Partnerships at DirectEmployers, sits down with seasoned executive and strategist Brad Boggs, founder of JobFlow. With over 20 years of experience in the recruitment technology space, Boggs shares how his new platform uses "powerfully simple" AI solutions to fix the broken cycle of mass job applications and overwhelmed hiring teams, ultimately building more inclusive and effective hiring pipelines. Whether you are a job seeker looking to stand out or an employer looking to slash your time-to-fill, this conversation offers a roadmap for navigating the evolving AI-powered recruitment landscape.

  3. Feb 23

    Merit, Myths, and Measurement: Navigating the New ROI of Workplace Diversity

    What happens to workplace diversity when the regulatory landscape shifts overnight? In this episode, compliance consultant Alicia Wallace and former Fortune 500 Chief Diversity Officer David Casey move beyond theory to discuss the reality of leading through change. Drawing on their history of managing hundreds of successful audits for some of the most recognizable brands, Alicia and David offer a masterclass in practitioner-level strategy. They pull back the curtain on what it really takes to bridge the gap between strict EEO compliance and meaningful culture, including how to go beyond “table stakes” as compliance is just the starting point, lessons from both sides of the OFCCP desk as the auditor and audited, and finally, a candid look at why merit-based hiring isn't a threat to diversity, but a tool for data-grounded decisions.

  4. Feb 9 ·  Bonus

    Real or Robot? Navigating Candidate Fraud in the Age of AI

    Is the candidate on your screen a real person or a deepfake? It's a question more recruiters are having to ask. In this episode of DE Talk, Shannon Offord sits down with Dwaine Maltais, Chief Strategy Officer at Nexxt to tackle the growing issue of candidate fraud. They explore the "trifecta" driving this surge–AI, automation, and accessibility–and share practical advice on how recruiters can spot red flags, verify candidate identities, and introduce good friction into the hiring process without ruining the candidate experience.

  5. Jan 26

    2026 Expert Compliance Insights: New Rules, Changed Government Enforcement & How Employers Can Respond

    Federal contractor compliance underwent seismic changes in 2025: Executive Order 11246 was revoked, EEOC and the U.S. Department of Justice launched intensive investigations into DEI programs and EEO compliance, and the White House moved to centralize the regulation of artificial intelligence on the federal level–just to name a few. As 2026 begins, employers need clarity on what's changing and what’s required. Employment law attorneys Mickey Silberman and Michelle Duncan from Silberman Law break down the essential compliance requirements federal contractors must understand and will provide actionable guidance on what you should do to ensure compliance and reduce risk.

  6. Jan 12 ·  Bonus

    Posting with Purpose: Tapping into the Hidden Job Market with Summer Delaney

    What do Katie Couric and modern recruitment have in common? According to Summer Delaney, Founder and CEO of CollabWORK, the answer is the power of authentic networks. In this episode of DE Talk, Summer joins Shannon Offord to discuss how her career in media revealed that the best opportunities often come from professional communities rather than job applications. Together, they discuss the rise of the "hidden job market" and how employers can integrate into trusted spaces–from the Morning Brew to local nurse newsletters–without disrupting the community vibe. Plus, learn how AI is helping companies scale this hyper-targeted approach to find better qualified candidates.

  7. 12/15/2025

    TA in Transition: A Year in Retrospect

    As we wrap up 2025, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the massive shifts in Talent Acquisition. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the rapidly evolving world of Talent Acquisition with global talent expert Shelia Gray, the newly appointed Global Head of Talent Acquisition for Hyundai. As organizations worldwide face shifting expectations, emerging technologies, and increasing compliance demands, Shelia shares a year-in-review look at TA in Transition–what’s changed, what’s trending, and what talent leaders must prepare for next.

  8. 11/17/2025

    Translating Military Skills to Corporate Needs

    Despite having a true understanding of their value in the workplace, employers often lack the visibility and engagement needed to successfully reach veteran job seekers. In this episode of the DE Talk Podcast, listen in as Recruit Rooster's Ruth Toombs and Elliott Obermaier discuss the importance of understanding military skills and how they transition to civilian careers, the misconceptions in hiring veterans, and the need for optimized application processes to go beyond good intentions and build a recruitment strategy that truly works.

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5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

For DirectEmployers, it’s all about valuable connections and meaningful conversations. DE Talk brings together HR and workforce experts for candid conversations on the issues, trends, and technologies shaping today’s workplace. From OFCCP compliance and federal contractor requirements to equal employment opportunity, recruiting, talent acquisition, AI in hiring and selection, and emerging workforce trends, each episode delivers practical insights, expert perspectives, and actionable ideas to help HR professionals navigate change and strengthen their strategies.

Information

  • Creator
    DirectEmployers Association
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    70
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 DE Talk
  • Show Website
    DE Talk