Digital Recruiter Podcast

Digital Recruiter
  • 5.0 (6)
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Welcome to the Digital Recruiter Podcast, where we dive deep into the recruiting world and share valuable insights and strategies for success in the digital landscape. Join our host, Clark Willcox, as he interviews industry experts, thought leaders, experienced recruiters, and agency owners to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and what’s on the horizon in the ever-evolving field of recruitment. Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead of the curve and maximizing your recruiting efforts. Tune in and level up your recruitment game with us. For more information about us visit click on HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter

  1. #122- How Michelle Masterson Helps Recruiting Firms Scale Without Burning Out

    APR 17

    #122- How Michelle Masterson Helps Recruiting Firms Scale Without Burning Out

    Episode Summary Michelle Masterson didn't build her career advising recruiting firms from the outside. She built it from inside the industry, first as a practitioner, then as a partner in one of the most comprehensive firm-building ecosystems in the country. As Managing Partner of Next Level Exchange and Sanford Rose Associates, Michelle has spent 14 years helping recruiting firm owners diagnose what's holding them back and build the infrastructure to grow, profitably and sustainably, without burning out. The results speak for themselves. More than 10 firms joined the SRA network at $200–500K in revenue and scaled to $3M–$13M over 3–7 years. Revenues across the network increased over 1,500% in less than a decade. Five consecutive years ranked the #1 Business Services Firm by the Franchise Business Review. But behind those numbers is a simple philosophy: stop trying to renovate the whole house at once. Work on one room at a time, and keep building. In this episode, Michelle and Clark get into what's actually happening across hundreds of recruiting firms right now, and what separates the owners who break through from the ones who stay stuck. They cover why market mastery beats generalism every time, why the best time to invest in your business is when things are going well (not when you're desperate), and why most owners are so deep in production they never carve out time to work on the business. Michelle also shares how she thinks about team structure, niche strategy, and the mindset shift that makes everything else possible. Her closing thought: as Meryl Streep once said, "Start by starting." Stop waiting for the perfect moment. Just begin. For recruiting firm owners ready to stop grinding and start scaling, this conversation is a practical, honest blueprint from someone who's helped hundreds of them do exactly that. Michelle's Bio Michelle Masterson is the Managing Partner of Next Level Exchange and Sanford Rose Associates, two pillars of one of the most comprehensive recruiting firm support ecosystems in the country. With 14 years of experience helping firm owners grow, scale, and operate smarter, Michelle works directly with owners to remove growth friction through operational strategy and hands-on execution, from comp model redesign and team structure to workflow optimization, performance analytics, and market expansion. Under her leadership, the SRA network has grown by over 250% in offices and 1,500% in revenue since 2012. More than 10 firms have scaled from $200–500K to $3M–$13M through the network. The organization has been ranked the #1 Business Services Firm by the Franchise Business Review for five consecutive years and the 9th Largest U.S. Search Firm by Executive Search Review. Starfish Partners, the parent company, now operates as a $50M+ recruiting firm with 180+ associates, a third of whom have more than a decade of tenure. Michelle's approach isn't theoretical. It's built on practical solutions designed to create a strong, scalable foundation that fits the firm owner, not a one-size-fits-all model. Connect with Michelle at https://www.linkedin.com/in/michellemastersondallas/ Check Out Our Sponsor at: https://signaturebackoffice.com/ For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
  2. #121- The LinkedIn Content Strategy That Built a Recruiting Agency from Scratch

    APR 3

    #121- The LinkedIn Content Strategy That Built a Recruiting Agency from Scratch

    Episode Summary Scott Smith didn't come from recruiting. He came from sales leadership in the material handling and industrial automation space, the people who supply the supply chain. After nearly a decade building and scaling go-to-market teams, Scott and his co-founder Cameron realized that the hardest part of growth wasn't strategy. It was getting the right people in the right seats. That realization led them to launch Henry North, a niche recruiting firm serving the very industry they'd spent their careers in. What happened next was remarkable. In their first year, Henry North cleared seven figures in revenue, without either co-founder having prior recruiting experience. Their secret? Deep industry expertise, a disciplined niche strategy, and a LinkedIn content engine that turned them into the go-to brand in their space before they even made their first placement. In this episode, Scott and Clark break down exactly how they did it, from the 60-90 day pre-launch content strategy to the daily habits that keep their team performing at a high level. The conversation goes deep on what it actually takes to win in a niche: why niching down revealed more opportunity (not less), how their biggest client came from outside their target market because of the brand they built, and why consultative value, not resume volume, is what earns premium fees and long-term client loyalty. Scott also shares how Henry North builds culture in a remote environment, the KPIs that matter most, and why resilience and a positive mindset aren't just nice-to-haves. They're non-negotiables in the agency game. For recruiters thinking about going out on their own, or agency owners looking to scale smarter through content and niche dominance, this episode is a tactical blueprint from someone who's living it in real time. Scott's Bio Scott Smith is the co-founder of Henry North, a niche recruiting firm serving the material handling and industrial automation industry. After spending nearly a decade as a sales leader in the space, helping build and scale go-to-market teams across the Southeast, Scott launched Henry North with his co-founder in early 2025. In their first year, the firm crossed seven figures in revenue by combining deep industry expertise with a content-first approach to business development. Scott is known for his analytical mindset, disciplined approach to growth, and belief that niche expertise and authentic content are the most powerful BD tools in recruiting today. Henry North is actively growing and hiring top talent. Connect with Scott on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottsmithll/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don't work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    42 min
  3. #120- Scaling Smarter with Austin Moore: How to Grow Without Breaking Your Business

    FEB 27

    #120- Scaling Smarter with Austin Moore: How to Grow Without Breaking Your Business

    SUMMARY Austin Moore didn’t set out to build a $17 million staffing company. Like most recruiters, he fell into the industry after leaving a cubicle job and a short stint in car sales, looking for something more performance-driven. What he found was a career that rewarded grit, sales discipline, and resilience. After cutting his teeth at firms like Medix, Robert Half, and Beacon Hill, Austin eventually made the leap into entrepreneurship, launching his own healthcare staffing company just before COVID reshaped the market overnight. What followed was a high-stakes growth journey. After nearly losing everything when hiring froze, Austin landed a breakout client that helped him scale rapidly. Within a few years, his firm grew to seven figures per month, topping out at $17 million in annual revenue. In this episode, he and Clark unpack what actually drove that growth, building a real sales engine, protecting top performers, avoiding expansion traps, and learning when to say no to revenue that doesn’t fit your model. The conversation also dives into Austin’s current work at Strategy Ladders and Talent Labs, where he helps founders scale smarter. From leveraging high-performing talent in Latin America to navigating AI disruption, Austin emphasizes one consistent theme: recruiting is still a relationship business. The firms that win won’t be the ones chasing every tool, they’ll be the ones doubling down on fundamentals, leadership, and human connection. For recruiters looking to scale beyond seven figures without burning out or breaking their business, this episode is a tactical and mindset-driven roadmap. AUSTIN'S BIO Austin Moore is a former healthcare staffing founder who scaled his agency from zero to $17 million in annual revenue in just a few years. After exiting the business, he joined Strategy Ladders as a strategic advisor, helping founders grow through stronger sales systems, operational discipline, and leadership development. He also leads Talent Labs, the recruiting arm of Strategy Ladders, where he helps agencies and growing companies hire high-performing talent — with a strong focus on Latin America sourcing and support roles. Austin is known for his direct approach to sales, commitment to fundamentals, and belief that the future of recruiting belongs to those who lean into human connection. Connect with Austin on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/austinmoore1/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    52 min
  4. #119- How Mike Malinowsky Blends AI with Humanity in Modern Recruiting

    FEB 20

    #119- How Mike Malinowsky Blends AI with Humanity in Modern Recruiting

    Episode Summary Mike Malinowsky didn’t stumble into recruiting. He chose it as a life decision. After spending more than a decade in the U.S. Army working in communications and IT, Mike and his wife made a pivotal call when their kids reached middle school: stability mattered more than constant relocation. That decision led him into Army recruiting, a move that not only kept him home for dinner, but uncovered a career he genuinely loves. What followed was a crash course in true headhunting. Military recruiting forced Mike to source creatively, build trust with young candidates and their families, and operate without relying on inbound applicants. That experience shaped his belief that the best agency recruiters are hunters first. In this episode, Mike and Clark break down the difference between the art and science of recruiting, why so many recruiters rely too heavily on tools, and how scrappiness separates top producers from everyone else. The conversation then shifts into what Mike calls a “humanity audit.” As AI tools flood the industry, he challenges recruiters and hiring teams to examine where automation is quietly stripping away potential. From auto-rejection filters to over-polished AI messaging, Mike argues that technology should be a multiplier, not a replacement. His core message is simple: if you want higher response rates, better negotiations, and long-term trust, keep it human. For recruiters navigating AI overload, market shifts, and candidate fatigue, this episode is a grounded reminder that relationships still win. Mike's Bio Mike Malinowsky is the Director of Recruiting at Lean Synergy Solutions and a former U.S. Army recruiting leader. After serving more than a decade in communications and IT, Mike transitioned into Army recruiting to prioritize family life, quickly rising to lead recruiting stations and mentor teams of recruiters. Following his military retirement, Mike moved into agency and government subcontract recruiting, where he continues to focus on high impact placements across manufacturing and specialized industries. Known on LinkedIn as “The Genuine Recruiter,” Mike is passionate about blending AI driven efficiency with authentic human connection. Connect with Mike on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikemalinowsky/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  5. #118- Danny Rosenthal on Niching Down & Smart Automation

    FEB 13

    #118- Danny Rosenthal on Niching Down & Smart Automation

    *Episode Summary* Danny Rosenthal didn’t plan on becoming a recruiter. His career started on stage as a full-time musician, writing songs, touring, and even landing music on TV and in film. But after parting ways with his band, Danny pivoted into an entirely different world: childcare. What began as becoming a nanny turned into launching his own nanny agency and eventually stepping fully into recruiting. In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Danny, now Director of Community Partnerships at EngineHire, to unpack that unconventional journey and what it taught him about business, niching down, and building systems that actually support growth. Danny shares how learning from other agency owners helped him avoid costly mistakes early on, why trust and education are everything in the nanny placement space, and how owning your niche can unlock unexpected opportunities (including a TV show pitch about male nannies). The conversation then shifts into automation and tech. From his vantage point inside EngineHire, Danny sees where agencies stall out. Most aren’t lacking effort. They’re overcomplicating systems or failing to automate the simple things that drive revenue. He breaks down the power of basic status-based follow-ups, abandoned application reminders, and the one automated check-in email that produced some of his highest response rates. For recruiters looking to simplify, systemize, and scale without losing the human element, this episode is packed with practical insight. *Highlights* 00:00 - Welcome & how LinkedIn sparked the conversation 02:00 - Danny’s music career and unexpected pivot 05:00 - What bands, money, and commission splits have in common 07:00 - From nanny to agency owner 11:00 - Recruiting in childcare and educating clients 14:00 - Why owning your niche creates opportunity 20:00 - Transitioning from agency owner to EngineHire 22:00 - The automation mistakes most agencies make 24:00 - The simple follow-up email that gets massive replies 33:00 - Stop overbuilding systems and start building revenue 35:00 - Life advice: transparency and standing behind decisions *Danny’s Bio* Danny Rosenthal is the Director of Community Partnerships at EngineHire, an all-in-one ATS, CRM, payroll, and scheduling platform built primarily for care-based staffing industries including nanny agencies, home care, and medical staffing. Before joining EngineHire, Danny founded and operated his own nanny agency after transitioning from a full-time career in music, where he toured, wrote songs featured in TV and film, and worked alongside artists like Kenny Loggins and Gary Wright. His firsthand experience as both a recruiter and agency owner gives him a practical, operator-level perspective on automation, systems, and building sustainable staffing businesses. Today, Danny works closely with agency owners to help them streamline operations, implement smart automation, and avoid the common pitfalls that stall growth. Connect with Danny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannyjosephrosenthal/ or learn more at https://enginehire.io Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    44 min
  6. #117- How Josh Kirkham Is Building the AI Operating System for Agency Recruiters

    FEB 6

    #117- How Josh Kirkham Is Building the AI Operating System for Agency Recruiters

    SUMMARY Josh Kirkham didn’t just join an AI company. He helped reshape one around how agency recruiters actually work. In this episode of the Digital Recruiter Podcast, host Clark Wilcox sits down with Josh, VP of Revenue at CoRecruit (formerly Quil), to unpack the thinking behind their rebrand and what it signals about where recruiting technology is headed in 2026. Josh shares how the company evolved from a simple note taking tool into a full AI assistant built specifically for third party recruiters. What started as CRM hygiene for sales teams turned into something much bigger once recruiters began pulling the product into their workflows. The conversation breaks down why write ups, job descriptions, scorecards, and follow ups are the real time killers in recruiting, and how CoRecruit focuses on automation without stripping away the human judgment recruiters are paid for. Clark and Josh also zoom out to talk about AI adoption more broadly. They unpack the 10 80 10 framework for using AI effectively, why 100 percent automation is the wrong goal, and how personalization and execution matter more than flashy features. The episode wraps with a look at CoRecruit’s new VoIP and desktop app, plus practical lessons on onboarding, enablement, and building systems that recruiters actually stick with. For agency recruiters who want leverage without losing their voice, this episode offers a grounded, practical roadmap for using AI the right way. JOSH'S BIO Josh Kirkham is the VP of Revenue at CoRecruit, an AI powered recruiting platform built exclusively for agency recruiters. With a background in high growth SaaS companies including HubSpot, Josh has spent his career helping go to market teams scale through better systems, execution, and enablement. At CoRecruit, Josh leads revenue and customer growth while staying closely connected to how recruiters actually operate day to day. He is known for his practical perspective on AI adoption, believing the goal is not replacement but leverage. Outside of work, Josh is a new dad and is focused on building a company his future family can be proud of. Connect with Josh on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshkirkham/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    38 min
  7. #116- How Milan Levy is Redefining Offshore Hiring with Talent Sam

    JAN 30

    #116- How Milan Levy is Redefining Offshore Hiring with Talent Sam

    Summary Milan Levy didn’t just start a company; he’s building a bridge between South Africa’s untapped talent and the world’s most competitive businesses. In this episode, host Clark Wilcox dives deep with Milan, founder of Talent Sam, to explore the rise of South Africa as a nearshore hiring destination. Milan shares how his tech-driven, compliance-first model is helping U.S. and U.K. companies access skilled, hardworking talent in South Africa, without the legal landmines or logistical headaches. The conversation unpacks the unique opportunities and pitfalls of hiring from South Africa, including misclassification risk, payroll tax nuances, and cultural integration. Milan doesn’t just talk theory, he details how Talent Sam supports clients with end-to-end solutions: from candidate sourcing and vetting to employer of record services, equipment setup, and even ongoing team engagement. Later in the episode, Milan opens up about his entrepreneurial journey, starting as a teen DJ and DVD editor, and scaling tech ventures before launching Talent Sam. For recruiters and founders tired of churn and ready to build global teams that actually last, this episode is both a tactical roadmap and a mindset shift. Milan's Bio Milan Levy is a South African tech entrepreneur and founder of TalentSam, a full-service remote hiring platform that helps global companies access and manage top-tier talent from South Africa. With a background in software automation and a passion for solving complex systems problems, Milan has turned TalentSam into a compliance-forward, culture-conscious hiring solution. Known for his lean ops mindset and hands-on approach, Milan’s team processes 50,000+ applications monthly and manages every detail from recruitment to retention. When he’s not scaling companies, Milan’s known for deep tech chops, fast problem solving, and starting his entrepreneurial journey as a teenage DJ. Connect with Milan on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/milanlevy/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    46 min
  8. #115- Jacob Stripling on Redefining the Resume: Humanizing the Job Search

    JAN 23

    #115- Jacob Stripling on Redefining the Resume: Humanizing the Job Search

    EPISODE SUMMARY In this compelling episode, Clark welcomes Jacob Stripling, founder of Future State Careers and creator of WholeStory.me, for a candid conversation about reinvention, relevance, and recruiting in the age of AI. Starting like many recruiters, accidentally, Jacob cut his teeth at a major staffing firm before launching his own agency just months before the pandemic hit. Fast forward six years, and he’s not only built a niche in accounting and finance but is now pushing the entire industry to rethink how we present candidates. Jacob walks through the "why" behind WholeStory.me, a new platform designed to give job seekers a voice beyond bullet points and buzzwords. He unpacks how AI has created a sea of sameness in resumes, the rising distrust in hiring processes, and what happens when you flip the script, letting people lead with video, story, and human context. This isn't just a new tech tool; it’s a movement toward authentic representation and better hiring matches on both sides. Whether you’re a recruiter, job seeker, or hiring leader, Jacob’s insights challenge the status quo and offer a hopeful path forward: one where substance wins, not surface. From branding lanes to burnout, from tactical content to philosophical takeaways, this episode is packed with practical ideas and real emotion. Don’t miss it. JACOB'S BIO Jacob Stripling is the founder of Future State Careers, a recruiting agency specializing in accounting and finance, and the creator of WholeStory.me—a platform designed to restore humanity to the hiring process. With over a decade in recruiting, Jacob has built his brand on honest conversations, client trust, and a commitment to showcasing the full context behind every candidate. A proud dad, thoughtful entrepreneur, and content creator, he’s not just innovating how we hire—he’s reimagining who gets seen and why. Connect with Jacob on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacob-stripling-bb143594/ Stop wasting money on lead-gen tools that don’t work. Learn how top recruiters are winning on LinkedIn with content, messaging, and automation—without spamming. Get live coaching, ongoing support, and a proven system to drive revenue inside Digital Recruiter Bootcamp. Join now: DigitalRecruiter.io/bootcamp Get the best and most current digital recruiting insights, tips, and strategies every Sunday—straight to your inbox, for free: https://www.digitalrecruiter.io/drnewsletter For more information about Digital Recruiter, click HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    54 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Welcome to the Digital Recruiter Podcast, where we dive deep into the recruiting world and share valuable insights and strategies for success in the digital landscape. Join our host, Clark Willcox, as he interviews industry experts, thought leaders, experienced recruiters, and agency owners to uncover what’s working, what’s not, and what’s on the horizon in the ever-evolving field of recruitment. Whether you’re a seasoned recruiter or just starting out, this podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead of the curve and maximizing your recruiting efforts. Tune in and level up your recruitment game with us. For more information about us visit click on HERE ---＞ https://linktr.ee/thedigitalrecruiter

Information

  • Creator
    Digital Recruiter
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    140
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2023 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Digital Recruiter Podcast

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