RecTalk Podcast - Explore Recruitment Insights

Nitin Sharma, founder of rectools.io
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Welcome to RecTalk, the UK's biggest recruitment industry podcast on YouTube and a Top 15% Video Podcast on Spotify! Hear from trailblazers in the recruitment industry who want to have their say on all things recruitment - unbiased, unfiltered, unscripted.

  1. 2D AGO

    FOUNDER DIARIES - Authenticity, Trauma & Truth in Recruitment with Chris O’Connell

    In this deeply honest episode of Founder Diaries, host Nitin Sharma sits down with Chris O’Connell, founder of BASE Mindset, for one of the most raw and real conversations on RecTalk. This episode goes far beyond recruitment tactics. Chris opens up about his personal journey — from childhood trauma, building and losing a multi-million-pound recruitment business, battling validation addiction on LinkedIn, navigating heartbreak, money mindset struggles, men’s mental health, faith, and what it really means to be authentic as a founder. Together, Nitin and Chris explore why so many recruitment leaders look successful on the outside but feel disconnected on the inside — and why becoming the CEO of your life must come before being the CEO of your business. Topics covered include: What authenticity actually means in recruitment (and why most people fake it)The danger of building a LinkedIn persona for validationChildhood trauma, resilience, and how it shapes leadership decisionsLosing everything financially — and rebuilding with purposeWhy financial stability creates better founders (not greed)Money as a tool, not an identityMen’s mental health in recruitment leadershipWalking away from bad clients, red flags, and toxic opportunitiesWhy relationships beat tech, automation, and “harassment as a service”Traditional recruitment fundamentals that still work todayWhy purpose now beats profit — and still makes moneyBecoming discerning, slowing down, and choosing integrityChris’s upcoming book: Become the CEO of Your Life This is not a highlight-reel episode. It’s a conversation for founders who are tired of pretending and ready to lead with truth. 🔗 Connect with the guest Chris O’Connell: https://www.linkedin.com/in/itschrisoconnell/ BASE Mindset: https://basemindset.com/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop on Wednesday and Friday — Monday episodes will return soon! Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Robert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/ Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/ Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/  Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/ Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/ Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/ #FounderDiaries #RecTalk #RecruitmentLeadership #AuthenticLeadership #MensMentalHealth #FounderJourney #RecruitmentPodcast #LeadershipMindset #PurposeOverProfit #CEOfYourLife

    59 min

  2. 4D AGO

    Danny Steel of Recruso on Resilience, Recruitment Tech & Surviving a Tough Market

    In this deeply honest and wide-ranging episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Danny Steel, Founder & MD of Recruso, to talk about resilience, leadership, recruitment technology, and what it really takes to survive (and prepare to thrive) in one of the toughest recruitment markets in recent memory. Danny opens up about why he’s been quieter over the last year, sharing the personal impact of a devastating house fire and how it forced him to reprioritise family, mindset, and business. From there, the conversation moves into the realities of running a recruitment software business through a stagnant market, retaining customers when growth slows, and why keeping the lights on became the priority for many agencies in 2025. You’ll also hear a deep dive into Recruso’s roadmap for 2026, including: Why Recruso focuses on fast-moving temp agencies in logistics, healthcare, education and other essential sectorsThe launch of a full open APIEnd-to-end Time & Attendance (T&A) from clock-in to pay & billRecruso Payroll and why owning payroll is becoming critical with upcoming umbrella and PAYE changesThe thinking behind launching a separate, purpose-built perm product (and why shoe-horning perm into temp CRMs doesn’t work) Danny and Nitin also tackle some of the biggest themes facing recruiters right now: Automation vs AI (and why most agencies should fix automation first)Margin pressure, compliance, and the reality of April payroll and umbrella reformsWhy many agencies are underestimating their riskSubscription, retained and non-traditional recruitment revenue modelsEducating clients instead of chasing vacanciesWhy smaller clients often outperform “big name” logosWhat the best-performing agencies are doing differently in a flat market The episode wraps with practical advice for recruitment business owners, founders and tech leaders navigating uncertainty, plus a reminder that sometimes survival, stability and learning are wins in themselves. Who this episode is for Recruitment agency owners navigating tough or stagnant marketsTemp and high-volume recruiters facing margin and compliance pressureRecruitment tech founders and SaaS leadersAgencies worried about umbrella, PAYE and payroll changesRecruiters exploring subscription or non-traditional revenue modelsAnyone balancing leadership, life challenges, and business resilience 🔗 Connect with the guest Danny Steel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannysteel/ Check out Recruso: https://www.rectools.io/product/recruso-2/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ 🔗 Get in touch with these recommended suppliers Robert Woodford — The Marketing Junction: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketing4recs/ Barry Cullen — recLAW: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/ Andrew Philipson — JOBBA: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewphilipson/  Ross Thompson — Infinity Staff Global: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossnthompson/ Dougie Loan — SourceWhale: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dougieloan/ Andrew Constantinou — Nodex: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apconstantinou/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentLeadership #TempRecruitment #RecruitmentSoftware #SaaS #RecruitmentBusiness #Payroll #UmbrellaCompanies #RecruitmentStrategy #FounderStories #Resilience #Rectools

    50 min

  3. JAN 9

    Job Posting to Data-Driven Recruitment: Darren Brown on CRM Evolution & the Future of Job Boards

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with one of the most behind-the-scenes operators in recruitment tech – Darren Brown, Co-Founder of LogicMelon. LogicMelon has quietly been powering job distribution, candidate attraction and recruitment data insights for over a decade – and in this conversation, Darren lifts the lid on how the platform was built by recruiters, for recruiters, and why job posting alone is no longer enough to win in today’s market. Darren shares the LogicMelon origin story, from spotting frustrations with early multiposters to building a highly customisable platform that now spans job distribution, ATS, CRM and analytics dashboards – all under one roof. The conversation dives deep into how recruitment agencies can make smarter, data-led decisions instead of “throwing darts in the dark”. You’ll also hear Darren’s candid views on: Why job boards are being used less – but aren’t going anywhereThe rise of cost-per-application (CPA) and cost-per-click (CPC) pricing modelsWhy more applications doesn’t equal better hiring outcomesHow agencies should think about candidate attraction vs candidate managementThe real role AI should play in recruitment tech (and where it falls short)Why SMB and sub-50-user agencies are underserved by bloated CRMsHow recruitment businesses should prepare for 2026 and beyond This is a practical, honest conversation about what’s actually working in recruitment technology today – and what’s just noise. 🔗 Connect with the guest Darren Brown: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrenbrownuk/ Check out LogicMelon: https://www.rectools.io/product/logicmelon/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursday. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #LogicMelon #RecruitmentCRM #JobBoards #RecruitmentData #HiringTrends #AIinRecruitment #StaffingAgency #RecruitmentInsights #Rectools

    47 min

  4. JAN 7

    Recruitment Websites in the Age of AI: SEO, ChatGPT & Proving ROI with Will Astbury of SourceFlow

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with Will Astbury, Global Head of Marketing at SourceFlow, to break down what a modern recruitment website really needs to do in 2026 and beyond. This is not a conversation about “pretty websites”. Will goes deep on how recruitment websites should act as growth engines – driving inbound candidates, client leads, SEO visibility, AI discoverability, and ultimately measurable revenue. They explore how Google, ChatGPT, and AI search engines are fundamentally changing how candidates and clients find recruiters, why most agencies are already falling behind, and what recruitment leaders need to fix now if they want to stay competitive. From AI-powered job matching and analytics, to SEO strategies built around real consultants (not generic AI blogs), to proving exactly how much revenue your website generates – this episode is packed with insights for founders, marketers, and recruiters alike. 🧠 Topics Covered in This Episode What actually makes a great recruitment website (beyond design)Why recruitment websites must be built for Google Jobs and AI searchHow ChatGPT and AI “answer engines” are reshaping inbound recruitment leadsWhy SEO is becoming harder – and more important – than everHow recruitment agencies can appear in AI-generated search summariesThe danger of AI-generated content without real expertiseBuilding thought leadership through recruiters, not just marketing teamsWhy salary surveys still work (and how to turn them into lead engines)Using your website as the hub for inbound marketing campaignsTracking candidates, clients, and leads directly into your ATSAI-powered CV matching and uncovering “hidden” high-quality candidatesMeasuring website ROI: tracking placements and revenue back to your siteWhy data-led decision making beats recruiter “gut feel”The future of recruitment marketing analyticsAccessibility on recruitment websites – and why it’s a massive missed opportunityCommon marketing mistakes recruitment agencies keep repeatingWhy tokenistic employer branding hurts more than it helps 🔗 Connect with the guest Will Astbury: https://www.linkedin.com/in/willastbury/ Check out SourceFlow: https://www.rectools.io/product/sourceflow/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentMarketing #RecruitmentWebsites #SEOForRecruiters #AIInRecruitment #ChatGPT #InboundRecruitment #RecruitmentTechnology #ATS #RecruitmentAnalytics #SourceFlow #Rectools #RecruitmentLeadership

    51 min

  5. JAN 5

    Inside Tracker with Cam Brady – The All-In-One CRM, AI, and the Future of Recruitment Tech

    In this episode of RecTalk, host Nitin Sharma is joined by Cam Brady, Business Development lead at Tracker – a recruitment CRM and ATS that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting without shouting about it. Tracker has been around for over 20 years, and in this conversation we unpack why so many agencies stick with it, what makes their all-in-one approach genuinely different, and how they’re thinking about the real future of recruitment tech – beyond buzzwords and shiny AI marketing. They talk openly about where CRMs fall down, why recruiters are drowning in admin, and how tech should be giving time back – not stealing it. Cam shares how Tracker has evolved from a traditionally “clean” perm-focused system into a platform that now supports temp, high-volume, shift-based and complex recruitment models, all without bolting together dozens of third-party tools. They also dig into: Why Tracker isn’t a marketplace CRM – and why that mattersNative automation, CV formatting, note-taking, marketing, compliance, timesheets and back officeHow recruiters can stop living in clicks and start having more conversationsReal talk on AI in recruitment (what’s hype vs what should be baseline)Tracker’s upcoming conversational AI (“Eva”) and what a “Jarvis” style CRM actually looks likeLinkedIn Recruiter integrations done properly (no scraping, no nonsense)Why change management is harder than selling techHow agencies should really be looking at revenue data, not assumptionsWhere Tracker fits in the market – SMB vs enterprise, pricing, modules, and scaleWhy customer support and long-term product thinking still matter This is an honest, practical conversation about building recruitment tech that recruiters actually want to use – and why letting the product do the talking often beats shouting the loudest. 🔗 Connect with the guest Cam Brady: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cambradytrackerrms/ Check out Tracker: https://www.rectools.io/product/tracker/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentTechnology #RecruitmentCRM #ATS #RecruitmentAI #RecruitmentSoftware #StaffingTech #RecruitmentOps #Rectools #TrackerRMS

    40 min

  6. JAN 2

    FOUNDER DIARIES - Joel Dalton on Exits, Employee Ownership & Life After Scale

    In this episode of Founder Diaries, Nitin Sharma sits down with Joel Dalton, exited founder of Clone, strategic advisor, and NED, to unpack what really happens after you scale a business — and what founders rarely prepare for. Joel shares the unfiltered story of building Clone into a £7m marketing services business, navigating Covid, founder burnout, financial blind spots, and ultimately choosing an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) as his exit path. This is a candid conversation about founder reliance, designing a business that can survive without you, and reclaiming time, energy, and purpose post-exit. Together, Nitin and Joel dive into why so many founders accidentally build “well-paid jobs”, the warning signs of burnout, and how to create a business that gives you optionality — whether that’s scaling, stepping back, or exiting entirely. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why founder reliance kills exit value (and how to fix it)What an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) actually is — and why it’s misunderstoodHow Covid forced a hard rethink on resilience and value creationThe financial blind spots most founders ignore until it’s too lateScaling pains: hiring too fast, protecting culture, and bad hiresWhy most founders don’t really have a “lifestyle business”The emotional reality of stepping away from a company you builtBurnout, pressure, and unlearning hustle cultureHow Joel now helps founders escape the owner-operator trapWhy having a “fractional co-founder” mindset can change everything This episode is honest, reflective, and packed with lived experience — especially for founders questioning whether the business they built is still serving the life they want. Who this episode is for: Founders thinking about an exit (now or someday)Business owners feeling stuck or overly relied uponEntrepreneurs approaching burnoutLeaders scaling past the owner-operator stageAnyone curious about alternative exit routes like EOTsFounders who want freedom without burning everything down 🔗 Connect with the guest Joel Dalton: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-dalton-02191421/ Clone: https://clone-media.co.uk/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #FounderDiaries #RecTalk #FounderExit #EmployeeOwnership #BusinessGrowth #FounderBurnout #EntrepreneurLife #ScalingBusinesses #FounderFreedom #LeadershipJourney

    53 min

  7. 12/31/2025

    RecTalk: The 2025 Wrap-Up – Real Talk, Real Growth, and Real Gratitude

    As 2025 comes to a close, host Nitin Sharma takes a moment to reflect on a transformational year for RecTalk and the wider recruitment community. This isn’t just a highlight reel — it’s a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at the journey of building something from nothing, the power of community, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up. In this special end-of-year episode, you'll hear from former guests, recommended suppliers, clients, and friends of RecTalk who share their hopes, lessons, and game-changing advice for recruiters heading into 2026. From cracking 100K+ subscribers to launching new series like Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, from live podcasting at RecFest and IHR to helping build real conversations at industry events — this year has been all about showing up and staying real. Expect raw insights, personal gratitude, and some serious motivation to carry you into the new year. Who this episode is for: Recruiters reflecting on 2025 and planning for 2026Recruitment business owners looking for inspiration and real talkRecTalk community members who’ve been part of the journeyAnyone who just needs a reminder that progress doesn’t have to be perfect Featuring voices from across the RecTalk ecosystem: Poonam Mawani (Azuki Accounts) on financial disciplineEmily White (SourceWhale) on using tech to streamline your jobRoss Thompson (Infinity Global Staff) on simplifying successBen Fielding (Quinset) on inbox engagementBobby Russell (Contact Business Finance) on surviving in a tough climateKan Mallawathantri (Avensys Tech) on getting your IT sortedAndy Dunne (TEAM Network) on doubling down on real connectionsRobert Woodford (The Marketing Junction) on getting the basics rightKris Holland (Kitto) on tripling your marketingMatt Fox (Exitus Advisory) on planning your exit Here’s to the RecTalk community — for showing up, sharing, and supporting. This episode is for you. #RecTalk #RecruitmentCommunity #2025Recap #RecruitmentPodcast #Rectools #HappyNewYear2026 #RecruitmentTips #FounderDiaries #TalkingTalent #RecruitmentTech #ResilienceInRecruitment

    30 min

  8. 12/29/2025

    Backdoor Fees, Restraints & Recruiter Myths — Barry Cullen of recLAW Tells It Like It Is

    In this episode of RecTalk, Nitin Sharma sits down with the man many recruiters know as “Backdoor Barry” — Barry Cullen, Partner & Solicitor at recLAW, one of the UK’s leading specialist law firms serving the recruitment industry. Barry lifts the lid on what recLAW really does (spoiler: it’s much more than just backdoor fee claims), how the firm has grown to a multi-lawyer practice, and why recruiters often misunderstand legal risk until it’s too late. This is a straight-talking, myth-busting conversation covering everything from fee disputes and effective cause, to restrictive covenants that actually are enforceable, preventative legal strategies, and why recruiters need to stop relying on luck instead of systems. What you’ll learn in this episode: Why “we didn’t agree terms” and “you didn’t cause the engagement” are the most common fee dispute argumentsHow to contract out of effective cause (and why it matters)Practical steps recruiters can take to protect fees before disputes happenThe truth about restrictive covenants — and real cases where recruiters were fined heavilyWhy restraints of trade aren’t “worthless” (despite what LinkedIn says)How recLAW helps recruiters with disputes, employment law, corporate deals, and M&AThe danger of celebrating fees before the cash hits the bankWhy prevention is cheaper (and smarter) than firefighting legal problemsHow recruitment businesses sabotage themselves by ignoring process, training, and documentation Barry also shares candid views on recruiter reputation, ethical misconceptions about lawyers, and why recruiters should value their own expertise more confidently. This episode is essential listening for any recruitment business owner who wants fewer disputes, stronger protection, and fewer nasty surprises. 🔗 Connect with the guest Barry Cullen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/barrycullen/ Check out recLAW: https://www.rectools.io/product/reclaw/ 🔗 Connect with the host Nitin Sharma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nitin-rectools/ Discover recruitment tools and services: https://www.rectools.io/ New episodes of RecTalk, including Founder Diaries and Talking Talent, drop every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Look out for new episodes of The Mixed Grill — the official podcast of the Recruitment Curry Club — dropping on Thursdays. https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-recruitment-curry-club/ Listen on another platform: https://rectalk.co.uk/ #RecTalk #RecruitmentLaw #BackdoorFees #FeeDisputes #RestrictiveCovenants #RecruitmentAgency #RecruitmentBusiness #RecruiterProblems #recLAW #Rectools

    53 min
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Welcome to RecTalk, the UK's biggest recruitment industry podcast on YouTube and a Top 15% Video Podcast on Spotify! Hear from trailblazers in the recruitment industry who want to have their say on all things recruitment - unbiased, unfiltered, unscripted.

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