Workfluencer

Most people think building a community is about finding a niche and hoping people show up. Jeremy Lyons knows better—he’s the man behind the RecOps community. From launching the first RecOps conference to building the widely read RecOps Roundup newsletter, Jeremy has turned a behind-the-scenes role into a movement.

In this episode, we dig into:

The four (sometimes five) pillars of Recruiting Operations—and why employer branding belongs in the mix.

How Jeremy built the RecOps community during a wave of layoffs, and why neutrality became his non-negotiable.

The moment...

Zach Nunn, founder of Living Corporate, pulls back the curtain on what it takes to create authentic content about race and identity in the workplace. From deleting episodes with problematic guests to calling out patronizing DEI storytelling, Zach shares why most corporate diversity content misses the mark and how to create conversations that actually matter.

What You'll Learn:

Tired of recruiter content that chases likes but lacks substance? In this episode, discover how Andrew Lewis grew from 0 to 45K followers by mastering content creation that delivers real value and opens up new career opportunities. As Head of Talent at Worldly, Andrew shares how he carved out his unique voice, built personal branding that stands out, and earned the trust of his audience.

We dive into actionable strategies for recruiters and creators who want to break free from recycled talking points and create original content that builds credibility—not just engagement. Learn how An...

Anessa Fike has led 125+ organizations, pioneered the Fractional HR model in the U.S., and built a career by saying the things most people won’t. In this episode, she joins Rhona to break down what it really costs to speak up in HR—especially when it challenges power, calls out performative allyship, and disrupts the speaker circuit status quo.

Anessa shares how she uses her privilege intentionally, what she’s given up to stay true to her values, and why she keeps going even when the backlash hits. This one’s for every HR leader, content creator...

In this bonus episode, recorded live at SHRM 2025, Rhona Pierce interviews Tara Amaral, a veteran talent acquisition expert. Tara shares practical strategies for building effective recruiting functions, highlighting the importance of simple, repeatable processes, data-driven decision-making, and thoughtful change management. She discusses how organizations of all sizes can optimize hiring, leverage technology and AI wisely, and foster strategic partnerships. Tara emphasizes the enduring value of human expertise in recruitment, offering actionable advice for leaders and recruiters navigating today’s evolving talent landscape.

This episode was brought to you by VirgilHR, The all-in-one SaaS solution that emp...

When two established HR professionals decide to launch a podcast together, what could go wrong? According to Desiree Goldey and Ashley King, co-hosts of the new Talentless podcast, quite a lot – and that's exactly what made their partnership stronger. In this episode of Workfluencer, we dive deep into their journey from recording "absolutely trash" episodes to building a mission-driven show that's already generating buzz in the talent acquisition space.

 If you're considering launching a podcast (solo or with a partner), thinking about content creation as an HR professional, or simply want to understand what it takes to bui...

In this bonus episode, recorded live at SHRM 2025, Rhona Pierce interviews Haggai, co-founder of Bites, a platform revolutionizing training and communication for frontline employees. Haggai explains how Bites transforms existing materials into TikTok-style microlearning videos, integrates with popular messaging apps, and achieves high engagement without users needing corporate email addresses. He discusses the unique challenges of training frontline workers, Bites’ seamless user experience, and their positive journey with SHRM Labs. Haggai also shares future plans to directly link training to business outcomes, making learning both engaging and impactful.

What You’ll Learn:

Can you really master LinkedIn monetization and personal branding without quitting your 9–5? Bonnie Dilber proves it’s possible. As a recruiting manager at Zapier and a recognized LinkedIn content creation expert, Bonnie has built a thriving LinkedIn presence of over 440,000 followers—all while leading a recruiting team and managing high-value brand partnerships.

 In this episode, Bonnie reveals the exact LinkedIn content creation strategies that fueled her growth, the boundaries she sets between her personal brand and her employer, and how she evaluates brand deals and monetization opportunities. Discover how to build authentic thought leadership on LinkedIn, handle workpla...

What happens when a trained playwright enters the corporate world? Tara Turk-Haynes, founder of Equity Activations and former VP of DEI and Talent Acquisition, reveals how theatrical storytelling techniques can revolutionize workplace content, build authentic community, and challenge power dynamics from within the system.

In this episode, Tara shares her unique framework for finding story-worthy moments in everyday workplace situations, the difference between content that gets engagement versus content that creates genuine connection, and how to balance truth-telling with strategic relationship building. Whether you're an HR professional, content creator, or workplace leader, you'll walk away with actionable...

What happens when you want to build your personal brand, but your company isn’t on board? This week on the Workfluencer Podcast, Tiffany Tate flips the mic and interviews our host, Rhona Pierce, about what it really takes to grow your influence as a working professional. They dive into how to build a personal brand, protect your career, and create content that resonates without burning out.

If you’ve ever wondered how to start posting, what to share, or how to navigate corporate boundaries, this is the episode for you.

What you’ll learn:

Lorna Erickson and Victoria Gates turned their decades of interviewing expertise into a profitable content business—landing 30+ brand deals worth six figures in under two years. Here's exactly how they did it, plus the tactical steps you can take this week to land your first partnership.

In this episode, Rhona, Victoria & Lorna will discuss:

When HR executive Jessica Winder decided to share her sobriety journey on LinkedIn, her family warned it would destroy her career. Instead, it became her most powerful content and helped hundreds of professionals struggling in silence. In this episode of Workfluencer, Jessica reveals how she built authentic influence while navigating executive roles, why she finally embraced video content after years of resistance, and the real cost of speaking truth to power in corporate America.

Whether you're an individual contributor afraid to post or a leader wanting to enable your team's voices, Jessica's journey from "timid" content creator...

Ever wondered what it really takes to create those polished conference recaps you see flooding LinkedIn?

Rachel Bourne and Lydia Wu teamed up to create daily conference recaps at Unleash America - and what they discovered about event content creation will change how you think about conference coverage. From managing exhaustion while filming to dealing with people walking through your shots, this episode reveals the strategic and chaotic reality behind those polished recaps flooding your LinkedIn feed.

In this episode we cover:

What happens when your newsletter becomes the unofficial therapy session for HR professionals everywhere?

In this episode, Rhona sits down with Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer at Workweek and the creator of I Hate It Here, one of the most read and reshared newsletters in the People space. Known for her honest tone and spicy memes, Hebba has built a brand that balances leadership credibility with creative chaos.

We unpack what it really looks like to speak truthfully in public while still leading a team, how she balances her executive role with her creator identity...

When candidates ghost your hiring process before the first interview, it’s easy to blame the job market. But what if the real problem is trust?

In this episode of Workfluencer, we’re joined by Meghan Cantrell, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at OxBlue, who shares how she tackled candidate ghosting head-on by turning hiring managers into video creators. With no production budget and no marketing team, Meghan used short, authentic hiring manager videos to boost skills assessment completions by 40%, speed up interviews, and land high-converting hires—including a million-dollar rookie.

If you're in rec...

Mike Peditto didn’t plan to go full-time as a content creator—at least not yet. But after building a massive audience with his no-BS job search videos, the timing came sooner than expected.

Now with over 100 million views and a growing community across TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram, Mike creates content that job seekers love—and some internet trolls love to hate. In this episode, he shares what it really takes to create content that grabs attention, builds trust, and gets results.

We explore the leap from TA to full-time creator, the chaos behind...

If AI can help you move faster… can it also make you sound just like everyone else?

In this episode—recorded live at Transform—Rhona sits down with Trent Cotton, HR executive, content creator, and certified AI nerd (his words, not ours), to talk about the real risks of letting AI take over your voice.

They get into what authenticity really means in content creation, how to tell if someone’s phoning it in with automation, and why the messy middle—between efficiency and originality—is exactly where creators should be working.

What We Talk Abou...

If HR wants to shape the future of work, it has to be part of the conversation.

At Transform 2025, I sat down with John Baldino—HR exec, speaker, and co-host of But First, Coffee—to talk about why content isn’t just for marketers anymore. We got into what it really means to stay visible without being performative, and how creating content can help HR leaders build trust, attract talent, and show up as more than a job title.

Whether you’re already posting or still thinking about it, this one’s full of honest per...

You’ve seen their posts. You’ve shared their videos. But what’s the real story behind their influence?

This is Workfluencer, a podcast about professionals who use content to challenge norms, create opportunity, and build real momentum — without needing to go “all in” as influencers.

In this trailer episode, host Rhona Barnett-Pierce introduces the show’s mission and what to expect: honest, behind-the-scenes conversations with creators, leaders, and side-hustlers using content to shape careers, spark conversations, and shift entire industries from the inside.

What you’ll hear:

 ✅ How content is becoming...

Work isn’t just what you do anymore—it’s how you show up.

In this solo launch episode, host Rhona Pierce introduces Workfluencer—a podcast about professionals using content to build careers, spark conversations, and challenge how we talk about work.

This isn’t just another podcast. It’s a redefinition of visibility, influence, and impact in today’s workplace.

What you’ll learn:

📍 Learn more: https://workfluencerpodcast.com

Is your team ready for HR tech?

Recruitment technology has never evolved faster—but without a clear strategy, even the best tools can slow you down.

In this episode, I’m joined by Lisa Skinner, CHRO at Teamtailor, live from Transform 2025. We dig into one of the biggest blind spots in talent acquisition today: adopting HR tech without first asking the right questions.

From assessing team readiness to designing people-first systems, Lisa shares what it takes to make tech actually work—for your process, your candidates, and your hiring managers.

Wha...

Are fake candidates on the rise in 2025?

The rise of AI has made fake job applications more sophisticated than ever. In this episode, I’m joined by former FAANG recruiter, Stefanie Fackrell to discuss the rising challenge of candidate catfishing. Discover how AI tools, fake profiles, and interview fraud are impacting hiring teams. 

But instead of focusing on aggressive verification tactics that can harm diversity efforts, discover how to build genuine candidate relationships while protecting your hiring process. Learn why traditional screening methods are failing and get actionable strategies that work without compromising inc...

Create Candidate Email Campaigns using Nurture by Teamtailor link.rhonapierce.com/teamtailor

Learn how to build engaged talent pipelines and drive better hiring outcomes using email nurture campaigns. In this episode, I’m joined by TA Leader Brandon Jeffs. We discuss actionable strategies for recruiters and talent acquisition professionals to personalize their approach, streamline outreach, and create authentic connections with candidates.

Email is more than just a communication tool—it’s a powerful way to nurture candidates at every stage of the hiring funnel. Learn how to map the candidate journey, craft emails that get replie...

Want to build an employee advocacy program but don't know where to start? In this episode, employee advocacy expert Nicole Stephens reveals the frameworks and strategies that actually work, from highly regulated industries to Fortune 50 companies. Learn:

 Nicole shares practical examples from intern to C-suite level, explaining how companies of any size c...

In this episode, we dive deep into employee onboarding with Amy Davies, founder of First 30. Learn why 33% of new hires leave within their first 6 months and how effective onboarding can save companies an average of $390,000 annually in turnover costs. 

Amy shares: 

- Why first impressions are crucial in employee retention 

- How pre-boarding sets the foundation for success 

- The true cost of poor onboarding practices 

- Practical strategies for creating an effective onboarding program 

- Ways to measure and prove onboarding ROI 

- How to...

Around 20% of the population in the US is neurodivergent, yet most hiring processes contain significant barriers for neurodiverse candidates. If you’re not intentional about prioritizing neuro-inclusivity, AI-driven recruiting is going to make this worse!

So how can companies make sure they’re not unintentionally excluding neurodiverse talent?

My guest this week is Tameka Allen, a People & Culture consultant and the founder of ModCulture, a consultancy fostering business success through neuroinclusive work cultures.

In this interview, she emphasizes the importance of creating accessible hiring practices that accommodate diverse...

Are you planning on creating content at the next conference you attend? There's more to conference content than just posting selfies. Mike Peditto shares his real experience creating content at RecFest USA and the practical lessons learned along the way.

You'll learn:

 RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Do your hiring managers trust you? What about your manager? Recruiting is really hard if internal stakeholders don't trust you.

In this episode, I’m joined by Brooke Wheeler, a Talent Acquisition Leader who has mastered the art of building trust internally. She shares insights on building trust with hiring managers, overcoming feelings of being undervalued, and the significance of curiosity in recruitment. Brooke shares personal experiences and insights on empowering teams, managing up, and finding advocates within the workplace, emphasizing that effective communication and a proactive approach are essential for success in talent acquisition.

Are you feeling stuck in your TA career? Dr. Jasmine Escalera reveals how to reinvent yourself without burning it all down.

Dr. Jasmine Escalera is a certified career and life coach with a PhD in Neuropharmacology. She's the founder of The Courage Crew, the only free online community dedicated to supporting women in reinventing their personal and professional lives.

In this conversation, Rhona and Dr. Jasmine discuss topics such as the misconceptions about career reinvention, how to overcome burnout in talent acquisition, redefining success metrics for TA professionals, the power of mi...

In this episode, Rhona Pierce and Kamara Toffolo discuss the intricacies of resume writing for talent acquisition professionals. They explore the challenges recruiters face in crafting their own resumes, the importance of quantifying accomplishments, and how to effectively showcase soft skills and leadership qualities. The conversation also delves into tailoring resumes for specific roles, leveraging employer branding experience, and navigating career changes. Additionally, they touch on the significance of staying competitive in a crowded job market and the responsible use of AI tools in the resume writing process. Kamara shares actionable takeaways for TA professionals to enhance their resumes...

Turn your podcast interviews into powerful recruiting content. In this solo episode, I share my strategy for maximizing the impact of your podcast guest appearances through strategic content repurposing.

You'll learn:

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

Orlando Haynes shares his expertise on how to build a personal brand by being a guest on podcasts. He emphasizes the importance of visibility and leveraging podcast appearances to attract opportunities and candidates. Orlando discusses how to choose the right podcast to appear on, the importance of staying authentic while on air, and how to handle unexpected questions. He also provides tips on avoiding common mistakes as a podcast guest and maximizing the impact of podcast appearances. 

RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:

🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throw...

Tejal Rives, a recruiter and content creator, shares her content creation journey and how it has made her a better ally to job seekers. She started creating content to bridge the gap between the limited prep she could provide as a recruiter and what candidates needed to know. She shares her experience of using content creation to advocate for job seekers and improve her own recruiting practices. Tejal provides advice for recruiters who want to create helpful content and emphasizes the importance of having a burnout plan.

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media v...

Rhona interviews, Carrie Corcoran, an employer branding consultant, about the importance of involving hiring managers in recruitment marketing and employer branding efforts. They discuss the benefits of hiring managers sharing their stories and experiences, the common objections to their involvement, and strategies for getting them to participate. They also provide tips for training hiring managers to effectively share their stories and ideas for quick and easy content creation.

🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://throwouttheplaybook.com/video

🎁 FREE Storytelling for Recruiters Course:  https://link.rhonapierce.com/41vKMC<...

Rhona is joined by, Joel Lalgee, a recruiter and content creator, with over 500k followers across social media platforms. Joel shares his insights on creating effective recruiting content. He emphasizes the importance of understanding your audience and what they care about. Joel also discusses the benefits of leveraging video content and shares his content creation process. Joel highlights the power of content in building trust with candidates and hiring managers.

🎁 FREE Storytelling for Recruiters Course:  https://link.rhonapierce.com/41vKMC

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00:00 INTRODUCTION

01:07 Joel’s Content...

Rhona is joined by Taylor Desseyn, who shares his unconventional approach to tech recruiting, focusing on building a community rather than relying on traditional outreach strategies. He also shares his strategies for engaging his audience, including experimenting with content and listening to the market. Taylor encourages recruiters to embrace the future of online talent communities and leverage talent marketplaces like Gun.io.

📬 Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

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00:00 INTRODUCTION

08:42 Experimenting with Content and Listening to the Market

15:05 The Importance of Building Community

1...

In this episode, Rhona is joined by Vanessa Raath, an expert talent sourcer. Vanessa challenges traditional email outreach methods and shares her approach to crafting email campaigns that resonate with candidates. She emphasizes the importance of personalization, doing research on candidates before reaching out, and thinking like a marketer. Vanessa also discusses the power of email metrics and how they can be used to refine and improve campaign performance.

💻 Check out Vanessa’s Courses: https://academy.vanessaraath.com/

📬 Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw
🎁 FREE Storytelling for Recruiters Course:  https://link.rhonapierce.com/41vKMC

In this episode, Rhona and Anna Morgan discuss the importance of personal branding for recruiters and how it can help build trust with candidates and clients. They share their own experiences and provide strategies for recruiters to establish their personal brand. They emphasize the need for authenticity, engagement, and consistency in content creation. They also discuss the alignment of personal brand with the employer brand and the benefits it can bring.

🎁 FREE Storytelling for Recruiters Course:  https://link.rhonapierce.com/41vKMC
📬 Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

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In this bonus episode, Rhona Pierce explores the unconventional journeys of successful recruiters and the power of storytelling in talent acquisition. The guests share their unique journeys and how they leveraged their personal brands to navigate unconventional career paths. Rhona emphasizes the importance of incorporating personal stories into recruiting strategies to build trust, credibility, and connections with candidates. And she shares tips on crafting and using personal stories in recruiting.

📬 Free Storytelling for Recruiters Course:  https://link.rhonapierce.com/41vKMC

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00:00 Introduction

02:23 J...

In this episode, Rhona Pierce interviews Jennifer Laurie, Chief People Officer at StartOut, about the EEOC's new guidance on workplace harassment released in 2024. They discuss the significant updates, implications for talent acquisition professionals, and strategies for creating a more inclusive hiring process.

📬 Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw

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00:00 INTRODUCTION

02:59 Reasons for the Updated Guidance

07:54 Broadening the Scope of Harassment

09:07 Key Changes for Talent Acquisition Professionals

11:30 Protecting Gender Identity and Expression

16:24 Recognizing Intersectional Harassment

23:42...