Stopgap Talks

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, host Amanda McCarthy sits down with performance and wellbeing coach James Pickles to explore the emotional reality behind job searching, recruitment, and leadership. Drawing from James’ own experience of burnout and recovery, they dive into how community—and genuine human connection—can be the key to protecting mental health in a fast-moving world of work.

Together, they reflect on the silent struggles of job seekers, the emotional labour of recruiters, and the ways employers can lead with compassion and inclusivity. Whether you’re looking for your next role, building a team, or tryin...

Ever feel intimidated or overwhelmed by the idea of networking? Wondering if networking really matters post-pandemic? In today's episode, Claudine Farrell sits down with networking expert Benjamin Chilcott to unravel the art—and magic—of building powerful connections that genuinely help your career, business, and personal growth.

Benjamin shares insights from his extensive career, personal experiences, and the practical workshops he facilitates, offering listeners valuable strategies on how to network authentically and effectively.

Connect with the speakers:

Benjamin Chilcott

Interested in learning more about improving your networking skills or attending one of B...

The marketing recruitment landscape is evolving faster than ever, and as we settle into 2025, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the lessons learned and look ahead to what’s next.

In this special episode of Stopgap Talks, Claire Owen (Owner & Founder of Stopgap) and Rowan Lawrence (Director of People & Values) share their insights on the biggest challenges and opportunities in marketing recruitment today.

🌟 What’s in store?

The key hiring trends shaping marketing roles in 2025How AI is changing recruitment—and why the human touch still mattersThe skills marketing professionals need to stay aheadP...

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are more than just buzzwords—they are essential for building stronger, more innovative, and more successful workplaces. But how can businesses truly integrate DEI into their hiring processes?

In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Rowan Lawrence and Amanda McCarthy explore why DEI should be a priority in recruitment and how companies can take practical steps to ensure an inclusive hiring process. They discuss everything from writing unbiased job descriptions to creating an interview experience that welcomes diverse candidates.

Expect real insights, actionable strategies, and eye-opening stats—like how 76% of job seek...

The world of work has transformed dramatically in recent years, and few industries have felt this shift more acutely than marketing, digital, and creative sectors. Remote work is no longer a temporary solution—it’s a permanent fixture reshaping how professionals collaborate, innovate, and thrive.

To explore how remote work is evolving, Stopgap Talks brings you an insightful conversation featuring our Principal Consultant Lara Fisher Jones and Senior Consultant John Hunt. In this episode, Lara and John dive into the opportunities and challenges that remote work presents for professionals and businesses in these dynamic fields.

Whet...

In today’s competitive job market, a positive candidate experience can make all the difference. From the job description to the onboarding process, each step of the hiring journey shapes how candidates perceive your brand. But what does it take to truly engage and impress candidates throughout the recruitment process?

To answer that question, our latest Stopgap Talks episode brings together Kate Boston, Lead Consultant, and Christelle Lycett, Senior Resourcer, to share their best practices and real-world examples for building a memorable candidate experience. This episode is a must-listen for employers who want to attract top talent, cr...

In this insightful episode of Stopgap Talks, Zoe Amar, a leading digital consultant, joins Sibylle Harrison to explore the key strategies for building effective digital teams within the charity sector. Together, they dive into the unique challenges charities face, including digital transformation, recruitment struggles, and the all-important decision between upskilling staff or hiring new talent.

Tune in to discover Zoe’s expert tips on:

Overcoming recruitment hurdles in the charity sector.Preparing your charity for digital transformation.Fostering diversity and developing digital talent with limited budgets.The impact of upskilling and building a strong employer brand.

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In this episode, Claudine Farrell (Lead Consultant) and Tess Leigh (Senior Consultant) pull back the curtain on a topic that frustrates many job seekers—recruiter ghosting. They explain the reasons behind it, what happens behind the scenes in recruitment, and offer actionable advice on how candidates, hiring managers and recruiters can improve communication.

Tune in for a candid conversation that sheds light on the complexities of recruitment processes and why ghosting is not always what it seems.

Connect with Claudine and Tess on LinkedIn for more insights, and visit the Stopgap website to learn how we...