Keep Showing Up: Resilience, Growth, and Lessons That Matter for 2026

In this episode of Lunch with Haley, Brad Bialy sits down to reflect on the biggest lessons, mindset shifts, and industry insights he gained from a transformative year in staffing, recruiting, leadership, and personal growth.

About the Guest

Brad Bialy is a senior marketing strategist at Haley Marketing and the host of both Take the Stage and InSights. With seven years of podcasting and thousands of conversations with staffing leaders, he brings a rare blend of industry expertise, curiosity, and real-world experience.

Key Takeaways

• “The storm isn’t coming — it’s already here.”

• “Systems create repeatable wins.”

• “Happiness lives in the process, not the milestone.”

• “Curiosity builds relationships; pressure breaks them.”

• “Your service must live up to your story.”

Timestamps

• [00:27] Warming up the room and the question that sparks reflection

• [02:14] Why 2025 was a “hell of a year” for staffing

• [05:13] Inside the threats creating a perfect storm for staffing

• [13:23] Competing with Amazon, DoorDash, and Spotify

• [18:44] The happiness trap and the marathon moment

• [24:58] Topical authority and why content density wins

• [28:41] Systems over goals: the Uber ride epiphany

• [31:37] Why you’re not reaching prospects nearly enough

• [36:29] Personalized automation and the GNC postcard lesson

• [38:31] Stop selling like the ’80s

• [41:09] Stay curious: winning the relationship, not the deal

• [55:21] The Gen Z wake-up call and the danger of declining satisfaction

About the Host

Brad Bialy is a trusted voice and highly sought-after speaker in the staffing and recruiting industry, known for helping firms grow through integrated marketing, sales, and recruiting strategies. With over 13 years at Haley Marketing and a proven track record guiding hundreds of firms, Brad brings deep expertise and a fresh, actionable perspective to every engagement. He’s the host of Take the Stage and InSights, two of the staffing industry’s leading podcasts with more than 200,000 downloads.