In this episode of The Balancing Act, host Sarah Sheridan sits down with Michelle Keefe, VP of HR at Bowes Professional, to talk about her inspiring journey from administrative roles to HR leadership. Michelle shares how she built her career by embracing challenges—including launching an office overseas with zero experience—and how she managed years of heavy business travel while raising her son.

She also discusses the evolution of workplace flexibility, the impact of strong leadership on work-life balance, and why companies must treat employees with trust and respect. Whether you're a working parent, an HR professional, or just looking for career inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights!

The 2025 job market has everyone scratching their heads. One minute, we’re seeing strong job numbers. The next? Layoffs. Some companies are scaling fast, others are stuck in hiring freezes. It’s a mixed bag—and it's creating uncertainty across the board.

In this episode, Ryan & Emily break it all down:

🔹 The rise of temp-to-perm and extended interview processes
🔹 How hesitation is impacting hiring
🔹Advice for both employers and candidates navigating the confusion

“The market isn’t broken—it’s just cautious.”

That nuance is key. And how you respond to it—whether you're hiring or job searching—makes all the difference.

Rolodex.

But that’s exactly what legacy firms want you to think.

They sell prestige. They sell access. They sell fear. And some companies buy it—because no one wants to screw up a high-profile hire.

Here’s the truth: access is the easy part. Executives respond more than anyone. The real challenge? Fit. Immersion. Results after the hire. And most firms skip that part entirely.

Jeff Smith and James Hornick rip the curtain off the smoke-and-mirrors world of exec search—and explain why most firms are failing their clients (badly) in The 10 Minute Talent Rant, Episode 109, “What Everyone Gets Wrong About Executive Search.”

In this episode of The Balancing Act, host Sarah Sheridan chats with Margot Nash, co-founder and CEO of MindMetrix. Margot opens up about her unconventional career path—from selling makeup at Estée Lauder to leading product teams at tech startups, and ultimately launching her own company in the mental health space. She shares the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with raising two young kids, the surprising lessons she’s learned as a first-time CEO, and how she and her husband manage the daily juggle of work, family, and self-care.

If you’ve ever thought about leaving corporate to start your own venture or just need some real talk on balancing ambition with parenthood, this episode is for you!

In this episode of Beyond the Offer, hosts Rosanna Snediker and Bill Gates welcome Katie Stapor, VP and Director of Talent at FCB Chicago. Katie shares her journey at FCB, where she started in 2011 and earned seven promotions. She reflects on her unexpected path into HR, the power of relationships, and the ever-evolving workplace. The conversation covers adapting to business demands, innovative internship recruitment, transitioning from recruiting to HR, and the value of in-person training and mentorship. Katie also offers career advice for new graduates and insights into the shifting job market.

You’re not buying a list of names. Or a database. Or a stack of resumes.

At least, you shouldn’t be.

But somewhere along the way, a lot of buyers got sold the idea that “access” is still the value. It’s not. Ever since LinkedIn, Zoominfo, and countless contact info clones came around, everyone has access.

What actually matters? Judgment. Influence. Customization. Accepted offers.

You know, real recruiting.

Jeff Smith and James Hornick break down what companies think they’re paying for versus what actually moves the needle in The 10 Minute Talent Rant, Episode 108, “What Are You Actually Buying From Your Recruiter?”

Repeat after me: do not talk politics at work. Or on LinkedIn.

Or in job interviews. Or on first dates. Or at Thanksgiving dinner.

Unfortunately for those of us in the business world, 2025 ruined it. There’s just no way around the fact that tariffs are the issue driving the business climate right now. Every client, candidate, and partner is asking about it—or struggling because of it.

So maybe, just maybe, talking policy isn’t just okay—it’s necessary. Dare I say, productive.

So get ready for a little nuance from Jeff Smith and James Hornick in The 10 Minute Talent Rant, Episode 107, "Talk Policy, Not Politics”

Parental leave isn’t just about time off—it’s about setting employees and businesses up for long-term success. In this episode, Allison Whalen, CEO & Co-Founder of Parentaly, joins host Sarah Sheridan to break down the real impact of parental leave on careers and organizations.

They discuss why 94% of women return to work after paid leave, yet 75% consider quitting within 18 months, and how a manager’s support can make all the difference. Allison shares data-driven insights on why re-onboarding plans matter, how small but meaningful policies can ease the transition back, and why businesses need to rethink leave planning to improve retention and performance.

Whether you're an employer, HR leader, or working parent, this conversation will challenge the way you think about parental leave and offer strategies to make it work better for everyone.