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Episode #55: Dustin Talley - Founder - Direct Collective

Send a text2026 kicks off with an awesome new episode of Hiring University with guest Dustin Talley, founder of Direct Collective. Big takeaway: the market isn’t shrinking, it’s shifting. And the mid-market is where the action is: less noise, more opportunity, and a real need for leaders and partners who can help programs level up.We also hit on the following topics during this episode:Self-managed vs. MSP (and why more programs are moving in-house)AI reality vs. hype. Enterprises move slowly, and partners are expected to bring innovationThe hard truth about “partnership”: it isn’t a tagline, it’s behavior, trust, and showing up when things get hard For more Hiring University episodes tune into your favorite podcast player or visit us at www.ursusinc.com

Episode #54: Ryan McNair - VP of Workday VNDLY Services - Helios Consulting

Send a textWhat a way to close out the year! Our final episode of Hiring University for 2025 just dropped, and we’re finishing strong with none other than Ryan McNair, VP of Workday VNDLY Services at Helios Consulting.Ryan has forgotten more about VMS platforms than most of us know, or however that phrase goes.😄 Point is, the guy’s been in the game for nearly two decades, and it shows.From VMS innovation to AI hype vs. reality, self-managed programs, integrations, data transparency, and even the Broncos’ Super Bowl dreams… this conversation delivered. 💥Ryan and I break down: Why the VMS world has exploded with vendors  Where companies underestimate complexity  Why SaaS and integrations are the real game-changers  The truth about “AI” in VMS right now  What the next 5 years should look like … and of course, some career wisdom we can all use heading into 2026.If you touch contingent labor, technology, or talent strategy, or want a smart, real, no-BS perspective, this one is a must-listen. For more Hiring University episodes tune into your favorite podcast player or visit us at www.ursusinc.com

Episode #53: Carlos Martinez - CEO & Co - Founder - Lumibuild

Send a text🎙️ New Hiring U! Episode Just Dropped!I’m excited to welcome back Carlos Martinez, Founder & CEO of Lumibuild and Nexxtspace, and officially Hiring U’s first repeat guest! When Carlos and I get together, the conversations are always real, unfiltered, and rooted in what it truly means to build and lead service businesses in today’s market.In this episode, we dig into: 🔥 Why 2026 is already buzzing with momentum 🏗️ The breakneck pace of AI-era office builds 🤝 How service businesses actually differentiate in a “commoditized” world 🧠 Leadership, humility, culture, and protecting your team ⚠️ The realities (and risks) of AI adoption for small companies …plus a few laughs and some founder-to-founder truth bombs.If you’re a leader, founder, builder, or anyone navigating the wild ride of scaling a services business — this one’s for you.🎧 Listen to the full episode here: https://ursusinc.com/media/ Let me know what resonates!#HiringU #Podcast #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Staffing #Culture #AI #Founders #LUMIBuild  For more Hiring University episodes tune into your favorite podcast player or visit us at www.ursusinc.com

Episode #52: Brian Vesce, Co-Founder & CEO | Vinda Souza, CMO - RefAssured

Send a text🎙️ Fighting Candidate Fraud in the Age of AIIn the latest episode of Hiring University, I sat down with Brian Vesce, Co-founder & CEO, and Vinda Souza, Chief Marketing Officer at RefAssured, for a fascinating (and slightly terrifying) discussion on one of the biggest challenges in today’s hiring landscape….candidate fraud.We unpacked:How AI-generated resumes and automated screening have created an “AI stalemate” in recruiting, and how RefAssured can help!Why human judgment still matters more than ever, and how to re-center it in hiringThe staggering impact of fabricated candidate profiles (yes, including North Korean operatives inside Fortune 500s)Why resumes might soon be obsolete, and what could replace themHow RefAssured is building the “back of the baseball card for talent” with real, validated dataBrian and Vinda also share an honest look into the future of ethical AI in hiring, redeployment at scale, and how to bring authenticity back into the talent experience.💡 One big takeaway: candidate integrity isn’t just a compliance issue for staffing firms; it’s a growth strategy!Tune in wherever you get your podcasts or at hiringu.com to catch this episode. For more Hiring University episodes tune into your favorite podcast player or visit us at www.ursusinc.com

Episode #51: Katy Eddington-Lesperance, PMP - Manager of Global Contingent Talent Operations - Netflix

Send a text🎧 New on Hiring University!Episode #51 features Katy Eddington-Lesperance, PMP, Manager of Global Contingent Talent Operations at Netflix. Katy shares how her team supports Netflix’s creative “big bets” through innovative, people-first workforce strategies.Some of the many topics we explore include·      The benefits of Netflix’s in-house contingent talent model·      How the company approaches AI adoption responsibly·      Joint accountability in preventing candidate fraud·      Ongoing efforts to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion across the talent ecosystemKaty also offers leadership insights on balance, adaptability, and staying connected to purpose.🎙 Listen now: Hiring University.  https://ursusinc.com/media/For more Hiring University episodes tune into your favorite podcast player or visit us at www.ursusinc.com