Episodes

Recorded LIVE from RecFest 2025: Nashville, TN I am proud to share the first episode of our RecFest series. And there is no better way than to kick it off than with Juicebox CEO & CO-Founder, David Paffenholz! Recruiting meets AI — and the vibes are HIGH. Join host Adam Posner (#thePOZcast) live from RecFest 2025 in Nashville as he sits down with David Paffenholz, Co-Founder & CEO of Juicebox.ai— the platform is changing how recruiters source, engage, and hire. They dive into the real story behind Juicebox’s rise from a failed recruiting agency to one of the fastest-growing AI tools in HR tech. You’ll hear honest founder lessons, real recruiter success stories, and an exclusive peek at what’s next for AI-driven recruiting. If you work in talent acquisition, HR tech, or recruiting, this episode is your playbook for what’s coming next. What You’ll Learn: - How AI tools like Juicebox are transforming the recruiter’s workflow - Why “human + machine” beats automation al…

My guest on episode 473 of #thePOZcast is Dave Vu, who co-founded Ribbon, the AI voice interviewer that autonomously screens every applicant, uncovers richer candidate insights, and frees hiring teams to focus on the standouts. With 15+ years leading recruitment and people operations across scrappy startups, hyper-growth scale-ups, and a VC firm, he blends frontline hiring savvy with strategic talent architecture. Backed by top venture investors, Dave now channels his deep domain expertise into building technology that lets employers and recruitment teams hire smarter, faster, and bias-free. Learn more: https://www.ribbon.ai/ We’re hiring! Open roles: https://www.ribbon.ai/careers#open-roles

I’m thrilled to welcome Allison Baum Gates to episode 470 of #thePOZcast! She is ann early‑stage technology investor, accomplished author, and future‑of‑work expert who’s on a mission to reshape how we think about career, capital, and innovation. As a General Partner at SemperVirens, she’s raised hundreds of millions of dollars and backed over 70 companies—including nine unicorns, 24 successful exits, and serves on ten boards. Along the way, she’s built her reputation as not just an investor, but a trusted voice in VC—featured in Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, Forbes, and TechCrunch—and as an educator at Columbia Business School and UC Berkeley‑Haas, empowering future leaders to break into venture. Allison’s journey spans high‑pressure trading floors at Goldman Sachs, early roles at Maveron and General Assembly. In 2023, she distilled her experience into Breaking into Venture, a field‑guide‑style book that demystifies the venture capital world and has sold tens of thous…

My guests on episode #470 of #thePOZcast are Kass and Mike Lazerow — serial founders, visionary early-stage investors, and bestselling authors. Over the last three decades, they’ve built and sold companies like Buddy Media to Salesforce for $745 million and GOLF.com to Time Warner. As investors, they’ve backed more than 100 startups, including billion-dollar breakouts like Scopely and Liquid Death, with their portfolio generating over $10 billion in returns. Their debut book, Shoveling $h!t: A Love Story About the Entrepreneur’s Messy Path to Success, became an instant New York Times, USA Today, and LA Times bestseller, praised for its raw honesty about what it really takes to build a business. They’ve been recognized as top leaders, game-changers in cancer research fundraising, and sought-after advisors helping entrepreneurs cut through the noise, scale with clarity, and lead with conviction. Join us as I unpack their journey and wisdom. Get their book! Shoveling $h!t: A Love…

My guest today is a powerhouse in communications, change management, and equity-driven leadership — Amira Barger. She’s the award-winning Executive Vice President at Edelman- Communications, Change Management and DEIB advisory. She is a strategist trusted by some of the biggest names in healthcare and beyond, and the author of the upcoming book The Price of Nice, dropping October 28, 2025 — a bold call to break free from the comfort that keeps us stuck and create real, lasting change. Named 2024 Woman of the Year by Women Health Care Executives and featured on more “Top 50” and “Top 100” lists than I can count — including Business Insider’s 30 Under 40 in Healthcare Innovation — Amira has spent more than 18 years shaping reputations, influencing stakeholders, and mobilizing communities on a global scale. She’s counseled giants like CVS, Pfizer, Genentech, and the CDC, and she’s just as passionate about teaching as she is about leading, serving as a professor at Cal State East Bay …

First aired 4/29/21 My guest on E146 of #thePOZcast, Tucker Max is a four-time, New York Times best-selling author and founder of Scribe Media. His career took off after he started a blog on tuckermax.com, on which he actually created his own genre called “fratire”. New York Times writer Warren St. John coined “fratire” to describe Tucker’s writing at the time, which was mostly stories about the night life of a man in his twenties, all the partying that comes with it, tied together with a talent (or sometimes a curse) to always tell the truth no matter what. Now Tucker lives a much more balanced life and helps other amazing people like David Goggins and Tiffany Haddish tell their stories and their truth by coaching them through the process of writing their own books.

My guest on E468 is Aleksandar Svetski— entrepreneur, author, and unapologetic builder of bold ideas. He’s the founder and CEO of Satlantis, a next-gen social network designed for travelers, nomads, and sovereign individuals. Imagine if Instagram and Google Maps had a values-aligned baby — that’s Satlantis. It’s not just a travel app; it’s where your map, your feed, and your tribe all converge. Before Satlantis, Aleks founded and exited one of Australia’s most successful fintech apps. He’s also the author of The UnCommunist Manifesto, a global bestseller, and has penned three other books challenging mainstream narratives. He’s been featured on dozens of top podcasts and platforms, and today, he’s here to share his journey from crypto exchange founder to travel-tech innovator, and why he believes the future of connection is human-first — not AI-driven. Learn more: https://www.satlantis.io/

This week's guest is a true force of entrepreneurial nature. Gregory Vetter turned a family recipe into Tessemae’s — the #1 organic salad dressing brand in the U.S. — and pioneered the ‘fresh condiment’ category, even launching Whole30’s first approved bottled dressings. Greg didn’t stop there. He co-founded Alta Fresh Foods to revolutionize the salad industry, and expanded his entrepreneurial reach with Quenchers Vodka Drinks and Tushees Portable Toilets — proving there’s no category he can’t disrupt. Through his Home Grown Brand Accelerator, he’s now helping others build the next great American brands. Beyond his ventures, Greg is a passionate mentor, board member, and advisor dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders. And when he’s not innovating, you’ll find him enjoying life with his wife and kids on their farm. Greg shares his entrepreneurial journey, from turning a family salad dressing recipe into a successful brand to navigating the challenges of the food ind…

I am thrilled to welcome back one of my favorite guests, Mita Mallick! She has a new book out, The Devil Emails at Midnight: Lessons from Bad Bosses, out on 9/30. Let's dig in! My guest on #thePOZcast is a powerhouse at the intersection of business, storytelling, and inclusion. Mita Mallick is a bold voice in the movement to build cultures of belonging—backed by years of leadership experience at powerhouse brands like Unilever, Pfizer, and Carta. She’s a former Chief Diversity Officer, current Head of DEI and Strategic Initiatives, and the host of the Brown Table Talk podcast, where she and her co-host pull back the curtain on what it’s really like to navigate corporate America as a woman of color. She’s also the author of Reimagine Inclusion: Debunking 13 Myths to Transform Your Workplace, a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestseller that’s challenging outdated corporate norms and helping leaders lead better. She has a brand new book coming out on September 30th, The Devil …

First Aired 9/08/23 This is one of those episodes that is so packed with gold that you will want to pause, rewind, and listen back a few times! It's a true masterclass in marketing and career growth. My guest in episode 287 of #thePOZcast is Steve Robinson, former CMO of Chick-fil-A! Today, Steve is a consultant, author, and speaker on organizational culture design and leadership, brand strategy development, and much more. Steve was with Chick-fil-A for over 30 years, and during Steve's tenure, Chick-fil-A grew from 184 stores and $100 million to 2,100 stores and $6.8 billion and became one of the most iconic brands of our time. Prior to joining Chick-fil-A, he served as the director of marketing for Six Flags Over Georgia theme park in Atlanta. Please check out Steve's book, "Covert Cows and Chick-fil-A: How Faith, Cows, and Chicken Built an Iconic Brand"https://a.co/d/79ZNLfV For more on Steve: https://srobinsonconsulting.com/

My guest on episode 466 of #thePOZcast is Chris Kline, the Co-Founder and COO of BitcoinIRA — the company that made history back in 2016 by launching the world’s first platform allowing investors to hold Bitcoin directly in their retirement accounts. Alongside his co-founders Johannes Haze and Camilo Concha, Chris helped pioneer an entirely new financial category. But his vision didn’t stop at Bitcoin. Under his leadership, BitcoinIRA expanded to include Ethereum, Ethereum Classic, Litecoin, Ripple, and Bitcoin Cash — giving investors a diversified mix of digital assets within their retirement portfolios. Chris has played a key role in building the company’s secure, full-service experience — from designing the operational processes to forging strategic partnerships — all while keeping compliance at the core. That’s a big reason why BitcoinIRA is now seen as a trusted leader in the crypto retirement space. And when he’s not shaking up the future of finance, you can find him enjoyin…

My guest on episode #464 of #thePOZcast is on a mission to transform how we work — not just tweak it. Jahmaal Marshall is a corporate wellness advocate, certified mental health practitioner, and the founder of Listen Then Speak, LLC. He’s spent over 12 years helping executives, tech leaders, HR pros, and business owners not just survive burnout — but come out stronger on the other side. Through his top-ranked podcast and consulting work, Jahmaal equips high performers with tools to reduce stress, sharpen focus, and reclaim their energy — all while driving real, measurable business results. He’s not about corporate platitudes. He’s about personal transformation — turning exhausted teams into present, purpose-driven people. Learn more: https://listenthenspeak.com/ Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jahmaalmarshall/ To book a Discovery Call https://calendly.com/listenthenspeak/30min

My guest on episode #463 of #thePOZcast is Charlotte Dales — Co-Founder and CEO of Inclusively, the game-changing workforce planning platform helping companies build truly equitable and productive workplaces. With Inclusively’s Retain platform, employees can anonymously find the support and resources they need to thrive, while companies get powerful data to make smarter investments that boost productivity and retention. Charlotte’s inspiration? Her cousin Cameron, who became Florida’s first licensed aesthetician with Down syndrome. Seeing Cameron’s success lit a fire in Charlotte to open doors for disabled talent everywhere — and that’s exactly what she’s doing with Inclusively. Before Inclusively, Charlotte cut her teeth in finance at Deutsche Bank in London, then co-founded CAKE Technologies, a mobile payments app that scaled across 200 restaurants before getting acquired by American Express. She’s combined her fintech and startup chops to revolutionize how employers hire and su…

FIRST AIRED Oct. 6, 2023 My guest on E293 of #thePOZcast is Kat Cole! Kat is the President and Chief Operating Officer at Athletic Greens. Before joining Athletic Greens in 2021, Kat ran an assortment of brands we all know like Cinnabon, Auntie Anne's, Moe's, Schlotzsky's, McAllister's, and Carvel. Kat got her start waitressing at Hooters, and we’re gonna get into her super inspiring story of rising through the ranks to eventually become the Vice President of Hooters America. She is known for creating insane amounts of growth wherever she goes, and I’m excited to dig into how that’s translated over to her newest chapter at AG. This is jam packed episode with so much insight and wisdom that I can not wait for you all to listen to! Enjoy! To learn more about AG, please check out: https://drinkag1.com/ #thePOZcast is brought to you by our friends at Interseller – the prospecting + outreach platform of recruiters and sellers. Check out a free demo today! https://bit.ly/2Fbm/BZ Thanks for …

My guest on episode 462 of #thePOZcast is Gabriella Rosen Kellerman—a physician, psychiatrist, and a true pioneer at the crossroads of science, tech, and human potential. She’s the Chief Innovation Officer at BetterUp, where she leads BetterUp Labs, using psychology, neuroscience, and AI to help people thrive. Gabriella’s worked with the World Health Organization on global mental health, founded the health tech startup LifeLink, and held leadership roles at Castlight Health. She’s also an advisor to several behavior change startups. She’s the co-author of Tomorrowmind, and her work has appeared in The Atlantic, HBR, Scientific American Mind, and more. A Harvard grad and MD from Mount Sinai, she’s been recognized everywhere from Forbes to CNBC. Let’s dive into the future of flourishing with Dr. Gabriella Rosen Kellerman. Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grkellerman/ Learn more about BetterUp: https://www.betterup.com/

My guest on episode #461 of #thePOZcast is Julie Sexton. Julie serves as Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) for Land O’Lakes, Inc., where she leads the enterprise talent strategy. Known for providing innovative and agile human capital expertise, Julie and her team work with business partners to identify and implement creative solutions that achieve organizational goals and develop the next generation of leadership. Julie has more than 30 years of human resources experience, primarily at Land O’Lakes. After early career stints at Mercy Hospital and Cargill, she joined Land O’Lakes in an Industrial Relations role. She followed that position with valuable HR experiences across the enterprise, including HR Business Partner roles with the business units, Dairy Foods and WinField United, and, most recently, leading Talent Management and the HR Centers of Excellence. Connect with Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-sexton/

My guest on episode #460 of #thePOZcast is Josh Newman, the Global Head of People and Strategy Experience at WPP. Josh doesn’t just predict the future of work—he’s actively building it. As a future-of-work strategist, creative storyteller, and organizational change provocateur at WPP—the world’s largest marketing and advertising company—Josh leads bold experiments in workforce design, AI adoption, and unlocking human potential at scale. With a background that blends strategy, storytelling, and systems thinking, Josh has helped Fortune 100 giants like Walmart, American Express, and PepsiCo rethink how they attract, engage, and grow talent. He helped launch Walmart’s employee value proposition, built proprietary workforce intelligence tools that rival top consulting firms, and transformed HR from a support function into a commercial growth lever. Known for turning complex change into narratives that inspire action, Josh brings the brain of a strategist, a copywriter's pen, and a fou…

My guest on episode 459 of #thePOZcast is Joelle Emerson, co-founder and CEO of Paradigm. She partners with leaders of some of the world’s most innovative companies to consult and advise on workplace culture strategies. She has written extensively about diversity, inclusion, and unconscious bias, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, The Harvard Business Review, Fortune, and on the cover of The Atlantic. Before founding Paradigm, Joelle was a civil rights lawyer. Joelle’s legal background highlighted the consequences that can result from companies failing to consider diversity and inclusion early, and inspired her to found Paradigm. Joelle is a graduate of Stanford Law School. Joelle discusses her personal experiences that shaped her career, the importance of structured hiring processes, and the challenges of implementing effective DEI initiatives in organizations. The conversation highlights the need for proactive solutions in hiring …

My guest on E458 of #thePOZcast is Jon Cooper, a serial entrepreneur and innovator in employee benefits, insurtech, and healthtech. He is the Founder and CEO of Overalls, a company dedicated to aligning employee productivity with well-being through its LifeConcierge™ platform, which supports employees through life’s everyday challenges. Previously, Jon founded Life.io, a pioneer in transforming insurance client engagement, which was acquired by Zinnia in 2021. Learn More: https://getoveralls.com/ Connect w/ Jon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathanacooper/

This week's guest on #thePOZcast is Ben Lee — a seasoned entrepreneur, designer, and now, a wellness architect for the high-performing soul. Ben built his reputation scaling tech startups and leading one of LA’s fastest-growing digital agencies, rooted in innovation and hustle. But after personally confronting the burnout that often hides behind success, he made a radical shift. He stepped away from the grind to found [re:center], a creative lodge in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica, designed for what he calls the reset generation — high-achievers ready to trade burnout for balance, and chaos for curation. At re:center, Ben brings to life a new vision of success — one that prioritizes health over hustle, integration over extremes, and intentional design over distraction. His mission is clear: to create a restorative environment where ambitious people can reconnect with purpose, community, and themselves. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative, or a curious seeker, this conversation wi…

BEST OF: Will Guidara: The Pursuit of Unreasonable Hospitality First Aired 6/07/24 Will Guidara is the founder of Thank You, a hospitality company that develops world-class destinations and helps leaders across industries transform their approach to customer service. He is also the former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park. Under his leadership, the restaurant received numerous accolades, including four stars from the New York Times and three Michelin stars. In 2017, it was named number one on the list of the World's 50 Best Restaurants. In this conversation, Adam and Will discuss the concept of unreasonable hospitality and the importance of managing expectations. They also discuss Will's background in the hospitality industry, his experience working with renowned chef Daniel Boulud, and his time at Eleven Madison Park. Will shares insights on hiring the right people, creating a culture of caring, and making it cool to care. They also discuss the importance of team building and t…

My guest on #thePOZCAST is Abi Adamson, a bold voice reshaping the way we think about workplace culture. She is the Founder of The Culture Partnership, a consultancy at the forefront of inclusion, belonging, and organizational transformation. Recognized by The New York Times as one of the “Stars of LinkedIn,” Abi has become a trusted advisor to global brands like Spotify, Sony Music, and British Airways—helping them build cultures where people don’t just fit in, but truly belong. With a sharp focus on psychological safety and inclusive leadership, Abi equips leaders with the tools to navigate the tough conversations that matter most. She regularly contributes to top publications like The Metro, People Management, and HR Zone, known for turning big ideas into actionable strategies. Whether she’s guiding executives or sparking change through storytelling, Abi brings heart, honesty, and impact to every room she enters. Learn More: https://www.theculturepartnership.com/ Connect wi…

In honor of Dogma's 25th anniversary, check out my convo with the great Kevin Smith! First aired 8/12/22 Kevin Smith is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, comic book writer, author, YouTuber, and podcaster. His first big break was in the film industry, after winning the Filmmaker's Trophy at Sundance Film Festival in 1994, for low-budget comedy buddy film Clerks. He also notably wrote, directed, co-produced, and acted in as the character Silent Bob of stoner duo Jay and Silent Bob, in Clerks, as well as multiple follow up movies such as Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Clerks II (2006), and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019). As a podcaster, Smith co-hosts several shows on his SModcast Podcast Network, including SModcast, Fatman Beyond, and the live show Hollywood Babble-On. He is known for participating in long, humorous Q&A sessions that are often filmed for DVD release, beginning with An Evening with Kevin Smith. Check out…

My guest on #thePOZCAST is Randy Shacka! He is a true embodiment of growing through the ranks. From humble beginnings as a marketing intern while studying engineering at Michigan State, Randy Shacka has built a remarkable two-decade career with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK. He’s held nearly every position within the organization—from mover to manager to executive—and in 2012, made history as the first non-family member to lead the company as President. Under his leadership, the brand expanded its footprint, embraced innovation, launched its sister brand TWO MEN AND A JUNK TRUCK®, and successfully navigated its acquisition by ServiceMaster® Brands. As President, Randy brings a unique blend of hands-on operational insight, franchise empathy, and a forward-thinking mindset. He’s known for driving continuous improvement, championing new technologies, and building a people-first culture that fuels growth from the inside out. Whether he’s mentoring leaders, representing the brand on the national…