At This Time

At This Time … ever wondered what happens when a fifth-grade math and science teacher swaps lesson plans for LinkedIn strategy? Stephanie Yesil takes us on her unexpected journey from the classroom to corporate, then to entrepreneurship—where she now helps educators pivot into new careers.

From decoding job descriptions to translating "teacher speak" into corporate lingo, Stephanie spills the secrets to career shifts without going ...

At This Time ... David Radcliff reminds us that “back to the office” often means “back to exclusion.”

In this wide-ranging conversation, the writer and advocate unpacks how COVID temporarily gave everyone the accommodations disabled folks had long fought for—only to see them rolled back. He shares insights on ableism in hiring, the myth of the “culture fit,” and why real inclusivity means rethinking everything from mentorship to jo...

At This Time … we’re pulling back the curtain on the actual job market in education. Josh Czupryk—aka the “Jobs Blast Guy”—shares how a favor for friends turned into the K-12 job list everyone’s talking about.

From building a hand-coded spreadsheet to serving over 12,000 subscribers, Josh reveals the real barriers to equitable hiring, why your resume probably needs an overhaul, and how AI can be your best interview coach. Oh, and h...

At This Time... we go behind the hiring curtain with Leandro Otero, who's interviewed over 10,000 candidates and still has stories to tell. From placing teachers at Teach For America to hiring at Spotify, Leandro shares real talk on what makes a candidate stand out (hint: it’s not your resume font). He dishes on how to get noticed without cold-spamming recruiters, why "fake it till you make it" has limits, and the unexpected power ...

At This Time, we sit down with Annie Miner, long time People Ops pro and advocate for making the hard job of teaching a little easier. From creative compensation strategies to concierge-style HR support, Annie unpacks how her team keeps talent thriving even when budgets are tight. We talk credentialing, resume gems, the emotional pitfalls of AI in the workplace, and why the human touch still matters most. Oh—and if you want to work...

At This Time ... if you're dreaming of joining Lakeshore Learning Company, it's not just about timing—it's about staying plugged in. Melanie Aldridge, Senior Talent Acquisition Partner, spills the tea on why checking lakeshorecareers.com weekly and following recruiter posts on LinkedIn could be your golden ticket to a great job post-teaching. Whether you're an educator curious about corporate life or just job-hunting savvy, this ep...

At This Time ... we’re diving into the world of high-stakes hiring with Oscar Barajas, Director of Talent and Partnerships at Teach for America Los Angeles. Oscar shares what it’s like to help hundreds of aspiring educators—many landing their very first job—get classroom-ready. From coaching nervous candidates through demo lessons to spotting generational shifts in how people communicate, this episode’s full of real talk on teacher...

At This Time... we’re stepping into the high-stakes world of national security with strategist and 20-year veteran Asha Castleberry-Hernandez. From ROTC to the State Department to think tanks and startups, Asha breaks down the many on-ramps into this elusive field—including how educators and STEM pros can pivot in. Want in on defense contracts, military cybersecurity gigs, or behind-the-scenes job boards? This episode’s your classi...

Eric reconnects with recruiter Jake Sohn to talk shop on what’s working—and what needs to go—in the world of hiring. From the myth of “culture fit” to the power of a well-placed thank-you note, Jake shares smart tips for both recruiters and candidates navigating today’s weird job market. They also cover why negotiation is non-negotiable and how LinkedIn can actually work in your favor.

Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe

Guest: Jake S...

Eric chats with longtime friend and educator Will Wong, whose weekly LinkedIn CA K-12 senior executive jobs list job has become a must-read for thousands. What started as a way to give back has turned into a full-on talent ecosystem—connecting educators with roles and shaping how people think about leadership in public schools. They explore trends in executive turnover, the power of community, and why more educators should consider...

At This Time, we’re diving into the high-stakes world of nonprofit leadership hires. Kyle Gracey joins the show to share why boards need more than good intentions when recruiting executive directors—and why vibes don’t count as a hiring process. From micromanagement traps to onboarding strategies that actually work, this episode is packed with practical, witty wisdom for board members who want to get it right.

Host: Eric DeSobe; I...

At This Time, Eric talks with Arturo Natella, a recruiting expert who’s flipped the script on hiring by focusing on outcomes, not guesswork. Arturo breaks down why copy-paste job descriptions and vague interviews lead to bad hires—and how to fix them. They dive into performance-based hiring, reference check red flags, and what candidates should look for to build real career mobility. Whether you're hiring or job hunting, this one’s...

At This Time, Eric talks with Anika Manzoor, a nonprofit leader-turned-job-seeker who's navigating the current job market with candor, creativity, and a well-worn Google Doc. They dig into the emotional toll of job hunting, how to lean on your network, and why stepping away from leadership might be the power move. From ChatGPT-powered prep to mock interviews that actually work, Anika shares real talk for anyone stuck in the search....

On this episode of At This Time, Eric sits down with Yasi Agah to flip the script — diving into what it really feels like to be the candidate in today’s wild job market. From solo ferry rides in New York City to ChatGPT-crafted cover letters, Yasi shares her strategies for staying sane and standing out. They explore how to structure your job hunt like a full-time gig, the rise of performance tasks in interviews, and creative ways t...

At this time, we're talking with Michael Castaneda, Senior Business Partner for Talent Acquisition at Chandon, a winery in Napa. After 8 years in the recruitment world, Michael knows plenty about what a good resume is and isn't, how to manage tough interviews, and when to negotiate an offer. Come for the insight and stay for the sparking wine recommendations.

Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe

Michael Castaneda; add him on LinkedIn

C...

Alex Horowitz on Meeting the AI Moment in Talent | At This Time Podcast

At this time, we're talking with Alex Horowitz, Chief Program Officer at AI for Equity Recruiter, on all the AI things filling up your newsfeed. He trains and support talent leaders who work in school systems on adoption best practices. He's learned a ton and if you work in recruitment in any profession, check out his thoughts and wonderings. 

Host: Eric DeSob...

At this time, we're talking with Siavash Fashi, CEO and Founder of SixPax Gym, the most successful small gym in America. Tune in to hear his amazing journey from Iran to Europe to Venice Beach as he pursued his dream of bodybuilding and the American dream. Hear Siavash's hard learned lessons on hiring talent and what it takes to get a message heard and remembered.

After you're done listening, go buy his book. Inspiration guaranteed...

At this time, we're talking with Ben Ochstein, Vice President at Scoot Eduction, to hear more about he helps hire educators to support public schools to ensure learning continues for kiddos. With over 15 years of recruiting experience, Ben shares why he swears by reference checks, building relationships, and how sometimes you need a visit to New Orleans casino to meet other great recruiters. Plus, has he become a hiring nihilist?

A...