The Human Capitalist

The Human Capitalist

What is a Human Capitalist? Well, it's the new version of Human Resources. It's time to get rid of the outdated and reactive HR and replace it with Human Capitalism. I'm Trent Cotton and I'm ready to give the HR industry the punch it needs to become more focused on Human Capital versus the old stauncy HR. I’m thrilled to have you here as we dive into the future of Human Resources together. This podcast is all about empowering HR professionals to step up as proactive consultants, using AI and cutting-edge practices to manage a company’s largest expense and highest revenue producing asset—its people. As a senior HR Executive at HatchWorks AI, I get a rare glimpse into the impact technology advancement will have on the industry. This podcast is designed to share those insights with you! I’ll show you how to turn your biggest expense into a revenue-generating powerhouse by embracing change and leading with insight. If you are ready to be a rebel in the industry and unlock the true potential of human capital, this is the channel you've been looking for.

Episodes

March 1, 2026 42 mins
Is reverse recruiting a real career service — or a clever racket preying on job seekers? And what happens to recruiting when AI takes over the top of the funnel? In this episode, I’m joined by Brian Fink, one of LinkedIn’s most respected recruiting voices, to unpack two disruptive trends reshaping the talent industry. We dive into the reverse recruiting craze — where candidates pay recruiters to apply for them — and why Brian call...
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Reverse recruiting is blowing up right now — and I have thoughts. In a tight labor market where there are more unemployed Americans than open roles, candidates are flipping the script and paying recruiters to land them jobs. It's like having a Hollywood agent for your career. And honestly? Part of me thinks it's genius. But there's a huge red flag that nobody is talking about. In this video, I break down what reverse recruiting ...
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February 9, 2026 7 mins
Most AI conversations in leadership focus on tools, skills, and headcount — but that's not where AI is breaking companies. The technology mostly works. What's failing is how organizations are being redesigned around it. Leaders are restructuring before they understand where value has moved — and it's making companies brittle, not leaner. In this video (Part 1 of 3), I break down the first critical decision error I see leaders mak...
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AI is exposing the productivity problem leaders have ignored for years. Most organizations optimized for activity — not outcomes — and HR now owns the reset. As AI automates more work, it’s exposing a hard truth inside organizations: Much of what we’ve rewarded for years was never real productivity. Slide decks no one reads. Meetings that solve nothing. Reports created for optics, not outcomes. In this video, I break down ho...
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January 12, 2026 44 mins
Two veteran recruiters break down why relationship-driven recruiting, skills-based hiring, and boomerang talent are about to matter more than ever in an AI-driven world. In this episode of The Human Capitalist podcast, I sit down with Top Source Talent founder and Talking TA host, Denise Chaffin, to talk about what’s next for AI in HR, the rise of skilled trades, and how smart companies are quietly winning the talent war by rethin...
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Almost every time layoffs are announced, we hear the same explanation: “AI-related restructuring.” The problem? There’s been no reliable way to verify it — until now. In this video, I break down the AI-Related Job Impacts Clarity Act, a new bill in Congress that could require companies to publicly report how AI is impacting their workforce. We cover: Why this bill exists What companies may soon be required to report Why HR leade...
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In this episode of the Human Capitalist, host Trent Cotton sits down with Cynthia Abbott Kerr, founder of WellPay, to break down the biggest headlines shaking up the consulting and HR worlds. We start by dissecting the recent news that McKinsey is freezing entry-level salaries and potentially abandoning their famous “pyramid” hiring model due to AI. Is artificial intelligence really the culprit, or is it just a convenient excuse f...
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For board members, the biggest risk isn't moving too fast with "artificial intelligence"; it's failing to ask the right questions before it's too late. This video emphasizes that AI is not a passing trend, highlighting the importance of strategic thinking and "ai leadership" for executives in 2025. It's crucial for "c suite leadership development" to understand this shift, as "ai for business" will redefine the "future of work" and...
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I'm thrilled to have talent strategy expert Rachel Bourne on the show. I've been tracking some alarming headlines about layoffs in 2025, and I knew Rachel was the perfect person to help me unpack what's really happening. We dive deep into the data (because we both geek out on this stuff!) and what it means for YOUR career. 🔍 **What We Cover:** **The Workforce Reality:** - 1.1 Million layoffs in 2025 - approaching COVID-era leve...
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I've been in the human capital space for over 20 years, and I'm ready to discuss how OpenAI could shake up the world of recruiting. This video explores the potential for an "openai jobs platform" to disrupt LinkedIn, focusing on real skills and better job matching. It's a look at the future of work, specifically how AI could impact "jobs" and "talent acquisition" as we know it. ⏱️ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - History Repeats: LinkedIn's Ori...
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AI was supposed to be the hero of the future of work. Instead? 2025 is shaping up to be a workforce disaster. Over **1.1 million** U.S. jobs have been cut this year alone, and yet, companies are doubling down on automation. But here’s the catch: **42% of firms have already abandoned most of their AI projects** due to poor results and lack of internal capability. So what happens when you’ve cut your talent and your tech fails? In...
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Here's what I've learned after 20+ years in HR: AI isn't just a tech play anymore. I's a complete workforce revolution, and most boards are still underestimating what's coming. I just watched Accenture's CEO lay out how the world's most powerful companies are thinking about AI, and let me tell you—it's not what most people think. It's not about scaling models. It's about scaling PEOPLE, changing how work gets done, and making hard...
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We are all chasing AI adoption in HR like it's a golden ticket, but let's be honest, we're failing. It isn't a tech problem; it's a people problem. HR's hesitation to adopt AI is a leadership failure, with many teams stuck in the past relying on outdated methods. But what if I told you the problem isn't AI, but the people behind AI adoption in HR? I'm Trent Cotton, a 20-year HR veteran and self-proclaimed Human Capitalist, and I'...
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Are you struggling to navigate the world of recruiting operations? You're not alone! In this episode of the Human Capitalist Podcast, we dive deep into the secrets of RecOps with industry expert Jeremy Lyons. Discover why your victories might be quiet, but your failures are loud—and why understanding the "why" behind Recruiting Operations can transform your career! 🎯 Video Summary: Join me as I interview Jeremy Lyons, a leading f...
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The gap between recruiters is widening, and what you do next could be pivotal for your career. In this eye-opening recap, we're diving into how AI is transforming recruiting and what side of the divide you truly belong to. Check out this virtual panel program discussing hiring strategies and AI's impact on the process. Hear from various speakers as they share tips and reactions on ai job interview and how to hire employees effecti...
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Are you struggling to make your mark in your industry? Have you ever wondered how a simple video can change everything for your career? In this episode, we uncover the transformational power of personal branding with Rhona Pierce, a true expert in leveraging video to amplify influence! In this engaging conversation, Rhona shares: ✅ The unexpected path from software engineer to personal branding guru. ✅ How she landed her first job...
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Are you ready to discover how AI is reshaping recruitment? You won’t believe how voice technology can revolutionize talent acquisition—let’s dive in! 🎯 Video Summary: In this groundbreaking episode of the Human Capitalist podcast, we bring you insights from Mark Chaffey, co-founder and CEO of HackerJob. Learn how they are flipping recruitment on its head, transforming the way companies connect with tech talent. Here’s what we’r...
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The future hinges on more than tech; it requires strong leadership. Companies need the right people driving digital transformation and successfully navigating AI adoption. To foster organizational growth, focus on leadership skills and embrace transformative tech through leadership innovation. In this video I break down the 5 AI leadership roles you need in your organization today. 🕰️ Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction: The AI Cha...
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Are you aware that nearly half of your workforce feels overwhelmed by AI? It's creating unspoken fatigue that could hurt your company's culture! In this video, I reveal how to turn this daunting situation into a powerful opportunity for growth. 🎯 Video Summary: AI was promised to make our work lives easier and smarter, yet the reality is grim. Employees are feeling the strain, with many viewing AI learning as a second job. What d...
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Are you struggling to make data-driven decisions in HR? Are you tired of hearing AI in HR? You're not alone, and today, we’re diving into the bold frontier where AI meets human resources! In this episode of the Human Capitalist podcast, I'm thrilled to have Laura Close, a visionary in AI-driven HR technology, sharing her insights on harnessing data for personalized employee experiences and the democratization of insights that HR te...
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