The Human Side of Hiring: Darcy Ahl on What Really Matters EP 129
Release Date: 11/17/2025
Building a Breakthrough Brand: Hayley Segar on Confidence, Grit, and Growth EP 131
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode, Nancy Sheed reconnects with entrepreneur Hayley Segar, who first first appeared on the show during the earliest days of building her One With Swim company. Now, with a patented product, viral traction, and a , Hayley reflects on how far the brand has come and what she has learned along the way. “You have to have almost a delusional sense of confidence, drive, execution, grit, coachability… and that’s a specific combo of things.” From overcoming limiting beliefs to building intentional growth strategies, she shares a candid look at the mindset and systems that...
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Inside An Angel Investing Network: Strategy & Opportunity with Marty Isaac EP 130
HAYVN Hubcast
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The Human Side of Hiring: Darcy Ahl on What Really Matters EP 129
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, Nancy sits down with seasoned executive recruiter Darcy Ahl, who shares her winding career path—from writing romance-novel blurbs to working in brand management and advertising, and ultimately building a 20-year career in executive search where she is currently partner at Ahl, Berrien & Partners. Darcy offers grounded insights on what has changed (and what has not) in recruiting, the continued importance of EQ (Emotional Intelligence), and how relationships fuel her national cross-industry success. Key Takeaways Relationships drive business:...
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Breaking Stigmas and Building Muze: The Future of Clean Cannabis with Shirley Xu-Weldon EP 128
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode, Nancy sits down with Shirley Xu-Weldon, a former Google executive turned entrepreneur who’s redefining what it means to live and lead with purpose. Shirley shares her inspiring journey from her childhood in China to becoming a successful businesswoman in New York, where her curiosity, discipline, and drive helped her navigate industries as varied as finance, advertising, and tech. When the pandemic hit, Shirley used that pause to reflect deeply on what she wanted next. The result? A bold pivot into the cannabis and wellness space, where she founded Leafology (a welcoming,...
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We’re Not Selling Food, We’re Selling Connection: Lessons from The Granola Bar Founders EP 127
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On this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sat down with Julie Mountain and Dana Noorily, the powerhouse duo behind The Granola Bar. What started as a single idea between two friends has grown into a thriving restaurant group with multiple locations and now, expansion into New York City. Julie and Dana’s story is one of grit, instinct, and staying true to their community. They shared candid insights about: Scaling with heart. Growth isn’t just about more stores, it’s about profitability, efficiency, and staying rooted in values. Partnership as a foundation. Their...
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Say Yes to the Work: Betsy Lerner’s Path from Editor to Agent to Bestselling Novelist EP 126
HAYVN Hubcast
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The Art of Connection: Building Real Relationships That Last with Penny Goffman EP 125
HAYVN Hubcast
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Her Workplace: How Marilynn Joyner Uses Tech to Build Community and Career Confidence EP 124
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Marilynn Joyner, a former commercial real estate exec turned tech founder, to unpack her journey from corporate intensity to building an AI-powered career platform designed for ambitious Gen Z and millennial women. Key Highlights: A Career on Her Terms: Marilynn’s early career in commercial real estate exposed her to a male-dominated, competitive culture. Despite early success, she realized she was following rules she didn’t create and sought more autonomy and purpose. The Pivot Point: While attending Columbia...
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From Meta to Meetup Magic: Petra Pasquina’s Journey to Founding Groopl EP 123
HAYVN Hubcast
In this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed is joined by Petra Pasquina, a seasoned marketer turned tech entrepreneur and the creator of , a purpose-built app that makes it easier for small groups to connect, communicate, and stay organized. Petra shares her fascinating journey from corporate roles at Meta and MasterCard to founding a startup aimed at solving one of the most frustrating pain points of modern group life: the chaos of managing logistics across multiple platforms. “I always look for that white space… a place where people aren’t being spoken to in the right way or...
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How to Lead, Thrive, and Shine: Turning Life into Story with Kate Stone EP 122
HAYVN Hubcast
In this inspiring episode of The HAYVN Hubcast, host Nancy Sheed sits down with Kate Stone, founder of Kate Stone Prep, to trace the unconventional and intentional journey that led her from aspiring actress and world traveler to top-tier college admissions strategist. Kate’s story is anything but linear, and that’s what makes it so powerful. What started as a dream of working in film and television evolved into international teaching, private tutoring across the globe, and ultimately building a business that helps students not only get into college but thrive once they're there. Highlights...
info_outlineIn this episode of the HAYVN Hubcast, Nancy sits down with seasoned executive recruiter Darcy Ahl, who shares her winding career path—from writing romance-novel blurbs to working in brand management and advertising, and ultimately building a 20-year career in executive search where she is currently partner at Ahl, Berrien & Partners.
Darcy offers grounded insights on what has changed (and what has not) in recruiting, the continued importance of EQ (Emotional Intelligence), and how relationships fuel her national cross-industry success.
Key Takeaways
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Relationships drive business: Darcy works across industries thanks to decades-long relationships, referrals, and her personalized, high-touch approach.
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The role of technology: Tools and platforms have changed dramatically, but Darcy cautions against mass-posting jobs—most hires still come from curated networks, not hundreds of irrelevant applicants.
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Current challenges in mission-driven industries: Across many impact-oriented sectors, raising capital has become more challenging — but the caliber of talent and conviction in these fields remains remarkably strong.
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The shifting workplace: Post-COVID dynamics continue to evolve; hybrid isn’t guaranteed anymore, with many companies pushing back to the office—impacting retention, especially among women.
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Leadership priorities: Companies increasingly seek leaders with turnaround experience, strong communication, and the ability to guide organizations through rapid change.
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Future workforce predictions: Despite the rise of AI, Darcy believes humans—particularly middle and upper managers—will remain essential.
“AI can write a great job description, but it can’t tell me what makes someone tick.”
In a hiring landscape defined by constant change, Darcy’s perspective is a refreshing reminder that while tools and trends will continue to evolve, the heart of executive search remains deeply human.
Her emphasis on empathy, relationships, and genuine curiosity underscores what truly drives successful placements and thriving careers. Whether you're a job seeker, a business leader, or simply navigating your next professional chapter, Darcy’s insights offer both clarity and encouragement for the road ahead.
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