How Curiosity Turns People Skills Into Real Tech Impact
The Talent Tango
This episode features Todd Hazen, Head of Technical Recruiting at Gusto, in a candid conversation about what it takes to move from non-tech recruiting into the world of technical hiring. Todd shares how he built credibility, developed deep connections, and learned to thrive in a space that demands both curiosity and humility. For talent professionals navigating transitions, this one is packed with lessons on leadership, learning, and trust. Key Takeaways • Curiosity beats confidence when entering a new domain. Ask questions, even when you’re in a leadership role. • Building trust with...
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Stop Fixing Processes. Start Designing Systems.
The Talent Tango
Kit Krugman, SVP of People and Culture at Foursquare, joins to unpack what it really means to be a systems thinker in people leadership. She explains how to move beyond process for process’s sake, design people systems that actually work together, and create the kind of vibrancy that drives both performance and connection. This is a conversation about how to think, not just how to operate—ideal for anyone building or leading modern people functions. Key Takeaways • Systems thinking helps people leaders see the entire ecosystem, not just isolated policies or tools. • Moving from...
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The Human Side of AI in Talent
The Talent Tango
AI is reshaping how talent teams work, but it’s not replacing the human touch. In this episode, Logan Marsh, Head of Talent Acquisition at Calendly, joins Amir to unpack how AI is transforming recruiting from process-heavy to purpose-driven. He shares how Calendly uses AI to enhance efficiency, measure ROI, and empower recruiters to focus on strategy and storytelling—not spreadsheets. This is a real-world look at what’s working, what’s hype, and how leaders can stay ahead without losing what makes great hiring human. Key Takeaways • How Calendly is weaving AI into its TA tech stack...
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Leading With Compassion When the Decisions Are Hard
The Talent Tango
Emily Ellis, Chief People Officer at DriveWealth, joins the show to explore what it really takes to lead with compassion when the decisions are hard. From layoffs and shifting priorities to hiring in high-growth startups, Emily shares how people leaders can balance business realities with humanity—and why that balance ultimately strengthens culture and trust. Key Takeaways • Feedback is a gift when delivered with honesty and care—it prevents harder issues later. • Hiring slow and with clarity sets the stage for fewer painful exits down the road. • Compassion in layoffs means clarity,...
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How Top People Leaders Pick the Right Tools
The Talent Tango
Startups can’t afford to waste time—or budget—on the wrong tools. In this episode, Amir sits down with June Lee, Global Head of People and Culture at Twelve Labs, to unpack how to choose the right people and culture tools at the right stage. From evaluating platforms to navigating AI hype, June shares battle-tested strategies for building scalable, high-impact systems that grow with your company. Key Takeaways • The best tools don’t always come from the loudest vendors—June explains why a listening-first approach trumps cold pitches. • Buying software is only step one. Success...
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Hiring Fast Without Lowering the Bar
The Talent Tango
How do you scale fast without lowering the hiring bar? In this episode, Mallory Plank, Head of Talent Acquisition at Guidewheel, joins The Talent Tango to break down how she navigates the constant push and pull between quality and speed. With a background in both agency and in-house recruiting, Mallory brings a clear, operator-level view of stakeholder alignment, prioritization, and TA strategy—especially in scrappy, fast-paced startup environments. Key Takeaways: TA leaders must shift from service center to strategic partner. That means aligning hiring plans to business outcomes—and...
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Why People Teams Need Product Rigor
The Talent Tango
What happens when you treat employee experience like a product? Neervi Shah Patel, Chief People Officer at Faire, joins the show to share how her team brings the same level of operational rigor and customer obsession to PeopleOps that product teams bring to user experience. From leveraging data to embracing transparency, Neervi breaks down how to build scalable, fair, and high-performing orgs—without losing the human side. If you lead people, run HR, or are scaling a team at a startup, this episode will shift how you think about the function. Key Takeaways – Think like a product team:...
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AI Won’t Replace HR — But It’ll Shrink Your Team
The Talent Tango
What does it really look like to run the entire People function solo — and still operate at a strategic level? In this episode, Anisha Thomas, Head of People at Inscribe, shares what it takes to be a team of one at a fast-paced AI startup. From managing headcount planning without over-hiring to leaning on tech to avoid burnout, she offers a refreshingly honest look at how she keeps her footing in the chaos. If you’ve ever worn “all the hats,” this one’s for you. 🔑 Key Takeaways Leadership Without a Team Anisha reflects on how returning to IC work after leading a team has...
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How Great Leaders Rebuild Broken Trust
The Talent Tango
In this episode of The Talent Tango, Amir sits down with Ashley Utz, Chief People Officer at Happy Money, to explore the complex task of rebuilding trust within organizations—especially during periods of change like layoffs, restructuring, or leadership transitions. Ashley offers a nuanced perspective on the differences between personal and organizational trust, shares frameworks like Covey’s “Speed of Trust” model, and emphasizes the critical role of middle managers in trust-building. With timely insights and practical strategies, this conversation is a must-listen for HR and talent...
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Why Talent Acquisition Needs a Project Manager’s Mindset
The Talent Tango
In this episode, Amir sits down with Greg Russell, VP of Talent Acquisition at CoverGenius, to unpack why talent acquisition should be treated like project management. They explore how applying frameworks like the project management triangle (scope, cost, time) can elevate recruiting conversations, drive better alignment, and ultimately improve hiring outcomes. From setting expectations with hiring managers to negotiating trade-offs, this episode reframes TA as a strategic, structured discipline—not just a reactive function. 🧠Key Takeaways: TA is not just sales—it’s strategic...
info_outlineIn this episode, Amir sits down with Suzanne McGovern, Chief People Officer and HR veteran, to explore how the employee-employer relationship has fundamentally changed. From the aftermath of COVID-19 and rise of remote work to shifting generational expectations and the role of company culture, they dig into what leaders need to do to build trust, adapt to new work models, and attract talent in a post-pandemic world.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
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The contract has changed: COVID-19 was a major inflection point, permanently altering what employees expect from work—especially around flexibility, autonomy, and trust.
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Hybrid isn’t a mandate—it’s a design challenge: Simply calling people back to the office misses the point. Organizations must re-architect work to make in-person time intentional and meaningful.
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Purpose beats perks: Employees don’t stay for snacks and ping-pong tables—they want to be part of a mission, do meaningful work, and grow as individuals.
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Culture should attract and repel: Your values should be so real they naturally draw in the right people—and push away those who don’t align.
đź’¬ Standout Quote:
“When we transact, everyone loses. It's got to be more than a transaction. It has to be based on purpose or personal connection.”
⏱ Timestamped Highlights:
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00:24 – Intro: What this episode is about—employee-employer contract and trust post-COVID.
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01:00 – Suzanne’s Background: From IBM to Splunk to Ipsy—big to small org experience.
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02:10 – Defining the Contract: Goes beyond job descriptions—it's about trust and shared expectations.
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03:50 – COVID Changed Everything: Flexible work, layoffs, and remote expectations shifted the power balance.
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06:45 – Work Is Not About Snacks: Why people really come to work—and why “lazy remote workers” is a flawed narrative.
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09:00 – The Hybrid Conundrum: People want both flexibility and deep collaboration—how do we enable both?
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13:10 – The Trust Breakdown: Why both employers and employees are struggling to trust each other.
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16:25 – Reframing Return-to-Office: How empathy and mental health could have made RTO more productive.
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21:00 – Market Shift and Control: How layoffs and power shifts are reshaping employer behavior.
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24:00 – Gig Economy Impact: Employees now have alternatives—and they know it.
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27:30 – Making Work Appealing: Meeting different generations where they are with values, not just compensation.
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30:15 – Culture That Attracts and Repels: Values should be crystal clear—what you stand for and what you don’t.