Episodes

  • Terraforming the Future: Tyler Weeks on Human-Centric AI at Marriott

    Terraforming the Future: Tyler Weeks on Human-Centric AI at Marriott
    Jun 25 2026
    In this live episode of Transformation Realness, recorded straight from the floor at Unleash and Transform in Las Vegas, host Kyle Lagunas reunites with an official show OG: Tyler Weeks, who oversees HR technology, analytics, and HR service centers for Marriott International. In a candid and energetic conversation—complete with a surprise cameo from a past guest—Kyle and Tyler dig into what it truly means to design an enterprise tech ecosystem around human beings. Tyler shares fascinating insights from Marriott's massive global footprint, explaining why viewing AI solely through the lens of automation is a short-sighted strategy. Instead, he advocates for using AI as a measurement tool to better understand user behavior and reshape the employee social contract. Listeners will discover how to combat fragmented employee experiences, why hyper-personalization can actually work against building a strong company culture, and how Tyler uses his ultimate guiding mantra—"terraforming the future"—to ensure technology always leaves employees feeling genuinely taken care of. Whether you're navigating shrinking resources or trying to push past the vendor hype to build a unified employee experience, this episode delivers a masterclass in human-centric innovation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • The New ROI: Cathy Peterman (Wayfair) on Engineering Productivity in the AI Era

    The New ROI: Cathy Peterman (Wayfair) on Engineering Productivity in the AI Era
    May 28 2026
    Join us in this episode of Transformation Realness as we dive into the world of AI and HR with Cathy Peterman, a senior HR leader at Wayfair. Known for her insightful perspectives, Cathy shares her experiences and expertise in integrating AI into the workplace, offering listeners a glimpse into the tangible business outcomes that can be achieved through innovative AI adoption. Recorded live from Unleash and Transform, this conversation with Cathy Peterman explores Wayfair's decade-long journey with AI, focusing on the recent launch of new engineering productivity metrics. Discover how Wayfair is not just measuring AI adoption but is also tying it directly to business impact, enhancing both customer experiences and revenue. Cathy discusses the challenges and opportunities of redefining productivity and trust in AI, highlighting the importance of collaboration between HR and engineering teams. This episode provides valuable insights into the evolving conversation around a skills-based workforce and the essential role HR leaders play in navigating the complexities of AI in the workplace. Tune in to learn how Cathy and her team are pioneering a future where AI and human ingenuity intersect to drive meaningful change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    17 mins
  • The Culture of Learning: Jason Desentz on Leading HR at Toshiba

    The Culture of Learning: Jason Desentz on Leading HR at Toshiba
    May 21 2026
    In this episode of Transformation Realness, host Kyle Lagunas sits down with Jason Desentz, the Chief Human Resources Officer for Toshiba Americas, to explore the transformative power of AI and Lean Six Sigma in HR. Jason shares his journey from the automotive industry in Detroit to leading HR initiatives at Toshiba, bringing a process-driven approach to human resources. Listeners will gain insights into how Toshiba's HR team is pioneering the use of AI agents, including innovative creations like the 'Payroll Princess' and 'Time Tamer'. Jason discusses the importance of leadership support in fostering a culture of experimentation and learning, emphasizing the need for HR professionals to start engaging with AI technology without waiting for perfection. The conversation also delves into the evolving skills landscape, highlighting the urgency of developing new competency frameworks to future-proof organizations. Jason and Kyle discuss the challenges and opportunities of adapting to AI, addressing fears of obsolescence, and the critical shift in mindset required to embrace change in the workplace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    15 mins
  • Bridging the Gap: Julia Levy on Supporting Graduates in a Post-Pandemic World

    Bridging the Gap: Julia Levy on Supporting Graduates in a Post-Pandemic World
    May 14 2026
    Join us for an insightful episode of Transformation Realness as host Kyle Lagunas sits down with Julia Levy, a seasoned talent acquisition expert with over 25 years of experience. Julia recently made the bold move to leave corporate America and channel her vast knowledge into writing a book aimed at helping the next generation navigate the job market. In this episode, Julia shares her journey and the motivation behind her new book, offering listeners a candid look into the world of talent acquisition. Julia Levy, a former leader of global talent acquisition functions at Fortune 500 companies, discusses the persistent challenges in hiring practices and why big ATS platforms may be holding back enterprise talent teams. She emphasizes the importance of providing unvarnished truths to job seekers and steering clear of quick hacks or gimmicks. Instead, Julia advocates for working with the system to achieve meaningful career outcomes. The conversation delves into the impact of the pandemic on employment, particularly for recent graduates, and Julia’s efforts to support them through LinkedIn Live sessions and her book. Listeners will also hear about her approach to writing in a relatable tone, aiming to connect with readers on a personal level. Whether you're a student, parent, or talent professional, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of talent acquisition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    18 mins
  • By the Numbers: GEM’s Steve Bartel on the Real State of Recruiting

    By the Numbers: GEM’s Steve Bartel on the Real State of Recruiting
    May 12 2026
    Join us on this episode of Transformation Realness as we dive deep into the current landscape of HR and talent acquisition with Steve Bartel, CEO and co-founder of GEM. Steve shares his insights on how the efficiency imperative is reshaping the hiring landscape, with a focus on AI, automation, and the pressing need to do more with less without compromising the well-being of recruitment teams. In this candid conversation, Steve and host Kyle Lagunas explore the challenges faced by recruiting teams as they navigate increasing expectations and shrinking resources. Discover what separates successful teams harnessing AI from those struggling to keep up, and gain insights into the future of recruiting under current constraints. With data-driven findings from GEM's latest research, Steve highlights the growing workload on smaller teams, the rising number of interviews per hire, and the unrealistic expectations that many hiring managers hold. If you're a talent acquisition leader feeling the pressure, this episode will resonate with you, offering not just empathy but actionable insights to help you navigate the evolving recruitment landscape. Tune in to learn how to leverage AI effectively and meet the demands of today's hiring environment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    22 mins
  • The Indispensable Recruiter: Rocki Howard on Staying Human in an AI World

    The Indispensable Recruiter: Rocki Howard on Staying Human in an AI World
    May 6 2026
    In this episode of Transformation Realness, host Kyle Lagunas dives into the evolving landscape of HR with Rocki Howard, founder and chief diversiologist at Diversiology.io and chief people and equity officer at Textio. Rocki shares her candid insights on how AI is reshaping the recruitment process and what talent professionals must do to remain indispensable in an AI-driven world. Listeners will discover how AI can be leveraged to enhance the human elements of HR, such as judgment, relationships, and trust-building, rather than replacing them. Rocki emphasizes the importance of focusing on the irreplaceable human aspects of recruiting, such as building partnerships and accountability with hiring managers. She also shares her perspective on the evolution of recruitment technology and how it should be viewed as a tool to enhance, not threaten, the human touch in HR. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone feeling uneasy about their role in an AI-shaped future. Rocki's empowering message challenges HR professionals to embrace AI as a partner in transformation, urging them to take ownership of their unique value in the recruitment process. Tune in to learn how to navigate this pivotal moment in HR and make AI work for you, not against you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    19 mins
  • Beyond the Algorithm: Joe Shaker on Creativity in Recruitment Marketing

    Beyond the Algorithm: Joe Shaker on Creativity in Recruitment Marketing
    Apr 29 2026
    In this episode of Transformation Realness, host Kyle Lagunas sits down with Joe Shaker, President of Shaker Recruitment Marketing, to explore the evolving landscape of recruitment marketing. Joe, coming from a lineage that's been shaping the industry for three generations, offers a unique perspective on what creativity means in an era where technology and automation dominate. Listeners will gain insights into how employer branding can stand out when everyone has access to the same tools and strategies. Joe discusses the importance of storytelling and the human element in recruitment, even as AI and automation become more prevalent. He emphasizes the need for scaling best practices rather than worst ones and highlights the critical role of AI literacy across organizations. Join Kyle and Joe as they delve into the pressures facing talent acquisition teams today, the balance between technology and personal interaction, and how organizations can use AI to enhance rather than replace human efforts. Whether you're interested in the future of recruitment or looking to understand the current crossroads the industry faces, this conversation is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    14 mins
  • Invisible Software, Real Impact: Paradox on Frictionless Hiring

    Invisible Software, Real Impact: Paradox on Frictionless Hiring
    Feb 25 2025
    Hiring is messy, but it doesn’t have to be. In this episode of Transformation Realness, I sit down with Adam Godson, CEO of Paradox, and Andrew McMannis, Head of Workday Practice at Paradox, to talk about how AI-powered hiring is transforming talent acquisition. We get into why high-volume hiring, interview scheduling and frontline recruitment are still full of friction, how Paradox is delivering AI that actually works behind the scenes and why Workday’s partner ecosystem is making hiring more seamless than ever. Adam and Andrew break down what it means to build “invisible” software that removes headaches instead of adding them, and how recruiters can finally stop bouncing between a million tabs and just focus on hiring. If you’re tired of hiring processes that slow you down instead of speeding things up, this episode is for you. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    29 mins