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The hiring market isn't frozen. It isn't booming. It's something in between.

Every week brings another contradictory headline. Companies are investing billions in AI while slowing hiring. Job postings are up, applications are flooding in, and yet organizations across industries still struggle to find the talent they need.

So what's really happening?

In this episode of Your Work Friends, we sit down with three leaders who spend every day inside today's hiring market to separate the headlines from reality. Together, we explore why many hiring systems were designed for a workforce that no longer exists, how AI is reshaping recruiting without replacing the need for human judgment, and why organizations need to rethink how they identify, develop, and retain talent in a rapidly changing world.

Joining us are:

• Alex Ridder, Global Head of Client Partnerships at LHH
• Ravi Subramanian, Founder & President of Chicago Recruiting Forum
• Brandon Welch, Head of Talent Acquisition at BambooHR

Together, we discuss:

• Why hiring feels "slushy" instead of frozen or booming
• How AI is changing recruiting and where human oversight still matters
• Why Gen Z and workers over 50 are facing the same underlying hiring challenge
• Whether college is keeping pace with the skills employers actually need
• The growing role of internal mobility, continuous learning, and skills-based hiring
• What organizations should rethink before automating their hiring processes

Whether you're hiring, leading a team, working in HR, or navigating your own career, this conversation offers practical insights into where hiring is headed and what leaders can do today to build a workforce that's ready for what's next.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
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• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

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The Monthly Work Recap: July 2026

What actually happened in the world of work this month—and what does it mean for employees and leaders?

In our first Monthly Work Recap, we break down the biggest stories shaping work in July, separating the headlines from the signals that matter.

This month we cover:

• The Workday AI discrimination lawsuit and why it could reshape how organizations use AI in hiring.
• What July's job market numbers are really telling us—and why the experience of job seekers doesn't match the headlines.
• The latest return-to-office mandates and what they reveal about where work is headed.
• New employment policies around pay transparency, workforce reporting, and employee protections.
• And, of course, our favorite segment: "Are We Okay?" featuring questionable team-building retreats, office shorts, and other stories that make us wonder what exactly is happening at work.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating your own career, or just trying to make sense of the rapidly changing workplace, we'll help you understand not just what happened—but why it matters.

Welcome to the Monthly Work Recap.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com

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AI isn't just changing jobs. It's changing the rules of work.

Every week brings another headline about layoffs, automation, and the future of work—but what's actually happening beneath the hype?

This week, we sit down with Gary Bolles, global fellow at Singularity University, author of The Next Rules of Work, and one of the world's leading thinkers on the future of work, to separate signal from noise.

Together, we explore:

• Why AI isn't the biggest disruption—it's the pace of change.
• Why young professionals may face the greatest challenges (and opportunities).
• What parents, educators, and leaders need to rethink.
• Why the "career ladder" is dead—and what replaces it.
• How organizations can become more human-centered instead of more automated.
• The skills, mindset, and agency we'll all need to navigate what's next.

This isn't a conversation about fearing AI. It's a conversation about building careers, organizations, and communities that are resilient no matter how technology evolves.

If you've been wondering what work looks like over the next decade—and what you should do about it—this episode is for you.

Learn more about Gary here: https://www.gbolles.com/

Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. We are not responsible for any losses, damages, or liabilities that may arise from the use of this podcast. The views expressed in this podcast may not be those of the host or the management.

Thanks for listening!

Hey! We love new friends! Connect with us!

• On The Socials! You Tube, TikTok, Instagram on LinkedIn - Mel + Francesca.
• The LinkedIn Group: We'd love to have you join the Your Work Friends Group on LinkedIn
• Drop Us a Line: Send us your ideas, questions, comments, complements, whatnot, to friend@yourworkfriends.com