What state are you showing up in every day?

In this ep, I dive into the idea of “showing up in state",  a concept popularised by Tony Robbins that’s all about deliberately shifting your mindset, energy, and focus before stepping into important moments.

I actually recorded this episode after having a pretty rough day myself. I got plenty done, but mentally it felt like I was pushing uphill all day. Reflecting on it later, I realised I’d preloaded negativity before the day even started.

So here are 3 practical steps to change your state quickly:

• Change your physiology
• Prime your focus intentionally
• Use rituals and triggers to access peak performance

If you’ve been feeling flat, overwhelmed, negative, or mentally stuck before work or important conversations, this episode is packed with practical tools you can apply immediately.

I’m walking you through something I use every single day on my desk… my closing playbook.

Closing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Every candidate, every deal and every situation is different, and the mistake I see recruiters make is trying to use the same close every time.

So I break it down into three distinct closing plays that I rely on depending on the scenario.

You’ll hear how I think about timing, psychology, pressure points and decision-making when it comes to getting candidates over the line. Tune in for:

👉 My standard close and how I structure acceptance conversations 👉 The exact question I use before an offer is made 👉 Why pre-closing is everything in recruitment 👉 The “this or that” strategy for competing offers 👉 How to handle candidates torn between two roles 👉 When to apply time pressure in decision making 👉 The “let it burn in their pocket” approach and when to use it 👉 Why closing is a playbook, not a one-off tactic

If you’re losing candidates at offer stage or struggling to convert deals, this ep will give you a clearer framework to work from.

At the end of the day, if you can’t close it, you don’t have a deal.

The people around you either drag you down or lift you up.

In this ep, I share a CrossFit analogy that shows how being surrounded by high performers naturally raises your standards, your effort, and your results without you even realising it.

Who you surround yourself with is everything.

Tune in for: 👉 How high performers raise your baseline 👉 Why success is contagious in the right environment 👉 The danger of staying in low bar teams 👉 How to intentionally level up who you are around

If you want to grow, change your environment and let it do the heavy lifting.

You don’t have unlimited time and energy… so where you spend it will either make you money or quietly cost you.

In today's ep, I dive into a real story. A signed candidate, a pulled offer, a scramble to recover, and then a fee dispute that could’ve gone all the way to court.

The question we had to ask was simple. Is this worth our time and energy?

Because every day, whether you realise it or not, you’re making that call. What you focus on. What you chase. What you let go.

Tune in for: 👉 A breakdown of a messy deal and what happened next 👉 Why not every battle is worth winning 👉 The hidden cost of where you put your time and energy 👉 How top recruiters prioritise what actually moves the needle 👉 A simple way to reset your daily focus for better results

If you’re feeling busy but not productive, this one’s a must.

Ever caught yourself saying… “that doesn’t work”?

Cold calls don’t work. Ads don’t work. That client will never use us. That candidate will never respond.

Or is that just learned helplessness talking?

In today’s ep, I break down one of the most dangerous (and common) patterns I see in recruitment — giving up on things that didn’t work before, instead of adjusting and going again.

Because the truth is, most of the time it’s not that it doesn’t work… it’s that you stopped too early.

Tune in for: 👉 What learned helplessness actually is (and why it’s killing performance) 👉 How it shows up in client development, sourcing, and ads 👉 Why recruiters give up too quickly on high-value opportunities 👉 Simple ways to revisit and rework what “isn’t working” 👉 How to shift from “this doesn’t work” to “how do I make this work?”

If you want to improve consistency, open up more opportunities, and stop leaving results on the table then this one’s for you.

Are you leaving money on the table without even realising it?

In this ep, I share a simple but powerful strategy to turn one candidate on multiple interviews into multiple placements. Too many recruiters celebrate a placement and move on, missing the bigger opportunities right in front of them. But there’s a smarter way to work your desk, increase your fees, and create more opportunities for both your candidates and your clients.

Tune in for:

• Why one candidate can lead to 3–4 placements instead of just one
• How to turn candidate interview intel into multi-angled job briefs
• The easiest place to make money that most recruiters overlook
• How to leverage your current desk to increase your influence and fees
• Quick actionable steps to strengthen what you already have in play

This is one-on-one strategy for your desk is simple, practical, and designed to get results fast. Stop leaving placements on the table and start making smarter moves today.

Like, share, and subscribe for more short, actionable recruitment advice.

Ever had a candidate who looks incredible on paper… but the market just doesn’t respond?

Today I talk about a conversation I had on the launch tour that really highlights a mistake a lot of recruiters make — especially those still chasing their first placement. It’s easy to get excited about a candidate with 30+ years of experience, a great CV, and a strong track record. But the real question isn’t whether you think they’re a great candidate. The question is whether the market does.

If you’re sending CVs and hearing nothing back, this ep will make you stop and rethink how you’re judging what a “great candidate” actually looks like in today’s market.

Tune in for: 👉 Why years of experience don’t always equal demand 👉 The mistake new recruiters make when they rely on “great candidates” instead of real roles 👉 How the market really decides who is valuable right now 👉 Why the 8–10 year bracket is often the sweet spot 👉 The simple mindset shift that can help you make your first placement faster

Ever feel like you’re doing everything right when pitching a retainer… but still getting knocked back?

In this ep, I break down the real reason most recruiters struggle to win retainers. It’s not your pricing. It’s not your process. It’s the way you position it in the conversation. I'll walk you through the mindset shift that’s helped me win retainers consistently for years, plus the simple phrases that can completely change how clients respond.

If you’ve ever felt nervous asking for money upfront or unsure how to position a retained search properly, this one will really help.

Tune in for: 👉 Why making the retainer pitch about you instantly kills your chances 👉 How to position a retainer as advice, not a request 👉 What to say when a client asks “How much does it cost?” 👉 The one line that completely removes the money objection 👉 How to handle the “what if you’re not successful?” question with confidence 👉 Why most recruiters are too timid at the key moments in the conversation

If you want to win more retainers this year, this ep will give you a much clearer and more confident way to approach the pitch.

What matters more for recruiters right now… mindset or AI?

In this ep, Jarrod Ross from The Recruitment Academy joins the podcast and gives a really honest take on what’s actually working in the market right now and what’s just hype.

We talk about why high performers struggle more when the market turns, why process is becoming critical again, and why mindset still sits above everything else.

👉 Why AI is powerful but still being misunderstood 👉 What top performers do when results suddenly slow down 👉 The real reason some recruiters plateau in tough markets 👉 Why mindset and process matter more than ever right now

If you’ve felt the market shift lately, this one will hit home.

If you missed out on attending our recent LAUNCH events. The good news is Jarrod and I are coming together to do a final event online this Wednesday March 25th. You can register here:

https://www.rcsa.com.au/SITE/EventDetail?EventKey=BCWEB26

Ever wondered how top recruiters scale their desk without burning out?

In today’s ep, I sit down with Chris Gath, founder of Specify and ProSource, to talk about the real power of outsourcing in recruitment. We go behind the curtain on using offshore contractors, how to delegate properly, and how recruiters can use remote teams and AI to create leverage and grow their desk.

Chris shares how he built his own recruitment business using remote support and why outsourcing the right tasks can help recruiters focus on what actually drives revenue: speaking to candidates, influencing clients, and closing deals.

Tune in for: ⚡ Why leverage is the key to growing beyond a $400K desk ⚡ The biggest mistake recruiters make when outsourcing ⚡ What tasks you should (and shouldn’t) delegate ⚡ How offshore teams, AI, and automation are changing recruitment ⚡ Practical advice for building and managing a remote team

If you’ve ever thought about outsourcing parts of your recruitment desk, tune in as we break down what works, what doesn’t, and how to get started the right way. If you missed out on attending our recent LAUNCH events. The good news is we're doing one last event online on Wednesday March 25th, you can register here: https://www.rcsa.com.au/SITE/EventDetail?EventKey=BCWEB26

Ever noticed how some people walk into a room and lift the entire office… while others drain the energy out of it?

In today’s ep, I break down the three types of people you’ll find in every workplace: energy pumpers, energy reflectors, and energy suckers. Understanding which one you are, and how your energy impacts the people around you, can completely change how you show up with clients, candidates, and your team.

Energy is contagious. The way you show up on calls, in meetings, and on the desk matters more than you think.

Tune in for: ⚡ The three energy types you’ll find in every office ⚡ Why energy pumpers and reflectors create winning environments ⚡ How negative energy quietly drains teams ⚡ A simple challenge to bring better energy into every call today

My challenge for you today is simple: put out great energy for the next eight hours and see what comes back.

If you missed out on attending our recent LAUNCH events. The good news is we're doing one last event online on Wednesday March 25th, you can register here:

https://www.rcsa.com.au/SITE/EventDetail?EventKey=BCWEB26

Ever felt like you’re working hard but still not getting the results you want?

In this ep, I share a simple but powerful concept inspired by legendary mindset coach Jim Rohn and the well-known “Start With Why” philosophy from Simon Sinek.

The idea is this: when your why is powerful, the how becomes easy.

When you have crystal clear clarity on what you’re chasing and why it matters to you, something shifts. You find more energy. You push through obstacles. You stop overthinking the process and simply do what needs to be done.

But if your why is weak, vague, or someone else’s goal rather than your own, the journey becomes a grind.

In this ep, I challenge you to step back from the tactics and skills for a moment and really ask yourself:

What am I chasing? Why does it matter to me? And how will my life change when I get there?

Because when your why is strong enough, you will always find a way.

If you missed out on attending our recent LAUNCH events. The good news is we're doing one last event online on Wednesday March 25th, you can register here:

https://www.rcsa.com.au/SITE/EventDetail?EventKey=BCWEB26

The 2026 Australian Budget has triggered a lot of emotion, uncertainty and fear across the market and recruiters are hearing it directly from clients.

Here's what I'm seeing, hearing and doing right now as businesses react to major legislative and economic changes.

This isn’t so much about politics. It’s about mindset, market psychology and how recruiters can avoid getting dragged into fear-based thinking when clients start talking hiring freezes, market contractions and uncertainty.

I share why moments like this create hesitation across the economy, why recruiters need to stay close to their clients, and how the best operators position themselves early when the market shifts.

👉 Why recruiters absorb client fear without realising it 👉 The danger of letting negativity infiltrate your desk 👉 Why market “pauses” often create opportunity 👉 What Brett is hearing directly from clients right now 👉 How to position yourself ahead of the next market movement 👉 “Where’s the cheese?” and finding opportunity during uncertainty

If you’re a recruiter navigating nervous clients, shifting markets or economic uncertainty, this episode is for you.

What do the best recruiters in the country actually have in common?

After travelling around Australia for the LAUNCH 2026 Tour, I had the chance to sit down with some incredible recruiters. We spoke with top billers in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, many billing well over $1M a year, and some even pushing $5M.

Despite very different personalities, markets and styles, I kept noticing the same patterns showing up again and again.

So in this episode, I break down the four big traits that kept coming up across every conversation.

If you’re looking to grow your desk and think like a top performer, these insights are worth paying attention to.

Tune in for:

👉 Why self-awareness is a powerful advantage for top billers 👉 How elite recruiters switch straight into problem-solving mode when deals go sideways 👉 Why most top desks are built on retained and exclusive work 👉 The reason relationships still sit at the centre of every great recruitment desk

Thanks again to everyone who came along to the LAUNCH tour around the country. It was incredible to meet so many listeners of the podcast. If you missed out on attending LAUNCH in person. The good news is we're doing one last event online on Wednesday March 25th register here:

https://www.rcsa.com.au/SITE/EventDetail?EventKey=BCWEB26

How do I actually feel right now?

That is the question I ask myself before I start anything important.

Today I want to share a simple reset that I use to prepare for whatever is coming next. Before I hit the desk. Before I smash the phones. Before I wind down. I pause and listen.

Am I energised or flat? Sharp or foggy? Calm or wired?

Because I have learned this the hard way. If my body is not working for me, it is working against me.

This ep is not about tactics. It is not about scripts. It is about self awareness. When I know what state I am in, I can shift it. I can fire myself up. I can regulate. I can wind down properly. And when I do that, my performance changes.

High performance does not start with action. It starts with awareness.

Listen in, pause with me, and then ask yourself what you need before your next move.

Please like, share and subscribe as it really helps us grow.

Ever prepared for your desk like a world-touring rock star?

Today’s ep is a homage to the late, great Rob Hirst, the legendary drummer of Midnight Oil and a lesson he shared with me years ago that I’ve never forgotten.

When Midnight Oil announced a global tour after years off the road, Rob didn’t just “wing it.” He trained for six months straight. Gym every day. Built strength. Built stamina. Built resilience. Because he knew what the stage demanded.

And it got me thinking…

Are you preparing like that for your desk?

Recruitment might not involve stadium lights and drum solos but it does impact your income, your family, your clients, and the candidates whose lives you help change.

So the real question is:

Are you doing the reps outside of work to perform at your best inside it?

Tune in for: 👉 How I came to know Rob Hirst 👉 Rob's six-month preparation mindset before a world tour 👉 Why “not deciding” is actually a decision 👉 The non-technical prep most recruiters ignore 👉 A challenge to raise your performance standard This one’s short, sharp, and powerful.

How often do you walk away from a conversation thinking… that was painfully average?

We all do it. “How was your weekend?” “How’s work?” “How are the kids?”

Dead-end questions. Dead-end answers. Zero depth.

In this ep, I share one simple power question that completely changes the dynamic of your conversations with clients, candidates, colleagues and friends.

I’ve been testing it in emails, on calls, and in person… and the responses have been incredible. People light up. They open up. They tell you things they never would have otherwise shared.

If you want to build stronger relationships, stand out instantly, and create conversations that actually matter this one question will change the game. Tune in for:

👉 Why small talk is killing connection 👉 The psychology behind “route response” questions 👉 The exact power question I’m using (and how to apply it) 👉 Real examples of how it’s sparked unexpected opportunities 👉 How this helps recruiters get people to truly open up

Have an amazing day and may all your deals come true.

This year on The Lone Recruiter podcast, we’ve interviewed multiple $1M+ billers across the country.

What are the common traits of million-dollar billers?

In this ep I break them down into 7 key traits:

1. Action first, mood second

2. They trust their process, even when results are thin

3. They get on the phone with purpose

4. They use the ceiling & floor rule on bad days

5. They focus on high-value task completion

6. They generate even when they’re busy placing roles

7. Their self-belief and self-image are strong

If you want to bill more, grow faster, and build consistency in your desk this ep distils the habits that actually separate top performers.

Million-dollar billing isn’t random. It’s patterned behaviour. If you’re serious about pushing toward high-bill performance, I’ll see you on the road at the RCSA Launch events! https://www.rcsa.com.au/Site/Shared_Content/Events/Upcoming_Events.aspx?Keyword=launch

Are you a peak-and-trough recruiter?

Big month. Quiet month. Panic generation. Repeat.

In this ep, we break down why the recruiter who bills steady every month will always outperform the boom-and-bust high flyer.

Instead of chasing huge billing months, what if you just committed to $33K every month? Instead of aiming for a million in a few heroic pushes, what if you focused on the monthly number that builds it?

We cover: 👉 Why consistent billers are more valuable than “hero months” 👉 How chaos kills performance 👉 The danger of ego targets 👉 How to choose a number you can actually sustain 👉 Why foundations matter more than fireworks 👉 How adding one more deal per month changes everything

If your desk feels reactive, unpredictable, or stressful, this ep is for you.

Consistency isn’t boring. It’s profitable.

What actually separates a million-dollar biller from everyone else?

In today's ep, I chat to Laura Biggs from Empowered Decision as part of our Million Dollar Mindset series.

Laura has trained countless top performers and while their styles differ wildly, the thread that connects them is clear:

👉 A problem-solving mindset 👉 Emotional intelligence 👉 Comfort with discomfort 👉 The ability to keep learning and growing

We unpack:

✔️ Whether high performance traits can be trained ✔️ The mindset patterns that hold recruiters back ✔️ Why growth always feels uncomfortable ✔️ The trap of “comfort land” ✔️ The one shift recruiters can make to increase their billings

If you’ve hit a ceiling (or want to avoid one) this ep is essential listening.

What does sustainable high performance actually look like when you are running a global desk, scaling an agency, and raising three kids?

In this episode of the Million Dollar Mindset Series, I sit down with Matt Hart, a quiet achiever who has billed over $1 million consistently, launched his own agency Recrevi Group, and now runs a nine-person team across Australia, the US, UK, and beyond.

We get into the real stuff. Long hours. Burnout warnings. How investing in his health became one of the biggest drivers of business performance and leadership clarity.

This is a grounded conversation about drive, discipline, standards, and doing the work properly without blowing yourself up in the process. Tune in for:

👉 What running a truly global recruitment desk actually looks like day to day 👉 How Matt identified burnout early and made a deliberate change 👉 Why working with a holistic health coach changed his performance at work 👉 The link between sleep, nutrition, stress management, and better decisions 👉 Why reputation and standards matter more than chasing numbers 👉 The one metric Matt loosely tracks to know if a desk is healthy

If you are serious about longevity in recruitment, this one is worth your time.

See link to tickets below for the RCSA's Sydney LAUNCH on Tuesday, Feb 24th https://www.rcsa.com.au/SITE/EventDetail?EventKey=LNCHSYD26

What does it really take to build a million-dollar recruitment business from scratch, during COVID, with a six-month-old baby and zero certainty?

In our latest ep in the Million Dollar Mindset series, I chat with Laura Frazer, founder of Frazer Tremble and the Victorian and Tasmanian Councillor for the RCSA.

Laura shares her raw journey of launching her agency in April 2020, navigating lockdowns, financial pressure, and motherhood, while building a consistently $1M+ business. This is a grounded conversation about discipline, mindset, resilience, and why investing in relationships still beats chasing quick wins.

👇 In this ep, we cover:

• Starting a recruitment business in lockdown

• Mindset and resilience under pressure

• Discipline, habits, and controlling the controllables

• Productivity as a working parent

• Resetting without burning out

If you’re serious about long-term success in recruitment, this one’s for you.

LAUNCH 2026 Tickets are almost sold out. Grab yours before they’re gone.

What does billing over $5 million on your own desk have in common with climbing Mount Everest? Dave Gray has achieved both these things and so much more. In our latest ep in the Million Dollar Mindset series, I'm joined by Dave Gray founder of D.E. Recruitment, 30+ year recruitment veteran.

Dave shares the mindset, resilience, commitment, and relationship-driven approach that’s shaped his recruitment career, his leadership style, and his life outside the desk.

This is a practical, honest conversation about what it really takes to succeed at the highest level, in recruitment and beyond.

👇 Tune in for insights on:

- Building a $5M+ billing desk

- Long-term contractor relationships

- Recruitment resilience & perseverance

- Developing the next generation of recruiters

- Why commitment still matters

- Lessons from climbing Everest

🎟 Live in Perth – 20 February Tickets are selling fast. Link below. https://www.rcsa.com.au/SITE/EventDetail?EventKey=LNCHPER26

At some point, almost every recruiter thinks about going out on their own.

More freedom. More money. No boss.

But what I’ve seen over the years is that a lot of recruiters underestimate the financial pressure that comes with actually running a business.

In this ep, I break down the biggest pitfalls I see with solo recruiters and agency founders: cashflow, tax, and the hidden stress that catches people out after the early wins start rolling in.

I talk about: 👉 Why so many recruiters left agencies after COVID 👉 Why many are now returning to agency life 👉 The difference between running a desk and running a business 👉 Why cashflow matters more than revenue 👉 How tax obligations can quietly destroy momentum 👉 The biggest financial lessons I learned building an agency

If you’re thinking about launching your own recruitment business (or already have) this ep is worth a listen.

Follow The Lone Recruiter for more conversations around recruitment, business, mindset, and building long-term success.

What does it really take to build a million dollar, and then $2M+, recruitment business without burning out or selling your soul?

In today's Million Dollar Mindset Series, I sit down with Eva Grabner, Founder and Managing Director of Elite Executive, who has quietly built one of the most impressive executive search businesses in the country.

From her unexpected start as a Chief Purser on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, to running a lean, relationship led recruitment firm delivering $2M+ in annual billings, Eva shares the unfiltered truth about resilience, exclusivity, downturns, confidence, and why relationships always beat quick wins.

This conversation is also a taste of what’s coming live on the 2026 Launch Tour, where Eva will be joining us on stage in Brisbane.

Tune in to hear about:

• How a cruise ship career shaped her leadership and people skills

• What it actually took to hit $1M, then $2M+

• Why exclusivity beats contingency every time

• Surviving the GFC, COVID, and market winters

• The resilience habits that keep top recruiters standing

• What she would tell herself if she could rewind 15 years

If you are serious about long term success in recruitment, not just this year but the next decade, this one is essential listening.

Follow The Lone Recruiter for more episodes in the Million Dollar Mindset Series and details on the 2026 National Launch Tour.

Today I chat with Eliott Iustini, Managing Consultant at Technical Resources and a consistent $1M+ biller, as part of the Million Dollar Mindset Series.

Eliott breaks down what actually sits behind long-term success in recruitment. Not hacks, not hype, but relationships, persistence, and doing the right things year after year.

From building deep client trust, to surviving the first 18 months, to learning through “a thousand small cuts,” this is a grounded, honest look at what sustainable high performance really looks like.

In this ep, we cover: 👉 Why genuine relationships beat constant new business chasing

👉 How long-term thinking creates repeat clients and referrals

👉 The mindset difference between short-term wins and career longevity

👉 Resilience, stubbornness, and learning through small mistakes

👉 Energy management in a high-demand recruitment desk

Eliott will also be joining the Launch Tour as a Q&A panellist with events hitting Perth, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Melbourne.

🎟️ Tickets are selling fast - https://www.rcsa.com.au/Site/Site/News/Latest_Insight/2026/01-Jan/Launch_2026_The_Mindset_Reset_Every_Recruiter_Needs.aspx

Ever wonder what separates good recruiters from the ones hitting $1M+ years?

I sat down with Matt Cossens – Chief Growth Officer at X Recruiter, founder of MC Squared, and a Wim Hof-certified high performer – and this conversation is packed with insights that will challenge the way you think about recruitment, performance, and your daily habits.

We dive into:

👉 Identity-driven growth: The mindset shift most recruiters never make.

👉 Outcomes that matter vs KPIs: Why what you’ve been measuring could be holding you back. 👉 High-performance rituals: Breathwork, ice baths, and the small habits that create massive results. 👉 Doorframe triggers & affirmations: Simple tweaks that can change the way you show up every day. 👉 Science meets art: How to reverse-engineer placement ratios to hit your revenue goals. 👉 The habits of elite billers: What the top 1% do differently, and why most recruiters don’t even try.

If you want to think bigger, act smarter, and finally take control of your results, this episode is a must-listen.

Trust me, this isn’t theory – these are the exact tools and mindset shifts that create million-dollar desks.

If you’re back at your desk, feeling clearer, and the fog of the break has finally lifted this ep is for you.

Week 2 is the sweet spot. You haven’t been burnt by the year yet, you’re not firefighting, and you’ve still got the space to think properly. That’s exactly why this is the time to get strategic.

In this ep, I walk through how I use my second week back at work to set the year up, before recruitment gets chaotic.

Tune in for: 👉 Knowing when to widen your patch instead of working harder 👉 Having better, more honest client conversations 👉 Re-mapping A, B, C (and H) grade clients 👉 Turning warm clients into consistent revenue 👉 Planning energy, sprint periods, and recovery 👉 Why now is the best time to run a salary survey 👉 Defining what growth really looks like for you this year

This isn’t hype. It’s practical, deliberate planning that pays off later when everyone else is reacting.

As always, have an amazing day! Here’s to a strong, intentional 2026!

What does it really take to perform at a high level without burning out?

In today's ep, I sit down with Natasha Olsson-Seeto, CEO of OnTalent, incoming President of the RCSA, board member at Foodbank Queensland, and still a million-dollar biller.

Natasha has done it all. Executive head-hunting, leadership advisory, board roles, building teams, raising a family, and giving back to the industry in a meaningful way. What struck me most in this conversation was not just what she’s achieved, but how intentionally she protects her energy, focus, and purpose.

We talk about managing energy instead of time, the power of the reverse bucket list, why over-engineering is killing productivity in recruitment, and what recruiters must do to stay relevant as technology and AI accelerate faster than ever.

This is a deep, thoughtful conversation about leadership, longevity, and doing work that genuinely matters.

👉 How Natasha balances being a CEO, board member, mum, and million-dollar biller 👉 The reverse bucket list and why removing things can be more powerful than adding them 👉 Managing energy instead of time 👉 Why simple processes outperform over-engineered ones 👉 How to stay human and commercially relevant in an AI-driven future 👉 What 2026 will demand from recruiters mentally and professionally

This ep is part of our Million Dollar Mindset Series, built to challenge how you think, work, and lead as we head into 2026. Every guest in this series is someone I’ll be interviewing live on stage at the RCSA Launch events in February. Real operators, real numbers, real lessons from the top end of recruitment. If you want to experience these conversations live, grab your RCSA Launch tickets and I'll see you on the road.

The holidays are over, you’re back at your desk, and everything feels a little slower than it should!

Welcome to the first episode of The Lone Recruiter for 2026.

I today's ep, I walk you through exactly how to return to your desk after the break without burning yourself out or wasting January. Here is a practical, five-day game plan to reset your energy, refocus your mindset, and get your recruitment pipeline firing again.

I share how I personally structure my first week back so that by mid-week I’m back in the market, and by Friday I’m getting results. Tune in to learn:

👉 What to do on Day 1 and Day 2 when your brain and body aren’t ready to sprint 👉 How to cleanse your inbox, desk, and mindset for a strong reset 👉 How to plan your 2026 targets, outcomes that matter, and weekly metrics 👉 Why the reverse bucket list could be one of your biggest unlocks this year 👉 When to hit the phones and when not to 👉 The minimum outcomes you should aim for by Friday to start the year strong

It's time to set the foundation for a powerful start to 2026, with plenty more to come over the weeks ahead.

As always, like, share, and subscribe. It genuinely helps the show grow. And if you’re serious about pushing toward high-bill performance, I’ll see you on the road very soon. LAUNCH Event: https://www.rcsa.com.au/Site/Shared_Content/Events/Upcoming_Events.aspx?Keyword=launch 

A relaxed Christmas Special to close out the year.

In this ep, I answer listener questions and reflect on the lessons that shaped this year. From leadership and discipline to habits, mindset, energy and clarity.

We talk about what I’m taking into 2026, what I’m leaving behind, how top billers really separate themselves, using AI sensibly, handling disappointment with grace, structuring your days, protecting your energy and why discipline always wins.

There’s also plenty of real talk on burnout, cold calling versus email, habits that compound results, switching off properly over Christmas and what the recruitment market is shaping up to look like next year.

Thank you for listening this year. We’re back in January with big plans, including the Million Dollar Mindset series and a national live tour.

Earlybird tickets are available until Dec 21st, with limited venue capacity.

Join our mailing list and you’ll receive the TLR-only discount that will save you a pretty significant amount of $$.

Subscribe: https://thelonerecruiter.com/subscribe Event: https://www.rcsa.com.au/Site/Shared_Content/Events/Upcoming_Events.aspx?Keyword=launch 2026

As always, have an amazing day and may all your Christmas miracles come true.

December has a way of messing with focus. The moment Christmas is in sight, momentum starts to drop and too many recruiters unconsciously slow down with the rest of corporate Australia.

That is a mistake! I’ve covered this theme before, but it’s so critical this time of year that it’s worth repeating.

This ep is a reminder that December is still packed with opportunity if you use it properly. Instead of coasting, stay intentional, productive, and strategic right up until you stop work, so January is set up for success before it even begins.

Tune in for:

👉 Why slowing down in December costs you momentum and money

👉 What to focus on if deals, ads, or projects are already in motion

👉 Why being fully on or fully off beats dragging things out

👉 How smart December activity sets you up for a stronger January

This is about discipline, clarity, and finishing the year properly so you can actually switch off when the time comes and come back ready to go.

Are you still writing job ads that try to appeal to everyone? Because if you are… you’re throwing out a giant net and hoping something decent swims in. And that’s exactly why you keep attracting the wrong candidates.

In today’s ep, I break down the Black Marlin Strategy - the simple shift that helps recruiters stop chasing “everyone” and start baiting the exact talent they want. One angle. One message. One irresistible hook.

Tune in for: 🎣 The difference between broad-stroke ads and precision “black marlin bait” 🎣 Why bland job descriptions kill engagement (and how to fix them fast) 🎣 How to find the one spectacular angle that will magnetise your ideal candidate 🎣 A killer real-life example of an angle that transformed candidate response overnight 🎣 What to ask clients when you “can’t find an angle” 🎣 Why quality applicants beat 50 bland ones every day of the week

Someone told Greg Savage that ‘nothing happens between now and Australia Day’… and honestly, it annoyed both of us.

In today’s ep, I unpack why this belief is total nonsense and what YOU should be doing if your market genuinely goes quiet over December and January. I’m recording this fresh off a huge November and strong December pipeline, so the idea that corporate Australia just stops doesn’t sit right with me.

But let’s say your market does slow to a crawl. What then? I share the three things I’d be doing immediately so you don’t waste the next two months — and so you walk into 2026 absolutely flying.

👉 The December–January myth recruiters need to stop believing 👉 Why this time of year can be the most profitable 👉 What to do if your market actually does go quiet 👉 The 3 activities that set you up to dominate in 2026 👉 How to curate your LinkedIn projects and database like a pro 👉 Why your “off-season” matters more than your “season”

If you want to see me speak LIVE - I'm going on tour in Feb with LAUNCH: The Mindset of a Million Dollar Biller - https://loom.ly/nsERcUg for details! and if you subscribe to my emails, I'll send you a cheeky discount code.

If you want your best year yet, don’t sleep through these next two months.

Most people stop at level two.

They make good money… Then coast.

But what if wealth was actually a 4-level game?

In today's ep I break down the “Game of Millions”, a framework that completely changed how I think about success, leadership and purpose.

Level 1: Make $1M in revenue.

Level 2: Make $1M in your pocket.

Level 3: Help the people around you make $1M too.

Level 4: Give $1M away.

The real trap? Stopping once you win.

Tune in for:

👉 Why level 2 is where most people get stuck 👉 The difference between revenue and actual wealth 👉 How elite leaders create wealth for others 👉 Why generosity is the final level of success 👉 The mindset shift that creates long-term purpose

Follow The Lone Recruiter for more episodes on recruitment, business, money and performance.

Are you already feeling the end-of-year fade? In today's ep, I break down exactly why recruiters must resist the urge to slow down now that we've hit December. I walk you through the mindset shift top billers make at this time of year, how to avoid the trap of “closing out and clocking off,” and the simple strategy that ensures you hit January with momentum instead of regret. I share why the finish line mentality hurts performance, how to keep your foot on the gas even as clients wind down, and the practical steps you should take now to set up a strong return in the new year. If you want to start January with a thriving desk instead of scrambling for roles, this message is for you. Tune in for: 👉 The December behaviours that separate average results from standout billings 👉 How to lock in January roles and retainers before the holiday break 👉 The simple planning move that prevents a dead, slow January 👉 The mindset shift that helps you sprint right to the end of the year

In today's ep, I walk you through LinkedIn’s new RPS Plus platform, the next evolution of the recruiter license. After meeting with my rep, I put the new features to the test and found a few surprises, including one genuine game changer recruiters need to know about.

I cover the three core functions LinkedIn is rolling out, what actually matters for recruiters with an active desk, and the real results from a live search comparison. If you’ve been wondering whether RPS Plus is hype, helpful, or just more noise, this episode gives you the clarity you need.

Tune in for: 👉 What RPS Plus actually includes 👉 The big difference between the traditional recruiter license and RPS Plus 👉 The AI agent and why it makes me nervous 👉 The new client targeting features 👉 The candidate search upgrade that genuinely impressed me 👉 Real testing: the 10 percent uplift that shocked me 👉 Whether I think it’s worth upgrading

If you get value from this ep, don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe. It really helps the show grow.

Your mental bandwidth is one of the most powerful tools you have for closing deals, but most recruiters never protect it. In this episode I explain why your KPIs can look perfect while your deals still fall apart and how life stress can quietly drain the thinking time you need to make placements stick.

Tune in to learn:

👉 Why strong KPIs do not guarantee results 👉 How bandwidth gets destroyed by life outside work 👉 The real reason deals stop sticking when you are overloaded 👉 Why your best ideas appear during downtime 👉 How a simple daily 15 minute walk can unlock stalled deals 👉 Practical ways to protect and rebuild your mental bandwidth

If your desk is not performing and nothing is sticking, this episode shows you what is really going on and how to get your momentum back.

Ever been smashed by a deal going sideways, a client flipping at the last second, or a candidate ghosting you right when you needed the win? In this ep, I share the exact tactic I use the moment I get hit by a huge curveball at my desk. No wandering around. No long recovery. Just an immediate and practical way to get your momentum back fast.

Many recruiters lose hours in the space between activities. I'll show you how to cut that wasted time with the simple two-call reset that gets you back in control instantly. This is a fast, focused mindset tool for the days that knock you around.

Tune in for: 👉 What to do in the first two seconds after bad news 👉 The two activity rule that resets your rhythm 👉 Why quick action shrinks overwhelm 👉 How to rebuild momentum in minutes, not hours

Subscribe to The Lone Recruiter to get a discount code for the best pricing on LAUNCH 2026: The Mindset of a Million Dollar Biller. 

This is the biggest thing I’ve ever announced on The Lone Recruiter and I’m so bloody excited!  In February, I’m hitting the road with the RCSA for a national tour: LAUNCH 2026 - The Mindset of a Million Dollar Biller. It’s a high-energy, half-day live summit built to help you reset your mindset, recharge your energy, and rebuild the habits that make consistency (and revenue) inevitable. We’re going deep on the six foundational traits every million-dollar biller builds from - the same ones that have shaped my own career and every top performer I’ve ever coached. In this episode, I’ll break those six traits down - what they are, why they matter and how this event will take them to a whole new level. If you’ve ever felt stuck, inconsistent, or ready for a bigger version of yourself in 2026 - this is where it starts. Grab your TICKETS now before they’re gone. This one will sell out fast! 

Have you ever finished a workday and wondered where all the time went? 

Today I break down the concept of time blindness and why it shows up so strongly in recruitment. Whether you have ADHD or you just struggle to stay aware of time during your day, this episode will help you understand what’s going on and what to do about it.

I share a real story from inside my office, how identifying time blindness changed one recruiter’s results almost overnight, and the simple hacks you can use to become more productive without working longer hours.

Tune in for 👉 What time blindness actually is 👉 Why it’s so common in recruitment 👉 How it affects calls, productivity and billings 👉 Practical fixes you can apply today 👉 How shorter work windows can dramatically increase output 👉 How to use time blocks, calendars and timers the right way

What if the fastest way to close more deals is by getting your candidates to cancel interviews? It sounds risky, but in this ep, I share a story from the office this week that proves exactly why this strategy works and how it can actually secure the deal, eliminate risk, and make everyone happier in the process.

Tune in for: 👉 How a deal story that went from “maybe” to “done” in under an hour 👉 The psychology behind getting pre-acceptance before the offer 👉 Why speed is everything in recruitment and how to use it to your advantage 👉 How to confidently ask a candidate to cancel other interviews without burning bridges 👉 When it’s smart to open up their options and when it’s time to close them down

If you’ve ever lost a placement at the finish line, this one’s for you.

Follow The Lone Recruiter for weekly tactics, real stories, and straight-talking advice that helps you win more deals faster.

Do you want to build resilience? This ep runs through a mindset shift that’ll help you push past hesitation, fear, and overthinking so you can take action faster and build real resilience.

I share a simple technique for overriding your body’s resistance, whether it’s about cold calls, client conversations, or tough decisions in business.

Tune in for: 👉 How to train your “action muscle” when your brain says no 👉 Why hesitation kills momentum (and how to stop it) 👉 How building resilience translates to recruiting success

If you’ve ever found yourself overthinking instead of doing, this one’s for you.

Ever felt that heart-sinking moment in December when you realise no money’s coming in till February? You’re not alone. In this ep, I’m breaking down how to manage your recruitment cash flow heading into Christmas and early 2026, so you can breathe easy, take time off, and still stay profitable.

Whether you’re a solo recruiter, small agency owner, or contractor, this one’s packed with practical steps to keep your business stable when placements pause and invoices drag out.

Tune in for: 👉 The two-bucket cash flow method every recruiter should use 👉 How to forecast what’s landing before vs after Christmas 👉 Quick levers to pull if cash is tight (without panic) 👉 How to prioritise deals that actually pay you this year 👉 Why visibility beats stress every time

Most recruiters think their results come down to volume, more calls, more emails, more activity. But what if your next big win came from saying less and saying it better?

In this ep, I share two moments from my week that reminded me how much tone and word choice influence the outcomes we get. From candidate conversations to client meetings, how you speak can change everything.

Tune in for: 👉 Why saying less (with confidence) often gets better results 👉 How tone impacts authority, trust, and engagement 👉 Phrases recruiters should stop using immediately 👉 The “no when” rule that changes the way you book interviews 👉 Why recording yourself might be the best coaching tool you’ve got

If all you take away from this ep is more awareness of what you’re saying and how it sounds, you’ll already be ahead of most recruiters.

Most recruiters completely change their success rate with passive candidates once they understand one thing:

A headhunted candidate is psychologically very different to an applicant.

Applicants are already in the market. Passive candidates are not.

That means the language you use throughout a process matters more than most recruiters realise.

Tune in for:

👉 Why passive candidates trigger “fight or flight” 👉 The biggest language mistakes recruiters make 👉 Why terms like “interview”, “offer” and “business case” can spook candidates 👉 How to guide headhunted talent through a process without pushing too hard, too fast 👉 Real examples from live recruitment processes 👉 The subtle wording shifts that improve candidate engagement and conversion

Because sometimes the difference between a placement and a ghosted candidate… is just the wording.

What should you actually post on LinkedIn? It’s the question that keeps most recruiters stuck, not from lack of ideas, but fear of what will or won’t work.

In this ep, I share the simple framework I use to create content that cuts through and builds real trust. No tricks, no hacks, just clarity, consistency and genuine value.

Tune in for: 👉 The three content pillars that actually convert 👉 Why most recruiters overthink what to say 👉 How to make posts that work without feeling fake 👉 The type of content that gets you inbound leads

Want the full 2025 LinkedIn Playbook? Subscribe to: https://thelonerecruiter.com/linkedin-algorithm-playbook/ and get the algorithm breakdown straight to your inbox!

Everyone’s saying LinkedIn is dead, but it’s not. In today's ep I break down what’s really happening with LinkedIn’s 2025 algorithm and shows how recruiters can still crush it with organic reach. From dwell time and impressions to post timing and engagement strategy, this is two-part ep is your full LinkedIn masterclass for 2025.

Tune in for: 👉 Why “LinkedIn is dead” is a myth 👉 What the 2025 algorithm actually rewards 👉 The difference between vanity metrics and real impact 👉 How to write posts that reach thousands 👉 The secret to timing, testing and scaling your content

Actions speak louder than words in recruitment.

Ever heard the term hopium? It is when hope becomes your strategy, relying on wishful thinking instead of taking action. Many recruiters fall into this trap, hoping deals will close, candidates will respond, or clients will move quickly. But hope alone is not a strategy.

In this ep, I break down how to spot when words do not match actions in recruitment. By observing what clients and candidates actually do, rather than what they say, you can make smarter decisions, protect your pipeline, and avoid wasted time chasing deals that will not happen.

Tune in to learn: 👉 What Hopium is and why hope is not a recruitment strategy 👉 How to identify when actions and words are misaligned 👉 Practical ways to read client and candidate intent 👉 How to make better decisions and increase your placement success

Here’s a simple but powerful question: Would you be proud to show off your client’s recruitment process to a colleague?

If the answer is yes, you’ve either nailed your coaching or landed a dream client. If it’s no, that’s actually good news because it means you can fix it.

In today’s ep, I unpack how recruiters can build great client processes rather than just tolerate bad ones.

Tune in for: 👉 The real reason time kills deals (and how to explain it to clients) 👉 How to coach clients into running smoother, faster processes 👉 What an ideal hiring process actually looks like 👉 The one question to ask that opens the door to change

Let’s raise the bar for client partnerships and make every process one you’d be proud to show off.