Redefining how we talk about work. Hosted by Rhona Pierce, Workfluencer spotlights professionals using content to grow careers, build personal brands, and shape industries. From employee creators reshaping corporate culture to entrepreneurs turning side-hustles into businesses, we explore the real stories and strategies behind blending work, creativity, and influence in today’s world.
Site
RSS
Apple
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
How to Pay Employee Advocates and Content Creators Fairly with Heather Bussing
Friday, September 5, 2025 • Duration 38:04
What happens when employee advocacy moves beyond “posting on LinkedIn” and into creating full-blown branded content? Should those employees be paid like influencers?
In this episode of Workfluencer, employment lawyer and creator Heather Bussing joins Rhona to explore how companies can compensate employee-creators fairly and compliantly.
We dig into:
Why paying employees for branded content builds trust and authenticity
How to classify and compensate employee-creators without missteps
Overtime, equity, and ownership issues every HR team should consider
Lessons from influencer contracts employees can adapt
How HR and marketing can protect employees and unlock brand value
If you’re an HR leader, TA pro, employer brand manager, or corporate content creator, this episode will help you champion employee advocacy programs the right way.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Get Rhona's Newsletter - https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw
Perceptible Studios: Video Podcast Production - https://www.perceptiblestudios.com/
CONNECT WITH US:
Connect With Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-bussing-785122161/
Connect with Rhona on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Don't forget to leave us a 5-star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Workfluencer, employee advocacy programs, employee ambassadors, employee generated content, EGC, paying employees for content, HR compliance, influencer contracts, content ownership law, work for hire, internal influencer program, Heather Bussing interview
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
LinkedIn for Introverts: How Lissa Appiah Built a Personal Brand That Converts
Tuesday, September 2, 2025 • Duration 50:16
LinkedIn can be overwhelming, especially for introverts. But what if your quiet approach is actually your superpower?
In this episode, certified career coach and LinkedIn Top Voice Lissa Appiah shares how she built a personal brand that converts—without being loud, posting daily, or faking confidence.
You’ll learn how to:
Build a personal brand on LinkedIn as an introvert
Turn your side hustle into a full-time business
Grow visibility without burning out
Use content strategy that works for quiet creators
Create LinkedIn posts that attract clients and speaking gigs
Whether you're a content creator, coach, or corporate professional, this episode breaks down exactly how to grow on LinkedIn—on your terms.
RESOURCES MENTIONED
Visit Lissa's Website: https://weapply.ca/
Subscibe to Lissa's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/LissaAppiahCareerStrategist
Get Rhona's Newsletter - https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw
Perceptible Studios: Video Podcast Production - https://www.perceptiblestudios.com/
CONNECT WITH US:
Connect With Lissa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lissaappiah/
Connect with Rhona on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
Don't forget to leave us a 5-star Review ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Workfluencer, introverts, content creation, personal branding, LinkedIn,
social media strategy, corporate branding, side-hustle, full time content creator
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How Storytelling Builds Inclusion and Community at Work with Tara Turk-Haynes
Episode 41
Tuesday, July 8, 2025 • Duration 52:21
What happens when a trained playwright enters the corporate world? Tara Turk-Haynes, founder of Equity Activations and former VP of DEI and Talent Acquisition, reveals how theatrical storytelling techniques can revolutionize workplace content, build authentic community, and challenge power dynamics from within the system.
In this episode, Tara shares her unique framework for finding story-worthy moments in everyday workplace situations, the difference between content that gets engagement versus content that creates genuine connection, and how to balance truth-telling with strategic relationship building. Whether you're an HR professional, content creator, or workplace leader, you'll walk away with actionable strategies for using storytelling to drive meaningful change and build authentic communities around your content.
What you’ll learn:
How to develop a "storyteller's eye" for workplace content opportunities
The framework for turning ordinary moments into community-building narratives
Strategies for truth-telling without burning bridges
Why targeting "the person with the least power" creates better content for everyone
The difference between viral content and impactful content
Tara Turk-Haynes is a strategic leader and Founder of Equity Activations who specializes in embedding diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging into daily business operations. As a first-generation college graduate and corporate worker, she crafts measurable, equity-driven strategies within talent acquisition, leadership development, and organizational culture, helping companies build sustainable, high-impact equity strategies that drive engagement, retention, and business success.
Subscribe to The Way We Work Newsletter
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Equity Activations
Takeover The Workfluencer Podcast
Get My Newsletter
Perceptible Studios – Video content that builds trust
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE→ Content Creation While Employed: Jessica Winder on Brand + Boundaries
****
🌟CONNECT WITH TARA 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ttaraturkhaynes/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ttarahaynes
🌐 Website: https://www.equityactivations.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ttarahaynes/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@equityactivations
🌟 CONNECT WITH RHONA 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
Workfluencer, Workplace storytelling, DEI content strategy, Talent
acquisition storytelling, HR content creation, Employee advocacy content, Workplace equity narratives, Corporate storytelling techniques, Authentic workplace content, HR professional development, Diversity and inclusion storytelling, Employee engagement content, Workplace culture content, Business storytelling framework, HR thought leadership
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Build Authentic Influence While Working Full-Time w/ Guest Host Tiffany Tate
Episode 40
Thursday, July 3, 2025 • Duration 45:45
What happens when you want to build your personal brand, but your company isn’t on board? This week on the Workfluencer Podcast, Tiffany Tate flips the mic and interviews our host, Rhona Pierce, about what it really takes to grow your influence as a working professional. They dive into how to build a personal brand, protect your career, and create content that resonates without burning out.
If you’ve ever wondered how to start posting, what to share, or how to navigate corporate boundaries, this is the episode for you.
What you’ll learn:
Why mid-career is the best time to start creating content
How to find your niche (without overthinking it)
The surprising story of how Rhona started ghostwriting in high school
What to do if your employer doesn’t like your content
Why your personal brand matters more than a company’s approval
How to balance lifestyle content with professional boundaries
The habits and tools Rhona uses to stay consistent without burning out
The first step to becoming a Workfluencer this week
Tiffany Tate is a Keynote Speaker and the Founder of Career Maven Consulting, a leadership development company that partners with companies to engage, advance, and retain mid-career professionals and emerging executives through coaching, leadership development programs and talent advisory.
Subscribe to The Good Work Guide Newsletter
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Career Maven Consulting
Takeover The Workfluencer Podcast
Get My Newsletter
Perceptible Studios – Video content that builds trust
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE→ Content Creation While Employed: Jessica Winder on Brand + Boundaries
****🌟 CONNECT WITH TIFFANY
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanywaddelltate/
🌐 Website: https://www.tiffanywaddelltate.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tiffanywaddelltate/
🌟 CONNECT WITH RHONA
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
workfluencer, professional content creation, personal branding while employed, content strategy for professionals, building influence at work, mid-career content creation, workplace social media policies, employee personal branding, professional influence building, content creation for recruiters, HR professional branding, LinkedIn content strategy, authentic
professional presence, career advancement through content, professional
storytelling, how to create content while working full time, building personal
brand without losing job, workfluencer strategies for mid-career professionals, navigating workplace boundaries with content creation, content creation systems for busy professionals, authentic professional content frameworks
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How To Land Brand Deals as Corporate Influencers with Lorna Erickson & Victoria Gates
Tuesday, June 24, 2025 • Duration 54:59
Lorna Erickson and Victoria Gates turned their decades of interviewing expertise into a profitable content business—landing 30+ brand deals worth six figures in under two years. Here's exactly how they did it, plus the tactical steps you can take this week to land your first partnership.
In this episode, Rhona, Victoria & Lorna will discuss:
How to identify profitable niches within your expertise area (even if they seem "smaller")
The exact DM formula that landed them an $18,000 brand deal
Why follower count matters less than you think for partnerships
How to price partnerships when you have zero precedent
The qualification process that helps you avoid toxic brand relationships
Three tactical steps to land your first brand deal this week
Lorna Erickson & Victoria Gates are hiring manager coaches with over two decades of interviewing experience, making them THE expert interviewers. They help companies and hiring teams make more accurate, equitable and confident hiring decisions one interview at a time. Their content shines a light on frustrations both candidates and hiring teams experience in the interview process, focusing on educational AND entertaining information geared towards anyone in the hiring, interviewing and business space. Their mission is to make the interviewing experience better for everyone involved.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Check out our hiring manager self-paced training and consultation services
Takeover The Workfluencer Podcast
Get My Newsletter
Perceptible Studios – Video content that builds trust
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE→ Building HR's Most Subscribed Newsletter: Authentic Content Strategy with Hebba Youssef
****🌟 CONNECT WITH LORNA 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lornaerickson/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@expertinterviewers
🌐 Website: https://expertinterviewers.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expertinterviewers/
🌟 CONNECT WITH VICTORIA💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vpreston/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@expertinterviewers
🌐 Website: https://expertinterviewers.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/expertinterviewers/
🌟 CONNECT WITH ME 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
Brand partnerships, corporate influencer, workfluencer, content creator business, influencer marketing, B2B partnerships, content monetization, talent acquisition content, LinkedIn content strategy, TikTok for business, social media monetization, creator economy, partnership pricing, influencer rates, content marketing ROI, employer branding, HR content creation, professional development content, how to get brand deals
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Content Creation While Employed: Jessica Winder on Brand + Boundaries
Tuesday, June 17, 2025 • Duration 45:55
When HR executive Jessica Winder decided to share her sobriety journey on LinkedIn, her family warned it would destroy her career. Instead, it became her most powerful content and helped hundreds of professionals struggling in silence. In this episode of Workfluencer, Jessica reveals how she built authentic influence while navigating executive roles, why she finally embraced video content after years of resistance, and the real cost of speaking truth to power in corporate America.
Whether you're an individual contributor afraid to post or a leader wanting to enable your team's voices, Jessica's journey from "timid" content creator to LinkedIn powerhouse offers a masterclass in building influence without losing your job.
In this episode we cover:
Why Jessica calls herself a “troublemaker”, and how that became her brand
Her evolution from timid LinkedIn posts to bold public leadership
The post that nearly got her fired (and what saved her)
Why she finally made the leap to TikTok and YouTube
How she batch-creates content with a full-time SVP role and four kids under two
Her best advice for professionals afraid to post online
Jessica D. Winder is the SVP of People at CoLab Software and Founder of Hidden Gem Career Coaching. Known for creating "good trouble" in traditional HR spaces, Jessica has built a following of nearly 80,000 on LinkedIn by sharing honest insights about workplace culture, leadership, and personal growth. She's the author of The Hidden Gem Within and recently expanded into video content on TikTok and YouTube. Jessica is five years sober and openly advocates for addiction awareness in professional spaces.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Subscribe to Jessica’s Newsletter: The Corporate Cheat Code
Buy Jessica’s Book
Takeover The Workfluencer Podcast
Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn
Perceptible Studios – Video content that builds trust
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE→ Building HR's Most Subscribed Newsletter: Authentic Content Strategy with Hebba Youssef
****🌟 CONNECT WITH JESSICA 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicadwinder/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hiddengemcoach
🌐 Website: https://www.hiddengemcareercoaching.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hiddengemcoach
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@hiddengemcoach
🌟 CONNECT WITH ME💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
HR executive content creation, workplace personal branding, employee advocacy programs, LinkedIn content strategy, corporate content creation, sobriety in workplace, HR thought leadership, video content for professionals, workplace authenticity, content creation while employed, HR leader personal brand, corporate social media guidelines, workplace vulnerability, professional content boundaries, executive personal branding
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Creating Content at Unleash America with Rachel Bourne & Lydia Wu
Tuesday, June 10, 2025 • Duration 56:02
Ever wondered what it really takes to create those polished conference
recaps you see flooding LinkedIn?
Rachel Bourne and Lydia Wu teamed up to create daily conference recaps at
Unleash America - and what they discovered about event content creation will change how you think about conference coverage. From managing exhaustion while filming to dealing with people walking through your shots, this episode reveals the strategic and chaotic reality behind those polished recaps flooding your LinkedIn feed.
In this episode we cover:
The dual-channel mindset required for successful event content creation
Why conference recaps are becoming essential as travel budgets tighten
Strategic gear choices that actually work (and what to leave at home)
How to collaborate effectively without losing your authentic voice
The real reason why conference attendance is shifting toward vendors
Practical systems for consistent content creation workflows
Rachel Bourne is a global talent strategist and systems HR executive with nearly 20 years of innovation leadership experience across Fortune 500 companies. Currently on sabbatical from corporate life, she hosts The Shift Show, where she translates complex workplace trends for professionals navigating the future of work. Her background spans technology transformation, AI strategy, and talent management.
Lydia Wu is an HR Swiss Army knife with experience across consulting (Accenture, Deloitte), innovation leadership (Panasonic), and HR tech solutions. She’s the creator behind Oops, Did I Think That Out Loud? where she bridges the gap between HR buyers seeking fit-for-purpose technology and innovative vendors who may have spent their marketing budget on product development. Her content focuses on demystifying HR tech and helping practitioners navigate AI rationally.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
Rachel Bourne’s The Shift Show
Lydia Wu’s Oops! Did I Think That Out Loud?
Perceptible Studios – Video content that builds trust
WORKFLUENCER RESOURCES & TOOLS:
📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw
🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook
♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn
🎧 Science-backed music for your brain. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce
****🌟 CONNECT WITH LYDIA 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lydiaywu/
🌐 Website: http://oopsdidithinkthatoutloud.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oopsdidithinkthatoutloud
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OopsDidIThinkThatOutLoud
🌟 CONNECT WITH RACHEL 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-bourne/
🌐 Website: https://www.theshiftshow.net/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shifthappens4u/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShiftHappens4U
🎙️ Podcast: https://www.theshiftshow.net/podcast
🌟 CONNECT WITH ME 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
conference content creation, HR content creators, event
content strategy, content collaboration, conference recaps, workplace content creation, workfluencer, Unleash America conference, Unleash America 2025, conference recap videos, event content creation tips, Unleash America content creation, how to create conference recaps, conference content collaboration, Unleash conference coverage, HR conference content strategy
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcastshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotifyhttps://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
In this episode, we cover:RECOMMENDED NEXT
EPISODE→ Building
HR's Most Subscribed Newsletter: Authentic Content Strategy with Hebba Youssef
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Building HR's Most Subscribed Newsletter: Authentic Content Strategy with Hebba Youssef
Episode 35
Monday, June 2, 2025 • Duration 41:54
What happens when your newsletter becomes the unofficial therapy session for HR professionals everywhere?
In this episode, Rhona sits down with Hebba Youssef, Chief People Officer at Workweek and the creator of I Hate It Here, one of the most read and reshared newsletters in the People space. Known for her honest tone and spicy memes, Hebba has built a brand that balances leadership credibility with creative chaos.
We unpack what it really looks like to speak truthfully in public while still leading a team, how she balances her executive role with her creator identity, and why memes sometimes say more than a whitepaper ever could.
Hebba shares the systems and mindset that have made her newsletter essential reading for HR professionals who want to do better – and have fun while doing it.
If you’re an HR or TA leader who’s wrestling with what to say, and how to say it, you’ll want to hear this.
In this episode, we cover:
00:00 – Introduction
01:13 – How I Hate It Here became part therapy, part rebellion
02:14 – The pop culture DNA of the newsletter
10:20 – Writing from memes: the “GIF-first” creative process
21:49 – What it’s like being both a CPO and a monetized creator
24:17 – How content changes internal relationships at work
30:59 – Advice for HR leaders afraid to speak up
32:16 – What Hebba wishes more HR leaders would admit out loud
34:13 – What she hopes I Hate It Here gives readers
35:34 – Plead the Fifth: memes, fake advice, and a well-timed cop-out
38:01 – How to follow Hebba, join her community, and keep up
Hebba Youssef is the Chief People Officer at Workweek and the creator of I Hate It Here, a viral HR newsletter that combines real talk, research, and memes to challenge how we think about work. She also hosts The I Hate It Here Podcast and runs the Safe Space community—all in partnership with Workweek. Hebba’s built one of the most trusted voices in HR by saying what others are afraid to, and making it impossible to look away.
RESOURCES MENTIONED:
➡️ Subscribe to I Hate It Here: https://join.hateithere.co/e13d9d5b/13
➡️ Join the Safe Space community: https://hateithere.co/community/safe-space/
WORKFLUENCER RESOURCES & TOOLS:
📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw
🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/
♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn
🎧 Science-backed music for your brain. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE
→ How to Create Content That Gets Attention – with Mike Peditto
****
🌟 CONNECT WITH HEBBA
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hebba-youssef/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hebbayoussef
🌐 Website: https://hateithere.co/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hebbamyoussef/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ihateit-here
🎙️ Podcast: https://hateithere.co/podcast/
🌟 CONNECT WITH ME
💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/
🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce
🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
HR newsletter, workplace content creation, authentic leadership, employee engagement, HR thought leadership, content creator, chief people officer, workplace culture, HR memes, professional branding, newsletter strategy, HR community, workplace communication, content marketing, HR trends, employee experience, workplace transparency, HR technology, content creation process, workplace humor
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify
https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
How to Get Hiring Managers to Create Video Content - with Meghan Cantrell
Episode 34
Tuesday, May 27, 2025 • Duration 38:52
When candidates ghost your hiring process before the first interview, it’s easy to blame the job market. But what if the real problem is trust?
In this episode of Workfluencer, we’re joined by Meghan Cantrell, Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at OxBlue, who shares how she tackled candidate ghosting head-on by turning hiring managers into video creators. With no production budget and no marketing team, Meghan used short, authentic hiring manager videos to boost skills assessment completions by 40%, speed up interviews, and land high-converting hires—including a million-dollar rookie.
If you're in recruiting, employer branding, or talent strategy, this episode is packed with scrappy, repeatable ideas to help your candidates engage before the first call—and help your hiring managers become your strongest content allies.
In this episode, we cover:
00:00 Introduction 02:50 – What candidates and hiring managers were experiencing 06:15 – The lightbulb moment: “What if they met the hiring manager first… through video?” 08:00 – Getting hiring managers to agree (and why scripts didn’t work) 10:20 – Tools, tactics, and keeping it scrappy 13:35 – The impact: 40% increase in assessment completions 17:00 – What kinds of videos to create: welcome, training, culture, mental health 18:40 – How video shifted hiring manager relationships and built buy-in 20:30 – Tips for working with Legal and Marketing 24:30 – First steps for recruiters ready to try this 26:45 – Plead the Fifth: Agency trauma, BS job specs, and recruiter intuition 31:00 – Next-level idea: Prepping candidates with second-tier questions
Meghan Cantrell is the Senior Manager of Talent Acquisition at OxBlue, where she leads hiring strategies across tech, sales, and support functions. Known for her candidate-first mindset and innovative use of video in the hiring process, Meghan has transformed how her team builds trust and accelerates hiring—even in a noisy, competitive market.
RESOURCES & TOOLS:
📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw
🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/
🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook
♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn
🎧 Science-backed music for your brain. Try it FREE for 30 days: brain.fm/rhonapierce
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE→ How to Create Content That Gets Attention – with Mike Peditto
****🌟 CONNECT WITH MEGHAN💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghancantrell/
🌟 CONNECT WITH ME💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ 🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
hiring manager video content, candidate ghosting ,video in recruiting, talent acquisition strategy, how to engage candidates, recruiting video ideas, employer branding tactics, assessment completion rate recruiting, authentic hiring manager videos, candidate trust and engagement
💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498 🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#33: How to Create Content That Gets Attention – with Mike Peditto
Episode 34
Monday, May 19, 2025 • Duration 51:09
Mike Peditto didn’t plan to go full-time as a content creator—at least not yet. But after building a massive audience with his no-BS job search videos, the timing came sooner than expected.
Now with over 100 million views and a growing community across TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram, Mike creates content that job seekers love—and some internet trolls love to hate. In this episode, he shares what it really takes to create content that grabs attention, builds trust, and gets results.
We explore the leap from TA to full-time creator, the chaos behind his most viral videos (yes, the foil-in-the-microwave moment), and how he handles hate at scale without compromising the quality of his message.
If you’re creating content to grow your influence, attract the right audience, or just stay sane in the algorithm... this episode is for you.
In this episode, we cover:
Why Mike went full-time creator before he felt ready
The foil in the microwave video and why it really went viral
The psychology of comments: why letting people think you’re wrong drives engagement
Visual hooks and prop-driven content strategy
Shifting your audience: job seekers, recruiters, and hiring managers
The worst internet hate he ever received—and how he bounced back
Staying sharp on recruiting trends after leaving TA
What to know before making the leap to full-time content creation
Plead the 5th: Mike calls out a creator he believes is actively harming job seekers with their "advice"
Mike Peditto is a content creator, speaker, and former Director of Talent Acquisition. He’s built a following of over 330K across platforms by sharing real, relatable, and slightly chaotic career content that challenges how we talk about work. Through his videos, trainings, and soon-to-be-released book, Mike helps job seekers and hiring teams navigate the world of work with honesty, clarity, and a little humor.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
📬 Get the Newsletter: https://link.rhonapierce.com/YZEviw
🎥 Create Video Clips using Opus Clip: https://www.opus.pro/?via=throwouttheplaybook
🎬 Get 1 Month’s worth of social media videos done for you: https://perceptiblestudios.com/
♻️ Repurpose Content Easier with CreatorHQ: https://creatorhq.co?aff=9qejn
RECOMMENDED NEXT EPISODE→ Why HR Leaders Need to Create Content - with John Baldino
****🌟 CONNECT WITH MIKE 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mpeditto/
🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realisticrecruiting
🌐 Website: https://mikepeditto.com/
📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realisticrecruiting
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RealisticRecruiting
🎙️ Podcast: https://www.corporatepizzaparty.com/
🌟 CONNECT WITH ME💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rhonabarnettpierce/ 🦋 Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rhonab.bsky.social 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rhonabpierce/ 🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rhonabpierce🌐 Website: https://www.rhonapierce.com/
📹 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RhonaBPierce/
Full-time content creator, go viral on LinkedIn, job search content, content creation strategy, viral content creator, quitting TA job, how to create engaging content, creator hate comments, TikTok content advice, content creator burnout, employee to creator journey, personal brand growth, career advice videos, video content strategy, content that gets attention, using props in video
******************************************************************💜 Leave a review on Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/workfluencer/id1740429498
🟢 Leave a rating on Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/4R6bJ4JZpqOlFdYelWwsBr******************************************************************
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Related Shows Based on Content Similarities
Discover shows related to Workfluencer: Personal Branding & Content Creation, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
