EP 184: Why Pairing Ambition With Kindness Builds Winning Teams

EP 184: Why Pairing Ambition With Kindness Builds Winning Teams

Author: James Mackey January 15, 2026 Duration: 48:33
Ana King, Chief People Officer at Sapi, reflects on her journey from Bucharest to London and how cultural studies shaped her philosophy on leadership and recruiting. She shares how building trust between CEOs, finance, and teams, drives profitability and sustainable growth, from hiring for “smart and kind” to aligning people strategy with business outcomes and leading change through listening and learning. Books mentioned: Daniel Goleman, Hernan Diaz Connect with host James Mackey on LinkedIn...

Hosted by James Mackey, The Breakthrough Hiring Show: Recruiting and Talent Acquisition Conversations digs into the real work of building great teams. This isn't about abstract theory; it's a series of direct conversations focused on turning hiring from a constant challenge into a genuine edge for your business. You'll hear from leaders and practitioners who are in the trenches, discussing everything from the strategic shift needed to become a talent-first organization down to the granular details of process, technology, and metrics. Episodes move between high-level thought leadership and actionable advice you can use immediately, whether you're in a fast-moving SaaS startup, a growth-stage company, or an established firm. The dialogue here covers the full spectrum: effective onboarding and retention strategies, practical diversity and inclusion initiatives, navigating job boards and social media, and understanding the recruitment metrics that actually matter. Tune into this podcast for honest talk about empowering top talent and constructing a hiring engine that drives business forward. It's for anyone in recruiting, HR, or leadership who wants to move beyond just filling roles and start building a lasting competitive advantage through people.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

The Breakthrough Hiring Show: Recruiting and Talent Acquisition Conversations
Podcast Episodes
EP 199: Leading with Speed, Structure, and Self‑Awareness [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:58
Rebecca Palmer lived in multiple places growing up, an experience that taught her to adapt fast and focus on finishing what she starts. Those instincts now shape her work as co-founder and head of financial guidance at F…
EP 198: Why Context Matters More Than Hiring Templates [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:09
Esra Huseyinzadegan grew up in Istanbul, a city that quickly teaches you to adapt, question assumptions, and see the world from multiple perspectives. Those instincts carried her from academic success in Turkey to leadin…
EP 196: From Equestrian Arenas to Scaling Teams [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:45
Emily Zahuta, Senior Director, Talent Acquisition at Horizon3.ai, highlights how a chaotic yet loving Bay Area upbringing and elite equestrian training shaped a builder’s mindset grounded in discipline and self-possessio…
EP 195: How to Succeed as the First Recruiter at a Startup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:58
Shannan Farmer, Lead Talent Partner at Freshpaint, details a sharp first thirty days blueprint, from fast ATS upgrades to structured debriefs and centralized feedback, proving that disciplined process can increase qualit…
EP 194: Leading with Respect and Direct Communication [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:12
Ashlye Hernandez, Executive Director of Global Talent Acquisition and Operations at nCino, examines how her path from rural North Carolina to executive leadership shaped a people-first approach grounded in respect, resil…
EP 192: Aligning Who You Are with How You Lead [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:02
Jaasiel Bulnes, VP of Global Talent Acquisition at Workiva, reveals how growing up amid Miami’s constant motion and being raised in an immigrant household shaped Jasi’s resilience, resourcefulness, and commitment to earn…
EP 191: Hiring Lessons from Mission Work and Global Service [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 55:29
Jeramy Keetch, Director of Talent Acquisition at Nerdy, traces how his Midwestern upbringing and global service experiences shaped his leadership philosophy, one rooted in empathy and adaptability. He reflects on faith,…
EP 190: A Philosophical Approach to Hiring and Team Design [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:14
Nicole Hirsch, Sr. Director of TA & People Operations at Lattice, explores how a foundation in philosophy and early leadership as an RA shaped her people-first approach. Nicole and James talk about parallels between Plat…