From The Desk with Jada Montemarano
Welcome to From the Desk with Jada Montemarano, the podcast where we explore the intersection of technology, talent, and transformation in the world of HR. Every week, host Jada Montemarano will sit down with innovators, leaders, and experts who are shaping the future of human resources through cutting-edge technology. So if you’re into innovation, making smart hires, and finding the future of work before everyone else does, then you’re in the right place.
Episodes

Friday Apr 11, 2025
Friday Apr 11, 2025
In this episode of From the Desk with Jada Montemarano, Jada speaks with Demario Bell, award-winning community builder and founder of Gatherful, about the power of community in HR and business. Demario defines what a community manager does and emphasizes the importance of authenticity in building strong communities with people, not just for them. The conversation explores strategies for creating both internal and external communities, the role of mentorship in employee experience, and actionable advice for job seekers looking to find the right community fit in their next role.

Friday Apr 04, 2025
Friday Apr 04, 2025
In this episode of "From the Desk with Jada Montemarano," Joey Price, CEO of Jumpstart HR, joins the podcast to discuss the unique HR challenges faced by startups and small businesses. Joey shares his expertise in HR outsourcing and consulting, highlighting the importance of strategic HR support, employee engagement, and navigating compliance for organizations of all sizes. He emphasizes the need for HR to be adaptable in today's evolving work landscape, especially with remote work and rapidly advancing technology, and offers actionable advice for both HR professionals and job seekers to thrive in the modern workplace.

Friday Mar 14, 2025
Friday Mar 14, 2025
In this episode of "From the Desk," Jada Montemarano welcomes Eric Knauf, founder of Belong HQ, to explore the critical concept of belonging in today's human resources landscape. Eric explains how belonging is more than just an HR buzzword; it's the "secret sauce" for organizational resilience and a fundamental element for attracting and retaining top talent. They delve into the five pillars of belonging – psychological safety, inclusion, support, connection, and purpose – and discuss how companies and job seekers alike can leverage these principles for success. Discover practical strategies for fostering a culture of belonging, how it relates to DEI initiatives, and why prioritizing human connection is essential in the age of AI and rapid workplace change.

Friday Mar 07, 2025
Friday Mar 07, 2025
Join Jada Montemarano in this insightful episode as she speaks with Keirsten Greggs, founder of Trap Recruiters and a top recruitment influencer. Keirsten shares her journey in the recruitment world, starting from the early days of online job boards and navigating through the dot-com boom to the current AI revolution. They delve into the dramatic shifts in technology and how it has impacted both recruiters and job seekers, discussing the balance between leveraging new tools and maintaining authentic human connections. Keirsten offers valuable perspectives on the evolving role of recruiters, addressing unconscious bias in the hiring process, and provides crucial advice for job seekers, especially those from underrepresented groups, on how to navigate today's complex job market and find organizations that truly value inclusivity.

Friday Feb 28, 2025
Friday Feb 28, 2025
Join Jada Montemarano as she welcomes Edan Haddock, an award-winning HR leader from Australia, to the show! Edan shares his fascinating career journey, from owning a flower shop to becoming Head of Talent for November, a global charity focused on men's health. Discover the unique challenges and rewards of recruiting for a purpose-driven organization versus the corporate world, and learn why Edan values personal connection and storytelling above all else in candidates. Plus, Edan dives into his passion project, Rubber Band, a vital online community for recruitment professionals, and offers a surprising tip for job seekers in today's AI-driven market: the cover letter is back! Get ready for an inspiring conversation that blends career insights with a touch of Australian charm.

Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Jada Montemarano welcomes Adam Posner, founder of NHP Talent Group and co-host of The Morning Show on Purple Acorn Network, to discuss the dynamic world of recruitment and employer branding. Adam shares insights from his marketing background, offering tips for companies on standing out in a competitive market by embracing authenticity and empowering employees to create content. He also provides actionable advice for job seekers, emphasizing the importance of preparation, communication, and a strategic job search plan. The episode dives into the crucial balance between technology and the human element in recruitment, culminating in a preview of Adam's upcoming panel at the Transform conference on future-proofing talent acquisition and elevating the candidate experience. Get ready for a conversation packed with wisdom and actionable strategies to navigate the evolving HR landscape.

Friday Feb 14, 2025
Friday Feb 14, 2025
Today we're joined by an absolute force in the DEI space, Rocki Howard, the founder and chief diversiologist at Diversiology. With over 20 years of experience in the diversity and inclusion space, Rocki is all about helping other DEI leaders with resources and actionable solutions. She's not just a thought leader, she's an inspirational speaker, content creator, and the host of two podcasts, grown women Wednesday, and voices of diversity. So if you're looking for a real talk on DEI leadership or show enough as your fullest self, Rocki is the one to listen to.

Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Saturday Feb 08, 2025
Our guest today is Ben Eubanks, a renowned speaker, author and researcher who's been shaping the HR and talent landscape for over a decade. As the chief research officer at Lighthouse Research and Advisory, Ben works with global leaders to navigate the ever-evolving intersection of people and technology.

Friday Jan 31, 2025
Friday Jan 31, 2025
In this episode of From the Desk with Jada Montemarano, Jada sits down with Stephane Rivard, CEO of Hiring Branch, to explore how AI and skills-based hiring are transforming employee performance. Stephane shares insights on evaluating soft skills, the importance of behavioral science in hiring, and how organizations can put the right people in the right positions. Plus, he reflects on his journey as a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of multiple companies—including the intriguingly named Stinky Board. Whether you're an HR professional or a job seeker, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways on the future of work.

Friday Jan 24, 2025
Friday Jan 24, 2025
Carrie Corbin is a highly regarded leader in the HR and talent acquisition space for her success in creating and leading high impact talent acquisition programs within global companies like Dell, American Airlines, and AT&T to name a few. She's also the founder of hopefully marketing group and Corbin Global Consultants, where she applies her extensive background in building HR and recruiting functions across industries. Catch all this and more, From The Desk.