Hire Learning with Oz Rashid

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Stephanie Perry, Head of Finance and Administration at Project Equity, to talk about the art and science of investing in talent.Stephanie shares her approach to ensuring employees are set up for success from day one, and the critical role leaders play in creating an environment where people can thrive.From her trailblazing career in media with Essence, Fortune, and Dictionary.com to her mission-driven work at Project Equity, Stephanie brings a wealth of insights on leadership, work-life balance, and why every hire is an investment worth making.💡 What you’ll learn in this episode:Why it’s on leaders to ensure their teams succeed.How Stephanie's "invest upfront" philosophy transforms teams.The surprising connection between Oklahoma City and great Thai food.Practical tips for managing work-life balance (even during budget season!).🎙️ Episode Breakdown:[00:00] Intro: Who is Stephanie Perry?[05:45] From New York to Oklahoma City: Finding work-life balance.[10:30] Why setting employees up for success starts on day one.[15:20] Investing in talent: Stephanie’s leadership philosophy.[21:00] Navigating change: From media to nonprofits.[26:15] The power of real-time feedback and honest conversations.[33:00] Work-life balance tips that actually work.[40:00] Why leaders need to promote vacation as a right.[48:10] Stephanie’s journey from hard work to transformative leadership.📢 Don’t miss this episode—it’s packed with actionable advice and candid stories that will inspire leaders, managers, and anyone passionate about team success.

How do you build a technology team that not only delivers results but also drives innovation?Corey Benish, Group VP and COO of Technology at JM Family Enterprises, joins Oz Rashid on this episode of Hire Learning to share how he’s transforming one of South Florida’s most iconic companies through cutting-edge tech and a people-first approach.With over 20 years of experience navigating change, Corey dives into how AI is shaping the future of work, his hiring philosophy of “110% roles,” and why bridging the gap between IT and business is critical for long-term success.If you’re a leader, technologist, or just curious about how to create impact in today’s digital age, this episode is packed with actionable insights.Tune in to discover:Why AI isn’t just the future—it’s already revolutionizing the workplace.How Corey’s “three A’s of hiring” build resilient, high-performing teams.The art of balancing innovation with operational excellence.Timestamps:[0:00] Intro: Meet Corey Benish and the story behind JM Family Enterprises[3:15] Corey’s journey from private equity to JM Family Enterprises[6:45] The culture of JM Family: A unique approach to talent and innovation[10:30] Transforming legacy systems: Why modernization matters[14:20] AI at work: From proof of concept to delivering business value[19:05] Corey’s “110% philosophy”: Why the right role should stretch you[24:30] The three A’s of hiring: Ability, attitude, and aptitude[28:50] Bridging IT and business: Building trust and alignment[33:00] Advice for leaders: The balance between culture and results[36:15] Corey’s career wisdom: Lessons from a seasoned leaderDon’t miss this inspiring conversation with one of tech’s most innovative minds. Hit play to level up your hiring and leadership game!Also on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@HireLearningPodcast👉 Listen to the full episode now, and don’t forget to subscribe for more insights from today’s top leaders!

In this episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Kevin Bailey, CEO and co-founder of Dreamfuel, to explore the untapped power of mental performance coaching.Kevin shares how neuroscience-based tools can help founders, executives, and teams thrive under pressure. From practical hiring advice to unlocking flow state, Kevin reveals the secrets to building resilient, high-performing teams.If you’re a leader looking to elevate your mindset or a hiring manager searching for game-changing talent, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can’t afford to miss.What You’ll Learn:[0:00] Kevin’s journey from burnout to building Dreamfuel.[6:25] What is mental performance coaching, and why is it critical for leaders?[12:45] The difference between mental health and mental fitness.[18:30] How flow state boosts productivity by 5x—and how to tap into it.[24:00] Hiring hacks: The surprising question to gauge a candidate's focus.[31:15] The "Six Pillars of Mental Fitness" every great hire needs.[38:50] How to create a culture that fosters resilience and performance.[45:30] Visualization techniques used by elite athletes and CEOs.[52:10] Kevin’s advice to his 20-year-old self and his powerful philosophy on chasing dreams.Mental performance isn’t just for athletes—it’s the edge every leader needs in today’s high-pressure environment.Kevin breaks down the science and strategies that help you choose your state of mind, build high-performing teams, and turn adversity into opportunity.

How do you uncover a candidate’s true potential in an interview?In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz Rashid speaks with Penelope Pena, VP of Global Talent at World Fuel Services, to explore what makes a standout candidate and how to identify it.From her game-changing question to strategies for leveraging AI in talent management, Penelope offers actionable insights for hiring managers, HR professionals, and leaders.Tune in to learn:Why “Tell me about yourself” is a must-ask question.How Penelope integrates AI to transform recruitment and employee engagement.The secret to spotting authenticity and a business mindset in candidates.Timestamps:[0:00] Intro: Welcome and Episode Overview[2:30] Penelope’s Journey: From engineering to global HR leader[7:10] The Power of “Tell Me About Yourself” in interviews[13:45] Why authenticity trumps polished resumes[17:30] AI in HR: How World Fuel Services uses tech to elevate talent processes[24:15] Building business-savvy teams: What to look for in candidates[30:50] Early career hires vs. lateral hires: Pros and cons[36:20] The future of talent acquisition: Trends and strategies[41:50] Final thoughts and advice for leadersWhether you're hiring, job-hunting, or just curious about the future of work, this episode is packed with insights you won’t want to miss.

How do you build a team that's driven by purpose?In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz Rashid sits down with Marta Ramirez, Chief People Officer at PayCargo, to explore a hiring philosophy that goes beyond resumes.Marta shares her approach to building resilient teams by hiring people who “have to work”—those with a deeper drive often fueled by family, community, or personal motivations. With a background that began in Cuba, Marta’s journey is filled with stories of resilience, overcoming obstacles, and finding purpose in her work.Tune in to discover:Why hiring for motivation over skills creates stronger, more dedicated teamsHow Marta’s early experiences in Cuba shaped her leadership stylePractical advice for leaders on building culture from the ground up in a fast-growing startupTimestamps:[0:00] Intro: Meet Marta Ramirez, PayCargo’s Chief People Officer[3:10] Marta’s Background: Growing up in Cuba and lessons in resilience[6:45] A Unique Hiring Philosophy: The power of hiring people with a “need to work”[12:30] Developing Talent: Why Marta prioritizes growth over experience[18:50] Building HR from Scratch: Marta’s transition from corporate to startup[24:15] Leadership Insights: Top lessons from a career in HR[30:40] Culture Building 101: How to create a purpose-driven team[36:20] Advice for Aspiring HR Leaders: Marta’s practical tips on leading with impact[41:00] Final Thoughts: Marta’s vision for HR and her approach to life and careerWhether you're a hiring manager, a founder, or someone looking to grow in HR, this episode dives into actionable insights on building a purpose-driven workforce.

The Hard Truth of Entrepreneurship: From Ghosted Investors to Building a Business in Live Events with Nikki SanzIn this episode of Hire Learning, Oz Rashid sits down with Nikki Sanz, Founder and CEO of Giggs, to discuss the raw truths of launching and scaling a business. From her early career on tour with big-name artists like Eric Church to the moment she decided to solve a problem that plagues the live events industry, Nikki’s journey is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, especially those facing challenges in hiring, funding, and building resilience in business.Tune in to discover:What it takes to turn passion into a viable business in an unconventional industryHow Nikki navigated a “ghosted” investor situationPractical strategies for hiring in a high-turnover industryWhy strategic networking has been pivotal for her business growthTimestamps:[0:00] Intro: Welcome and Episode Overview[2:15] Nikki’s Early Career: Getting started in the live events industry[6:45] The Inflection Point: How Nikki turned a major industry gap into a business idea[10:20] The Realities of Entrepreneurship: Funding, hiring, and surviving ghosted investors[15:50] The Giggs Platform Explained: Solving hiring challenges for live events[20:30] Key Tips for Hiring: What Nikki looks for in new team members[25:45] Building Resilience in Business: Why passion alone isn’t enough[30:10] Networking Done Right: How to leverage contacts for growth and partnership[34:25] Social Media for Founders: The power of storytelling in personal branding[40:50] Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Hard truths and actionable adviceWhether you're a founder, hiring manager, or an HR enthusiast, this episode is packed with invaluable advice and real-world stories.

In this episode of Hire Learning, Oz sits down with Todd Brodie, Interim Head of Talent at Talent Works, for an insightful conversation about the evolving role of HR in today’s world. Todd shares his journey from non-HR business leader to top talent expert, offering valuable perspectives on how HR has shifted from compliance-based tactics to strategic, people-focused growth.Todd opens up about the ways HR can transcend its "policing" role, exploring the importance of building authentic workplace cultures that foster community and long-term employee success. He also dives into the unique HR challenges in the healthcare sector, and the dynamic, forward-thinking HR landscape he’s experienced in regions like Dubai.Key highlights:The Evolving HR Landscape: How HR has moved beyond compliance to become a true business partner.Healthcare HR Challenges: Insights on the impact of clinician shortages and employee retention.Global HR Perspectives: Todd’s reflections on working with teams across the Middle East, and the changing professional culture in Dubai.Employee Experience vs. Engagement: Why focusing on the holistic employee experience makes a difference in performance.Tune in for Todd’s philosophy on hiring for potential, leading with empathy, and why sometimes taking calculated risks is the best career move you can make. This episode is packed with wisdom for HR professionals, business leaders, and anyone interested in people-centered workplace transformation.Available now on YouTube, Apple, and Spotify!

"Honor the time that a woman took off to raise her kids, because that resume gap seems like a gap, but she worked harder than ever." — Jess EkstromIn this powerful episode of Hire Learning, host Oz Rashid sits down with Jess Ekstrom, founder of Mic Drop Workshop, to explore leadership, speaking confidence, and the unique challenges women face in the workforce. Jess opens up about her journey, from helping women become professional keynote speakers to advocating for fair treatment of mothers re-entering the job market.✨ Key Highlights:The Gender Pay Gap in Public Speaking: Jess shares a shocking story of how she was paid significantly less than her male counterpart and why transparency is crucial for change.Balancing Motherhood and Career: Hear Jess’s advice on how employers can better support working mothers and why the time spent raising children should be valued on a resume.Leadership and Speaking Tips: Learn how shifting your mindset from a 'Spotlight Speaker' to a 'Lighthouse Speaker' can transform the way you communicate and lead.Hiring Insight: Jess reveals her philosophy for identifying top talent—why hiring moms returning to the workforce has been one of her best decisions.If you’re passionate about leadership, advocating for women in the workplace, or just love hearing inspiring stories of resilience and growth, this episode is for you!🔗 Watch the full episode here: https://youtu.be/3DDToNfLMuEDon’t forget to like, subscribe, and leave a comment with your thoughts!