The Alder Hour
The Alder Hour
Podcast Description
Welcome to the Alder Hour, your new favorite way to close out the day. Spend 60 minutes with Matt Alder, the Talent Acquisition titan, the source for sourcers, and the overseas addition to the Purple Acorn family. But he’s not spending the entire hour alone — we’ll hear from HR specialist Jocelyn King, trend maven Rhona Pierce, and callers each week. So punch that clock and let us take you home.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast revolves around themes of talent acquisition, HR trends, and workplace dynamics, with episodes exploring topics such as the impact of tech on hiring processes, workplace relationships, and career trends. For example, Episode 4 discusses tech's influence on tasking, and Episode 3 covers Rhona's predictions on career pre-nups, ensuring timely and relevant content.
The Alder Hour is a podcast that explores the future of HR and Talent Acquisition through honest conversations with people driving change. Broadcast LIVE, we cover the bold ideas and real-world innovations shaping how companies attract, hire, and retain talent. While we don’t shy away from tough or awkward topics—like layoffs, AI ethics, and DEI backlash—our focus is on sharing practical insights, fresh perspectives, and inspiring stories that help talent leaders navigate change and build stronger, more human-centric hiring practices.
Each week, host Matt Alder (of Recruiting Future) clocks in with unfiltered insights, smart headlines, and sharp banter from the frontlines of talent, tech, and the ever-shifting world of work. Broadcasting from the UK as part of the Purple Acorn Network, Matt brings a global perspective to local workplace dilemmas — and he’s never at the mic alone.
You’ll hear from:
Rhona Pierce, our go-to trendwatcher and pop culture pulse-checker,
Jocelyn King, HR operations pro and master of The Situation Room,
Regular appearances from guest co-hosts like John Baldino and Robin Schooling,
And bold conversations with industry leaders — from TA innovators to employer branding experts and wellness coaches.
No topic is too awkward: layoffs, AI ethics, DEI backlash, resume fibbing, hiring influencers, office politics, and yes — whether body cameras belong on retail staff.
So pour a drink (alcoholic or not), punch that mental clock, and spend 60 minutes with The Alder Hour — part news, part group chat, all future of work.
Find out more at https://www.purpleacornnetwork.com
Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/purple-acorn-network
With Matt Alder out this week, guest host John Baldino joins Rhona for a special takeover they’ve officially dubbed The Baldino Hour. Together, they bring energy, opinions, and sharp takes on what’s next in HR and talent.
Special guestEnrique Ruiz, Founder of STRM, joins the conversation to explore how HR teams can lead through uncertainty and innovation — and why the best workforce strategies today are all about clarity, agility, and human connection.
Here’s what’s covered in this episode:
- 📉 Degrees vs. Skills: Why companies like Udemy are eliminating degree requirements — and what that signals about how hiring is changing.
- 🧠 HR Strategy in the Age of AI: Enrique Ruiz offers his take on how HR leaders can balance tech and humanity to build resilient, people-first organizations.
- 🎯 Defining “People Strategy”: Enrique unpacks what strategy actually looks like in practice, and why alignment between HR and business outcomes is everything.
- 📆 SHRM 2025 Preview: From Jason Sudeikis keynoting to podcasting booths and ice cream socials, the crew highlights what to expect this summer in Vegas.
- 🧢 New Collar Jobs: The “Trending or Ending?” segment dives into the rise of nontraditional career paths and whether the term “blue collar” is officially out.
Plus: Enrique teases his upcoming podcast with Purple Acorn and invites listeners to send in their questions and topics using https://sayhi.chat/allinrecruiting.
Follow the Purple Acorn Network on LinkedIn to stay plugged into this and all of our shows — including From the Desk, The HR Morning Show, My First Job, and From X to Z.
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.