At This Time

Dave Bress on Ditching the Rubric and Hiring with Heart

At This Time... Dave Bress joins us to talk talent, rubrics, and why AI might just be the best assistant recruiter you never hired. From classroom teacher to education staffing pro, Dave has interviewed thousands (yes, thousands!) of candidates—and he’s come full circle on what really matters in hiring: the human connection. We dig into why rigid checklists are out, curiosity is key in salary talks, and how LinkedIn has become less about job hunting and more about meaningful networking. Whether you’re job-hugging or hiring, this one’s full of gems.
Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn
Guest: Dave Bress; add him on LinkedIn or email him here
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Erin Keller on What Great Hiring Actually Looks Like

At This Time ... Erin Keller pulls back the curtain on elite-level recruiting, sharing how she helped sift thousands of applications for the prestigious Broad Residency and what she’s doing differently now that the talent game has changed. From ditching video interviews to emphasizing leadership’s ripple effect on hiring culture, Erin serves up sharp insights with zero fluff. Oh, and if you’re “deeply drawn” to a job, she has a bone to pick with your cover letter. 
Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe
Guest: Erin Keller; add her on LinkedIn
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Kevin Bryant on Why Hiring Is Personal, Not Transactional

At This Time, we're talking with Kevin Bryant of GoodCitizen about why executive searches aren't just about resumes—they're about relationships. From hundreds of interviews to countless boardroom decisions, Kevin shares why compassion, clarity, and community matter more than ever in today’s weird, wobbly talent market. He’s placing transformative leaders, not just filling seats—and he’s got the data (and the receipts) to back it up. If you’ve ever wondered how search firms should work, this one’s for you.
Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn
Guest: Kevin Bryant; add him on LinkedIn
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Robert Crayton on Automating Trust in Hiring

At This Time … we’re diving into the trenches of charter school hiring with Robert Crayton, founder of Ed Pursuit. Robert built a tool that automates those tedious AB 2534 reference checks—because calling five principals for every candidate just isn’t scalable. He shares how he taught himself to code, navigates the AI arms race in hiring, and why being a niche startup beats being another forgotten line in a giant vendor contract. Whether you're drowning in EdTech pitches or just want to hire smarter, this one's for you.
Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn
Guest: Robert Crayton; add him on LinkedIn
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James Lord on Why Reference Checks Still Matter (and How to Do Them Right)

At This Time... we’re cutting through the noise of bloated resumes, sketchy inbox applications, and outdated hiring rituals with James Lord, reference-checking aficionado and North American trailblazer for RefApp. James dishes on why references aren’t dead, how to get real insight (not fluff), and why a “pass/fail” background check just doesn’t cut it in today’s talent game. Whether you're still cold-calling former bosses or knee-deep in ATS integrations, this episode is your permission slip to rethink references—for good.
Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn
Guest: James Lord; add him on LinkedIn
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Fajxnqy8dfk

Kara Maguire on Jumping from Chief of Staff to Solo Consulting Star

At This Time … Kara Maguire is making moves—and not the small kind. After 20 years in the education talent world, including a Chief of Staff role at Ednovate, Kara’s stepping out of the school system and into consulting. She joins Eric to talk about what it means to start fresh, why systems matter more than superheroes, and how she’s using AI to roleplay her way into new client convos. If you’ve ever dreamed of trading structure for stretch goals, this one's your permission slip.
Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe
Guest: Kara Maguire; add her on LinkedIn
Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tgvu6cFQE3I

Dylan Gruver on Making Schools the Best Place to Work and Learn

At This Time … Dylan Gruver from Friendship Public Charter Schools shares what it takes to keep nearly 5,000 students learning and hundreds of staff thriving. From rethinking teacher roles and flexible work setups to leading with empathy (and knowing everyone’s name), Dylan breaks down the real levers of retention in education. He also dives into why AI might be better for boosting student rigor than HR efficiency, and why “big enough to matter, small enough to care” is his secret sauce.
Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe
Guest: Dylan Gruver; add him on LinkedIn
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Aaron Cuny on Finding the Sweet Spot Between AI and Humans

At This Time … we’re exploring the messy middle of AI adoption with Aaron Cuny, co-founder of AI for Equity. From using AI as a “sparring partner” in job interviews to rethinking quality control when your team is half-human, half-robot, Aaron makes the case for a blended approach. He shares how school systems can hire for AI fluency and creativity, why “don’t bring a PowerPoint—bring a prototype” should be the new workplace motto, and what the next school year means for AI in education. This one’s equal parts practical tips and future-gazing.
Host: Eric DeSobe; IG: / edesobe
Guest: Aaron Cuny; add him on LinkedIn
CONNECT Instagram: / AtThisTimePodcast

Anoli Patel on Founding Schools, Hiring Right, and Pressure-Testing Leaders

At This Time... we go back to the early days of a founding school with Anoli Patel, who knows what it’s like to build a team from scratch when the stakes are sky-high. She shares the must-have traits she looks for in new hires, why scenario-based “pressure tests” can separate theory from reality, and how humility can be as important as skill. Plus: how AI could change the hiring game—and why even the smartest chatbot still can’t handle a classroom of 6-year-olds.

Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. on Turning Interns into Industry Insiders

At This Time... we’re talking all things internships in Hollywood with Ricardo Sanchez, Jr. from Lionsgate (the studio behind such hits as John Wick and The Hunger Games). From sports journalism dreams to building one of the most respected intern programs in the biz, Ricardo shares how he helps young talent break into the entertainment industry — without needing to step in front of a camera. Hear why interns aren’t just coffee-fetchers (they're pitching real campaigns!) and how Lionsgate is using Gen Z insight to shape the future of content.
Spoiler: Your favorite summer blockbuster might just have intern fingerprints on it.
Host: Eric DeSobe; add him on LinkedIn
Guest: Ricardo Sanchez, Jr.; add him on LinkedIn
CONNECT Instagram: / AtThisTimePodcast