Show overview
The Talent Trade has been publishing since 2023, and across the 3 years since has built a catalogue of 140 episodes, alongside 93 trailers or bonus episodes. That works out to roughly 15 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence.
Episodes typically run under ten minutes — most land between 3 min and 8 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Business show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed yesterday, with 20 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 52 episodes published. Published by Southwestern Family of Podcasts - Southwestern Family of Companies.
From the publisher
The Talent Trade is all about finding the right person, for the right opportunity, at the right time. But how exactly do you do that the "right" way? Executive Search Partner and Top Biller Stephanie Maas shares more than 25 years of experience about what it takes to be a top recruiter in today's "talent trade" market, using ThinkingAhead’s four-prong system focused on recruiting, business development, planning, and managing your mindset. It’s real, honest information about how to build your desk, perfect your niche, and stand out among the crowd in your search career. Southwestern/Great American, Inc., dba Southwestern Family of Companies, for itself and its related entities and their assigns, reserves and retains all rights to their copyrighted materials and trademarks contained in this podcast.
Latest Episodes
View all 140 episodesTalent Trade Tidbit - Frustrations in Banking
Elevating Your Phone Work
Talent Trade Tidbit - Referrals
Talent Trade Tidbit - Onboarding
Recruiter Spotlight - Ryan Rasmussen
Talent Trade Tidbit - Getting Called To The Majors
bonusDon't make a rookie mistake and don't be a benchwarmer. When your time comes to play in the big leagues, consider these 3 factors...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Ep 42Spring Cleaning For Your Desk and For Your Head
Time to declutter! Not just at home, but professionally as well. Learn the 4 big categories to get into order for a smoother Q2 and beyond, the way they interact with one another, and how to attack each one.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Realistic Hiring
bonusIf you're looking for a candidate, you'd better keep your expectations...realistic. Stephanie shares a story of how she had to give it straight to one client, and why ultimately, they appreciated the candor.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Gratitude
bonusIt's the magic word that might be the hardest to say right now, but making it a habit can change EVERYTHING...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Balancing Multiple Opportunities
bonusNewsflash: it's competitive out there. Don't let the best RECRUITER stand in the way of the best OPPORTUNITY. Don't let your ego get in the way, either. Here's some good advice for managing both...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Ep 41Volume Vs. Boutique Search
Are you getting questions like "why do I need a search firm at all?" or "what's the difference between firms anyway?" Stephanie's got the answers...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Stability, Redefined
bonusWhat IS stability in today’s market? It’s not being part of the biggest organization, and it’s not being part of the smallest either. So what IS it?Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Corporate Ladder Vs. Lattice
bonusMaking progress in the corporate world isn’t just up or down anymore. It’s sideways, diagonal, or sometimes staying right where you are. But what are the questions you need to ask yourself to get there?Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Up Is Up
bonusDon’t give in to the Negative Nancys….ANY progress, or even just holding steady, is worth celebrating…Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Ep 40Tenacity and Courage
Stephanie breaks down the lion vs gazelle mentalities, the 4 pillars of building your desk and how to self-assess it regularly, and the 30-day challenge that can truly transform your game.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Necessary Endings
bonusThey say that all good things must come to an end...but don't lose your head when it happens...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - The Feel Goods
bonusYes, filling a search is about satisfying a client and getting paid. But sometimes, filling a search can still hit you straight in the feels...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Thinking About Search?
bonusConsidering a career in search? Here are a few key things to keep in mind...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Talent Trade Tidbit - Be Safe and Make Good Choices
bonus"Aunt Mimi" serves up some advice that, as it turns out, is as applicable for the marketplace as it is for the rest of your life...Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.
Ep 39Qualify The Qualifying
Piggybacking off of Episodes 37 and 38, Stephanie digs into how much you should be investing in terms of time and effort into certain searches, how to make that determination, how to find out if a client is as committed to you as you are to them, and why ThinkingAhead is a bit like a luxury car.Discover what sets ThinkingAhead apart, hear stories from recruiters, and browse opportunities by clicking here.