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The Authentic Recruiter Podcast
Alchemy & Energetics for Values-Led Recruitment Entrepreneurs

Helping recruitment business owners build wealth, freedom and impact — without the burnout.

Hosted by Claire Ackers, recruitment industry veteran, award-winning coach, and creator of The Recruitment Alchemy Code.

Each episode explores the blend of energy, mindset and strategy behind authentic success — where neuroscience meets intuition, and business becomes art.

🎙️ Expect bold conversations, practical tools, and unapologetically honest takes on what it really means to build a values-led recruitment business that feels as good as it performs.

✨ This isn’t business as usual. It’s business alchemy.

Follow for weekly episodes, soulful strategy, and trailblazer energy.







www.claireackers.com/

The Authentic Recruiter

The Authentic Recruiter
Entrepreneurship
30 episodes
S4 Ep1: The Recruitment Alchemy Manifesto: Why Success Should Feel Like Success
Welcome to The Authentic Recruiter Podcast. I’m Claire Ackers — coach, mentor, and reformed top-billing recruiter — here to help you build a business that doesn’t just look good on LinkedIn, but feels good in your soul. In this manifesto episode, I share the truth behind why hustle culture keeps you stuck, how to align your energy for consistent success, and what it really takes to build a rec...
10m • Oct 07
10m
S3 Ep12: Interview: Andy Shatwell, CEO of Charlton Morris
In episode 12, series 3 of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks to Andy Shatwell, CEO of Charlton Morris. In this candid chat, Andy tells Claire about his vision for doing recruitment differently, including successfully introducing a 4 day work week. This episode is a must-listen for any recruiter who doesn't want to grow a cookie cutter business. They cover: His vision for a...
41m • Nov 09, 2022
41m
S3 Ep11: The 5 Step Strategy to Neutralise Imposter Syndrome
This is the episode you've been waiting for - my 5 Step Strategy to neutralise your Imposter Syndrome so it doesn't need to stop you. In episode 11 of this series of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers teaches you the 5 step strategy she uses with all her VIP clients. You'll learn: How to identify your own particular brand of Imposter The exact questioning sequence Claire uses wit...
15m • Nov 01, 2022
15m
S3 Ep10: Imposter Syndrome in Recruiters - Part 2
"If you're curious about how Imposter Syndrome is limiting your recruitment career, you need to listen to this episode" In episode 10 of this series of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks about the three biggest mistakes recruiters make when it comes to Imposter Syndrome. If you've ever felt like one of these, this episode is for you: Mistake no. 1 is believing you're a frau...
11m • Oct 25, 2022
11m
S3 Ep9: The 7 Signs of Imposter Syndrome in Recruitment Business Owners
"If you are not getting the results you want with your recruitment business, you need to listen to this episode" In episode 9 of this series of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks about one the most important topics a recruitment business owner can consider - Imposter Syndrome. Some highlights include: Why Imposter Syndrome is rife in the recruitment industry The 7 Signs tha...
10m • Oct 04, 2022
10m
S3 Ep7: "I know the value of Supporting Women" Interview with Tracy Fletcher
In episode 7, series 3 of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks to Tracy Fletcher, Managing Director of Campbell & Fletcher. (https://www.cfrecruitment.co.uk/) In this candid chat, Tracy tells Claire how a 20 year career in banking led to an epiphany that she should launch a recruitment company. 15 years on, this has led to some incredible lessons and opportunities for her, and ...
36m • Sep 27, 2022
36m
S3 Ep6: Self-mastery for Recruitment Leaders
"Nobody is coming to save me. It's up to me to create the life I want, and have the impact I want to have on the planet" This is an incredibly vulnerable and raw episode from The Authentic Recruiter host Claire Ackers, as she talks about self-mastery. In this bitesized episode she covers: how to stop fitting in and being a people pleaser how she finally learned to like herself why giving u...
10m • Sep 20, 2022
10m
S3 Ep5: 10 Ways to Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Call it Imposter Syndrome, call it the wobbles, call it the voice of reason. Whenever you step out of your comfort zone, fear will pop up and try to talk you out of it. There are scientific, evolutionary reasons for this – 'safety' to your mind equals the familiar – so when you do anything new, your subconscious panics and tries to bring you back to your comfort zone – and what it perceives as...
9m • Sep 07, 2022
9m
S3 Ep4: The truth about being a working parent in 2022 - how to employ one & how to be one
In this episode host Claire Ackers chats to founder of MMB magazine Abbie Coleman about the truth about balancing work and having a family in 2022. No matter the size of your company, if you are serious about supporting your employees (whether they are parents, or need flexibility for other reasons) - this episode is a must-listen. Abbie is a passionate advocate for working parents, and this ...
43m • Aug 30, 2022
43m
S3 Ep8: Reg Flags, More Placements & Firefish: Interview with Wendy McDougall
In episode 8 of this series of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks to Wendy McDougall, CEO & Founder of Firefish Software. Some highlights include: Why being an entrepreneur is in her DNA The importance of role models Her unique perspective on the current challenges with candidate - and the trends she's seeing in the data Her top tips for growing a values-led culture in your ...
30m • Aug 23, 2022
30m
S3 Ep3: How To Get Visible & Blow Your Own Trumpet Authentically
One of the smartest things you can do as an authentic recruiter is position yourself as the go-to expert in your niche. But often, when we try to get visible, all sorts of stuff comes up to make us feel horrible. I call this the Invisibility Cloak, and it's because of this Cloak that you can't blow your own trumpet. Everybody has an Invisibility Cloak - the stuff we'd rather keep hidden becau...
13m • Aug 16, 2022
13m
S3 Ep2: Diversity & Inclusion in Recruitment: Interview with Jo Major
In episode 2, series 3 of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks to Jo Major, Founder of Diversity in Recruitment. In this insightful episode, Jo tells Claire how 22 years in recruitment inspired her to set up her D&I consultancy. Her passion really shines through, and you will come away convinced that diversity and inclusion needs to come away at the top of your list for your re...
36m • Aug 11, 2022
36m
S3 Ep1: How to identify your recruitment company values
Welcome to Series 3 of The Authentic Recruiter podcast! One of the smartest things you can do as an authentic recruiter is get clear on your values. This is the foundation to growing an impactful company, and not just being a 'me-too' recruiter. But how do you identify what they are - and in a meaningful way, rather than corporate buzzwords? And once you've got them, what does that mean in p...
17m • Aug 02, 2022
17m
S2 Ep10: My Fear of not Being Good Enough (and how that’s turned me into a kick-ass leader)
This is the most personal episode I've ever had to record, but I couldn't keep quiet any longer. I totally open up about my lifelong struggle with self-esteem and self-worth, and the (many) reasons why, in the hope that it connects with somebody else who is struggling at the moment. I know what it feels like not to feel worthy, but I also know how phenomenal it feels when you do.
11m • Jan 18, 2021
11m
S2 Ep9: How to Level Up in your Business (when you feel like you're wading through treacle)
Recruitment leaders are under immense pressure to provide considered, calm and decisive leadership at the moment - there's a lot at stake. The message I'm hearing time and again is that they feel stuck and they are stressed about making the wrong decision - and the possible consequences of that. In this episode you'll get my action plan to take back control, and enjoy running your business ag...
8m • Jan 14, 2021
8m
S2 Ep8: Kate Bagnall - Illuminating the Way
Claire Ackers chats to Kate Bagnall, Founder and co-Director of Bagnall Hopkins recruitment. In episode 8 of series 2 of The Authentic Recruiter, Kate and Claire get into the stuff that really matters in recruitment, the things that turn it from a job into a calling. Highlights include: the epiphany that she was building the wrong business why she loves saying 'no' to clients how she discove...
25m • Jan 12, 2021
25m
S2 Ep7: Janet McGlaughlin - Credibility and Education (or How to be a Seagull)
In episode 7 of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks to Janet McGlaughlin, Managing Director of Marmion Recruitment. In this short but packed episode, Janet tells Claire why she tries to be a seagull (in essence don't follow the flock, but find the right way for you), advice which has seen her through multiple recessions, Brexit uncertainty and hope for the future. Janet gives...
27m • Jan 05, 2021
27m
S2 Ep6: Ownership and Accountability: Interview with Hannah Williams, Director, Robinson Williams Recruitment
In episode 6 Claire talks to Hannah Williams, founder and Director of Robinson Williams Recruitment. Being a relatively new business, Claire was keen to know what triggered Hannah to set up her own recruitment company, what made her launch so successful, and what she wished she'd known before she launched. Hannah has a fresh perspective of what it takes to grow a tech recruitment business, an...
29m • Dec 16, 2020
29m
S2 Ep5: The Recruitment Epiphany - Interview with Kelly Dunn
In episode 5, Claire Ackers talks to Kelly Dunn, Managing Director at KD Recruitment. Kelly and Claire dive into the Recruitment Epiphany - that dawning realisation that you could do better by yourself, which inspires so many to set up on their own. Other highlights include: 'in recruitment, not everybody is ok' - why mental health needs some attention in the industry how not seeing her kids...
34m • Dec 08, 2020
34m
S2 Ep4: Building a Community for Recruiters: Interview with Catherine Day, Founder, DAY's Recruitment
In episode 4 of Series 2, Claire Ackers chats with Catherine Day, Founder & Director of DAY's recruitment and hospitality specialist. Catherine has a massive passion for hospitality and this genuine love shines through. One of the best bits of this episode is a heart-warming story about the life-changing power of authentic customer service. She also tells Claire of the frustration she feels a...
20m • Dec 01, 2020
20m
S2 Ep3: Confidence and Collaboration - Haggerty-Jaques Interview
In Episode 3, Claire talks to Founders and Directors of legal recruiters, Katie Haggerty and Amy Jaques. In a first for the Authentic Recruiter podcast - a threeway - Katie and Amy chat to Claire about how they collaborate differently, and are still bossing motherhood as well. Some highlights include: How their husbands goaded them into launching How their unique approach to collaboration is g...
35m • Nov 25, 2020
35m
S2 Ep2: Interview: James Milner: Freedom and Fast Decisions
In the second episode of Series 2, Claire chats to James Milner, former Exec Director of The Bridge IT recruitment. Some of the best bits include: Why he believes recruitment brings freedom Why he now tells the brutal truth in interviews How he's learned to hold onto his integrity and sanity during the pandemic And why he believes shady recruiters will fall during Covid
26m • Nov 17, 2020
26m
S2 Ep1: 'Let's rewire the dinosaurs' - Interview with Toni Phoenix-Coles, Sales Director from Digital Gurus
In the first episode of Series 2 of The Authentic Recruiter podcast, Claire Ackers talks to Digital Guru's Sales Director, Toni Phoenix-Coles. Some highlights include: How Covid presents an opportunity to 'rewire some of the dinosaurs' of the recruitment industry Why it's all culture first with her What the recruitment industry needs to do to retain talented working parents Toni also tells C...
32m • Nov 10, 2020
32m
S1 Ep7: HR for Recruitment Businesses
Claire Ackers sat down with HR180 Gaffer Claire Morley-Jones to pick her brains about all things HR in the latest Authentic Recruiter podcast episode. She gave us her top tips for values-led, emotionally-intelligent leaders who are serious about growing impactful businesses, including knowing your North Star, and hiring people who balance out your weaknesses. Claire also revealed the headcoun...
20m • Sep 01, 2020
20m
S1 Ep6: PR for Recruiters - Get Visible Right Now
I was thrilled to have the chance to pick the brains of PR expert Caroline Joynson about the best way to get visible, right now. If you’re trying to get your brand or name out there and shout about what you do, do not miss this episode! In this episode of the Authentic Recruiter podcast Caroline gives some really actionable advice: 🎙 how to put your big girl pants on and help more people 🎙 h...
31m • Aug 25, 2020
31m
S1 Ep5: Setting the Record Straight on Recruitment - Part 2
Part II - of this conversation of all things recruitment! Join GRAFT Talent Founder, Melanie Parker (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-parker-/) , and Adesse Founder, Claire Ackers (https://www.linkedin.com/in/claireackers/) , as they get grilled by Anna Sutton (https://www.linkedin.com/in/anna-sutton-the-data-shed/) , CEO of the Data Shed about all things recruitment. In this episode, you'l...
17m • Aug 04, 2020
17m
S1 Ep4: Setting the Record Straight on Recruitment
Join GRAFT Talent Founder, Melanie Parker, and Adesse Founder, Claire Ackers, as they get grilled by Anna Sutton, CEO of the Data Shed about all things recruitment. In this episode, you'll hear 🎙Common misconceptions about recruiters (and why Anna sees some recruiters as 'white noise' 🎙What makes a good recruiter 🎙And tech CEO Anna reveals what she looks for in a recruiter Part 2 is coming soo...
20m • Jul 28, 2020
20m
S1 Ep3: Dan Mills on Values-led Leadership
In this episode, The Authentic Recruiter founder, Claire Ackers, interviews  Dan Mills, Business Manager for Leeds, Gravitas. They talk all things authentic recruitment, including: 🎙 leadership during testing times 🎙why role models are important for recruiters 🎙 how values-based cultures can sky rocket your results 🎙 What the recruitment industry needs to do to change its image
32m • Jul 14, 2020
32m
S1 Ep2: Podcasting for Recruiters - How to Launch your own Podcast
"If I can do it, anyone can" Are you thinking about launching your own podcast? It’s a brilliant way to add value to your industry and build your brand. Listen to Adesse Director and Audacity host Claire Ackers talk to Gravitas' Dan Mills and give you step by step instructions on how to launch your very own podcast: Plan & Pitch Record & Edit (including details of the mostly free tech she u...
18m • Jul 07, 2020
18m
S1 Ep1: Yoga Principles for Business Success - interview with Binny Chadha
To celebrate International Yoga Day, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to chat with my yoga teacher, Binny Chadha (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ACoAAAECVmYBDusASTx1jkxWV8jkvjLKlntJHcY) . She had loads of amazing insights for business leaders and entrepreneurs, including: * how yoga principles can help you grow an authentic, values-led business * how to balance your chakkras for energy, blis...
37m • Jun 23, 2020
37m

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