Stopgap Talks

The recruitment landscape is constantly evolving, and staying ahead in the fast-paced world of marketing, digital, and creative industries has never been more important. Stopgap Talks is here to help. Brought to you by the expert recruitment consultants at Stopgap, this podcast is your go-to resource for insights, advice, and real-world strategies to support both marketing professionals and hiring managers alike. Whether you're looking to take the next step in your career or build a standout team, we’re bringing you expert conversations, practical tips, and the latest industry trends to help you navigate the ever-changing job market. Join us for honest, engaging discussions that go beyond the job boards, covering everything from hiring best practices to personal career growth—all with a fresh and informed perspective from the UK’s leading marketing, digital, and creative recruitment specialists.

Stopgap Talks is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 20 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Unknown Host hosts Stopgap Talks, a business show with 20 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #5

  AI & The Candidate Experience: What Do Candidates Really Want?

  Aug 13, 202634 minS4

  AI is transforming recruitment — but what does that actually mean for the people looking for jobs? From AI-powered CV screening and automated communication to AI-assisted interviews, candidates are already experiencing a very different recruitment journey. But alongside the potential for greater speed, personalisation and accessibility come new questions around trust, fairness and whether candidates are becoming less visible in an increasingly automated process. In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Sarah Windsor is joined by Sarah Pieters , Founder of HeyMinty!, for a candid conversation about the human side of AI in recruitment. Together, they explore what candidates are excited about, what they're worried about, and how marketers and other professionals can stay relevant as AI becomes increasingly embedded in the hiring process. In this episode, some of the things we'll discuss: What candidates really think and feel about AI in recruitment The growing tension between recruitment efficiency and human interaction How AI is already changing CV screening, communication and interviewing Whether AI could make recruitment fairer and more accessible The skills candidates will need to stay relevant in an AI-shaped job market Why human skills, judgement and personal connection may become more valuable—not less How candidates can use AI to support their own job search and career development Whether AI is ultimately making recruitment better or worse What candidates should expect from employers as AI becomes more embedded in hiring Where Sarah thinks recruitment is heading next—and what we shouldn't lose along the way It's a thoughtful conversation for anyone navigating the job market, hiring people, or trying to understand what the future of recruitment really looks like. Connect with our speakers Sarah Pieters Founder, HeyMinty! Sarah Windsor Principal Consultant, Stopgap ✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for more open, practical conversations about marketing careers, recruitment, leadership and the future of work.

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  Episode #4

  FTC vs Interim vs Freelance: How to Make the Right Hiring Decision

  Jul 16, 202620 minS4

  The way businesses hire is changing. With tighter budgets, shifting priorities and increasing pressure to move quickly, many organisations are looking beyond permanent recruitment to find the skills they need. But when should you hire on a fixed-term contract? When does an interim specialist make more sense? And where do freelancers fit into the picture? In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Stopgap consultants Zoe Vannozzi and Lara break down the differences between FTC, interim and freelance hiring, helping marketing leaders and hiring managers understand which solution is right for different business challenges. Whether you're covering maternity leave, delivering a transformation project, scaling a team quickly or simply need specialist expertise, this episode provides practical advice to help you make confident hiring decisions. In this episode, we discuss: 🎧 The differences between FTC, interim and freelance roles—and when to use each 🎧 The advantages and challenges of every hiring option 🎧 Common misconceptions about flexible hiring 🎧 How businesses can access specialist skills without committing to permanent headcount 🎧 What marketing professionals should consider when choosing a contract, interim or freelance career 🎧 The current hiring landscape and what employers are looking for 🎧 Practical advice for hiring managers planning their next recruitment Whether you're hiring your next marketer or considering your own career options, this episode will help you navigate today's increasingly flexible talent market with confidence. Connect with our speakers Zoe Vannozzi Lead Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment Lara [Surname] Principle Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment ✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for practical conversations on marketing careers, recruitment, leadership and the future of work.

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  Episode #3

  No Safety Net: Why Small Agencies Play a Different Game

  Jun 22, 202651 minS4

  What does it really take to build a successful business when there's no safety net? For leaders of small businesses and independent agencies, every decision carries weight. Every hire matters. Every client relationship counts. And the culture you create isn't something delegated to HR - it's something you live every day. In this episode of Stopgap Talks , Amanda sits down with Richard Morris , Founding Partner of Whistlejacket , to explore the realities of building and leading an independent creative agency. Having spent more than 20 years in senior leadership at global network agency DDB, followed by five years as CEO of Identica, Richard made the leap to launch Whistlejacket over a decade ago. The conversation explores what changed when the safety net disappeare, and the lessons he's learned about leadership, hiring and creating a culture where people can do their best work. Whether you're a founder, hiring manager or business leader, this episode offers practical insight into building resilient teams and creating workplaces where creativity and commercial success go hand in hand. In this episode, we discuss: Why running a small agency is fundamentally different from working in a large network Why every hire has a bigger impact—and how to spot the right people beyond the CV The leadership lessons nobody tells you before you start your own business How curiosity fuels creativity, innovation and better client work Why Whistlejacket encourages its team to seek inspiration beyond the workplace The story behind Green With Envy and why celebrating great work matters Unlimited holiday, trust, and what Richard learned about creating a healthy culture Practical advice for founders and leaders building teams without the luxury of a corporate safety net Connect with our speakers Richard Morris Founding Partner, Whistlejacket 🌐 www.whistlejacket.studio 🔗 LinkedIn Amanda Mc Carthy Consultant, Stopgap Recruitment 🌐www.stopgap.co.uk 🔗 LinkedIn ✨ Follow Stopgap Talks for practical conversations with marketing, creative and business leaders on hiring, leadership and the future of work.

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  Episode #2

  High-Performing Teams Aren’t Built by Accident...

  Apr 27, 202653 minS4

  <p>What does a high-performing team actually look like, and how do you build one in a way that feels human, not forced?</p><p>In this episode of Stopgap Talks, Sarah Windsor is joined by Matt Turner - founder, speaker and coach - to explore the reality behind building teams that deliver both performance and meaning.</p><p>Drawing on his experience scaling Clownfish Events into an award-winning business known for its exceptional culture, Matt shares honest insights into what truly drives team success; from leadership behaviours and trust, to the small, everyday actions that shape how people work...

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  Episode #1

  Why Most Customer Experience Strategies Fail (And What to Do Instead)

  Mar 17, 202647 minS4

  <p>Customer experience is one of the most talked-about areas in modern business, but despite the buzz, many organisations still struggle to translate it into meaningful, measurable impact.</p><p>In this episode of Stopgap Talks, host John Hunt is joined by Charlie Sim, Partner at The Foundation, for a practical and thought-provoking conversation on what good customer experience actually looks like - and why so many businesses get it wrong.</p><p>Drawing on his experience helping organisations become truly customer-led, Charlie shares how companies can move beyond surface-level CX initiatives and embed customer thinking into the way their...

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