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**The Day Camp Pod – From Go Camp Pro**

The Day Camp Pod is for day camp leaders who want real answers and practical advice. Each episode covers how to build a resilient camp, face daily challenges, and support every camper. Our hosts and guests are experienced camp directors who believe in problem-solving, teamwork, and helping staff grow. We talk about staff training, making camps more welcoming for everyone, and building strong connections with parents. If you want to learn how empathy and creativity make camps better, and how to keep your camp strong during tough times, you’ll find new ideas here twice a month from Actober to May.

The Day Camp Pod, from Go Camp Pro. Bringing you the best ideas, strategies and discussions in the Day Camp Industry.

Latest Episodes:

Grout is Great: The “In-Between Times” - with Michael Brandwein - The Day Camp Pod #96 Dec 05, 2023

Show notes

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/in-between-moments
Blocks are good, but it’s the grout that holds everything together.

At Day Camp, we spend the majority of our planning time working on our militaristic program grids of athletics, arts, swim, etc. But the day camp day ALSO includes the “in-between moments.” These can be boring wastes of time, or create exciting and memorable CAMPY opportunities that kids will remember far longer than the ball they hit, or the bracelet they wove.

Let’s ask Michael Brandwein how HE feels about this - because I’m sure he’s got some thoughts and ideas… THIS, is the Day Camp Pod!
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Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

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If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
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Get more Michael!

Webinar, Tuesday and Wednesday afternoons, March 26 & 27, 2024:Brandwein on Training: The Step-by-Step System for Planning & Presenting Your Best Staff Training Ever
Webinar, Friday, May 17, 2024:Brandwein on Super Staff SuperVision: The Quick Course on Outstanding Skills to Coach, Motivate, & Bring Out the Best in Staff

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Michael Brandwein, Speaker, Trainer and Author - https://www.michaelbrandwein.com

Books mentioned in podcast:

Skill of the Day: What Great Leaders of Young People Do & Say
Training Terrific Staff Vol. 2
Super Staff SuperVision

Available at www.michaelbrandwein.com/store
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Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

Camptivities - https://www.camptivities.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

-
Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!
Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

The Staff Experience - with Jack Schott & Justin Pritikin - The Day Camp Pod #95 Nov 21, 2023

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/the-staff-experience

What’s the best way to ensure our staff keep coming back?

Since the staff revolution of summer 2021, most camps have put more focus on the staff experience than ever before. If we’re being honest SOME focus, as opposed to hardly any, as most of us realize that we’ve been taking our workforce for granted. So, less stress, less burden, less responsibilities, with more pay, more support, more attention - AND STILL… It often doesn’t feel like enough.

Gen Z Justin and Millenial Jack join us today to reframe the staff experience things from their perspective, and help us better understand what’s needed in 2024 at our camps. THIS, is the Day Camp Pod!
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Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)
Review us on iTunes!
If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
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YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
With,
Justin Pritikin, Director of Staff - Everwood Day Camp
Jack Schott, Co-Founder - The Summer Camp Society

Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

Camptivities - https://www.camptivities.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Crisis Management & Debrief - with Dave Thoenson & Joel Bennett - the Day Camp Pod #94 Nov 07, 2023

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/crisis-management

When it comes to crisis, prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.

With all the crazy stuff going on in our country and the world, camp directors often have to become crisis managers.

One of our friends, Dave Thoenson from Tamarack Day Camp outside of Chicago, joins us to debrief his experience from the Highland Park parade shooting in the Summer of 2022.

We also welcome Joel Bennett who was at the parade with his family and saw the situation from the perspective as a camp parent and an ACA accreditation visitor. This, is the Day Camp Pod!

This podcast discusses the incident and fallout of a mass shooting, which was unsettling to the hosts and guests and will likely be so to the listeners. This is an important topic, so we encourage you to listen and to be prepared for what’s to be discussed.
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Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

Review us on iTunes!

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
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YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
With,
Dave Thoensen, Camp Owner/Director - Tamarak Day Camp
Joel Bennett, Owner - Joel Bennett Consulting

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Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

Camptivities - https://www.camptivities.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/
- CRS - Emergency Alert System: https://crs4rec.com/product/emergency-alert-systems/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Summer 2023 Debrief - with Dr. Kelly Jones - the Day Camp Pod #93 Oct 26, 2023

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/summer-2023-debrief

What lessons can we learn from summer 2023?

Summer 2023 is in the books, and we not only survived, but we thrived - very much like it’s 2019 again…

Our super-thoughtful friend from the West Coast, Kelly Jones, joins us to talk about last summer, and we’ll try hard not to just talk about staff stuff, but that seems to be what people want to hear… THIS, is the Day Camp Pod.
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Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

Review us on iTunes!

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
-
YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
With,
Kelly Jones - Executive Director and Day Camp Director - Outpost Summer Camps

Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

Camptivities - https://www.camptivities.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Remembering the Doug Pierce Legacy - with Jay Jacobs - The Day Camp Pod #92 Oct 10, 2023

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/remembering-doug-pierce

“Whoever needed help, Doug was there with his sleeves rolled up.” - Jay Jacobs

Doug Pierce was a larger than life camp director and industry leader who set the standard for Day Camping, ACA volunteerism, positivity, and sharing. Doug passed away last April, to the shock of his friends and colleagues - as his omnipresent personality made him seem immortal.

Now that we’ve had a few months to gather our thoughts, I wanted to have one of his friends and contemporaries - Jay Jacobs, come onto the pod and talk about one of the greatest guys that we ever will know, and a true day camp legend, Doug Pierce - THIS is the day camp pod!
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Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

Review us on iTunes!

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
-
YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
With, Jay Jacobs, Owner/Partner/Director - TLC Family of Camps

More about Jay:

Jay arrived at Timber Lake in 1967 as a camper, and worked his way up from counselor to head counselor before becoming owner/director in 1980. Highly regarded in the camp industry for his innovative ideas, he was appointed by the Governor to serve on the NY State Camp Health and Safety Council. Jay has served as President of the NY Section of the American Camp Association, Past President of NY State Camp Directors’ Association, and is the founder of SCOPE – Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education, a program which provides camping experiences for inner city kids at a host of not-for-profit camps. In 2001, Jay founded and currently served as chair of Heal the Children, a program of the American Camp Association that provides free camperships to the children of victims of the 9/11 tragedy. He is the owner/partner of Tyler Hill Camp, North Shore Day Camp, and Hampton Day Camp. His first love, however, is the time he spends every summer with his campers. Contact: jay@camptlc.com
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Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

Camptivities - https://www.camptivities.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Pre-Season and In-Season Camper Refunds - with Dan Weir - The Day Camp Pod #91 May 17, 2023

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/camper-refunds-2023

Parents are the most important partnership a camp can have. But how do we balance the financial needs of our camp and our parents when it comes to deposits and refunds?

As we head into the camp season, we’ve got plenty of parents hitting us up with refund requests for every reason imaginable. Striking a balance between compassion, goodwill, and running a business is NOT easy! Especially with rising costs, and the fact that at this late time, you likely won’t be able to fill the spot.

Dan Weir returns to discuss the ins and outs of this tenuous, delicate balance and its implications. THIS, is the day camp pod!
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Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

Review us on iTunes!
If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
With, Dan Weir, Senior Advisor - Immersive1st
- dan@immersive1st.com

Bonus Link: Why a Flexible Cancelation Policy is a Must-Have for Your Summer Camp
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Sponsors:
Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AMSkier - https://amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

-
Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!
Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
Thanks, Camp Pro!

Staff Training - with Roz & Jed - The Day Camp Podcast #90 May 02, 2023

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/staff-training-2023

As you gear up for another year of staff training, tune in for some expert advice from the experts, Roz and Jed!

It’s just about time to get our staff together, get them energized, and get them trained up as much as we can for the arrival of our campers. Who better to discuss the ins and outs of staff training 2023, than Roz & Jed Buck. THIS is the Day Camp Pod!

Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

-
Review us on iTunes!
If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
With,
Roz and Jed Buck, Camp Consultants - rozandjed.com
- Jed@RozandJed.com
  Roz@RozandJed.com

Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AMSkier - https://amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!
Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

The Dave & Dave Camp Staff Variety Hour - The Day Camp Podcast #89 Apr 18, 2023

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Send us Fan Mail

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/variety-show

Staff training is on the minds of camp pros nationwide. Dave and Dave are here to share their two cents on the hottest topics of the year!

At the past ACA National Conference in February, I had the pleasure of experiencing both Dave Malter and David Phillips both in session rooms and informally in the hallways - Of which I learned lots and was greatly entertained from these smart, and sarcastically funny men.
As I embark on creating my own 2023 staff orientation training, I figured that I would bring the two of them together in what could be one of the greatest day podcasts ever recorded, or a complete and utter disaster (it ended up being the former) - THIS, is the Day Camp Pod!
Join us as we discuss:

Staff culture
Teaching stress/resilience, mindfulness
Supervision… What to expect!
Job commitment - What it means to give your word to something
Making training FUN
Explaining the WHY
Giving your staff professional development beyond camp tools

Review us on iTunes!
If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
With,
David Malter aka “Professor Dave”, Speaker, Trainer and Consultant - Gratz College
David Phillips, Principal - Immersive1st

Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AMSkier - https://amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!
Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

Boss Convos - with Dan Weir - The Day Camp Podcast #88 Apr 04, 2023

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Send us Fan Mail

Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/boss-convos

Even if you’ve known your boss for years, interacting with them can still be nerve-wracking! Dan is here today to share his experience navigating this tricky power dynamic.

Managing up, quiet quitting - most people have a pretty dysfunctional relationship with their supervisors. While it may be the norm, it’s far from optimal and we shouldn’t accept it as such.

Dan Weir is the consummate camp professional, and a great staff trainer who gave a session at ACA National and Tri-State about how to work with your boss, which we are going to dive into today - THIS is the Day Camp Pod!
Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

Review us on iTunes!

If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
-

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Sam Thompson, Recreation Supervisor - Crystal Lake Park District
Tiffany Yvonne, Executive Director - Purposeful Play
With, Dan Weir, Senior Advisor - Immersive1st
- dan@immersive1st.com

Bonus Resources from Dan:

https://gamestorming.com/

Gamestorming: A Playbook for Innovators, Rule-breakers, and Changemakers, by Dave Gray, Sunni Brown, James Macanufo

Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AMSkier - https://amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/
- CRS: Pedal Carts - https://crs4rec.com/product-category/facility-enhancements/pedal-karts/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!

Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

GenZ Insight, Smacktalk & Hacks - Emergency Podcast! With Justin Pritikin - The Day Camp Podcast #87 Mar 28, 2023

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Find full show notes and links at: https://gocamp.pro/day-camp-pod/genz-hacks

Staffing emergencies call for emergency podcasts! Are we really in a “hiring crisis,” or do we just need to change the hiring process? Justin is back to share the inside scoop on how to appeal to Gen Z applicants.

I just got back from Tri-State, where I’ve been attending for close to 30 years, and the generational divide has never been more apparent to me. That said, these Camp conferences are terrific environments for old heads and young heads to learn from each other and appreciate each other’s talents, AND learn how to communicate with one another.
Nobody articulates this bridge better than Everwood Day Camp’s newest employee - Justin Pritikin, so we had to do an emergency podcast and get him back on - THIS is the day camp pod!
-
Do you read the show notes? Let us know - click the following link to receive 10% off a lifetime subscription of Go Camp Pro's 5-Minute Fridays. (psst. Even if you don't buy anything, clicking this link will still help!)
(click here - https://bit.ly/pod-notes-discount)

Review us on iTunes!
If you love the Day Camp Pod, we would be grateful if you subscribed and left us a review. It’s SUPER easy, too! Just head to http://ratethispodcast.com/dcp
-

YOUR HOSTS:

Andy Pritikin, Owner/Director - Liberty Lake Day Camp
Justin Pritikin, Director of Staff - Everwood Day Camp
- justinp@everwooddaycamp.com

Check out our complete show notes to see slides from Justin’s Tri-State presentation and details to his FREE zoom session.

Sponsors:

Thanks to our wonderful sponsors who help make this Go Camp Pro podcast possible:

AMSkier - https://amskier.com/
Commercial Recreation Specialists (CRS) - https://crs4rec.com/

Please review and subscribe!

If you’ve gotten even one good thing from the Day Camp Pod, we would be so grateful if you left us a review and subscribed to this show in your favourite Podcast app.

It’s so easy!
Just click here: https://ratethispodcast.com/dcp

Thanks, Camp Pro!

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The Day Camp Pod – From Go Camp Pro

YOUR HOSTS:

What’s the best way to ensure our staff keep coming back?

Please review and subscribe!

When it comes to crisis, prepare and prevent, don’t repair and repent.

Please review and subscribe!

What lessons can we learn from summer 2023?

Sponsors:

Please review and subscribe!

“Whoever needed help, Doug was there with his sleeves rolled up.” - Jay Jacobs

Please review and subscribe!

Parents are the most important partnership a camp can have. But how do we balance the financial needs of our camp and our parents when it comes to deposits and refunds?

YOUR HOSTS:

As you gear up for another year of staff training, tune in for some expert advice from the experts, Roz and Jed!

YOUR HOSTS:

Sponsors:

Please review and subscribe!

Staff training is on the minds of camp pros nationwide. Dave and Dave are here to share their two cents on the hottest topics of the year!

YOUR HOSTS:

Sponsors:

Please review and subscribe!

Even if you’ve known your boss for years, interacting with them can still be nerve-wracking! Dan is here today to share his experience navigating this tricky power dynamic.

YOUR HOSTS:

Sponsors:

Please review and subscribe!

Staffing emergencies call for emergency podcasts! Are we really in a “hiring crisis,” or do we just need to change the hiring process? Justin is back to share the inside scoop on how to appeal to Gen Z applicants.

YOUR HOSTS:

Sponsors:

Please review and subscribe!

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