The Recruitment Show with Lewis Maleh

Latest Episodes:

How Does a Global Insurer Put AI Into Day-to-Day Operations? Sep 30, 2026

Show notes

A beautiful deck on AI is easy. A demo is easy. Getting a room to nod along is easy. Getting someone to tell you what actually changed on the ground last Monday? That is a whole different conversation.I sat down with Richie Henry, Head of Operations & AI Enablement at Markel, for a wonderful conversation about they have approached it.- When does AI stop looking good in a board pack and start becoming real work?

- What happens to judgement when the routine tasks start to disappear?

- How do you train young people when the work itself is changing?

- What does leadership look like when technology can move faster than people?Just a few of the questions we got into.This episode is in conjunction with the Dive In Festival. I hope you enjoy it.📌 About Bentley Lewishttps://bentleylewis.com/➡️ Follow UsAll our socials: https://linktr.ee/BentleyLewis📧 Collaborations & QuestionsEmail: info@bentleylewis.com🔔 Subscribe

Left a Job Early? Here’s What to Say in Your Next Interview Sep 25, 2026

Show notes

What do you say in an interview when you left your last job after only a short time?

Maybe the culture was toxic, the role wasn’t what you expected, or you simply knew it wasn’t the right fit. There’s plenty of advice online about how to explain it, including the viral suggestion to simply say: “I signed an NDA.”

Lewis Maleh thinks that’s some of the worst advice you can follow.

In this episode, Lewis explains why honesty is usually the better approach, how to talk about leaving a role early without making yourself look like the problem, and why trying to hide the truth can damage trust before a new working relationship has even begun.

He also explores what candidates should really be looking for in their next company, from culture and leadership to flexibility, development and finding an environment where they can do their best work.

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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

AI Cut the Jobs. Now Companies Are Hiring Again Sep 18, 2026

Show notes

AI was supposed to reduce headcount. So why are some companies now hiring people back?

In this episode, Lewis Maleh looks at what’s happening when businesses automate roles, cut teams and then discover that technology can’t always replace the judgement, experience and human input they removed.

It raises a bigger question about the future of work: are companies learning where AI genuinely adds value, and where people are still essential?

Lewis explores what this shift tells us about AI adoption, hiring and why the future may be less about replacing humans and more about finding the right balance between people and technology.

A quick take on what businesses are learning as AI moves from hype into the reality of the workplace.

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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

You Hired the Wrong Person. Now What? Sep 11, 2026

Show notes

You’ve interviewed them, checked the experience, got everyone’s opinion and made the hire. Then they start, and something just doesn’t feel right.

So what do you do when you realise you may have hired the wrong person?

In this episode, Lewis Maleh looks at one of the more uncomfortable parts of hiring: what happens when a new hire isn’t working out.

From getting the first 90 days and onboarding right, to deciding whether someone needs more support or whether it’s time to part ways, Lewis explains why the worst option is often doing nothing.

Because sometimes the right decision is to invest more. And sometimes, for everyone involved, it’s knowing when to call it.

Topics include: hiring mistakes, onboarding, the first 90 days, developing employees, performance, leadership and knowing when to part ways.

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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

AI Won’t Take Your Job. Someone Using It Will Sep 04, 2026

Show notes

AI is already changing how we work, and the people embracing it are starting to pull ahead.

In this episode of Espresso with Lewis, Lewis looks at why ignoring AI could become one of the biggest risks to your career, and why learning how to use it could help you stay relevant, increase your value and open up new opportunities.

He shares what he’s seeing in executive hiring, how AI is already changing the way teams work, and why the people landing leadership roles are often the ones willing to learn, experiment and adapt.

You don’t need to become an AI expert or learn how to code. But you do need to understand how these tools are changing your role and how you can use them to become better at what you do.

If you’re wondering what AI means for your job, salary and future career, this episode is for you.

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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

AI, Trust and the Future of Hiring | Tharishni Arumugam, Aon Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

AI is changing how we work, hire and lead. But as the technology becomes more capable, how do we make sure we can still trust what we see?

In this special Dive In Festival episode of The Recruitment Show, Lewis Maleh sits down with Tharishni Arumugam, Global AI Compliance Director at Aon, to explore the realities of AI in the workplace and what organisations need to be thinking about now.

From candidates using AI during the hiring process to questions around authenticity, governance and human judgement, Tharishni shares her perspective on navigating a world where the line between human and AI-generated work is becoming increasingly difficult to see.

They discuss the opportunities AI creates, the risks organisations need to understand, and why people, trust and responsible decision-making still matter as technology continues to evolve.

This episode is part of our special Dive In Festival series, featuring conversations with senior leaders on leadership, AI, culture and the future of work.

Show Notes:

Dive In Festival⁠

https://diveinfestival.com⁠

Connect with Tharishni Arumugam

https://www.linkedin.com/in/tharishni-arumugam-a9888667

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Connect with Lewis Maleh⁠

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh⁠

Learn more about Bentley Lewis

⁠https://bentleylewis.com⁠

How to Find Jobs That Are Never Advertised Aug 28, 2026

Show notes

Some of the best job opportunities never make it onto a job board.

In this episode, Lewis Maleh breaks down how to put yourself in a position to find those opportunities, from building the right network and making your LinkedIn profile discoverable to developing a personal brand that brings opportunities to you.

He also shares advice for people at different stages of their careers, including why you don’t need to have everything figured out in your 20s and what changes once you start moving into leadership roles.

If you’re looking for your next opportunity, or simply want to make sure the right people can find you, this episode is for you.

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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

The Skills That Matter in 2026: AI, EQ and the Future of Work Aug 21, 2026

Show notes

The skills employers value are changing fast. So what will actually make you valuable in 2026 and beyond?

In this episode of Espresso with Lewis, Lewis Maleh breaks down LinkedIn's latest Skills on the Rise report and shares his biggest takeaways for anyone thinking about their career, their team or the future of work.

From AI literacy and strategic thinking to emotional intelligence and relationship building, Lewis explores why the future isn't simply about becoming more technical. As AI becomes embedded into more jobs, the skills that make us distinctly human could become even more valuable.

In this episode:

• Why AI literacy is becoming a baseline skill
• The human skills AI will struggle to replace
• Why strategic thinking is becoming more important
• Why EQ and cultural intelligence aren't "soft skills"
• How AI is changing the role of managers
• Why traditional, linear careers are changing
• What younger generations want from their careers
• Why your ability to learn could matter more than years of experience
• How to keep your skills relevant as work continues to change

The takeaway is simple: don't stand still.

You don't need to become an AI expert overnight, but you do need to keep learning, experimenting and developing the skills that will matter in the years ahead.

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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Is Job Hopping Really a Red Flag? Aug 14, 2026

Show notes

Today on Espresso with Lewis, I’m talking about one of those hiring debates that keeps coming up: is job hopping really a red flag?

A few months ago, I asked whether you’d be reluctant to hire someone who had four or five jobs in the space of five to seven years. The responses were interesting, but the bigger question is whether the number of moves really tells you enough about someone.

Bad bosses, toxic cultures, redundancies, roles that weren’t the right fit. There are plenty of reasons someone’s career might not look perfectly linear.

In this episode, I discuss why context matters, how candidates should explain frequent moves honestly, and why hiring managers should think twice before dismissing someone based on their CV alone.

I also cover:

• When job hopping can become a genuine concern
• Why leaving a bad working environment isn’t necessarily a red flag
• How to explain short tenures in an interview
• Why saying you “signed an NDA” is bad interview advice
• What hiring managers should ask before making assumptions
• Why staying two or three years in a role might be perfectly normal today
• How redundancies and changing markets have reshaped career histories

Sometimes there could be an incredible candidate hiding behind four or five moves. You won’t know unless you have the conversation.

What do you think? Is job hopping still a red flag?

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🎙️ Espresso with Lewis — practical leadership insights, no fluff.

Connect with me: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more: https://bentleylewis.com

Leading Through Change: Stephanie Ogden on AI, Careers & Modern Leadership Aug 11, 2026

Show notes

Today on The Recruitment Show, Lewis Maleh is joined by Stephanie Ogden, CEO of Munich Re Syndicate , for the first episode in our special Dive In Festival series.

From walking into a new organisation knowing just one person to leading through uncertainty and navigating the rise of AI, Stephanie shares an honest perspective on what leadership really looks like today.

Together they discuss:

• What it's really like starting as CEO in a global organisation
• Why staying comfortable can hold you back
• The rise of AI and the importance of protecting your authentic voice
• Why negotiation, judgement and human relationships still matter
• Advice for professionals looking to build meaningful careers
• Hybrid working, leadership and the future of work

Whether you're leading a business, building your career, or simply curious about how AI is changing leadership, this conversation offers practical insights for leaders at every stage of their career.

This episode is the first in our special Dive In Festival series, exploring leadership, AI, culture and the future of work through conversations with senior leaders.

Show Notes:

Dive In Festival
https://diveinfestival.com

Connect with Stephanie Ogden
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanie-ogden-6b72a710/

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Connect with Lewis Maleh
https://www.linkedin.com/in/lmaleh

Learn more about Bentley Lewis
https://bentleylewis.com