Garrett Rice, co-founder and CEO of callings.ai and former Apple and NeXT executive, joins Eunicia Peret to unpack how AI is reshaping the modern job market, and why both employers and job seekers are struggling to adapt. From thousands of applications and AI-generated resumes to remote work, declining trust, and increasingly impersonal hiring processes, Garrett explains why the traditional model of finding and hiring talent is fundamentally broken. Together, they explore how companies can identify the right people, why professionals must become more visible and authentic, and how AI can be used as a tool without removing humanity from the process. Garrett also shares lessons from his own entrepreneurial journey about pivoting, letting go, and recognizing when reality no longer matches the original vision. This episode offers a timely look at the future of work and what leaders can do to preserve trust, responsibility, and human connection in an AI-driven world.

The traditional hiring model is breaking down: High application volumes make it increasingly difficult for qualified candidates to be seen

AI has created a trust problem: Employers question resumes while candidates question whether job postings are even legitimate

Visibility matters more than ever: Professionals need to demonstrate their expertise beyond simply submitting a resume

Hiring should focus on the person, not just credentials: Previous experience doesn't automatically predict success in a new organization

Authenticity is becoming a competitive advantage: Candidates who clearly communicate who they really are can stand out from AI-generated noise

Employers must take responsibility too: Better hiring requires companies to understand what they actually need rather than relying entirely on automated processes

Remote work changed workplace relationships: Losing informal human interactions can weaken connection, communication, and loyalty

AI is a tool, not a replacement for judgment: The quality of its output depends heavily on the expertise and information humans provide

Know when to pivot: Holding onto an original vision too long can prevent you from seeing better opportunities

Human connection still matters: Technology works best when it strengthens relationships rather than replacing them

[00:00:00] Introduction to Garrett Rice and callings.ai

[00:02:00] From Apple and NeXT to entrepreneurship and AI

[00:03:00] Why the modern job market stopped working

[00:05:00] Remote work, global competition, and application overload

[00:07:00] Why hiring has become difficult for employers too

[00:08:00] AI and the erosion of trust in the hiring process

[00:10:00] Why employers are actively searching for talent instead of relying on applications

[00:11:00] Building professional visibility and credibility

[00:13:00] The challenge of retaining talent in a remote environment

[00:15:00] What remote work removed from workplace relationships

[00:16:00] AI-generated communication and the loss of human connection

[00:18:00] Creating responsible guardrails around AI

[00:20:00] Responsibility and authenticity in an AI-driven workplace

[00:22:00] Why traditional hiring criteria often fail

[00:23:00] Using AI to communicate your authentic professional value

[00:25:00] Matching the right candidate with the right company

[00:27:00] How recruiters can navigate imperfect information

[00:29:00] Preserving humanity as technology advances

[00:32:00] Garrett's lessons from producing an independent film

[00:34:00] Knowing when to let go and pivot

[00:35:00] Lessons from Apple: making the sausage versus eating it

[00:38:00] Why leaders need to focus on what they do best

[00:39:00] Final reflections on AI, humanity, and the future of work

Gorm Tuxen, visionary entrepreneur, author, and veteran of more than 40 years in business development, software engineering, and systems design, joins Eunicia Peret for a wide-ranging conversation about entrepreneurship, risk, resourcefulness, and what it really takes to build something that lasts. Drawing from his experience as an immigrant and as a founder who has built and sold multiple businesses, Gorm shares why the immigrant mindset can create a powerful entrepreneurial advantage, and why persistence, contribution, and a willingness to take calculated risks remain essential to success. Together, they explore the importance of understanding your financials, building businesses that don't depend entirely on the founder, surrounding yourself with the right people, and learning from the inevitable failures along the way. This episode is a reminder that entrepreneurship isn't about avoiding the School of Hard Knocks, it's about making sure you actually learn from it.

Resourcefulness is an entrepreneurial advantage: Learning to work with what you have builds resilience and creativity

Risk is part of the journey: Successful entrepreneurs don't avoid risk, they learn how to understand and manage it

Know your numbers: Financial literacy is the instrument panel that helps entrepreneurs navigate uncertainty

Build a business that can survive without you: Developing and mentoring others creates a stronger, more valuable company

Relevance comes before execution: A great idea only becomes a business when customers actually see value in it

Bootstrap with intention: Spending your own money forces discipline and a clear focus on return on investment

Ask for capital before you desperately need it: Strong financial relationships are built when the business is healthy

Surround yourself with the right people: Community, advisors, and relationships can accelerate your journey dramatically

Share the risk: The strongest partnerships are built when everyone has a stake in creating successful outcomes

Failure only becomes education through reflection: Hard experiences create value when you actually learn from them

[00:00:00] Introduction to Gorm Tuxen and the School of Hard Knocks

[00:02:00] Immigration, the American Dream, and contribution

[00:05:00] Why Gorm believes the immigration conversation needs greater clarity

[00:09:00] Resourcefulness and the immigrant entrepreneurial mindset

[00:11:00] Risk-taking and the impact of immigrant-founded businesses

[00:14:00] Why successful entrepreneurs must continue learning

[00:16:00] Knowing when to delegate and replace yourself

[00:18:00] Building a company that can thrive without the founder

[00:20:00] Accessing capital and finding the right professional support

[00:22:00] Managing risk through financial discipline

[00:23:00] Lessons from Gorm's first entrepreneurial failure

[00:25:00] Testing ideas for relevance before investing heavily

[00:26:00] Bootstrapping and thinking carefully about ROI

[00:27:00] Why relationships and community accelerate success

[00:30:00] Building trust through shared risk and accountability

[00:32:00] Why consultants need to create results, not just deliver advice

[00:35:00] Aligning incentives and creating win-win partnerships

[00:36:00] The biggest lesson from the School of Hard Knocks

[00:38:00] Why every entrepreneur needs to understand their financials

[00:40:00] Turning failure into education through reflection

Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases and a leading expert in press release distribution, joins Eunicia Peret to reveal how entrepreneurs can build credibility, attract better clients, and grow their businesses through earned media. After sharing the pivotal moment when he realized he had to "fire himself" from the day-to-day operations of his company, Mickie explains why stepping back allowed his business to scale dramatically. The conversation explores leadership, delegation, public relations, referral marketing, and the long-term value of creating authentic media coverage instead of chasing paid publicity. Whether you're a startup or an established business owner, this episode demonstrates how credibility and trust often become your most valuable marketing assets.

Growth begins with letting go: Businesses scale when leaders stop micromanaging every detail

Earned media creates lasting credibility: Authentic press coverage builds trust that advertising cannot replicate

Consistency beats chasing trends: Long-term commitment to proven marketing strategies delivers better results than constantly switching tactics

Great referral partners deserve recognition: Closing the loop strengthens relationships and generates more referrals

Stories connect better than sales pitches: People remember authentic journeys far more than marketing messages

Trust compounds over time: Credibility increases conversion rates and strengthens customer loyalty

Measure what matters: Small improvements made consistently outperform constant reinvention

Strong systems increase business value: Companies become more scalable when they can operate without the founder

Visibility starts before you're 'big enough': Small businesses often make the most compelling stories for journalists

Focus on your strengths: The greatest business breakthroughs often happen when leaders operate in their zone of genius

[00:00:00] Introduction to Mickie Kennedy and eReleases

[00:02:00] The decision to "fire himself" from daily operations

[00:04:00] Why letting go allowed the business to scale

[00:06:00] Building teams that operate independently

[00:07:00] Common mistakes entrepreneurs make with marketing

[00:09:00] Why consistency outperforms shiny-object syndrome

[00:11:00] Content marketing and measuring long-term success

[00:13:00] Creating referral systems that actually work

[00:17:00] Understanding the value of earned media

[00:20:00] How media coverage improves conversions and customer trust

[00:22:00] Leveraging press coverage across every marketing channel

[00:24:00] Earned media versus paid publicity

[00:28:00] Why journalists love discovering smaller businesses

[00:30:00] Lessons learned from stepping away as founder

[00:32:00] Final advice for entrepreneurs building credibility and visibility