In this episode of The Talent Track Podcast, Oliver Feakins is joined by Andrew Mathis, Founder & CEO of Elite Sales Training, for a deep, no-fluff conversation on the future of sales, recruiting, and automation.

We break down:

• Why AI-first “no human recruiter” agencies may be missing the point
• The difference between speed tools vs trust-building tools
• Why emotional intelligence still wins deals (for now)
• How top recruiters actually control the sales process
• The real reason most deals die in text-based selling
• Why great recruiters don’t just “sell jobs” — they guide decisions

Andrew brings a frontline sales perspective from years in high-pressure environments, while Oliver challenges how recruiting, healthcare staffing, and automation are colliding in real time.

The healthcare staffing industry didn’t crash post-COVID—it normalized. But for a lot of agencies and recruiters, it feels worse than ever. Why?

In this episode of The Talent Track Podcast, Oliver Feakins sits down with industry veteran Peter Leibowitz (37 years deep) to unpack what’s really happening beneath the surface—and why this cycle is unlike anything we’ve seen before.

They break down:

• The “fat and happy” COVID era—and the brutal reality check that followed
• Why recruiters who thrived during the boom are struggling in today’s market
• The shift from order takers back to true relationship builders
• How AI, automation, and outsourcing are helping—and hurting—agencies
• The growing divide between transactional vs. relational recruiting models
• Why speed alone isn’t enough anymore—and how “strategic patience” wins deals
• The uncomfortable truth: most agencies are still measuring the wrong things

This episode is a masterclass in what it actually takes to succeed right now—when volume is down, competition is up, and the margin for error is gone.

If you're a healthcare staffing leader, recruiter, or founder trying to figure out why your playbook stopped working… this one hits hard.