“Not every client deserves a recruiter.”

In this face-to-face episode, Susanna and Tiarna dive deep into the gritty realities of recruiter-client dynamics. From dream partnerships to horror stories, they unpack the red flags recruiters should watch for—and why it's sometimes necessary to walk away, no matter how big the fee.

You'll hear real talk on what makes a great client relationship, how to protect your candidates (and your sanity), and why transparency, feedback, and integrity should be non-negotiable. If you’ve ever questioned whether a client truly values your work, this episode will give you the clarity and courage you need.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• The Clients Worth Keeping – Tiarna shares what separates standout clients: clear communication, transparency, and a genuine sense of partnership.
• When to Walk Away – Susanna reveals moments when she’s fired clients, whether over dodgy fees, ghosting invoices, or pushing unrealistic expectations on candidates.
• What Recruiters Should Ask – From commission schemes to office culture, Susanna and Tiarna break down the must-ask questions every recruiter should use to vet their clients.
• Managing Reputation and Red Flags – The hosts discuss how recruiters can protect candidates from toxic agencies and shift public perception through honest positioning.
• The Value of Aftercare – They reflect on why ongoing follow-up after placement is just as important as the placement itself and how failing here breaks trust.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• “Not every client deserves a recruiter.” – Susanna Gray

• “We are not CV pushers—we’re partners in business growth.” – Tiarna McCormack

• “If you’re negotiating fees after you’ve already agreed terms, you’re not a partner. You’re a problem.” – Susanna Gray

• “I won’t place a candidate with a company I wouldn’t work for myself.” – Tiarna McCormack

• “Too many recruiters are leaving the industry because of bad placements.” – Susanna Gray

• “Client experience matters. But candidate experience makes or breaks your reputation.” – Tiarna McCormack

• “Aftercare is not optional. It’s where loyalty is earned.” – Susanna Gray

• “You are not your fee. You’re the one helping people change their lives.” – Tiarna McCormack

• “Your job isn’t to place. It’s to qualify, protect, and represent with integrity.” – Susanna Gray

• “If your recruitment partner can’t take feedback, they’re not ready to grow.” – Tiarna McCormack

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“They told me I’d never make it in recruitment.”

Jason Connolly’s career started with magic tricks and ended in million-pound billing months—but only after surviving a toxic police department, a mountain of self-doubt, and a manager who swore he’d fail.

In this raw and riveting conversation, Jason sits down with Susanna and Tiarna to talk about the truth behind career pivots, burnout, and what it really takes to succeed in legal recruitment. From busking in Covent Garden to founding one of the UK’s most people-focused recruitment firms, Jason proves that resilience, mentorship, and a little unfiltered honesty can change everything. If you've ever questioned your path or been underestimated, this episode is for you.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• • From Magic to the Met – Jason shares his unconventional beginnings as a magician and Virgin Atlantic crew member, and how a random police application changed the course of his life.
  • Why the Police Almost Broke Him – Jason opens up about the trauma, institutional dysfunction, and discrimination he faced during his time as a police officer—and how it nearly cost him his self-worth.
  • The Recruitment Rebuild – After leaving the force, Jason reveals how self-study, podcast binging, and a refusal to quit helped him go from billing zero to becoming the top recruiter in his agency.
  • The Birth of JMC Legal – Jason shares the real story behind starting his firm, mentoring trainees to MD level, and the painful lessons learned from hiring mistakes and toxic management cultures.
  • Feedback, Pressure, and Real Talk – The trio dives into why feedback is non-negotiable, how to lead without ego, and the “pressure cooker” reality of recruitment culture—and how to survive it.

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• Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

  
  

  • “The worst thing you can say to me is, ‘You can’t do it.’ That’s my fuel.” – Jason Connolly

  • “I didn’t need recruitment to save me—I needed it to test me.” – Jason Connolly

  • “I don’t care what your degree says. If you’ve got grit, I’ll teach you how to bill a million.” – Jason Connolly

  • “The recruiter’s opinion doesn’t matter. It’s about understanding what the candidate really wants.” – Jason Connolly

  • “Feedback isn’t an insult. It’s a gift. But only if you’re brave enough to take it.” – Susanna Gray

  • “It’s not about KPIs. It’s about mentoring people into the version of themselves they don’t believe in yet.” – Jason Connolly

  • “Sometimes the most powerful thing a recruiter can do is hold up a mirror.” – Tiarna McCormack

  • “You don’t need a script—you need emotional intelligence.” – Susanna Gray

  • “Success is being unhinged in your pursuit, but grounded in your values.” – Jason Connolly

  • “Legal recruitment didn’t need more ex-lawyers. It needed more heart.” – Jason Connolly

    
    

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"What if the worst thing that ever happened to you turned out to be the thing that set you free?"

In this deeply personal episode, Susanna Gray opens up to her new co-host, Tiarna McCormack, about life after heartbreak, single motherhood, and building back stronger, personally and professionally. With honesty, humor, and a lot of heart, the two talk about emotional resilience, dating in your late 30s, balancing ambition with boundaries, and why your tribe—and your playlist—might just be the most powerful tools you have.

Part career reflection, part therapy session, and 100% real talk, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating change, rebuilding confidence, or simply trying to do life on their own terms.

Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments

• From Dubai to Bristol – Susanna shares the emotional and logistical shifts that came with moving countries post-breakup and how she’s navigating solo parenting, business-building, and identity changes all at once.

• The Music That Heals – Both co-hosts discuss how motivational playlists and nostalgic songs have helped them process grief, move through pain, and reconnect to joy.

• Dating Like a Recruiter – Susanna reveals her time-saving “video vetting” approach to dating—and how it mirrors her recruitment strategy. Spoiler: it’s intense, effective, and surprisingly hilarious.

• Choosing Values Over Vibes – The duo explores how aligning on values (not just chemistry) is the secret to choosing the right partner, whether in love or leadership.

• AI, Authenticity & The Future of Recruitment – They weigh in on AI’s role in recruitment, what automation can never replace, and why emotional intelligence is the ultimate skill of the future.

• Your People Are Your Power – Susanna reflects on how her support network helped her survive one of the hardest years of her life—and how deep connection is the legacy she wants to leave behind.

Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode

• “This broke me. But I chose to build something better from the rubble.” – Susanna Gray

• “You don’t need to play it cool. You need to play it real.” – Susanna Gray

• “I used to think success was sunshine and salary. Now, it’s peace and alignment.” – Susanna Gray

• “There’s no AI that can replace intuition, connection, or trust.” – Susanna Gray

• “Recruitment is like dating—you need to vet hard before you invest.” – Tiarna McCormack

• “Being intense isn’t a flaw. It’s how I move with purpose.” – Susanna Gray

• “If they can’t handle your honesty, they’re not your people.” – Tiarna McCormack

• “You’ll never find clarity if you’re too afraid to sit with yourself.” – Tiarna McCormack

• “Know your values. Align your life accordingly. Everything else is noise.” – Susanna Gray

• “Pain makes you pause. But it also makes you powerful.” – Tiarna McCormack

  
  

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