The Forces Reshaping Talent and How Places Are Pivoting: Insights from Young Smart & Local 2025

At the 2025 Young Smart & Local Conference in Tulsa, talent leaders from across the country gathered to share strategies for navigating one of the most challenging labor markets in recent history.  

On this special episode of Talent Wars, host Patience Fairbrother takes you inside the conversations, ideas and insights that have led to major pivots in talent attraction and retention efforts this year. From “Peak 18” and our shrinking workforce to the increasing importance of skills-based hiring, communities are rethinking who counts as qualified and how to open pipelines in creative, risk-taking solutions. Meanwhile, AI is changing jobs, tools and processes. However, human connection and authenticity remain more valuable than ever. 

Listen in to learn: 

• How communities are pivoting to meet demographic challenges 

• Why skills-based hiring is no longer optional, but a necessity 

• How AI is transforming talent sourcing, while authenticity drives retention 

• How regions like Philadelphia, West Michigan and Greensboro are experimenting with new strategies to retain and attract talent 

The talent wars are no longer just about marketing or cost of living. Winning communities will be the ones that pivot with clarity, embrace innovation and foster the human connections that keep talent rooted in place. 

Listen and subscribe to Talent Wars on Spotify or Apple Podcasts. To submit guest or episode topic ideas, email patience.fairbrother@aboutdci.com.