Behind the Screens: Conversations with Background Screening Pros hosted by Les Rosen
"Behind the Screens" is a podcast that brings you up close and personal with the people in the background screening industry. Hosted by Les Rosen, each episode features in-depth, human-interest interviews with a diverse range of guests—including business executives, employees with extensive screening experience, vendors who serve the industry, and legal and compliance experts.
These conversations dive into the personal stories and insights of those who know the industry best, offering a fresh perspective on the people driving background screening. Whether you are part of the industry or just curious, "Behind the Screens" delivers authentic, non-marketing-focused stories from the world of background checks.
Your host: Les Rosen is an Attorney, former owner of a screening firm, the chair of the steering committee that founded PBSA and the first co-chair of PBSA, as well as author of the "Safe Hiring Manual," and frequent presenter nationwide.
According to attorney and industry veteran Vince Pascarella, "For those of you who don't know, Les Rosen was the chief architect of the PBSA predecessor NAPBS, and its first Chair and unofficial Executive Director. Simply put, no Les Rosen then, no PBSA today."
For more information, see: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lesterrosen/
CONTACT US!
Send comments, feedback, suggestions for future guests or sponsorship information to:
screeningpros200@gmail.com
Platinum Sponsor: https://preemploymentdirectory.com/ , publisher of the Background Buzz!
Episodes
62 episodes
Episode 62: Women in Screening: Journeys, Growth, and Mentorship
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with an incredible panel of women leaders across the background screening industry to talk about how they built their careers, what keeps them engaged, and how the industry continues to...
Episode 61: Compliance, Curiosity, and Career Growth with Jennifer Daimon
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I speak with Jennifer Daimon, VP of Compliance and In-House Counsel at AccuSourceHR. Jennifer’s journey into the background screening industry started in a way many professionals can relate to. Wh...
Episode 60: How a Passion for Politics Built a Career in Background Screening
Dan Shoemaker did not start in background screening. He began his career in politics and public policy, working on campaigns, serving in Virginia state government, and lobbying at the federal level.After 9/11, an unexpected opportunity l...
Episode 59: Mind the Gap: The Human Connection in a Digital Screening World
In this international edition of Behind the Screens, I’m joined by the leadership team of the PBSA Europe & Africa Council: Martin Hardy, Will Hogarth, and Sally Ott-Lacoste.We explore how each of them entered the background screenin...
Episode 58: Marc Bourne on Adaptability, Accreditation, and Giving Back
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Marc Bourne, a true industry veteran who has been part of background screening since 1999 and is still deeply engaged in shaping its future. Our conversation explores what it reall...
Episode 57: Nick Fishman on Purpose, Mentorship, and Making a Mark in Background Screening
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with someone I’ve long admired—Nick Fishman, co-founder of Employee Screen IQ and now a partner at iCubed Advisors. Nick is one of those rare people who brings equal pa...
Episode 56: Kym Kurey on Human Trafficking Advocacy, Background Screening, and Multifaceted Talents
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I speak with Kym Kurey, Chief Revenue Officer at True Corpus and a powerful voice in the fight against human trafficking. Kim brings a compelling blend of industry expertise, advocacy, and creativ...
Episode 55: Mike Coffey on Building a Purpose-Driven Business, Podcasting, and Finding Joy in the Hard Way
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Mike Coffey, founder of Imperative, host of the Good Morning HR podcast, and a familiar force in the background screening world. If you think you know Mike—think a...
Episode 54: Lessons in Leadership, Legacy, and Listening – A Conversation with Mary Poquette
"If you're going to call yourself an expert, make sure you are one."In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Mary Poquette, a pioneer in the background screening industry, co-chair of PBSA in its ea...
Episode 53: From Pager Sales to Legal Powerhouse in Screening with Kellie O’Shea
She sold beepers from a car trunk—and now she shapes the future of background screening law. This is Kellie O’Shea’s journey.In this unforgettable episode, I sit down with Kellie O’Shea, General Counsel at Creative Services, Inc. (CSI) ...
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Episode 52: The Path to Purpose: Carl Cogdill on Leadership, Legacy, and the Power of Public Records
In this engaging episode of Behind the Screens: Conversations with Background Screening Pros, I sit down with Carl Cogdill—longtime industry veteran, founder of Astute Public Records, and one of the sharpest minds in the business. From...
Episode 51: Dynamic Leadership and Strategic Growth – A Conversation with Bianca Lager
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Bianca Lager, a respected strategic growth consultant, former CEO, and longtime thought leader in social media screening. Bianca takes us through her fascinating career—from buildi...
Episode 50: Inside PBSA: Melissa Sorenson on Leading the Global Background Screening Movement
In this milestone 50th episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Melissa Sorenson, Executive Director of the Professional Background Screening Association (PBSA), for a candid conversation about the past, present, and future of ou...
Episode 49: Behind the First Background Check: A Conversation with Industry Pioneer Steve Brownstein
Before databases were a click away, Steve Brownstein was already connecting the dots.In this episode of Behind the Screens, I’m joined by Steve Brownstein—a true pioneer whose work helped shape the background scr...
Episode 48: Alice Quinones's Global Journey Through Law, Purpose, and Background Screening
In this episode of Behind the Screens, I sit down with Alice Quinones, a dual-qualified attorney in France and the U.S., who’s helping shape the future of privacy and compliance in the background screening world.We discuss Alice...
Episode 47: Transforming Background Screening in India with Chetan Desai
What do background screening, the Indian Army, and vinyl records have in common? On the surface, nothing—until you meet Chetan Desai. From serving in the military and as a mountaineer to founding one of India’s first background screening firms,...
Episode 46: Behind the Screens with PBSA Chairs: What Really Happens Behind PBSA’s Gavel
Think carrying the PBSA gavel is all formality and boardrooms? Think again. When three Chairs sit down together, you get a mix of wisdom, war stories, and a few moments that prove even industry leaders don’t take themselves too seriously.
Episode 45: How Catherine Aldrich Brame Shaped Accreditation & Industry Standards in Background Screening
What if the very foundations of background screening—the databases, the processes, the standards—were shaped by someone who once started out answering phones as a young mom just trying to make it work? That’s the story of Catherine Aldrich Bram...
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Episode 44: She Said ‘Short-Term Stop’, Background Screening Said ‘Lifetime Contract’ – Susie Thomson’s Journey
What does leadership look like when it’s built on resilience, curiosity, and an unwavering belief in people? For Susie Thomson, it looks like a career that has taken her from the ground floor of her family business to the top ranks of global ba...
Episode 43: Dare to Disrupt: Four Innovators Share Bold Visions for the Future of Screening
What happens when you take four professionals from different corners of the background screening industry—each with unique expertise, bold ideas, and a willingness to shake things up—and put them together on one stage? You get disruption. In th...
Episode 42: From “Temporary Job” to Lifelong Calling: Bobby Shank’s Journey in Background Screening
What if the path you thought would be temporary turned out to be the foundation of a lifelong calling? That’s the story of Bobby Shank. With a degree in finance and even a chapter of life spent in Costa Rica, Bobby never expected that joining h...
Episode 41: Michelle Leblond: The Strategic Mind Behind Background Screening Excellence
Imagine a professional who lives and breathes accuracy, thrives under the weight of compliance, and leads teams through constant industry evolution—then drop her into the challenging arena of public records and high-stakes client expectations. ...
Episode 40: The Screening Industry Through Les Rosen’s Eyes
How does a criminal defense attorney end up transforming the background screening industry? In this special 40th episode, I take a turn in the guest seat to share my unexpected journey—from representing clients in the courtroom to founding Empl...
Episode 39: Summa McCosker: Building a Global Background Screening Empire from the Ground Up
What kind of person can turn a local startup into a global standard-setter—navigating legal landscapes, scaling teams, and staying human through it all? That’s the kind of trailblazing journey we explore in this episode. In t...
Episode 38: The Man Behind the Screening Curtain: Curt Schwall’s Legacy on Education and Compliance
Can one person transform background screening by mastering compliance, reshaping operations, championing public access, and still give back through mentorship and public service? Meet the man doing exactly that, and discover how leadership i...
