
Everything people and workforce—recruiting, marketing, technology, talent management, and workforce economics—delivered with biting sarcasm and unapologetic snark. Industry misfits Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman bring their no-holds-barred opinions to dissect news, trends, and the occasional dumpster fire. If you’re a hiring company, staffing firm, or vendor looking for insights (and a thick skin), these two won’t just tell you what’s happening—they’ll tell you why you’re probably doing it wrong. Buckle up, buttercup.
In this snark-filled episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, Joel, Chad, and Lieven serve up their usual blend of sharp wit and sharp analysis, dissecting everything from Ukraine's military maneuvers to the UK’s job market makeover. No European stereotype is safe, and no topic is too serious (or ridiculous) for the boys to tackle. Ukrainian Military Offensive UK's Move Towards Degree-less Hiring StepStone's New Ad Campaign: Buy or Sell with: Impact Pool, AlgoJob, and ViaCurrent. The "Lazy" Belgian Lie This snark-filled synopsis captures the irreverent tone of the podcast while summarizing the key points with a healthy dose of sarcasm. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview 01:30 - The Conflict in Ukraine and the Offensive Against Russia 11:35 - The Changing Job Market in the UK: Rise of Degree-Less Jobs 12:22 -The Importance of Certifications in the Tech Industry 15:23 - The Impact of Brexit on Immigration and Hiring 20:05 -Skills-Based Hiring and the Shift in Recruitment 23:50 -The Value of Blue-Collar Jobs and Skilled Workers 25:17 -Buy or Sell: Impact Pool 26:45 -Investing in Niche Businesses 33:39 -AlgoJob: AI-Driven Interview Tool 38:24 -Viacurrent: Early Wage Access App 47:11 -Working Hours in Europe Keywords Ukraine, job market, degree-less jobs, certifications, Brexit, immigration, skills-based hiring, inclusivity, diversity, HR, recruiting, buy or sell, companies, working hours, Europeans, jokes
Jim McCoy, CEO of Atlas, joins the Chad and Cheese podcast to discuss the rise of Employee of Record (EOR) platforms and the future of remote work. McCoy explains that EOR platforms help companies employ people in countries where they don't have a legal entity, supporting global mobility and recruitment. He also discusses the convergence of EOR and staffing, the challenges of safeguarding intellectual property in the gig economy, and the normalization of salaries based on cost of living. McCoy believes that the success of companies like Deel in the EOR space is beneficial for the entire industry, and he envisions an ecosystem that supports recruiters and helps them find the best candidates. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background of Jim McCoy 08:50 - Convergence of EOR and Staffing 11:45 - Supporting Recruitment and Hiring Across Borders 14:00 - Safeguarding Intellectual Property in the Gig Economy 19:54 - Normalization of Salaries Based on Cost of Living 25:22 - The Success of Companies like Deal in the EOR Space 29:48 - Building an Ecosystem to Support Recruiters Keywords Jim McCoy, CEO, Atlas, Employee of Record, EOR, remote work, staffing, intellectual property, gig economy, salaries, normalization, global mobility, recruitment, ecosystem
This week, the boys discuss the Olympics, layoffs at Paramount and Cisco. Plus, they analyze the financial performance and strategies of companies like Indeed, Upwork, ZipRecruiter, and Seek. They also touch on the challenges faced by job boards and the impact of AI on the industry. Additionally, they discuss the potential breakup of Alphabet (Google) due to antitrust concerns and the use of OnlyFans by Olympic athletes to fund their dreams. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Olympics Recap 08:21 - Leadership Decisions at Paramount and Cisco 16:15 - Starbucks Goes Off the Deep End 18:09 - Earnings Reports: ZipRecruiter, Recruit Holdings, Upwork, and Seek 19:16 - Concerns about Layoffs and Adaptation 23:12 - The Impact of AI on Jobs 24:09 - Challenges Faced by Job Boards 27:45 - Sprockets: A Poor Man's Paradox 29:11 - The State of the Recruitment Industry 37:15 - Google's Potential Breakup and Remote Work 43:00 - Olympic Athletes on OnlyFans Keywords Chad and Cheese, podcast, Olympics, layoffs, Paramount, Cisco, earnings reports, ZipRecruiter, Recruit Holdings, Upwork, Seek, recruitment industry, financial performance, strategies, job boards, AI, Indeed, Upwork, ZipRecruiter, Seek, Alphabet, Google, antitrust, OnlyFans, Olympic athletes
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s getting acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
In this episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast Does Europe, Joel and Lieven discuss the Olympics, anti-tourism protests in Europe, and play the ultimate game of Buy or Sell with several European startups. They review and give their opinions on the startups Earlybird, doinstruct, WorkerHero, Moniti and Passionfruit. They also explore the reasons why Europeans have a dislike for tourists. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview 01:35 - Discussion on the Olympics 06:15 - Conversation on European Sports 08:45 - Review of Earlybird Startup 13:15 - Review of doinstruct Startup 15:46 - Review of WorkerHero Startup 20:19 - Review of Passionfruit Startup 27:09 - Discussion on Anti-Tourism Protests in Europe 30:18 - Reasons for Europeans' Dislike of Tourists 31:57 - Conclusion and Farewell Keywords Chad and Cheese Podcast, Europe, Olympics, anti-tourism protests, startups, Earlybird AI, doinstruct, Work Hero, PassionFruit, Moniti, Gojira, Yusuf Dikec,
Hilla Hascalovici, the founder of Period Ally, joins the Chad and Cheese podcast to discuss how her company helps companies support their menstruating employees. Period Ally offers high-quality products, pain management, menstrual leave and rest policies, training, events, and more. Julie Sowash takes over for Chad, as it's smarter to have smarts over snark on this episode. Hascalovici plans to raise money in the future and expand globally. The podcast hosts commend her for addressing an important issue and see potential for success in the market. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 03:03 -Pitching Periodally 12:03 -Bathroom Products and Preferences 15:10 - Cutting Through the Clutter 21:37 - Product Fit in a Remote Work Environment 28:03 - Pricing and Margins 32:02 - Women's Success in the Workplace 35:31 - Future Growth and Conclusion Keywords Hila Hascalovici, Periodally, period ally, menstruating employees, high-quality products, pain management, menstrual leave, rest policies, training, events, productivity, raising money, global expansion
In this episode, the boys deliver snarky takes on current events in tech and recruitment. They discuss the appeal of a down-to-earth political figure, shout out Snoop Dogg for boosting Olympic viewership, and promote their presence at Recfest in Nashville. Theget ready for a critique of Intel's leadership amid layoffs, Tinder's failed live streaming, and question the hype around AI investments, particularly startups like Tezi and Ema. They also highlight ZipRecruiter's acquisition of Breakroom as a smart move, while expressing doubts about Skillfully's future in AI-powered hiring. It's time for sharp industry insights with a punch humor and punch. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Reflections on the US Presidential Election 03:09 - The Olympics: Sportsmanship and Inspiration 06:00 -Layoffs at Major Companies: Leadership and Accountability 09:18 - Shout-outs: Snoop Dogg, Dolce & Gabbana, and Keeyora 10:56 -Upcoming Events: Recfest and Fantasy Football 21:14 -Layoffs, Funding, and Acquisitions in the HR and Recruiting Industry 28:41 -The Importance of Differentiation in the HR and Recruiting Industry 35:02 - Buy or Sell: Reviewing Recent Funding Rounds 45:54 - The Challenges Faced by the Restaurant Industry Keywords US presidential election, Olympics, layoffs, Snoop Dogg, Dolce & Gabbana, Kiora, politics, sports, fashion, technology, HR, recruiting, layoffs, funding, AI, HR tech, acquisitions, restaurant industry
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s getting acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
Recorded live from RecFest, this special episode of Chad and Cheese features Lord Wei, a member of the Science and Tech Committee in the House of Lords. It's not every day you hear from a political figure on the show! They dive into topics like AI regulation, workforce automation, and tech's role in recruitment. Don't miss it—follow Chad and Cheese for more unique insights. 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 0:55 Transition from Tech into Recruitment 2:30 Lord Wei’s Short Bio 3:23 Predicting the Era of AI 5:14 AI is a Superhuman in Recruitment 6:29 AI is about Skills 7:52 AI Discovers Talent 9:51 Flexibility is Key 13:45 Taking Advantage over Government 15:23 Redeploying People into New Jobs 18:33 AI Makes Hiring Fair 19:59 Talent Is What Counts 23:06 Gen Z 24:38 Bringing Migrants into the Workforce 26:05 Integration into Hybrid Future
In this episode, Joel and Chad dig into a ton of tech news with a new segment called 'Big Mac or Nothing Burger' where they evaluate the significance topic by topic. Big Mac or Nothing Burger - Indeed charges $3 per API call - ZipRecruiter introduces new AI tools - New LinkedIn jobs guidelines - ChatGPT goes search - LinkedIn leans on ad networks to grow sales - Oracle introduces "Easy Apply" - SEEK NZ takes a nosedive and ending up with McDonald's once again blaming the economy for its woes. Get ready for technology trends, advertising strategies, market competition, consumer behavior, and Canada Joel! Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview 14:27 Indeed's new API tax 21:07 ZipRecruiter's New Tools 28:59 OpenAI's Search Engine 32:44 LinkedIn Partnering with Publishers 36:27 Oracle's new Easy Apply 39:43 Seek Job Ad decline in New Zealand 44:05 Heineken's Sales Decline 48:09 McDonald's will blame anything Keywords podcast, Olympics, shoutouts, tech news, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, API, job postings, AI, resumes, recruitment, technology, job alerts, LinkedIn, job listings, OpenAI, search engine, social media, advertising, Oracle, job seekers, job ads, Heineken, McDonald's
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
In this episode, Joel and Chad interview Jim Durbin, the Indeed Whisperer, about the challenges and future of job boards and recruitment marketing. They discuss the decline in traffic and revenue for Indeed, the potential expansion into temporary staffing, the importance of social media presence for job boards, and the CareerBuilder-Monster merger. Jim shares his insights on the industry and predicts that a tech company may acquire CareerBuilder and that ZipRecruiter may face challenges. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction of The Indeed Whisperer 02:30 - Indeed's Challenges and Potential Expansion 10:10 - Indeed's Delcine and the Importance of Social Media 13:28 - X as a LinkedIn Killer 19:19 - CareerBuilder-Monster Merger 28:04 - Acquiring CareerBuilder and Challenges for ZipRecruiter Keywords job boards, recruitment marketing, Indeed, temporary staffing, social media, CareerBuilder, Monster, predictions, ZipRecruiter, Job.com, Apollo, Randstad, Talent.com
On this week's show, the boys are talkin' Fiverr who's expanding its platform from a freelance marketplace to a "hiring platform," introducing new features like profession-based talent search and hourly rates. They are also adding AI-powered tools to enhance project management and user experience. Chad sees this as Fiverr growing up and moving away from short-term projects to longer-term relationships. However, Cheese sees it as a desperate move to compete in a changing landscape. What's more, Chad and Joel discuss various topics including the impact of AI on productivity, Joe Biden's decision to withdraw from the presidential race, Kamala Harris's qualifications, and the GOP convention's effect on Grindr usage. They highlight the need for proper implementation of AI to avoid increased workloads and burnout. They also emphasize the importance of knowing when to step down as a leader, and they discuss the potential benefits of age-gating in politics. Additionally, they address the Republican strategy of discrediting leaders of color and the significance of diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Chapters 00:00 - Intro 19:17 - The Impact of AI 21:06 - Fiverr's Pivot 30:35 - Knowing When to Step Down 31:08 - Age Gating in Politics 37:56 - Discrediting Leaders of Color Keywords Fiverr, freelance marketplace, hiring platform, profession-based talent search, hourly rates, AI-powered tools, project management, user experience, changing landscape, AI, security, AI, productivity, Joe Biden, Kamala Harris, GOP convention, Grindr, burnout, leadership, age gating, diversity, equity, inclusion
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
In this episode, Joel and Chad interview Jason Putnam, Chief Revenue Officer at Plum, about the flaws of skills-based hiring and the future of work. They discuss the challenges of becoming a skills-based organization, the importance of soft skills in hiring and promotion decisions, and the need for clean and comprehensive data to drive talent management. They also touch on the role of credentialing and the potential demise of the traditional resume. Overall, the conversation explores the evolving landscape of talent acquisition and management in the face of rapid technological advancements. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 02:13 - The Flaws of Skills-Based Hiring 06:10 - The Challenges of Creating a Foundational Base for Skills-Based Hiring 09:24 - The Integration of Talent Acquisition and Talent Management 13:00 - The Importance of Transparency and Internal Mobility 15:09 - The Role of Credentialing and Ongoing Learning 24:28 - Optimism and Pessimism about the Future of Work Keywords skills-based hiring, future of work, soft skills, data, credentialing, resume, talent acquisition, talent management, AI, upskilling
Justin Henshaw, founder and CEO of Gage, joins the Chad and Cheese podcast to pitch his company. Gage is the first and only universal employment recognition system and engagement community built for shift and hourly workers. It allows employees to own and transfer their employment data, providing a complete and portable employment record. Gage also fosters community and connection among employees, allowing them to connect with peers, coworkers, and managers. The platform emphasizes engagement and rewards, with the goal of motivating and retaining shift and hourly workers. Gage is an employee engagement platform that aims to recognize and celebrate the hard work of every person in the workforce. The platform provides a gauge score to employees based on their reliability, trustworthiness, and performance. Gage's go-to-market strategy includes both a sales approach targeting mid to large enterprises and an organic approach with end users. The platform is primarily focused on the hourly workforce and younger generations who are not active on LinkedIn. Gage aims to become an industry standard and a language within businesses, where employees' gauge scores determine their pay and opportunities. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Background of Justin Henshaw 05:26 - Pitching Gage: The Universal Employment Recognition System 08:03 - The Name and Relevance of Gage 08:55 - Justin Henshaw's Entrepreneurial Background 09:55 - Funding and Future Plans for Gage 11:07 - Ownership and Privacy of Employment Data on Gage 13:30 - Engagement and Communication on Gage 14:58 - Building Community and Connection on Gage 15:55- Interface and User Experience on Gage 16:36 - Joining a New Company on Gage 19:02 - The Gauge Score: A Measure of Reliability and Trustworthiness 20:34 - Go-to-Market Strategy: Sales Approach and Organic Growth 22:41 - Targeting the Hourly Workforce and Younger Generations 27:07 - Becoming an Industry Standard for Employee Recognition Keywords Gage, employment recognition system, engagement community, shift workers, hourly workers, employment data, portable employment record, community, connection, engagement, rewards, motivation, retention, employee engagement, gauge score, go-to-market strategy, competition, integrations, pricing model, ultimate goal
This week, the boys are covering a ton of news. Hackajob impresses, while Axel Springer is considering spinning off its digital classifieds division, which includes StepStone and Aviv Group. Deel keeps winning with its latest acquisition of Hofy, while Lattice's decision to treat AI agents as employees fell flat with Netizens. DEI took a big hit with the disbanding of Microsoft's diversity and inclusion team and SHRM deleting "equity" from its messaging. Plus, how do you take your Skyline Chili? Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 05:13 - Hackajob's new AI integration 06:55 - Richard Simmons Tribute 08:36 - Free Stuff 10:59 - RecFest Announcement 12:21 - Redbox Liquidation 14:17 - Axel Springer Rum Springer 18:08 - Deal Acquires Hofy 24:13 - Lattice AI Controversy 29:10 - Microsoft Dumps DEI 44:15 - Skyline Chili #1 Keywords Axel Springer, spin-off, digital classifieds, StepStone, Aviv Group, media assets, restructuring, European strategy, acquisition, remote office equipment management, payroll provider, AI agents, employees, diversity and inclusion, fast food chains, Skyline Chili, In-N-Out, Whataburger, Hattie B's, Lattice.
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.
Companies are hearing all of the efficiencies they can enjoy by using large language models (LLM) but have no clue where to start. Luckily, Adam Gordon, cofounder at Poetry, can answer some of those questions for TA leaders and recruiters while Chad & Cheese can attest to LLMs integrated into podcasting platforms. If you're new to LLMs, and using solutions like ChatGPT, or you're a seasoned pro, this episode is for you.
In this episode, the boys interview Angela Cheng-Cimini, the CHRO at Harvard Business Publishing, about hyper-individualization in the workplace. They discuss the importance of meeting employees where they are and providing a personalized employee experience. They also explore the impact of COVID-19 on workplace flexibility and the shift towards remote work. The conversation covers topics such as pay transparency, career progression, and the role of managers in shaping the employee experience. Angela emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt to the changing expectations of employees and create a culture of belonging and growth. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Welcome 03:00 - Hyper Individualization: Meeting Employees Where They Are 05:12 - Pay Transparency and Pay Equity 08:35 - Career Progression: Making It Visible and Accessible 13:07 - The Changing Attitudes Towards Becoming a Manager 21:30 - Navigating Politics in the Workplace 23:37 - The Challenges and Importance of Midline Leaders Keywords hyper-individualization, workplace flexibility, remote work, pay transparency, career progression, managers, employee experience, culture
In this episode, the boys discuss various topics including LinkedIn ad performance, Google's facial recognition technology, and the rise of AI-powered relationships. They explore the effectiveness of LinkedIn ads compared to other platforms like LinkedIn and X, highlighting the superior targeting, reach, and quality of ads on Meta platforms. Start-up Quantum Rise looks to take advantage of the growing trend of companies needing help figuring out AI technologies and onboarding them all in a smart way. The conversation then shifts to the ethical implications of facial recognition technology - highlighting Google doing it to their employees - with concerns about privacy, government surveillance, and potential misuse of biometric data. Finally, they delve into the growing trend of AI-powered relationships and the impact it may have on human connections and the workforce. Takeaways Meta platforms offer superior targeting, reach, and ad quality compared to LinkedIn Facial recognition technology raises concerns about privacy and government surveillance AI-powered relationships may impact human connections and the workforce Companies should consider the ethical implications of adopting AI tech Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Episode Overview 09:43 - LinkedIn Ads vs. Meta: The Battle for Ad Performance 23:19 - The Ethical Dilemma of Facial Recognition Technology 29:34 - The Rise of AI-Powered Relationships and Its Impact on Human Connections 35:18 - The Future Workforce: Navigating the Challenges of AI and Automation Keywords LinkedIn ads, Meta, X, twitter, Google, Quantum rise, Ireland, Recfest, Lord Nat Wei, Thisway Global, facial recognition technology, privacy, AI-powered relationships, workforce
In this episode, Chad and Cheese, joined by Matt Alder, brave the typical Scottish weather from the comfort of a van parked on North Berwick Beach. The appalling weather and fog set the scene for a hilariously insightful discussion on the future of talent acquisition. Expect plenty of snark as they navigate topics like AI’s inevitable takeover, the rapid pace of tech evolution, and why you should never trust two American whiskey fans with a 14th-century spiral staircase. They also humorously lament the state of recruitment tech, with Joel dreaming of a pub on the infamous Bass Rock (spoiler: there isn’t one), and Chad promising topless glass legions that never materialize. Enjoy laughs and sharp predictions on AI’s impact, the commoditization of ATSs, and how small companies might leapfrog industry giants by embracing new tech faster. Tune in for a rollercoaster of insights and laughs, all served with a side of Scottish rain. Don’t miss this unique blend of tech talk and travel tales from HR’s most irreverent voices.
On this special episode, The Chad & Cheese team up with our pal and fellow podcaster Matt Alder, who, in true Scooby-Doo fashion, rented a camper van for our East Coast tour. First stop? Glenkinchie Distillery in the Scottish Lowlands. Because, of course, in Scotland the best way to start the day is with some whiskey. After the tour we whip out the mics and dive into a Tru Glasgow briefing, topics like whether resumes are finally six feet under, upskilling, kids deciding their careers (because they totally know what they want), and whether the US and Europe are finally sharing the same recruiting woes. Big shoutout to Matt, our Scottish pals, and the sponsors of both Tru Glasgow and Tru Edinburgh: DAXTRA TECHNOLOGIES ASHBY SOLUTIONS DRIVEN GIGGED.AI WILLO and POETRY Slàinte Mhath! PODCAST TRANSCRIPTION COMETH
They boys are talkin' CareerBuilder and Monster merging this week. The deal is expected to close in Q3 and is subject to regulatory approvals. This merger comes as both companies have faced challenges in recent years, with CareerBuilder being sold off in pieces by Apollo and Monster struggling to revive its brand under Randstad's guidance. It remains to be seen how this merger will impact the job board industry and the competition with Indeed, LinkedIn and others. They also talk about Phenom's acquisition of Tidy and its implications for the applicant tracking system space. The conversation then shifts to LinkedIn's new AI features and the controversy surrounding them, as well as the emergence of Unikon.ai as a potential competitor to LinkedIn in India. Finally, they discuss a lawsuit in Florida challenging a new law that raises the age requirement for strippers, er, adult entertainment workers. Chapters 00:00 - CareerBuilder and Monster Merger 17:09 - Challenges and Timing 18:03 - Impact on the Job Board Industry 19:50 - Competition with Indeed and LinkedIn 20:02 - Apollo's Strategy 20:52 - Monster's Struggle 27:55 - Phenom's Expansion into the ATS Space 34:42 - LinkedIn's AI Features 40:07- -Unikon: A Competitor to LinkedIn 45:23 - Challenging Florida's Law on Adult Entertainment Workers Keywords CareerBuilder, Monster, merger, Apollo Global Management, job board, acquisition, staffing, competition, Indeed, LinkedIn, Monster, StepStone, acquisition, Phenom, Tidy, applicant tracking system, LinkedIn, AI features, Unikon, professional networking, Florida, strip clubs, adult entertainment workers
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.