The Chad & Cheese Podcast

The Shred is a weekly roundup of what’s making headlines in the world of employment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash team up with the marketing maestro, Gina Alioto from Shaker Recruitment Marketing, to dive into the wild world of experiential marketing. They chat about how this approach can turn brand experiences into something you'd remember even if you had the memory of a goldfish, by tickling all your senses. Gina drops some knowledge bombs on why employer branding feels like it's stuck in the '90s compared to today's marketing, and she highlights the importance of Shaker's Vision Report. They also tackle the notion of investing in your brand during economic rollercoasters - because, why not, right? The conversation veers into how tech and analytics could make recruitment as personalized as your grandma's knitting, the ever-evolving DEI scene (which is more complex than assembling IKEA furniture), and why sustainable innovation should be as integral to your business strategy as coffee is to your morning routine. The episode wraps up with a rallying cry for talent leaders to not just sit on their hands but to grab the steering wheel and drive some change, because as we all know, standing still in business is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. Chapters 00:00 - Introducing Gina 02:52 - The Essence of Experiential Marketing 06:07 - Bridging the Gap in Employer Branding 09:04 - The Vision Report: Insights and Themes 11:56 - Investing in Brand: A New Perspective 15:09 - The Role of Technology in Recruitment 18:07 - Analytics and Measuring Success 21:01 - Navigating DEI in Today's Landscape 24:07 - Sustainable Innovation in Recruitment

Buckle up, job nerds—Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman are back with J.T. O'Donnell, serving up the week’s employment chaos with a side of snark. Joann’s 800 fabric havens are kaput after 80 years—no buyer, 19,000 pink slips. DOGE is slashing like it’s Black Friday: 75,000 “voluntary” goodbyes, 1,000 at Veterans Affairs, 1,300 at Energy, 700 at the CDC—pundits say the total could top 100K, while Blue Origin (1,000) and Starbucks (1,100) join the layoff party, and Polywork’s a December corpse. Buy or Sell: Mercor’s 21-year-old Thiel babies nabbed $100M, hit a $2B valuation ... Joel's screaming "SELL" ‘cause remote work’s deader than disco. Perfect’s $23M AI dream promises hires while you nap; J.T.’s all "BUY" for their 44-person squad surfing the consolidation wave. Loxo’s $115M talent tech flex? Joel’s like, "SELL—big hype, but the founder’s greener than a lime Slurpee." Indeed yanked search fields from its homepage, forcing logins—Alex Chukovski’s jazzed, but Chad’s cackling, “Monster 2.0, meet your doom!” And Musk’s AI grading federal job essays? J.T.’s rolling her eyes—unions are raging, and it’s sketchier than a back-alley job board. Laugh, cry, and listen up! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Uncertainty in the Job Market 01:00 The Rise of Deep Fakes and Their Implications 04:08 Job Seekers' Struggles in a Changing Economy 10:17 Corporate Accountability and Leadership Failures 18:41 The Impact of Layoffs on the Workforce 23:19 The Future of Employment in an Automated World 24:09 Economic Pressures and Education Choices 27:42 The Rise of AI in Recruitment 30:12 Challenges in AI Recruitment Tools 34:20 The Future of Job Platforms 38:16 Indeed's Strategic Shift 47:21 AI's Role in Employment Decisions

The Shred is a weekly roundup of what’s making headlines in the world of employment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

This week on The Chad & Cheese Podcast, we’re joined by Donald Knight, the People & Culture mastermind from Warner Bros. Discovery. We talk about: 💰 The 2022 job market sequel—spoiler: execs are playing musical chairs, and salaries are getting wild. 🤖 AI panic in HR—why some CHROs are still clutching their pearls while others are stealing all the talent. 🎨 Recruiting as an art form—because if you’re not painting with AI yet, you’re about to get left in the dust. 🎭 Hollywood vs. The Machines—yes, AI can spit out a screenplay, but can it really write the next cult classic? (Looking at you, Beetlejuice 2.) If you like bold opinions, job market chaos, and just the right amount of HR blasphemy, hit play now. Or don’t—just don’t cry when your competition outsmarts you. 🎧🔥

In this episode, the boys chat with Hannah Peet, the co-founder of Candidly, an ATS so generic it's called "white-label." Hannah waxes poetic about her grand adventure in HR tech, explaining how Candidly plans to make hiring as simple as a kindergarten art project for SMBs. They dive into the thrilling world of partnerships and the start-ups focus on going to market on the backs of more established companies. What else? How about AI in candidate matching and don't forget the white-label magic? They also tackle the competitive landscape, where Candidly is apparently David to the Goliath of existing ATS providers, all while navigating the treacherous waters of marketing and pricing like they're sailing through a storm in a teacup. The 'firing squad' segment? More like a gentle critique session where they probably realized their messaging might be about as clear as mud. Does Candidly survive the Firing Squad? Gotta listen to find out.

Ready for a ride through the latest workplace shake-ups? Well, welcome to another episode of Workplace Woes & Corporate Chaos with Chad & Cheese, joined this week by Emi Beredugo! We kick off with JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who’s getting caught saying the quiet part out loud. Leaked audio catches him roasting work-from-home setups - the squad weighs in on issues, like why workers are back on-site and startups might be the last hope for remote dreams. We unravel Klarna’s AI hype—CEO claims chatbots axed 700 jobs, but the facts say it’s a lot of smoke and mirrors for a 2026 IPO, with outsourcing and tech alternatives telling a better story. More corporate idiocy, Chad’s got thoughts on startup and Y Combinator company Firecrawl reaching for attention and clicks. Toby Dayton, our favorite “Sasquatch of Statistics,” spooks us with his 2025 predictions—think stagflation, 5% unemployment, and no Fed relief—leaving Joel clutching his mic and reaching for the bottle of Ardbeg. Finally, LinkedIn’s latest trainwreck: “storytelling expert” James Langridge’s boob-confidence rant flops hard and lands flat with over 3,000 furious comments and requests for cancelation. Warm-up your tea for Brit Emi’s hot take on this caveman’s misadventure. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Light Banter 03:07 - LinkedIn Connection Requests and Personal Branding 06:19 - Netflix's Entry into Podcasting 08:13 - Shout Outs and Cultural Commentary 11:01 - Industry News and Personal Reflections 18:54 - JobGet's Acquisition Rumors 19:38 - Jamie Dimon's Controversial Comments on Work Culture 26:03 - The Human Element in Management 30:13 - Navigating Remote Work Dynamics 34:36 - AI Hype and Corporate Reality 42:30 - Economic Predictions and Their Implications 49:15 -Sexism in Professional Spaces

The Shred is a weekly roundup of what’s making headlines in the world of employment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Torin Ellis sits down with Chad & Cheese to tackle the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion (D&I). As some organizations retreat under external pressures, Torin delivers a wake-up call—now is not the time to step back. He challenges leaders to honor their commitments, exposes the political forces shaping D&I strategies, and reminds us that real progress demands intention. With 2025 on the horizon, he highlights the companies still doing the work and calls on individuals—especially those with privilege—to step up.

AI, bias, the metaverse, and... J.Cole? 🤯 This week, Chad & Cheese sit down with Stefan Youngblood, the founder of Black AI Think Tank and hireblack.com, to talk about the intersection of AI, job markets, and the Black community. From connecting 6,000+ people in the Black Metaverse to challenging AI's built-in biases (like turning "Black-owned chip company" into a potato chip brand 🍟🤨), Stefan is pushing boundaries in tech and social impact. Oh, and did we mention he gave piano lessons to J.Cole? 🎹 🔥 The fear of becoming obsolete (FOBO) is real—will AI make or break your career? 🔥 How can recruiters leverage AI without falling into bias traps? 🔥 What’s the real future of co-pilots, agents, and the metaverse? Get ready for wild stories, mind-blowing insights, and a dose of snark—only on HR’s most dangerous podcast. 🎧 Tune in now! Chapters 00:00 – Podcast Intro – HR’s most dangerous podcast kicks off with Chad & Cheese. 01:14 – The Genesis of Black AI Think Tank 02:41 – From Clubhouse to LinkedIn 04:00 – A Life of Connection 07:12 – A Call from J.Cole? 10:40 – Black AI Think Tank: A Growing Ecosystem 13:19 – AI in Hiring & Recruiting 14:26 – FOBO: The Fear of Becoming Obsolete 20:40 – AI Bias in Action 23:11 – The Future of AI-Generated Content 30:08 – The Future of Entry-Level Jobs 32:41 – Prompt-Ganda & AI's Influence on Media 33:10 – Is the Metaverse Still a Thing? 35:57 – AI, Remote Work, and the Future of Learning 38:17 – AI is Scaling Fast

This week, J.T. joins the boys for a rollercoaster ride through the latest industry news, which seems to have more downs than a feather factory. First off, Workday decided to trim 1,750 jobs from its ranks, that's about 8% of its workforce, all in the name of cozying up to AI because, let's face it, who needs humans when you have algorithms? Over at Justworks, they're laying off 200 folks, blaming everything from a looming recession to rising interest rates and a trade war - because why not blame the economy when you can? And Meta, not to be outdone, is shedding 3,600 jobs, which is 5% of their workforce, probably to fund more metaverse adventures or to pay for Mark's new space yacht. Switching gears, Phenom has gobbled up Edge, a talent mobility software provider, aiming to beef up its AI capabilities. It's like they're trying to create the ultimate job-hopping machine for Global Capability Centers. Meanwhile, ZipRecruiter is pulling the plug on its ZipSearch API, which might just be the nail in the coffin for Jobboard.io - but hey, their stocks are up, and BlackRock's investing, so maybe they'll pivot to something like a dating app for job seekers? The Wall Street Journal dropped a bomb with a report saying tech unemployment has spiked to 5.7%, thanks to AI playing the role of the grim reaper in software development and white-collar jobs. But hey, if you can swing a hammer or fix a pipe, you're golden. ConverzAI, on the other hand, just raised $16 million to automate the heck out of hiring, because why talk to humans when you can chat with a bot? In military news, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is riding high with a recruitment boom, all thanks to the "America First" vibe. But he's also ditching diversity programs, because apparently, unity comes from being the same, not from celebrating differences. And finally, in a twist that's both futuristic and slightly bizarre, Banx Management is diving into AI models for OnlyFans, proving once and for all that even the oldest profession is not immune to technological disruption. Who knew AI could be so... versatile? Chapters 00:00 - Valentine's Day Banter 02:58 - Super Bowl Recap and Commercial Highlights 09:00 - Job Market Trends and Layoffs 15:00 - Phenom's Acquisition and Talent Management Insights 22:04 - Navigating Acquisitions and Market Dynamics 27:01 - Tech Sector Layoffs and Job Market Shifts 34:07 - AI in Recruitment: The Rise of Converse AI 39:00 - Military Recruitment Trends and Diversity Initiatives 44:59 - The Evolution of OnlyFans and AI Models

The Shred is a weekly roundup of what’s making headlines in the world of employment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

🎙️ Chad & Cheese sit down with Celinda Appleby, Visa’s global director of talent attraction, for an in-depth discussion on navigating 2025’s talent acquisition hurdles—think economic uncertainty and a turbulent job market. Celinda reveals how Visa is refreshing its employer brand to align with evolving corporate strategies through EVP 2.0, powered by research and a dedicated center of excellence. 🚀 She dives into creative wins like Olympics-inspired campaigns and a reimagined career site strategy to boost candidate engagement. Plus, a sneak peek at what’s next: targeted recruitment tools, a brand advocacy culture, and finalizing EVP 2.0. Don’t miss out—connect with Celinda on LinkedIn and explore exciting job openings at Visa! 🌐

So much red meat in this episode for industry junkies that you might mistake it for a Sizzler, the boys are joined by Mo this week to cover a wide array of topics, featuring some of the spaces most influential players. Paradox had a week so good, even Chipotle gave them a shout-out on Mad Money, which is like getting a high-five from your rich uncle at a family reunion. They also gobbled up Eqtble, a fancy people analytics company, because who doesn't want to know if their employees are secretly plotting to start a band during work hours? Meanwhile, Deel's hitting the $800 million mark faster than you can say "IPO, where's my yacht?" They're eyeing 2026 for going public, making Rippling's founder Parker Conrad sweat more than a mime in a sauna. LinkedIn's now diving into video like your grandma at a bingo night, with a 36% increase in uploads because apparently, watching someone talk about their job is the new Netflix. They're also trying to make job applications less of a "throw your resume into a black hole" experience. And for the rom-com lovers, remote work is apparently the new dating app, with 86% of Americans finding love over Zoom. It's like 'The Office,' but instead of the break room, it's Slack gone wild. However, with 41% dating their supervisor, we're one lawsuit away from making "return to office" the new "I love you." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Context Setting 01:22 Chad Goes to Madrid 04:09 Super Bowl Predictions 06:31 Positive News: Jackie Clayton on Amazing Race 07:54 Nostalgia: The Return of the Shamrock Shake 14:01 Chipotle talks Paradox 20:14 Acquisition of Equitable and Market Strategy 26:13 Paradox's Strategic Acquisitions 30:48 Lessons from the Past: Company Acquisitions 32:23 Deel's Impressive Growth 36:28 LinkedIn's New Video Strategy 43:30 Romance in the Remote Workplace

The Shred is a weekly roundup of what’s making headlines in the world of employment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

In this rollicking episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, where HR tech is served with a side of sass, we dive deep with Scott Morris, the brainiac behind Propulsion AI. Scott, who's apparently decided that regular HR is just too mundane, has set out to jazz up the hiring process by making it all about outcomes, not just ticking off tasks. He's got AI doing the heavy lifting, crafting job descriptions faster than you can say "synergy," and making roles so clear, even Chad might understand them. They chat about the wild west of HR tech challenges, why your company's employment brand might need a glow-up, and how AI can scale up recruitment without scaling up headaches. Scott spills the beans on Propulsion AI's secret sauce for reducing the hiring hassle, from evolving job postings to the crystal ball gazing of job matching. The duo grills him on everything from marketing moves to who they're gunning for, compliance conundrums, and the big bucks of compensation. But it's not all smooth sailing; Chad and Cheese challenge Scott on whether Propulsion AI is the hot new thing or just another HR tech flash in the pan. Buckle up for some sharp insights, a few laughs, and maybe even eternal peace and prosperity. OK, maybe not the last part. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Propulsion AI and Scott Morris 06:00 The Genesis of Propulsion AI 10:08 Challenges in the HR Tech Space 13:07 The Role of AI in Job Descriptions 15:50 Scalability and Employment Branding 16:50 Navigating Recruitment Challenges 19:27 The Evolution of Job Postings 24:26 Future of Job Matching 26:05 Marketing Strategies for PropulsionAI 30:19 Understanding the Target Market 31:58 Compliance and Compensation Insights 36:01 Facing the Firing Squad: Tough Questions

From the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Darnell Hill, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at AAA Mountain West Group, joins The Chad & Cheese to discuss the company's transformation and his insights into the HR landscape. He shares how AAA is redefining its brand beyond its traditional association with roadside assistance, venturing into areas like AAA Smart Home and auto repair partnerships, while also reflecting on past initiatives. The conversation explores unexpected trends in 2024. Looking ahead to 2025, Hill underscores AI’s potential to enhance hiring quality, going beyond just improving the candidate experience. He also discusses employee retention and development strategies, advocating for micro-learning and prioritizing candidates with growth potential over those with strictly relevant experience.

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, the hosts blend personal anecdotes with industry analysis, starting with humorous shout outs and personal stories. They tackle serious topics like the challenges women face in the workplace, focusing on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, and discuss the implications of recent government layoffs on the workforce. The conversation provides insights into the political climate and how it influences employment policies. They also share their travel plans, adding a personal touch to the discussion, while emphasizing opportunities for recruiters amidst a shifting job market due to layoffs. The episode delves into the evolving job market, highlighting how AI, particularly DeepSeek's disruptive AI model, is reshaping employment and industry dynamics. They discuss the competitive tech environment between the U.S. and China, the rise of startups in response to economic changes, and industry news like OpenAI's advancements and Textio's struggles. The episode concludes on a lighter note with a discussion on AI boyfriends, exploring the broader societal shifts in technology and human relationships. Emi Beredugo enlightens the boys on the finer points of dating and why apps like Tinder and Hinge suck so badly. Blame it all on dudes, as usual. Grab a bottle of Chicken Cock and enjoy.

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 & Cheese Podcast Does Europe, the boys dive into the political circus, focusing on how Europeans are snickering at Donald Trump's presidency. They question if the U.S. foreign policy is more like a toddler with too many toys or an actual strategy and ponder whether Europe might finally unite to tackle global shenanigans. They tackle the rise of authoritarianism - because who doesn't love a good dictator story? - and discuss how military spending might be the new diet plan for social services. The episode also turns the spotlight on the U.S.'s role in Ukraine, asking if it's more of a "hero" or "meddler" narrative. For a lighter note, they explore the economic rollercoaster of trade policies and the recruitment industry's attempts to not fall off. The conversation shifts to the French job board Welcome to the Jungle, which seems to be having an existential crisis, and how European companies are aiming for America and the UK to keep up with market mood swings. Next up, is the much anticipated "Who'd Ya' Rather?" game, where the boys put two startups, Maki and Talent Mapper, on the hot seat, dissecting their recruitment and engagement strategies like a couple of culinary critics at a food fight. And because every good podcast needs a health segment, they delve into the German love affair with sick leave - exploring if it's a cultural quirk or a silent protest against work. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Context of the Podcast 01:51 - European Perspectives on Trump and His Policies 05:01 - Geopolitical Implications of U.S. Actions 09:01 - Economic Challenges 12:09 - Trump's Foreign Policy and Global Priorities 15:10 - Layoffs and Market Focus in Recruitment 17:41 - Final Thoughts and Reflections on the Future 18:25 - Challenges in the European Job Market 23:46 - Emerging Trends in HR Tech 30:58 - Sick Leave Trends in Germany 38:39 - Closing Thoughts and Humor (C'mon, you know!)

Onstage at Outsolve's HR Gumbo Conference in New Orleans, Keith Sonderling, the former Commissioner of the EEOC, joins Chad & Cheese to discuss major trends in employment discrimination and the evolving role of AI in HR. He notes a significant spike in discrimination charges post-recession, particularly age discrimination, followed by increases in sexual harassment, equal pay, and racial discrimination claims due to various societal movements and events. Sonderling highlights the broad applicability of the Executive Order on Cybersecurity across all sectors and the challenges of managing discrimination claims, especially with the rise in religious exemptions post-COVID vaccine mandates. He also addresses the complexities of returning to office post-pandemic, disability discrimination, particularly mental health claims, and generational workplace dynamics. The conversation delves into the legal implications of AI in hiring, emphasizing the need for bias audits and the potential for AI to reduce traditional hiring biases if properly implemented. Lastly, the guys touch on the legislative landscape for AI in HR and the risks of fraud in emerging tech like the metaverse, concluding with the importance of clear policies and verification processes to ensure fairness and compliance.

"Brace yourselves, because this week, the chaotic trifecta of Chad, JT, and Mo are reporting on the apocalypse—with a generous helping of snark. From MrBeast and Employer.com bidding to turn TikTok into their playground to STEM content creators cashing checks on OnlyFans and Pornhub (science is sexy now?). Plus, Chad dubs this administration the 'Fellatio Era' (yeah, you read that right). Tune in for the hot takes, bad accents, and questionable beer-fueled analogies. Warning: Don’t listen at work unless you’re ready to explain why you’re cackling uncontrollably. We out!" Chapters 00:00 JT and Mo are in the house! 06:46 Humor in the Job Market 10:01 Thought Leadership and Branding 13:36 Dismantling DEI Initiatives 22:00 Hiring Freeze and Return to Office Policies 24:09 Navigating Job Market Challenges 25:36 The Impact of Remote Work Policies 27:13 Understanding Workforce Dynamics 28:46 The Role of Immigrants in the Job Market 30:54 The TikTok Shutdown and Its Implications 32:55 Mr. Beast and the Future of TikTok 40:29 Pornhub vs YouTube - STEM Content

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 hilarious installment of The Chad & Cheese Podcast Does Europe, Lieven joins the boys as they embark on a wild ride through Europe, sharing tales of cultural faux pas and giving shout-outs that'll make you spit out your coffee. Buckle up as they dive into Belgium's bold new laws for sex workers - because who knew bureaucracy could be so sexy? But wait, there's more! They tackle the elephant in the room, or should we say, the AI in the workplace? ChatGPT's on the scene, and it's not just for writing your grandma's birthday cards anymore. It's revolutionizing recruitment, turning headhunters into tech-hunters. Then, it's a somber stroll through Germany's economic woes - because nothing says "comedy gold" like discussing inflation in the land of beer and pretzels. Nicht gut! Prediction time! Lieven dons his prophetic hat to predict the staffing industry's future in 2025 from a European POV, where AI is the new HR MVP. Then they navigate the GDPR minefield on LinkedIn, where American tech giants are learning that in Europe, privacy is not just a suggestion ... especially in Ireland. The episode rounds off with a look at the new kids on the recruitment block - startups that might either be the next big thing or just another flash in the pan, including CoachHub, Popp AI and Talentium. All this, served with a side of their signature snark and belly laughs Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Setting the Scene 03:01 - Cultural Observations and Travel Experiences 05:59 - Shout Outs and Humor in European Contexts 09:01 - Legislation and Rights for Sex Workers in Belgium 12:03 - Technological Innovations: ChatGPT and Scheduled Tasks 15:00 - Economic Challenges in Europe: Layoffs and Market Trends 22:00 - Predictions for 2025: The Future of Recruitment and AI 25:34 - Optimizing Job Applications with AI 30:00 - LinkedIn's GDPR Challenges and Implications 40:02 - Buy or Sell: Evaluating New Recruitment Startups 57:01 Closing Thoughts and Humor (So Much Humor)

In the latest episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, J.T. O'Donnell crashes the party, diving headfirst into the chaotic whirlpool that is today's job market and recruitment tech. They start by roasting the good ol' resume, with J.T. proclaiming it's about as useful as a screen door on a submarine in this AI-driven world. Next up, they tackle the plight of Harvard MBA grads, who apparently can't even buy a job in this economy. One in four of these overachievers are sitting at home, probably wondering if their fancy degrees are just expensive wall decor. The show then takes a detour into corporate shenanigans, spotlighting DHI Group's Dice and ClearanceJobs, which are cutting costs like they're prepping for a zombie apocalypse. Layoffs? More like "strategic headcount adjustments," am I right? On the acquisition front, Shaker Recruitment Marketing gobbled up JobAdX, which might make Appcast lose sleep, assuming JobAdX goes on the offensive ... unlike Joe Shaker's beloved Chicago Bears this season. The tech talk doesn't stop there; LinkedIn's new AI tools are supposedly going to make job hunting as easy as swiping right on Tinder, plus help small to medium-sized businesses use LinkedIn for hiring where they looked to ZipRecruiter or Indeed previously. And then there's TikTok, teetering on the edge of oblivion, potentially turning all those TikTok millionaires back into regular folks with regular jobs. Lastly, they zero in on Mark Zuckerberg for some Big Meta Energy, whose recent decisions at Meta scream either "mid-life crisis" or "I've lost the plot" ... take your pick. They speculate on AI's future, with middle managers on high alert, fearing their cushy jobs might soon be as relevant as a fax machine. So, grab your popcorn (or your resume, for nostalgia), and tune in for a snarky, humorous breakdown of the job market's latest and greatest.