The Chad & Cheese Podcast

This week, the gang dives into a grim economic landscape, tackling the week's bad news with their signature candor before scraping for some silver linings. The bad news hits hard: the U.S. government shutdown, now in its eighth day, is costing $7-15 billion weekly, furloughing 1.9 million workers and delaying critical jobs data, with ADP and Moody’s signaling near-zero job growth in September, concentrated in healthcare and large firms. American farmers face bankruptcy risks as tariffs inflate prices and competitors like Argentina and Brazil snag deals with China. J.P. Morgan pegs recession odds at 40% by year-end, and tech stocks, puffed up by AI hype, teeter on the edge of a bust. Chad rants about tariffs, ICE raids, and H1B visa hikes pushing talent away, calling the economy “cataclysmic,” while J.T. laments the understated jobs crisis, with six-figure earners jobless for months. Joel highlights the plight of farmers, noting the regressive impact of tariffs on the poor and the absurdity of subsidizing competitors like Argentina. Switching to good news, the trio finds some hope: Upwork’s CEO Hayden Brown reports a 50%+ surge in demand for AI skills like prompt engineering, with Gen Z poised to benefit from freelance opportunities. A Yale study suggests ChatGPT hasn’t yet disrupted U.S. jobs significantly, and Workday’s expanded real estate footprint and Netflix’s $700,000 AI product manager role signal niche growth. J.T. sees promise in fractional work for seasoned professionals, while Chad warns AI is quietly automating tasks (like scheduling at GM, cutting 100+ jobs) and questions the longevity of roles like prompt engineering. Joel agrees, likening AI jobs to short-lived 90s webmaster roles, predicting they’ll train systems to replace themselves.The episode also covers LinkedIn’s lawsuit against Pro APIs for scraping millions of profiles with fake accounts, a growing headache as AI amplifies such schemes, and the launch of Filament, a $10.7M-funded, invite-only LinkedIn rival that Chad dismisses as redundant given existing group chats on WhatsApp and Slack. Finally, they tackle Gen X’s financial woes, with only 25% holding retirement accounts and student debt crushing the rest. J.T. sees universal basic income (UBI) as a potential bridge for Gen X to pivot careers, but Joel balks at the idea, citing their fiercely independent ethos, while Chad ties the crisis to the shift from pensions to 401ks and broader systemic failures. The episode closes with a heated debate on whether UBI or corporate reinvestment in communities could stem the tide, leaving listeners with a mix of grim realities and cautious optimism for a creative, freelance-driven future. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Fall Vibes 03:32 - Shout Outs and Remembrances 09:51 - Economic Concerns and Job Market Analysis 18:57 - AI and Job Market Dynamics 27:31 - LinkedIn Lawsuit and Professional Networking 47:44 - Gen X Financial Challenges and UBI Discussion

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.

When SEO legend Rand Fishkin walks into HR’s Most Dangerous Podcast, you know it’s not gonna be another “AI is taking all our jobs” pity party. Rand calls BS on the tech bros, drags lazy journalists chasing clicks, and explains why Google, LinkedIn, and Elon’s “Xperiment” have turned the internet into a zero-click wasteland. He even serves up career advice for young marketers — build something real, specialize later, and never let a platform own your ass. It’s insight, irreverence, and a side of pasta. 🍝

This week, the boys sling hot takes like baristas slinging lattes, diving into HR tech, AI, and corporate shenanigans with their signature wit. Kicking things off, they set the stage with a vibe check, chuckling over the wild ride of recruitment tech while side-eyeing the economic chaos of startups chasing venture capital like kids chasing ice cream trucks. No military leadership talk here, but they roast corporate missteps with the gusto of drill sergeants. The spotlight lands on JuiceBox, an AI-powered recruiting tool that snagged $36 million, including a $30 million Sequoia-led Series A. Chad’s jazzed, calling it the “Capri Sun of HR tech” for its catchy name and $10 million revenue rocket. He wonders if they’ll build a platform or get gobbled up in an acquisition faster than you can say “merger margarita.” Joel, the grumpy cat of the duo, sniffs history repeating, comparing JuiceBox to 2010s sourcing flops like Entelo. “Build fast, sell faster, or get squashed by LinkedIn,” he grumbles, predicting a big-tech beatdown. Next, they geek out over AI agents revolutionizing recruitment. Chad raves about Hackajob’s agents that dig through applicant databases like treasure hunters, saving cash and recruiter sanity. Joel dreams of Chrome’s new free Gemini AI turning browsers into job-search genies, scaring HR tech vendors like a horror flick. Chad warns, “Free? You’re the product, kids!” as they lament job scams and hope AI security saves the day. LinkedIn’s new Learning Career Hub gets a roasting—Chad calls it a “half-baked LinkedIn loaf” compared to slick competitors like Degreed. Joel likens it to Apple’s VR headset: a panicked hedge against being left behind. They also torch Reid Hoffman’s claim that work-life balance is a “red flag,” with Chad snapping, “Want me to work like a CEO? Pay me like one!” Joel laughs it off as Silicon Valley hot air, like a CEO dropping truth bombs after one too many kombuchas. Ford’s CEO Jim Farley’s $5 million pledge to train 15,000 workers by 2026 gets a collective eye-roll. Chad calls it “couch cushion change,” comparing it to Apple and Tesla’s billion-dollar China training sprees. “Farley’s begging for government handouts like a kid at a candy store,” he scoffs. Joel agrees, noting it’s chump change next to a Super Bowl ad, and both warn U.S. companies are losing the EV race to China’s manufacturing muscle. Finally, a Waymo self-driving car’s illegal U-turn leaves cops stumped—no driver, no ticket! Chad, fresh off a Spanish speeding ticket by camera, wonders why the U.S. can’t keep up with “Star Trek-level” tech. Joel predicts local governments will milk Google for fines to fund football fields. With automation on the rise, they’re all in—just don’t expect Robocop to sort it out anytime soon. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:21 - Reflections on Current Events and Military Leadership 05:19 - Job Market Insights and Economic Concerns 09:13 - Cultural Commentary and Sports Events 16:11 - Tech Innovations in Recruitment 22:56 - Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook 25:06 - Evolving Market Strategies 27:13 - The Role of Agents in Recruitment 31:00 - Google's AI Integration and User Behavior 40:10 - LinkedIn's Challenges and Opportunities 46:32 - Ford's Workforce Development and EV Challenges 52:26 - Accountability in Autonomous Vehicles

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.

The boys welcome Tiffany Anton, a sex therapist, to discuss the implications of workplace relationships, particularly in light of a recent affair involving a CEO and an HR employee at a Coldplay concert. Tiffany shares her insights on the dynamics of affairs, the power structures at play, and the societal shifts in understanding relationships. The conversation also touches on the challenges of modern dating, the role of platforms like OnlyFans in addressing loneliness, and the need for companies to rethink their policies on workplace romances. Tiffany emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and the evolving nature of relationships in today's world. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Tiffany Anton 02:22 - The Coldplay Affair: A Therapist's Perspective 05:31 - Understanding Affairs: Causes and Consequences 08:26 - Power Dynamics in Workplace Relationships 11:29 - The Impact of Affairs on Company Culture 14:23 - Navigating Modern Relationships: A Societal Shift 17:11 - Dating in the Digital Age: Challenges and Insights 20:13 - The Role of OnlyFans in Addressing Loneliness 23:00 - Rethinking Workplace Relationships 26:11 - Future of Relationships: Hope and Challenges

This week, hosts Chad and Joel, joined by career guru J.T. and Emi, sling snark and wisdom like a comedy roast for the recruiting world. They dive into The Muse’s shady “acquisition” drama, where a LinkedIn post from an engineering honcho claims a buyout, but with zero press release or website proof, it smells more like a corporate ghosting than a deal—think two dinosaurs slow-dancing as meteors rain down. The crew then skewers Trump’s H1B visa fee hike to $100,000, a move that lets tech titans like Google and Meta flex their fat wallets while startups choke, sending America’s “brain gain” packing to Canada and Europe. J.T. drops a truth bomb: job security’s a myth, so job seekers better channel their inner influencer and monetize their skills on social media, because full-time gigs are fading faster than a bad Tinder date. Meanwhile, Indeed’s playing mafia boss, slashing agency commissions and strong-arming them into direct-apply schemes, prompting Chad to call it “agency castration by 10,000 paper cuts.” IBM’s AI saga gets a laugh—8,000 HR folks got the boot for a chatbot, only for the company to rehire for creative roles when AI couldn’t handle the human touch, proving even robots can’t fake empathy. Finally, they tackle LinkedIn job scams, with losses skyrocketing from $90 million to $501 million in four years, blaming desperate job seekers, apathetic employers, and a government too busy to care. Chad’s three-legged stool metaphor—job seekers, employers, government—falls flat when all three are slacking. Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Overview00:33 - Trump's Controversial Remarks on Europe01:58 - Chad's Return from Europe and Personal Reflections04:18 - Emerging Content Creators and the Knowledge Economy11:36 - Industry Ethics and Accountability15:26 - Celebrating Milestones and Upcoming Events19:36 - Industry Events and Networking Opportunities23:13 - The Muse Acquisition Controversy28:18 - The Impact of H1B Visa Changes34:24 - The Future of Work and Job Security37:11 - Indeed's Strategic Moves in Recruitment40:13 - The Agency Dilemma45:00 - The Evolution of Recruitment48:10 - AI's Role in Workforce Changes52:47 - Job Scams in a Tight Market

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.

Time management coach Elizabeth Grace Saunders discusses the complexities of flexible work schedules and their potential to lead to burnout. She emphasizes the importance of defining personal boundaries, understanding emotional drivers, and the need for effective communication in both professional and personal relationships. The conversation explores the cultural differences in work-life balance, the impact of remote work on productivity, and the necessity for employers to foster a supportive work environment that encourages employees to disconnect and recharge. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Time Management and Flexibility 01:43 - The Genesis of Flexibility and Burnout 04:52 - The Emotional Side of Time Management 08:34 - Defining 'Enough' in Work-Life Balance 10:52 - The Role of Employers in Work-Life Balance 12:40 - Flexibility vs. Productivity in the Workplace 18:03 - Cultural Differences in Work-Life Balance 21:29 - Societal Pressures and Burnout 28:27 - Navigating Relationship Dynamics in Remote Work

Buckle up for The Chad & Cheese Podcast, where Joel Cheesman, Chad Sowash, and Maureen Clough dive into HR’s wildest waves with their signature no-filter banter! This episode tackles the HR tech consolidation frenzy: Workday’s $1.1B Sana acquisition, paired with recent Paradox and Flowise buys, signals a bold AI-driven strategy to streamline everything from sourcing to onboarding with a slick, unified dashboard. It might be Workday’s “peanut butter and jelly” integration but execution’s the key. Meanwhile, iCIMS grabs Apli (or is it Aptly? Nobody knows! Not sure it matters) for frontline hiring, but it may be a desperate “last girl at the bar” move to keep up in the conversational AI race. The crew also mourns layoffs: Fiverr’s 250 job cuts and ZipRecruiter’s axing of 80 in Israel, with Chad slamming Zip’s post-IPO pivot to a dud chatbot, Phil, and Mo decrying Fiverr’s dystopian AI push that kneecaps freelancers. Gen Z’s “revenge quitting” and “great lock-in” trends spark debate—Mo and Chad urge caution, while Joel’s all “life’s tough, kids!” Starbucks’ dress code drama (no Crocs, tattoos, or piercings!) ignites a fiery clash: Mo and Chad call it discriminatory nonsense, while Joel insists baristas can just take their hustle to Arby’s. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview08:10 Job Market Challenges for Older Workers11:15 Technology and the Future of Work18:46 Sneak Preview of Chicken Cock Whiskey HQ24:11 Acquisitions in the HR Software Sector29:44 Workday's Strategic Moves and Market Positioning35:00 The Future of Work and AI's Impact41:00 Industry Layoffs and AI Transformation51:25 Gen Z's Workplace Challenges and Trends59:18 Starbucks Dress Code Controversy

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.

AI isn’t fairy dust you sprinkle on your ATS latte—it’s duct tape on 20-year-old tech, sold to you with a shiny new buzzword. Enter Matt Charney, the HR-tech cynic who’s seen it all: Monster, SmartRecruiters, Employer.com, and enough bad vendor decks to wallpaper Vegas. In this episode, Charney calls BS on: Vendors selling “AI” that’s really just 2003 automation in a new hoodie HR’s obsession with “a seat at the table” (spoiler: the table’s cold, and nobody saved you a chair) Why being “first to market” with AI is usually just a great way to bleed out on the cutting edge And the hilarious reality of candidates getting rejection emails before they’ve even finished hitting submit 👉 Grab your bourbon, hold on to your recs, and hit play.

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, with Chad Sowash sipping ouzo on a Greek beach, Joel Cheesman and guest J.T. O’Donnell dish out spicy takes on the workforce with their trademark snark. They kick off with a riff on empathy—or lack thereof—in today’s rage-fueled world, joking that community resilience is basically folks bonding over Wi-Fi outages. Corporate layoffs get a roasting, with job security shakier than a Jenga tower at a frat party, and fractional employment pitched as the future for those who love working three jobs to afford one coffee. OpenAI’s shiny new job platform sparks eye-rolls, as they dunk on job boards so outdated they might as well be faxing resumes. AI’s role in job matching gets a nod, though they quip it’s less “perfect match” and more “swipe left on bad fits.” Labor market woes are dissected, with job seekers facing hurdles higher than a toddler’s tantrum, and generational gripes about work sound like Boomers and Zoomers arguing over who gets the last slice of avocado toast. Economic data? They trust it about as much as a used car salesman’s handshake. Indeed and LinkedIn’s AI tools get a playful cage match comparison, while Shaker and Radancy’s acquisition drama is served with a side of corporate soap opera. They wrap up cackling about autonomous vehicles, wondering if truck drivers will soon be replaced by robots who honk worse than your uncle at a tailgate.  Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Current Events 02:25 The State of Empathy and Rage 05:19 Shout Outs and Community Resilience 08:33 Corporate Layoffs and Job Security 11:22 The Future of Work and Fractional Employment 14:22 OpenAI's New Job Platform 17:06 Cynicism Towards Job Boards 20:11 OpenAI's Impact on Job Searching 27:16 AI in Job Matching and Job Seeker Education 29:06 Labor Market Insights and Economic Realities 30:50 Demographics of Job Seekers and Their Challenges 33:04 Generational Perspectives on Employment 35:19 Trust in Economic Data and Its Implications 36:29 AI Tools in Recruitment: Indeed vs. LinkedIn 46:52 Acquisitions in Recruitment Tech: Shaker vs. Radancy 53:57 The Future of Autonomous Vehicles and Job Displacement

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.

Tim Sackett is back, and he’s not here to sugarcoat your broken recruiting process. From running a family staffing biz (yes, his mom started it—nepotism FTW) to launching the HR Tech 100 Fund, Sackett’s got opinions, and Chad & Cheese are here to poke the bear. Inside this episode: Why most HR tech still runs on vaporware and broken promises The Sackett philosophy: If you suck at recruiting, AI just helps you suck faster “Scale Your Suck” – his accidental book title that SHRM will never publish Why recruiters might have 18 months before AI eats their lunch (and their jobs) How execs keep saying “do more strategic work” when nobody knows WTF that actually means The coming extinction-level event for recruiters who think “tallest dwarf” = top talent This isn’t a kumbaya “AI will save us all” chat. It’s Sackett unplugged—equal parts brutal honesty, dad jokes, and career counseling for recruiters about to be replaced by bots that actually give candidates feedback. Grab a stiff drink. Season 3 is here, and it’s coming for your job description.

From Google’s “flock of dead canaries” warning shot to Meta’s latest identity crisis, this episode is jam-packed with chaos. Recruitix buys a mystery box, Nestlé boots its CEO over an office fling, and Taco Bell AI goes full waterpark mode. Oh, and Chipotle drones are now dropping burritos from the sky. You can’t make this stuff up—so we didn’t. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Overview of the Episode 03:52 Corporate Drama: CEO Dismissals and Scandals 06:10 A Tribute to Greg Louganis: Olympic Legacy and Challenges 08:53 The Fading Glory of Olympians 09:32 International Students and the Impact of Policy Changes 13:15 Upcoming Events and Networking Opportunities 15:34 Fantasy Football Draft Recap 19:14 Closing Thoughts and Future Topics 19:58 Google's Search Monopoly and Market Dynamics 22:42 The Impact of Workforce Imbalance 26:04 The Future of Google Search and Diversification 28:50 Recruitics Acquires Change State: A Strategic Move? 34:31 Meta's Leadership Shakeup and AI Focus 48:22 AI in Fast Food: Taco Bell's Experimentation

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.

What happens when you mix SmartRecruiters, a global AI pivot, and a comms pro who loves to “shake shit up”? You get Allyn Bailey dropping truth bombs on everything from why legacy ATS platforms should be left in a museum next to floppy disks, to how scheduling interviews is apparently the Mount Everest of HR tech problems. Joel and Chad dig into: Why “feature bloat” is killing platforms faster than a buffet kills willpower The rise of AI agents that make every TA leader feel “special” (just like their mom told them) How SmartRecruiters is “releasing the Kraken” on AI adoption—while trying not to terrify every compliance officer on Earth Why Kenya and Eastern Europe are quietly kicking everyone else’s ass on AI innovation And yes… the most celebrated use case for AI in recruiting is still… scheduling. It’s part therapy session, part roast, part masterclass in how to burn down old TA processes without getting fired. Strap in. Season 3 of The AI Sessions is here.

Strap on your helmets and tighten those chinstraps, Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman are celebrating their 1,500th episode with more swagger than a Cracker Barrel parking lot brawl. Expect: -Trump cosplaying as a mob boss at Intel and Cracker Barrel-Kelce + Swift rumors getting the “wink-wink” treatment-Fantasy football team names that would make your grandma blush-Workday dragging Paradox into the modern era-Employ Inc.’s CEO carousel—because why settle for one clown when you can have the whole circus?-Dayforce’s $12.3B private equity soap opera-Meta’s AI drama (aka “Zuck being Zuck”) It’s business, it’s football, it’s chaos—and it’s all drenched in the unfiltered sarcasm you love. 1500 episodes later, the boys are still slinging takes hotter than a Browns fan’s rage. Chapters: 00:00Celebrating 1500 Episodes 01:24Reflections on Current Events 05:53The Future of Restaurants 06:31AI in Business: The Human Factor 09:38Travis Kelsey and Celebrity Culture 11:14Fantasy Football Team Names 18:08Workday Acquires Paradox: A Game Changer 22:18The Rise and Fall of Jobbing 26:05Workday's Strategic Moves in AI 30:18The Future of Recruitment Tech 32:41Leadership Changes in Employee Tech 40:24Dayforce's Private Equity Acquisition 45:25Meta's AI Controversies and Hiring Pause Grab your popcorn and a sense of humor—this episode’s a wild ride! Subscribe and checkout the eye candy at YouTube.com/@chadcheese and visit www.chadcheese.com today.

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.