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 spicy episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, Joel and Chad sit down with Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown—lawyer, DEI guru, and human BS detector—to ask the big question: Is DEI really dying, or is corporate America just too chicken to say “diversity” out loud? Inside the episode: DEI isn’t dead, it’s just in hiding—like your CEO when reporters come calling. JP Morgan swaps “DEI” for “DOI” like it’s a secret menu item. Smooth move, Jamie. Dr. Brown breaks down why equity matters—using fire drills, because apparently metaphors are the only language execs understand. McKinsey stats say diversity = profits. But sure, let’s keep pretending this is just “woke nonsense.” Chad wonders if white guys are scared of 2045. Dr. Brown says: yep, and it’s called replacement theory with a side of panic. Performative DEI? Pride flags in June and silence the rest of the year? We see you. 💼 Dr. Brown drops truth: DEI isn’t a feel-good HR hobby—it’s a business strategy, people. One that’s way more valuable than another foosball table or AI tool that filters out anyone with a “funny name.” Listen now—before your company replaces “DEI” with “cultural cohesion vertical” and declares mission accomplished. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Joel A. Davis 02:09 Current State of DEI 04:34 Understanding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 08:10 The Rebranding of DEI: A Pendulum Effect? 11:30 The Role of Leadership 17:58 The Business Case for DEI: Profitability and Community Engagement 22:30 Integrating DEI into Business Operations 28:10 Generational Perspectives on DEI 32:33 Fear and Change: The 2045 Shift 37:14 Voting with Your Dollars: Supporting DEI 41:11 Connecting with Dr. Joel A. Davis Brown

Buckle up for a wild ride with Joel Cheesman and Emi Beredugo, where they sling HR hot takes with the finesse of a fast-food fry cook! This episode’s a rollercoaster of laughs and eye-rolls, diving into the AI-first workplace fiasco like it’s a soap opera. Klarna’s CEO got a reality check after ditching 700 customer service reps for AI, only to realize bots can’t sweet-talk angry customers. Now they’re on a hiring spree to bring back the human touch—oops! Duolingo, meanwhile, thought AI could teach languages better than people, but TikTok’s Gen Z army clapped back, rage-quitting the app and calling it “disgusting.” Ouch, that’s gotta sting.Then there’s IBM’s bigwig, Arvind Krishna, tossing shade at HR by saying AI freed up cash for “essential” jobs like sales. Emi’s not having it, firing back that HR’s the backbone of fairness and inclusion, not just fluffy admin work. She’s all about adapting to AI without yeeting humans into oblivion. LinkedIn’s new AI job search gets a nod for letting you type “I wanna save the world in sweatpants” and matching you with dream gigs, aiming to hook passive job seekers while sparing recruiters from resume spam. Wrapping up, they tackle the EU’s 2026 Pay Transparency Directive, a game-changer forcing companies to spill salary tea upfront to shrink gender pay gaps and stop wasting everyone’s time. But, plot twist: firms better get their org charts in order or face a discrimination lawsuit mess. And they serve it all with wit juicier and tastier than a McDonald’s chicken strip! Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Personal Updates 05:54 - Shout Outs and Industry News 10:02 - Layoffs and Job Market Challenges 19:01 - AI in the Workplace: Klarna and Duolingo 23:59 - The Human Element in Automation 26:56 - The Automation Dilemma 30:15 - The Role of HR in an Automated World 36:40 - Earnings Insights: Recruit Holdings vs. ZipRecruiter 40:22 - LinkedIn's AI Job Search Innovations 46:16 - EU Pay Transparency Directive: A Game Changer

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.

If you think your employees are “fully engaged,” that thud you just heard was Dr. Beth Linderbaum falling out of her chair laughing. This week on The Chad & Cheese Podcast, we unpack the myth that money = motivation. Spoiler: it doesn’t. Turns out people want to grow, belong, and not dread Mondays. Who knew? Dr. Linderbaum schools us on why leaders are often the last to know when morale is circling the drain, how Gen Z wants feedback like it’s an IV drip, and why career development beats a 3% raise every time. Oh, and we talk about AI—not the scary kind, but the kind that might actually help humans feel more human at work. Imagine that. 💡 Money might buy silence, but it won’t buy love. Or retention. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Beth Linderbaum 03:02 The Importance of Employee Engagement 06:00 Understanding the Engagement Illusion 08:50 Generational Perspectives on Work 12:05 The Shift in Employee Loyalty 14:58 The Role of Leadership in Employee Satisfaction 18:00 The Work from Home Debate 20:50 The Impact of Technology on Leadership 24:08 Job Seekers and the Importance of Fit 26:48 Conclusion and Future Research Directions

Live from the Gem booth in Vegas at Unleash, the boys throw together one mess-of-a-show, featuring everything from Warren Buffett to StackOne raising big cash to confusing Appcast with Recruitics to bashing ZipRecuiter. Hell, Indeed makes it in, and they weren't even in the show notes. It's a sleep deprived mess, but a good time nonetheless. We promise to make up for it next week.

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, Terry Baker, CEO at Daxtra, dishes on how AI is shaking up recruitment like a caffeinated barista on a Monday morning. With 23 years of AI street cred, he insists AI’s only as good as the data it’s fed—garbage in, garbage out, folks—while preaching the gospel of keeping hiring human, because no one wants a robot therapist when the job hunt gets rough. The convo takes a wild turn through resume validation (think CSI: LinkedIn Edition), with Baker warning that AI-generated CVs are sneakier than a cat burglar in a yarn store. From automating soul-crushing high-volume gigs to spotting skill gaps in employees who still think “Excel” is a workout move, Baker’s got big plans—capped with a future where AI’s so slick, it might just write your performance review and roast you at the same time. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Terry Baker and Daxtra 02:53 - The Evolution of Daxtra's Technology 05:53 - Engagement and Humanization in Recruitment 09:14 - AI's Role in Recruitment and Performance Reviews 11:54 - Validation and Verification in Hiring Processes 15:08 - Navigating DEI and Meritocracy in Hiring 17:51 - The Future of AI in Recruitment 20:59 - Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

In this episode of The Chad and Cheese Podcast, the gang serves up a spicy stew of economic banter and corporate shenanigans, with a side of sports and social commentary. They dive into the job market's wild rollercoaster, where small businesses are clinging on for dear life, while cheering Wrexham’s sports glow-up like it’s the underdog story of the century. The aging workforce gets a sympathetic nod as they dodge AI overlords and corporate curveballs, and the hosts toss in some cheeky political jabs about Canada-U.S. relations—because why not? Meanwhile, the tech world’s a hot mess: companies rise and fall faster than a bad TikTok trend, return-to-office mandates have everyone grumbling, and UPS layoffs are waving red flags like an economic doomsday prophet. Gen Z and X'ers alike are sweating in this AI-driven, stagflation-looming job market, and the Deel-Rippling corporate soap opera keeps the drama juicier than a reality TV reunion. Grab your popcorn! Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Current Events 03:01 - Economic Trends and Job Market Insights 05:59 - Impact on Small Businesses and Consumer Confidence 09:03 - Wrexham's Masterclass 17:44 - Corporate Drama: Deal vs. Rippling Lawsuit 22:59 - Reflections on Past Business Failures and Lessons Learned 23:49 - The Rise and Fall of Tech Giants 27:05 - Big brands go Return to Office 30:09 - The Impact of Layoffs on Workforce Dynamics 34:39 - The Future of Remote Work 38:46 - UPS: Canary in the Coal Mine or Something Else? 46:19 - Aspen Tech and Linkup Market Data

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, the boys dive into the great European vacation boycott of the U.S.—turns out, Trump’s tariff tantrums and border shenanigans have Europeans swapping the Grand Canyon for grandma’s couch in Lisbon. They cackle over the diplomatic dumpster fire sparked by recent political stunts, then pivot to Spain’s Job&Talent, the staffing hotshot that’s raking in cash like it’s a piñata party. The platform’s plotting a global takeover with AI so smart it could probably match you with your dream job and your soulmate. The crew geeks out over how Job&Talent’s pampering workers with benefits while turbocharging operations with tech wizardry, making old-school staffing agencies look like they’re using carrier pigeons. They riff on the recruitment tech revolution, where AI’s turning job boards into something out of a sci-fi flick, and toss around hot takes on HR tech startups—some are destined for glory, others for the startup graveyard. It's a game of Buy or Sell, featuring Vizzy, PeopleForce and Klara. Oh, and Spain’s immigration policies? They’re basically rolling out the red carpet for immigrants, fueling the economy like a sangria-soaked rocket. Will the rest of Europe follow their lead? Gotta listen to find out. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Tourism Trends 12:39 - Job&Talent's Funding and Expansion 17:00 - AI Integration in Staffing Solutions 17:44 - Investment Insights in AI and Recruitment 20:37 - The Future of Job Boards and Recruitment Platforms 21:17 - Buy or Sell: Evaluating Startups in HR Tech - 27:47 - The Role of Immigration in Spain's Economic Growth 39:02 - Spain's Approach to Labor Migration and Economic Strategy

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash welcome Beth Benike, CEO of Busy Baby, a baby product company featured on Shark Tank and NPR’s How I Built This. Benike, a former Army veteran and mother, shares the story of Busy Baby, which started with a silicone placemat that suctions to surfaces and tethers toys to keep them off the ground. Now offering eight interchangeable products, the company faces a crisis due to new U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, with $158,000 of inventory stuck in China and tariffs soaring to $230,000—far exceeding the anticipated $30,000 for a 20-30% rate. Manufacturing in the U.S. isn’t viable due to the lack of raw silicone material, high minimum order requirements, and costly equipment (e.g., $4.5 million for one product line). Benike highlights the ripple effect on small businesses, like trucking firms and port workers, as imports stall and shelves risk going empty, potentially disrupting holiday sales since 80% of U.S. toys come from China. She plans to pivot to selling in Europe, Canada, and Australia, despite unfamiliar markets, as tariffs make U.S. sales unsustainable. The discussion also touches on unfair tariff exemptions for large companies like Lenovo, leaving small businesses like Busy Baby struggling, and the broader economic threat to jobs and consumer spending. Benike remains determined to protect her team and find solutions, urging listeners to visit busybaby.com. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Busy Baby and Beth Benike 01:28 - The Journey of a Veteran Entrepreneur 03:24 - Manufacturing Decisions: The China Dilemma 06:02 - Tariffs and Their Impact on Small Businesses 10:01 - The Future of Retail: Empty Shelves Ahead 12:07 - The Ripple Effect of Manufacturing Challenges 17:38 - Exploring Alternatives: Europe and Beyond 21:17 - Intellectual Property and Relationships in China 25:05 - The Disparity Between Small and Large Businesses 28:05 - The Human Element: Team and Community Impact 32:11 - Conclusion: The Bigger Picture for Small Businesses

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman, Chad Sowash, and J.T. O'Donnell serve up a spicy mix of summer vibes, NFL draft hot takes, and enough industry tea to fill a Chipotle burrito bowl. They’re hyped about the Pro Voice Talent Agency launch, a slick new gig for white-collar pros, and cackle over Chipotle’s bold leap into Mexico—because nothing screams “¡Olé!” like guac south of the border. But hold the salsa, because the real drama unfolds with Indeed and ZipRecruiter’s legal cage match, proving job boards are scrappier than a reality TV reunion. The hosts dive into Recruit Holdings snatching up ZipRecruiter like it’s the last taco at a buffet, hinting at a job board consolidation that’s juicier than office gossip. Big Tech’s antitrust troubles get a roasting—turns out, the government’s got more shade to throw than a TikTok troll. Layoffs are hitting harder than a Monday morning hangover, with entry-level jobs for grads vanishing faster than free pizza at a college fair. The trio stresses that communication skills are the new black for jobless newbies. Things get wilder as they unpack the creator economy’s rise, where TikTok dancers and YouTube ranters are the new CEOs. AI’s flipping the job market like a pancake, but the hosts aren’t laughing about the military’s AI weapons race—yep, Skynet vibes are real, and they’re begging for some adult supervision. With snark, wit, and a side of “what the heck is happening,” this episode is a masterclass in navigating the chaotic world of work. Grab your earbuds and tune-in. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Summer Vibes 03:05 - NFL Draft Predictions and Team Dynamics 09:52 - J.T.'s Talent Agency Launch 11:58 - Chipotle's Expansion into Mexico 15:03 - Indeed vs. ZipRecruiter Legal Drama 22:06 - Google and Facebook Antitrust Challenges 25:17 - The Impact of Layoffs on the Workforce 33:06 - The Rise of the Creator Economy 40:14 - AI and the Future of Work 42:57 - The Military and AI Weapons Race

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 and Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash rope in Alex Fourlis, the big cheese (sorry, Joel) at Veritone Hire, for a wild ride through the job market’s circus. Fourlis, with 25+ years of recruitment street cred, brags about Veritone slinging over a million jobs a month worldwide—like a digital paperboy on steroids. The trio dives into the chaos: hiring’s been dropping faster than a bad Tinder date for two years, automation and programmatic advertising are the cool kids Enterprises can’t stop swiping right on, and AI in recruitment is basically the robot overlord we all saw coming. LinkedIn’s flexing as the job board prom king, while Google for Jobs lurks like that quiet kid who might just steal the crown. Smaller job boards? They’re scrambling to jazz up their tech, services, and content—or risk fading into obscurity like a MySpace page. Fourlis spills the tea on how these sites have been their own worst enemies (think clunky UX and “please wait” vibes), and why smart employers need to mix up their ad game like a DJ at a wedding. Veritone’s here to play hiring fairy godmother with analytics fairy dust, and the chat—covering job ad maturity models to AI’s job-search takeover—serves up laughs and wisdom. It ends with Fourlis tossing out his LinkedIn like a mic drop, daring listeners to slide into his DMs.

On this episode of The Chad and Cheese Podcast, our hosts sling wit and wisdom faster than paintballs at a corporate team-building fiasco, dreaming up a tournament that’d make HR - and Cheesman - cry. Topics are spicy with the soap opera at Deel, where legal drama’s juicier than a reality TV reunion. Plus, they geek out over Indeed’s search boxes making a comeback and some fancy new premium service—because job hunting needed more flair. Switching gears, they clown on Indeed’s latest job-seeker gadgets, throw shade at LinkedIn’s “innovations,” and size up Adzuna’s AI job search bot like it’s a contender in a tech cage match. They also muse about the future of U.S. manufacturing jobs and raise eyebrows at the cash flow in the adult entertainment biz, courtesy of OnlyFans’ economic glow-up. It’s a wild ride of laughs, hot takes, and enough wit to make your commute feel like a comedy special. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Paintball Tournament Idea 05:58 - Education System Discussion 12:16 - LGBTQ+ Education and Political Challenges 18:00 - Unleash Event and Networking Opportunities 20:00 - Deel CEO Drama and Corporate Governance 22:53 - Indeed's Search Box Return and Premium Service 27:23 - Job Seekers and Employer Signals 30:03 - Indeed's New Features and Their Implications 34:58 - LinkedIn's Recent Developments 41:36 - Adzuna's AI Job Search Agent 45:42 - The Future of Manufacturing Jobs 53:00 - Economic Indicators from OnlyFans

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, Jeff Taylor, the nutty professor behind Monster.com, crashes the mic to dish on job boards, entrepreneurial chaos, and why the hiring game’s more bonkers than a squirrel on espresso. He takes us on a nostalgia trip through Monster’s heyday, chuckling at how Indeed swooped in like a job-posting ninja and the LinkedIn deal hit like a plot twist in a bad rom-com—spoiler: LinkedIn won. Taylor’s saga is a hoot: from birthing Monster, to getting a decade-long MBA beatdown from Ray Dalio at Bridgewater (think Wall Street with extra yelling), to now pimping his new gig, BoomBand, which promises to rescue resumes and job postings from the stone age—because who needs parchment scrolls in 2025? He cracks up over flops like Eons—“Facebook handed me my lunch”—and slings zingers like “Jeff Taylor is back, bitches,” while preaching that job seekers are the real MVPs, job boards are deader than disco, and keeping market share is like wrestling a greased pig. With a gleam in his eye, he’s hell-bent on jazzing up resumes to strut past, present, and future vibes, proving that thriving in this HR tech madhouse means diving headfirst into the crazy—and maybe dodging a few industry punches along the way. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Jeff Taylor 02:02 - Jeff's Entrepreneurial Journey 03:34 - The Evolution of Job Boards 06:37 - The Challenges of Job Market Dynamics 08:29 - The Impact of Aggregators on Job Boards 10:54 - The LinkedIn Deal and Its Consequences 12:36 - Reflections on Monster's Legacy 19:37 - Lessons from Eons and Future Aspirations 29:05 - The Evolution of Monster and Ad Agencies 34:00 - Transitioning to Bridgewater and Learning from Ray Dalio 39:30 - The Journey to BoomBand: Challenges and Insights 46:46 - Reinventing Recruitment: The Future of Resumes and Job Postings

This week on HR’s most dangerous podcast, things get wild with updates from the espionage-soaked saga between Rippling and Deel — Rippling needs more cash and Deel loses top talent. But wait, there's more: China and Dave Chappelle’s next-level tariff trolling North Korean IT infiltrations at Fortune 500 companies? That’s right — the hackers are already inside the house. 💥 And in the middle of it all? A 23 years-old CEO named Jasper Carmichael Jack, an AI startup called Artisan, and a Shopify world where your job has to beat the bots to survive. If you're in HR, tech, or just love a good spy thriller with a side of corporate chaos — this one’s for you. Get ready to rethink remote hiring, laugh nervously, and maybe double-check your VPN. 🔊 Listen now. Before your office gets Pyong-yanged.

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 Chad and Cheese Podcast Does Europe mixes humor with sharp analysis on Europe’s evolving landscape. The episode kicks off with light banter before diving into Tesla’s struggles in Europe, where sales have plummeted—down 41.1% in France and 55.3% in Sweden—due to Elon Musk’s anti-EU stance and Trump’s tariffs. These tariffs also threaten U.S. wineries and tourism, prompting travel warnings from Portugal. Meanwhile, European defense strategies are shifting, with Macron pushing for rearmament, Germany increasing military spending, and tensions rising over Greenland’s NATO position, signaling Europe’s move away from U.S. dependence. In business news, the U.K.-based job platform Adzuna saw a 33% revenue drop in 2024, partly blamed on economic struggles and the Russia-Ukraine war, though Chad attributes it to losing U.S. government contracts. Barcelona’s HR startup Factorial secured $120 million in funding, expanding to 13,000 clients while steering clear of Deel and Rippling’s espionage lawsuit. Meanwhile, Adecco and Salesforce’s new partnership aims to merge human and digital workforces, but Chad doubts Salesforce’s commitment, suspecting they’ll use Adecco’s data before cutting ties. The hosts highlight Europe’s growing shift toward local self-sufficiency, with China’s BYD surpassing Tesla as European trust in U.S. firms wanes. Belgium’s strikes reflect concerns over pension cuts and reduced African aid. On a lighter note, Lieven gives a shoutout to his 14-year-old son, Jan-Julius, for developing an AI chatbot to improve job matching at House of HR, while Chad cheers for Portugal and Spain in the UEFA Nations League. As Europe adapts to economic and geopolitical changes, the trio sees deglobalization accelerating, reinforcing local investment and industry while distancing from American influence.

Hope you like it a little light and a little dark! This week's episode kicks off with some casual fashion talk before taking a sharp turn into the biggest April Fool’s joke that wasn’t—Val Kilmer’s passing. The hosts pay tribute to his legendary roles before diving into politics, where Cory Booker’s marathon filibuster gets mixed reactions: Mo is impressed, Chad shrugs it off like a casual jog, and Joel speculates he’s gunning for the Democratic throne while Gavin Newsom plays nice with conservatives. Then, things get spicy with a corporate espionage scandal straight out of a bad spy movie. Former Rippling employee Keith O’Brien went full double agent for Deel CEO Alex Bouaziz, leaking company secrets in exchange for crypto payments. Rippling caught on, set a trap with a fake Slack channel, and watched O’Brien panic so hard he literally took an axe to his phone. The hosts mock Bouaziz' bumbling attempt at corporate espionage, calling him “Bozo” and predicting a not-so-relaxing vacation in prison. The economy isn’t looking much better—278,711 layoffs in Q1, a 25 percent drop in European tourism, and Canadian border crossings plummeting by 45 percent. Chad calls it an economic disaster, Mo wonders if voters are feeling the regret yet, and Joel insists it’s all part of a grand geopolitical chess match—though Chad thinks it’s more like a checkers game gone wrong. In tech news, Elon Musk pulls a Musk move by having X AI buy X for $33 billion, a deal that smells like self-dealing to everyone but Musk. Meanwhile, TikTok is days away from a ban unless it finds a new sugar daddy, with Amazon and even someone connected to OnlyFans in the running. The hosts agree TikTok’s algorithm is the real prize and speculate Trump might push the deadline—because what’s social media drama without a little political plot twist? Shout-outs go to TalkPush for a prank, Corporate Bro for a spy drama skit (which, ironically, is more believable than Deel’s real-life spy drama), and Wendy’s for crushing it on Snapchat. Meanwhile, a listener flags CareerBuilder’s traffic tanking faster than a bad startup pitch, proving the job market is as unpredictable as ever. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Banter 02:36 RIP Val Kilmer 09:41 Gavin Newsom's Strategic Conversations 10:53 April Fool's Day Pranks and Corporate Humor 20:07 Corporate Espionage: The Rippling and Deal Connection 21:39 The Espionage Chronicles Begin 27:50 The Downfall of O'Brien 29:18 Reflections on Corporate Stupidity 33:31 Trust and Reputation at Stake 37:07 Political Landscape and Economic Implications 48:32 Geopolitical Tensions and Military Strategy 51:00 Economic Implications of Defense Policies 52:56 America's Isolationist Approach 55:54 The Future of Manufacturing in America 56:27 The X and X AI Deal 01:02:40 TikTok's Algorithm and User Base Dynamics

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 riotous episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, the boys drag Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Culture Partners’ Chief Strategy Officer, into the clown car of post-COVID work woes. They tackle the return-to-office (RTO) brouhaha like it’s a bad slapstick routine—is it a heroic charge back to the water cooler, or are we all just pratfalling into 2019 with pants that don’t fit anymore? Dr. Kriegel’s swinging the “adapt or flop” hammer, dubbing RTO a dusty VHS tape in a streaming world. The gang cackles over how Gen Z’s “work-from-bed” energy is giving Boomer bosses heartburn, while leading via Zoom feels like herding cats on a dial-up connection. RTO’s sneaky sucker punch to diversity and inclusion gets a guffaw too—turns out mandating face time might mean fewer faces that don’t look like the CEO’s golf buddies. Dr. Kriegel lays it on thick: COVID flipped the script on everyone, and companies still doing the pre-pandemic tango are basically dancing with a mop. She paints a hilarious picture of the C-suite vs. HR showdown—CEOs chasing shareholder high-fives like it’s a pie-eating contest, while HR’s stuck mopping up a mental health meltdown with a paper towel and a prayer. Tech’s the unsung hero keeping remote work from being a total farce, but those corporate silos? They’re like cubicle Berlin Walls—good luck getting a memo over ‘em. And don’t get her started on the “me first” corporate vibe—it’s less “teamwork makes the dream work” and more “every suit for himself.” The talent market’s a dumpster fire, unions are either flexing or fumbling like a bad stand-up act, and upskilling’s your only shot at not being the punchline when the layoffs hit. Takeaways? Trust your slackers have a pulse, morph your culture before it fossilizes, and don’t bank on CEOs sticking around—turnover’s so high they’re practically on a conveyor belt to the exits. Chapters 01:32 - The Return to Office Debate 08:17 - Cultural Adaptation in the Workplace 12:44 - Leadership Challenges in Remote Work 18:10 - The Impact of RTO on Diversity and Inclusion 19:51 - Solutions for Equity and Employee Engagement 22:20 - The Pressure of Shareholder Value 23:48 -The Disconnect Between HR and C-Suite 25:56 - Technology's Role in Remote Work 28:43 - Breaking Down Silos in Organizations 32:16 - The Future of Unions and Worker Power 35:25 - Navigating the Talent Market Crisis 38:19 - The Role of Upskilling in Job Security

In the latest episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash dive into a mix of serious industry shifts and quirky tangents. They unpack Indeed’s traffic decline—down due to a 10% drop in job postings and competition from platforms like LinkedIn—while noting its erratic market moves and a pivot to online courses that’s missing the mark with tech candidates. History lesson alert! The duo traces job search evolution from simple boards to AI-driven tools, spotlighting generative AI’s potential to revolutionize applications despite hurdles like registration barriers. Then it's a spirited battle of Who'd Ya' Rather? pitting Jolly against Lumber for who's the sexier option when it's 2 a.m. at the local watering hole. The boys actually disagree on this one, so be sure to check it out. They debate Florida’s controversial child labor law changes, allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight to offset labor shortages worsened by immigration crackdowns, and lament the growing burden of emotional labor in workplaces. Industry reflections include George Foreman’s legacy and the people-centric nature of recruiting, peppered with personal Chicago anecdotes. The episode wraps with a chuckle over custom coffins, like a Snickers-themed sendoff, highlighting humor in death. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Show Highlights 11:00 - Industry Insights and Trends 12:45 - Indeed's Traffic Decline and Market Focus 21:00 - The Evolution of Job Search Platforms 22:29 - Generative AI and Job Search Innovations 23:51 - The Future of Job Listings and Corporate Partnerships 25:36 - Comparing Workforce Solutions: Jolly vs. Lumber 29:05 - Florida's Controversial Child Labor Laws 36:00 - The Impact of Immigration Policies on Labor 36:48 - The Burden of Emotional Labor in the Workplace 43:57 - Who Wants a Snickers Custom Coffins?

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 RecFest USA, The Chad & Cheese Podcast welcomes Orlando Haynes, North American talent acquisition lead at Mosaic. Orlando breaks down why personal branding is a game-changer for recruiters, offering practical tips on leveraging LinkedIn and navigating job searches after layoffs. He also shares how a strong personal brand can transform employees into powerful company ambassadors, boosting recruitment and client attraction. Catch this episode for smart strategies in today’s job market—listen now!

This week, Chad, Joel, and Emi sink their teeth into a juicy HR tech showdown: Rippling’s suing Deel, alleging an espionage plot. Rippling accused Deel of planting Irishman Keith O’Brien in its Dublin office, where he allegedly ran 6,000 Slack searches for trade secrets—busted by a fake “#d-defectors” Slack channel. Things escalated when O’Brien trashed his phone during a court-ordered seizure on March 19. Deel’s firing back, denying it all and pointing to Rippling’s own baggage, like alleged Russian sanctions violations. ZipRecruiter’s in the spotlight—named a Fast Company innovator, dropping a not-so-novel scheduling tool. Their Job Seeker Confidence Index is tanking, with 41% of seekers gloomy about jobs. Joel adds their podcast’s still a dud—and Zip’s stock’s is down around 20 percent this month. Klarna’s IPO filing steals some thunder, boasting $2.8B revenue and $21M profit for 2024, but their AI-driven headcount slash (down to 3,422 from 5,527) raises eyebrows. Finally, Nvidia’s GTC conference dazzles with GM’s self-driving deal, Yum Brands’ AI drive-thrus for 500 eateries, and a GR00T N1 humanoid robot. Is Nvidia still the gold standard? All signs point to Yes. From corporate espionage to AI tacos, it’s a wild ride this week on Chad & Chees. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 03:00 - Vegas Highlights 06:00 - Randy Rainbow and Political Satire 08:05 - Canada's Nuclear Option 13:49 - Espionage Story: Deal vs. Rippling 24:45 - The Deceit in HR Tech: Unraveling the Scandal 27:47 - The Russia Connection: Investigating Allegations 30:51 - Public Perception: The Impact of Shady Practices 32:00 - ZipRecruiter News: Innovation or Repackaging? 39:02 - Klarna's IPO: A Desperate Move? 44:58 - Nvidia's AI Revolution: Transforming Fast Food Ordering

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 and Cheese Podcast Does Europe, hosts Chad Sowash, Joel Cheesman, and the suavely named Lieven Van Nieuwenhuyze plunge headfirst into Europe’s recruitment jungle with all the grace of a tipsy tourist. They kick things off with a chuckle-fest intro—because who doesn’t love a podcast that roasts itself?—before Chad regales us with tales of cultural clashes, fresh from his Champions League pilgrimage (think soccer, not superheroes). The trio then pivots faster than a Google algorithm to dissect JobIndex’s legal tango with the tech giant, sparking a spicy debate: is Europe’s innovation getting crushed under regulation’s heavy boot? Chad, ever the optimist, defends rules like GDPR with a railroad metaphor—because nothing screams “cutting-edge” like 19th-century trains—while Lieven and Joel wrestle with privacy and the Sisyphean task of global data harmony. Next up, they poke at Randstad, the staffing behemoth caught in a midlife crisis: cling to its clipboard-and-handshake roots or swipe right on a tech makeover? The hosts unpack Randstad’s tech-phobia, its snoozing innovation fund, and the Job.com flop that looms like a ghost story at a campfire. Meanwhile, plucky startups Alfa and Avery crash the party, shaking up recruitment as Europe’s stocks flex harder than the S&P 500—AI flexing its robot muscles all the while. Takeaways? Randstad’s scared of the future, global partnerships are the hot new dance, and “follow the money” is the mantra as Europe woos investors. They cap it with a wink to AI’s takeover and a cliffhanger: will Randstad’s dusty legacy save it, or is it time for a glow-up?

Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, The Chad & Cheese Podcast welcomes Paige Elliott, Global Employer Brand Manager at Veeam Software. Paige shares why authentic diversity stories are critical to employer branding and how aligning internal culture with external messaging attracts talent. She offers practical tips on using video, written content, and audio to amplify diverse voices and build a sense of belonging. The conversation also delves into the growing scrutiny of DE&I commitments, strategic partnerships with organizations like Out & Equal and Women in Tech, and the importance of pay transparency and open dialogue in recruitment. Tune in for insights on creating a workplace where values and culture shine through every action!

In this week’s episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman, Chad Sowash, and career expert J.T. O'Donnell unpack a whirlwind of industry news with their signature wisdom and wit. Kicking things off, they celebrate all-things Chicken Cock whiskey, Keith Sonderling's confirmation at the DOL, cry a little over layoff stories on TikTok and then dive into Remote’s launch of Recruit, a new hiring tool billed as a breakthrough for sourcing global talent, though some question its lack of features despite the glossy promo video, sparking a debate on its real impact. Next, they tackle Deel’s latest move—acquiring Safeguard Global’s payroll division, its 11th buyout, bolstering its $12 billion valuation with a focus on global payroll expertise alongside prior grabs like PayGroup, PaySpace, and Atlantic Money; the gang muses if it’s strategic stacking or overkill, hinting at a potential Workday mega-deal given their deepened partnership. The crew then shifts to iCIMS’ winter release, featuring a GenAI chatbot, enhanced Indeed and LinkedIn integrations, and SMS upgrades, though layoff rumors cloud the vibe—Joel notes the company’s fresh leadership under Eric Connors and Jason Edelboim might finally be finding its footing after a long period of competition from players like Paradox. Amazon’s AI push grabs the headlines, with a new AWS group driving agentic AI to boost consumer apps and enterprise automation, prompting some to spotlight Alexa+’s evolution and wonder if “McHire” is making a comeback in this tech arms race against Microsoft and Salesforce. They also dissect the hype around Manus, Butterfly Effect’s “agentic” AI with 138,000+ Discord fans, questioning if it’s the future of job search or just noise—especially as Google’s search relevance dips among Gen Z per a Vox Media survey. Wrapping up, J.T. takes on “career catfishing,” a Gen Z trend of accepting jobs then ghosting due to confrontation fears, with CV Genius’ 2025 Future of Work Survey showing one in three Gen Zers admitting to it; she urges employers to adapt rather than stereotype, suggesting a simple email could replace awkward calls. Chapters 00:00 - Celebrating Eight Years of Podcasting 02:56 - Reflections on the Podcast Journey 05:50 - Insights from Congressional Hearings 09:12 - The Impact of Social Media on Job Loss 12:01 - Sponsorships and Promotions 14:57 - Industry News and Acquisitions 18:14 - Competitors and Market Dynamics 22:51 - The Evolution of Remote Work 27:53 - Challenges Facing Legacy Platforms 30:45 - Amazon's AI Investment and Future Prospects 35:10 - The Rise of Agentic AI 43:27 - Career Catfishing Among Gen Z

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 Chad & Cheese Podcast looks to tackle immigration now that Trump is back in the Oval Office, roping in Wharton's Dr. Zeke Hernandez and VanHack's Ilya Brodsky for a wild ride through the immigration circus at home and abroad. They kick things off with the U.S., where the immigration system’s stuck in a time warp—deportations are up, sure, but it’s the same old song and dance despite politicians flapping their gums like over-caffeinated auctioneers. Globally, tech talent’s hotter than a jalapeño in a microwave, yet countries like Canada are tiptoeing back from their “come one, come all” tech party—blame the housing crisis that’s got folks sleeping in igloos made of unpaid bills. The gang hails immigrants as the unsung heroes plugging labor gaps and stuffing tax coffers, while torching the tired “immigrants = crime” myth with a flamethrower of facts—sorry, vigilante wannabes, the data’s not on your side. The U.S. and Canada get a rib-tickling roast for their immigration laws, which are so tangled they’d make a plate of spaghetti jealous—federal honchos and local yokels can’t agree on whether to roll out the welcome mat or a bear trap. Canada’s tweaking its rules to dodge a housing meltdown, while the U.S. is drowning in red tape thicker than a bureaucrat’s rulebook, leaving skilled workers to sneak around in a talent black market like it’s Prohibition all over again. The crew cackles over the economic chaos of kicking out immigrant labor—outsourcing’s no magic fix, unless you think “Ctrl+Alt+Delete” grows crops or fixes your plumbing. VanHack’s out there playing matchmaker for software geeks, but the real punchline? Everyone agrees we need reform faster than you can say “fix the system, change the laws,” yet the gears grind slower than a sloth on a treadmill. Cultural vibes and employer pleas get a nod, with a wink to future policies dodging political curveballs—because nothing screams comedy like desperately needing Haitians to keep the wheels turning while lawmakers bicker over who gets the last donut. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Immigration Perspectives 02:01 - Current State of Immigration in the US 08:33 - Global Immigration Trends and Tech Talent 12:10 - Economic Impact of Immigration on Local Communities 19:04 - Debunking Myths About Immigrants and Crime 22:06 - The Fallacy of Immigration Laws 24:30 - Canada's Immigration Challenges and Reforms 28:10 - Future of Immigration in Canada and the US 30:15 - The Disconnect Between Federal and Local Perspectives 35:32 - The Economic Impact of Immigration 37:41 - Cultural Perspectives on Immigration in Canada

Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Chad & Cheese chat with Ashten Fizer, a dynamic talent brand creator, who brings fresh insights on employer branding to the table. What’s Inside: ✅ The real deal on why authenticity beats overproduced videos in today's branding world. ✅ How effective branding needs cross-department collaboration and creative design systems. ✅ Surprising insights into global recruitment strategies (Hint: LinkedIn isn’t always the answer!). ✅ How a genuine DEI approach can broaden talent pools and drive innovation. If you’re looking to craft a brand that speaks to diverse audiences and embraces transparency, this episode is a must-listen! 🎧 Tune in now and dive deeper at www.HeyAshten.com!

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel and Maureen trade barbs and insights like a comedy duo on a caffeine bender before diving into heavier stuff like mental health in a world gone wacky, in addition to the latest news around the world of work. In a rollercoaster of a month, U.S. companies slammed the brakes on hiring, with ADP’s February private payrolls report showing a measly 77,000 jobs added—half of what the eggheads predicted and a steep drop from January’s beefy 186,000. Meanwhile, Employ snatched up Pillar, an interview intelligence tool, probably hoping to outsmart the hiring slump. Over at ZipRecruiter, Q4 was a bloodbath—revenue tanked 18% to $111 million, with 2024’s full-year haul down 26.6% to $474 million, flipping a $49.1 million profit into a $12.9 million loss; the stock hit rock bottom, leaving only Severance fans to pick up the pieces—cue the sad trombone. Commenters on X are cackling that the Four Horsemen (Google, LinkedIn, automation, AI, and freelancing) are galloping in, with one suggesting ZipRecruiter go private or sell out, while another whispers Paradox might be the real job-board slayer. On the AI front, HeyMilo ($2.2M) and Alta ($7M) scored seed funding to flex their virtual agent muscles—HeyMilo’s screening candidates like a nosy aunt, while Alta’s chasing global sales domination; Mo’s probably picking Alta because, duh, bigger bucks. LinkedIn’s still the envy swamp, with Vice noting Gen Z’s drowning in “Director of Ego” vibes—users are bailing to escape the cringe, though employers keep them chained to it like a corporate ball-and-chain. Finally, HiBob’s survey dropped a buzzkill: only one in three women feel empowered at work, less than 10% have mentors, and men are hogging raises and promotions—34% to 22% and 46% to 32%, respectively. Commenters mutter about crab bucket mentality, wondering if women hold back to avoid the claw-back from their own squad. Mo’s take? “Trump’ll fix it, maybe.” Sure, lady, and I’ll hire a crab as my next intern. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and First Impressions 03:07 - Mental Health and Current Events 06:00 - Oscars and Entertainment Trends 08:53 - Corporate Responsibility and Consumer Choices 11:58 - Meta's Internal Issues and Whistleblowers 14:55 - Mark Zuckerberg's Transformation 17:59 - Charitable Contributions and Corporate Image 20:02 - Job Market Trends and ZipRecruiter's Struggles 26:18 - The Future of Job Boards 27:46 - Who'd You Rather: AI Startups Showdown 29:00 - Concerns About AI in Recruitment 33:24 - LinkedIn Envy: The Professional Comparison Trap 42:26 - Women Empowerment in the Workplace 48:04 - The Crab Bucket Phenomenon: Women Supporting Women

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