The Chad & Cheese Podcast

Charlene Li joins Chad and Cheese to tackle the messy reality of AI in the workplace, stressing that while the technology is hyped, successful adoption is always about people, not tech. She exposes the painful truth: 95% of AI pilots never scale because leaders treat it like a technology implementation, not a strategic transformation. To win, organizations must form a Minimally Viable Team (MVT) that includes HR and key strategic thinkers, focused on supporting top business objectives. Before any training, leaders must address employee fear and anxiety about job loss, creating a safe space to discuss concerns. According to Li, speed is the new moat, meaning companies must move beyond pilots to adopt a rolling 18-month AI Roadmap, prioritizing clarity and continuously adapting their plans every quarter. The goal is to cultivate integrated intelligence, using AI not just for productivity, but to enhance uniquely human traits like empathy and judgment, ultimately turning employees into "super humans." Chapters00:00 - Intro & Bio02:00 - Book Origin04:00 - 95% Pilot Fail06:00 - MVT & Strategy08:00 - Fluency Mandate11:00 - Fear & Culture14:00 - Speed Moat16:00 - Superhumans22:00 - Roadmap & Messy Middle31:00 - Shadow AI Amnesty34:00 - Teen Advice39:00 - Wrap  

Strap in, kids — this week on The Chad & Cheese Podcast, the gang returns from skiing, globetrotting, and loudly judging their Spotify Wrapped to break down a blockbuster week in TA. First up: VONQ drops its biggest launch in years, rolling out its shiny new “Echo” platform like they're gunning for an Apple keynote. Did they finally build something the industry actually needs? Did they actually stick the landing? And is this the opening move in a coming acquisition play? We’ve got thoughts… lots of them. Then: Indeed pulls the ladder up — again. Anonymous job alerts? Gone. New walls? Higher. Data grabs? You bet your ass. We’re diving into why job seekers are about to get screwed and why employers should be panicking yesterday. We’re also hitting Instagram’s five-day RTO mandate (spoiler: it’s not about “saving employees from depression”), Australia’s crackdown on under-16s on social media, and one of the most creative protest videos to hit Home Depot’s parking lot. Plus: whiskey, fantasy football standings, union-staffing détente, and enough holiday chaos to make Santa call HR. It’s spicy. It’s snarky. It’s peak Chad, JT, and Lieven. You’ve been warned.

The latest labor market trends reveal private payroll declines and softening demand due to economic shifts. Tudor Intelligence has secured $34M to scale AI-powered warehouse robots, while Jeeva AI's $9M funding aims to enhance its sales platform. Helio AI is set to revolutionize frontline recruiting with a $1M seed, and GoTo raises $45M to expand dental staffing. Meanwhile, Cyber is growing its cybersecurity marketplace with a €3M investment, and Lizzy AI is focusing on role-specific AI candidate assessments.

Desiree Throckmorton, a senior consultant at OutSolve and former TA manager at Kaiser Permanente, delves into I-9 compliance amidst heightened ICE enforcement. She breaks down the I-9 process, sharing alarming details about the $170 billion ICE budget and plans for 15,000 inspections. Desiree highlights risks linked to incorrect documentation, remote verification, and recent high-profile raids. Employers are urged to centralize I-9 processes and conduct internal audits to avoid steep fines and non-compliance issues.

This podcast delivers a hearty feast of banter, starting with family traditions that lead to a hilarious critique of soccer's newfound importance in the U.S. The conversation dives into AI’s transformative role in recruiting, alongside a roasting of ZipRecruiter’s podcast quality. You'll hear about corporate greed driving layoffs and not-so-great leadership at SHRM. The hosts share a spy saga involving Deel and Rippling, culminating in a Thanksgiving dad joke that's sure to crack you up!

Julia Levy, a veteran talent acquisition leader and author of 'From Hi to Hired', dives into her 25 years of experience across various industries. She emphasizes the need for targeted problem-solving in HR tech, distinguishing true AI innovations from mere marketing fluff. Julia shares invaluable tips for college students facing a tough job market, including leveraging LinkedIn as a 'connector' and reframing rejections as learning experiences. She highlights the shrinking internship landscape and advocates for alternative career paths like trades and growth-oriented companies.

Zoom's acquisition of BrightHire shakes up the landscape, aiming to outmaneuver Microsoft Teams. Meanwhile, Meta plans to integrate AI into performance reviews, sparking debates on job monitoring and the evolving tech landscape. In a shocking move, Verizon faces its largest layoff ever, revealing deeper market pressures. Workday embarks on a shopping spree to modernize HR tech, while candidates are increasingly turning to dating apps like Tinder and Bumble to find job opportunities. The discussions are ripe with truth bombs and a dose of humor!

The hosts dive into Zoom's strategic purchase of BrightHire to enhance AI-driven hiring tools. They discuss shifting job growth projections and mixed economic forecasts. A report reveals executives view agentic AI as co-workers, transforming organizational dynamics. Equifax's acquisition of Vault Verify bolsters verification services, while Employee Inc. introduces an AI screening tool for Lever to match candidates. Jobot's Jenny assistant streamlines recruiting. Surprisingly, voluntary quits decline amidst rising employee satisfaction, even as trust in AI hiring processes wanes.

Jon Levy, a behavioral scientist and New York Times bestselling author, joins to challenge traditional views on leadership. He reveals the pitfalls of the 'Super Chicken Problem' and the 'Too Much Talent Problem,' arguing that rewarding individual stars can undermine team performance. Levy also discusses how remote work has exacerbated the 'Airport Problem', leading to isolation and a loss of culture, and emphasizes the importance of diversity in skills over sheer talent. His insights can transform how teams collaborate and succeed together.

In a heated discussion, the hosts tackle Personio's layoffs and its U.S. exit, exploring the impact on competition. Indeed's new Connect offering raises eyebrows, with critiques on its monetization strategies. The introduction of ARPJ gets debated, revealing possible manipulation to please Wall Street. They delve into economic woes affecting fast food and how inflation is squeezing wallets. Personal anecdotes about favorite fast foods add a nostalgic twist to the conversation as they reflect on changing consumer habits.