

The Chad & Cheese Podcast
Evergreen Podcasts
Everything people and workforce—recruiting, marketing, technology, talent management, and workforce economics—delivered with biting sarcasm and unapologetic snark. Industry misfits Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman bring their no-holds-barred opinions to dissect news, trends, and the occasional dumpster fire. If you’re a hiring company, staffing firm, or vendor looking for insights (and a thick skin), these two won’t just tell you what’s happening—they’ll tell you why you’re probably doing it wrong. Buckle up, buttercup.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 10, 2024 • 7min
Shredded: MrBeast, CareerBuilder + Monster, iCIMS, Indeed, ZipRecruiter, Guild, LinkedIn, Amazon & More
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.

Oct 9, 2024 • 27min
Green Room: Nicole Stephens
In this episode of The Chad and Cheese podcast, recorded live from The Shaker Green Room at Recfest USA, Chad and Joel sit down with Nicole Stephens, Recruitment Marketing Manager at Floor & Decor. Nicole who shares her approach to employer branding and recruitment marketing, focusing on making work environments better and more enjoyable. She emphasizes the importance of doing more with less, offering actionable insights on maximizing impact with zero-dollar budgets.Nicole also highlights how companies can enhance their candidate experience without spending a fortune, using examples from brands like Microsoft and Duolingo. She digs deep into the challenges talent acquisition professionals face, stressing the need to understand the business and make meaningful changes, rather than focusing solely on metrics like social media likes.The discussion touches on important topics like employee advocacy, retaining talent, and the critical role of data in recruitment. Nicole shares practical advice on collaborating with other departments, automating processes without losing the human touch, and the importance of taking action, no matter how small. Finally, Nicole’s call to "work like a European" and embrace more holidays underscores her belief that breaks lead to better productivity and creativity.ENJOY!

Oct 7, 2024 • 35min
Reunion Squad: Willo's Euan Cameron
In this episode of the Chad and Cheese podcast, Euan Cameron, CEO at Willo, returns for a Firing Squad reunion. The conversation covers the journey of Willo since their first appearance on the podcast in August 2021, including their fundraising efforts and product evolution. Euan shares that Willo recently raised $2 million in funding, bringing their total funding to over $3 million.He also discusses the importance of maintaining a frugal mentality and the challenges of dilution. The episode concludes with a discussion on Willo's customer base, which has grown to 12,150 customers in 195 countries, and their global reach in interviewing candidates from every country in the world. Willo has experienced significant changes since their last conversation, including the shift to candidates being comfortable on camera and the move upstream to larger enterprise organizations.They have developed a platform capable of interviewing and assessing candidates through video, audio, text, multiple choice, and assessments. The company has seen success in the US market, with 60% of their revenue coming from the US. They attribute their success to word-of-mouth referrals and delivering the best customer experience. Integrations have been important for SMBs, but not a major acquisition channel for larger organizations. The team has grown organically and is doubling in size over the next year. Willo is focused on automating the onboarding process and improving the efficiency of the next steps after assessment.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Firing Squad Reunion07:59 - The Importance of a Frugal Mentality in Startup Success09:44 - Navigating the Challenges of Dilution15:05 - Global Reach: Interviewing Candidates from Every Country17:35 - Moving Upstream to Enterprise Organizations20:24 - Success in the US Market23:28 -Importance of Integrations for SMBs27:23 - Delivering on Time to Hire29:18 - Balancing AI and Human Involvement32:43 - Team Growth and Future Plans

Oct 4, 2024 • 49min
ZipRecruiter's Stink Bomb
In this episode of the Chad and Cheese podcast, the hosts discuss various themes including the impact of AI on jobs, innovative job-seeking strategies, the future of job boards like ZipRecruiter and Dice, the dock workers' strike and its economic implications, Amazon's workforce challenges, and the declining usage of condoms among young adults.Takeaways
AI's impact on jobs is often overstated.
Innovative job-seeking strategies can challenge traditional norms.
The dock workers' strike highlights economic vulnerabilities.
Amazon's new policies may lead to significant turnover.
Condom usage is declining due to advancements in birth control.
Job boards must adapt to survive in a changing market.
Raising wages is essential for economic health.
The future of work is increasingly influenced by technology.
Networking events like HR Tech are crucial for industry connections.
Understanding market dynamics is key for job boards.
Chapters00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast and Themes02:04 - Reflections on HR Tech and Networking06:01 - Innovative Job Seeking Strategies10:01 - The Impact of AI on Employment16:01 - The Future of Job Boards: ZipRecruiter and Dice35:09 - Dock Workers Strike and Economic Implications43:57 - Amazon's Workforce Challenges46:59 - Declining Condom Usage and Societal ChangesKeywordsAI, job market, HR Tech, employment trends, ZipRecruiter, Dice, dock workers, Amazon, condom usage, economic impact, Butler America, Harold Dagget, Courtney Summer Myers, Gia Johnston, HR Gumbo, Outsolve, Paradox, FactoryFix, Keeyora, Bullhorn, Maersk

Oct 3, 2024 • 7min
Shredded: LinkedIn, ZipRecruiter, Veritone, Artisan, Amazon, Gavin Newsom, Bullhorn, AMS & More
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.

Sep 30, 2024 • 31min
An Employment Pro's Job Search Journey w/ Allison King
Allison King, VP of People Operations at Sound Physicians, shares her experience and insights on job searching and personal branding on LinkedIn. She emphasizes the importance of creating a strong LinkedIn profile and being active on the platform to build a professional network and showcase your skills and interests.Allison also discusses her approach to job applications, including reaching out to connections for support and leveraging LinkedIn Jobs. She highlights the value of being strategic in your outreach and making specific requests for assistance. Additionally, Alison shares her thoughts on job boards and the application process, recommending a focus on LinkedIn for professionals and entry level jobs, new grads alike.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Welcome02:56 - Allison's Journey and Background06:49 - Using ChatGPT for Resume and LinkedIn09:57 - The Power of LinkedIn and Green Banner12:41 - Content Creation and Networking on LinkedIn15:36 - Navigating the Job Search Process19:58 - ATS and Technology in Job Applications24:10 - Job Boards and LinkedIn for Job Search26:30 - Advice for New Grads and Early Career Professionals28:21 - Conclusion and Contact InformationKeywordsjob search, personal branding, LinkedIn, networking, job boards, application process, new grands, entry level jobs, job search tips, indeed jobs, ziprecruiter job search, LinkedIn tips, LinkedIn Green Banner, Open to Work

Sep 27, 2024 • 31min
CEO Shuffle at Appcast, Enboarder | Mercor Scores for Thiel, Dorsey
Live from the SmartRecruiters booth at HR Tech in Las Vegas, this one is all beef, no filler. Stickin' it to Eightfold, "black Nazis," Brett Favre and cold beers start the episode off on a strong note, followed by the breaking news. Commentary focused on newly minted CEOs at Appcast and Enboarder, a $30 million round and a $250 million valuation at Silicon Valley darling, backed by Peter Thiel and Jack Dorsey, Mercor, and Amazon getting generous with Prime subscriptions for their employees ... in addition to a minimum wage starting at $22-hour. Buckle up kids, it's live from the bright lights of the Vegas Strip.

Sep 26, 2024 • 6min
Shredded: Mercor, Randstad US, Appcast, Enboarder, DailyPay, Jump, Amazon, Jet HR & More
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.

Sep 25, 2024 • 37min
Google, StepStone, and Europe's Shifting Job Market
In this episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, the boys discuss various topics related to the recruiting industry in Europe and beyond, including recent news about Google and StepStone, shout outs to industry players, and a deep dive into the dynamics of European media and classifieds businesses. They also analyze legal battles involving JobIndex and Google, and engage in a 'Buy or Sell' segment featuring startups like SkillVue, Jobbilla, and Flowit, providing insights into their potential in the market.Hot Takes
The recruiting industry is facing significant changes due to technology and investment.
Shout outs highlight the importance of community and collaboration in the industry.
Media and classifieds businesses are undergoing major transformations with new ownership structures.
Legal battles, such as Job Index vs. Google, reflect the complexities of the digital job market.
SkillView aims to address the skills gap with innovative AI solutions.
Jobbilla's approach to recruitment lacks unique offerings in a competitive market.
Flowit focuses on employee retention through real-time feedback, but raises concerns about the role of managers.
The hosts emphasize the need for human interaction in employee engagement strategies.
Investments in startups reflect the growing importance of technology in recruitment.
The podcast encourages listeners to stay informed and engaged with industry developments.
Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Context02:54 - Shout Outs and Industry News05:58 - Media and Classifieds Business Dynamics09:06 - JobIndex vs. Google: Legal Battles11:56 - Buy or Sell: SkillVue23:53 - Buy or Sell: Jobbilla30:04 - Buy or Sell: Flowit

Sep 23, 2024 • 33min
Unconscious Inclusion with Stacey Gordon
In this conversation, Joel and Chad interview Stacey Gordon, founder and principal consultant at Rework Work, about unconscious inclusion, skills-based hiring, and the politicization of DEI.Stacey emphasizes the importance of actively working towards unconscious inclusion. She discusses the need for dialogue and open conversations to bridge the gap between different perspectives. Stacey also addresses the challenges of changing mindsets and the role of education in DEI.She highlights the benefits of skills-based hiring for diversity and inclusion and the need for ongoing training and implementation. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the politicization of DEI and the importance of shifting mindsets in the workplace.Takeaways
Unconscious inclusion is the goal of DEI, where people are included without conscious effort or bias.
Skills-based hiring can be a powerful tool for diversity and inclusion, as it focuses on the qualifications and abilities of candidates rather than their background or identity.
Changing mindsets is crucial for progress in DEI, and ongoing education and training are necessary to shift perspectives and behaviors.
The politicization of DEI can hinder progress, and it is important to have open conversations and bridge the gap between different perspectives.
DEI is not limited to race, gender, or sexual orientation, but encompasses all aspects of identity, including socioeconomic status, religion, and language barriers.
Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Welcome03:01 - Unconscious Inclusion: The Goal of DEI08:11 - The Politicization of DEI: Challenges and Opportunities11:21 - Changing Mindsets: The Key to Progress in DEI18:45 - Bridging the Gap: Open Conversations and Different Perspectives24:14 -The Power of Skills-Based Hiring for Diversity and Inclusion27:26 - DEI Beyond Race and Gender: Embracing All Aspects of Identity30:00 - Conclusion and Call to ActionKeywordsunconscious inclusion, skills-based hiring, DEI, politicization, diversity, inclusion, mindsets, education


