

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

May 6, 2024 • 18min
Booze, Gummies, and AI: A No-BS Look at HR Tech & Podcasting
In this riotous episode, Chad and Joel are joined by Adam Posner, in what can only be described as a collaboration no one asked for but everyone will painfully endure. From discussing the endurance required to survive HR tech conferences without succumbing to the temptations of free booze and dubious gummies, to diving headfirst into the murky waters of AI and vaporware, no topic is off-limits and no vendor is safe.Whether you're an HR veteran or just trying to get through your commute without falling asleep at the wheel, tune in for a mix of brash opinions, occasional wisdom, and relentless mockery of everything the HR tech industry holds dear. Just remember, you were warned. So buckle up, it’s going to be a bumpy ride, and by the end, you might just find yourself wishing you had spent your time doing literally anything else.

May 3, 2024 • 40min
LinkedIn Plays Games & Hired.com Takes Dirt Nap
This week, the boys discuss various topics including their upcoming trips, shoutouts to listeners, the NFL draft, AI girlfriends, and the shutdown of Hired.com. They also touch on LinkedIn's revenue growth despite a weaker hiring environment. LinkedIn has launched three in-app games to engage users and potentially monetize through a subscriptions model. The games aim to make the platform more sticky and increase user engagement. This move is part of LinkedIn's strategy to expand beyond recruiter seats and tap into the larger market of marketing and advertising spend. While the games may not have a significant impact on revenues, they are a step towards making LinkedIn a more captivating platform.

May 2, 2024 • 7min
Shredded: LinkedIn, DailyPay, Greenhouse, Tesla, Job&Talent, Advantage.ai, Grayscale & More
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

May 1, 2024 • 29min
Happy Rebels in Recruitment with Rika Coppens
Welcome to the “HAPPY REBELS,” episode a no-holds-barred journey through the chaotic, snark-filled corridors of human resources with the fearless Rika Coppens at the helm. As CEO of House of HR, Rika tears down conventional walls, sometimes literally, all while her company pulls in cool billions. Want to learn how to balance being a Happy Rebel and a powerhouse CEO? Or maybe just figure out whether chatbots are killing your vibe more than your operational inefficiencies? Dive into the depths of European HR like never before, from the comfort of your own headphones. Forget the bland and the boring—here, it’s all about shocking stats, bold strategies, and a sprinkle of HR snark, because who says employment strategies have to be dry? Not us, and certainly not Rika. Buckle up; it’s going to be a rebelliously enlightening ride!

Apr 29, 2024 • 30min
Transforming Talent Acquisition into a Revenue Engine with Data
In this episode, Desiree Goldey, director, talent operations & culture at ZRG Partners, dives into the transformation of talent acquisition (TA) from a cost center to a revenue driver. She underscores the pivotal role of data in showcasing TA's contribution to revenue growth through metrics like cost per hire and quality of hire. Goldey emphasizes the need for HR and TA to collaborate closely with other departments, such as marketing, to enhance overall efficiency. She also touches on the impact of automation on recruiting processes and the future of HR in a more automated and flexible landscape. Goldey advocates for updating outdated processes and embracing a hybrid work model for better talent management. She concludes with a call for data-driven decision-making in HR and TA, especially in diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.

Apr 26, 2024 • 56min
Workday A.I. vs EEOC
This week, Chad & Cheese discuss various topics including the EEOC targeting Workday, non-competes taking a hit, and the acquisition of Pivot CX by Daxtra. They also talk about their upcoming events in Scotland and Vegas, jumping off the Stratosphere, as well as the ban on TikTok. The conversation covers a range of themes including technology, acquisitions, events, and current news. They discuss recent developments at ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn, and Workday. They also touch on the banning of non-compete agreements, the raising of the salary threshold for overtime eligibility, and the unionization of Volkswagen workers in Chattanooga. The conversation concludes with a discussion on a TikTok influencer partnering with Shake Shack and Chipotle's success with their new chicken offering ... take that, Chik-fil-A.

Apr 25, 2024 • 7min
Shredded: Workday, Rippling, Greenhouse, Langdock, Keep Company, ShiftMed & More
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s been acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

Apr 24, 2024 • 21min
Diversity or Diversion? The Blair Fambro Confessions
Brace yourselves for the roller coaster ride of snark that is the "Chad and Cheese Podcast." It's your audacious dive into the world of HR, where co-hosts Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman take no prisoners and spare no feelings. Each episode is a concoction of brash opinions, industry insights, and a healthy dose of mockery, aimed at anyone within earshot. Join us as we dissect the recruiting world, interview industry bigwigs like Blair Fambro from Hershey, and generally wreak havoc in the most delightful way possible. If you're looking for political correctness, you've taken a wrong turn somewhere.

Apr 22, 2024 • 31min
Here's Why Executive Search is Whack!
In this podcast episode, the boys chat with Kyle Samuels, founder & CEO at Creative Talent Endeavors. The conversation revolves around the intricacies of executive search, focusing on retained executive search and its traditional practices. The discussion highlights the challenges and dynamics of the industry, including high fees, limited diversity, and the impact of remote work on recruitment. Kyle emphasizes the importance of human connection in the workplace and suggests ways for startups to navigate their first executive search. The episode concludes with a light-hearted note about Kyle's favorite Taco Bell meal.

Apr 19, 2024 • 40min
Time for ZipRecruiter's CEO to Go?
In this episode of the Chad and Cheese podcast, the boys discuss various topics including the Paradox' Analyst Day, the exit of Vonq from the US market, and the success of CV Wallet. They also touch on the news of Rippling's potential $13 billion valuation, the rebranding of Broadbean and Pandologic to Veritone Hire, and the acquisition of Cannabis Temp by Vangst. The hosts also mention the addition of a verified recruiter badge on LinkedIn profiles. The episode concludes with a discussion on the challenges and potential of Veritone Hire and the future of job distribution. In this conversation, Chad and Joel discuss various topics including the consolidation of brands, the potential of AI in the recruitment industry, the challenges of the cannabis market, and the leadership fails of ZipRecruiter, Nike, and Bear. They also play a game of 'Who'd You Rather' and share their thoughts on recent funding rounds. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of innovation, adaptability, and effective leadership in today's business landscape.


