The Chad & Cheese Podcast

In another lively episode of The Chad and Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman, Chad Sowash, and J.T. O’Donnell blend humor with industry insights. The show tackles a grim industry shake-up: CareerBuilder and Monster’s job board business is being sold to JobGet amid Chapter 11 bankruptcy. JobGet’s gobbling distressed assets like Snagajob, but Chad questions the strategy, as these “misfit toys” boost revenue without growth. Unsecured creditors, like Jobverse ($2.7M) and TextKernel ($2.2M), are owed $25.5M and may see little, while Apollo’s insulated. J.T. urges job boards to innovate or perish. Dice’s layoffs (100+ in sales and engineering) reflect a revenue plunge (Q4 2024 down 14%, Q1 2025 down 18%). Chad blames Dice’s failure to evolve, stuck in an innovator’s dilemma like Monster. Automation shines (kinda): Tesla’s Austin robotaxi launch ($4.20/ride) had hiccups, while Walmart’s robots unload trucks at 580 boxes/hour, easing grueling jobs. Yet, displaced workers face risks, and new remote roles could fuel infinite workday burnout. A YouTuber’s In-N-Out lawsuit underscores brand risks, emphasizing HR’s need to adapt with quality-focused, streamlined talent management in a turbulent 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.

Buckle up for another wild ride on The Chad and Cheese Podcast, where our hosts sling hot takes faster than a fast food drive-thru! This episode’s a global smorgasbord, kicking off with a shout-out to Portugal’s national football team, who’re apparently scoring goals like they’re auditioning for a Hollywood blockbuster. Olé! Then, the lads pivot to Taco Bell’s grand invasion of Ireland—because nothing says “Irish culture” like a Crunchwrap Supreme at 2 a.m.Next, they dive into the recruitment jungle (see what I did there?) to dissect Welcome to the Jungle, France’s slick job platform trying to muscle into the U.S. market. Spoiler: it’s like a croissant trying to compete with a double cheeseburger. The hosts break down whether this Euro import can hack it in the land of LinkedIn and Monster, all while preaching the gospel of “know thy market” like it’s a recruitment sermon. The convo then zooms into the AI startup Thunderdome, pitting Sintra against Jet HR in a cage match of funding flexes and business models. Who’s got the bigger war chest? Who’s got the better buzzwords? It’s like watching two tech bros arm-wrestle over venture capital. Things get spicy when they tackle AI and automation, with Amazon playing the role of job-market Godzilla, stomping through Europe’s workforce like it’s a bad kaiju flick. And because no podcast is complete without a moral panic, the hosts cap it off by wagging their fingers at social media’s evil grip on today’s youth. They’re out here advocating for regulations to save kids from the horrors of endless TikTok scrolls—like digital knights in shining armor. Will Welcome to the Jungle conquer America? Will AI eat all our jobs? Will teens survive Instagram? Gotta watch to find out.

Katherine Watt, a money writer for CNET, dives into the chaotic job market, discussing everything from unreliable unemployment stats to the phenomenon of the 'Great Stay,' where workers cling to jobs. She sheds light on optimizing resumes to outsmart AI, ghosting recruiters, and the gig economy's explosive growth. With practical tips on networking and upskilling, she emphasizes that adaptability is key in today's job landscape. Expect insightful advice served with a side of humor as Watt navigates the complexities of job hunting.

This week, hosts Chad Sowash, Joel Cheesman, and Emi Beredugo sling zingers at the tech and policy chaos of today's work of work. First up, they cackle over OpenAI’s Sam Altman throwing shade at Meta, claiming Zuck’s crew dangled $100 million bonuses to poach his AI wizards. Altman, smirking on his brother’s podcast, scoffed, “Meta’s not exactly an innovation powerhouse,” betting OpenAI’s culture will outshine cash as they chase superintelligence—AI that’ll make humans look like dial-up modems. Chad quips, “Zuck’s throwing cash like confetti, but Altman’s holding the AGI trump card.” Next, the hosts tackle Trump’s immigration whiplash. Last week, he hit pause on ICE raids targeting farms and hotels—where 42% of crop workers and 7.6% of hospitality staff are undocumented—after farmers cried foul. But days later, he flipped, doubling down on mass deportations, especially in blue states, risking $315 billion in economic fallout. Tech gets weirder with Amazon’s Andy Jassy predicting AI will shrink corporate jobs, leaning on generative AI and Zoox’s 10,000 robotaxis to replace drivers. Meanwhile, Zoom’s Eric Yuan shrugs off work-life balance, saying leaders live for work and family, but sees AI pushing Gen Z toward three-day workweeks. Klarna’s CEO, Sebastian Siemiatkowski, not to be outdone, launches an AI hotline starring a digital him. Surely, AI Sebastian will be running interviews at Klarna soon, right? Tune in for insight. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Summer Vibes 01:49 Current Events: Juneteenth and Global Chaos 03:21 TikTok’s Staying Power 05:10 Browser Dating: Privacy or Romance? 08:08 Indeed’s New Market Squeeze 08:25 Meta vs. OpenAI: The Poaching Wars 24:32 Trump’s Economic Tightrope 29:35 Immigration vs. Market Needs 35:26 AI’s Job Displacement Threat 45:33 Culture and Burnout 50:23 The Infinite Workday Free stuff at http://www.chadcheese.com/free

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 Chad Sowash and Joel Cheesman interview Patrick McGee, a former Financial Times reporter and author of Apple in China: The Capture of the World’s Greatest Company. The discussion delves into McGee’s book, which explores Apple’s transformative relationship with China, its massive investments, and the unintended consequences for global tech and geopolitics. The interview covers McGee’s research process, Apple’s control over its narrative, the scale of its investments in China, and the broader implications for manufacturing, workforce development and U.S.-China relations. Timeline Just give me the main bullet points, without the Key Points and Key Points McGee’s Background (00:29–02:08): McGee’s Financial Times reporting in Hong Kong, Germany, and on Apple shaped Apple in China, focusing on China’s authoritarianism, supply chains, and Apple’s operations. Research Process (02:08–05:00): Over 200 interviews and 1,000+ pages of unreported Apple documents reveal novel insights into manufacturing, bypassing Apple’s product-focused narrative. Apple’s Narrative Control (05:00–08:31): Apple steers media toward product features, obscuring key figures like Isabel Gamahi and critical China operations. Apple’s Investment (2013–2016) (08:31–15:16): Beijing’s 2013 media attacks led to a $55 billion annual investment by 2015, with Cook’s $275 billion pledge in 2016, likened to double the Marshall Plan. China’s Workforce (Pre-2016) (15:16–17:08): Apple trained 28 million workers, enabling competitors like Huawei, with China realizing this impact in 2016. Apple vs. Other Tech (Pre-2016) (17:08–20:11): As a hardware company, Apple followed other electronics firms to China, unlike content-focused Google, Amazon, and Facebook. U.S. Oversight (2016–Present) (20:11–24:32): U.S. was unaware of Apple’s investments; Apple’s training model could inspire U.S. vocational revival. Automation Challenges (Present) (24:32–30:06): China’s dominance in materials and robotics makes U.S. onshoring unlikely; tariffs disrupt without solutions. Vocational Training (Present) (30:06–33:58): Apple’s China training, akin to Germany’s system, empowered Chinese firms; U.S. could adopt similar models. Geopolitical Outlook (Present–2025) (33:58–39:02): India’s role is limited; China’s manufacturing dominance persists, with Apple’s AI lag adding risk. EVs and China’s Lead (2019–Present) (39:02–42:46): Tesla’s 2019 operations boosted China’s EV dominance; West struggles with battery supply chain control. Book Promotion (42:46–43:37): Apple in China available on Amazon, Bookshop.org, Apple Books; appleinchina.com offers more details.

In this lively Chad and Cheese podcast episode, our courageous hosts tackle the recruitment world with wit and sarcasm. They mourn the downfall of job board giants CareerBuilder and Monster, now on the clearance rack, as private equity bean counters strip them bare. Chad laments their lack of vision, while Joel predicts three fates: a ZipRecruiter roll-up, a Recruit Holdings acquisition, or an international player snagging a cheap U.S. foothold. J.T. scoffs, saying job seekers hate these brands and job boards are dinosaurs. The trio then roasts Indeed’s late-to-the-party conversational AI tools, with Chad calling them five years behind and Joel comparing Indeed’s struggles to Apple’s innovation slump. J.T. notes Indeed’s trust issues, with scam texts spiking 500%. Meanwhile, SmartRecruiters’ bold AI platform, Winston, earns praise for its forward-thinking pivot, unlike Workday’s Josh Bersin propaganda machine and iCIMS’ press-release snooze. They wrap with a dive into the creator economy, where user-generated content is outpacing traditional media. J.T. cheers the shift to monetizing knowledge, urging everyone to jump in, while Chad stresses the need for a business model to cash in. Oh, and Joel sneaks in a Beach Boys tribute, Father’s Day shout-outs, and a NSFW OnlyFans anecdote, because why not? Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Personal Updates 02:58 - Reflections on the Beach Boys and Father's Day 06:04 - AI's Impact on Human Interaction 08:55 - CareerBuilder and Monster's Decline 18:07 - The Future of Job Boards and Market Dynamics 25:23 - The Future of Job Boards 28:29 - Indeed's Challenges and Innovations 35:02 - Workday and SmartRecruiters "Innovate"? 39:27 - The Rise of User-Generated Content 48:20 - The Shift in Media Consumption

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.

Fasten your tech-hipster bum bags—Chad, Lieven, and Emi globe-trot through HR mayhem, startup soap operas, and political facepalms. 🦄 Parloa’s riding high while Builder.ai’s IPO dreams crash-land like dad jokes at a startup open mic. 🚁 Ukrainian drone startups schooling old-guard giants in DIY warfare. 🇪🇺 Tesla’s getting ghosted harder than your last online date. 🥂 Emi toasts bottomless brunches; Lieven mourns EV glory days. Harmony achieved. 🦘 RecruitRoo bounces across Europe like a kangaroo on espresso. 🥐 And yes—Americans swapping MAGA hats for croissants, universal healthcare, and slightly saner politics. Plus: Red wine splashes, tipping etiquette atrocities, and a Putin punchline that'll make you think (and chuckle). Chaos never sounded so charming—hit play. It’s The Chad & Cheese Podcast: Global Edition. Chapters 00:00 Ukrainian Innovation: A Game Changer 05:08 Elon Musk and the European EV Market Shift 09:28 Tipping Culture in Europe vs. the US 14:57 The Rise and Fall of Builder.ai 20:41 Accountability in the Startup World 23:32 Emergence of AI Unicorns in Europe 25:09 The Impact of Conversational AI on Jobs 27:57 AI in HR: Enhancing Candidate Engagement 32:15 Recruit Roo's Ambitious Expansion in Europe 40:12 The American Dream: Seeking Stability in Europe