The Chad & Cheese Podcast

Buckle up for a riotous romp through the HR jungle on The Chad and Cheese Podcast! Hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash, the dynamic duo of workplace wit, are joined by Jordan Birnbaum, the Glinda Group’s co-founder and resident HR wizard, who’s ready to zap some sense into the corporate chaos. Armed with his industrial-organizational psychology and behavioral science superpowers, Jordan dishes on why HR is stuck in a Dilbert cartoon, flailing under outdated structures. He’s calling for an HR glow-up, splitting it into specialized squads to actually support employees instead of drowning them in paperwork. The trio dives into AI’s takeover of HR—think less “Terminator,” more “clippy on steroids”—and how it’s shaking up everything from hiring to watercooler chats. They also tackle generational workplace vibes (Boomers, Millennials, and Gen Z, oh my!) and why agility is the secret sauce for HR that doesn’t suck. With Jordan’s vision, it’s all about crafting workplaces that don’t make you want to rage-quit on Monday. Expect sharp insights, belly laughs, and a few “HR-rible” puns as Joel and Chad grill Jordan on building a happier, less soul-crushing office life. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Jordan Birnbaum 05:06 The Glinda Group and Its Mission 06:55 Exploring HR's Ineffectiveness 09:23 Reimagining HR's Structure 13:53 The Role of AI in HR Transformation 18:51 Generational Perspectives on HR 24:45 Future of Work and AI's Impact

On this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, it’s birthday hangovers, five liters of port, and one big "healthy budget" middle finger from Indeed. Maureen “Mo” Clough is back and just in time to witness Chris Hyams “decide” to leave his CEO chair... right before his old boss waltzes in and takes it. Coincidence? LOL. 👉 Indeed jacks up prices and slaps on a euphemism: Healthy Budget. Translation? Pay more, get less, and smile through it. 👉 Hyams gets the boot—my bad, gracefully exits stage left—after steering Indeed into a horse-and-buggy pricing model. 👉 Workday faces a class-action lawsuit over algorithmic discrimination. Cue the AI ethics panic. 👉 Rippling and Deel continue their Spy vs. Spy meltdown with more lawsuits than Bravo has Real Housewives. 👉 And yeah, AI might end your job, your industry, and your peace of mind. So Mo’s pricing bunkers and praying for universal basic income while Chad’s drinking port like it’s Y2K. From laugh-out-loud corporate chaos to serious HR wake-up calls, it’s a bender of an episode. BYOBunker

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.

On this episode of The Chad and Cheese Podcast, the boys lasso in Jeremy Mancheski, the big kahuna at OutSolve, for a wild ride through the HR compliance jungle. Jeremy drops truth bombs about why HR compliance is the unsung hero of keeping companies out of hot water, all while juggling the chaos of ever-shifting regulations like a circus clown. They dive into the thrilling world of data collection—because who doesn’t love a good spreadsheet? The trio also tackles the nail-biting drama of poster compliance (yes, those break room posters are a big deal), the affirmative action planning glow-up, and hot-button issues like immigration and I-9 forms that make HR folks sweat. Peering into their crystal ball, they riff on the future of DEI in hiring and how AI and hybrid workspaces are shaking up HR like a bad office karaoke night.  Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to OutSolve and HR Compliance 02:51 - Navigating the Changing Landscape of Compliance 07:32 - The Importance of Data Collection in HR 10:39 - Understanding Poster Compliance and Its Challenges 13:40 - The Shift in AAP Providers and Compliance Strategies 15:57 - Emerging Topics in HR: Immigration and I-9 Compliance 19:15 - The Future of DEI and Its Impact on Hiring 21:15 - Looking Ahead: AI and Hybrid Workspaces

Welcome to The Chad & Cheese birthday week! After 8+ years and damn near 1,500 episodes, we’ve earned some time poolside… or in my case, beer-in-hand, toes-in-sand. BUT—before we disappear into the SPF and piña coladas, we’ve got a little birthday gift for you. It’s a brand spankin’ new episode of Talent Chasing—the podcast where Moneyball meets Office Space... yeah, let that marinate. What does it mean? Hell if I know, but you’ll figure it out. This week, Brian, Jasper, and Chad dive into the NFL draft disaster that was Shedeur Sanders' slide to the fifth round. Was it race? Was it reputation? Was it just good ol’ football fear of a confident quarterback with a very famous dad? Yep. All that and a side of bullshit. So unwrap your present, hit play, and enjoy the chaos. Happy Birthday to us—Sowash out! More Talent Chasing at TalentChasing.com

This week's discussion dives into the latest buzz in the employment sector, highlighting notable leadership changes and funding news. The team explores innovative hiring practices that are reshaping recruitment, while also addressing the hurdles HR leaders encounter in dynamic environments. From the impact of diversity initiatives to emerging tools like iCIMS and Workday, the conversation offers a fresh take on today's workplace challenges.

In this episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, the boys interview Dr. Poornima Luthra, a TEDx speaker, associate professor at Copenhagen Business School, and author specializing in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Dr. Luthra discusses her upcoming book, Can I Say That?, which explores the backlash against DEI initiatives, rooted in her 18 years of academic research in talent management and HR.Key Points: Background and Motivation: Dr. Luthra’s interest in DEI stems from her PhD research and personal experiences with social inequities as a woman of color. Her work focuses on creating fairer organizational environments. DEI Backlash: She observes a global backlash against DEI, particularly amplified in the U.S., with ripple effects in Europe. Companies face pressure to remove DEI training and terminology, especially those with U.S. federal contracts. Fear as a Core Issue: Dr. Luthra identifies fear as the root of resistance to DEI, manifesting in five forms: fear of change, fear of getting it wrong, fear of personal consequences, discomfort with bias, and fear of ineffective actions. These fears affect all groups, not just dominant ones. Zero-Sum Misconception: The backlash is fueled by a zero-sum view where advancing marginalized groups is seen as diminishing others’ advantages. Dr. Luthra critiques the focus on quotas over systemic and cultural change, which perpetuates this mindset. Diversity Paradox: Diversity alone doesn’t guarantee positive outcomes like retention or morale without equity and inclusion. Resistance to DEI can increase job dissatisfaction and insecurity, particularly for marginalized groups. Meritocracy Myth: Dr. Luthra challenges the notion of meritocracy, noting that perceptions of merit are biased by social conditioning around gender, race, and other factors. True meritocratic systems require dismantling these biases. Corporate Responses: While some companies abandon DEI, others, like Costco, maintain commitments, aligning with customer and employee values. Share price drops for companies retracting DEI efforts suggest market consequences. Allyship: Dr. Luthra emphasizes allyship through introspection, curiosity, humble acknowledgment of privilege, empathetic engagement, vulnerable interactions, and courageous responsibility. Her book aims to guide everyone in overcoming fears to engage with DEI effectively. Book Promotion: Can I Say That? is a workplace-focused guide for bridging divides and addressing DEI fears, aimed at both supporters and skeptics. It releases in May 2025 (June/July in the U.S.) and will be available on Amazon and other platforms. The episode blends humor, critical analysis, and practical insights, urging listeners to rethink DEI approaches and commit to systemic change despite resistance.Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Poornima Luthra02:31 - The Personal Journey into DEI04:01 - Global Perspectives on DEI Backlash05:27 - Understanding Fear in DEI Resistance11:21 - The Zero-Sum Game of DEI17:49 - The Impact of Resistance on Workplace Dynamics21:10 - Meritocracy vs. DEI: A Flawed Concept24:56 - Corporate Responses to DEI Challenges27:37 - The Role of Allyship in DEI31:57 - Promoting the New Book: Can I Say That?

Get ready for a rollercoaster of HR drama and economic shade on  this week's show as we unpack a can o' worms, starting with the wild corporate espionage feud between Rippling and Deel, with Rippling alleging Deel’s spying triggered a federal probe and Globalization Partners reporting similar shenanigans—Chad says Deel’s C-suite might need a total reboot. Klarna’s AI avatar-led earnings report screams IPO hype, but its predatory micro-loan model gets roasted, with J.T. warning job seekers to master video authentication as AI interviews become universal. Speaking of AI, job seekers are slamming glitchy, soulless AI interviews, with J.T. urging strategic job hunting in a market tougher than 2008, while Chad pitches quirky Max Headroom-style AI to ease the weirdness. Utah’s AwardCo snags $165M and a $1B valuation for its employee recognition platform, but the hosts call it a shiny fix for lousy leadership, doomed to breed dissatisfaction. Trump’s tariff tantrum at Walmart, demanding they “eat” costs, is labeled chaotic misdirection by Chad, with J.T. seeing it as Trump’s chaos-and-save tactic. The Senate’s No Tax on Tips Act, offering a $25,000 deduction, is slammed as a distraction from living wages—only 2.5% of workers rely on tips, and Joel mourns the sidestep of real wage reform. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Weather Banter 03:00 - The Decline of Skype and Video Calling Trends 05:57 - Shout Outs and Legal Drama 09:08 - Corporate Espionage in HR Tech 16:58 - AI in Business Presentations and Job Seeking 24:02 - The Future of AI and Authenticity in Video25:50The Impact of AI on Employment27:58Automation in Job Interviews 33:58 - The Future of Job Applications 38:02 - The Rise of Recognition Platforms 52:02 - The No Tax on Tips Act 56:05 - The Economics of Tipping and Wages

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