The Chad & Cheese Podcast

Dive into the chaos of AI-first workplaces as company heads rethink their tech-heavy strategies. Klarna learns the hard way that robots can't replace human empathy in customer service. Generational clashes arise as Gen Z dismisses AI-driven language learning. Discussions on LinkedIn's quirky AI job search and the EU's Pay Transparency Directive highlight the fight for fairness in hiring. With humor and sharp critiques, they explore how to balance tech and humanity in the evolving work landscape.

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.

If you think your employees are “fully engaged,” that thud you just heard was Dr. Beth Linderbaum falling out of her chair laughing. This week on The Chad & Cheese Podcast, we unpack the myth that money = motivation. Spoiler: it doesn’t. Turns out people want to grow, belong, and not dread Mondays. Who knew? Dr. Linderbaum schools us on why leaders are often the last to know when morale is circling the drain, how Gen Z wants feedback like it’s an IV drip, and why career development beats a 3% raise every time. Oh, and we talk about AI—not the scary kind, but the kind that might actually help humans feel more human at work. Imagine that. 💡 Money might buy silence, but it won’t buy love. Or retention. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Beth Linderbaum 03:02 The Importance of Employee Engagement 06:00 Understanding the Engagement Illusion 08:50 Generational Perspectives on Work 12:05 The Shift in Employee Loyalty 14:58 The Role of Leadership in Employee Satisfaction 18:00 The Work from Home Debate 20:50 The Impact of Technology on Leadership 24:08 Job Seekers and the Importance of Fit 26:48 Conclusion and Future Research Directions

Live from the Gem booth in Vegas at Unleash, the boys throw together one mess-of-a-show, featuring everything from Warren Buffett to StackOne raising big cash to confusing Appcast with Recruitics to bashing ZipRecuiter. Hell, Indeed makes it in, and they weren't even in the show notes. It's a sleep deprived mess, but a good time nonetheless. We promise to make up for it next week.

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, Terry Baker, CEO at Daxtra, dishes on how AI is shaking up recruitment like a caffeinated barista on a Monday morning. With 23 years of AI street cred, he insists AI’s only as good as the data it’s fed—garbage in, garbage out, folks—while preaching the gospel of keeping hiring human, because no one wants a robot therapist when the job hunt gets rough. The convo takes a wild turn through resume validation (think CSI: LinkedIn Edition), with Baker warning that AI-generated CVs are sneakier than a cat burglar in a yarn store. From automating soul-crushing high-volume gigs to spotting skill gaps in employees who still think “Excel” is a workout move, Baker’s got big plans—capped with a future where AI’s so slick, it might just write your performance review and roast you at the same time. Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Terry Baker and Daxtra02:53 - The Evolution of Daxtra's Technology05:53 - Engagement and Humanization in Recruitment09:14 - AI's Role in Recruitment and Performance Reviews11:54 - Validation and Verification in Hiring Processes15:08 - Navigating DEI and Meritocracy in Hiring17:51 - The Future of AI in Recruitment20:59 - Closing Thoughts and Future Directions

In this episode of The Chad and Cheese Podcast, the gang serves up a spicy stew of economic banter and corporate shenanigans, with a side of sports and social commentary. They dive into the job market's wild rollercoaster, where small businesses are clinging on for dear life, while cheering Wrexham’s sports glow-up like it’s the underdog story of the century. The aging workforce gets a sympathetic nod as they dodge AI overlords and corporate curveballs, and the hosts toss in some cheeky political jabs about Canada-U.S. relations—because why not? Meanwhile, the tech world’s a hot mess: companies rise and fall faster than a bad TikTok trend, return-to-office mandates have everyone grumbling, and UPS layoffs are waving red flags like an economic doomsday prophet. Gen Z and X'ers alike are sweating in this AI-driven, stagflation-looming job market, and the Deel-Rippling corporate soap opera keeps the drama juicier than a reality TV reunion. Grab your popcorn! Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Overview of Current Events 03:01 - Economic Trends and Job Market Insights 05:59 - Impact on Small Businesses and Consumer Confidence 09:03 - Wrexham's Masterclass 17:44 - Corporate Drama: Deal vs. Rippling Lawsuit 22:59 - Reflections on Past Business Failures and Lessons Learned 23:49 - The Rise and Fall of Tech Giants 27:05 - Big brands go Return to Office 30:09 - The Impact of Layoffs on Workforce Dynamics 34:39 - The Future of Remote Work 38:46 - UPS: Canary in the Coal Mine or Something Else? 46:19 - Aspen Tech and Linkup Market Data

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, the boys dive into the great European vacation boycott of the U.S.—turns out, Trump’s tariff tantrums and border shenanigans have Europeans swapping the Grand Canyon for grandma’s couch in Lisbon. They cackle over the diplomatic dumpster fire sparked by recent political stunts, then pivot to Spain’s Job&Talent, the staffing hotshot that’s raking in cash like it’s a piñata party. The platform’s plotting a global takeover with AI so smart it could probably match you with your dream job and your soulmate. The crew geeks out over how Job&Talent’s pampering workers with benefits while turbocharging operations with tech wizardry, making old-school staffing agencies look like they’re using carrier pigeons. They riff on the recruitment tech revolution, where AI’s turning job boards into something out of a sci-fi flick, and toss around hot takes on HR tech startups—some are destined for glory, others for the startup graveyard. It's a game of Buy or Sell, featuring Vizzy, PeopleForce and Klara. Oh, and Spain’s immigration policies? They’re basically rolling out the red carpet for immigrants, fueling the economy like a sangria-soaked rocket. Will the rest of Europe follow their lead? Gotta listen to find out.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Tourism Trends12:39 - Job&Talent's Funding and Expansion17:00 - AI Integration in Staffing Solutions17:44 - Investment Insights in AI and Recruitment20:37 - The Future of Job Boards and Recruitment Platforms21:17 - Buy or Sell: Evaluating Startups in HR Tech - 27:47 - The Role of Immigration in Spain's Economic Growth39:02 - Spain's Approach to Labor Migration and Economic Strategy

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash welcome Beth Benike, CEO of Busy Baby, a baby product company featured on Shark Tank and NPR’s How I Built This. Benike, a former Army veteran and mother, shares the story of Busy Baby, which started with a silicone placemat that suctions to surfaces and tethers toys to keep them off the ground. Now offering eight interchangeable products, the company faces a crisis due to new U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports, with $158,000 of inventory stuck in China and tariffs soaring to $230,000—far exceeding the anticipated $30,000 for a 20-30% rate. Manufacturing in the U.S. isn’t viable due to the lack of raw silicone material, high minimum order requirements, and costly equipment (e.g., $4.5 million for one product line). Benike highlights the ripple effect on small businesses, like trucking firms and port workers, as imports stall and shelves risk going empty, potentially disrupting holiday sales since 80% of U.S. toys come from China. She plans to pivot to selling in Europe, Canada, and Australia, despite unfamiliar markets, as tariffs make U.S. sales unsustainable. The discussion also touches on unfair tariff exemptions for large companies like Lenovo, leaving small businesses like Busy Baby struggling, and the broader economic threat to jobs and consumer spending. Benike remains determined to protect her team and find solutions, urging listeners to visit busybaby.com.Chapters00:00 - Introduction to Busy Baby and Beth Benike01:28 - The Journey of a Veteran Entrepreneur03:24 - Manufacturing Decisions: The China Dilemma06:02 - Tariffs and Their Impact on Small Businesses10:01 - The Future of Retail: Empty Shelves Ahead12:07 - The Ripple Effect of Manufacturing Challenges17:38 - Exploring Alternatives: Europe and Beyond21:17 - Intellectual Property and Relationships in China25:05 - The Disparity Between Small and Large Businesses28:05 - The Human Element: Team and Community Impact32:11 - Conclusion: The Bigger Picture for Small Businesses