The Chad & Cheese Podcast

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.

Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Torin Ellis sits down with Chad & Cheese to tackle the evolving landscape of diversity and inclusion (D&I). As some organizations retreat under external pressures, Torin delivers a wake-up call—now is not the time to step back. He challenges leaders to honor their commitments, exposes the political forces shaping D&I strategies, and reminds us that real progress demands intention. With 2025 on the horizon, he highlights the companies still doing the work and calls on individuals—especially those with privilege—to step up.

AI, bias, the metaverse, and... J.Cole? 🤯This week, Chad & Cheese sit down with Stefan Youngblood, the founder of Black AI Think Tank and hireblack.com, to talk about the intersection of AI, job markets, and the Black community. From connecting 6,000+ people in the Black Metaverse to challenging AI's built-in biases (like turning "Black-owned chip company" into a potato chip brand 🍟🤨), Stefan is pushing boundaries in tech and social impact.Oh, and did we mention he gave piano lessons to J.Cole? 🎹🔥 The fear of becoming obsolete (FOBO) is real—will AI make or break your career?🔥 How can recruiters leverage AI without falling into bias traps?🔥 What’s the real future of co-pilots, agents, and the metaverse?Get ready for wild stories, mind-blowing insights, and a dose of snark—only on HR’s most dangerous podcast.🎧 Tune in now!Chapters00:00 – Podcast Intro – HR’s most dangerous podcast kicks off with Chad & Cheese.01:14 – The Genesis of Black AI Think Tank02:41 – From Clubhouse to LinkedIn04:00 – A Life of Connection07:12 – A Call from J.Cole?10:40 – Black AI Think Tank: A Growing Ecosystem13:19 – AI in Hiring & Recruiting14:26 – FOBO: The Fear of Becoming Obsolete20:40 – AI Bias in Action23:11 – The Future of AI-Generated Content30:08 – The Future of Entry-Level Jobs32:41 – Prompt-Ganda & AI's Influence on Media33:10 – Is the Metaverse Still a Thing?35:57 – AI, Remote Work, and the Future of Learning38:17 – AI is Scaling Fast

This week, J.T. joins the boys for a rollercoaster ride through the latest industry news, which seems to have more downs than a feather factory. First off, Workday decided to trim 1,750 jobs from its ranks, that's about 8% of its workforce, all in the name of cozying up to AI because, let's face it, who needs humans when you have algorithms? Over at Justworks, they're laying off 200 folks, blaming everything from a looming recession to rising interest rates and a trade war - because why not blame the economy when you can? And Meta, not to be outdone, is shedding 3,600 jobs, which is 5% of their workforce, probably to fund more metaverse adventures or to pay for Mark's new space yacht.Switching gears, Phenom has gobbled up Edge, a talent mobility software provider, aiming to beef up its AI capabilities. It's like they're trying to create the ultimate job-hopping machine for Global Capability Centers. Meanwhile, ZipRecruiter is pulling the plug on its ZipSearch API, which might just be the nail in the coffin for Jobboard.io - but hey, their stocks are up, and BlackRock's investing, so maybe they'll pivot to something like a dating app for job seekers?The Wall Street Journal dropped a bomb with a report saying tech unemployment has spiked to 5.7%, thanks to AI playing the role of the grim reaper in software development and white-collar jobs. But hey, if you can swing a hammer or fix a pipe, you're golden. ConverzAI, on the other hand, just raised $16 million to automate the heck out of hiring, because why talk to humans when you can chat with a bot?In military news, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is riding high with a recruitment boom, all thanks to the "America First" vibe. But he's also ditching diversity programs, because apparently, unity comes from being the same, not from celebrating differences. And finally, in a twist that's both futuristic and slightly bizarre, Banx Management is diving into AI models for OnlyFans, proving once and for all that even the oldest profession is not immune to technological disruption. Who knew AI could be so... versatile?Chapters00:00 - Valentine's Day Banter02:58 - Super Bowl Recap and Commercial Highlights09:00 - Job Market Trends and Layoffs15:00 - Phenom's Acquisition and Talent Management Insights22:04 - Navigating Acquisitions and Market Dynamics27:01 - Tech Sector Layoffs and Job Market Shifts34:07 - AI in Recruitment: The Rise of Converse AI39:00 - Military Recruitment Trends and Diversity Initiatives44:59 - The Evolution of OnlyFans and AI Models

Discover the latest trends in employment, with a focus on AI's effect on IT job markets and the shift towards remote work. Learn about Disney's strategic changes in response to political pressures. Delve into the ramifications of ZipRecruiter's shutdown of its API service and its potential impact on industry partners. As listeners explore alternatives for job sourcing, they gain invaluable insights into navigating this evolving landscape.

🎙️ Chad & Cheese sit down with Celinda Appleby, Visa’s global director of talent attraction, for an in-depth discussion on navigating 2025’s talent acquisition hurdles—think economic uncertainty and a turbulent job market. Celinda reveals how Visa is refreshing its employer brand to align with evolving corporate strategies through EVP 2.0, powered by research and a dedicated center of excellence. 🚀She dives into creative wins like Olympics-inspired campaigns and a reimagined career site strategy to boost candidate engagement. Plus, a sneak peek at what’s next: targeted recruitment tools, a brand advocacy culture, and finalizing EVP 2.0. Don’t miss out—connect with Celinda on LinkedIn and explore exciting job openings at Visa! 🌐

So much red meat in this episode for industry junkies that you might mistake it for a Sizzler, the boys are joined by Mo this week to cover a wide array of topics, featuring some of the spaces most influential players. Paradox had a week so good, even Chipotle gave them a shout-out on Mad Money, which is like getting a high-five from your rich uncle at a family reunion. They also gobbled up Eqtble, a fancy people analytics company, because who doesn't want to know if their employees are secretly plotting to start a band during work hours? Meanwhile, Deel's hitting the $800 million mark faster than you can say "IPO, where's my yacht?" They're eyeing 2026 for going public, making Rippling's founder Parker Conrad sweat more than a mime in a sauna. LinkedIn's now diving into video like your grandma at a bingo night, with a 36% increase in uploads because apparently, watching someone talk about their job is the new Netflix. They're also trying to make job applications less of a "throw your resume into a black hole" experience.And for the rom-com lovers, remote work is apparently the new dating app, with 86% of Americans finding love over Zoom. It's like 'The Office,' but instead of the break room, it's Slack gone wild. However, with 41% dating their supervisor, we're one lawsuit away from making "return to office" the new "I love you."Chapters00:00 Introduction and Context Setting01:22 Chad Goes to Madrid04:09 Super Bowl Predictions06:31 Positive News: Jackie Clayton on Amazing Race07:54 Nostalgia: The Return of the Shamrock Shake14:01 Chipotle talks Paradox20:14 Acquisition of Equitable and Market Strategy26:13 Paradox's Strategic Acquisitions30:48 Lessons from the Past: Company Acquisitions32:23 Deel's Impressive Growth36:28 LinkedIn's New Video Strategy43:30 Romance in the Remote Workplace

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 rollicking episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, where HR tech is served with a side of sass, we dive deep with Scott Morris, the brainiac behind Propulsion AI. Scott, who's apparently decided that regular HR is just too mundane, has set out to jazz up the hiring process by making it all about outcomes, not just ticking off tasks. He's got AI doing the heavy lifting, crafting job descriptions faster than you can say "synergy," and making roles so clear, even Chad might understand them. They chat about the wild west of HR tech challenges, why your company's employment brand might need a glow-up, and how AI can scale up recruitment without scaling up headaches. Scott spills the beans on Propulsion AI's secret sauce for reducing the hiring hassle, from evolving job postings to the crystal ball gazing of job matching. The duo grills him on everything from marketing moves to who they're gunning for, compliance conundrums, and the big bucks of compensation. But it's not all smooth sailing; Chad and Cheese challenge Scott on whether Propulsion AI is the hot new thing or just another HR tech flash in the pan. Buckle up for some sharp insights, a few laughs, and maybe even eternal peace and prosperity. OK, maybe not the last part.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Propulsion AI and Scott Morris06:00 The Genesis of Propulsion AI10:08 Challenges in the HR Tech Space13:07 The Role of AI in Job Descriptions15:50 Scalability and Employment Branding16:50 Navigating Recruitment Challenges19:27 The Evolution of Job Postings24:26 Future of Job Matching26:05 Marketing Strategies for PropulsionAI30:19 Understanding the Target Market31:58 Compliance and Compensation Insights36:01 Facing the Firing Squad: Tough Questions

From the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Darnell Hill, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at AAA Mountain West Group, joins The Chad & Cheese to discuss the company's transformation and his insights into the HR landscape.He shares how AAA is redefining its brand beyond its traditional association with roadside assistance, venturing into areas like AAA Smart Home and auto repair partnerships, while also reflecting on past initiatives. The conversation explores unexpected trends in 2024.Looking ahead to 2025, Hill underscores AI’s potential to enhance hiring quality, going beyond just improving the candidate experience. He also discusses employee retention and development strategies, advocating for micro-learning and prioritizing candidates with growth potential over those with strictly relevant experience.