

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

Sep 18, 2024 • 27min
Google Core Update with Alex Chukovski
In this snark-filled episode, Chad and Joel bring back SEO guru Alexander Chukovski to dissect Google’s latest core update, which has job boards like Indeed sweating bullets. Google’s now favoring ATS results and niche job sites, leaving generic job boards in the dust. The crew speculates whether Google is intentionally ghosting Indeed, especially after their pricey partnership with OpenAI.As usual, Chad and Joel throw take shots at job board giants and predict the future of job search.Best Line: "Indeed who? Never heard of 'em.”

Sep 16, 2024 • 35min
Startups: UK vs US with Gareth Marlow
In this episode, Joel and Chad interview Gareth Marlow, an executive coach and consultant at EQ Systems. They discuss various topics including Gareth's background, the differences between Cambridge and Oxford, their favorite sci-fi movies, and Gareth's work with startups. Gareth explains his role in helping organizations scale and achieve product-market fit.They also touch on the common problem of startups creating solutions for non-existent problems and the importance of customer orientation and research. In this conversation, Gareth Marlow discusses the challenges and strategies for companies looking to expand internationally, specifically between the UK and the US.He emphasizes the importance of understanding the cultural differences and nuances in each market, as well as the need for localized go-to-market strategies. Gareth also highlights the significance of working with local experts and building strong relationships to navigate the fundraising process. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the rapid advancements in technology and the potential for democratizing waves in AI and low-code development.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Small Talk02:57 - Differences Between Cambridge and Oxford09:29 - Gareth's Role in Scaling Organizations11:49 - Challenges of Scaling and Going Beyond 500 Employees13:14 - Startups Creating Solutions for Non-Existent Problems15:03 - Importance of Customer Orientation and Research15:09 - Introduction and the Problem Space16:00 - Expanding in America and Europe: Different Approaches18:20 - Building Footholds and Organic Growth20:40 - One Size Does Not Fit All22:41 - Go-to-Market Strategies and Team Dynamics26:50 -Red Flags and Warning Signs for Startups28:25 -Fundraising Tips and Differences in Investment31:11 -The Potential of Technology AdvancementsKeywordsGareth Marlow, executive coach, consultant, EQ Systems, Cambridge, Oxford, sci-fi movies, startups, product-market fit, customer orientation, research, international expansion, UK, US, cultural differences, go-to-market strategies, fundraising, technology advancements, AI, low-code development

Sep 13, 2024 • 39min
Monsters, Mergers, and CareerBuilder: Surviving the Job Board Meteor Crash
In this snark-filled episode, Chad & Cheese take a deep dive into one of the most talked-about events of 2024: the merger between two job board giants, Monster and CareerBuilder. Once the dominant forces in the recruitment industry, these two "dinosaurs" are now struggling to survive as they attempt to snuggle up and weather the changing landscape. Chad & Cheese break down how these industry titans fell from grace, touching on Monster’s acquisition by Randstad and CareerBuilder’s dismemberment by Apollo. With their trademark wit, they explore what went wrong—spoiler: Super Bowl commercials and bad leadership played a part—and predict how the merger will likely end.As they navigate the impact of the merger, Chad & Cheese explain why the job board industry is evolving into something more focused on niche markets and innovative performance models, while the "Titans of Old" are left rearranging deck chairs on the sinking ship. Filled with sharp insights and unfiltered commentary, this episode offers listeners a front-row seat to the job board "meteor crash" and what it means for the future of recruiting. Get ready for some brutal honesty about where the industry is headed and why the old giants may not survive unless they evolve—fast.

Sep 12, 2024 • 6min
Shredded: Willo, Bullhorn, Manpower, Vangst, True, Sloneek, Assessio, Walmart & More
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s getting acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

Sep 9, 2024 • 37min
Pivot Masterclass w/ Richard Collins
Richard Collins, serial entrepreneur and founder of C Squared Technology, discusses the art of the startup pivot and mastering the challenges and opportunities in the recruitment advertising industry. He shares his experience with building a platform that connects job boards and employers, focusing on delivering qualified applicants. Richard emphasizes the need for a shift from quantity-based metrics like cost per click to quality-based metrics like cost per qualified applicant. He also highlights the importance of community-building and reinvention in the job board industry. Richard also discusses the funding and growth plans for C Squared Technology.Checkout his recent post on the move: https://www.cvwallet.com/post/our-journey-from-smart-cvs-for-jobseekers-to-solving-recruitment-advertising-for-the-ai-ageChapters00:00 - Introduction and Background04:10 - From CV Wallet to C Squared Technology08:59 - The Role of Blockchain in the Industry10:36 - Pivoting and Adapting to the Changing Market12:24 - Tips for Startups Facing a Pivot13:39 - Shifting from CPC to Qualified and Interested Applicants19:38 - The Disconnect Between Traffic and Quality22:04 - The Role of C Squared Technology in the Job Board Ecosystem26:36 - Building a Platform and the Future of C Squared Technology33:00 - Reflections on the Changing Landscape of Tech Startups36:40 - Funding and Growth Plans for C Squared TechnologyKeywordsRichard Collins, Beverly Collins, C Squared Technology, ClickIQ, Indeed, IndeedIQ, recruitment advertising, job boards, qualified applicants, cost per click, cost per qualified applicant, platform, community-building, funding, growth plans, Appcast, CV Wallet

Sep 6, 2024 • 55min
Shuck Up! Oyster Makes Pearls with Latest Raise
With Chad jet lagged from his trip back home from Portugal, Work It Daily's J.T. O'Donnell fills in.The main themes include the changing expectations of job seekers, the importance of authenticity and authentication in employer branding, the impact of AI and automation on job applications, the rise of video in recruitment, the role of social media in employee activism, and the right to disconnect from work. The conversation also touches on the cooling labor market and the challenges faced by job seekers in finding suitable employment.What's more? Joel and J.T. discuss various topics related to employment and the workforce. They touch on the impact of the economy on different age groups, the future of recruiting, the rise of remote work, and the challenges of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace. They also discuss the launch of LinkedIn's podcast aimed at Gen Z and the controversy surrounding an ageist report by Indeed.Takeaways
Job seekers now expect the job to find them, thanks to the influence of platforms like TikTok.
Authenticity is important, but job seekers also want authentication to ensure that employers are who they say they are.
Video is becoming a crucial tool in recruitment, allowing job seekers to showcase their skills and employers to provide an authentic view of their company.
Job seekers are using social media to document and validate their experiences, challenging traditional power dynamics in the workplace.
The right to disconnect from work is becoming increasingly important, especially for younger generations who prioritize work-life balance. The economy has different impacts on different age groups, with younger individuals facing challenges in finding employment and older individuals experiencing age discrimination.
The future of recruiting is uncertain, with the rise of AI and automation potentially reducing job opportunities in certain sectors.
Remote work is becoming more prevalent and offers opportunities for individuals to have flexible and fractional careers.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in companies are facing challenges and pushback, with some companies scaling back their initiatives.
LinkedIn's launch of a podcast aimed at Gen Z reflects the growing importance of podcasts as a medium for professional content.
Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Overview01:34 - Introducing J.T. O'Donnell and her Background02:21 - The Changing Expectations of Job Seekers03:45 - The Importance of Authenticity and Authentication in Employer Branding06:33 - The Rise of Video in Recruitment07:59 - The Role of Social Media in Employee Activism08:46 - The Right to Disconnect from Work09:57 - The Cooling Labor Market and Challenges for Job Seekers24:42 - The Impact of the Economy on Different Age Groups27:24 - The Future of Recruiting and the Rise of AI28:56 - The Opportunities and Challenges of Remote Work37:46 - The Challenges of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion48:17 - LinkedIn's Podcast Aimed at Gen ZKeywordsjob market, job seekers, authenticity, authentication, AI, automation, video, social media, employee activism, right to disconnect, labor market, employment, workforce, economy, ageism, recruiting, remote work, diversity, equity, inclusion, LinkedIn, podcast

Sep 5, 2024 • 7min
Shredded: Oyster, ZRG, Skillvue, Airtasker, DirectEmployers, Randstad, ZipRecruiter & More
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s getting acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.

Sep 4, 2024 • 42min
Firing Squad: Worklik's Yehuda Beller
Yehuda Beller, co-founder and CRO at Worklik joins the Chad and Cheese podcast for a session of Firing Squad. WorkLik is a video-based job platform that aims to improve the candidate experience and connect job seekers with employers. They focus on hourly workers and Gen Z job seekers who are tired of the traditional hiring process. They've raised $2.5 million in seed funding and are planning to raise a Series A round soon. They offer a pay-per-match model, where employers only pay when they match with a qualified candidate. Sounds familiar, but do they have something unique enough to make it out alive? Gotta listen.Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Background05:05 - The Name and Funding06:15 - The Relevance of Video Resumes07:51 - Funding and Advisory Board09:13 - Background and Expertise of the Leadership Team12:00 - Creating Video Intros and Work History13:30 - Target Audience and User Experience14:16 - Video Resumes and Risk Assessment17:04 - Matching Candidates with Job Requirements18:46 - Focus on Hourly Work and Part-Time Jobs21:41 - Improving the Candidate Experience24:43 - Emphasizing the Human Connection26:13 - Engaging Candidates Through Chat Messaging29:46 - Expanding Reach Through Social Media35:16 - Pay-Per-Match: A Cost-Effective Model

Aug 30, 2024 • 47min
iCIMS & SmartRecruiters CEO Divergence
This week, the boys are doing their best Charles Dickens impressions, but instead of two cities, they're waxing poetic about the tale of two applicant tracking systems: SmartRecruiers and iCIMS. One is making all the right moves, while the other one, well, not-so-much. Then it's on to Amazon, whose new Amazon Q technology is taking the world by storm ... and possibly putting a lot of developers out of work. Yikes!Then it's time for a little Buy-or-Sell, featuring Pangeam, Micro1 and Workpay. More disagreement this time than usual, so hopefully you like fireworks. And if you don't like fireworks, hopefully you like chicken, becauase Chick-fil-A is back in the news. And speaking of chicken, don't even get Chad started on Chicken Cock Whiskey ... you just need to listen.Chapters01:00 - Euro Chad goes deep03:40 - Chicken Cock Whiskey05:18 - Oasis, PeralJam and Xers08:25 - Kelce's New Heights rein in $100m12:00 - Fantasy Football14:15 - CEO Divergence20:01 - iCIMS: Potential Acquisition Strategy and Layoffs21:01 - SmartRecruiters: Industry Knowledge and Global Expansion21:14 - Impact of CEO Changes on Global Growth Strategies21:30 - Comparing iCIMS and SmartRecruiters27:36 - The Impact of Amazon Q34:54 - Recent Funding: Pangem, Micro One, and Workpay43:32 - Chick-fil-A's Misadventure in the Streaming MarketKeywordsSmartRecruiters, iCIMS, CEO changes, acquisitions, layoffs, global growth strategy, iCIMS, SmartRecruiters, HR tech, AI, software development, Amazon Q, Pangem, Micro One, Workpay, Chick-fil-A, streaming platform

Aug 29, 2024 • 8min
Shredded: Workday, SmartRecruiters, Ladders, Tilt, Lightcast, ShiftPixy, Jobilla, Workpay, Pangeam & More
The Shred is a weekly roundup of who’s raised funds, who’s getting acquired and who’s on the move in the world of recruitment. The Shred is brought to you today by Jobcase.


