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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.

The Chad & Cheese Podcast

In this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, the boys interview Malcolm Frank, former president of Cognizant Digital and current CEO of Talent Genius, a platform focused on AI-driven talent acquisition. 

Frank, an Ohio native, discusses his extensive experience in technology and consulting, highlighting Cognizant's growth from 10,000 to over 300,000 employees. 

He traces AI's rise in business, noting its "slow, then sudden" impact since ChatGPT's 2022 debut. Frank critiques CEOs for layering AI onto outdated structures, leading to poor ROI, as shown in an MIT survey, and advocates for first-principles thinking to redesign processes. 

He sees recruiting transforming with AI, cutting sourcing time (e.g., scanning 7.5 million profiles instantly) and improving cultural fit analysis, though human recruiters remain vital for emotional connection. 

Frank warns of AI scaling biases faster than humans, necessitating strong governance to avoid issues like predatory lending seen in early AI experiments. He discusses Talent Genius’s “Agent Powered” platform, which helps workers leverage AI to amplify skills (e.g., becoming “5x” more effective), drawing parallels to historical job shifts like the iceman’s obsolescence. 

The lively discussion, peppered with humor about Davos and Buckeyes, emphasizes AI’s potential to turbocharge talent management if thoughtfully integrated, urging listeners to visit talentgenius.io for more.

Chapters 

00:00 - Introduction to Malcolm Frank 

01:56 - The Rise of AI and Its Impact 

05:20 - Challenges in AI Implementation 

09:02 - The Future of Recruiting with AI 

12:53 - Investing in Employee Development 

17:19 - The Role of AI in Talent Acquisition 

21:16 - Big Tech vs. Niche Vendors in HR Tech 

24:48 - The Evolution of ATS and Recruiting Tools 

28:51 - Bias in AI and Its Implications 

35:23 - AI's Impact on Blue Collar Jobs 

37:39 - The Vision Behind Talent Genius

Welcome to SkyNet w/ Malcolm Frank

This week, the gang dives into a grim economic landscape, tackling the week's bad news with their signature candor before scraping for some silver linings. 

The bad news hits hard: the U.S. government shutdown, now in its eighth day, is costing $7-15 billion weekly, furloughing 1.9 million workers and delaying critical jobs data, with ADP and Moody’s signaling near-zero job growth in September, concentrated in healthcare and large firms. American farmers face bankruptcy risks as tariffs inflate prices and competitors like Argentina and Brazil snag deals with China. J.P. Morgan pegs recession odds at 40% by year-end, and tech stocks, puffed up by AI hype, teeter on the edge of a bust. 

Chad rants about tariffs, ICE raids, and H1B visa hikes pushing talent away, calling the economy “cataclysmic,” while J.T. laments the understated jobs crisis, with six-figure earners jobless for months. Joel highlights the plight of farmers, noting the regressive impact of tariffs on the poor and the absurdity of subsidizing competitors like Argentina.

Switching to good news, the trio finds some hope: Upwork’s CEO Hayden Brown reports a 50%+ surge in demand for AI skills like prompt engineering, with Gen Z poised to benefit from freelance opportunities. A Yale study suggests ChatGPT hasn’t yet disrupted U.S. jobs significantly, and Workday’s expanded real estate footprint and Netflix’s $700,000 AI product manager role signal niche growth. 

J.T. sees promise in fractional work for seasoned professionals, while Chad warns AI is quietly automating tasks (like scheduling at GM, cutting 100+ jobs) and questions the longevity of roles like prompt engineering. 

Joel agrees, likening AI jobs to short-lived 90s webmaster roles, predicting they’ll train systems to replace themselves.The episode also covers LinkedIn’s lawsuit against Pro APIs for scraping millions of profiles with fake accounts, a growing headache as AI amplifies such schemes, and the launch of Filament, a $10.7M-funded, invite-only LinkedIn rival that Chad dismisses as redundant given existing group chats on WhatsApp and Slack. 

Finally, they tackle Gen X’s financial woes, with only 25% holding retirement accounts and student debt crushing the rest. J.T. sees universal basic income (UBI) as a potential bridge for Gen X to pivot careers, but Joel balks at the idea, citing their fiercely independent ethos, while Chad ties the crisis to the shift from pensions to 401ks and broader systemic failures. 

The episode closes with a heated debate on whether UBI or corporate reinvestment in communities could stem the tide, leaving listeners with a mix of grim realities and cautious optimism for a creative, freelance-driven future.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Fall Vibes

03:32 - Shout Outs and Remembrances

09:51 - Economic Concerns and Job Market Analysis

18:57 - AI and Job Market Dynamics

27:31 - LinkedIn Lawsuit and Professional Networking

47:44 - Gen X Financial Challenges and UBI Discussion

Will LinkedIn Burn Filament?

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.

Shredded: Einride, Filament, Gullie, LinkedIn, Alex, Sage, Criterion HCM & More

When SEO legend Rand Fishkin walks into HR’s Most Dangerous Podcast, you know it’s not gonna be another “AI is taking all our jobs” pity party.

Rand calls BS on the tech bros, drags lazy journalists chasing clicks, and explains why Google, LinkedIn, and Elon’s “Xperiment” have turned the internet into a zero-click wasteland.

He even serves up career advice for young marketers — build something real, specialize later, and never let a platform own your ass.

It’s insight, irreverence, and a side of pasta. 🍝

AI Hype Machine w/ Rand Fishkin

This week, the boys sling hot takes like baristas slinging lattes, diving into HR tech, AI, and corporate shenanigans with their signature wit. Kicking things off, they set the stage with a vibe check, chuckling over the wild ride of recruitment tech while side-eyeing the economic chaos of startups chasing venture capital like kids chasing ice cream trucks. No military leadership talk here, but they roast corporate missteps with the gusto of drill sergeants.

The spotlight lands on JuiceBox, an AI-powered recruiting tool that snagged $36 million, including a $30 million Sequoia-led Series A. Chad’s jazzed, calling it the “Capri Sun of HR tech” for its catchy name and $10 million revenue rocket. He wonders if they’ll build a platform or get gobbled up in an acquisition faster than you can say “merger margarita.” Joel, the grumpy cat of the duo, sniffs history repeating, comparing JuiceBox to 2010s sourcing flops like Entelo. “Build fast, sell faster, or get squashed by LinkedIn,” he grumbles, predicting a big-tech beatdown.

Next, they geek out over AI agents revolutionizing recruitment. Chad raves about Hackajob’s agents that dig through applicant databases like treasure hunters, saving cash and recruiter sanity. Joel dreams of Chrome’s new free Gemini AI turning browsers into job-search genies, scaring HR tech vendors like a horror flick. Chad warns, “Free? You’re the product, kids!” as they lament job scams and hope AI security saves the day.

LinkedIn’s new Learning Career Hub gets a roasting—Chad calls it a “half-baked LinkedIn loaf” compared to slick competitors like Degreed. Joel likens it to Apple’s VR headset: a panicked hedge against being left behind. They also torch Reid Hoffman’s claim that work-life balance is a “red flag,” with Chad snapping, “Want me to work like a CEO? Pay me like one!” Joel laughs it off as Silicon Valley hot air, like a CEO dropping truth bombs after one too many kombuchas.

Ford’s CEO Jim Farley’s $5 million pledge to train 15,000 workers by 2026 gets a collective eye-roll. Chad calls it “couch cushion change,” comparing it to Apple and Tesla’s billion-dollar China training sprees. “Farley’s begging for government handouts like a kid at a candy store,” he scoffs. Joel agrees, noting it’s chump change next to a Super Bowl ad, and both warn U.S. companies are losing the EV race to China’s manufacturing muscle.

Finally, a Waymo self-driving car’s illegal U-turn leaves cops stumped—no driver, no ticket! Chad, fresh off a Spanish speeding ticket by camera, wonders why the U.S. can’t keep up with “Star Trek-level” tech. Joel predicts local governments will milk Google for fines to fund football fields. With automation on the rise, they’re all in—just don’t expect Robocop to sort it out anytime soon.

Chapters 00:00 - Introduction 02:21 - Reflections on Current Events and Military Leadership 05:19 - Job Market Insights and Economic Concerns 09:13 - Cultural Commentary and Sports Events 16:11 - Tech Innovations in Recruitment 22:56 - Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook 25:06 - Evolving Market Strategies 27:13 - The Role of Agents in Recruitment 31:00 - Google's AI Integration and User Behavior 40:10 - LinkedIn's Challenges and Opportunities 46:32 - Ford's Workforce Development and EV Challenges 52:26 - Accountability in Autonomous Vehicles

Juicebox Squirts, Waymo Leaks & Google Gushes

Shredded: Juicebox, Willo, Job&Talent, Orbio, Talentiqa, LinkedIn, DailyPay, & More

The boys welcome Tiffany Anton, a sex therapist, to discuss the implications of workplace relationships, particularly in light of a recent affair involving a CEO and an HR employee at a Coldplay concert. 

Tiffany shares her insights on the dynamics of affairs, the power structures at play, and the societal shifts in understanding relationships. The conversation also touches on the challenges of modern dating, the role of platforms like OnlyFans in addressing loneliness, and the need for companies to rethink their policies on workplace romances. 

Tiffany emphasizes the importance of emotional connection and the evolving nature of relationships in today's world.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Tiffany Anton

02:22 - The Coldplay Affair: A Therapist's Perspective

 05:31 - Understanding Affairs: Causes and Consequences

08:26 - Power Dynamics in Workplace Relationships

11:29 - The Impact of Affairs on Company Culture

14:23 - Navigating Modern Relationships: A Societal Shift

17:11 - Dating in the Digital Age: Challenges and Insights

20:13 - The Role of OnlyFans in Addressing Loneliness

23:00 - Rethinking Workplace Relationships

26:11 - Future of Relationships: Hope and Challenges

Sex Therapist Explains Coldplay-Gate

This week, hosts Chad and Joel, joined by career guru J.T. and Emi, sling snark and wisdom like a comedy roast for the recruiting world. They dive into The Muse’s shady “acquisition” drama, where a LinkedIn post from an engineering honcho claims a buyout, but with zero press release or website proof, it smells more like a corporate ghosting than a deal—think two dinosaurs slow-dancing as meteors rain down. 

The crew then skewers Trump’s H1B visa fee hike to $100,000, a move that lets tech titans like Google and Meta flex their fat wallets while startups choke, sending America’s “brain gain” packing to Canada and Europe. 

J.T. drops a truth bomb: job security’s a myth, so job seekers better channel their inner influencer and monetize their skills on social media, because full-time gigs are fading faster than a bad Tinder date. 

Meanwhile, Indeed’s playing mafia boss, slashing agency commissions and strong-arming them into direct-apply schemes, prompting Chad to call it “agency castration by 10,000 paper cuts.” 

IBM’s AI saga gets a laugh—8,000 HR folks got the boot for a chatbot, only for the company to rehire for creative roles when AI couldn’t handle the human touch, proving even robots can’t fake empathy. 

Finally, they tackle LinkedIn job scams, with losses skyrocketing from $90 million to $501 million in four years, blaming desperate job seekers, apathetic employers, and a government too busy to care. Chad’s three-legged stool metaphor—job seekers, employers, government—falls flat when all three are slacking. 

Chapters00:00 - Introduction and Podcast Overview00:33 - Trump's Controversial Remarks on Europe01:58 - Chad's Return from Europe and Personal Reflections04:18 - Emerging Content Creators and the Knowledge Economy11:36 - Industry Ethics and Accountability15:26 - Celebrating Milestones and Upcoming Events19:36 - Industry Events and Networking Opportunities23:13 - The Muse Acquisition Controversy28:18 - The Impact of H1B Visa Changes34:24 - The Future of Work and Job Security37:11 - Indeed's Strategic Moves in Recruitment40:13 - The Agency Dilemma45:00 - The Evolution of Recruitment48:10 - AI's Role in Workforce Changes52:47 - Job Scams in a Tight Market

Indeed Strips Agency Cash

Shredded: RefAssured, Dogwood Ventures, Appcast, Workfully, Shilling VC, & More

Time management coach Elizabeth Grace Saunders discusses the complexities of flexible work schedules and their potential to lead to burnout. 

She emphasizes the importance of defining personal boundaries, understanding emotional drivers, and the need for effective communication in both professional and personal relationships. 

The conversation explores the cultural differences in work-life balance, the impact of remote work on productivity, and the necessity for employers to foster a supportive work environment that encourages employees to disconnect and recharge.

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction to Time Management and Flexibility

01:43 - The Genesis of Flexibility and Burnout

04:52 - The Emotional Side of Time Management

08:34 - Defining 'Enough' in Work-Life Balance

10:52 - The Role of Employers in Work-Life Balance

12:40 - Flexibility vs. Productivity in the Workplace

18:03 - Cultural Differences in Work-Life Balance

21:29 - Societal Pressures and Burnout

28:27 - Navigating Relationship Dynamics in Remote Work

Surprise! Work-Life Balance is Stressing You Out

Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Chad & Cheese chat with Ashten Fizer, a dynamic talent brand creator, who brings fresh insights on employer branding to the table.
What’s Inside:
✅ The real deal on why authenticity beats overproduced videos in today's branding world.
✅ How effective branding needs cross-department collaboration and creative design systems.
✅ Surprising insights into global recruitment strategies (Hint: LinkedIn isn’t always the answer!).
✅ How a genuine DEI approach can broaden talent pools and drive innovation.
If you’re looking to craft a brand that speaks to diverse audiences and embraces transparency, this episode is a must-listen!
🎧 Tune in now and dive deeper at www.HeyAshten.com!

A New Era for Employer Branding with Ashten Fizer

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