The Chad & Cheese Podcast

In this riotous episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, the boys drag Dr. Jessica Kriegel, Culture Partners’ Chief Strategy Officer, into the clown car of post-COVID work woes. They tackle the return-to-office (RTO) brouhaha like it’s a bad slapstick routine—is it a heroic charge back to the water cooler, or are we all just pratfalling into 2019 with pants that don’t fit anymore? Dr. Kriegel’s swinging the “adapt or flop” hammer, dubbing RTO a dusty VHS tape in a streaming world. The gang cackles over how Gen Z’s “work-from-bed” energy is giving Boomer bosses heartburn, while leading via Zoom feels like herding cats on a dial-up connection. RTO’s sneaky sucker punch to diversity and inclusion gets a guffaw too—turns out mandating face time might mean fewer faces that don’t look like the CEO’s golf buddies. Dr. Kriegel lays it on thick: COVID flipped the script on everyone, and companies still doing the pre-pandemic tango are basically dancing with a mop. She paints a hilarious picture of the C-suite vs. HR showdown—CEOs chasing shareholder high-fives like it’s a pie-eating contest, while HR’s stuck mopping up a mental health meltdown with a paper towel and a prayer. Tech’s the unsung hero keeping remote work from being a total farce, but those corporate silos? They’re like cubicle Berlin Walls—good luck getting a memo over ‘em. And don’t get her started on the “me first” corporate vibe—it’s less “teamwork makes the dream work” and more “every suit for himself.” The talent market’s a dumpster fire, unions are either flexing or fumbling like a bad stand-up act, and upskilling’s your only shot at not being the punchline when the layoffs hit. Takeaways? Trust your slackers have a pulse, morph your culture before it fossilizes, and don’t bank on CEOs sticking around—turnover’s so high they’re practically on a conveyor belt to the exits. Chapters 01:32 - The Return to Office Debate 08:17 - Cultural Adaptation in the Workplace 12:44 - Leadership Challenges in Remote Work 18:10 - The Impact of RTO on Diversity and Inclusion 19:51 - Solutions for Equity and Employee Engagement 22:20 - The Pressure of Shareholder Value 23:48 -The Disconnect Between HR and C-Suite 25:56 - Technology's Role in Remote Work 28:43 - Breaking Down Silos in Organizations 32:16 - The Future of Unions and Worker Power 35:25 - Navigating the Talent Market Crisis 38:19 - The Role of Upskilling in Job Security

In the latest episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash dive into a mix of serious industry shifts and quirky tangents. They unpack Indeed’s traffic decline—down due to a 10% drop in job postings and competition from platforms like LinkedIn—while noting its erratic market moves and a pivot to online courses that’s missing the mark with tech candidates. History lesson alert! The duo traces job search evolution from simple boards to AI-driven tools, spotlighting generative AI’s potential to revolutionize applications despite hurdles like registration barriers. Then it's a spirited battle of Who'd Ya' Rather? pitting Jolly against Lumber for who's the sexier option when it's 2 a.m. at the local watering hole. The boys actually disagree on this one, so be sure to check it out. They debate Florida’s controversial child labor law changes, allowing 14-year-olds to work overnight to offset labor shortages worsened by immigration crackdowns, and lament the growing burden of emotional labor in workplaces. Industry reflections include George Foreman’s legacy and the people-centric nature of recruiting, peppered with personal Chicago anecdotes. The episode wraps with a chuckle over custom coffins, like a Snickers-themed sendoff, highlighting humor in death. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Show Highlights 11:00 - Industry Insights and Trends 12:45 - Indeed's Traffic Decline and Market Focus 21:00 - The Evolution of Job Search Platforms 22:29 - Generative AI and Job Search Innovations 23:51 - The Future of Job Listings and Corporate Partnerships 25:36 - Comparing Workforce Solutions: Jolly vs. Lumber 29:05 - Florida's Controversial Child Labor Laws 36:00 - The Impact of Immigration Policies on Labor 36:48 - The Burden of Emotional Labor in the Workplace 43:57 - Who Wants a Snickers Custom Coffins?

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 RecFest USA, The Chad & Cheese Podcast welcomes Orlando Haynes, North American talent acquisition lead at Mosaic. Orlando breaks down why personal branding is a game-changer for recruiters, offering practical tips on leveraging LinkedIn and navigating job searches after layoffs. He also shares how a strong personal brand can transform employees into powerful company ambassadors, boosting recruitment and client attraction. Catch this episode for smart strategies in today’s job market—listen now!

This week, Chad, Joel, and Emi dive into a juicy HR tech scandal—Rippling’s suing Deel over an alleged espionage plot, complete with a spy, Slack secrets, and a smashed phone. Meanwhile, ZipRecruiter lands a Fast Company nod but flops with job seekers as confidence plunges. Klarna’s IPO filing flexes big numbers, but its AI-driven layoffs raise eyebrows. And at Nvidia’s GTC, AI takes center stage—from GM’s self-driving push to Yum Brands’ futuristic drive-thrus. Is Nvidia still the gold standard? Buckle up for a wild ride on Chad & Cheese!