Episodes

  • Ep 667: Traditional HR is Dead, Here's What's Next

    Ep 667: Traditional HR is Dead, Here's What's Next
    Jan 12 2025
    HR is at a crossroads. The rapid pace of change, shifting employee expectations, and technological disruption have rendered traditional approaches ineffective. After years of being viewed as the department of policy and paperwork, HR must now become more agile, personalized, and human-centered to meet the challenges of the modern workplace. So, how can HR and talent teams adapt to a world where change is constant, collaboration crosses boundaries, and employees demand relevance and impact from their work experiences? What practical strategies can HR leaders adopt to build practices that are genuinely fit for the future? My guest this week is Lucy Adams, CEO of Disruptive HR. A self-described "recovering HR director," Lucy has firsthand experience of what holds HR back—and how to break free from outdated thinking. She shares her vision for transforming HR by moving away from paternalistic policies and embracing a more modern, adult-to-adult relationship with employees. Lucy also reveals practical ways HR can harness continuous learning and AI-driven insights to foster agility, collaboration, and innovation to ensure that HR is an effective force in shaping organizational success. In the interview, we discuss: Making HR more relevant and impactful Agility, productivity, collaboration, and innovation Principles rather than policies The personalization of the employee experience Human-centered design How do organizations need to think differently about talent? Changing the structure of the talent function Talent Scouts and Career Agents Marketing, consulting, and technology What new skills are needed? What does the future look like? Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.
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    38 mins
  • Ep 666: The ROI Of Employer Branding

    Ep 666: The ROI Of Employer Branding
    Jan 11 2025
    Employer branding is often misunderstood or undervalued, especially in a landscape of shrinking budgets and rising expectations. Yet, in today’s competitive environment, the ability to measure and communicate its value is more critical than ever. So, how can employer brand professionals quantify their impact in ways that resonate with the C-Suite? What strategies can they adopt to ensure their work aligns with business goals, drives meaningful results, and operates with the right level of sophistication? My guest this week is Ben Phillips, Global Employer Brand Lead at Booksy. Ben explains why ROI conversations must be grounded in financial outcomes, not vanity metrics, and highlights the importance of aligning employer branding with the strategic priorities of the business. Drawing from his experience across consumer marketing, recruiting, and culture transformation, Ben shares practical approaches for demonstrating the tangible business value of employer branding. In the interview, we discuss: Communicating the ROI of Employer Branding The five things the C-Suite cares about Forecasting ROI Degrees of separation from the P&L A financial conversation versus a cost-benefit one How is employer branding changing? Culture, EVP, experience, authenticity and trust The difference between consumer marketing and recruitment marketing What does the future hold, and what part will AI play? Follow this podcast in Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.
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    45 mins
  • 2025 Predictions Show

    2025 Predictions Show
    Jan 10 2025
    In this uproarious episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, our dynamic duo, Joel and Chad, dive into their holiday escapades—think less about eggnog and more about egg on their faces from last year's predictions. They gleefully dissect their 2024 forecasts, celebrating the rare victories and lamenting the epic fails with the finesse of a stand-up comedian bombing on stage. They then throw the mic to some guests: Matt Lavery, Global Director of Sourcing, Recruiting & Onboarding at UPS Emi Beredugo, Senior Manager, Recruiting Enablement Lars Schmidt, Found, CEO at Amplify Talent Rebecca Volpano, VP of Product Marketing at Cielo Sean “Teddy” Behr, CEO @ Fountain Stephen McGrath, Product Experience Manager at Poetry AND our favorite Scot 3 years running Tim Meehan, Principal @ Talent River Consulting J.T. O’Donnel, Founder / CEO at Work it Daily Each bravely offers their crystal ball takes for 2025, proving that diversity in thought might just save us from another year of looking like fools. The chat veers into the ever-evolving world of recruitment, where automation and AI are the new cool kids on the block, turning the job hunt into something from a sci-fi flick. They ponder the future of work, asking if resumes will go the way of the dodo, replaced by digital dossiers or perhaps just a well-timed TikTok dance. Among the 2025 predictions: a parade of IPOs, European startups becoming the new Silicon Valley, and programmatic ad spending shifting like sands in an hourglass. In the end, it's all about adapting to tech that's moving faster than your grandpa at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and meeting the job seekers' expectations, which are now as high as Cheese's hair on a good day. Tune in for laughs, learning, and maybe a little life-changing tech talk. 00:00 - Welcome Back and Holiday Reflections 03:01 - 2024 Predictions Recap 05:56 - Guest Predictions for 2025 26:30 - Lars Schmidt 28:06 - The Future of Work: Automation and AI 29:52 - The Role of Technology in Hiring 36:06 - Automation in Recruitment: Perspectives from Industry Leaders 41:06 - Candidate Experience and the Evolution of Hiring Practices 44:00 - The Death of the Resume: A New Era in Job Applications 47:01 - Predictions for 2025: IPOs and Market Trends 51:56 - The Future of European Startups 54:55 - Programmatic Ad Spending: Trends and Predictions
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Trust Issues with AI in Recruiting

    Trust Issues with AI in Recruiting
    Jan 6 2025
    "Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Jason Pistulka—Assistant VP of Talent Acquisition Operations at HCA Healthcare—graces us with his presence to drop some truth bombs on recruitment. Spoiler alert: he's not here to hand out AI participation trophies. Jason throws shade at the industry’s blind faith in AI as a recruitment savior, arguing that maybe, just maybe, getting your operational act together would be a better idea. He spills the tea on HCA's branding game—giving their hospitals local names to charm their markets—and flexes their scale and healthcare cred like a boss. Oh, and remember the COVID hiring apocalypse? HCA brought on 200 new recruiters like it was nothing. Now that the chaos has died down, it all seems almost quaint. Jason also calls out vendors for struggling to grasp the size of HCA’s operation (hint: it’s big) and says they need a crash course in "How HCA Rolls." He’s all about their talent transformation roadmap and teases some snazzy automation initiatives to make recruitment smoother and data capture less of a dumpster fire. As for AI picking candidates? Nah, Jason’s not buying the hype. But he’s here for automation that makes life easier, proving that even skeptics can be pragmatic. It’s an insightful chat—if you’re into operational excellence, vendor rants, and the occasional AI side-eye."
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    17 mins
  • 2024 It's a Wrap!

    2024 It's a Wrap!
    Jan 3 2025
    The Chad & Cheese Podcast 2024 Recap Show In this special year-end recap, Chad and Cheese revisit the biggest moments and most talked-about episodes of 2024. Packed with insights, hot takes, and snarky commentary, this episode delivers a curated journey through the stories that defined the HR tech industry over the past year. Featured Highlights: "ZipRecruiter is Lost" (March 2024) "Workday Sucker Punches Eightfold and Beamery" (March 2024) "Bullhorn Strikes Back at Indeed" (June 2024) "Monster & CareerBuilder Merger" (July 2024) "Indeed Tomfukery" (August 2024) Chad and Cheese also hint at exciting plans for 2025, promising new voices, brash opinions, and more in-depth analysis. Whether you’re an industry insider or just love the drama, this episode is a must-listen wrap-up of a game-changing—and occasionally ridiculous—year in HR tech.
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    58 mins
  • Ep 665: Aligning HR With Business Strategy

    Ep 665: Aligning HR With Business Strategy
    Dec 30 2024
    In this disruptive time, HR and Talent Acquisition must be perfectly aligned with organizations’ business strategies. However, recent research from Eightfold AI and 3Sixty Insights highlights a significant misalignment between the two. This misalignment creates challenges that impact everything from hiring to employee satisfaction and ultimately negatively impact long-term organizational success. So, why is this misalignment happening, and what can HR leaders do to address it? Could AI help bridge the gap and drive better outcomes for both HR and the wider business? My guest this week is Teresa Wykes, Senior Director of Talent-Centered Transformation at Eightfold AI. Teresa shares valuable insights from the research, and we explore some of the root causes of the misalignment and assess potential solutions to the problem. In the interview, we discuss: Business strategy development. C-Suite collaboration and talent strategy alignment. The extent and causes of misalignment of HR with the business The implications of prioritizing an administrative culture over strategic initiatives The crucial difference between being data driven and data literate. How HR is deprioritizing the activities that could help them achieve their objectives. Solving the problem The new skills needed in HR and Talent Acquisition teams Dealing with resistance to change What does the future look like? Access the full report here - Aligning the Path Forward: How to Bring HR and Business Strategy Together. Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.
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    25 mins
  • Top 2024 Topics & Expert Insights

    Top 2024 Topics & Expert Insights
    Dec 27 2024
    Behold! A holiday spectacle so dazzling, so insightful, it’ll practically guarantee you a promotion (results may vary, void where prohibited, don't quit your day job). We've wrangled all our favorite (and some we just tolerated) guests from 2024 to deliver scorching hot takes on the burning dumpster fire that is talent, tech, and recruitment. Think less "fireside chat" and more "dumpster fire chat." From AI’s inevitable robot overlord takeover of recruiting (will they finally fix the ATS? Don't hold your breath) to the thrilling return of the office (aka mandatory fun times!), we've got the scoop you need to maybe survive 2025. Or at least have something to complain about at the next holiday party. Witness the assembled brain trust, including: Eileen Kovalsky from General Motors: Because even car companies need people to, you know, build cars. Adam Godson, CEO of Paradox: Hopefully, he'll explain what a paradox is without causing one. Jessica Rush, Chief Talent Officer: We're rushing to find the talent, people! Get it? (We'll see ourselves out). Patti Tabris, Senior Director of Talent Acquisition at ResultsCX: Because someone has to deal with the results. Stefan Premdas, Director, People Experience at sweetgreen: Hopefully, they brought snacks. J.T. O'Donnell from Work It Daily: Because you're going to need to. Julie Sowash, Executive Director and Co-founder of Disability Solutions: Providing solutions to problems you didn't even know you had! John Graham, the VP of Employer Brand Strategy, Humanity & Culture at Shaker: Because branding is everything, even when it's not. (He appears twice! Clearly, he's got a lot to say...or we messed up the guest list). Emi Beredugo: We’re not entirely sure what Emi does, but they’re here! Lieven Van Nieuwenhuyze, Co-host from Europe: Bringing you takes from across the pond (probably involving better coffee). Matt Lavery, Global Director of Sourcing, Recruiting, & Onboarding: The man, the myth, the onboarding legend. Lord Wei, A Member of the Science and Tech Committee in the House of Lords: Adding a touch of British pomp and circumstance (and hopefully some actual wisdom). Rebecca Carr, CEO at SmartRecruiters: Because recruiting needs to be smart, obviously. Courtney Dempsey, the Head of Recruiting at Southern Rock Restaurants: Serving up talent as hot as their chicken. Chloé Rada, the Senior Director of Talent Attraction at ZoomInfo: Zooming into the future of talent (get it?). Dean Da Costa, Senior Staff Talent Acquisition at Lockheed Martin: Recruiting the best of the best to build…stuff. Mary Battle Broxton, Leading Employer Brand and Recruitment Marketing at Tractor Supply Company: Because even tractor companies need marketing. 🎧 Smash that subscribe button NOW! Chapters 00:00 - A Special Holiday Message for YOU! 1:12 - Will AI Replace Recruiters? 7:47 - Sponsor: Shaker Recruitment https://shaker.com 8:41 - Importance of Employer Branding in Tech-Driven Recruitment 11:17 - The Uncertain Future of DEI 15:40 - Automation's Effect on Workforce Dynamics 18:22 - Return to Office Policy Comeback 24:29 - Sponsor: Paradox AI https://www.paradox.ai/ 24:59 - Sponsor: Job Pixel https://www.jobpixel.com/ 26:10 - Immigration and Workforce Challenges 30:17 - Shocking Layoffs of 2024 35:30 - Tech Trends of 2024 that Stand Out 38:33 - So in 2024, What Surprised You the Most? 41:51 - Sponsor: Harri https://harri.com/ 42:53 - Advice for 2025
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    49 mins
  • Ep 664: Failure and Authenticity In Employer Branding

    Ep 664: Failure and Authenticity In Employer Branding
    Dec 23 2024
    There has probably never been a more difficult time to work in employer branding. Survey after survey shows that employers consider it vitally important to have an effective employer branding strategy; however, employer brand functions and budgets have been scaled back significantly in the last two years. So, how can employer brand professionals navigate this challenging landscape? What does it take to build meaningful strategies with limited resources, and how can failure and authenticity become tools for growth rather than obstacles? My guest this week is Claire D'Souza, co-founder of The EB Space and head of Employer Branding at a major UK retailer. Claire emphasizes the importance of learning from failure and why embracing vulnerability is critical to success. She also shares practical advice on demonstrating ROI, building strong stakeholder relationships, and aligning employer branding with business strategy. In the interview, we discuss: The biggest challenges in employer branding at the moment Demonstrating ROI Being part of the puzzle Aligning goals and strategy with the company's needs and vision The importance of talking about failure Why technology is often used as a scapegoat Do employers have the fundamentals in place to innovate Building stakeholder relationships What does the future look like Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.
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    31 mins