The Chad & Cheese Podcast

(Yet Another) Death of the Resume Debate | Juicebox Makes It Rain

Buckle up for another chaotic ride with HR’s Most Dangerous Podcast, where the banter is sharp, the takes are hot, and no industry sacred cow is safe from the slaughter. In this episode, Joel Cheesman, JT O’Donnell, and Maureen Clough (with a hit-and-run cameo from Chad Sowash) navigate a conversational minefield that stretches from high-stakes geopolitical dread to the gritty future of how we all get paid. The crew kicks things off with a dive into the "dark humor" of global escalations and movie hot takes before pivoting to the real-world anxieties of the modern professional. Is the resume finally dead, or is it just being fitted for a digital tuxedo? The team squares off on whether AI "slop" has officially broken the application process, leading to a fiery debate on why your personal brand might be the only life raft left in an unstable sea. From the rise of video-first branding to the "human-in-the-loop" reality of Anthropic’s latest AI study, the hosts dissect who is actually at risk of being replaced and who is just being handed better tools. The episode also serves up a masterclass in modern marketing, dissecting a viral $80M funding round that proves "knowledge creators" might be the new kings of recruiting—though Joel isn’t sold on the hype just yet. Between legacy tech acquisitions that feel a little too "desperate" and a sobering look at the "broken rung" still stalling women in leadership, this episode balances cynicism with a blueprint for survival. Whether you’re worried about flying cars or just trying to survive the next wave of AI-driven layoffs, this is the snark-filled reality check you need. Ready to hear why your LinkedIn engagement is tanking and why a Big Mac video might be the future of executive branding? Hit play and join the conversation. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Light Banter 01:20 - Current Events and Global Concerns 05:33 - Shifting Perspectives on War and Politics 08:30 - Innovations in Transportation: The Rise of EV Talls 10:51 - The Importance of Executive Branding 18:09 - The Death of the Resume: A New Era in Hiring 33:06 - AI's Impact on the Job Market 34:24 - Craftsmanship in the Age of AI 35:20 - The Importance of AI Literacy 36:49 - The Digital Renaissance and Career Opportunities 41:29 - Navigating Job Market Changes 56:23 - Women in the Workplace: Challenges and Opportunities

Shredded: Korn Ferry, RED Global, LRB Group, Indeed, Microsoft, Yourco, HireVue, & More

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.

Ghosting, Grinding, and Getting Screwed: Job Search in 2026

Strap in, HR tech fans, because it’s time for a reality check on the 2024 job market. On this episode of The Chad & Cheese Podcast, we’re tearing down a landscape that isn't just "shifting"—it’s being dismantled and rebuilt by AI and corporate "cost-cutting." Joined by industry heavy-hitters Jillian O’Malior and JT O’Donnell, we dive into the brutal reality of the "ghosting" epidemic, where qualified candidates are trapped in months-long interview loops that lead to nowhere. We explore why your old-school connections aren't enough anymore and why building a visible personal brand is the only way to stay relevant. From the "executive squeeze"—where high-level roles are being swapped for lower titles with double the workload—to the rise of the augmented workforce, we’re delivering the snark and the strategies you need to survive. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction to Jillian O'Malior and her expertise 01:00 - Jillian's background in employer branding and talent marketing 02:20 - The realities of job searching in 2024: experiences and frustrations 05:12 - The long, arduous process of applying and interviewing 08:51 - The impact of economic restructuring and AI on hiring 10:46 - Changing hiring practices: from who you know to who knows you 12:11 - Wage suppression and the role of AI in job market dynamics 14:08 - The unrealistic expectations of AI making everyone a unicorn 15:05 - The pitfalls of lazy apply and AI-driven applications 18:11 - The significance of instant rejection and applicant experience 22:38 - The importance of transparency and candidate communication 27:25 - The emotional toll of unemployment and job search desperation 30:49 - Addressing the stigma and shame around layoffs 33:26 - The role of social media in job search and personal branding 37:54 - The holistic approach: showing your true self online 40:15 - Building a personal brand through honesty and content creation 45:17 - The importance of authenticity and transparency in professional branding 45:58 - Final thoughts and connecting with Jillian O'Malior

Will ICIMS AI Coalesce?

This week on The Chad & Cheese Podcast, the gang proves once again that you can’t separate HR from the real world—especially when the real world feels like it’s on fire. What starts as travel talk quickly spirals into global tension, disrupted plans, and a larger conversation about leadership in moments of chaos. Let’s just say when flights get rerouted and headlines get louder, it’s hard not to wonder how instability at the top trickles down to the rest of us. The trio doesn’t pretend to have foreign policy solutions—but they do have opinions. Lots of them. Of course, it wouldn’t be Chad & Cheese without a few sharp left turns. A certain fast-food giant’s awkward attempt at relatability gets the roast treatment, sparking a conversation about authenticity in the age of executive social media. That dovetails nicely into a broader debate about AI-generated marketing campaigns—especially when “people companies” experiment with removing actual people from the picture. Bold move? Lazy shortcut? Marketing genius? The gang weighs in. On the industry side, several heavy hitters are making moves. One longtime ATS player is rolling out a fresh brand and a shiny AI layer meant to unify its platform—raising questions about whether this is a true product evolution or a well-timed narrative shift. Another HR tech roll-up with a portfolio of recognizable recruiting brands has a new CEO at the helm, bringing big AI and SaaS credentials to what some see as a complex integration puzzle. Meanwhile, a job board giant finally makes a major technical leadership hire after years of operating without one—prompting debate about product vision, innovation debt, and what it really takes to modernize at scale. Add in contrasting approaches to AI-driven workforce strategy from major financial and retail employers, a glimmer of revenue optimism from a familiar job platform, a dad joke that absolutely no one asked for, and the usual sponsor shoutouts—and you’ve got classic Chad & Cheese: equal parts insight, irreverence, and “did they really just say that?” Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Current Events 02:57 - Impact of War on Travel and Daily Life 05:59 - Fast Food and Cultural Reflections 08:48 - Advertising Trends and AI in Marketing 11:59 - Privacy Concerns and Societal Reflections 14:57 - Shoutouts and Personal Reflections 16:28 - Introduction to Traders and Travel Plans 18:32 - Industry Changes and iSIMS' New Brand Identity 28:41 - The Importance of Execution in Branding 32:05 - Leadership Changes at Employee and Future Prospects 36:58 - The Future of ATS and Customer Retention 39:41 - Challenges Facing Legacy ATS Providers 44:52 - Leadership Changes at Indeed 47:18 - AI's Impact on Employment 55:43 - ZipRecruiter's Recent Growth and Strategy

Shredded: Elly, DHI Group, Block, iCIMS, Consello, The Mentor Hub, HireBound, & More

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.