The Chad & Cheese Podcast Evergreen Podcasts

Think the time you've put in at your current employer is impressive? Well, let us introduce you to Matt Lavery, Global Director of Sourcing, Hiring and Onboarding at UPS ... since 1997. That's right, while you were listening to Radiohead's OK Computer, Matt was cutting his teeth in the competitive business of global package delivery. Needless to say, he's seen a lot, and he's droppin' all kinds of knowledge bombs on listeners of all ages on this episode. From changes in tech to the ebbs and flows of labor unions to what it's like hiring for 200 countries and territories, this has it all. Shoot, we even throw in some healthy banter on the upcoming NFL season and why Chicago Bears fans should be as optimistic as they were in 1985. Da Bears, indeed.

In this episode, Chad and Lieven dive into the world of tech startups, recruitment platforms, and AI in the workplace, while Joel is busy perfecting his tan in Vietnam. Lieven plays tech guru as he explains the mind-numbingly simple three steps of Carve's AI platform and contemplates shoehorning it into their already cluttered software. Chad and Lieven then take a joyride through the chaos that is Indeed's expansion into the staffing industry, lamenting how it's going to screw over staffing companies. They toy with the naive idea of staffing companies uniting to create their own job platform, as if herding cats wasn't hard enough. The conversation wraps up with a desperate plea for the staffing industry to wake up and deal with the mess that Indeed is making.

In this episode, Chad and guest host Maureen (Mo) Clough dive into the murky waters of AI scandals and industry dynamics, starting with Joonko’s founder facing SEC charges for defrauding investors, highlighting the persistent problem of AI washing. We question ZipRecruiter’s claim of being a “great place to work” amid listener skepticism about their treatment of employees. Mistral AI’s significant funding round signals continued enthusiasm for AI technologies, while McKinsey’s research reveals accelerating adoption and notable benefits of generative AI. We also tackle ageism in tech, discuss AI's transformative potential in hiring and content creation, explore the controversy over age restrictions in restaurants, and scrutinize the issue of excessive CEO compensation, proposing that executive pay be tied to the wages of their lowest-paid workers. Join us as we unpack these hot topics with a blend of insight and snark.

To say the ATS business is a challenging one these days would be an understatement. Between mergers and acquisitions, slumbering IPO ambitions and figuring out the whole AI Revolution, staying ahead of the game is complex. That's why we invited SmartRecruiters interim CEO and CPO Rebecca Carr to the show. She's an industry veteran with a good story to tell and as an industry product person to the bone, she can add nuance to the landscape. Covering everything from the hibernating IPO speculation to the botched acquisition with iCIMS to her time with - wait for it - Branchout, a high flying player from over a decade ago, who flamed out and die at the hand of Facebook before it really caught fire. It'a a walk down Memory Land, and a glimpse into the future that's a must-listen.

The world of venture capital is a mystery to most. Who gets funded and why? What's the math around valuations? And why is there so much "betting on the jockey"? So many questions with so few answers. That's why we invited Jason Corsello, founder and general partner at Acadian Ventures, on the podcast. He'll help us better understand the unicorn parade from a few years back, which resulted in a VC winter, which has led to the gradual thawing of capital into the world of work. What kind of companies are getting his attention, and wallet share, and what advice does he give to startups looking to raise that first seed round of capital. The veils are being lifted and the crystal balls are coming out on this one. Enjoy.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Background
03:14 The Unicorn Parade and VC Winter
07:16 Opportunities for Seed Investors
10:23 The Thaw and the Future of Venture Capital
16:23 Investment Themes: AI, Compliance, and Global Workforce
22:36 Advantages and Disadvantages of Incumbents in Leveraging Data
23:53 Challenges of Integrating HR Tech Systems
26:15 Evaluating Startup Pitches and the Importance of Referrals
29:55 Evaluating European Startups vs. US Startups
33:49 The Potential for Disruption in the ATS Market
35:23 Best Bets, Worst Mistakes, and Missed Opportunities in Venture Capital

Get ready for another wild ride with the Chad & Cheese Podcast! Joel Cheesman and Chad Sowash kick things off by gushing over Ronaldo and reminiscing about D-Day, because why not mix soccer and history? Shoutouts abound, from Dennis "Tepperdamis" Tupper's eerie predictions to Sweet Green's robot salad makers. 
Next up, they dive into Ashby's latest funding round, wondering if this ATS can stay the "hot chick" in a fickle market. Seek pulls out of Latin America, and Chad has some colorful memories of OCC Mexico. The guys then shred Rubio's Coastal Grill for blaming California's $20 minimum wage for their bankruptcy and eviscerating Walmart's "generous" employee bonuses.
Flight attendants are fed up, and Chad channels his inner union boss, while Joel fears the future of paid service for basic flight amenities. Finally, in the most important segment of all, an Edmonton Oilers fan's flashing antics spark a debate on the year of the boobs. Because, really, what's a podcast without some hockey Hooters? Tune in for laughs, rants, and the inevitable dad joke to cap it all off.

Chapters with Timestamps
00:00 - Opening Banter
02:21 - D-Day
05:53 - Tupper Indeed Prediction
08:10 - Recfest, Singapore, & Guest Hosts
15:01 - Ashby more like Cashby
22:53 - Seek Pulls Out
28:48 - Walmart & American Airlines BS
42:24 - Hockey Hooters