HR Collection Playlist

Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Joe Shaker dropped recruitment truth bombs with a side of optimism. Want to know the secret to winning the talent war? Or how MarTech is set to shake up hiring in 2025? Joe’s insights might just save your branding strategy—and your sanity.

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self-described "recovering HR director," Lucy has firsthand experience of what holds HR back—and how to break free from outdated thinking.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.

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.

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

"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."

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.

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.

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

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.

Broadcasting live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Tim Sackett—dropped some truth bombs with Joel Cheesman about the cringe-worthy mistakes corporations make in their talent acquisition hustle. Oh, and guess what? Sackett's cooking up another book, creatively titled Talent Fix Volume 2—because one wasn’t enough. Expect fresh content, hot takes, and, presumably, a few digs at HR's favorite buzzwords. Sackett didn't hold back on the AI hype train, either. Turns out, he's underwhelmed by the industry's cutting-edge "meh" when it comes to applying AI in TA. Meanwhile, corporate America is flailing with performance management as everyone adjusts to the post-pandemic reality of low unemployment. Spoiler: leaders are still allergic to honest performance conversations. Fast forward to 2025, and Sackett has a bold prediction: recruiters won't just recruit anymore—they'll transform into talent advisors, focusing on team dynamics and playing corporate therapist. Vendors, take note: Sackett thinks it's your job to coach TA leaders through this glow-up. No pressure.

For years, a candidate experience that delivers truly personalized feedback at scale has been an unattainable dream for talent acquisition teams. Candidates have always wanted tailored feedback, advice, and the opportunity to ask questions, but the sheer volume of applications has made this impossible So, is AI now revolutionizing the candidate experience and finally making mass personalization a reality? What does it take to create an ethical, transparent system that provides candidates with two-way interactions and personalized feedback, all while improving efficiency and reducing workload for TA teams? My guest this week is Sam Dhesi, CEO of Popp AI. Despite only being 18 months old, Popp AI is already partnering with FTSE 100 companies and global staffing organizations. In our conversation, Sam shares real-world results on how AI enables conversational assessment, provides personalized candidate feedback, drives engagement, and vastly improves hiring efficiency. In the interview, we discuss: How AI is changing the way employers interact with assess candidates Building in an ethically and responsible way The importance of human oversight and explainability Delivering constructive personalized feedback at scale Facilitating mass candidate engagement Using assessment via conversational AI as a replacement for the resume Which employers are doing all of this well, and what tangible results have they achieved What does the future look like? Where will hiring be in five years time? Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

Welcome to the Chat and Cheese Podcast's holiday extravaganza, where HR gossip meets holiday cheer — and no one is safe. It’s like your company holiday party, but with more alcohol and fewer awkward dance moves (maybe). Holiday Coal Recipients: The Master of Deception The Corporate Grinch The Kings of "Almost There" Holiday Heroes: The Billion-Dollar Badass The Pop Powerhouse The Viral Appetizer Wizard Final Thought: Whether you’re running from accountability or running the world, Chad & Joel see you. In a year filled with corporate antics, unlikely successes, and viral cheese pulls, they’ve made their holiday list — and checked it twice. Chapters 00:00 - Holiday Cheer and Festivities 03:08 - Family Traditions and Celebrations 06:03 - Life in Portugal vs. the U.S. 08:58 - Fantasy Football Playoffs 12:00 - Naughty and Nice Lists 15:02 - Spotlight on Successful Entrepreneurs 16:51 - Taylor Swift: A Business Phenomenon 21:42 - The Impact of AI in Recruitment 28:34 - The Rise of the Influencer Economy 32:28 - Naughty and Nice: Corporate Accountability 40:02 - Closing Thoughts and Humor

The rapid evolution of AI is reshaping talent acquisition, but many TA teams are struggling to keep pace. While AI offers the potential to revolutionize processes, reduce friction, and improve candidate experiences, adoption rates remain low. At the same time, businesses are under pressure to boost productivity and efficiency, leaving TA teams vulnerable to being left behind—or worse, having changes imposed on them without their input. So, how can talent acquisition leaders embrace AI and use it to align themselves with broader corporate objectives? My guest this week is Adam Godson, CEO of Paradox, a pioneer in conversational AI for talent acquisition. Adam shares valuable insights from working with industry leaders like McDonald’s and Chipotle, exploring how AI is transforming recruitment at scale. He discusses how TA leaders can harness AI to future-proof their organizations, deliver tangible ROI, and create hiring systems that prioritize speed, efficiency, and better candidate experiences. In the interview, we discuss: Developments over the last 12 months What are employers who use conversational AI for hiring achieving? How McDonalds reduce time to hire from 21 days to 3 days How AI is massively improving the candidate experience The use of AI in high-volume hiring gives us a glimpse into the future. AI adoption is being driven by its impact on the bottom line. The importance of good system and experience design What will TA teams of the future look like? The challenge of challenging recruiting norms The opportunity for TA Leaders What is going to happen in 2025 Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

Live from the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Chad & Cheese corner Audra Knight, the employer branding wizard at Foundation Medicine, to spill the tea on how companies can stop being boring and actually build a brand people care about. Audra preaches the gospel of internal communications, because apparently, it’s not enough to just have a logo and a “We’re Hiring!” post on LinkedIn. She dishes on the art of getting your employees to share their stories without bribing them (much), making your company seem like a place where people want to work—not just survive. Audra also marvels at the endless buffet of fancy branding tools out there, hinting that maybe picking the right ones is better than throwing spaghetti at the wall. Her secret sauce? Tailoring messages to different roles like a personal shopper for job seekers. Oh, and she’s not here for performative diversity—she’s all about the real deal. Because in employer branding, authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s the only thing standing between you and a talent drought.

In this episode of The Chad and Cheese podcast, Noelle London, founder and CEO of Illoominus, discusses her AI-powered people intelligence platform designed to integrate and analyze HR data. She shares insights on the challenges of dirty data, the importance of strategic partnerships, and the competitive landscape in HR technology. The conversation also covers funding strategies, the role of Techstars, and how Illoominus aims to provide actionable insights for HR leaders to make informed decisions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Illoominus and Noelle London 03:36 Pitching Illuminus: The AI-Powered People Intelligence Platform 08:10 Funding and Growth: Navigating the Financial Landscape 12:35 Understanding the HR Tech Landscape and Leadership 14:31 Data Integration: The Key to Effective HR Solutions 17:02 Competition in the HR Tech Space 20:43 Sales and Marketing Strategies for Growth 24:11 Defining Quality of Hire: A Complex Challenge 26:30 Direct Sales vs. Partnerships: Future Strategies 28:59 Identifying Threats and Opportunities in the Market 31:32 Facing the Firing Squad: Final Thoughts and Insights

The adoption of AI in talent acquisition continues to accelerate, promising efficiencies and new possibilities for hiring. However, as AI tools become central to recruiting processes, they bring significant challenges, particularly around bias, compliance, and trust. Without clear oversight, these systems risk entrenching inequalities rather than addressing them. So, how can talent acquisition leaders ensure that AI supports fairer hiring while safeguarding compliance and trust? And what role does auditing play in this critical process? My guest this week is Jeff Pole, Co-founder and CEO of Warden AI, a company specializing in AI auditing for HR and TA Technologies. In our conversation, Jeff shares his insights on the importance of auditing AI systems, the emerging regulatory landscape, and how talent acquisition leaders can better understand and navigate the risks and opportunities of AI-powered hiring. In the interview, we discuss: Is the current pace of innovation in AI set to continue? What are the main risks? Regulation, Legislation, and Ethics Is there a difference between AI influencing a hiring decision and AI making a hiring decision? How AI can be less biased and fairer than humans Holding machines to a higher standard than humans Shining a light on the AI systems used in recruiting and TA technology Continuous testing and monitoring How widespread is the issue, and how much AI bias has actually been found? What should TA leaders be considering when assessing AI solutions What does the future look like? How will AI change talent acquisition in the long term? Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

In this episode of the Chad and Cheese Podcast, hosts Joel and Chad discuss a variety of topics ranging from personal anecdotes about pets and sleep deprivation to the unsettling news about drones in New Jersey. They delve into the implications of workplace stress and corporate responses, highlighting a controversial case of a company firing employees due to stress. The conversation shifts to the role of AI in recruitment and marketing, followed by a light-hearted update on their fantasy football league. Finally, they explore the impact of AI in education, particularly through the Khanmigo platform, which aims to assist teachers and personalize learning for students. In this conversation, the hosts explore various themes including the historical perspectives on controversial figures, the impact of AI on job markets, the challenges of hiring practices, the future of nuclear energy, and the uncertain future of TikTok in America. They discuss how AI is reshaping narratives and job searches, the importance of soft skills in hiring, and the potential of nuclear energy to meet rising energy demands. The conversation also touches on the political and economic implications surrounding TikTok's future in the U.S. Chapters 00:00 - Introduction and Personal Anecdotes 03:07 - Drones and Warfare: A New Era 06:01 - Workplace Stress and Corporate Responses 09:04 - AI in Recruitment and Marketing 12:03 - Fantasy Football Update 14:47 - AI in Education: Khanmigo's Impact 20:49 - Historical Perspectives on Controversial Figures 22:00 - AI and Historical Narratives 22:42 - Job Market Innovations and Challenges 27:46 - Evaluating Soft Skills in Hiring 33:58 - The Future of Nuclear Energy 41:04 - The Uncertain Future of TikTok in America

AI has profoundly impacted talent acquisition in 2024, but its influence has been far from uniform. In some areas, little has changed, while in others—such as high-volume hiring—there has been nothing short of a revolution. Automation has dramatically accelerated recruiting processes, improving the candidate and hiring manager experience in ways previously unimaginable. These advancements are signals of what's to come, with sweeping changes across talent acquisition potentially just months away. With technology increasingly automating processes, the role of recruiters is evolving, raising urgent questions about what TA teams must do to stay relevant and strategic. Those who fail to adapt risk being left behind as automation reshapes our industry. So, how can TA leaders and recruiters navigate this transformation, address challenges like bias, and embrace the opportunities AI presents to redefine their roles? My guest this week is John Vlastelica, CEO of Recruiting Toolbox and a trusted advisor to some of the world's most innovative companies. John shares his insights on the key shifts happening in recruiting, the evolving role of recruiters, and how leaders can future-proof their teams in an AI-driven world. In the interview, we discuss: How AI is impacting recruiting right now How does it change the jobs we recruit for? Unchecked human bias in traditional recruiting process Automation in high-volume and front-line hiring Segmentation of roles between automated and high-touch recruiting processes Inefficiency by design From talent acquisition to talent advisor, breaking the silos in HR Insights, Influence, and Impact Candidate "cheating" TA Tech vendors selling directly to the C-Suite The importance of having a plan to rationalize TA What is going to happen in 2025? Follow this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Follow this podcast on Spotify.

From the Shaker Green Room at RecFest USA, Julie Sowash, executive director of Disability Solutions, survived Chad & Cheese’s snarkapalooza to talk AI ethics, data transparency, and why hiring underrepresented talent is more than a checkbox exercise. She preached the gospel of blending tech with human connection (shocking, we know) and reminded companies that “diversity commitment” isn’t code for “nice press release.” Julie also spilled on how 2024’s economic rollercoaster crushed some dreams but made strategic DEI even more essential. Oh, and she managed to keep things heartfelt, even shouting out her co-host/husband, Chad — proving love can survive even that much sarcasm.

Welcome back to HR's Most Dangerous Podcast, where Chad and Joel serve up spicy takes and recruiting truths hotter than a Nashville summer. This week, they wrangle Courtney Dempsey, the tech-savvy maestro behind Southern Rock Restaurants’ hiring empire. With 160 restaurants and a hiring strategy sharper than a deli slicer, Courtney spills the secret sauce: targeting job seekers while the rest of us are dreaming about tacos at 3 AM. Hear how she uses LLMs like they’re her personal AI attack dogs, outsmarts bigger competitors with zero chill, and recruits AARP members because, frankly, Gen Z already got their fill of side hustles. If you’re not advertising your dishwashing gigs like prime-time Super Bowl spots, you’re doing it wrong. So, grab your headphones and brace yourself. By the end, you’ll either want to revolutionize your hiring strategy or question all your life choices... possibly both. And remember, in this game, speed kills. But in HR? It also hires. Warning: Side effects of listening include spontaneous outbursts of laughter, strategic epiphanies, and reconsidering your entire recruitment budget. Proceed with caution.