Ever wonder why it's so easy to raise venture capital in Silicon Valley without having an actual product? Trust us, we ponder the same thing! Join us in this spirited episode of the Corporate Pizza Party podcast where we kick things off with tales from the Valley, questioning the quirky world of startup funding and debating whether a slice of pizza beats a traditional bonus any day. Mike finally overcame his YouTube procrastination, and let's not forget our endless amusement over Farrah's velcro hair accessory. Plus, get the lowdown on LinkedIn influencer *redacted*, whose antics never fail to spark a chuckle or two.

Tired of the same-old, same-old job search content? We are too!  We even toy with the  idea of launching a millennial burger restaurant as a viral video experiment. Along the way, we confront the ethics of data scraping on LinkedIn and muse about Microsoft's motivations for controlling it all. So grab a slice and settle in for a fun and insightful blend of corporate shenanigans and personal escapades.

The Party is back!  Join us as we pull back the curtain on the world of recruitment. Discover the quirks of applicant tracking systems, the cultural intricacies of hiring practices, and why your resume might have been tossed aside (it's not always what you think!). Farrah shares her eye-opening experiences navigating the recruitment process, while we discuss the tough realities recruiters face daily, from overwhelming applications to shifting directives. We also shed light on the cultural contrasts between U.S. and Chinese hiring norms, tackling topics like gender bias and the often misunderstood role of recruiters.

Finally, we dive into a whirlwind of controversy as we dissect a viral LinkedIn post by a business storytelling expert. This post, with its eyebrow-raising analogy, sparked heated discussions about professionalism and sexism on social media. Listen as we unravel its marketing implications, the public's mixed reactions, and the broader cultural influences at play. Through personal anecdotes and online debates, we reflect on the responsibilities of men in addressing inappropriate behavior and the unpredictable impact of social media on workplace culture. Don't miss this engaging episode packed with insights, humor, and thought-provoking discussions.

Things get controversial (somehow) and heated this week  as we dig into the bizarre LinkedIn saga of how far a recruiter (because of course they are a recruiter) will go to  defend Elon Musk. 

We tackle the thorny issues of hate speech and content moderation, pondering why extreme views are so prevalent on professional platforms.

And while the episode challenges listeners to consider the broader cultural and political environment that enables such behavior and speculates on what the future holds for online accountability, we also spend 5 minutes talking about Gen Alpha and Saturday morning cartoons, so don't worry, we haven't become a serious podcast yet.

Remember that time when you woke up to find your TikTok account gone? Remember us recording a podcast episode where we pretended we knew what was going to happen with TikTok? Together, we navigate the turbulent waters of TikTok's uncertain legal status in the U.S., blending humor and personal anecdotes to reflect on how this ever-evolving landscape shapes us.

Our episode isn't just about personal tales—it's about redefining career paths through TikTok. We discuss the rollercoaster of career changes and unexpected triumphs, featuring stories of leaving stable jobs, facing failures, and ultimately finding success and community on the platform. From amusing interview anecdotes to the global cultural nuances of job hunting, these narratives underscore TikTok's role in opening doors and reshaping professional journeys. The power of authenticity and community building shines through, reminding us of the platform's potential as a career catalyst.

And, of course, we can't ignore TikTok's transformative impact on workplace dynamics and personal branding. The platform has become a launchpad for careers, challenging traditional corporate norms and fostering a new kind of corporate accountability. We examine how it empowers individuals to voice concerns and achieve professional growth through authentic content creation. As we traverse the complex intersection of personal branding and career development, we highlight both the opportunities and pitfalls of harnessing social media for professional advancement. Join us for a thought-provoking exploration of how TikTok continues to reshape our views and opportunities in the modern world.

Remember the time you tried to juggle making the perfect pizza while sticking to those New Year's resolutions? Well, that's the vibe of our latest Corporate Pizza Party episode! We navigate the chaos of resolutions, with Dan teasing us about his secret self-improvement plans and Farrah reminding us of the beauty in life's unpredictability. Meanwhile, Mike is on a mission to conquer YouTube, but not without planning a much-needed family vacation first. We tackle the digital age's pressures, inspired by a hilarious TikTok, and explore the art of balancing online personas across multiple platforms without losing our sanity.

As the conversation twists and turns, we find ourselves unraveling the intricacies of online etiquette with a laugh at absurd insults and personal tales that blend the mythical with the mundane. The episode wraps up with  critique of society's workaholic tendencies and the peculiar world of LinkedIn pods, all while sharing stories of unexpected snowstorms, symbolizing life's unpredictable adventures. Join us for an episode that promises humor, insight, and a sprinkle of whimsical storytelling—all served up with a slice of pizza!

We're kicking off 2025 with a bang on Corporate Pizza Party!  This episode promises to entertain as we navigate the exciting predictions for AI's role in  the evolving corporate landscape. Farrah shares her delightful experience at a Japanese-Mexican bakery, sparking a fun conversation about culinary fusions that might surprise you. Meanwhile, Mike reflects on the quirks of holiday cards and the challenges of managing kids' long winter breaks.

Listen in as we make our 2025 corporate predictions and explore the shifting job market, emphasizing the importance of upskilling for IT professionals and the increasing specialization in marketing roles. We'll discuss the growing significance of areas like cybersecurity, social media, and SEO, highlighting the need to develop expertise in these fields. 

Matt Parker, a LinkedIn top voice and talent acquisition leader, graces our latest episode of the Corporate Pizza Party Podcast with his seasoned insights into the world of executive search and recruitment. With a track record of scaling companies Matt shares the trials and triumphs of navigating the complex corporate landscape. Plus Mike wanted to get him on the show in person to mention how he makes the best job search video content! 

As the conversation unfolds, we tackle the transition from content creation to recruitment, unpacking the unique challenges faced by modern recruiters. From the pitfalls of AI-generated generic resumes to the nuances of LinkedIn storytelling, we delve into the realities of the recruitment process. we try to demystify the role of AI in applicant tracking systems and address the often overwhelming surge of job applications. We highlight the importance of quality over quantity and stress the value of real-life recruitment experiences for job seekers.

To wrap up, we reflect on the complexities of career navigation, encouraging listeners to embrace self-reflection and strategic job search strategies. Whether hiring for technical or non-technical roles, we underscore the significance of understanding one's skills and aligning them with potential employers. By focusing on meaningful connections and adapting to a competitive market, we aim to equip job seekers with the tools needed to thrive. Plus we swear a lot as usual!

This is not a drill, The Corporate Pizza party is back with a new episode for our one-year anniversary! in true Corporate Pizza Party style, where planning is optional, but laughter is guaranteed. We're thrilled to welcome Jamie Jackson, the Chief Meme Officer behind Humorous Resources and Millennial Misery, as well as co-host of the HR Besties podcast, who brings her unique blend of humor and HR insights to the table.

Jamie shares her journey from creating memes to connect with fellow HR professionals during tough times to her role in a healthcare company. Together, we explore the ups and downs of corporate culture, embracing the chaos and joy of candid conversations, all while drawing parallels to the charming spontaneity of a Lady and the Tramp spaghetti moment.

The discussion eventually takes a professional turn as Jamie reflects on balancing her HR career with her meme-making endeavors, offering a humorous take on work-life balance. We also dive into the unpredictable nature of viral content, sharing personal anecdotes about work-from-home culture and the surprising influence our memes can have. Jamie's ability to create relatable content shines through as she discusses the evolving success of her projects and her passion for connecting with audiences.

As the conversation unfolds, we tackle serious issues within the healthcare industry, sparked by reactions the killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the systemic challenges faced by many. We highlight the financial burdens and inefficiencies of the American healthcare system, contrasting it with more accessible options in countries like Costa Rica. The widening gap between executive and employee salaries also comes under scrutiny, alongside the societal norms that push individuals towards side hustles. Throughout, we emphasize the importance of humor and advocacy in addressing these pressing issues, urging listeners to join us in seeking a more equitable future.

*Dear listeners, due to some personal reasons in the Corporate Pizza Party family, we were unable to record our latest episode. Rather than leave you with no episode for a 2nd straight week we wanted to re-air our conversation with Amy Lentz of Hack your HR.  Amy's insight and outlook in this space is a refreshing change of pace in our industry, and with this being one of our most popular episodes we wanted any new listeners to have the chance to hear her thoughts. We hope to be back next week with a new episode!*

Are you feeling stifled by a toxic work environment? This week, we're breaking through the corporate smog with Amy Lentz, the social media icon behind Hack Your HR who brings her positive  perspective to our dark world of office politics.

Our conversation shifts from stories of personal growth to hard-hitting advice on handling the kind of supervisors who leave your ethics in jeopardy. With tips on advocating for yourself and a powerful script for confronting ethical challenges, this episode is your guide to transforming your workplace woes into a story of self-empowerment. Remember, your well-being isn't just a priority; it's your right.

 We also dive into the viral layoff videos and some of the pros and cons to putting yourself in the spotlight during a layoff.

In this episode we discuss:

Don't forget to follow, rate and review the pod!

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Follow Amy on Instagram and TikTok @HackYourHR

Follow Dan on TikTok @TheDanfromHR and Instagram @DanfromHR 

Follow Farah on TikTok and Instragram @Farahsharghi

Follow Mike on Tiktok and Instagram @Realisticrecruiting

Ever found yourself locked in an epic online battle with a persistent commenter? We've been there, and we're sharing the hilarity that ensued when one of us faced that exact scenario. Our latest episode of Corporate Pizza Party is a rollercoaster of lighthearted rivalry as we compare our content creator rankings. Dan's not quite the top dog in job search content but apparently neither are his friends. Meanwhile, Farrah embraces her role as the "chopped liver" of the group, adding to our friendly competition as we savor the camaraderie that comes with being together without the usual pressures.

Tired of lurking on social media without so much as a like or comment in return? We get it and so we have a candid chat about the ups and downs of content creation and audience engagement. With some humorous insights into social media dynamics, we share personal stories that include a surprising revelation about adoption, giving you a glimpse into how our backgrounds shape our perspectives. This episode is all about laughter, personal stories, and a heartfelt plea for more interaction from our listeners.

LinkedIn etiquette, HR frustrations, and the joy of instrumental hobbies also take center stage. We tackle misconceptions about HR roles and share stories about dealing with online negativity—the kind that persists even after hitting the block button. To lighten the mood, we take a trip down memory lane to our musical pasts, reminiscing about our instrumental escapades from piano keys to saxophone solos. As we approach our one-year anniversary, join us in celebrating the remarkable, sometimes ridiculous, ride that is corporate life and content creation.