Employee of the Month - TopPodcast.com

View Top 200 Chart

Back to Rankings Page

Employee of the Month — Society & Culture
Employee of the Month

We spend most of our time working, so what does it take to (mainly) love what you do? How do even the most gifted, talented, intelligent, ambitious, disciplined, imaginative, inventive, and lucky people develop their point of view, find meaning, serve a greater good, deal with work place politics, rejection, finances, boredom, red tape, logistics, and creative roadblocks? What are the perks or enjoyable about forging your own path? Catie Lazarus and her guests delve into beauty, banality and absurdity of work, jobs, and labor.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © Catie Lazarus

Latest Episodes:

SETH GODIN on Employee of the Month Mar 12, 2014

Show notes

In 1943, psychologist Abraham Maslow revolutionized developmental psychology when he came up with the notion, Hierarchy of Needs. It was a simple theory, but not simplistic. Maslow broke down how humans must first fulfill basic physiological needs, like hunger, before progressing towards safety, and eventually self-actualization.

Seth Godin shares Maslow's gift for breaking down human psychology, only his focus is on business. Godin is an entrepreneur, speaker, and author whose best selling books include Linchpins, Tribes, and Permission Marketing. I am paraphrasing, but Godin encourages people to:

- Figure out if you're a freelance or an entrepreneur - Make things that matter- Make those things (and services) truly remarkable- Find your tribe- Share your product in ways that are relevant and honest. - Go make something happen

His writing manages to simultaneously captivate successful entrepreneurs and aspiring ones, but doesn't offer proscriptive advice, like 10 Easy Steps to Make Gazillions.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nellie McKay on Employee of the Month Feb 22, 2014

Show notes

One of Nellie McKay's many gifts is that her subtle, smart writing is on par with her supple range as a singer and a musician. The result is that she can go high and low, be it in what she sings and how she does so. Just out of school, McKay quickly earned a cult following with her 1st album Get Away From Me. Since then, she dropped four more delightful albums in the span of just six years. She also appeared on Broadway in Three Penny Opera and wrote scores for film and television. McKay has also used her fame to raise awareness about her pet causes, such as animal rights. Her political passion is as fierce as her talent, and it's why she delivers so much good, on stage and off.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

DARYL ROTH, Tony award winning producer shares how Kinky Boots made money and why it's important to give Feb 22, 2014

Show notes

After a stint in interior decorating, Daryl Roth decided to change her career and, in doing so, changed theater. Roth became a theater producer when she was 40 years young and quickly became known as a tour-de-force in the theater world.

What sets Roth apart is an unusual gift for picking original, riveting and meaningful productions that are ultimately accessible to audiences of all shapes, colors and sizes. As a producer, she does everything from securing financing to reading scripts, casting, and adapting plays to film and vice versa. Her bread and butter are smart, thoughtful and imaginative stories, typically about identity and the frailty of human relationships, like, amongst others, The Normal Heart, Wit, Kinky Boots, Proof, Our Lady of 121st Street, War Horse, August: Osage County, Anna in the Tropics, and Clyborne Park.

Producing is a family affair. Her son Jordan Roth is a stellar producer in his own right.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

JAD ABUMRAD breaks down how Radiolab is edited and what a Macarthur Genius Grant is worth Feb 19, 2014

Show notes

A music composer, Jad Abumrad began freelancing in radio when film scoring wasn't scoring high on either the personal fulfillment or financial fronts. NY's flagship public radio station WNYC saw Jad's potential and enabled him to spend a couple years quietly building a radio show to pose philosophical questions about science and its practical applications (and impractical ones). Robert Krulwich came on as a co-host. NPR entered into a joint partnership. With the resources and time, these great minds could create a show that garnered duly deserved praise, like a Peabody Award and MacArthur Genius grant, and a rabid fan base. Today, RadioLab has over 1.8 Million Listeners. In the wonky, truly nerdy radio world, Jad is rockstar.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

LEWIS BLACK describes life on the road, groupies, and The Daily Show's humble beginnings Feb 10, 2014

Show notes

Only a playwright would think stand up is a stable career choice. In Lewis Black's case stand up is what pays the bills. Most folks recognize Lewis from The Daily Show's Back in Black segments. When The Daily Show began in 1996, they hired Lewis and he's been there since. The regular TV exposure put him on the map. And when the Hollywood called, he was more than ready. Since 2000, Black has recorded over 10 specials, written 3 best selling books and won two Grammy Awards. Oh, and he still writes plays. Somehow Lew has remained utterly down to earth, even as he become a duly deserved star.

Catie Lazarus hosts Employee of the Month, a talk show about dreamy jobs, well, it's really about the dream boats who have these jobs.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

HOMER STEINWEISS, drummer for Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings, shares the unglamorous sides of touring and the importance of hobbies Feb 07, 2014

Show notes

The most famous drummers are known, at least to lay people, for their personas and off stage antics as much as their instrumentation, take Keith Moon, John Bonham or Animal (The Muppet). Whereas drummer Homer Steinweiss is best known for his technical precision and soulful beats. Whether in the studio with Mark Ronson or the late great Amy Winehouse or on stage with Sharon Jones and The Dap-Kings, Homer delivers old school funk and soul with a minimalist flair. He also produces, composes, and writes music.

We discuss what life on the road is really like; his uniquely artistic family; collaborating and negotiating various personalities; cover art; addiction; and what it actually means to be a music producer. He's also a remarkable chef and artist.

Homer's raw talent, vision, and soulful approach is emblematic of the very bands he plays with, like Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings and Charles Bradley & the Menahan Street Band. They are part of the Daptone Records family.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PIPER KERMAN, author of Orange is the New Black, offers tips for life in and out of jail Jan 31, 2014

Show notes

Piper Kerman's memoir Orange is the New Black inspired the Netflix series of the same name. Her best selling book chronicles her time doing time, and sheds light how the prison system fails to provide rehabilitation to inmates who can and want to do better. It's her first book and its popularity led her to a dream job, consulting on the critically acclaimed television series. She also speaks around the country on prison reform. www.piperkerman.com

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

JON RONSON on EMPLOYEE of the MONTH Jan 30, 2014

Show notes

In this episode, JON RONSON, author of The Psychopath Test, Frankie, and Men Who Stare at Goats, talks about the corrosive effects of diagnosing strangers. We spoke about how reality TV shows, filmmakers and journalists can often oversimplify their subjects and and almost fetishize extreme qualities.

Ronson reveals how much he worships celebrities and hangs out on George Clooney's fan sites. Our interview was taped live at UCB, so you'll hear Ronson reference Piper Kerman, who also received her Employee of the Month Award at this live taping.

Our conversation should give you a taste of what a thoughtful author he is and I encourage you to check out his work here: www.jonronson.com

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PUNK SINGER KATHLEEN HANNA on EMPLOYEE of the MONTH Jan 30, 2014

Show notes

KATHLEEN HANNA is a bad ass. As one of the very first women in the punk scene, Hanna led the way and inspired musicians, from Carrie Brownstein to Kurt Cobain. Proudly a feminist, Hanna quickly won a loyal fan base starting when she was the lead singer of Bikini Kill. Smart, fun, and a formidable presence, Hanna has reinvented herself through out her career and currently performs with The Julie Ruin.

Hanna is the subject of the documentary The Punk Singer, which is currently out in theaters. I hope that every school ensures kids watch the documentary Punk Singer as it reveals how the Riot Grrrl Movement greatly influenced Third Wave Feminism and for the first time in history (pun intended) gave a voice to the legal, psychological and social ramifications of sexual violence and sexual harassment. The film also reveals what it takes to be a rock star.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Daily Show's JR Havlan on Employee of the Month Jan 22, 2014

Show notes

Emmy winning writer for The Daily Show and host of the podcast The Writer's Bloc, JR HAVLAN reveals what it really takes to make a career as a comedy writer. You'll hear the real story of how The Daily Show switched hands from Kilborn to Stewart; what a warm-up comic stomachs; just how different it is to write for Bill Maher and Jon Stewart; how to survive pilot season; and the joy of taking your dog to work.

If you want to write for TV, this interview will make you funny! It won't, but it will offer insight. In addition to writing for the Emmy Awards, Bill Maher, and doing stand up, Havlan has written for The Daily Show for seventeen years. Today, TV writing is considered a viable, lucrative, and glamorous profession and there are college professors to failed writers to pet psychics offering tips and tricks on how to hone the craft. But most late night comedy writers found their own voice on stage before considering writing in someone else's.

Join Slate Plus to unlock full, ad-free access to Employee of the Month and the rest of your favorite Slate podcasts. Subscribe directly from the Employee of the Month show page on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Or visit slate.com/employeeplus to get access wherever you listen.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Related Podcasts