Inside Job

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

Could DOGE Fix Corporate America? Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

When the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced its mission to tackle $200 billion in federal waste, it got us thinking: what if companies had their own version of DOGE?

From 17-meeting days to empty offices collecting dust, we imagine what a corporate DOGE would tackle first. Could this government initiative inspire a revolution in how companies handle their own bureaucratic bloat?

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Connect with Alison Fragale

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

How To Be A Likeable Badass At Work Jan 15, 2025

Show notes

When high-achieving Meghana discovered her stellar work at Instagram wasn't enough to impress leadership, she learned a crucial lesson: success isn't just about what you do—it's about how you tell your story.

Together with psychologist and author Allison Fragale, we explore the delicate balance between being likeable and assertive at work. Are you undermining your own success by staying quiet about your achievements? And what's the secret to promoting yourself without coming across as arrogant?

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

The Lonely Office Greatest Hits of 2024 Jan 08, 2025

Show notes

When one job seeker's 145-application odyssey became Glassdoor's most viral post of 2024, it captured the year's challenging job market perfectly. From eight-month job searches to office toe-nail clippers, we're diving into the stories that defined workplace life this past year.

Join us for a candid look at 2024's biggest trends, most heated debates, and what they tell us about the future of work in 2025. Plus, our Gen Z researcher finally reveals himself to weigh in on the generational divide that's reshaping offices everywhere.

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

TikTok on Trial: When Government and Gen Z Collide Jan 01, 2025

Show notes

As Congress pushes to ban TikTok, a generational battle is brewing. For Harold, a disillusioned young professional who found solace in endless scrolling, the proposed ban wasn't just about losing an app—it was the last straw in a series of broken promises.

From surveillance concerns to freedom of speech, we explore why 150 million Americans are fighting to keep their favorite platform. Is this about protecting privacy, or are we missing the bigger picture about how younger generations consume information?

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

Office Parties Gone Wrong (And How to Survive Them) Dec 23, 2024

Show notes

Office holiday parties walk a delicate line between celebration and career sabotage. When Morgan abandoned her one-drink rule and mixed up the CEO's birthday with the VP's, she learned that some party memories follow you back to your desk on Monday.

From inappropriate revelations to ill-timed layoff announcements, we explore the dos and don'ts of navigating the annual workplace ritual. With 12% of employees admitting to romantic encounters and the average attendee consuming 4.1 drinks, are these celebrations worth the risk?

Side Hustles Are Redefining How We Work Dec 18, 2024

Show notes

In an era where everyone seems to be monetizing their passion, the line between day job and side hustle grows increasingly blurry. When Chelsea's vintage artifact business collided with her corporate role, she learned the hard way that not all companies embrace the hustle economy.

From MMA fighters turned TikTok food critics to corporate employees building startups in secret, we explore how to balance your dreams with your day job. Is the remote work revolution making it easier to pursue your passion, or just easier to get caught?

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

Why Great Companies Self-Destruct Dec 11, 2024

Show notes

How much do failing companies and countries have in common? In this episode of The Lonely Office, we follow Lianna, a young attorney watching her dream of partnership fade away as her firm’s leadership hoards profits and power.

Inspired by the Nobel Prize-winning book Why Nations Fail, we explore how the "extractive policies" that doom nations—concentrating wealth and power in the hands of a few—also plague companies. From Blockbuster's $50M Netflix blunder to today's imploding startups, we examine how resistance to change, decision-making concentrated in the hands of the CEO and close executives, and a lack of organizational justice—such as undeserved promotions—can collectively pave the way for spectacular collapses.

Are modern companies built to last, or are they simply extracting value on their way to inevitable failure?

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

Can Your Digital Footprints Haunt Your Job Search? Dec 04, 2024

Show notes

Your past doesn’t always stay in the past—especially online. In this episode of The Lonely Office, we dive into the surprising ways our digital footprints, from Roblox handles to controversial posts, can resurface in professional settings. Are employers justified in scrutinizing these digital traces during interviews, or has the line between personal history and professional qualifications blurred beyond reason?

Tune in as we explore stories of online embarrassments haunting job seekers, the ethics of digital privacy, and what it all means for your next promotion.

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

My Boss is Delegating Their Entire Job Nov 27, 2024

Show notes

Remember when delegation meant sharing the workload, not abandoning ship? When Zoe, the intern, found a critical company audit on her desk, with no boss in sight and only "Ask ChatGPT" as guidance, she knew something was wrong.

From absentee managers to entry-level employees running entire departments, we explore why modern delegation has gone off the rails. Is your boss actually leading or just delegating their job away?

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

Aaron Calafato

Leah Ova