Know What You See with Brian Lowery

Latest Episodes:

Worked to Death Feb 24, 2023

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Whether it's the economic after effects of the pandemic, the disruption of work/life balance, or the increasing use of new technology - many of us are feeling the pressure of change at our jobs. In this episode, Brian talks with Brigid Schulte, director of the Better Life Lab at New America and host of the podcast, American Karoshi. We delve into her research into work stress, the impact on our health and well-being, and the challenge of combining work and care to build a more equitable future. For more about the show and Brian Lowery, visit knowwhatyousee.com.

Learning What’s Next Dec 14, 2022

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Today, it's still a fact that many employers require job applicants to have a traditional four year degree, and that finding work is often a combination of academic achievement, internships, and networking. But this isn’t the only formula for making a successful living. How can we change these mindsets to allow more workers to build satisfying careers and create a more diverse labor market?
There are always opportunities to grow and opportunities to advance. Learning the necessary skills and finding the best place to apply them is the trick. In this episode, Brian Lowery talks first to Raquel Garnett, a healthcare worker looking to upgrade her skills and move into the tech industry. Then, Pathstream CEO Eleanor Cooper discusses how the company's platform helps employers identify and nurture talent from within their own organizations.

For more on Brian visit knowwhatyousee.com.

Work on the Move Nov 25, 2022

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This week on Know What You See, we explore the growing category of remote workers known as “digital nomads”, people who not only work remote, they work from constantly changing locations. With more people transitioning from their jobs, reconsidering their work life balances and leaving urban areas, digital nomads working in the knowledge sector are searching for more freedom and flexibility. On this episode, Brian speaks with Margaret Lilani of Upwork, a platform for talent acquisition, and Trendel Lightburn who has been working remotely while moving from city to city.

For more about Brian Lowery go to knowwhatyousee.com

The Great (re-)Balance Oct 31, 2022

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The height of the pandemic lockdown caused widespread job losses, followed by a rise in the number of people quitting work, a sharp uptick the likes of which we haven’t seen in decades. On this episode, Brian Lowery talks to Rakesh Kochhar and Julianna Horowitz of the Pew Research Center who conducted a study of what's been called The Great Resignation. Then, we hear from Julia Pollack, Chief Economist at Zip Recruiter who discusses another work trend that's making headlines. Is "quiet quitting" a bad idea for your career or just another way to address work/life balance? For more on Brian and his work, go to knowwhatyousee.com.

Bonus: Finding your self Oct 14, 2022

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This week, a special bonus episode from Know What You See: What is the self? What are we talking about when we say we know ourselves? Scientists believe the brain defines who we are, but Brian Lowery suggests that the self goes beyond our physical being, rooted in our relationships and interactions with other people.

Brian Lowery is The Walter Kenneth Kilpatrick Professor of Organizational Behavior and senior associate dean for academic affairs at the Graduate School of Business.

This talk was recorded at Stanford Reunion 2021.

Minding the Generation Gap Sep 16, 2022

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In recent years, our idea of traditional office culture has been turned on its head by the pandemic, the rise of remote work, the explosion of the gig economy, real estate fluctuations and much more. Today's offices are a mix of work locations, communication styles and types of employment. Employees are at different stages of their lives and careers, and that diversity amplifies the complexity of our workforce. To delve into today's multi-generational office culture and how managers and employees are navigating it, host Brian Lowery speaks with former HR director Edwin Ochoa, who supported a multi-generational staff during a company merger as well as the pandemic and the switch to remote work. We also meet Craig Hughes, a political consultant managing the different expectations and approaches of older candidates and younger campaign workers. And we'll hear from Amy Chyan, a producer on this show who's been working out how to shift from having a boss earlier in her career, to being her own boss in this new age of work. For more on Brian and the show, visit knowwhatyousee.com.

When The Side Hustle Becomes THE Hustle Aug 20, 2022

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In recent years, we’ve seen an explosion in the number of workers supplementing or replacing traditional 9 to 5 jobs with gig work of some kind. People like Joel Lantigua, whose gig work as a courier helps him maintain a certain work/life balance, and the flexibility to pursue other interests. But as more people flock to these types of jobs, what are the implications for workers and the economy? In this episode, Brian Lowery talks with Justin Wolfers, professor of public policy and economics at the University of Michigan, about the future of task-based work. For more about Brian, go to knowwhatyousee.com.

How Do We Make "Work from Home" Work? Jul 28, 2022

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The pandemic caused many companies to shut down and go remote, which affected many small businesses who cater to corporate office workers. On this episode, we'll hear from Kelly Fitzpatrick, owner of Blue Park Kitchen, whose main clientele practically disappeared in the shift to working from home. Then we’ll talk to Stanford professor Nick Bloom to get a bigger picture of the economic issues surrounding remote work from, from questions about commuting or real estate, to challenges around equity and productivity. For more about host Brian Lowery, go to knowwhatyousee.com.

Rediscovering Worker Power Jul 07, 2022

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From teachers to baristas, warehouse workers to nurses, the media has been filled with stories of strikes, walkouts and union votes. The National Labor Relations Board says that petitions for union representation are up more than 50 per cent from this time last year. What's behind this surge in labor organizing? On this episode, Brian talks to Rebecca Givan, Associate Professor in the School of Management and Labor at Rutgers University. They discuss the relationships between workers and management, how the pandemic exposed the inequities of the labor system, and how a new generation of employees is using technology to advocate for their rights. Then, Brian revisits his conversation with Mary Kay Henry, International President of the 2 million-member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), and Roy Bahat, head of Bloomberg Beta, a venture firm investing in the future of work. For more about Brian Lowery, visit knowwhatyousee.com

Unrest at Work Jun 14, 2022

Show notes

Today, some workers are asking their companies for more than safe working conditions and fair pay—they are pushing for values-based behavior and decision-making. Employees are making their voices heard on issues like companies’ customers, hiring practices, and content creation. What role should employees play in such decisions? What staff input will companies need to allow to attract the best talent? On this episode, Brian talks with Terra Field, a systems engineer who co-organized the Netflix employee walkout over Dave Chappelle’s comedy special, The Closer. We'll hear about what led to the decision to take a stand against the streamer's release of that program, and why, ultimately, Field chose to leave the company.

For more about Brian and the show, go to knowwhatyousee.com.

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