Inside Job

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...

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 bal...

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—a...

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...

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 d...

Remember when getting a promotion was a good thing? This week, Ellie was offered a better title and salary, she did the unthinkable—she turned it down. And she’s not the only one. 30% of today’s workers quit within a month of promotion. From endless Zoom calls to "forced fun" events, we explore why more professionals are saying "No, thanks!" to moving up. Is the traditional career ladder broken, o...

This week, we start with the story of a Citigroup analyst, who unexpectedly found himself internet-famous, blending work and social media in ways he hadn’t foreseen. Join us as we dive into the world of low-key influencers—employees hiding behind cubicles by day and thriving online by night. How does this new professional reality affect our workplaces? And what happens when your side hustle become...

We all remember our first adulting moment. For some, it was their first paycheck; for others, it was moving to the big city. For Amani, it was getting kicked off the family phone plan. When does adulthood start? Do you have to stop chasing your dreams to pay the bills? This week, we discussed moving out, paying rent, and everything #Adulting. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbul...

On this episode of The Lonely Office, we dive into the latest economic insights with Glassdoor’s lead economist, Daniel Zhao, as he unpacks the complexities behind two major job market reports—the JOLTS report and the Employment Situation report. With factors like hurricane impacts and the Boeing strike shaping this month's data, we break down what these reports reveal about job openings, hiring r...

As the sparkling promise of a college education turned into the shadow of crushing student debt, many are signing up to be mechanics, technicians, and electricians—and desk workers are yearning to make the switch. Are the tides finally turning on the trades? Or is it a case of romanticizing the other, and wanting what you can’t have? This week, we talk the pros and cons of blue collar jobs, living...

In the sports world, contracts go far beyond the numbers. From deferred payments to ‘love of the game’ clauses, there’s a lot we can learn from athletes like Shohei Ohtani and Michael Jordan. Can you negotiate like the pros? And how much leverage do you really have? We’ve got answers, advice, and tips to help you get paid. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.thre...

In this episode of The Lonely Office, we dive into the world of startups and the hard truths behind venture capital. Peter Walker, Head of Insights at Carta, joins us to break down the numbers, offering key advice on when to take that leap into entrepreneurship—or when to hold back. Special Guest: Pete Walker Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@matts...

In the age of algorithms, getting noticed by employers can feel like trying to go viral. When did applying for jobs morph into a social media contest? Sometimes, the best way to outsmart the system is to circumvent it altogether. In this episode, we share stories and research on some age-old tactics that can help land you a job. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://ww...

401ks were meant to be our generation’s retirement plan, but now they’re becoming many workers’ only means of survival. With Social Security drying up and a chaotic job market, our financial future hangs in the balance. Are we really spending too much money on coffee? Or are we innocent victims of a broken system? Today, we’re talking retirement, 401ks, and all about the moolah. Hosts: Matt Sunbul...

Amazon’s company-wide return-to-office mandate sent shockwaves through the tech world. And 72% of employees said they were ‘reconsidering their future’ with the company.  Is Amazon’s decision a mass layoff in disguise? Will more companies follow suit? Stanford economist Nick Bloom joins us to find the truth behind the headlines. Special Guest: Nick Bloom Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.c...

In this episode of The Lonely Office, we bring chief correspondent Aki Ito on to discuss the heated debate over LinkedIn's "open to work" banner. The "Open to Work" badge makes some job seekers feel embarrassed. But can it actually land you a job? Special Guest: Aki Ito, Chief Correspondent at Business Insider https://www.linkedin.com/in/itoaki Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunb...

Nowadays, resumes must beat applicant tracking systems and "wow" hiring managers. From TikTok handles to colorful redesigns to mindfulness sections, Gen Z is trying everything to get a return phone call. What are resumes even good for anymore? And should you tailor yours to the machines or humans? We chat with comedian Azhar Usman about the new generation of resume builders. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli h...

In this episode of The Lonely Office, we dive into the disconnect between economic data and the job seeker’s reality, exploring why many still feel gaslit despite reports of a "booming economy." Joined by economist Guy Berger, we break down the real challenges of the job market, highlighting the frustration of job seekers navigating slow hiring and overstated job openings in today’s labor landscap...

With more CEOs going on record about their return to office mandates, it has us wondering: was the golden promise of working from home too good to be true? On this episode, we discuss the hidden market players who want you back in office and how companies like JM Smuckers are rolling out their hybrid work policy. (Re-air) Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threa...

Workers are taking less and less PTO, yet working more and more when they do. This week, Malcolm’s ‘staycation’ turns into an anxiety-filled week of self-reflection that leads to him reconsidering his career. Why aren’t we using our full PTO allowance? Are we at fault, or is it the company? And is our mental health deteriorating as a result? Comedian Chanel Ali joins us to talk about vacation. Hos...

Could it be that choosing degrees in the humanities is actually a smart, tactical move for the future? As tech job markets tighten, we explore how skills rooted in creativity and human insight are becoming more valuable—and share key strategies for standing out in this evolving landscape. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www....

Job hopping can be great for your wallet, but is it detrimental to your career? This week, Ferris’ job hopping led to pay bumps and new positions until layoffs stopped him in his tracks. Is it the key to making more money? Or does job loyalty pay off in the long run? Comedian Azhar Usman joins us to talk about the new social contract between workers and companies. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www....

In this reaction pod of TLO, we dive back into the controversial world of workplace surveillance with special guest Cody Rogers, Chief Product Officer at Hubstaff. Are these tools about transparency and efficiency, or are they enabling a culture of micromanagement? Join us as we explore the fine line between monitoring and trust. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://w...

On today's TLO Reaction Pod, Matt & Aaron dive into the stark realities of job hunting in an unpredictable economy—where even the most prepared knowledge workers might be forced to dip into their 401(k)s just to stay afloat. With layoffs climbing and job openings dwindling, the remote worker could be facing the same fate as the Rust Belt worker of the past.  Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linked...

Starting your own business is something many dream about, but few actually do. This week, ‘Emma’ is torn between taking a job promotion or pursuing her passion. Is there ever a right time to make the leap? Do you really have to say ‘goodbye’ to your social life? We take you through the hard truths of forming that first LLC. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.thr...