Not Working in Tech

Josh Jonas, Clinical Director at the Village Institute for Psychotherapy, and podcast host of Punk Rock Therapy, discusses the pervasive issue of burnout in the tech industry. He works with high-performing clients who have extensively communicated the cultural pressure to be busy as a measure of worth, noting an increase in workplace issues due to constant optimization and the impact of COVID-19....

Tara Kelly, a former UX designer and startup founder, discusses her journey from Italy to Silicon Valley, her burnout experiences, and her transition to writing children's books. She highlights her early career in Italy, where she worked on a 911 call center redesign, and her subsequent move to the US. Tara shares her challenges as a single parent and founder, including the sale of her company and...

David, a former Vice President at AT&T, shared his journey from humble beginnings in Dallas to leading a billion-dollar program. Raised by a hardworking single mother, David's early experiences instilled a strong work ethic. He joined AT&T without aspirations for the corporate ladder but eventually transitioned to management due to a lack of seniority for technician roles. David emphasized...

Suhas Joshi, a former engineer and engineering manager at companies like Stripe, Facebook, and Microsoft, shared his career journey and transition from tech to financial advising. He discussed his initial success at Microsoft, his move to Facebook, and the cultural changes and challenges at Stripe, particularly during the pandemic. Suhas emphasized the importance of work-life balance, financial in...

Jane, a former Meta employee, shares her experience of gender discrimination, fear-based management techniques, and the legal battle that ensued. Jane is pushing for meaningful change in the tech industry, and hoping to help others who face similar issues, as a cautionary tale and advocate.

Shimi, a technical writer with 25 years in tech, shared her experiences navigating bereavement leave at Google. She highlighted the company's evolving bereavement policies, from unclear guidelines to a clear one-month leave. Shimi discussed the impact of losing her father and husband during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of clear communication and understanding one's rights. She also con...

Jess, a former tech professional, discusses her journey from New Jersey to Oakland, her career at Facebook, Salesforce, and Stripe, and her transition from sustainable seafood to technology. She interviews Ashley Finlayson, a friend and coworker formerly at Uber and Meta, highlighting the intense workload, chronic illness, and the emotional toll of tech jobs. They reflect on the industry's glorifi...