We take a look at Camus' novel, The Plague, published in 1947 after Camus had fought in the French Resistance and become disillusioned with communism. He explores the tendency to downplay the severity of the infestation, by both citizens and authorities, and the eventual moral dilemma faced by an intrepid band of humanists who find there is no other choice but to leap into the fray. We consider the work in the context of Camus' philosophical evolution and review his life's work as a moralist and...
May 17, 2020•31 min
A look at barter, truck systems, company scrip, and historical compensation methods, that may be more applicable than ever. Consider beer, for example :) The problems facing us during a time of massive unemployment and lack of liquidity might give rise to creative solutions as used in the ancient past or by recent startups. A fresh look at labor, its value, and how we as a society "pay" for it. Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at: https://www.discreetguide.com/ Follow the host on T...
May 15, 2020•35 min
In a personal episode, Jennifer recounts her early days of going to the local library as a young girl to check out giant stacks of books, beginning to volunteer there, looking for work, and then eventually getting a job as a page. She talks about commuting by bicycle or by parent, learning about policies and conflict, and her brushes with nascent technologies, such as the infamous randtriever. She also talks about how those experiences shaped her view of and interest in work. A nostalgic look ba...
May 13, 2020•24 min
Career coach and creator of the Wharton Career Discovery Seminar, Jane Finkle, discusses her new book The Introvert's Complete Career Guide and her advice about asking for a raise or negotiating a starting salary. We discuss specific tactics for making your worth known, speaking up in meetings, and breaking into a conversation at a networking event, as well as preparing for difficult conversations. A useful episode with specific takeaways. Jane's website: https://janefinkle.com/ Thoughts? Commen...
May 12, 2020•54 min
We discuss "Pale Horse, Pale Rider," Katherine Anne Porter's work which covers the 1918 Spanish flu, along with a review of her long career with relatively sparse output, as spitefully described by Truman Capote. Porter's insights into people's behavior during a war or crisis offer a perspective for today, and her acerbic tongue is delightful as long as it isn't directed against you. She also reflected on how her own near-death experience changed her. As part of her participation with a leftist ...
May 10, 2020•23 min
An ombuds office can offer a safe space for informal problem solving and conflict resolution, neatly sidestepping some of the conflict of interest problems inherent in HR departments. Selina Shultz, ombuds, mediator, and former divorce attorney, joins us from the Conflict Lab to talk about the nuts and bolts of a good ombuds office and the benefits it can offer to senior leadership, employees, and even our poor beleaguered HR personnel, including potentially heading off litigation, dispute resol...
May 08, 2020•49 min
Employment attorney Chris Olmsted joins us to talk about employees' free speech, protected speech, speech that might get you fired, and speech that's just a bad idea. He talks about employers' rights, responsibilities, keeping the peace, and background checks into candidates' social media. He also deftly dissects some specific cases we throw at him on the fly and closes with some rational advice for all of us during a fraught election year. An essential episode. Employer information Chris refere...
May 06, 2020•51 min
Garment Worker Center Director Marissa Nuncio joins us to talk about the history of the garment industry in LA, its so-called sweatshops, typical wages and conditions, how the pandemic has ravaged these low-paid jobs, even as some are currently redeployed as essential workers to make masks and PPE, proposed legislation, and signs of hope and awareness in the fashion industry. The GWC is currently running a donation campaign to provide financial assistance to garment factory workers to pay for fo...
May 05, 2020•50 min
We look at the origins of The Stand, a post-apocalyptic nightmare after Captain Trips, a virulent influenza, has killed off most of the world's population. An epic battle ensues between good and evil, personified by two memorable characters, one of whom, Randall Flagg, makes his first awful appearance, though it won't be the last in King's novels. We cover the difficulty of producing the work and where it fits in King's legacy. We also review his book On Writing, part-memoir, part how-to guide, ...
May 04, 2020•27 min
Joya Dass worked as business reporter and TV anchor for twenty years, reporting from the floor of the stock exchange. She joins us to talk about her early inspiration by Tom Brokaw, the grind of TV reporting, notable stories that she reported on, and her advice for people coming into the public eye and providing content for an audience. Excellent takeaways from this episode. 10/10 Episodes on Journalism Joya's current endeavor: https://ladydrinks.com/ Follow Joya on Twitter: @JoyaDass Thoughts? ...
May 03, 2020•32 min
We discuss his recent book with Michael Jaccarino about the Darwinian epic battle between the New York Daily News and the New York Post. He recounts the madcap behind-the-scenes shenanigans to one-up the other paper that he and other runners and shooters engaged in to get the "wood" and win the day. From covering tragedy and death to getting the scoop on Miss New Jersey, Spitzer, and Derek Jeter, the stories are a fascinating peak into a different era, but Mike also shares his personal journey o...
May 01, 2020•1 hr 14 min
In March 2001, Bethany McLean made history by raising questions about Enron's financials in a Fortune article. This was before Enron went bankrupt, its officials jailed, and its accountants investigated, before its jaw-dropping level of corruption and greed was documented in The Smartest Guys in the Room, a book Bethany co-authored, and further disclosed in the ensuing documentary. Bethany tells us about her career, how that article thrust her into the limelight, how perseverance and not being a...
Apr 30, 2020•30 min
Time for a laugh! We take a look at people's humorous takes on working from home, being quarantined, and their own foibles during the pandemic. People show their humility and humanity through signs, photographs, and acts of random and bizarre kindness. A quick and funny episode. Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at: https://www.discreetguide.com/ Follow the host on Twitter: @DiscreetGuide The host on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenniferkcrittenden/...
Apr 29, 2020•13 min
Journalism professor and author Rob Wells joins us to talk about his book, The Enforcers, the scandalous Keating Five, and why the trade press is so important. He also talks about the state of journalism, news literacy, interesting collaborations underway, and some takeaways that would improve the media industry. An important addition to our series on journalism. 7/10 Episodes on Journalism and Journalists Note that we recorded this episode before we knew about the pandemic, so, yay! not one wor...
Apr 28, 2020•57 min
We talk about The Andromeda Strain, Michael Crichton's first book under his own name, which tells the story of an alien bug brought to earth by a military satellite. That microorganism goes on to kill a whole town and create an unholy climax involving a potential nuclear disaster. We read an excerpt and talk about Crichton's reaction to Robert Gottlieb's criticism as his editor and read from Gottlieb's book, Avid Reader, about the process. Finally, we consider the Odd-Man Hypothesis and explore ...
Apr 27, 2020•25 min
Joe Payne and Neda Safarzadeh of Arcturus Therapeutics, a San Diego biotech, join us to talk about their progress on developing a vaccine against COVID-19 with a Singapore partner. Joe explains about messenger RNA vaccines, their advantages in safety, manufacturing, and efficiency, as well as regulatory processes and a potential timeline, and why some vaccines have to be modified each year. He also tells us what Arcturus means. A highly educational episode about a critical issue. Arcturus Therap...
Apr 26, 2020•27 min
Patrick Wright, HR expert and one of HR Magazine's Most Influential Thought Leaders, joins us to talk about the events from the 70s to today that have affected the HR profession. He also talks about how major shifts in the economy and law have highlighted the importance of HR inside an organization, and how those are on full display today, where nearly every aspect of the pandemic requires HR guidance. We discuss ways for the HR departments to contribute to company success without sacrificing pr...
Apr 24, 2020•33 min
In light of comparisons being drawn between the Depression and today's economic crisis, we look at comparative unemployment claims and declines in the stock market. We review the programs of the New Deal, especially which ones have endured, and consider the longterm legacy of those government actions. A historical perspective. Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at: https://www.discreetguide.com/ Follow the host on Twitter: @DiscreetGuide The host on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com...
Apr 22, 2020•18 min
"Shakespeare wrote King Lear in quarantine -- what's wrong with you?" While we are struggling to do our normal work, home-school our kids, and cook during a crisis, it's inappropriate to pressure ourselves to also engage in creative work, but we look here at some historical figures working in quarantine, including Isaac Newton, Edvard Munch, Giovanni Boccaccio, and Thomas Nashe. We read Boccaccio's description of the plague, and consider Nashe's satirical writing and his involvement with Shakesp...
Apr 21, 2020•23 min
Sports journalist Andrew Pridgen joins us to talk about pro wrestling, its recent classification in Florida as an essential business, and owner Vince McMahon's subsequent immediate layoff of dozens of employees. We talk about the state of affairs with sports right now during the pandemic and the continued decline of organized labor. Andrew also shares his story from cub newspaper reporter through freelancer during hard times, as well as other writers' experiences. Lots of laughs despite some tou...
Apr 20, 2020•45 min
SARS, avian, H1N1, covid, plague, Spanish flu—what is all this? If you're like me, it's become a bit of a blur. In this episode we review the major pandemics and epidemics that have swept the globe throughout history to gain a perspective on global diseases and how humanity has fought back to survive and flourish. An ultimately uplifting episode. Thoughts? Comments? Potshots? Contact the show at: https://www.discreetguide.com/ Follow the host on Twitter: @DiscreetGuide The host on LinkedIn: http...
Apr 17, 2020•28 min
Roy Gutterman of the Tully Center for Free Speech joins us to talk about media repression and the expulsion of journalists during a pandemic, both from China and the US, as well as other parts of the globe. He discusses reporter safety and importance, particularly during a pandemic, as well as how critical the First Amendment and judicial independence is to the freedom of the press and how those are being threatened in this moment of crisis. An important episode about our country. 5/10 Episodes ...
Apr 16, 2020•29 min
Tarcy Connors of the San Diego Union Tribune joins us today. She is currently leading the paperwide effort to cover the coronavirus. She talks about the history of the paper, its various owners, and its near collapse. We discuss the challenges for the reporters who are covering the coronavirus both logistically and to protect their health. Tarcy also takes us behind the scenes to see how stories are generated and reported. Although readership is way up, she offers a call to action to subscribe t...
Apr 15, 2020•27 min
Lucy Westcoff from the Committee to Protect Journalists joins us to talk about CPJ's statistics on journalists who are killed or injured while on the job and how dangerous the current climate has become. She discusses threats to female journalists, including online harassment and intimidation, and efforts to raise awareness about safety, especially after the murder of Kim Wall. We also talk about the case of Jamal Khashoggi, who was murdered with complete impunity. An eye-opening episode about a...
Apr 13, 2020•19 min
Labor and employment relations professor John Logan joins us to talk about unionizing in the modern era, particularly recent activism during the pandemic, the state of union membership, and how the crisis might affect labor organizing. We also talk about the large numbers of essential employees who are endangering their health and lives to feed and take care of the rest of us and what safety provisions should be put in place immediately to keep them as safe as possible. An eye-opening episode wi...
Apr 10, 2020•54 min
PEN America writers Viktorya Vilk and Nora Benavidez join us to talk about their investigative report, "Losing the News: The Decimation of Local News and the Search for Solutions." We talk about the state of newspapers and other media outlets across the country, how the pandemic is bringing the importance of journalism to the forefront, and some potential funding options for local news. We also tell some stories about how newspapers can keep politicians honest and the creepiness of the Sinclair ...
Apr 09, 2020•56 min
Two of the creators of the brand new website moneyduringcorona.com, Ben Hsu and Paul Klein, join the show to talk about the inspiration for the project, how the creators found each other, their vision for the jobs website, and how it's catching on. We also chat about hourly jobs versus remote work, what jobs are being created, unemployment, income inequality, SMS, and have a laugh about the need for people who can program in Cobol. A heartening episode about an awesome project. THE website: http...
Apr 07, 2020•38 min
Microbiologist, research scientist, and co-chair of the Cambridge City COVID–19 Expert Advisory Panel (and my sister!), Jill Crittenden, joins us to talk about what face masks can do for you and people around you, what masks work best, how to make your own, and how to use masks safely. She provides science-backed information about how the coronavirus is transmitted and the best safety measures for a community. She also discusses several initiatives to provide protective gear to cashiers and to f...
Apr 06, 2020•4 min
Associate dean and professor at Syracuse University, Joel Kaplan, joins us to talk about historical trends in journalism, its golden age, some legal points about sources, safety for journalists, current issues with the media, and how coronavirus might affect how we consume and pay for the news. A fascinating episode during a pandemic. 1/10 Episodes on Journalism and Journalists The Newhouse School Joel talks about: https://newhouse.syr.edu/ About our guest and how to contact him: https://newhous...
Apr 05, 2020•51 min
Covid-19 has created a surge in food needs. Jim Floros, executive director of the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank, joins us to talk about how this independent nonprofit is coping with longer lines and people's rising concern about a lack of food. He talks pivots, an entrepreneurial spirit, a business-like approach, investment, collaboration, community, gratitude, and the need for money. An uplifting episode. The Food Bank's website: https://sandiegofoodbank.org/ How to get help: https:/...
Apr 02, 2020•36 min
