Do you ever put your morals on pause for a job? How have workers’ considerations of 'evil' companies evolved with the rise of frameworks like ESG? From the excesses of Wall Street companies in the 90s to Tech companies pillaging our privacy for gold in the 2000s—in this episode, we're debating the age-old battle of morals vs. money. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriesp...
Jul 31, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 55
TLO cohosts dive into the largest UBI study ever conducted, backed by OpenAI's Sam Altman, exploring its potential as a disaster relief fund for those displaced by AI. The hosts also tackle the evolving workplace dynamics, discussing the rise of 'hushed hybrids,' where employees navigate the balance between office mandates and remote work. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutes...
Jul 26, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 54
You did it. You landed your dream job. When all of a sudden, the boss who hired you does a complete 180. This week, ‘Kenya’s’ attentive, supportive boss from her interview has turned into a toxic, micromanaging nightmare. What do you do when reality is much, much worse than the expectation? And how do you sniff out a ‘bad boss’ in the interview process? Comedian Chanel Ali joins us to talk about surviving bad bosses. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads....
Jul 24, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 53
In the wake of last week's shocking assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the ensuing chaos, the nation is grappling with unprecedented uncertainty. How do employees and employers cope with such turmoil? Join the TLO crew as we explore the impact on the workplace and discuss strategies for finding stability and productivity in these challenging times. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aa...
Jul 23, 2024•9 min•Season 1Ep. 52
Sometimes you’ve got a game-changing idea, but your boss says no. This week, ‘Dylan’ ignored direction from his boss and now has the CEO’s attention. Should you always listen to your boss? Is it worth going over their head? We’ve got advice for everyone whose boss is holding them back. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ https://www.aaroncalafato.com/ Leah Ova ...
Jul 17, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Scrolling through preachy lectures on LinkedIn can leave us all squirming in our seats. This week, a wholesome moment between ‘David’ and his family quickly turns into a cringey, performative post. What’s spurring this invasion of cringe on professional networking sites? And who is liking these posts? We dive into the answers on this week’s episode. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://ww...
Jul 10, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 50
At-will employment makes posting about your political beliefs a risky game. This week, ‘Brandon’s’ controversial social media posts led to an HR meeting and ended up getting him fired. Is it legal? Are your posts covered under the First Amendment? Labor and employment lawyer Chris Collins joins us to talk about free speech and employee protections. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www...
Jul 03, 2024•49 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Politics has infiltrated the workplace, from performative CEOs to anonymous town hall comment sections. This week, 'Tabitha' is divorcing her work husband after a controversial political post on LinkedIn. Tune in for a talk about politics. Does it belong in the workplace? Should it impact your career choices? And more. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah O...
Jun 26, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Do you compare your income to others? At what point does seeing where you stand turn into an anxiety-filled obsession? This week, ‘John’ is feeling major income anxiety and wondering if all his hard work was worth it. Join us for a chat about salary transparency, what it is, why it’s important, and how it can quickly turn ugly. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.co...
Jun 19, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 47
From endless rounds to take-home projects, interview horror stories are everywhere. This week ‘Jordan’s’ hard work on an interview project didn’t net her the job, but it did show up on the company’s website months later. Should you say no to take-home interview projects? Should you get paid if you say yes? Join us for advice on how to protect yourself and increase transparency during the interview process. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsu...
Jun 12, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Getting fired can leave you shell-shocked, speechless, and in no place to negotiate. Like' Dylan,' he just got fired over Zoom, and now his severance package consists of a career services subscription to help him "improve his resume." 'Dylan's' IRL layoff story got us thinking: are you ready for what's next? This week, we're talking about how to get fired, negotiate a fair severance package, and more. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbull...
Jun 05, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Is job loyalty an asset or a liability? Is passion for your work overhyped? This week, inspired by the story of 'Alexandra'—a recent graduate who took a comedian's unconventional advice to heart—we explore the rocky path from graduation to the workforce. Joining us to unpack 'Alexandra's' experience is Matt Higgins, Shark Tank co-host and co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures. Together, we discuss the importance of resilience, the role of luck, and the strategic moves young professionals can make t...
May 30, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 44
Don’t trust the headlines: whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned professional, the job market feels anything but robust. And like recently-laid-off “Roland,” you find yourself receiving thoughts and prayers in lieu of offers on LinkedIn. Glassdoor's expert on the current two-track labor market, Chief Economist Aaron Terrazas, joins the show to talk about the recession hitting white-collar workers—and how to make the most of it. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ htt...
May 22, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 43
From the vault of The Lonely Office is one of our greatest hits—a horror story for the remote work era: going through endless rounds of interviews, wondering whether you’ve wasted your time. On this episode, we dive into a real 11-round-interview incident endured by one candidate named “Mike”. We’ll debate the risks and merits of a lengthy interview process, getting caught in the crosshairs of a company’s misaligned objectives, and whether it’s all a sign to get out of the corporate matrix. We’r...
May 15, 2024•41 min•Season 1Ep. 42
We’ve all worked with great communicators. On the one hand, they razzle and dazzle during presentations, woo the C-suite, rally the troops. On the other, they can overinflate their own achievements, and take credit where no credit was due. This week, inspired by the story of “Maria,” a flaky strategist who’s earned a reputation as a great actress at her company, we discuss the role of communication in the workplace, who it benefits, and how it might just be the key to future jobs in the age of A...
May 07, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 41
As the unemployment rate for recent graduates climbs higher than the national average, qualified white-collar workers are turning to unlikely sources for their next job. This week, we discuss a sticky situation involving “Mark,” an Ivy League marketer, and his stint at a Canadian adult entertainment company. What are the moral implications of taking a job in a taboo industry, and how does it impact one’s career? And what exactly is responsible for the dearth of jobs? Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https:/...
May 01, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Have you ever been ghosted by an interviewer, only to be officially rejected a year later? That’s the story of Karen Young the recruiter. Hers is the inspiration for our episode this week, and in an unprecedented first, she’s also our special guest on the show. We discuss ghosting as an industry-wide plague, how to bring your humanity to these interactions, and the wider cultural phenomena at play. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli h...
Apr 24, 2024•44 min•Season 1Ep. 39
“Harold” is a disillusioned quiet quitter who finds himself impassioned to act after the House passed a bipartisan bill to ban TikTok. Harold represents some of the younger 175 million Americans fighting to keep the app around, whether as a source of information, entertainment or livelihood. On the other side of the generational divide, there are those who perceive TikTok to be, at best, an app drugging America's youth, and at worst, a means of surveillance for foreign adversaries. Why can't we ...
Apr 17, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Film, with all of its cinematic magic, was supposed to be creativity’s last line of defense against artificial intelligence. But when OpenAI’s impressive text-to-video generator Sora is taking meetings with Hollywood’s heads of production, what hope does that leave the rest of us? This week, inspired by the real story of “Lee,” a young film editor who sees his future thwarted by Sora, we discuss the impacts of AGI on creativity. Is it killing creatives’ livelihoods, or democratizing access? And ...
Apr 10, 2024•42 min•Season 1Ep. 37
Picture this. You’re the fly on the wall in a layoff call. The employee isn’t getting any of the answers they want. The HR representative isn’t allowed to deviate from their rote, clinical script. It’s all very, very awkward. That’s this week’s topic, inspired by the mortifying tale of “Jenna” the HR newbie, and the viral video from TikToker Brittany Pietsch. In this episode, we chat about what employees deserve in this scenario, how employers can do better, and how this process is fundamentally...
Apr 03, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 36
Here’s a staggering stat: through 2045, the wealth to be inherited by Generations X-Z is estimated to be 53 trillion dollars, an unprecedented sum in modern times. In this episode we cover the story of “Rich,” a 30 year-old screenwriter who, after receiving a financial windfall left by an uncle, finds himself losing his sense of purpose and creative motivation. Rich’s example and others' have us thinking about this Great Wealth Transfer: Can you inherit financial freedom and still retain your wi...
Mar 27, 2024•37 min•Season 1Ep. 35
Unlimited vacation is often lauded as a workplace perk, but who does it actually benefit? On this episode, we reflect on our previous experiences with this “generous” perk, and whether it served us. We also discuss why employers might be incentivized to adopt unlimited PTO policies—and why employees might be getting the short end of the stick. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7min...
Mar 20, 2024•35 min•Season 1Ep. 34
You just found out that the new, fresh-out-of-college hire at work… makes the same salary you do. What would you do next? That’s the true story from “Lorrie” that inspired this conversation around salary transparency and fair pay. This week, we share some of our own experiences with speaking up (or not) for ourselves, ideas on what companies could do to promote salary transparency, and some tactical recommendations for next steps, if you find yourself in a similar position as Lorrie. Hosts: Matt...
Mar 12, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 33
This week, truth is stranger than fiction. We’re discussing real anonymous stories from professional double-timers: two jobs, two time zones, and even two identities. It has us wondering: Socially, how did we get here? And legally, what are some complexities one should watch out for, if inspired to do the same? Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah Ova https...
Mar 05, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 32
This week, we’re inspired by the real revenge story of an electrician named Jerry. With massive government funding of new industries in clean energy and semiconductors, Jerry represents a new cohort of trade workers finding success in today’s job market, despite the social stigma surrounding blue-collar jobs. From the astronomical costs of higher education today to economic factors that create demand for skilled trades, we chat about the conditions that make this redemption arc possible—and what...
Feb 27, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 31
So you messed up at work. How do you move forward? This week, we’re inspired by a real workplace snafu, shared with us by “Zach.” From accidental all-staffs to awkward client commentary, we share some of our own professional mistakes on this episode—and our seasoned tactics on how to move past them. Hosts: Matt Sunbulli https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah Ova https://www.tikto...
Feb 20, 2024•26 min•Season 1Ep. 30
If you’ve ever wondered “What should I do if I get laid off?” or “Is it still taboo to talk about politics at work?”—this is a show for you. Welcome to The Lonely Office: a podcast about the increasingly blurry line between work and life, brought to you by Glassdoor. The stories that inspire our discussions are sourced firsthand from the anonymous conversations happening on the Glassdoor app. It’s hosted by Matt Sunbulli (serial tech entrepreneur and co-founder of Fishbowl), Aaron Calafato (podc...
Feb 20, 2024•2 min
From baseball player Shohei Ohtani’s highly unusual (and highly lucrative) contract to Michael Jordan’s “Love of the game” clause, uncommon terms of agreement might be more common than you think. On this episode, we discuss the creativity of contract negotiations—and our tips for getting more out of your next professional engagement.
Feb 07, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In this episode we follow the real-life anonymous work story of "Dylan". What do you do when your Boss is impeding your advancement at work? How do you get ahead if you’re constantly told to stay in your lane—and to only do what is asked of you? Do you fold, or do you adopt the age-old wisdom: “Don't ask for permission, ask for forgiveness later”? We discussing Dylan's story this week, as we share ideas on how to approach similar workplace conundrums.
Jan 26, 2024•36 min•Season 1Ep. 28
“Emma’s” IRL identity crisis brings up a couple of important questions: what does it take to quit the corporate slog and start a new business of your own? Is there a certain philosophy that successful entrepreneurs adopt? What are the relationship and financial ramifications of launching your own startup? Is your idea better suited for bootstrapping or fundraising? Listen in to this end of the year episode of The Lonely Office to draw some inspiration towards quitting your job and tracking out y...
Dec 26, 2023•40 min•Season 1Ep. 27
