The Lonely Office – Details, episodes & analysis

The latest government job report issued a massive revision on the number of jobs that were actually in the market, throwing a wrench into the narrative of the "booming market" earlier this year.. We break down how these inflated job numbers, especially in the professional services sector— tech, finance, consulting—misled workers and painted a false picture of opportunity. Joining us this week is Bob Coursey, an employment lawyer, who sheds light on the rise of fake job postings and what it could mean for legal and government crackdowns on this growing issue. 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/ Guest: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobcoursey/ Audio Production: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz

AI is eating our skills and taking away our remote jobs. From the operating room to the cubicle, it appears that our trusty sidekicks may be planning a takeover.  How is this different from the software revolution? And which jobs are most at risk? Matt Beane, author of The Skill Code, joins us this week to take on the machines. Special Guest: Matt Beane Learn more about Matt's book: The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines https://www.mattbeane.com/ https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_beane_how_do_we_learn_to_work_with_intelligent_machines 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 https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Opening Story Performed by: Aaron Calafato Adapted by: Matt Sunbulli & Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah Ova https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah Ova https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Guest: Christopher Collins, Partner, Labor and Employment Law at Sheppard Mullin https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-collins-1b099013/ Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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 Ova https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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.com/ Leah Ova https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah Ova https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah Ova https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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 to navigate their careers more effectively.  Special Guest: Matt Higgins https://rseventures.com/team-members/matt-higgins/ 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.tiktok.com/@leahova Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli

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/ https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli https://www.firstdraft.vc Aaron Calafato https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/ Leah Ova https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova Editorial: Matt Sunbulli Brooks Borden Ken Wendt Aaron Calafato Audio: Ken Wendt Jan Cruz Research: Zaid Safe Matt Sunbulli