Explore every episode of the podcast Work For Humans
Dive into the complete episode list for Work For Humans. Each episode is cataloged with detailed descriptions, making it easy to find and explore specific topics. Keep track of all episodes from your favorite podcast and never miss a moment of insightful content.
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Title
Pub. Date
Duration
Immersive Experience Design: How to Use Story to Design Work Experiences | Stacy Barton, Revisited
11 Nov 2025
01:05:04
Stacy Barton was assigned an exhaustive project at 9 pm and had to complete it by 6 am if she wanted to receive a paycheck. While most of us would have deflated under the pressure, Stacy saw an opportunity; it was time to get creative. By being inventive and working around the rules, she learned how to deliver a product that companies, employees, and her audience love. In this revisited episode, Stacy shares how constraints spark creativity, why the audience is always the star, and how storytelling can transform leadership, teamwork, and workplace culture.
Stacy has been creating multimillion-dollar immersive experiences for over 37 years as a designer, award-winning writer, and story lead. She uses her creativity to work with high-network individuals and companies like Disney, Ringling Bros, DreamVision, and SeaWorld, among others.
In this episode, Dart and Stacy discuss: - Creating an immersive experience to engage customers - How to show your customers/employees you care about them - Discovering the story behind your brand - Finding employees that complement your company - The importance of appreciation at work - Applying storytelling to real-world business problems - Being creative within the constraints of work - And more…
Stacy Barton has been creating immersive experiences as a designer, writer, and story lead for over 37 years. Utilizing immense creativity and problem-solving skills, she helps build multimillion-dollar pop-up experiences, escape rooms, shows, and theme park areas for high-network individuals and companies, including Disney, Ringling Bros, DreamVision, and SeaWorld.
As a writer, Stacy brings stories to life through her scripts, narrative development, and novels. She is the award-winning author of three books, five children’s picture books, and over 30 magazine publications. She presented as a panelist for the National Association of Writers and Writing Program and is a speaker for events such as the F. Scott Fitzgerald Literary Conference and the Disney Institute.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Master Servant Doctrine: How Feudal Law Still Shapes Modern Work | Elizabeth Tippett
04 Nov 2025
01:01:56
Modern work is haunted by an idea that began in feudal Europe. The Master Servant Doctrine gave employers the right to command and control workers while imposing a duty to provide for them. That ancient logic still shapes the modern workplace — from “at-will” employment and HR policies designed to protect companies, to benefits that bind people to their jobs. In this episode, Dart and Elizabeth explore how feudal ideas of control and obligation still structure employment today, and what it would take to build something better.
Elizabeth Tippett teaches employment law and legal ethics at the University of Oregon School of Law. She is the author of The Master Servant Doctrine, and her research examines how historical legal frameworks continue to influence the modern workplace.
In this episode, Dart and Elizabeth discuss: - How feudal law still shapes modern work - The three pillars of the Master Servant Doctrine - Why “at-will” employment persists in the U.S. - How HR became a modern tool of control - Why employee benefits reinforce dependency - The moral legacy of servitude in labor law - How law and culture preserve inequality at work - What a modern social contract for labor might look like - And other topics…
Elizabeth Tippett is Professor and James O. and Alfred T. Goodwin Senior Fellow at the University of Oregon School of Law. She teaches courses on employment law, torts, negotiation, and dispute resolution, and her research examines how historical legal doctrines continue to shape modern employment practices. She is the author of The Master Servant Doctrine: How Old Legal Rules Haunt the Modern Workplace, forthcoming from Stanford University Press in 2025.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
What the History of Germ Theory Teaches Us About Paradigm Shifts at Work | Dr. Robert Gaynes
02 Sep 2025
01:29:28
The germ theory of disease is one of the greatest breakthroughs in human history. But it took more than 2,000 years of false starts and resistance before medicine finally recognized that germs cause disease. In his book Germ Theory, Dr. Robert Gaynes unpacks why this shift was so hard to achieve. In this episode, he and Dart explore what it teaches us about paradigm shifts today: why new ideas face such resistance, how the personalities of innovators influence acceptance, and what happens when a powerful new paradigm leads us to overcorrect.
Dr. Robert P. Gaynes is an infectious disease physician and Professor of Medicine at Emory University. He is the author of Germ Theory, a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title.
In this episode, Dart and Robert discuss: - Why it took centuries to accept that germs cause disease - What resistance to handwashing reveals about change - Breakthroughs Robert witnessed in his career - How medicine’s history reveals patterns of change - HIV’s transformation from fatal to treatable - What happens when new paradigms go too far - How personality shapes whether innovations are accepted - Lessons for anyone driving change at work today - And other topics…
Dr. Robert P. Gaynes is an infectious disease physician and Professor of Medicine at Emory University. He chairs Emory’s Infection Control and Antimicrobial Stewardship Committees, attends at the Atlanta VA Medical Center, and has written extensively on hospital-acquired infections and antimicrobial use. He is the author of Germ Theory: Medical Pioneers in Infectious Disease, named a CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Unraveling of a Wall Street Icon: Ray Dalio and Bridgewater Associates | Rob Copeland
16 Jan 2024
00:47:26
Ray Dalio has long been hailed a hedge-fund titan, but investigative reporter Rob Copeland discovered there was more to the story than meets the eye. In his latest book, The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend, Copeland unfolds Ray Dalio’s principles as a grand display of pride that fosters a toxic work culture full of things like paranoia and backstabbing. Copeland’s exploration dives into the complexities of Dalio’s leadership and the consequences it brings to the workplace.
Rob is an award-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times. Prior to The Times, he wrote for The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade, covering front-page stories in New York, San Francisco, and Austin, Texas.
In this episode, Dart and Rob discuss: - Management principles at Bridgewater Associates - The adverse effects of Dalio’s feedback system - Challenges associated with radical transparency in the workplace - The mental models influencing Dalio’s management practices - Dalio’s definition of a strong manager - Whether performative cruelty improves hedge fund success - And other topics…
Rob Copeland is an award-winning investigative reporter for The New York Times and author of the bestselling book, The Fund: Ray Dalio, Bridgewater Associates and the Unraveling of a Wall Street Legend. In this compelling work, Copeland dissects the famous principles of hedge-fund giant Ray Dalio and their adverse effects in the workplace.
Prior to The New York Times, Rob was a reporter for The Wall Street Journal for nearly a decade after graduating from Duke University. His investigative work spanned across Texas and San Francisco, the latter where he covered Silicon Valley with a particular focus on Google. His time at the Journal marked notable achievements, including recognition as an award-winning hedge-fund beat reporter.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Humantelligence: How to Use AI to Scale Culture, Deepen Connections, and Improve Collaboration | Juan Luis Betancourt
09 Jan 2024
00:56:10
Juan Luis Betancourt, a seasoned business executive and human capital management expert, understood the vital role of meaningful connections from early in his career. Recognizing that a lack of authentic connections negatively impacts productivity and retention at organizations globally, Juan founded Humantelligence – a company that leverages analytics and AI to humanize and optimize work across sectors and countries.
Juan is a thought leader, speaker, and business executive in human capital management with 25+ years of experience. At Humantelligence, he has helped clients like Visa, Coca-Cola, and Honda to enhance productivity, boost motivation, and reduce turnover in the workplace.
In this episode, Dart and Juan discuss: - Humanizing work through technology - The significance of workplace connections - Adapting leadership to diverse learning styles - Humantelligence’s innovative services and their development - Juan’s global experience in 8 countries - What work culture is and its evolution alongside company growth - Dispelling work culture myths - And other topics…
Juan Betancourt is the CEO of Humantelligence, a company dedicated to leveraging analytics and AI to align organizational culture and strategy. At Humantelligence, Juan has helped clients like Visa, Coca-Cola, and Honda to enhance productivity, boost motivation, and reduce turnover in the workplace.
Prior to Humantelligence, Juan developed his experience in human capital advising as a partner at Korn/Ferry International and Heidrick & Struggles. With a global career spanning 25+ years and encompassing eight different countries, Juan has garnered senior-level experience at prominent organizations such as Siebel Systems (now Oracle), Puma, Reebok, Decathlon, and Proctor & Gamble. During his tenure at Puma, Juan notably played a key role in the company's successful rebranding, contributing to one of the most significant consumer brand turnarounds in the past two decades.
Juan received his M.B.A. from The Wharton School, his M.A. in International Management from the University of Pennsylvania, and his B.A. from Harvard University. He serves as a board member of the Miami Theatre Center and maintains affiliations with the Wharton and Harvard Alumni Associations in South Florida.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Digital Nomadism for Families: Reinventing the Rules for Work, Education, and Community | Rehka Magon
02 Jan 2024
00:54:14
Rehka Magon excelled as a child because of the mindfulness tools, community service, and travel experiences she received from a young age. When she began to form her own family, she realized that conventional schooling and family settings were more likely to hinder a child's growth rather than contribute to it. Rejecting the status quo, she co-founded Boundless Life – an organization that provides turnkey packages for families to move abroad, grow, and learn together.
Rehka Magon is an ed-tech entrepreneur and avid world traveler. She is the founder of themindfulscholar.com and co-founder and Head of Education of Boundless Life.
In this episode, Dart and Rehka discuss: - The digital nomad infrastructure that is competing with corporate jobs - Boundless Life’s turnkey packages for families to move abroad - The profile of a digitally nomadic family - How to choose a location for effective relocation - What it takes to be location-independent from companies - Transformations experienced by families living abroad - Whether or not you can feel at home across locations - And other topics…
Rehka Magon is an ed-tech entrepreneur and avid world traveler. Rehka transitioned from corporate life as a former Senior Auditor at KPMG to become the award-winning founder of www.themindfulscholar.com. After thousands of hours of research into different educational pedagogy, Rehka bridged various frameworks into her own educational structure and action plan, co-founding Boundless Life, an organization that provides turnkey packages for families to move abroad and grow together.
Rehka holds her Bachelor of Accounting and Minor in Human Resources from McGill University, where she co-founded Toonies for Tsunami and raised over $26,000 in two weeks for Thailand relief efforts. She is also the current board member of strategic planning for Family Makeshop, an organization that defends a child’s right to a meaningful education.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Connection Playbook: How to Build Trusting Relationships, and What to Do if Trust Is Lost | Andy Chaleff
26 Dec 2023
00:48:24
As a young child, Andy Chaleff had to become incredibly sensitive to the emotions of others in an attempt to evade the wrath of his disturbed and abusive father. He found solace in the presence of his mother, but when he was 18, she fell victim to a fatal accident at the hands of a drunk driver. He fled the United States, embarking on a decades-long journey that led him through the business world and eventually into a monk-like existence where he ultimately found his life's purpose – helping people who have experienced trauma to transform through the power of self-love.
Andy Chaleff is an award-winning author, advisor, and the Director of Amsterdam’s Welvaren training center. As a mentor to business leaders around the globe, Andy’s life work helps people connect with themselves and others through vulnerability and self-awareness.
In this episode, Dart and Andy discuss: - How to build authentic connections at work - Differentiating between respect and trust - Breaking cycles of distrust in the workplace - When expectations can be blindsiding - Techniques for turning a negative interaction into a constructive one - Finding agency within a system - The importance of intention - And other topics…
Andy Chaleff is an award-winning author, private mentor, and advisor to business leaders around the globe. He also serves as Director of Amsterdam’s Welvaren training center. Some of his past clients include eMindful, InnerExplorer, SOLE, the Cleveland Municipality School District, and the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. Andy’s life’s work aims to help people connect with themselves and others through vulnerability and self-awareness. This objective is also reflected in his latest books, The Connections Playbook, The Wounded Healer, and The Last Letter.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It | Jennifer Moss
19 Dec 2023
01:14:17
Tackling workplace burnout requires more than surface-level perks like snack boxes or ping-pong tables. As Gen Z becomes a predominant workforce, the companies that invest in employee well-being will be the ones to attract, retain, and evolve with this upcoming generation. Author and international speaker Jennifer Moss recognizes that understanding the employee perspective is multifaceted. She is on a mission to dispel the myths surrounding burnout, happiness, and productivity at work to foster thriving workplaces for both companies and employees.
Jennifer Moss is an award-winning writer and international speaker on future-focused leadership development. Her past clients include Google, Deloitte, and KraftHeinz, among others. Her work has been featured on BBC, Business Insider, CNBC, Fortune, Forbes, CNN, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal.
In this episode, Dart and Jennifer discuss: - The continuum from happiness to burnout - Burnout as institutional stress - The greatest misconceptions about burnout - Why productivity without happiness is detrimental - Future workforce shifts and their potential economic effects - The disconnect between engagement and well-being at work - Decoding the 6 root causes of burnout - How the idea of happiness has changed throughout history - Developing a muscle of gratitude to face crises - And other topics…
Jennifer Moss is an award-winning writer and international speaker specializing in future-focused leadership development. Her past clients include Google, Deloitte, J.P. Morgan, Citi, Shopify, KraftHeinz, and Oracle, among many other Fortune 500 companies.
Jennifer’s latest book, The Burnout Epidemic, tackles employee burnout and was named one of the 10 Best New Management Books for 2022 by Thinkers50. Her work has been featured on BBC, Business Insider, CNBC, Vox, Fortune, and Forbes. Jennifer is also a regular contributor to Harvard Business Review, CNN, TIME, and The Wall Street Journal.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Design for Social Change: Essential Design Strategies for Lasting Impact | Lesley-Ann Noel
12 Dec 2023
01:07:40
Within social justice, those most impacted by design often find themselves left out of the design process. After witnessing power struggles between the oppressed and their surroundings, design practitioner Lesley-Ann Noel identified the need for co-designing within a system to create the most productive and equitable outcome.
Lesley-Ann Noel is a university professor at North Carolina State University, author of Design Social Change, and a design practitioner specializing in equity, social justice, and marginalized groups in design research. She has a background in industrial design, an MBA from the University of the West Indies, and a PhD in Design from North Carolina State University.
In this episode, Dart and Lesley-Ann discuss: - The importance of co-designing with those affected by a system - 3 levels of awareness inherent to an effective design process - Finding power in different aspects of one’s identity - Why designers must recognize their positionality - Using anger and intense emotions as design tools - What materials create social change - The duality of the oppressed and the oppressor - The essential “recipes” to change the world - And other topics…
Lesley-Ann Noel is a university professor at North Carolina State University, an author, and a design practitioner with a focus on equity, social justice, and the experiences of marginalized groups in design research. Her work focuses on the realms of social innovation, education, and public health, as showcased in her latest book, Design Social Change.
Before joining North Carolina State University, Lesley-Ann was the Associate Director of Design Thinking for Social Impact at Tulane University. She was also a lecturer at Stanford University and the University of the West Indies. Lesley-Ann holds a BA in Industrial Design from the Universidade Federal do Paraná, an MBA from the University of the West Indies, and a PhD in Design from North Carolina State University. She is co-chair of the Pluriversal Design Special Interest Group of the Design Research Society and a co-editor of “The Black Experience in Design.”
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Running Remote: Companies That Don’t Adopt Remote Work Will Be Left Behind!! | Liam Martin
05 Dec 2023
01:10:27
The number of remote workers more than tripled between 2019 and 2021. While remote work is not at its pandemic peak, it is here to stay. Liam Martin has been an expert on remote work for over two decades – long before it became a household term. He argues that all organizations – new and old – need to adopt remote and hybrid models to remain competitive in the marketplace. His mission is to make remote work accessible for everyone, one employee and company at a time.
Liam Martin is the co-founder of Time Doctor and Staff.com, co-organizer of Running Remote – the world’s largest conference on remote work, and the author of Running Remote and various publications on distributed work. His expertise has helped thousands of companies around the world adopt a remote working model.
In this episode, Dart and Liam discuss: - The evolution of remote work and where it’s headed - The Running Remote annual conference - Starting a remote company vs. transitioning to remote work - A manager’s role in a remote/hybrid model - The importance of Employers of Records (EORs) for remote work - How to build a culture of asynchronous work - Effective process documentation - The 4 epochs of remote work - And other topics…
Liam Martin is a remote work expert with over twenty years of experience in the field. He has worked with thousands of companies, helping organizations worldwide to adopt a remote working model. Liam co-founded Time Doctor and Staff.com, one of the most popular productivity software platforms today. He is also the co-organizer of the world’s largest conference on distributed work – the annual Running Remote Conference.
Liam’s latest book, Running Remote, guides for organizations that want to unlock remote work to achieve more autonomy for business owners and employees. Liam’s work has also been published in Forbes, Wired, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. His mission is to empower workers to work wherever they want, whenever they want; Liam lives this out in his own life by traveling six months of the year with his family while working remotely.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Norms of Ancient Slavery: A Roman’s Guide to Managing a Slave Workforce | Jerry Toner
28 Nov 2023
00:57:09
In the shadows of ancient Rome, a constant battle brewed between power and humanity. While slave management may sound like a thing of the past, more than 27 million people still toil under oppressive conditions today, and millions more are tied to jobs due to debts or other obligations. Although there is no comparison between slavery and a contemporary office, there is plenty to learn from history to help us forge a more just and equitable future. This episode examines the stark contrast between ancient slavery and the modern workplace, navigating the complexities of leadership, empathy, and progress.
Dr. Jerry Toner is the Director of Studies in Classics at the Churchill College at Cambridge and author of The Roman Guide to Slave Management. His literary works around Roman cultural history have been translated into 15 languages and garnered a global readership.
In this episode, Dart and Jerry discuss: - How slaves were framed in ancient Rome - Capitalist slavery in the U.S. versus domestic slavery in Rome - The language around slavery - The economic factors leading to large slave populations - Good management practices - Matching a person to the right type of work - The perceived character of slaves - The line between respect and admiration when it comes to cruel management - And other topics…
Dr. Jerry Toner is the Director of Studies in Classics, a Fellow, and an Affiliated Lecturer at the Churchill College at Cambridge. His scholarly investigations and writing look at Roman cultural history with a focus on history “from below.” Jerry’s books have been translated into 15 languages; one of his best-sellers, The Roman Guide to Slave Management, has been called “an ingenious device" by The New Yorker.
After completing his Ph.D. in Classics at Cambridge, Jerry spent 10 years as a fund manager in London, where he managed $15 billion in global bond, currency, and asset allocation funds before returning to the ancient world.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Work For Humans: Employees Are Customers, Work is A Product | Dart Lindsley on Space Construction Podcast
21 Nov 2023
00:51:00
In this replay episode from the podcast Space Construction, organizational architect and workspace strategist Alon Schwartz interviews Dart Lindsley to discuss the management philosophy behind Work for Humans. Join them as they discuss why employees are customers, the origin of Work for Humans, AI’s role in work design, and other topics.
Alon Schwartz is an organizational and strategic consultant in high-tech, commercial businesses, the public sector, and associations, among other sectors. As a professional workplace strategist with over a decade of experience, he uses advanced tools to analyze, diagnose, and innovate workspaces to improve productivity and collaboration.
In this episode, Dart and Alon discuss: - The role of a business architect - The data that showed Dart employees as customers - Exchanging value versus money - The origin of Work for Humans - A 1-sided manager versus a 2-sided manager - How to discover the work your employees want - Scaling the right kind of work - AI’s role in work design - And other topics…
Alon Schwartz is an organizational and strategic consultant in high-tech, commercial businesses, the public sector, and associations, among other sectors. As a professional workplace strategist with over a decade of experience, he uses advanced tools to analyze, diagnose, and innovate workspaces to improve productivity and collaboration. Alon holds a Master’s degree in sociology from the University of Haifa and currently resides in Israel.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Conflict Without Casualties: How to Lead With Compassion, Build Connection, and Get Results | Nate Regier
14 Nov 2023
01:00:13
Whether it's disagreements with your partner or clashes within your team, one thing is clear – conflict is a part of life. Dr. Nate Regier understands that conflict is unavoidable, but he believes it can be turned into something positive. With his framework Compassionate Accountability, Dr. Regier has helped many groups use conflict as a catalyst for growth and positive change.
Dr. Nate Regier is an author and keynote speaker. He's the founder and CEO of Next Element, a global leadership consulting and training firm. He has helped clients like Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA), Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Roche for over a decade, increasing profitability through reduced turnover while significantly enhancing teamwork and work relationships.
In this episode, Dart and Nate discuss: - How to de-dramatize an organization - The definition of conflict and how to address it productively - The three roles in every drama and how to pinpoint them at work - The myths that these roles believe - Universal principles we can use when designing work - How to hold yourself accountable - Having a compassion mindset - The 3 narratives of struggle that can get management into trouble - And other topics…
Dr. Nate Regier is an author, keynote speaker, and the founder and CEO of Next Element, a global leadership consulting and training firm that works to bring Compassionate Accountability to the workplace. As a former practicing psychologist and expert in social-emotional intelligence, Nate has helped clients like Healthcare Corporation of America (HCA), Ascension Health, Blue Cross Blue Shield, CarFax, and Roche save thousands in turnover and dramatically increase and improve teamwork and work relationships.
Nate received his Ph.D. in psychology from the University of Kansas. He is recognized as a Top 100 keynote speaker, a Process Communication Model® Certifying Master Trainer, and the author of four books on interpersonal communications. He has served as an adjunct professor for Conflict Resolution at Pepperdine University for over a decade and is also a founding member of the Changing Work Collective.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Human-Centered AI: Designing Ethical Systems for Trust and Human Agency | Emily Yang
26 Aug 2025
00:58:48
Emily Yang’s work sits at the intersection of AI ethics, governance, and human experience. She is an early advocate for bringing human-centered design and responsible innovation into the heart of enterprise AI, especially in HR and talent functions. For her, ethics is an activity — something we do, not just something we believe. In this episode, Dart and Emily talk about why AI feels both helpful and destabilizing, how bias and invisible harms emerge, and what it takes to preserve human agency as AI tools shape our work and lives.
Emily Yang is the Head of Human-Centered AI and Innovation at Standard Chartered, where she leads efforts to embed ethics, governance, and design into enterprise AI. She is a global speaker and advisor on responsible AI and human-centered innovation.
In this episode, Dart and Emily discuss: - How AI is changing the meaning of data consent - How training data bakes in human bias - Why checklists aren’t the same as ethics - Trust between people vs. trust in companies - How design preserves or erodes human agency - Why councils alone can’t govern AI responsibly - Emily’s personal struggle with AI’s big questions - How generative AI reshapes identity, craft, and trust - The rise of “AI stewards” in organizations - And other topics…
Emily Yang is the Head of Human-Centered AI and Innovation at Standard Chartered. She works to bring ethics, governance, and human-centered design into AI, especially in HR and talent. Emily serves on the bank’s Responsible AI Council, Data Ethics Working Group, and GenAI Task Force. She has more than a decade of experience in UX, innovation consulting, corporate venture building, and big tech. Emily began her AI journey researching empathy and emotional intelligence in virtual agents. She is also an advisor to the Centre for Synchronous Leadership’s “Agents of Change” and a frequent global speaker on responsible AI.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Built for People: Using Product Management Principles to Design Work People Love | Jessica Zwaan
07 Nov 2023
01:04:53
The philosophy behind HR and our way of working predates most of the tools we use. While companies focus on sales and productivity, most neglect to measure one of the largest sources of value within the organization – the employee experience. Jessica Zwaan has made it her mission to teach executives and their companies how to transform the employee experience using product management principles, maximizing value for all stakeholders involved.
Jessica Zwaan is the author of Built for People, the current Chief Operating Officer of Whereby, and a former COO advisor for clients like Soundcloud, Talentful, and Bolt, among others.
In this episode, Dart and Jessica discuss: - The 3 things every company sells - Distinctions between people operations and human operations - Viewing work as a product and determining its value - Tracking the cost versus value of employees - The 3 aspects employees want out of their work - Value vs. volume when it comes to employees - 2 maxims of product management applicable to HR - And other topics…
Jessica Zwaan is an author, speaker, and early-stage start-up executive. She is the current Chief Operating Officer of Whereby and a former COO advisor for clients like Soundcloud, Talentful, and Bolt, among others. Her latest book, Built for People, helps teach organizations and leadership how to transform the employee experience using product management principles.
With a background in operations, people, and talent, Jessica’s work has spanned across three continents. Jessica holds a First-Class Honours law degree from the University of Law in London. She is an international panelist and speaker and also hosts the podcast “There's This Thing at Work.”
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Experience Design: The Best Methodology for Creating More Meaningful Work | Abraham Burickson
31 Oct 2023
01:14:14
Many products are made by people but often don't consider human needs. The chair you're sitting on might not fit you well or suit your work habits and office setup. The same issue applies to how we approach work.
Can a manager act as an experience designer to improve productivity, satisfaction, and well-being in the workplace? Is it practical and possible? Abraham Burickson, a design expert with over 20 years of experience, thinks so. He wants to change the way we think about design to create new possibilities in the workplace and beyond.
Abraham Burickson is an author, speaker, and design expert with more than two decades of experience in exploring experience design. He is the co-founder and Artistic Director of Odyssey Works, where he plans immersive artistic experiences involving up to 100 artists in various locations across the U.S.
In this episode, Dart and Abraham discuss: - How to create a transformative experience for a single individual - Whether or not managers can be experience designers - Why experience is not designable - How to implement experience design at work - Baking experiences within static products - Companies as a platform for the co-creation of experience - The origin story and myths of organizations - And other topics…
Abraham Burickson has spent over two decades exploring experience design. As the co-founder and Artistic Director of Odyssey Works, he directs up to 100 artists at a time while designing experiences for one-person audiences across the U.S. With a background in architecture from Cornell University, he has also studied the transformative power of designed experience with the Whirling Dervishes of Turkey, the Shuar of the Ecuadorian Amazon, and with countless artists, designers, and students over the years.
Abraham is the winner of the 2018 Mary Sawyers Baker Prize, and his work has been profiled in the New York Times, Vulture, the Stanford Storytelling Project, the SF Bay Guardian, and other publications. He has lectured at the Brooklyn Museum, Cornell University, Fordham University, The GoGame, and Southern Exposure Gallery. He is also a current Lead Experience Design faculty member at the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Harness Your Team’s Superpowers: Uncovering People’s Core Skillsets and Core Motivators | Ashley Stahl
24 Oct 2023
00:56:22
After dedicating her early professional life to a career in national defense, Ashley made a bold choice to try something different—career coaching. This transition was not without its challenges. In a distressing turn of events, she found herself burdened with a staggering $500,000 debt, reaching a point of profound personal difficulty, both financially and emotionally.
It was during this period of adversity that Ashley uncovered the transformative strategies that led her to overcome her hardships and achieve her greatest success to date. Today, she leverages her expertise to guide others in proactively navigating their career paths, helping them avoid similar roadblocks and chart a course toward fulfillment and success, both in their professional lives and beyond.
Ashley Stahl is a professional career coach, best-selling author, and global spokesperson who has helped clients in 75+ countries find career fulfillment. Her TEDx talk on intuition and fulfillment is ranked among the top 100 TED talks on the Internet, amassing over 8 million views and counting.
In this episode, Dart and Ashley discuss: - How a background in national defense led Ashley to become a renowned career coach - The importance of experimentation to design fulfilling work - Needfinding for employees - The 5 core things people need to understand to find fulfillment - How to choose and define values - Aligning a core skill set to a job experience - Our relationship with money and its impact on our work - Core interests vs. core motivators - And other topics…
Ashley Stahl is a counterterrorism professional turned career coach, an international bestselling author, a Fortune 500 spokesperson, and an expert on intuition, personal branding, and fulfillment. Her TEDx talk on intuition and fulfillment is ranked amongst the top 100 TED talks on the Internet, amassing over 8 million views and counting. Between her latest book, You Turn, online courses, subscribers, and “The You Turn Podcast” show, Ashley has been able to help clients in over 75 countries find career fulfillment.
Ashley maintains a monthly career column in Forbes, and her work has also been featured in The Wall Street Journal, CBS, SELF, Washington Post, and Chicago Tribune, among others. She's also the founder and current spokesperson of CAKE Publishing, a ghostwriting and publicity house for entrepreneurs and organizations.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Thinking Classrooms: How to Design Environments That Get People Thinking | Peter Liljedahl
17 Oct 2023
01:10:44
With decades of experience in education, Dr. Peter Liljedahl realized that classrooms and workspaces have long been failing to engage those within them. He began a push to shift the paradigm of learning by challenging every classroom norm he could find - and it worked. Dr. Liljedahl was able to increase student thinking and engagement, and his revolutionary ideas are now able to be applied to work around the world.
Dr. Peter Liljedahl is an author, researcher, and Professor of Faculty Education at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. He has authored or co-authored 38 journal articles, over 50 conference papers, and 12 books including Building Thinking Classrooms. Working within education for decades, Peter consults regularly with schools, school districts, and ministries of education on issues of teaching and learning, assessment, and numeracy.
In this episode, Dart and Peter discuss: - Peter’s redesign of the classroom and how it can be applied to work - How to create an environment that cultivates thinking - Transforming norms to achieve better results - The importance of collaboration in work and learning - The best ways to evaluate employee performance - Deconstructing ideas into actionable points - What creates “Aha!” moments - The structure of a good task - And other topics…
Dr. Peter Liljedahl is an author, researcher, and Professor of Faculty Education at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, Canada. He has authored or co-authored over 38 book chapters, 38 journal articles, over 50 conference papers, and 12 books including Building Thinking Classrooms. Working within education for decades, Peter consults regularly with schools, school districts, and ministries of education on issues of teaching and learning, assessment, and numeracy.
Peter is the current president of the Canadian Mathematics Education Study Group (CMESG) and the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education (PME). He also serves on various editorial boards and is a senior editor of IJSME. Dr. Liljedahl recently received the Cmolik Prize for the enhancement of public education in BC as well as the Margaret Sinclair Memorial Award for innovation and excellence in mathematics education.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Impending AI Revolution: Recent Layoffs In Tech May Be The Tip of the Iceberg | Kevin Wheeler
10 Oct 2023
01:00:41
As employers constantly try to guess the next talent acquisition trend, Kevin Wheeler has studied talent management long enough to know that many answers lie in the past. In this episode, Kevin and Dart discuss current employment trends in their historical context to hypothesize the future of global talent acquisition.
Kevin Wheeler is a globally known speaker, author, futurist, and consultant in talent management, human capital acquisition and learning & development. He is the Founder of The Future of Talent Institute, facilitator of Future of Talent Retreats across three continents, and the author of multiple books and hundreds of articles on work and talent acquisition.
In this episode, Dart and Kevin discuss: - The largest trends in talent acquisition and employment today - How work is being decentralized - The essential skills tech workers will need in the next decade - The benefits of a liberal arts degree - Changes in global demographics and their effects on work - The relationship between the U.S.A, China, and Asia - Employees as investors vs. customers - The three groups employers hire for - And other topics…
Kevin Wheeler is a globally known speaker, author, futurist, and consultant in talent management, human capital acquisition and learning & development. He has founded several organizations including the Future of Talent Institute, Global Learning Resources, Inc., and the Australasian Talent Conference, Ltd. Kevin hosts Future of Talent Retreats across three continents, has authored various books and hundreds of articles on talent acquisition, and writes frequently on LinkedIn and as a columnist for ERE.net.
Prior to his work at The Future of Talent Institute, Kevin held a 20+ year corporate career in several tech and financial firms in San Francisco. He also served on the faculty of San Francisco State University and the University of San Francisco.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Conditioned: How Your Brain Makes Decisions and What It Means for Work Design | Loretta Breuning
03 Oct 2023
00:57:53
Dr. Loretta Breuning's upbringing was marked by conflict, which shaped her into an adult who avoided confrontation. Much like many of us, she often felt stuck in her automatic reactions, not understanding their origins. However, her exploration of mammalian behavior unveiled the link between our brains, past experiences, and fundamental chemicals.
Through this understanding, Dr. Breuning discovered that we can rewire our brains using targeted psychological techniques. This rewiring process enables us to foster greater self-acceptance and achieve more positive outcomes, both in our professional and personal lives.
Loretta Graziano Breuning, Ph.D., is Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute, Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, and author of Habits of a Happy Brain. Her work has been translated into 14 languages and has helped thousands of people build new neural pathways to produce more positive outcomes.
In this episode, Dart and Loretta discuss: - 4 core brain chemicals and how they affect our experience of work - The origin and purpose of serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin, and endorphin - Our “survival needs” in the workplace - How to identify and understand our emotional responses to improve the experience of work - Psychological techniques for hacking our brain patterns - How to use this knowledge to create more happiness – internally and at work - And other topics…
Loretta Graziano Breuning, Ph.D., is Founder of the Inner Mammal Institute and Professor Emerita of Management at California State University, East Bay. She's the author of many books on happiness, including Habits of a Happy Brain: Retrain your brain to boost your serotonin, dopamine, oxytocin and endorphin levels. Her work has been translated into 14 languages and has helped thousands of people build new neural pathways to produce more positive outcomes.
Before teaching, Loretta worked in Africa for the United Nations. She holds a BS from Cornell University and a PhD from Tufts University. In her free time, she travels to historic places and studies foreign languages.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
How To Change Minds: The Impact of Framing on Thoughts and Behaviors | Nathaniel Kendall-Taylor
26 Sep 2023
00:51:27
Scientists, philanthropies, governments, and NGOs alike often find themselves in possession of an important truth that could improve the world, but the public just can't seem to hear it. As CEO of the FrameWorks Institute, Nathanial Kendall-Taylor knows that how we frame information significantly influences how people perceive and respond to it. Using rigorous social science methods, the Frameworks Institute provides evidence-based techniques that help non-profits communicate in a way that transforms public thinking and enacts social change.
Nat is an expert in psychological anthropology and communications science. In addition to his role as CEO, he is also a senior fellow at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, a visiting professor at the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine, and a fellow at the British-American Project.
In this episode, Dart and Nat discuss: - What frames are and how they impact thinking and cultural mindsets - How the FrameWorks Institute helps organizations disseminate information and ideas - The keys to conveying important information effectively - The steps needed to shift a cultural mindset - The importance of a mobilization strategy when introducing a new idea - And other topics…
Nathaniel Kendall-Taylor is the CEO of the FrameWorks Institute, a communications think tank in Washington, DC that applies framing research methods to social issues and non-profit organizations. He is also a senior fellow at the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, a visiting professor at the Child Study Center at Yale School of Medicine, and a fellow at the British-American Project.
As an expert in psychological anthropology and communications science, Nat’s work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Science Communication, Human Organization, and Applied Communications Research. He is a global lecturer and has presented at conferences for the National Academy of Sciences, the Parenting Research Centre in Australia, the Science and Society Symposium in Canada, and Amnesty International in the United Kingdom.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Human Factors and Ergonomics: How to Design Work for Humans | Sara Pazell
19 Sep 2023
01:09:02
In every manmade job, place, and activity, design plays a pivotal role in shaping our experiences. Sadly, many designs miss the mark by neglecting the profound psychosocial impact they wield. This is where Dr. Sara Pazell steps in. As a dynamic design strategist, she empowers companies across industries to embrace human-centered work by integrating designs that ensure not only functionality but transformative success.
Dr. Pazell is the managing director and principal consultant at Viva Health at Work and podcaster of WhyWork. At Viva, Sara leads companies to find solutions for human factors and ergonomics design across industries like mining, transportation, healthcare, retail, finance, food and beverage, sport and fitness, and government organizations.
In this episode, Dart and Sara discuss: - The job of a work design strategist - Ergonomics and human factors in design - Why companies should consider psychosocial factors in design - The 7 principles of a human-centered organization - How to generate excitement and engagement when designing work - Improving design using failure modes analysis (in reverse) - How to contextualize design for success - The best and worst ways to generate new ideas - And other topics…
Dr. Sara Pazell is a principal work design strategist, WhyWork podcaster, and managing director and principal consultant at Viva Health at Work. At Viva Health at Work, Sara leads companies in finding solutions for human factors and ergonomics design and work practices across industries like mining, transportation, healthcare, retail, finance, food and beverage, sport and fitness, and government organizations.
In the past, Dr. Pazell has served as a healthcare professional, an executive business manager for health and surgical care facilities, and a trainer for business, leadership, and health and fitness training companies. She has helped publish various case studies and articles around work design and received her Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Queensland, where she is an Industry Fellow.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Tragic Design: The Impact of Bad Product Design and How to Fix It | Jonathan Shariat
12 Sep 2023
01:06:09
Thoughtfully designed products can promote efficacy, success, and joy – but that’s only one side of the coin. Bad design is everywhere, and poorly designed products cause more than mere discomfort; they can anger, sadden, exclude, and even kill the people who use them. From a bad interface that ended a young cancer patient’s life to product designs that exclude minority groups, Jonathan Shariat has seen his fair share of dangerous designs during his decade-long career as a senior designer – a trend he’s determined to rectify.
Jonathan is an international speaker, former podcast host, design leader at Google, and author of Tragic Design: The Impact of Bad Product Design. He is passionate about using design as a tool to improve our world, with over a decade of experience working as a senior designer for companies like Intuit, Project Ronin, and Hightail.
In this episode, Dart and Jonathan discuss: - The high stakes of bad design - Incorporating accessibility and the human experience into design - Transforming pessimism into innovation - What types of design anger, sadden, and kill customers - Accidental dark patterns at work and how to fix them - How company values slowly impact design, products, and business success - The importance of qualitative research - And other topics…
Jonathan Shariat is an international speaker, podcast host, and senior interaction design leader at Google. Jonathan is passionate about doing right by others and using design as a tool to improve the world we live in, with over a decade of experience working in design with startups to large companies. Before Google, Jonathan worked as a senior designer for Project Ronin, Intuit, and Hightail, as well as a product director for Therapydia.
Jonathan’s insights and passion for ethical and helpful design are shared in his latest book, Tragic Design: The Impact of Bad Product Design and How to Fix It. He is also the author of a #1 most recommended article on Medium titled “How Bad UX Killed Jenny.”
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Future of Recruiting: How Technology and AI Are Changing How Companies Hire Employees | Matt Alder
05 Sep 2023
00:59:02
From pre-COVID to the Great Resignation and beyond, many employers face difficulties adjusting their talent acquisition strategies to meet current trends. Attracting adaptable candidates and leveraging technology for hiring could mean the difference between hiring the right candidate and the wrong one. Talent acquisition specialist Matt Alder brings over two decades of research and experience in the field to discuss his take on how to navigate the ever-changing recruitment landscape.
Matt is a distinguished author, speaker, strategic consultant, and podcaster in the fields of talent acquisition and innovation. Working with Fortune and FTSE 100 employers, Matt helps organizations optimize their digital strategies to stay at the forefront of industry advancements. He is the producer and host of The Recruiting Future Podcast, the world’s leading podcast on talent acquisition with over two million downloads and counting.
In this episode, Dart and Matt discuss: - The recent tests and trends in talent acquisition - Whether or not organizations need office space - AI’s impact on screening and interviewing job candidates - Scientific assessments within talent acquisition - How to maintain a recruitment team in times of less hiring - How to curate talent during recruitment - The philosophical differences between companies and their effect on talent acquisition - Changing the recruitment process to enact positive societal change - And other topics…
Matt Alder is a distinguished author, speaker, strategic consultant, and podcaster in the fields of talent acquisition and innovation. He is the producer and host of the Recruiting Future podcast, the world’s leading podcast on talent acquisition. With more than two million downloads and over 500 episodes, the podcast features practitioners and thought leaders who are actively shaping the future of work.
With over two decades of research into the shifts in talent acquisition, Matt has built a reputation as a global thought leader. Working with Fortune and FTSE 100 employers, Matt helps organizations optimize their digital strategies to stay at the forefront of industry advancements. He has presented as a keynote speaker in 17 countries and counting. Matt has also authored two books on the subject of talent acquisition, Exceptional Talent and Digital Talent, as well as previously authored a column for The Herald Newspaper.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Hope Before Purpose: Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants | Jennifer Moss
19 Aug 2025
01:08:14
When we think about fixing burnout, most conversations start with purpose, work design, or leadership. But according to Jennifer Moss, the real starting point is hope. And not vague optimism, but cognitive hope—a measurable skill that gives people the power to set goals, find ways to reach them, and keep moving forward, even in uncertain times. In this episode, Dart and Jennifer discuss the link between hope and purpose, the warning signs of hopelessness at work, and what leaders can do to build cultures where people thrive.
Jennifer Moss is an award-winning journalist and author of The Burnout Epidemic and Why Are We Here? She’s a leading expert on workplace well-being who has advised Fortune 500 companies, governments, and the UN.
In this episode, Dart and Jennifer discuss: - Why hope comes before purpose - How hopelessness shows up in workplaces today - How micromanagement kills hope - The “language of permanence” as a red flag - Moving from empathy to compassion in leadership - What organizations can do to steward hope at scale - How community and belonging fuel hope at work - Why self-care alone won’t fix burnout or despair - Practical ways leaders can build pathways and agency - And other topics…
Jennifer Moss is an award-winning journalist, international speaker, and workplace culture strategist recognized globally as a leading voice on burnout and well-being. She is the author of Unlocking Happiness at Work, The Burnout Epidemic and Why Are We Here? A former member of the Global Happiness Council and co-founder of the Work Better Institute, Jennifer has advised governments, the UN, and dozens of Fortune 500 companies on building cultures where people can thrive. Her work has earned honors including Canadian Innovator of the Year, International Female Entrepreneur of the Year, and a Public Service Award from the Office of President Obama.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Making of Exceptional Leaders: How to Screen and Hire the Best Leaders for Your Organization | Laura Finfer
29 Aug 2023
00:58:17
As a leadership expert with over 25 years of experience, business consultant Dr. Laura Fifner knows what it takes to find and groom exceptional leaders. In today's episode, Laura shares how she finds the right leaders for the right companies, and what red flags to look out for when hiring.
Dr. Laura Fifner is the co-founder of Leadership Excellence Consulting. Utilizing decades of experience and a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Laura helps clients find and coach senior-level talent using scientific assessments to evaluate leadership potential.
In this episode, Dart and Laura discuss: - The purpose of leadership - What personality tests Laura uses, and how they inform her thinking - The universal attributes of great leaders - How to detect a narcissistic leader - The relationship between ambition and leadership - Neuroplasticity and the cultivation of leadership skills - Behavioral interviewing - And other topics…
Dr. Laura Fifner is an internal and external leadership expert with over 25 years of experience in business consulting. As the co-founder of Leadership Excellence Consulting, she helps clients find and groom the right senior-level talent using scientific assessments to value leadership potential.
Laura received her Ph.D. from Purdue University in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and is a licensed psychologist in New York State. She is passionate about supporting the development of all team leaders – especially female entrepreneurs – and advocates for workplace inclusivity for individuals on the spectrum.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Good Enough Job: Untangling Self-Worth and Identity From Work | Simone Stolzoff
22 Aug 2023
01:01:35
American culture has made finding a dream job one of life's ultimate goals. Personal identity and professional roles have merged into one, and this entanglement can cost us our happiness, well-being, and ultimately true career success. Why has work taken such an all-encompassing role in American lives, and why is it such a challenge for us to detach from it?
Simone Stolzoff is on a mission to reclaim our lives from a work-obsessed world. As a former journalist and the author of The Good Enough Job, Simone has interviewed Michelin star chefs, Wall Street bankers, overwhelmed teachers, and other workers across the American economy to expose what we lose when we expect work to be more than a job.
In this episode, Dart and Simone discuss: - Challenging myths around work and identity - How work-first culture has betrayed many employees - The transactional relationship between employers and employees - Designing a sustainably productive culture at work - Why companies should encourage employees to diversify their identities - The connection between survival, employment, and government assistance in the U.S. - And other topics…
Simone Stolzoff is a designer, workplace expert and consultant, and author of The Good Enough Job. His consulting clients include Google, Meta, Microsoft, IDEO, Guild, and the State of California. As a former journalist and design lead at the global innovation firm, IDEO, his work has been featured in The New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, and many other publications. Simone received his bachelor's degree in creative writing from The University of Pennsylvania and his master’s degree in journalism and multimedia storytelling from Stanford University.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Kim Scott: Radical Candor and Radical Respect, How to Say What You Mean Without Being a Jerk
15 Aug 2023
01:05:12
Having coached CEOs at companies like Dropbox, Qualtrics, and Twitter, Kim Scott knows a thing or two about modern leaders. Her expertise sheds light on how modern leaders often mistakenly resort to authoritarianism – inadvertently transforming themselves into workplace jerks. In this episode, Kim shares how to lead effectively, avoid the pitfalls of being too aggressive or too nice, and create healthier, more productive workplaces.
Kim Scott is a New York Times bestselling author, CEO coach for Fortune 500 companies, and the co-founder of Radical Candor – a Silicon Valley company that helps organizations create healthy cultures, build cohesive teams, and achieve collaborative results.
In this episode, Dart and Kim discuss: - How to simultaneously care for and challenge your team - The difference between radical leadership and aggressive leadership - How to level power dynamics for effective interpersonal communication - Creating a fairer and more reasonable workplace - Optimizing work for collaboration instead of coercion - The dangers of viewing employees as commodities - Identifying and responding to bullying, bias, and prejudice at work - And other topics…
Kim Scott is a New York Times bestselling author, keynote speaker, team leader, and CEO coach for Fortune 500 companies. She has guided CEOs at renowned companies such as Dropbox, Qualtrics, and Twitter. She was previously on the faculty of Apple University and led AdSense, YouTube, and DoubleClick teams at Google.
Kim co-founded Radical Candor, a Silicon Valley company that helps organizations create healthy cultures, build cohesive teams, and achieve collaborative results. Her expertise is reflected in two of her latest books, Just Work and Radical Candor.
Kim holds an AB in Slavic Literature and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Earlier in her career, she co-founded and led business development at various startups, managed a pediatric clinic in Kosovo, and even started a diamond-cutting factory in Moscow.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Nourishment for the Soul: The Sacred Power of Ritual in Work and Life | Tiu de Haan
08 Aug 2023
00:58:51
We tend to use the word ritual to talk about everyday routines. For instance, we have our ritualistic cup of coffee in the morning. But rituals are much more than just repetitive actions. True rituals carry deep meaning, emotion, and a promise of transformation.
As a professional ritual designer, Tiu De Haan has designed rituals in countless forms. She took on the heavy task of designing a ritual to unite families of organ donors with organ recipients. She designed a ritual to help a man reach peace with the death of his twin brother who died at birth. And she's created rituals to help teams bond, think outside the box, and do their best work.
Tiu De Haan is a workshop facilitator, inspirational speaker, consultant, curator, and ritual designer. She has created and facilitated experiential workshops for almost two decades, working with clients like Google, Nike, the Ministry of Justice, Bank of America, and BBC.
In this episode, Dart and Tiu discuss: - How to design a meaningful ritual - The difference between a habit, routine, and ritual - How rituals can inspire creativity and new ideas - The components of effective rituals - Smaller rituals you can incorporate at work - Team-building rituals - The role of the “keeper of the rituals” at work - And other topics…
Tiu De Haan is a workshop facilitator, curator, inspirational speaker, and ritual designer. She has created and facilitated experiential workshops for over 17 years, including her year-long mentorship program called The Path. As a ritual designer and consultant, she has worked with clients like Google, Nike, the Ministry of Justice, L’Oréal, Bank of America, the Centre for Quantum Photonics at Bristol University, and BBC, among others.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Art of Transformation: Experience Design for Transformative Experiences | Claus Raasted and Paul Bulencea
01 Aug 2023
00:51:23
Claus Raasted and Paul Bulencea are dedicated to the art of transformation. Their immersive 5-day event, known as the College of Extraordinary Experiences, unites a diverse array of individuals from esteemed voice talent show judges to 16th-generation Samurais. Together, they strive to empower ordinary people, fostering personal growth and a profound level of self-awareness. Through their expertise, Claus and Paul have become accomplished design professionals, inspiring organizational transformations within companies that push employees and individuals to new heights.
Claus Raasted is a Danish entrepreneur, keynote speaker, lecturer, podcaster, and transformational designer. He has spoken at over 1,000+ live events and worked for companies like Ikea, Disney, Google, Marriott, Panasonic, and the Discovery Channel, among others.
Paul Bulencea is an award-winning author, educator, entrepreneur, speaker, and experience designer who has worked with Fortune 500 companies and governments across the globe. His work aims to drive growth by shifting business models from services to co-creative transformational experiences.
In this episode, Dart, Claus, and Paul discuss: - The College of Extraordinary Experiences - Building a creative experience around an objective - What transformation means in different contexts - Why we should embrace difficulties instead of avoiding them - The qualities of a transformative professor or lecturer - How a CEO can introduce a transformative experience to a company - Designing the right space to cultivate change - Transformative experiences for employees - And other topics…
Claus Raasted is a Danish entrepreneur, keynote speaker, lecturer, podcaster, and transformational designer. He is a live-action role-play (LARP) pioneer and current CEO of Dziobak Larp Studios, a LARP design collective. Claus has spoken at over 1,000+ live events and worked for companies like Ikea, Disney, Google, Marriott, Panasonic, and the Discovery Channel, among others.
Paul Bulencea is an award-winning author, educator, entrepreneur, speaker, and experience designer who has worked with Fortune 500 companies and governments across the globe. His work aims to drive growth by shifting business models from services to co-creative transformational experiences. He holds a masters in Innovation in Tourism from the Salzburg University of Applied Sciences where he was awarded the Best University Graduate by the Austrian Chamber of Commerce.
Together, Claus and Paul helped found the College of Extraordinary Experiences, a 5-day experience journey providing hands-on learning and growth for professionals from around the world.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Rethinking Career Design: How Traditional Education Set Up a Generation to Fail, and How to Course Correct Today | Farouk Dey
25 Jul 2023
01:05:26
Higher education is supposed to help students develop skills, explore new possibilities, and design a brighter future. Instead, most students are forced to choose majors without fully understanding themselves or their options. Then, they’re shipped out on a career conveyor belt, ending up in careers they despise – all at a six-figure price tag.
Dr. Farouk Dey is on a mission to challenge our restricted and traditional education system. He is leading the charge through his work at the Johns Hopkins’ Imagine Center for Integrative Learning and Life Design, empowering students to design their lives and redefine the purpose of education itself.
Dr. Dey has over two decades of experience in higher education and talent development, having served in executive leadership and board roles at Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, and the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE), among others. He has been named one of LinkedIn’s Top Ten Voices in Education and is the Vice Provost of the John Hopkins’ Imagine Center.
In this episode, Dart and Farouk discuss: - The Imagine Center for Integrative Learning and Life Design - How economic shifts drive national career changes - The growing need to develop minds, not just careers - Changing the outdated career service models of American universities - Balancing competition and curiosity when choosing a career - The importance of experiential learning for life design - How universities can give students a higher return on their investment - Farouk’s advice for companies who want to build a life design center - How to construct your passion, rather than "find it" - And other topics…
Dr. Farouk Dey is the Vice Provost for Integrative Learning and Life Design at Johns Hopkins University. With over two decades of experience in higher education and talent development, Dr. Dey leads a newly created division of 15 departments and centers that bridge curricular and experiential learning with professional ambitions for students and alumni across the university’s nine schools.
Before Johns Hopkins, Dr. Dey served in executive leadership and board roles at Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, the National Association for Colleges and Employers (NACE), and others. He has also served as a keynote and TEDx speaker, consultant, and professor across the world. Dr. Dey holds a PhD and EdS in Educational Leadership, MBA and MEd in Counseling Psychology, and a BBA in Finance.
Resources mentioned: Work For Humans, Ep. 53 – Designing Your Life: How to Use Design Principles to Get What You Want in Work and Life | Bill Burnett: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1949517/13012061
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Digital Nomadism: Thriving in the Age of Global Remote Work | Rowena Hennigan
18 Jul 2023
01:07:38
Rowena Hennigan was working from home in Ireland when her daughter began to develop chronic asthma. As things worsened, she was forced to make a drastic decision; she packed up her family and moved to one of the driest parts of Europe they could find – Zaragoza, Spain. This decision not only changed their lives, perspectives, and health for the better, but it also set the foundation for Rowena’s career as a Remote Work Expert and Consultant.
Rowena is a keynote speaker, university lecturer, Global Thought Leader in Remote Work and Digital Nomadism, and the founder of RoRemote, a remote skills training and consultancy company. Having lived and worked in 14 countries, her career spans over two decades of professional industry experience.
In this episode, Dart and Rowena discuss: - Rowena’s experience living and working in 14 countries - The personal and professional benefits of nomadic work - Effective and ineffective approaches of countries toward remote work - How digital work changes from one location to another - Safety issues and solutions within international work - The massive skills gap in remote work - How and why companies should support nomadic employees - The mindset and preparation needed for successful nomadism - Traveling meaningfully through "slowmadism" - And other topics…
Rowena Hennigan is a keynote speaker, university lecturer, Global Thought Leader in Remote Work and Digital Nomadism, and the founder of RoRemote, a remote skills training and consultancy company. Having lived and worked in 14 countries, her career spans over two decades of professional industry experience.
Rowena has been selected as one of LinkedIn News Top 10 Global Voices in Remote Work 2022, a Top 25 Remote Innovator of 2021 and 2022 by Remote.com, and a member of the Board of Advisors for the Digital Nomad Association – Croatia. She is currently a Strategic Advisor for companies like WorkTripp, Camesited, ROORAL, and SafetyWing, among others.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Designing Your Life: How to Use Design Principles to Get What You Want in Work and Life | Bill Burnett
11 Jul 2023
01:00:57
From the kitchen table to self-driving cars, everything in our lives was designed by someone who wanted to solve a problem. If we can design everything from technology to living spaces, award-winning Silicon Valley designer Bill Burnett believes we can also design and build careers to create fulfillment and joy at work. By using curiosity, reframing, collaboration, and other tools, Bill teaches others how to build the right mindset to enjoy the present while designing an even greater future.
Bill Burnett is an award-winning designer, New York Times best-selling author, adjunct professor, and the Executive Director of the Life Design Lab at Stanford University. Throughout his career, Bill has designed everything from the first slate computer to Hasbro Star Wars action figures, assisting and advising Fortune 100 companies and start-ups alike.
In this episode, Dart and Bill discuss: - The design mindset you need to build the life you want - The problem with hyper-focusing on one goal - How to reframe problems to discover new solutions - Avoiding the sunk-cost fallacy - Enjoying what you have while building a brighter future - Management advice for interviewing and hiring adaptable employees - An antidote for the work-life balance problem - And other topics…
Bill Burnett is an award-winning Silicon Valley designer and New York Times best-selling author. He currently serves as the Adjunct Professor and Executive Director of the Life Design Lab at Stanford University, and over 350 universities now use his curriculum on how to design your life. Throughout his career, he has designed everything from the first slate computer to Hasbro Star Wars action figures in the toy industry, assisting and advising Fortune 100 companies and start-ups alike.
Bill is the co-author of the best-selling book Designing Your Life and recently published Designing Your New Work Life, both of which have garnered significant acclaim. His impact on design, education, and professional development continues to shape industries and inspire aspiring designers worldwide.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Beyond Self-Care: Tackling the 6 Chronic Stressors That Cause Workplace Burnout | Christina Maslach
04 Jul 2023
01:07:07
Dr. Christina Maslach is on a mission to redefine how we tackle burnout at work. For over 35 years, Dr. Maslach has researched the far reaching costs of burnout on society. Her commitment to this work led the World Health Organization to recognize burnout as an occupational phenomenon in 2019, raising the stakes for organizations worldwide. Today, Dr. Maslach is paving the way for meaningful workplace interventions that help people avoid burnout and be their best at work.
Dr. Christina Maslach is the pioneer of research on the definition, predictors, and measurement of job burnout. She is a researcher, author, former administrator, and distinguished professor emerita of psychology at UC Berkeley. Dr. Maslach is also the creator of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the leading measure of burnout in the workplace validated by over three decades of research.
In this episode, Dart and Christina discuss: - Dr. Maslach’s latest book, The Burnout Challenge - The impact of employee burnout on business success - Chronic job stressors and what to do about them - The effect of burnout on employee engagement and retention - Compassion fatigue at work - Components of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) - The six causes of burnout - And other topics…
Dr. Christina Maslach is a researcher, author, former administrator, and distinguished professor emerita of psychology at the University of California, Berkeley. She is the creator of the Maslach Burnout Inventory, the leading measure of burnout in the workplace validated by over 35 years of research. She is also the author of numerous award-winning articles and books, including The Cost of Caring, The Truth About Burnout, and The Burnout Challenge.
Christian received her B.A. from Harvard University and her Ph.D. from Stanford University. She was named by Business Insider as one of the top 100 people transforming business in 2021. With over three decades of experience, she is the pioneer of research on the definition, predictors, and measurement of job burnout. Dr. Maslach’s expertise led the World Health Organization to recognize burnout as an occupational phenomenon in 2019.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Dehumanization Is a Feature of Gig Work, Not a Bug | Eric Anicich
27 Jun 2023
01:17:01
Eric Anicich was a USC professor with 18 consecutive journal article rejections on his desk. Not knowing where to turn to professionally, he decided to do something completely different. He signed up as a Postmates driver in the gig economy. As he completed hundreds of rides, Eric went from rejection to research, crafting an investigative project on work, identity, and the highs and lows of the gig economy.
Dr. Anicich is an associate professor of management and organization at USC’s Marshall School of Business. His research on the forms and functions of social hierarchy within groups and work has been published in several prestigious outlets, such as the Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, and leading academic journals like the Academy of Management Review and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
In this episode, Dart and Eric discuss: - Eric’s research on the gig economy - The negative effects of the gig economy on employees and their life narratives - What a holding environment is and why every job needs one - Shaping personal identity through work - Algorithmic management vs. human management - When a hierarchy helps at work and when it hurts - Exploring the possibility of multiple company cultures within one organization - The challenges, opportunities, and hidden power of middle management - And other topics…
Dr. Eric Anicich is an associate professor of management and organization at USC’s Marshall School of Business. His research on the forms and functions of social hierarchy within groups has appeared in Forbes, CNN, the New York Times, TIME, The Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, and others. He has also been published in leading academic journals, including the Academy of Management Review, Organization Science, Psychological Science, and Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Eric received his Ph.D. from Columbia Business School, MSc from the University of Oxford, and BA from Northwestern University. He was recognized as Poets & Quant’s “Top 50 Undergraduate Business Professors” in 2021.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Magic of Code: Wonder, the Experience, and Future of Programming | Sam Arbesman
12 Aug 2025
01:09:55
Sam Arbesman writes deep, beautiful books about the boundary between technology, knowledge, and wonder. His most recent book, The Magic of Code, is another profound exploration—this time into the wonders revealed by code. Sam describes code as “a universal force—swirling through disciplines, absorbing ideas, and connecting worlds.” In this episode, Dart and Sam talk about the experience of coding: what makes it great, when it feels arduous or magical, and how AI could change the experience.
Sam Arbesman is a complexity scientist trained in computational biology and applied mathematics. He is the author of The Magic of Code,Overcomplicated, and The Half-Life of Facts. Sam is currently Scientist in Residence advising on emerging trends at Lux Capital—a venture firm investing at the outermost edges of what’s possible.
In this episode, Dart and Sam discuss: - The experience of writing software—and how to improve it - How Sam first discovered the magic of code - When code feels magical and why - How simple tools spark creativity - Two ways to see computing: utilitarian vs. wondering - The joy of coding just for yourself - What simulations teach us about reality - How coding reframes how we see the world - The hidden connections and limits of debugging - How AI could reshape coding and create leaner teams - Why the history of computing matters - And more…
Sam Arbesman is Scientist in Residence at Lux Capital, where he advises on emerging trends at the edges of science and innovation. Previously he was a Senior Scholar at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and a Research Fellow at Harvard. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, Wired, Wall Street Journal, and Harvard Business Review. He holds a PhD in computational biology, and is the author of The Magic of Code, Overcomplicated, and The Half‑Life of Facts.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Matt Higgins: Burn the Boats, How Plan B Holds You and Your Company Back From Achieving Your Potential
20 Jun 2023
01:09:36
Matt Higgins was a struggling teen, working at McDonald’s for $3.75/hr to put food on the table for his ailing mother. When he saw the pay increase offered to college students, he decided to do something unorthodox; he dropped out of high school, got his GED, and enrolled in college. Adults tried to talk him out of it, but Matt knew this was the right choice for him.
This was Matt's first "burn the boats" moment, but it wasn't his last. In fact, Matt believes this burn-the-boats mindset has defined his career, and has led him to places like Shark Tank, Harvard Business School, and beyond. Today, he joins us on Work For Humans to discuss the Burn the Boats philosophy.
Matt is the co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures, a private equity firm that incubates and invests in enterprises like the International Champions Cup, RESY, and the Drone Racing League. He is the recipient of the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, a current executive fellow at Harvard Business School, and the author of Burn the Boats.
In this episode, Dart and Matt discuss: - How backup plans subvert our potential - Emotional intelligence and intuition in decision-making - Using anxiety to drive us - Assessing opportunity costs - Extracting value from negative situations - Acting early and taking risks for greater results - Elon Musk and Twitter - And other topics…
Matt Higgins is an operator, investor, business builder, and co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures. Matt Began his career as the youngest press secretary in New York City, later becoming an executive for the New York Jets and the Miami Dolphins. As CEO of RSE Ventures, Matt and co-founder Stephen Ross have helped establish enterprises like the International Champions Cup, RESY, and the Drone Racing League.
Matt received his bachelor’s degree from Queens College and his JD from Fordham University. He was a guest shark on ABC’s Shark Tank and is an executive fellow at Harvard Business School. In 2019, Matt received the Ellis Island Medal of Honor for making it his mission to share his wealth of knowledge with those less fortunate. Matt recently published his first book, Burn the Boats, to continue to inspire others to toss Plan B overboard and go all in on Plan A.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Rooted in Violence: Wrestling With the Dark History of HR as We Work Towards a Brighter Future | Melissa Swift
13 Jun 2023
01:05:42
Over the last century, the world of work has changed extensively. We’ve experienced growth in the service sector, increased participation of women and minorities, and the rise of automation and technology – yet, oddly enough, many HR practices haven’t evolved much or at all. Melissa Swift, the Transformation Leader for North America at the Mercer consulting firm, believes that it’s time to update HR to finally meet the demands of today’s workplace.
Melissa Swift is a recognized authority on humanistic workplace transformation and the author of Work Here Now: Think Like a Human and Build a Powerhouse Workplace. As the Transformation Leader for North America Mercer, she helps C-suite executives and organizations reinvent the employee experience, drive performance, and create a sustainable competitive advantage.
In this episode, Dart and Melissa discuss: - Uncovering the dark history and roots of HR practices - The evolution of traditional and agile HR models - Work Here Now, by Melissa Swift - The danger of excessive customer centricity - Mapping customer journeys alongside employee journeys - Research findings on what makes work pleasant or unpleasant - The competing demands and complexities of the CPO role - The impact of unrealistic expectations in the age of technology - Pitfalls of a cost-centered approach to work - And other topics…
Melissa Swift is a recognized authority on humanistic workplace transformation and the author of Work Here Now: Think Like a Human and Build a Powerhouse Workplace. She is the Transformation Leader for North America Mercer, an HR and wealth management consultancy that helps C-suite executives and organizations reinvent the employee experience, drive performance, and create a sustainable competitive advantage.
Across her diverse career, Melissa has founded a research institute on leadership of the future for Russell Reynolds Associates, launched two ESG practices at Deloitte, and conducted landmark carbon credit trades for Deutsche Bank. Her research has been published in Harvard Business Review and The Wall Street Journal, and her insights have been quoted in Newsweek, The Washington Post, The Economist, and more. She has also been featured as one of Twitter’s “20 Digital Transformation Leaders to Follow” and named a “Top Influencer on the Future of Work” by Onalytica.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Building a Customer Movement: A Pragmatic Guide to Customer Experience Management | Alain Thys
06 Jun 2023
01:15:16
Alain Thys is an experience architect who has positively impacted half a billion customers and over 350,000 employees worldwide. Working with top brands such as Adidas, ING, Mercedes, and Deloitte, Alain and his team have created and implemented innovative work experiences that drive business profits – without sacrificing employee and customer experiences.
Alain is the former Managing Partner of Futurelab and founder of Alain Thys & Co. His company implements experiences that improve profitability by engaging teams around a common purpose, enriching customer lives through meaning, and differentiating brands from the competition.
In this episode, Dart and Alain discuss: - Turning company vision into experiences for employees and customers - Designing work that motivates good employee behavior - Building custom solutions for customers - Finding and attracting the right employees for your business - The biggest mistakes in customer programs - Anticipating and meeting future customer needs - The challenges of CRMs, and potential AI solutions - Key factors that drive stakeholders and shape their experiences - And other topics…
Alain Thys is an experience architect who has impacted over half a billion customers and over 350,000 employees worldwide. With his team, he has created and implemented new work experiences to help drive business profit for clients like Adidas, Audi, Mercedes, Reebok, and Toyota. His book, So You Want To Be Customer-Centric? is an executive action guide that helps businesses focus on customers without sacrificing profitability.
In Belgium, Alain served as the Managing Partner of Futurelab and Advisory Board Member of BrightFish, after which he founded Shalima Ventures and Alain Thys & Co. Alain’s company implements experiences that boost revenue by engaging teams around a common purpose, enriching customer lives through meaning, and differentiating brands from the competition.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Seth Godin: We Are in a Race to the Bottom. Wake Up, and Shake Off Your Indoctrination!
30 May 2023
00:38:10
Industrial capitalism has treated workers like marionettes breaking down work into discreet, disconnected, repeatable actions. It loves uniformity and people who do what they're told. Seth Godin’s new book, The Song of Significance, challenges us to break free of these limiting mental models, many of which are still baked into how we work.
Seth Godin is an author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert whose past clients include AOL, Microsoft, Penguin, and Random House. His 20 bestselling books, Ted Talks, personal blog, and altMBA program have empowered millions of professionals to drive meaningful change at work.
In this episode, Dart and Seth discuss: - The Song of Significance - Choosing and creating jobs of value instead of production - Eliminating drudgery from work - How the industrial revolution shaped work, education, and society - The power of small connections and communities in marketing - False proxies in the hiring process - The hiring method that lowers turnover and increases productivity - Criticizing work instead of the worker - And other topics…
Seth Godin is a highly influential author, entrepreneur, and marketing expert whose achievements have transformed how we think about business and personal development. His company, Yoyodyne, created the first ethical commercial email and was later sold to Yahoo!, where Seth became the VP of Direct Marketing. He later founded several other successful companies, working with clients such as AOL, Microsoft, Penguin, and Random House.
Seth has written 20 bestselling books translated into more than 35 languages, including Permission Marketing, Purple Cow, and, most recently, The Song of Significance. His TED Talks and personal blog have amassed millions of views, and his online workshop, altMBA, has empowered thousands of professionals to drive meaningful change in their industries. He is also the founding editor of The Carbon Almanac, a global almanac on climate created by hundreds of volunteers from over 40 countries.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Secrets to Happiness at Work: Purpose and Fulfillment at Work and Beyond | Tracy Brower
23 May 2023
01:08:57
Is joy too much to ask of work? Viral trends like the Great Resignation and Quiet Quitting have made it seem like work and life are at odds. Having studied the sociology of work for over two decades, Dr. Tracy Brower believes employees can find agency and happiness in the workplace – especially when employers create the right conditions.
Dr. Tracy Brower is an author, award-winning speaker, and Ph.D. sociologist with over 25 years of experience studying work and fulfillment. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work. Her work has been translated into 16 languages and is featured in Forbes, Fast Company, TEDx, The Wall Street Journal, and Fortune.com, among others.
In this episode, Dart and Tracy discuss: - The importance of agency in the workplace - Common myths about work and organizations - Valuing all types of work, and recognizing unique contributions - Creating intentional relationships at work - How employees can find purpose in their work - Creating the right growth opportunities for employees - The challenges of middle management - Employees as a Market of One - Assertive agency vs. aggressive agency in competitive markets - And other topics…
Dr. Tracy Brower is an author, award-winning speaker, and Ph.D. sociologist dedicated to studying work-life fulfillment and happiness. She is the Vice President of Workplace Insights and has over 25 years of experience helping global clients reach their business goals. She is also the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Bring Work to Life by Bringing Life to Work.
Tracy holds a Ph.D. in sociology, a Master of Management in Organizational Culture, and a Master of Corporate Real Estate with a workplace specialization. Her work has been translated into 16 languages and featured in Forbes, Fast Company, TEDx, The Wall Street Journal, and Fortune.com, among others.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Jobs to Be Done Theory: How To Build Customer Needs Into Every Part Of Your Business | Jim Kalbach
16 May 2023
01:04:32
Jim Kalbach wrote the book on the jobs to be done research methodology (JTBD). Jim argues persuasively, that JTBD is way more than a tool for understanding what customers really want from a product. When used right, it can be the organizing principle that gets every part of a company pointing in the same direction, all towards satisfying customer needs.
In this episode, Dart and Jim discuss: - Applying the Jobs to Be Done theory and methodology to business - Understanding and identifying the unmet needs of a marketplace - Promoting innovation by focusing on problems, not solutions - Jobs to Be Done in HR to find the right work for employees - Social, emotional, and differential factors that affect product market fit - Developing product lines to meet different circumstances - The Jobs to Be Done tools that help teams align their focus - And more…
Jim Kalbach is an author, speaker, and instructor in innovation, design, and the future of work. After consulting for large companies such as eBay, Audi, Sony, and Citrix, Jim became Co-Founder and Principal at the JTBD (Jobs to Be Done) Toolkit, an online resource with learning, training, and content on human-centered business. He is also the current Chief Evangelist at Mural, the leading online whiteboard.
Jim lived in Germany for 15 years, where he founded the European Information Architecture conferences and the leading UX design event, IA Konferenz. In 2013, he moved back to the United States and wrote Mapping Experiences and The Jobs to Be Done Playbook, among other publications. He is also the former editor of Boxes and Arrows and a former advisory board member of the Information Architecture Institute.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Why We Buy: The Science of Consumer Behavior Explained | Paco Underhill
09 May 2023
01:00:20
From the layout of the supermarket to the colors and packaging of products, companies are constantly shaping and adapting to a mix of human nature and changing consumer trends. In this episode, we apply this perspective to the workplace and explore what we can do to design work that people want.
Paco Underhill is a researcher, speaker, and expert on consumer trends, working with clients like Microsoft, McDonald's, Adidas, and Estee Lauder. He is the founder and former CEO of Envirosell, Inc. His New York Times bestseller, Why We Buy, has been translated into 27 languages and deemed a guide to consumer behavior for over two decades.
In this episode, Dart and Paco discuss: - Paco’s books, How We Eat and Why We Buy - Observational research behind retail and consumer behavior - The 6 things you must consider when discussing work or retail - How to attract the right customers and employees - The shopping models of the future - Creating smoother workdays and happier employees - How to collect the right data to improve a workplace - And other topics…
Paco Underhill is the founder and former CEO of Envirosell, Inc., a market research and consulting company that helped invent the science of shopping. As a researcher, speaker, and expert on consumer trends, Paco has tailored retail environments to customers, working with clients like Microsoft, McDonald's, Adidas, and Estee Lauder.
Paco has lived in a multitude of cities and worked in 50 countries as a speaker, presenter, and consultant. He is a regular contributor to The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times. His New York Times bestseller, Why We Buy, has been translated into 27 languages and deemed a guide to consumer behavior for over two decades.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
The Platform Business Model: Creating Ecosystems for Value Exchange | Alex Komoroske
02 May 2023
00:53:40
Platform businesses like Uber, Etsy, and Airbnb bring together customers who have complementary needs to a place where they can exchange value with one another. But a thriving platform can't be forced into existence. It must be cultivated like a garden. From ensuring fairness and trust, balancing innovation with regulation, and curating rights to intellectual property, these businesses must orchestrate a living system.
Today we are joined by Alex Komoroski. Alex is an expert in platform businesses with over a decade of hands-on experience as a leader and product manager, designing some of the most influential platforms, and thinking deeply about the principles underlying their success. He is an avid writer on project management, web standards, the power dynamics and creation of platforms, and other topics.
In this episode, Dart and Alex discuss: - The structure and function of platforms in business - The power dynamics of providers - Embracing uncertainty at work instead of fearing it - Employees as free agents - Building a flourishing ecosystem around a platform - Loosening boundaries at work - The rules for creating effective communities - The importance of play at work for creativity and innovation - And other topics…
Alex Komoroske is an expert with over a decade of experience in project management and platforms, exploring the world of platform businesses and the keys to their success. As a former director and project manager for Google, Alex led the Google Chrome web platform product management team. He is the current Head of Corporate Strategy for Stripe.
Alex graduated from Harvard University, where his thesis focused on the emergent paradynamics of Wikipedia’s user community. He is an avid writer of various term papers, articles, blogs, and other publications on project management, web standards, and the power dynamics and creation of platforms.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Escaping the Echo Chamber: Local Voices Share What Work is Really Like Around The World | Gregory Warner
25 Apr 2023
01:00:18
As an international correspondent for NPR, Gregory Warner has lived and worked in some of the highest conflict areas in recent memory. He has climbed mountains with smugglers in Pakistan for This American Life, descended into illegal mineshafts in the Democratic Republic of Congo for Marketplace's "Working" series, and lugged his accordion across Afghanistan on the trail of the "Afghan Elvis" for Radiolab. On one occasion, while covering the terror attacks in Nairobi, he found himself in the middle of a coup. To save his own life, he had to hide in a large vase until the fighting subsided.
Greg was named a Poynter Fellow in Journalism at Yale and received a Peabody Award for his journalism work. His podcast, Rough Translation, was named one of the New York Times’s Top 10 podcasts of 2021. Last season, he ran a series of surprising stories about workplaces and work cultures around the world. Today, he joins us on Work For Humans to discuss those stories.
In this episode, Dart and Gregory discuss: - The power of storytelling through a local’s perspective - Cultural norms, societal pressures, and value clashes around the world - Chinese workers protesting work through slacking - How crisis, government, and our parents shape workplace culture - South Korea’s work trend of adopting English first names - How countries brand themselves, and how this trickles down to work - The exportation of Silicon Valley's work culture - Jobs like truck driving that can push one into solitude - The danger of hearing from a narrow set of international voices - And other topics...
Gregory Warner has been an international correspondent for NPR for over a decade. As the host and creator of the NPR podcast Rough Translation, he has lived around the world and in conflict zones like Afghanistan, Ukraine, and Rwanda. Gregory was named a Poynter Fellow in Journalism at Yale and has received various awards for his journalism work, including a Peabody Award. Rough Translation unpacks cultural norms, issues, and shifts close to home from a continent away. The podcast has received multiple awards from the Overseas Press Club and was named one of the New York Times’s Top 10 podcasts of 2021.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Beyond HR: Human Development in the Era of Shareholder Capitalism | Bob Aubrey
18 Apr 2023
01:18:18
Dr. Bob Aubrey is a pioneer of human development in Asia, striving to increase opportunities at work and improve the employee experience across borders. With experience spanning 25 countries and six continents, Bob founded and chairs the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Human Development Organisation (ADHO). His work promotes human development in the workplace across the 10 ASEAN countries as well as the world.
Bob is an award-winning human development consultant, author, and educator who has worked with major multinationals across the globe. He is the Managing Director of Bob Aubrey Associates, the author of 14 books on human development, and a global expert in human resources and corporate leadership.
In this episode, Dart and Bob discuss: - Global human development (HD) and how it creates a better work environment - How HR and HD work together - HD curriculum and career paths - The importance of ethics in companies and investments - Environmental Social Governance and how it improves profitability - HD within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) - HR practices in Western vs. non-Western nations - How to create an organization that prioritizes employee well-being - If and how HD can coexist with capitalism - And more…
Dr. Bob Aubrey is an award-winning human development consultant, author, social entrepreneur, speaker, educator, and leadership consultant. His work as an author and consultant spans 25 countries and six continents. He is a pioneer in the field of human development in Asia as the Founder and Chair of the Advisory Board of the ASEAN Human Development Organisation (ADHO). He is also the Managing Director of Bob Aubrey Associates.
Bob has authored 14 books on human development and leadership, including the first book ever written on human development careers. He is currently writing a book on ethics within ASEAN and developing the curriculum for the first human development master’s program in the region.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Work Should Be Fun, Not Just Productive | Bree Groff
05 Aug 2025
01:07:12
Bree Groff’s new book, Today Was Fun, pushes the reset button on expectations about work. There is no reason work can’t be fun. About half of the things that make it un-fun are self-inflicted—we can just stop doing them. Take off the serious-people costume. Stop all performative work. Take a nap that is for you, not just to recharge for more work. Stop suppressing emotions. Have fun with work friends, and keep work in its place—a good part of life, but not your whole life.
Bree Groff is a former partner at SYPartners and a transformation expert who helps organizations lead through change. With a background in systems thinking and behavioral science, she works at the intersection of strategy, leadership, and culture.
In this episode, Bree and Dart discuss: - Why most transformation efforts fail - The role of rituals in driving behavior change - What leaders often get wrong about resistance - Why relationships matter more than strategy - How to build “cozy teams” and why that matters - Designing systems that reinforce cultural shifts - The emotional and ethical case for fun at work - Why professionalism often kills creativity - How to know if it’s time to leave your job - What it means to “shoot straight with love” - What Bree means by putting “laughing” on your KPIs - And other topics…
Bree Groff is a transformation expert who helps leaders and organizations navigate complex change. A partner at SYPartners, she works at the intersection of strategy, culture, and human behavior, bringing together systems thinking, design, and behavioral science to shape workplaces that actually work for people. She’s also the author of Today Was Fun, a book that rethinks our relationship with work and makes the case for putting joy and humanity at the center of it. Bree is a frequent speaker on the future of work and teaches graduate courses on innovation and organizational change at Northwestern University.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Willful Blindness: Confronting The Challenge of Business Ethics | Margaret Heffernan
11 Apr 2023
00:44:42
Businesses have long fragmented work and home life, searching for employees that fit the mold instead of molding work around their employees. As a global expert on business leadership, management, and innovation, Margaret Heffernan helps others to integrate work with life, prioritize good people instead of obedient employees, and measure business value in more than just numbers.
Margaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, award-winning author, keynote speaker to over 14 million people, and former CEO of five businesses across two continents. As an author, she has written two of the most important business books of the decade - Uncharted and Willful Blindness – as named by the Financial Times.
In this episode, Dart and Margaret discuss: - Integrating work with life to benefit businesses and employees - The problem of measuring progress and value in numbers - Focusing on good people instead of obedient employees - The morality (or lack thereof) of leadership - What data doesn’t capture and how this affects a business - Margaret’s strategies as the former CEO of five companies - Recognizing the value of different positions, employees, and types of work - And more…
Margaret Heffernan is an entrepreneur, keynote speaker, author of six award-winning books, and former CEO of five businesses in the U.S. and the U.K. As an expert on business leadership, management, and innovation, her TED talks have impacted over 14 million people. Her book Willful Blindness was named one of the most important business books of the decade by the Financial Times. Margaret's most recent bestseller, Uncharted, is also nominated for the Financial Times Best Business Book award.
Before serving as the CEO of iCast Corporation, ZineZone Corporation, and Information Corporation, Margaret worked for BBC for over a decade. She received her M.A. from Cambridge University and an Honorary Degree from the University of Bath, where she currently serves as a Professor of Practice for the MBA program.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Love Your Customers: How Customer Loyalty Trumps Profit Accounting as a Measurement of Longterm Business Health | Fred Reichheld Revisted
07 Apr 2023
01:00:27
Today we are featuring Fred Reichheld. Named by The Economist as the "high priest" of loyalty, Fred is the creator of the Net Promoter Score (NPS).
More than two-thirds of Fortune 1000 companies have reportedly used the Net Promoter Score to measure customer experience including household names like Apple, Netflix, and Disney. According to Fred, however, the vast majority of companies are using it wrong.
Today, Fred shares what businesses can do differently to create a truly successful, fulfilling, and energized organization that prioritizes its customers and energizes its employees.
In this episode, Dart and Fred talk about viewing a company’s progress through the experience of its customers. They discuss why Fred believes organizations are built to love customers and enrich their lives, while leaders are meant to respect and recognize their employees. Fred also speaks about the importance of maximizing value in a business by creating value for its customers.
Topics Include: - Mistakes companies make when measuring progress - The ideas behind Fred’s new book, Winning on Purpose - How to use emotional relationships to propel your business - Why Fred hopes "earned growth" will replace NPS - What creates energized employees - How to track net revenue retention - The best way to increase a company’s value - And other topics…
Fred Reichheld is the creator of the Net Promoter Score and pioneer of the loyalty business model. His work guides two-thirds of Fortune 1000 companies that use the Net Promoter Score to outline their customer success.
Fred is a New York Times best-selling author. As a Harvard alum, he also shares his knowledge through eight Harvard Business Review articles. He is a current Fellow at Bain & Company and has previously been named one of the top 25 consultants in the world by Consulting Magazine. His work has been covered by publications like The Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Fortune, Business Week, The Economist, and more.
Fred’s groundbreaking concepts of “customer loyalty” and “Earned Growth Rate” have allowed him to restructure outdated business models. His teachings promote customer retention, repetition, and referrals spanning different industries. He continues to research, write, and speak about these topics across the country.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.
Marshall Goldsmith: What I’ve Learned From 40 Years of Coaching the World’s Most Successful Business Executives
04 Apr 2023
00:48:41
Marshall Goldsmith has coached over 150 millionaires, successful entrepreneurs, and C-suite executives including the CEO of Pfizer, the former President of the World Bank, and the CEO of Ford Motor Company.
With over four decades of experience overcoming limiting beliefs and behaviors, Marshall’s life work helps successful individuals find greater purpose and triumph.
Marshall is widely considered the #1 Executive Coach in the World, has won the Thinkers 50 Award for #1 Leadership Thinker twice, and has written two of the Top 100 Leadership and Success Books ever written as per Amazon.com.
In this episode, Dart and Marshall discuss: - What Got You Here Won’t Get You There and The Earned Life - How success can cloud perception - The structure of regret and how to avoid it - Why happiness and achievement are independent of each other - The mindset you need for a successful, earned life - The benefit of fewer choices - Aligning work with your purpose - The best coaching advice Marshall could give - And more…
Marshall Goldsmith is an executive educator and coach with over four decades of experience helping top CEOs and executives achieve greater success. Having worked with the CEO of Pfizer, the CEO of St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, and the former President of the World Bank, he has been ranked the #1 Executive Coach in the World for the past eight years. Marshall is the only person to win the Thinkers 50 Award for #1 Leadership Thinker in the world twice.
Marshall has authored or edited 36 books, including three New York Times bestsellers. Two of his books, What Got You Here Won’t Get You There and Triggers, have been recognized by Amazon.com as two of the top 100 Leadership & Success Books ever written. Marshall holds a Ph.D. from UCLA and currently teaches at the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth.
Work with Dart: Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.