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On this episode, we tackle a longstanding battle that has nearly boiled over: the role of college in career-preparation. Or, more specifically, why do hiring managers still require degrees for new roles? And should they? 

The old biases persist: many hiring managers still view a degree as a shorthand for maturity, responsibility, and readiness. But with roles evolving fast and the shelf life of job-specific skills shrinking, is that shortcut doing more harm than good?

In the end, Brad and Nick are do what they always do, plunging us into the fundamental question of what higher ed's job is and should be in a functioning society... and is this a functioning society at all?

Together, they explore:

• Why “entry-level” doesn’t mean what it used to
• How automation and AI are softening the bottom of the job market
• The tension between hiring for the current role vs. hiring for a path
• The challenge of finding people who can evolve with the organization
• Whether freelance might be a better fit than full-time in many cases
• How the university system became a cultural scapegoat—and what we lose when we misunderstand it

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In this introspective and timely episode, Brad and Nick take on a deceptively simple question: Do we really own our ideas anymore?

Prompted by Nick’s recent experience of having his writing lifted and reposted—sometimes respectfully, sometimes not—the conversation weaves through authorship, digital ethics, AI scraping, and the deeper emotional terrain of publishing on the internet. What begins as a conversation about plagiarism quickly becomes something bigger: a meditation on intellectual generosity, attribution, and the meaning of creative work in a remix culture.

Nick wrestles with the tension between wanting his writing to matter and his desire to be part of the conversation his work sparks. Brad adds reflections on how creative inspiration often flows from one source to another and how acknowledging that is more art than science.

In this jam-packed discussion, they also hit:

• How human creativity works (messy, layered, integrative)
• The rise of AI and its flattening effect on original voice
• The emotional whiplash of going viral
• Why traditional publishing may be a spiritual balm in an age of digital entropy

At the core: the internet changed how we think about ownership. AI is changing it again. So where does that leave creators, thinkers, and leaders trying to say something real?

Referenced Resources:

• Abundance: The Future Is Better Than You Think by Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson
• Definition of “Palimpsest” 

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In this episode of Working/Broken, hosts Nick Richtsmeier and Brad Farris dive deep into the burning debate: Is it better to grow naturally, or should you aggressively scale your business? With wit and candor, they explore how the meaning of “growth” has evolved over time—from organic, sustainable expansion to the manufactured, high-speed push for scale that risks sacrificing client experience. Drawing on industry insights, personal anecdotes (including Brad’s weight-loss journey as a metaphor for shrinking old habits), and even a nod to that iconic Jerry Maguire moment, they challenge the status quo. Whether you're an investment advisor, a creative services leader, or simply a business owner questioning the path to success, this episode will inspire you to rethink your strategy and decide which game you really want to win.

Tune in and join the conversation—because friends don't let friends work broken!

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In this episode of Working/Broken, Nick Richtsmeier and Brad Farris peel back the curtain on the wild world of marketing metrics. They dive into how even the biggest advertisers are left scratching their heads—overspending on TV ads that mysteriously boost sales, while 30-50% of online clicks turn out to be fraudulent. With plenty of humor and hot takes, the hosts break down insights from Lindsay Slaby—the “CMO Whisperer” at David Baker’s MYOB conference—and ponder if our obsession with precise ROI is just a modern-day myth. They question whether chasing data-driven attribution is really working, or if it's time for service firms to ditch the digital funnel and focus on building genuine trust instead. Tune in for a refreshingly candid discussion that challenges the status quo of digital marketing measurement.

Outside Resources Referenced:

• David Baker’s MYOB Conference
• Dead Internet Theory

Join Nick and Brad as they unravel the complexities behind digital metrics and challenge you to rethink what really drives value in today’s marketing landscape.

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In this lively debut of Working/Broken, hosts Nick Richtsmeier and Brad Farris dive headfirst into the world of hustle culture—tracing its evolution from the early days of knowledge work to today’s digital grind. With a mix of humor and sharp insight, they debate whether the “work harder” mantra truly paves the way to success or if it simply sets us up for burnout. Along the way, the duo dissects modern hustle icons like Mr. Beast and Elon Musk, unpacking how their narratives—full of bold risks and alleged simplicity—might actually mask a more complex reality. Ultimately, Nick and Brad challenge listeners to rethink relentless hustle in favor of creative balance, arguing that sometimes stepping back can be the smartest move in an era where the old rules just don’t add up.

Outside Resources Mentioned:

• Mr. Beast’s Hustle Guidebook: A Google Doc outlining his unconventional approach to work and creativity.

Tune in for a thought-provoking and entertaining look at why hustle culture might just be broken—and what we might do instead!

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In this wide-ranging interview style episode, host Nick Richtsmeier sits down with one of the most unexpected and impactful voices on LinkedIn in 2025: Nick Power, the marketer and writer behind a wave of unfiltered, politically-aware, and often hilarious posts that challenged the business-as-usual tone of the platform.

What began as a creative shift away from conventional “thought leadership” turned into something larger: a community movement, a form of resistance, and an experiment in what truth-telling looks like on a platform built for polished personal brands.

In this episode, we unpack the unexpected intersection between late-stage capitalism, artful forms of digital protest, and rethinking the religion of personal brand. The Nicks take us through their takes on what the #weirdLinkedIn movement meant, and what happens next.

Resources Referenced

• 📚 Ezra Klein on the Temptation to Assume the End
  Referenced for insight on acting in the present rather than assuming outcomes are predetermined.
• 📱 Sharon McMahon / @sharonsaysso on Instagram
  Praised by Nick Power for making complex news stories accessible and balanced.
• 💡 The Noun Project
  Nick Power is Head of Marketing at this resource for design icons and visual taxonomies.

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In this timely and unfiltered episode, Brad and Nick explore the increasingly tangled relationship between politics and work culture. They ask the central question: Has politics become so pervasive that it’s breaking our ability to lead, work, and think clearly?

Key Themes:

• The Blurring Line Between Culture and Politics: Brad and Nick debate whether culture is now downstream from politics or whether it's still the other way around. Nick argues that cultural trends, even fringe ones, often precede political movements (e.g., mommy bloggers influencing public health debates).
• The Role of Algorithms: The hosts criticize how algorithmic thinking is shaping what we consume, from news headlines to music to political discourse, and how it narrows our perspectives. 
• Fear and Existential Framing: Every political issue today is presented in existential terms, which creates emotional fatigue and disrupts our ability to engage meaningfully in leadership and life.
• Leadership, Brands, and Point of View: In today’s climate, leaders and companies can’t afford to be neutral. Nick makes the case that if you’re not willing to state a point of view—on the issues that matter to your work—you lose trust and relevance. 
• Creating Better Culture: Iif we want better politics, we must first invest in better culture—through storytelling, creativity, and human connection. He criticizes cultural homogeneity (driven by platforms like Spotify or Netflix) as a breeding ground for bland politics and weak leadership.

Notable Quotes:

• "Bad culture makes bad politics." – Nick
• "Politics feels like a tax on my attention—it's stealing time from the things I care about." – Brad
• "Culture is a product of human relationships. You can't make good culture with machines." – Nick
• "If you're going to be in business today, you need a point of view. Period." – Nick

Referenced Resources:

The Cult of Creativity by Samuel W. Franklin
A deep dive into how “creativity” became central to modern work and business culture.

Tangle Newsletter
A politically balanced daily newsletter that presents left, right, and center perspectives on current events.

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In this thought-provoking episode, Nick and Brad unpack how fear has traditionally been used as a primary tool in marketing and communication—from political campaigns and media to brand messaging. Drawing on personal experience in marketing and spiritual development, they challenge whether fear-based messaging is still effective or ethical in a world that's rapidly waking up.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear is a primal motivator, and marketers have long exploited it to capture attention and drive action.
• There's a growing awareness in society that fear-based narratives lead to chronic stress, anxiety, and disconnection.
• Conscious consumers are increasingly seeking hope, empowerment, and authenticity, not manipulation.
• The hosts reflect on how marketing rooted in truth, love, and transparency is more aligned with inner work and long-term success, but is often treated as less successful from a sales perspective.
• They challenge listeners to notice how often fear is used to push a product, idea, or political stance—and to ask: Is this true? Is this necessary?

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In this powerful and timely episode, Nick Richtsmeier and Brad Farris dive into the pervasive undercurrent of fear that’s shaping both politics and the workplace. From the physiological and psychological roots of fear to its impact on leadership, decision-making, and organizational culture, the conversation explores how fear manifests in leaders and teams alike.

Nick breaks down the classic "Four F's" of fear—fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how these instinctive reactions show up in modern leadership contexts. Brad adds depth by highlighting how fear hijacks our ability to think clearly, and how leaders can regulate themselves to respond rather than react.

This episode is packed with real-life leadership tensions, practical self-regulation strategies (aka “the ice pack”), and some sharp reflections on how fear gets coded into everyday business language. It’s a must-listen for anyone navigating uncertainty, leading in turbulent times, or just trying to stay grounded.

We live in a time where leadership is both at risk and never more needed. And the line will be drawn based on how leaders deal with fear.

📚 References & Mentions

Books, Articles, and Ideas:

• "On Bullshit" by Harry Frankfurt

Movies:

• Children of Men (2006)
• Minecraft: The Movie

Psychological Concepts:

• The Four F’s of Fear:
  • Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn
    Quick overview

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Authenticity had a good run, or so it may seem.

In this thought-provoking episode of Working Broken, hosts Nick Richtsmeier and Brad Farris dive deep into the concept of authenticity in a world increasingly dominated by artificiality, distrust, and digital noise. As they wrestle with the idea of being true to oneself in an environment filled with deception—fake resumes, spammy AI-generated outreach, and manipulated social trust—they ask: Is authenticity still working, or is it broken?

Brad comes into the discussion feeling disillusioned, questioning whether it's even possible to be authentic online without being drowned out by the noise. Meanwhile, Nick pushes back, arguing that authenticity is the last battleground of personal integrity. Together, they explore the overwhelming labor of simply existing in today’s digital world, the impact of a fractured internet, and whether showing up authentically still holds value.

Through personal anecdotes, cultural critiques, and practical insights, they reach a nuanced conclusion: authenticity has been weaponized against us, but it remains one of the few tools we have to create meaningful connections. The challenge is not just figuring out how to be authentic but where to show up and engage in ways that align with the world we want to build.

Tune in for a candid, insightful conversation about trust, digital engagement, and reclaiming authenticity on your own terms.

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In this episode of Working Broken, hosts Nick Richtsmeier and Brad Farris explore the complex and often misunderstood topic of mentoring. Is it truly about passing knowledge from an experienced leader to a junior employee, or is it a two-way street that transforms both mentor and mentee?

Nick and Brad examine how business leaders struggle to delegate responsibilities effectively, often clinging to the idea that “no one can do it like me.” They discuss the distinction between training, managing, and mentoring, highlighting why mentoring is the most challenging yet rewarding of the three. True mentorship is more than just transferring skills—it’s about modeling leadership, fostering growth, and embracing change in both the mentor and the mentee.

The conversation delves into why many leaders resist mentoring, fearing the vulnerability and openness it requires. They also unpack the generational shifts that create friction in the workplace and challenge outdated notions of leadership. Is mentoring broken, or is it simply that today’s leaders are struggling to embrace it?

By the end of the episode, Brad makes a compelling case: mentoring isn’t broken—leaders are. When done right, mentoring can build stronger organizations, create lasting relationships, and develop the next generation of business leaders.

Join Nick and Brad for an insightful, sometimes therapeutic, discussion on what it truly takes to lead in a way that fosters trust, growth, and lasting impact.

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In this episode of Working Broken, Nick Richtsmeier and Brad Farris take a deep dive into the world of cold emails—why they’re everywhere, why people swear by them, and whether they actually work. Spoiler alert: they’re not fans.

The conversation kicks off with a story about a salesperson convinced that blasting out 50 cold emails a day would bring in business. Months later? One booked meeting. That sets the stage for a bigger discussion about why businesses keep turning to cold outreach, even when it’s painfully ineffective. They explore how digital marketing strategies have changed, why email is still hanging on as a go-to tactic, and the psychological appeal of avoiding rejection through automation.

But the real heart of the episode isn’t just about why cold email doesn’t work—it’s about what does. Nick and Brad reflect on how business used to be done, back before inboxes were flooded with generic pitches. They talk about the power of relationships, trust, and actually taking an interest in potential clients rather than treating them like numbers in a system. The contrast between transactional outreach and genuine engagement is a big theme, and they make a compelling case for why businesses should rethink their approach.

By the end of the episode, they address email marketing's impact on company’s culture in ways that might not be obvious at first. Turns out who we spam and how says a lot about who we are.

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Want to get a taste of what to expect from Working/Broken? Let us tell you in just five short minutes.

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This episode isn’t about AI. Not really. It’s about the stories we tell ourselves about technology, power, and what we’re allowed to feel.

Nick and Brad take apart the myth of inevitability around artificial intelligence—specifically large language models (LLMs)—and ask who benefits from that myth. Spoiler: it’s not you.

Nick’s viral post about saying “no” to wearable AI at the dinner table sets the stage. What followed? A flood of people thanking him for drawing a line—and another flood accusing him of condemning his children to a lifetime of ruin. The episode explores what it means to lead with agency, discernment, and humility in a culture obsessed with optimization.

Brad reminds us that the promises of tech are almost always overblown—and the consequences are rarely predicted. (Remember when the internet was going to make us all smarter?) Together, they call B.S. on the assumption that every AI advancement is a step toward progress.

They don’t offer easy answers—but they do offer a better question: “What are we becoming as we adopt these tools?”

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