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In this episode of American Socrates, we ask a hard question: are you your job — or are you something more? From stocking groceries as a teenager to grinding in restaurant kitchens, host Matt shares his own working-class story of being treated like a machine. Then, we explore why jobs so often leave us feeling unseen, drawing on the ideas of philosophers like Hegel and Marx.

We’ll uncover why recognition at work matters, why employers often withhold it, and how that shapes our sense of self. Finally, we’ll talk about how to resist the trap of “job = identity” and reclaim our humanity beyond the paycheck.

This is a practical episode for anyone who’s ever felt alienated at work, hustled for scraps of respect, or wondered if there’s more to life than being what your boss needs.

Keywords: work and identity, recognition, alienation, Marx, Hegel, working-class philosophy, dignity, meaning, American Socrates

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