As the year winds down, many of us reflect on our work, our personal lives, and the balance (or lack thereof) between the two. In this episode of Hello Monday, Jessi Hempel talks with Brigid Schulte, the best-selling author of Overwhelmed and Over Work, about the culture of work and how it shapes our lives. Brigid’s research spans countries like Iceland, Japan, and the U.S., giving her unique insights into how different cultures approach work-life balance and productivity.Brigid shares why the pressure to love our work and work non-stop is unsustainable and harmful. As technology—especially AI—reshapes the future of work, it’s time to reassess how we define success and productivity. Is more work really better work? Together, Jessi and Brigid discuss how small changes in our work culture can lead to less stress, greater fulfillment, and healthier work-life balance. They also explore the importance of creating work cultures that prioritize well-being alongside productivity.In this episode, you’ll learn how to challenge outdated work norms and how to design a more sustainable future for work, life, and everything in between.

Plus, hear Scott Olster discuss his recent read Nexus by Yuval Noah Harari.