The Lonely Office

In this episode of The Lonely Office, we dive into the disconnect between economic data and the job seeker’s reality, exploring why many still feel gaslit despite reports of a "booming economy." Joined by economist Guy Berger, we break down the real challenges of the job market, highlighting the frustration of job seekers navigating slow hiring and overstated job openings in today’s labor landscape.

Special Guest:

Dr. Guy Berger, Director of Economic Research @ Burning Glass Institute

https://www.linkedin.com/in/guyberger

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

With more CEOs going on record about their return to office mandates, it has us wondering: was the golden promise of working from home too good to be true? On this episode, we discuss the hidden market players who want you back in office and how companies like JM Smuckers are rolling out their hybrid work policy. (Re-air)

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Leah Ova

https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova

Workers are taking less and less PTO, yet working more and more when they do. This week, Malcolm’s ‘staycation’ turns into an anxiety-filled week of self-reflection that leads to him reconsidering his career.

Why aren’t we using our full PTO allowance? Are we at fault, or is it the company? And is our mental health deteriorating as a result? Comedian Chanel Ali joins us to talk about vacation.

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Leah Ova

https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova

Special Guest:

Chanel Ali

https://www.chanelali.com/

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

Could it be that choosing degrees in the humanities is actually a smart, tactical move for the future? As tech job markets tighten, we explore how skills rooted in creativity and human insight are becoming more valuable—and share key strategies for standing out in this evolving landscape.

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Job hopping can be great for your wallet, but is it detrimental to your career? This week, Ferris’ job hopping led to pay bumps and new positions until layoffs stopped him in his tracks.

Is it the key to making more money? Or does job loyalty pay off in the long run? Comedian Azhar Usman joins us to talk about the new social contract between workers and companies.

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Leah Ova

https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova

Special Guest:

Azhar Usman

https://azhar.com/

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

In this reaction pod of TLO, we dive back into the controversial world of workplace surveillance with special guest Cody Rogers, Chief Product Officer at Hubstaff. Are these tools about transparency and efficiency, or are they enabling a culture of micromanagement? Join us as we explore the fine line between monitoring and trust.

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Leah Ova

https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova

Guest:

Cody Rogers, Chief Product Officer at Hubstaff

On today's TLO Reaction Pod, Matt & Aaron dive into the stark realities of job hunting in an unpredictable economy—where even the most prepared knowledge workers might be forced to dip into their 401(k)s just to stay afloat. With layoffs climbing and job openings dwindling, the remote worker could be facing the same fate as the Rust Belt worker of the past. 

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Starting your own business is something many dream about, but few actually do. This week, ‘Emma’ is torn between taking a job promotion or pursuing her passion.

Is there ever a right time to make the leap? Do you really have to say ‘goodbye’ to your social life? We take you through the hard truths of forming that first LLC.

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Leah Ova

https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Opening Story

Performed by:

Aaron Calafato

Adapted by:

Matt Sunbulli & Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli

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

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobcoursey/

Audio Production:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

AI is eating our skills and taking away our remote jobs. From the operating room to the cubicle, it appears that our trusty sidekicks may be planning a takeover. 

How is this different from the software revolution? And which jobs are most at risk? Matt Beane, author of The Skill Code, joins us this week to take on the machines.

Special Guest:

Matt Beane

Learn more about Matt's book: The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines

https://www.mattbeane.com/

https://www.ted.com/talks/matt_beane_how_do_we_learn_to_work_with_intelligent_machines

Hosts:

Matt Sunbulli

https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/

https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli

https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato

https://www.7minutestoriespod.com/

https://www.aaroncalafato.com/

Leah Ova

https://www.tiktok.com/@leahova

Editorial:

Matt Sunbulli

Brooks Borden

Ken Wendt

Aaron Calafato

Opening Story

Performed by:

Aaron Calafato

Adapted by:

Matt Sunbulli & Aaron Calafato

Audio:

Ken Wendt

Jan Cruz

Research:

Zaid Safe

Matt Sunbulli