In this week's episode, Nick and Geoff dig into a WallStreet Journal article about why working in America has become so joyless. They unpack the two forces driving workplace dissatisfaction—shrinking perks and the rise of AI—and explore the "AI engagement paradox," a concept gainingtraction that links AI use to lower social connection at work. They also share a practical example of how collaborative AI use can preserve the social element of work while still delivering the efficiency gains companies are chasing.

Key Takeaways:

• Shrinking perks and AI-driven changes are combining to make the workplace feel increasingly less enjoyable, according to a new Wall Street Journal report
• CFOs mentioned "efficiency" on over 300 earnings calls in Q1—up 40% year over year and the highest level since 2020—signaling a top-down squeeze employees are feeling daily
• The more employees interact with AI instead of colleagues, the more they are isolated and the lower their overall connection to work, risking burnout
• Collaborative AI use, where teams work together on AI-driven projects rather than solo, can preserve the social element of work while still capturing meaningful efficiency gains

In this week’s episode, Nick and Geoff explore how shifting social behaviors among Gen Z—particularly reduced in-person interactions—are impacting workplace readiness. They dive into how employers can rethink development through in-person experiences and skill-building and how broader economic uncertainty is shaping employee sentiment, job mobility, and the need for continuous upskilling.

 Key Takeaways:

• Only about 56% of Gen Z enter adulthood having engaged in a romantic relationship, versus 75% of older generations, signaling reduced exposure to experiences that build communication and interpersonal skills
• Gen Z is socializing less overall, contributing to underdeveloped skills that are critical for workplace success
• In-person work environments can accelerate the development of communication and collaboration skills that are harder to build in remote settings
• 27% of employees who changed jobs recently took a pay cut, highlighting a shift in job market dynamics and reduced bargaining power
• Only 28% of employees report feeling secure in their current job, reflecting widespread economic uncertainty and anxiety
• Job growth remains stagnant, with effectively zero net new jobs created in recent data, reinforcing concerns about labor market stability
• More employees are “struggling” than “thriving” for the first time in Gallup’s tracking, with implications for engagement, productivity, and well-being
• Upskilling, especially in response to AI and evolving job requirements, is increasingly critical for job security and career advancement

In this episode, Nick sits down with Dave Kerrigan of BenefitPitch for the podcast's first ever guest appearance. Dave shares insights from 20,000 benefit professionals based on their search activity in BenefitPitch, revealing what employers and brokers are actually looking for, what's surprisingly popular, and what categories may be ripe for disruption.

Key Takeaways:

• Pet insurance and pet services ranked 4th among all benefit searches on BenefitPitch, signaling it's approaching must-have status
• EAP services topped the list and COBRA and tax-advantage health accounts (e.g., HSAs, FSAs) rounded out the top three, suggesting these are "staple" categories
• Categories like COBRA, ACA compliance, and benefits administration keep getting searched year after year, which signals an opportunity for disruption rather than satisfaction with existing solutions
• GLP-1s are likely to expand well beyond weight loss into addiction, behavioral health, and other categories that employers aren't yet fully accounting for in their benefits strategy
• Dave is bearish on ICHRA enrollment projections, arguing that adverse risk selection could cause individual market premiums to outpace employer contributions over time

Resources:

• BenefitpitchBenefitPitch Trend Report | Super Benefits Bowl: The 2025 Recap
• Linkedinlinkedin.com/in/djk74

Key Takeaways:

• Nearly one third of employees would switch employers for GLP-1 coverage, making it one of the first drug classes to factor meaningfully into recruitment and retention
• Nearly half of employees are already using third-party apps to find GLP-1 drugs at lower prices
• Adding GLP-1 coverage for weight loss could increase employer health insurance premiums by 5.3% to 13.8%
• 51% of employers now cite GLP-1s as the top driver of prescription cost growth
• Clinical support and lifestyle management programs can serve as meaningful gatekeepers, helping manage costs while ensuring employees get the most out of the drug
• HR leaders should ground coverage decisions in a clear understanding of their company's size, industry, and culture because the right benefits strategy looks very different depending on the company and value proposition they are offering employees

In this episode, Nick and Geoff review the fictional post-mortem report from Citrini Research that evaluates how we got to a June 2028 economy characterized by higher unemployment and lower stock valuations (hint: rapid AI advancement outpaces workforce adaptation). They explore the short-term and long-term implications for the workforce and corporate strategies.

Key Takeaways:

• The Citrini scenario imagines unemployment surpassing 10% by 2028, driven largely by white-collar layoffs as AI boosts efficiency and reduces the need for human labor
• Block’s 40% workforce reduction illustrates a “rip the bandage off” strategy: accelerating AI adoption immediately rather than managing gradual layoffs that could erode morale
• Companies like Meta and Accenture are tying AI usage to performance reviews and promotions, signaling that AI fluency may become a core competency
• Organizations that educate, evangelize, and share AI success stories may see productivity gains without immediate workforce disruption but long-term structural risks remain

In this episode, Nick and Geoff discuss the rapid adoption of GLP-1 drugs; recent FDA crackdowns on compound pharmacies; and the implications for employers, consumers, and the healthcare industry. They explore market dynamics, regulatory challenges, and the potential economic impact of GLP-1s.

Takeaways:

• 1 in 5 employers cover GLP-1s for weight loss, 12% of US adults report currently using the medication
• FDA crackdown on compound pharmacies and active ingredients will affect GLP-1 supply, as compound versions surged amid shortages
• Market demand is strong, and employers will continue to face decisions on eligibility for coverage as supply tightens
• Broader economic impact of GLP-1s is only beginning to unfold, with early ripple effects already appearing in industries like airlines and food as consumer behavior and health trends shift

In this episode, Nick and Geoff discuss the recent market reaction to AI disruptions in the insurance industry. They explore the implications of AI for insurance brokers, the historical context of other seemingly disruptive technologies, and what future innovation could mean for the industry. The conversation emphasizes the long-term perspectives on the impact of technology and the evolving needs of businesses.Takeaways:

• Insurance shopping platform Insurify sparked fears after launching AI insurance comparison tool, resulting in a significant drop in stock prices for US insurance brokers
• History lesson: Zenefits, once seen as a major threat to traditional health insurance brokers, didn't have significant impact on the industry
• ICHRAs is gaining traction as a flexible health insurance option
• Small businesses have been incubation markets for innovation in the broker industry
• Insurance brokers must adapt to changing market dynamics
• AI will likely play a role in the future of insurance procurement, but the complexity of health insurance requires expert guidance

In this episode, Geoff and Nick have some post-Super Bowl fun by discussing Anthropic's commercial that humorously critiques the potential for ads in AI tools. They focus on the reality of AI at work and the challenges businesses face when implementing AI, emphasizing the need for commitment and workflow changes to achieve success. They also highlight the importance of understanding AI limitations and the human element in AI interactions.

 Takeaways:

• Super Bowl Monday sees a significant number of absences in the workplace
• Anthropic's ad cleverly critiques the potential for ads in AI tools
• 95% of AI implementations deliver zero return on investment, according to an MIT study
• Successful AI projects require commitment and workflow changes
• AI tools need to be integrated thoughtfully into existing processes, while considering their limitations

In this episode, Nick Patel (CEO at Wellable) and Geoff Geredien (CGO at Wellable) discuss the implications of a lawsuit filed by former Google employee Jeff Sklarin, who claims he faced discrimination after disclosing his mental health challenges. The conversation explores the responsibilities companies have to respond appropriately when encouraging mental health discussions, the role of HR in addressing employee concerns, and the importance of training for managers to handle sensitive topics effectively. They also share insights on the need for clear company policies and the potential outcomes of the lawsuit.

Article Link: ⁠https://www.hcamag.com/us/specialization/employment-law/ex-employee-sues-google-claims-manager-weaponized-mental-health-disclosure/563154

Takeaways:

• Any publicity is not always good publicity: Google is in the spotlight for a lawsuit
• Case raises questions about mental health disclosures at work
• Encouraging openness about mental health carries responsibility
• Training for managers is essential in handling sensitive topics
• Clear company policies should be the priority, because they can be applied uniformly
• Examples include better documentation around disclosures, straightforward support like built-in mental health days, and healthcare that covers mental health providers

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In this episode, Nick Patel (CEO at Wellable) and Geoff Geredien (CGO at Wellable) unpack Amazon’s latest RTO push—a new tracking dashboard that monitors employee attendance and time in the office. They discuss how and why the company is cracking down, and what it might mean for the future of their workforce. The conversation then turns to Amazon’s growing reliance on warehouse automation and what replacing 600,000 potential roles with robots means for the company.

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