What The F* is Happening to The Office?

Hybrid work isn't broken because employees don’t want to gather—it struggles due to the coordination tax, that hidden productivity killer that strikes when freedom lacks structure. In this essential episode, host Bob Fox sits down with Mark Gilbreath, CEO & Founder of LiquidSpace, to dive deep into the real enemy of hybrid: coordination chaos.

Mark unpacks how smart enterprises like T-Mobile, Allstate, and Airbnb are achieving massive cost savings and unlocking the tangible "Hybrid Dividend" by pivoting to a people-first planning model. We explore the necessity of adopting flexible workspaces and leveraging AI-powered portfolio intelligence to match work activities with the right space, proving that 83% of office bookings are for group work, not solo focus. This powerful conversation is a must-listen for anyone questioning the future of work, providing actionable workplace strategy insights and data-driven decisions that transform workplace transformation from a distraction into a double-win for both cost efficiency and employee engagement.

What would it truly take to make the office matter again? Host Bob Fox sits down with Lauren Hasson, Senior Vice President of Workplace Strategy at JLL, to tackle why the post-pandemic office hasn't evolved as expected—and how to fix it. This is an essential conversation for leaders, facility managers, and designers rethinking how and where we work.

Lauren shares an inspiring vision, urging organizations to turn their office into a "living lab" for continuous innovation, where experimentation is ongoing, not one-time. She reveals why choice is the ultimate workplace benefit, necessitating a variety of settings designed for neurodiversity and high employee satisfaction. We dive deep into the real ROI of good workplace design, arguing that metrics must upgrade from simple square footage to experience-based value, such as cost per visit and employee engagement scores. Learn why beautiful, thoughtful design and strong leadership modeling are crucial for compelling people to choose the office over their curated home environments, ultimately driving the Future of Work and successful Hybrid Work strategies.

If we could pioneer a new vision of the workplace, what would it truly look like? Host Bob Fox explores this possibility with Jennifer Berthelot-Jelovic, founder of A SustainAble Production and a global authority who helped shape the WELL Building Standard. This inspiring episode is a powerful call to action for leaders ready to embrace holistic sustainability. Jennifer shares her unique expertise from leading some of the world's most ambitious WELL, LEED, Net Zero, and Carbon Positive projects, revealing how workplace design is evolving into a living ecosystem focused on human health and climate resilience.

This conversation is essential for leaders rethinking hybrid work policies, as we explore actionable insights on designing for neurodiversity at work, supporting mental health workplace initiatives, and ensuring high air quality workplace standards. Discover how the convergence of sensors in buildings, data, and AI is driving accountability for creating truly sustainable workplaces and a high-performance workplace. Jennifer provides the frameworks and real-world success stories necessary to achieve profound employee wellbeing and climate readiness in every modern office.

Prepare to redefine what corporate wellness truly means! Bob Fox welcomes Brendan Herbert, COO of Infinity Wellness Partners, for an inspiring conversation on creating healthier, high-performing teams in the era of hybrid work. Brendan reveals how innovative companies are moving past outdated programs, embracing a holistic model that integrates ergonomic tips, accessible on-demand fitness, and impactful mental health support through strategic HR strategies. Discover how simple, fast interventions like 1-5 minute "brain breaks" and advanced AI wellness concierge systems are breaking down barriers to employee wellbeing and transforming the office into a vibrant wellness lounge. This episode is a powerful call to action for leaders ready to elevate their workplace culture and demonstrate that a commitment to employee health is the ultimate driver of performance and a successful return to office.

The office as you know it is over. In this must-listen episode, host Bob Fox sits down with Meg Swanson, Chief Market Officer at Eptura, to explore the seismic shifts reshaping the workplace experience. Meg provides an inspiring look at how organizations are embracing seamless technology integration and leveraging the power of data-driven decisions to create truly engaging and efficient modern workspaces. Diving deep into findings from Eptura's 2025 Workplace Index, this conversation illuminates the critical necessity for adaptive real estate strategies that balance space optimization with evolving employee needs and generational workforce expectations. Discover how facility managers, armed with AI-enhanced tools, are moving to the forefront of office design to champion successful hybrid work and a revitalized return to office. If you want to master the future of the physical workplace, this is your blueprint.

Workplace experience expert Jess Klay joins Bob Fox to break down the Three Pillars of Workplace Strategy—Connection, Wellbeing, and Adaptability—and how they are shaping the next generation of office environments. Whether you're a facility manager, workplace strategist, corporate real estate leader, or HR professional, this conversation is packed with insights on how to create dynamic, human-centered spaces that drive engagement, innovation, and business success.What You’ll Learn:How connection and community impact workplace cultureWhy wellbeing and sustainability are critical for employee retentionThe role of AI-driven space planning in optimizing real estate decisionsHow companies can evolve and adapt to meet changing workforce expectationsAs organizations rethink their offices, hospitality-driven experiences, hybrid work models, and smart workplace technologies are defining the future. Whether you're navigating an office redesign, workplace policy shift, or simply wondering what makes people want to return to the office, this conversation is for you.

In this episode of What the F is Happening to the Office?, Bob Fox talks with Caitlin Begg, sociologist and founder of Authentic Social, about how technology and human connection need to be integrated and how smart workplace design can optimize both.We explore socio-technical design, how communication norms impact hybrid work, how AI is reshaping behavior, why casual "water cooler" conversations still matter, and how leaders can create more human-centric, high-performing environments. Caitlin shares actionable ideas to reset norms, encourage deeper collaboration, and rethink how we use technology without losing our humanity.Caitlin Begg is a sociologist, researcher, and founder of Authentic Social, an applied research lab based in New York City and Amsterdam. Her work focuses on designing a socio-technical future by optimizing the balance between human connection and technology, with a focus on workplace communication, AI, and digital culture. A frequent speaker across Europe and the U.S., Caitlin also hosts the Progression to Analog podcast, exploring how we stay human in an increasingly digital world.

The United State of Work: Julia Hobsbawm on the Global Transformation of Work What the F* is Happening to the Office?In this episode of What the F is Happening to the Office?, host Bob Fox is joined by Julia Hobsbawm, a globally recognized author, speaker, and thought leader on the future of work, workplace culture, and social health.Julia shares her personal journey from a nontraditional career path in media and communications to becoming one of the leading voices reshaping how we think about work in a post-pandemic world. Together, they explore her groundbreaking new report, “The United State of Work,” which marks five years since the global lockdowns began and examines how work has fundamentally changed across 12 countries.

How is the workplace evolving in the face of cultural, technological, and structural disruptors? In this compelling discussion, Melissa Fisher, PhD, a social scientist, cultural anthropologist, and thought leader on work, shares groundbreaking insights into the shifting dynamics of the modern workplace. As an award-winning writer, speaker, consultant, and professor, Dr. Fisher examines how hybrid work, AI, and societal change are redefining how we work, collaborate, and lead.From the post-pandemic push for flexibility to the ongoing debate between leaders like Jamie Dimon and Jane Fraser on the necessity of in-office presence, this conversation dives deep into the real forces shaping the future of work. Dr. Fisher explores workplace culture—its symbols, values, and rituals—and how they influence employee engagement, leadership structures, and long-term organizational success.

Join us for a powerful conversation with Leigh Stringer, Global Director of Advisory Services at Perkins&Will and bestselling author of The Green Workplace and The Healthy Workplace. Leigh explores how the pandemic reshaped our understanding of equity, health, and inclusion at work—digging into invisible factors like air quality, sensory experience, and neurodiversity. From hybrid collaboration to community-driven design, she shares strategies for creating more adaptable, inclusive, and sustainable workplaces. A must-listen for anyone shaping the future of work. Subscribe for more insights on how work and the workplace are evolving.