In this episode, Tony interviews Victor Zacarias, a passionate professional in the heat treating and pyrometry industry. Victor shares his unexpected journey into heat treating, his experiences in aerospace, and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance in manufacturing. He emphasizes the importance of systems in pyrometry, the need for change in the industry, and the value of mentoring the next generation of engineers. Victor also discusses his transition to GTS and the pride he takes in ensuring safety in aviation and automotive industries. The conversation concludes with advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and the pursuit of happiness in one's career.

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In this episode, Anthony Tenaglier interviews his brother Chris T, the founder of Earth's Echo, about the challenges and rewards of balancing work and life as a small business owner. Chris shares his journey from environmental engineering to landscaping, the importance of communication in business, and how technology impacts his work. They discuss the philosophy behind Earth's Echo, the future aspirations for the business, and the emotional weight of responsibility that comes with entrepreneurship. The conversation emphasizes the significance of personal growth, family, and finding joy in the work that can often feel overwhelming.

"I want to get back to placing stone"

Takeaways

• Chris transitioned from environmental engineering to landscaping.
• Work-life balance is an ongoing process for Chris.
• Time management is crucial for balancing work and family.
• Communication is a significant challenge in business.
• Technology plays a vital role in modern business operations.
• Earth's Echo represents a philosophy beyond just business.
• Chris aims to improve his quality of life while growing his business.
• The weight of responsibility can be overwhelming for small business owners.
• Success metrics can change over time and are subjective.
• Finding joy in work is essential, even when it feels challenging.

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Episode Number 10!

In this episode, host Tony ditches the script and dives into the heart of communication: active listening. From lessons learned in his PhD program to wisdom passed down from his great aunt, Anthony shares why listening twice as much as we speak is one of the most underrated skills in work—and in life.

He weaves in stories from drum circles, the aerospace industry, yoga, and even band practice with the kNowhere kidS to show how listening is about more than words—it’s about rhythm, presence, and intention.

Listeners will walk away with practical techniques like mindful breathing, putting down the phone, and tuning into the “beats” of others to build stronger relationships, calm nerves, and unlock more meaningful conversations.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck—it’s about good skills. And one of the most powerful skills you can practice is truly hearing the world around you.

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“Life is not a spectator sport.” – Zig Ziglar

We live in a culture that constantly tells us to escape work. To “do our own thing,” retire early, or make passive income while sipping drinks on a beach. If we’re not careful, this narrative slowly convinces us that work is a prison sentence — something to be endured until we reach some vague finish line of success, freedom, or validation.

So, Why This Podcast?
Because work matters.

Because the stories of real people doing real work deserve to be heard.

Because not everyone needs to start a business to live a meaningful life.

Because you don’t have to go viral to be valuable.

Because work, when seen rightly, is not a prison — it’s a practice.

And because we need a new kind of conversation — one rooted in participation, purpose, and presence.

If this resonates with you, I’d love for you to be part of it. Visit worksucksbutilikeit.com and reach out if you have a story to share.

Let’s stop spectating and start showing up — together.

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In this episode of Work Sucks, But I Like It, host Tony Tenaglier takes us deep into the fire of workplace burnout — a blaze fueled by exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of ineffectiveness. Drawing from both personal experience and psychological research, Tony shares how he went from marathon-running yoga teacher to sitting in a doctor’s office hearing the word "burnout" for the first time.

🔥 Spoiler: Burnout isn’t just about long hours — it’s about losing the spark that once made work meaningful.

Using the metaphor of fire safety we all learned as kids — Stop, Drop, and Roll — Tony explores how we can identify burnout early, manage it skillfully, and prevent it from taking over our lives and careers. He’ll also walk you through:

• The psychology behind burnout and what the latest I/O research says
• Real interventions you (and managers) can use to build engagement
• How success isn’t good luck — it’s the result of good skills (and smarter boundaries)

Plus, you’ll get a candid look at how even high-performing, purpose-driven professionals can hit a wall — and how to rise from the ashes like a phoenix.

📚 Bonus: Tony includes academic references and resources in the show notes, so you can dive deeper and take control of your burnout before it controls you.

Resources 

Denunzio, M. (2017). Engagement. In S. Rogelberg (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of industrial and organizational psychology, 2nd edition

Green, P. I., Finkel, E. J., Fitzsimons, G. M., & Gino, F. (2017). The energizing nature of work engagement: Toward a new need-based theory of work motivation. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.riob.2017.10.007

Kao, J.-C. (2024). The Effect of Supervisors Making after-Hours Work Requests on Employees’ Job Stress: The Cross-Level Contextual Effect of Social Support. Policing: An International Journal, 47(4), 617–634. https://doi.org/10.1108/PIJPSM-06-2023-0081

Knight, C., Patterson, M., & Dawson, J. (2017). Building work engagement: A systematic review and meta-analysis investigating the effectiveness of work engagement interventions. Journal of Organizational Behavior (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), 38(6), 792–812. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.2167

Parker, S. (2017). Job satisfaction. In S. Rogelberg (Ed.), The SAGE encyclopedia of industrial and organizational psychology, 2nd edition

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Ever roll your eyes at another “big change initiative” from leadership, only to see it fade after a month? Or maybe you’ve thought to yourself, “Why should I be the one to change?” Today, we tackle the cold, hard truth behind failed workplace change initiatives — and what actually works.

This episode breaks down:

• Why "flavor of the month" changes never stick
• How to build a critical mass that actually drives change
• What real leadership looks like (and how it often fails)
• A 5-part framework for change management (that isn't just theory)
• The power of outside perspectives — and how to use feedback the right way

We’ll also dig into insights from my PhD program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and share personal stories from the manufacturing floor — including that time I was told to make 15 parts a day... when only 7 were possible.

This is for anyone who's ever sat in a meeting and thought: “This will never work.” By the end, you’ll not only understand why change fails, but how to take ownership of change — in your organization or yourself.

📚 Referenced Authors & Sources:

Carmazzi, A. (2019, June 21). Creating sustainable organizational change culture in 80 days [Video]. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2XE87EoI7M 

Cross, J. (2013, March 14). Three myths of behavior change - What you think you know that you don’t [Video]. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5d8GW6GdR0&t=1s 

Cummings, T.G., & Worley, C.G. (2019). Organization development and change (11th edition). Cengage. 

Falender, C. A., & Shafranske, E. P. (Eds.). (2020). Consultation in psychology: A competency-based approach. American Psychological Association. 

Wycoff, K. L. (2021). Consultation with a community-based organization serving urban youth: A case study. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 73(2), 163–180. 

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Ever find yourself saying, "I don’t have time for this," as one more task lands on your already full plate? You’re not alone — but that statement may be hiding a deeper problem.

Welcome to the Work Sucks, But I Like It Podcast with your host Tony Tenaglier — PhD student in Organizational Psychology, Flow Coach, aerospace industry leader, and self-proclaimed "industrial athlete."

In this episode, we break down the illusion of busyness and expose the common trap of appearing busy while getting little done. I’ll share my personal system for managing time, priorities, and energy — including the wild, color-coded calendar that runs my life (yes, even naps are scheduled). We’ll talk about how to:

✅ Identify your “big rocks” and build your day around them
✅ Apply Flow Science to your workday for optimal engagement
✅ Manage interruptions like a pro — without losing your mind
✅ Stop reacting and start executing on what matters most
✅ Recognize when you’re “appearing busy” instead of being productive

Plus, you’ll get a peek into how I balance work, a PhD, yoga teaching, rock climbing, family/friends, and even a Lego city — and still make time for deep rest and recovery.

This episode is for anyone tired of running on the hamster wheel of modern work life, and ready to take the wheel back. Because time isn’t the problem. Priorities are.

🎯 It’s not about being busy — it’s about being fully engaged.

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In this episode of Work Sucks, But I Like It, host Tony Tenaglier explores the life of Chris McCandless — the man behind Into the Wild — and asks: Was he chasing meaningful work, or running from it? Through 6 key takeaways, we connect his journey to ideas from Thoreau and Viktor Frankl to uncover what his story can teach us about purpose, burnout, and the search for meaning in our own work lives.

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In this raw and reflective episode of Work Sucks, But I Like It, host Tony Tenaglier shares the pivotal experiences that reshaped his understanding of what work means—and what people truly seek when they clock in. It's not just about a paycheck. It's about purpose, value, and that deep sense of importance we all crave. From steel mills to leadership lessons, from being promoted to getting fired, Tony explores the uncomfortable truth about corporate culture, the limits of financial motivation, and the enduring human desire for meaningful work. If you've ever asked yourself, Why am I really doing this?, this one's for you.

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In this episode of Work Sucks, But I Like It, Tony Tenaglier explores the concept of the "industrial athlete"—the unsung heroes of the workplace who show up, suit up, and play the game of work every day. Why do we glorify athletes on ESPN but overlook everyday excellence in manufacturing, engineering, and business? Tony makes a compelling case for using platforms like LinkedIn to highlight wins in the workplace, celebrate achievement, and bring positivity and meaning back into the daily grind. If ESPN is the highlight reel for sports, shouldn't work have one too?

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