

Erik Baker, "Make Your Own Job: How the Entrepreneurial Work Ethic Exhausted America" (Harvard UP, 2025)
Mar 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Erik Baker, author and expert on work culture, explores his book on the entrepreneurial work ethic that has shaped America. He delves into how this mindset changed perceptions of work, pushing thrift and persistence aside for initiative and self-creation. Baker connects historical movements, from the late 19th century to today's gig economy, highlighting the consequences of this shift on economic inequality and job security. He critiques traditional work ethics while examining the influence of entrepreneurialism on American identity and policies.
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Intro
00:00 • 2min
Entrepreneurialism and American Work Culture
01:33 • 13min
The Rise of Entrepreneurial Spirit
14:06 • 9min
Entrepreneurship in the Great Depression
22:39 • 8min
Entrepreneurship and American Identity
30:57 • 8min
Entrepreneurship and Neoliberalism
38:47 • 5min
Historical Roots of Entrepreneurialism
43:48 • 7min
Understanding the Entrepreneurial Work Ethic in Modern America
51:00 • 4min