Emma Goldberg, a business reporter for The New York Times focusing on workplace culture, discusses the challenges of hybrid work. She reveals how this model has led to a sense of disconnection and malaise among employees. Goldberg shares insights on the innovative strategies businesses are employing to foster engagement. The conversation touches on the ongoing debate over remote and in-office dynamics, highlighting the tension between company policies and employee preferences as workplaces undergo transformation.

Conor Dougherty, an economics reporter and author, joins Emma Goldberg, a reporter on the future of work, to discuss San Francisco's downtown crisis post-pandemic. They explore how remote work has left many offices empty, stunting the city's recovery efforts. The duo questions the roles of tech companies and rising housing costs in shaping urban dynamics. Listeners will also hear about the personal impacts on local business owners like Maria, highlighting the need for innovative solutions to revitalize communities and address inequities.

Emma Goldberg, a Business features writer for The New York Times, and Andra Goethe, a finance professor at the University of Utah, delve into the evolving landscape of remote work. They discuss the tension between corporate mandates and employee preferences, noting Amazon's push for a full office return by 2025. The conversation highlights the impact of hybrid models on workplace culture and productivity, as well as the unintended consequences of increased remote work on urban living and labor dynamics.