

Per My Last Email
Morning Brew
Is it okay to ask your coworker how much they make? Is Gen Z set up for failure in the workplace? Should you really bring your whole self to work? Each week on Per My Last Email, Morning Brew's resident career experts Kaila and Kyle—whose careers have collectively spanned the corporate, government, nonprofit, and startup sectors—debate the trickiest challenges in work life, and share tactics on how to overcome them.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 9, 2025 • 40min
On Steve Madden’s Viral Interview and Politics in the Workplace
In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the viral Steve Madden interview and debate whether CEOs and corporations should be expressing their political views, as well as how to navigate politics in the workplace.
00:00 Intro
01:24 Steve Madden’s viral Cutting Room Floor interview
06:26 Lulu Cheng Meservey on “going direct” as a business leader
07:29 Stats on how different generations feel about companies voicing their political beliefs
09:53 Ben & Jerry’s vs. Target
15:07 Brian Armstrong’s “mission-driven company” blog post
21:31 How should you as an employee react to your CEO’s public political statements?
27:23 Should you share your own political beliefs at work?
35:49 Kaila’s work rant
Want to get all of Kaila & Kyle’s career resources? Subscribe to Per My Last Email: https://www.permylastemailshow.com/
Watch Per My Last Email on YouTube:
@PerMYLastEmailShow
Follow Per My Last Email
Instagram: @permylastemailshow
TikTok: @permylastemailshow
Twitter: @permylast_email
Have a question for us? Send us an email or voice note to permylastemail@morningbrew.com
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Each week on Per My Last Email, Morning Brew’s resident career experts Kaila and Kyle – whose careers have collectively spanned the corporate, government, nonprofit and startup sectors – debate the trickiest challenges in work life, and share tactics on how to overcome them. Share the show with a friend, and leave us a review on your favorite podcast app!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

25 snips
Jun 2, 2025 • 39min
Is People Pleasing Holding Your Career Back?
Explore the impacts of people-pleasing on your career. Discover how putting others' needs first can lead to stagnation and the 'niceness tax' on earnings. Delve into The Workplace People Pleasing Matrix, which categorizes behaviors and highlights the balance between agreeability and effectiveness. Learn about the importance of setting boundaries, embracing radical candor, and engaging in difficult conversations. This insightful discussion encourages listeners to navigate their own people-pleasing tendencies towards a more authentic professional approach.

14 snips
May 26, 2025 • 34min
Everything You Know About Work Stress is Wrong
The hosts dive into the intriguing dynamics of work-related stress, questioning if too little stress can be just as harmful as too much. They introduce the Eustress Curve, illustrating how the right balance of stress can enhance productivity. With insights from stress expert Hans Selye, they share effective techniques for transforming negative stress into a productive force. Their conversation emphasizes the necessity of investing in recovery and managing expectations, all while navigating the complexities of workplace mental health.

May 19, 2025 • 35min
Busting Myths About the Most Common Career Cliches
Kaila and Kyle tackle popular career myths with a fresh perspective. They question if no one really knows what they're doing and explore the tricky relationship between HR and employees. Is networking truly more valuable than skills? They dissect the balance between connections and expertise. Plus, the duo critiques the idea that simply following your passion guarantees happiness at work. With humor and insight, they promote a more realistic view of career success.

May 12, 2025 • 33min
How to Be Happier at Work, with Dr. Laurie Santos
Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale professor and the mind behind The Happiness Lab podcast, shares insights on how to cultivate happiness at work. She discusses the importance of meaningful work and its generational shifts, emphasizing millennials' and Gen Z's differing approaches. Dr. Santos introduces 'job crafting' as a way to align work with personal strengths and passions, while illustrating how time affluence can greatly impact workplace satisfaction. Additionally, she offers tips for working parents to navigate the balance between career and family life.

6 snips
May 5, 2025 • 37min
Why Is AI So Annoying?
The conversation dives deep into the current problems with AI discourse, highlighting skepticism versus recognition of its benefits. Kaila shares three practical use cases for AI, while voicing her concerns about over-reliance. Kyle discusses using AI as a tool that complements rather than replaces human thought. They explore AI's role as a time-saver in managing tasks and meetings, emphasizing the importance of critical thinking amidst technological advancements. Ethical implications and the collaborative nature of AI also earn significant attention.

5 snips
Apr 28, 2025 • 32min
We Made You a Report Card for Your Job – Here’s Why
Discover the transformative concept of rating your own job to enhance workplace satisfaction. The hosts share personal anecdotes about their worst job experiences, inviting reflection on the subjective nature of job fulfillment. Learn about a practical template to assess job offers and employment dynamics. They emphasize the importance of regular self-evaluation every six months to ensure alignment with career goals. Tune in for insights that can empower you to make informed decisions about your career path!

22 snips
Apr 21, 2025 • 33min
When A Side Hustle Is (and Isn’t) Worth It
Dive into the world of side hustles and discover what makes them worth pursuing. The hosts unpack the fine line between passion projects and financial necessity, particularly in pricey cities like New York. Explore the ethical dilemmas of juggling a side gig with a full-time job, including company policies on conflicts of interest. They share personal anecdotes, discuss workplace dynamics, and examine both the creative boosts and stressors side hustles can bring. It's a light-hearted look at whether chasing your dreams is truly viable or just a societal expectation.

35 snips
Apr 14, 2025 • 37min
Can You Recession-Proof Your Job?
Kaila and Kyle discuss essential strategies to safeguard your job during economic downturns. They emphasize the importance of T-shaped skills and the need to quantify your contributions. Networking, particularly on LinkedIn, is highlighted as a key tactic. The conversation also covers recession-proof industries and roles, stressing digital upskilling for job stability. Finally, they share tips on diversifying income sources and maintaining a positive mindset to navigate uncertainty.

5 snips
Apr 7, 2025 • 31min
Can You Be TOO Efficient at Work?
Kaila and Kyle dive into the obsession with efficiency, exploring why it's not the end goal at work. They discuss the downsides of AI's influence on creativity and personal engagement. The dangers of perfectionism are highlighted, as they share a personal journey from valuing speed to prioritizing quality. Emphasizing the need for balance, they advocate for scheduling time for whimsy and unstructured activities to boost creativity and meaningful productivity. It's a refreshing take on transforming work habits for personal satisfaction!