Work For Humans

Nick Romeo, a journalist featured in The New Yorker and author of 'The Alternative: How to Build a Just Economy', shares compelling insights on transforming our economic landscape. He discusses the urgent need for a new definition of living wage and the power of cooperative ownership models. Romeo critiques traditional economics for oversimplifying human needs and explores innovative gig work solutions that prioritize fairness. The conversation also highlights sustainable business practices and the potential of collaborative ownership in reshaping societal norms.

Elizabeth Anderson, a political philosopher focused on democracy and economic justice, joins Dart Lindsley to discuss the evolution of the work ethic. They explore how historical thinkers like Adam Smith and Karl Marx shaped labor principles that promote dignity and equality. The conversation critiques the neoliberal shift that has concentrated corporate power and suppressed wages. They also highlight the importance of worker protections and the ongoing struggle for gender equality within the workplace, emphasizing the need to reclaim work as a source of fairness and dignity.

In this engaging discussion, Elizabeth Anderson, a renowned professor from the University of Michigan, dives deep into the evolution of the work ethic from a moral principle to a tool for social control. She examines how historical figures like Malthus influenced damaging views on poverty and labor. The conversation highlights the stark contrast between work as a source of dignity versus a means of discipline. Anderson also reveals the dark legacy of the Irish Potato Famine, tracing its connections to contemporary welfare policies and societal attitudes toward the poor.

Elizabeth Anderson, a prominent philosopher from the University of Michigan, delves into the deep historical roots of our modern work ethic, revealing how it morphed into a moral obligation. She explores the Protestant Reformation's influence, contrasting theological shifts in views on labor and salvation. The discussion shines a light on how concepts from figures like Locke shaped property views and individual worth, and critiques the damaging use of the work ethic against the poor. Anderson emphasizes the need to reclaim the original purpose of work: to serve humanity.

Luke O’Mahoney is one of the leaders of the movement to reframe work as a product that every company sells to employees. In particular, Luke has gone deep into the implications of recognizing work as a subscription product, and brings an absolute wealth of ideas to bear on how to create the kind of work experience product that employees want to buy every day. People don't stay in jobs because of free snacks, ping pong tables, or flashy recruiting campaigns. They stay because work works for them.Luke is now a chief people officer - in recovery. As the founder of Sapienˣ, he helps organizations stop playing the short game and start designing work experiences that drive long-term retention and advocacy. In this episode, Dart and Luke discuss why hiring funnels are broken, what it really means to design work as a product, and how companies can build flywheels that continuously reengage employees. They also explore why transparency, not perks, keeps people invested in their roles.In this episode, Dart and Luke discuss:- Why work should be designed as a subscription product- Funnels vs. flywheels in hiring and retention- How bad recruiting leads to employee buyer’s remorse- The role of delight in keeping employees engaged- How hiring attracts more hiring and losing creates churn- Why transparency in recruiting matters more than perks- What Luke hires his job to do for him- How to build work experiences people want to subscribe to- And other topics...Luke O'Mahoney is a people strategist and founder of Sapienˣ, where he helps companies design work experiences using product-led thinking. With a background in recruitment, talent operations, and startup leadership, he applies lessons from subscription business models to hiring and retention. Previously, he led people and operations at a high-growth startup, overseeing product, marketing, and GTM strategy alongside HR. His work focuses on building sustainable people strategies that drive engagement, retention, and advocacy.Resources Mentioned:Good to Great by Jim Collins: https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others-ebook/dp/B0058DRUV6Built for People by Jessica Zwaan: https://www.amazon.com/Built-People-Experience-Management-Principles/dp/1398608025Connect with Luke:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukeomahoney Work with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

In this engaging discussion, Alex Komoroske, a product leader and systems thinker, explores the concept of work as an ecosystem. He emphasizes the importance of creativity over rigid frameworks and reveals how product management can enhance work design. Alex shares insights on how managers should act as curators to foster innovation and empower teams rather than control them. The conversation highlights the impact of narrative in experience creation and the significance of supportive leadership in shaping employee engagement and collaboration.

Charlotte Dales, co-founder and CEO of Inclusively, passionately discusses the crucial role of personalized support at work. She reveals how silent struggles can hinder employee performance and the importance of mental health resources. Charlotte highlights Gen Z's demand for individualized accommodations and the significance of Employee Resource Groups in driving change. She emphasizes that when employees thrive through tailored solutions, businesses see substantial benefits, showcasing that understanding and addressing unique needs is a win-win for everyone.

When Josh Fryday’s wife was evacuated from Japan after the 2011 Japan disaster, he stayed behind. As a Navy officer, he joined Operation Tomodachi, one of the largest humanitarian relief efforts in history. Working alongside people who thought differently, he learned that service brings people together around a common mission to accomplish amazing things.Now, as California’s first-ever Secretary of Service, Josh is helping build the largest state-run service corps in the U.S. Through programs like College Corps and the Climate Corps, thousands of Californians are getting paid opportunities to serve their communities while gaining the critical skills and social networks they need to thrive in the workforce.In this episode, Dart and Josh discuss:- Service as the ultimate training ground for work- How College Corps is reshaping the leap from school to career- How social capital shapes careers- The soft skills crisis- The human edge AI will never replace- Fighting isolation block by block- What businesses can learn from teams with a mission- Why other states are copying California’s service model- And other topics...Josh Fryday is California’s Secretary of Service, leading the nation’s most ambitious state service initiative under Governor Gavin Newsom. He created the College Corps and Climate Action Corps, paying thousands of young people to serve their communities while gaining critical career skills. A Navy veteran and former Mayor of Novato, Josh also led efforts to expand the California Earned Income Tax Credit, helping low-income families across the state. His work bridges service, workforce development, and civic engagement.Resources Mentioned:California Volunteers: https://californiavolunteers.ca.gov/College Corps: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/californiansforall-college-corps/Neighbor-to-Neighbor Initiative: https://www.californiavolunteers.ca.gov/neighbor-to-neighbor/Bowling Alone, by Robert Putnam: https://www.amazon.com/Bowling-Alone-Collapse-American-Community/dp/0743203046Hardball: How Politics Is Played, by Chris Matthews: https://www.amazon.com/Hardball-Politics-Played-Chris-Matthews/dp/0684845598Eyes on the Prize documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092999/Connect with Josh:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-fryday-b9625219/Twitter: https://x.com/JoshFrydayWork with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

At eight years old, Kate Griggs sat in a parent-teacher meeting and heard the words, “She’s not very bright.” The school had already written her off. But she wasn’t struggling because she lacked intelligence. She was struggling because the system wasn’t designed for the way she thinks. Today, she’s proving that dyslexia isn’t a disadvantage, but a superpower that the world is only beginning to understand.As the founder of Made By Dyslexia, Kate is leading a global movement to challenge outdated perceptions and redefine dyslexia as a valuable way of thinking. Through education, advocacy, and corporate training, she’s proving that dyslexic thinking fuels creativity, problem-solving, and big-picture vision—skills that businesses need to thrive.In this episode, Dart and Kate discuss:- The myth that dyslexia is a disability- Why dyslexic thinking is critical for the future of work- The link between dyslexia and entrepreneurship- How schools fail dyslexic students- Dyslexic strengths in problem-solving- The dyslexic skills AI can’t replace- The viral Dyslexic Sperm Bank campaign- Rethinking intelligence beyond spelling- How hiring filters out dyslexic talent- 4 workplace fixes for neurodiversity- Changing education to unlock dyslexic potential- And other topics…Kate Griggs is the founder and CEO of Made By Dyslexia, a global charity dedicated to redefining how dyslexia is perceived and valued. She is an author, advocate, and thought leader in neurodiversity, working to ensure that every school and workplace recognizes and empowers dyslexic thinking. Her initiatives include free global training for educators and employers, high-impact awareness campaigns, and partnerships with major organizations like Microsoft and LinkedIn. She is also the author of This Is Dyslexia and hosts the Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking podcast.Resources Mentioned: This Is Dyslexia, by Kate Griggs: https://www.amazon.com/This-Dyslexia-Kate-Griggs/dp/1529149266Lessons in Dyslexic Thinking Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/lessons-in-dyslexic-thinking/id1695867325Made By Dyslexia: https://madebydyslexia.orgFree Microsoft Training, Empower Dyslexic Thinking in Schools: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/modules/empower-dyslexic-thinking-schoolsFree LinkedIn Course, Empowering Dyslexic Thinking at Work: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/empowering-dyslexic-thinking-at-workConnect with Kate:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-griggs-81797b16Twitter: https://x.com/kate_griggsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/kategriggs_dyslexicthinking/ Work with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.

With a career in a stable industry and a solid plan for retirement, Matthew Rutledge’s father expected to retire on his own terms. But when he was suddenly laid off at 59, the financial impact was crushing. Watching his father struggle to bounce back at that stage of life made Matt realize how fragile retirement security really is, even for those who plan ahead. Now, he researches why millions of people are working longer but still struggling to retire and what we can do to fix it.Matthew Rutledge is a leading researcher on labor markets and retirement security at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. His work examines how automation, job loss, and shifts in economic policy affect financial stability for older workers.In this episode, Dart and Matt discuss:- The job loss that shook Matt’s father- How pensions disappeared and left workers exposed- Are 401(k)s a risky bet or a safety net?- The brutal financial shock of widowhood- The long-term care crisis no one sees coming- Why Social Security won’t be enough- Job benefits that keep workers stuck- What Europe does right about retirement- How career loyalty no longer pays off- How to safeguard your retirement savings- And other topics…Matthew S. Rutledge is an economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, where he focuses on retirement security and the shifting realities of work in the modern economy. His research has shed light on the long-term effects of economic downturns on Social Security and older workers, revealing hidden vulnerabilities in the retirement system. He has also explored how automation is pushing older workers into non-traditional jobs and reshaping career trajectories. Matt’s work frequently appears in academic journals, policy reports, and media discussions on the future of retirement.Resources Mentioned:Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century, by Jessica Bruder: https://www.amazon.com/Nomadland-Surviving-America-Twenty-First-Century/dp/039324931XNomadland, directed by Chloé Zhao: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9770150/Connect with Matt:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-rutledge-84a4964/Twitter: https://twitter.com/matt_rutledge/Work with Dart:Dart is the CEO and co-founder of the work design firm 11fold. Build work that makes employees feel alive, connected to their work, and focused on what’s most important to the business. Book a call at 11fold.com.