This Working Life
ABC
You spend so much time on work, why accept the status quo, when there are ways to do it better? Get expert advice, research and hacks that will crush your inertia.
Join Lisa Leong and other This Working Lifers as we experiment and explore the latest in the world of work.
We cover policy issues, like hybrid workplaces and remote work, employee wellbeing and organisational culture, the use of AI, employee surveillance, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. We talk about progress on wider issues that relate to work, like work life balance, organisational change, restructures, and casualisation. On This Working Life our focus is on everything related to the people in a workplace too, including culture, individual experiences, performance management and career advice.
Join Lisa Leong and other This Working Lifers as we experiment and explore the latest in the world of work.
We cover policy issues, like hybrid workplaces and remote work, employee wellbeing and organisational culture, the use of AI, employee surveillance, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. We talk about progress on wider issues that relate to work, like work life balance, organisational change, restructures, and casualisation. On This Working Life our focus is on everything related to the people in a workplace too, including culture, individual experiences, performance management and career advice.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 25, 2026 • 25min
Reinvent your career in 2026 with Dorie Clark
Dorie Clark, bestselling author and executive education professor known for career reinvention, offers practical ways to pivot. She breaks down big versus small reinventions. She explains mapping strengths to market demand, testing ideas with low-risk experiments, and crafting a clear relaunch narrative. She also suggests getting feedback, embracing uncertainty, and showing learning publicly.
9 snips
Jan 18, 2026 • 25min
Lost hope at work? Here’s how to get it back.
Jen Fisher, a workplace wellbeing expert and former Chief Wellbeing Officer at Deloitte, shares her insights on cultivating hope in the workplace. She discusses how hopelessness can lead to burnout and disengagement, and emphasizes the importance of creating hopeful organizations for better performance. Jen introduces hope theory and suggests practical exercises like hope spotting and keeping a hope journal. Leaders are encouraged to become 'hope dealers,' fostering curiosity and agency in their teams to drive engagement and motivation.
Jan 16, 2026 • 25min
The power of a good night’s sleep
Moira Junge, CEO of the Sleep Health Foundation, and Dr. Charlotte Gupta, a sleep research expert at CQ University, dive into the critical role sleep plays in our work lives. They reveal alarming statistics: four in ten Australians struggle with sleep, often due to work stress and irregular hours. The duo shares practical tips on improving sleep hygiene, emphasizes the importance of employer responsibility in fostering a healthy work environment, and explains the intricate link between sleep and nutrition. Their insights offer a roadmap to better sleep for a healthier workplace.
Jan 9, 2026 • 25min
Stuck at a career crossroad? Here's how to move forward
Leah Lambart, a career and interview coach, teams up with comedian and writer Annie Louey to tackle the prevalent issue of career regret. They explore the psychological barriers keeping people stuck, like sunk costs and fear of losing status. Leah offers practical self-assessment tools and suggests experimenting with new career options without quitting. Annie shares her personal journey of taking a career break, emphasizing the importance of mental health and clarity. Together, they encourage curiosity and small shifts in one’s professional path.
5 snips
Jan 2, 2026 • 25min
Can "leisure-crafting" help you thrive?
Alex Hamrick, Assistant Professor of Management at the University of Richmond, dives into the transformative practice of leisure crafting. He explains how turning passive activities into purposeful pursuits can enhance personal wellbeing and workplace performance. Hamrick shares practical tips for setting goals and fostering connections through hobbies like movie clubs and book groups. He highlights that those most disengaged at work benefit the most, underscoring how this approach boosts creativity and engagement. Start small and craft your leisure for a fulfilling life!
Dec 26, 2025 • 25min
Tired and overwhelmed? Boundaries can help
Nedra Glover Tawwab, a therapist and bestselling author known for her expertise in boundary-setting, breaks down the art of establishing healthy work boundaries. She explains the importance of defining boundaries to avoid work-life bleed and shares a practical three-step method: identify, communicate, and care for yourself. Nedra emphasizes that respect for your boundaries matters more than full understanding and offers tips for freelancers. She also addresses handling toxic workplaces and the discomfort of saying no, encouraging listeners to practice for ease.
Dec 19, 2025 • 25min
Are we giving kids the wrong career advice?
JP Michel, an organizational psychologist and author, teams up with Kate McBeath, a career practitioner in Australia and New Zealand, to dive into the flaws of traditional career advice. They argue that asking students what they want to be can create anxiety and limit possibilities. Instead, they promote a 'challenge mindset' where students focus on solving problems rather than fitting into job titles. JP also introduces challenge cards as a tool for meaningful exploration, encouraging early exploration and adapting to a rapidly changing job market.
12 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 25min
Learn to 'North Star' 2026 with Wankernomics
In this engaging discussion, comedians James Schloeffel and Charles Firth from Wankernomics tackle the absurdity of workplace buzzwords. As the 'Chief Disruptor' and 'Customer Engagement Jedi,' they unleash hilarious critiques on jargon like ‘North Star’ and ‘touch base.’ Listeners will relate as they share annoying phrases submitted by followers and suggest witty LinkedIn rewrites. With uproarious anecdotes and a mission to expose corporate nonsense, James and Charles illuminate the comedy hidden in office culture.
Dec 5, 2025 • 25min
How to optimise your holiday and start 2026 refreshed
Join experts Stacey Parker, Associate Professor in Psychology, Ty Ferguson, Research Fellow in Exercise and Nutrition, and Greg Stark, Director of Better Being, as they explore how to maximize your holiday for lasting well-being. Discover the difference between active and passive recovery, and the importance of clearing your workspace before leaving. Learn how holiday goals can enhance relaxation and the surprising ways to extend the benefits of your break, including a practical points system for recovery activities that promote both mental and physical health.
Nov 28, 2025 • 25min
A non-compete clause ban is coming. What does it mean for you?
In this podcast, Paula McDonald, a renowned academic from QUT specializing in employment relations, teams up with Charles Cameron, CEO of the Recruitment, Consulting and Staffing Association. They delve into the intricacies of non-compete clauses and how nearly half of Australian workers are affected. Discussion spans government plans to ban these clauses for low-income earners, the chilling effect on job mobility, and how unfair restraints limit innovation. They also explore international perspectives and propose balanced reforms to protect both workers and businesses.
