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
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.
9 snips
Nov 21, 2025 • 25min
Is your lack of people skills holding you back?
Margaret C. Andrews, Managing Director of the MYLO Center and author, dives into the pivotal role of self-understanding in leadership. She highlights how emotional intelligence is essential for career progression, arguing that many lack the awareness needed to manage others effectively. She outlines critical reflective questions for self-discovery and emphasizes the importance of mindfulness. Drawing on personal experiences and research, Margaret explains how technical success must shift to interpersonal skills for continued growth.
Nov 14, 2025 • 27min
Transfer, recall, repetition: what helps you learn at work
This time, cognitive scientist Ryan Jesson and learning strategist Michelle Ockers share insights on optimizing workplace learning. Ryan explains how active recall and spaced repetitions enhance memory retention, while addressing the pitfalls of feeling fluent after learning. Michelle highlights the importance of experiential learning over formal training and encourages evidence-based L&D designs. They also discuss the benefits of gamification and AI in simulations for real-world applications, emphasizing the crucial role of managers in facilitating effective learning.
14 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 25min
Are you on the path to burnout? These are the red flags...
Dr. Ben Searle, an organisational psychologist who specializes in burnout, shares his personal experience with it, fueling his research. Luke Martin, a spokesperson for Beyond Blue, highlights alarming statistics on workplace burnout linked to workload and support. They discuss early warning signs like loss of joy, irritability, and fatigue. The conversation also emphasizes the role of meaningful recognition and practical team interventions, while introducing Ben's Recovember, a month-long challenge to boost recovery from work stress.
Oct 31, 2025 • 25min
Westpac work from home decision: what does it mean for you?
In this episode, Dr. Giuseppe Carabetta, an Associate Professor at UTS Business School, and Emma Walsh, CEO of Parents at Work, dive into a recent Fair Work Commission decision that allows a Westpac employee to work from home full-time. They discuss the implications for business hiring practices and the importance of individualized assessments for flexible work requests. Emma highlights how flexibility can boost productivity and support gender equality, while Giuseppe warns employers about the legal obligations when denying such requests.
Oct 24, 2025 • 25min
How to fix loneliness at work
Connie Noonan-Hadley, an organisational psychologist and Research Associate Professor at Boston University, tackles the pressing issue of work loneliness. She defines it as unwanted social distance, exacerbated by remote work and modern technology. Connie highlights the health and productivity costs for employers and shares a five-item loneliness scale she developed. Employers can build connection through simple interventions like fostering casual chit-chat. She also stresses the need for tailored support for junior and introverted staff, empowering both leaders and individuals to combat loneliness.
Oct 17, 2025 • 25min
Top books for work and life
Panio Gianopolous, co-founder of the Next Big Idea Club and a nonfiction editor, shares transformative insights on influential work-related books. He discusses the creative struggles presented in Adam Moss's The Work of Art, promotes Cal Newport's Slow Productivity approach for better focus, and highlights the importance of grit from Angela Duckworth's research. Lisa adds her picks, emphasizing design thinking's role in problem-solving and the joy of process over mere outcomes. Together, they explore how meaningful work emerges from a blend of creativity and discipline.
