The Lonely Office

When USAID issued sudden stop work orders, thousands of NGO workers were caught in the crossfire. This week, as DOGE sets its audit sights on more federal agencies, we talk to a furloughed employee about the impact of frozen federal funding. Are American taxpayers’ calls for greater accountability being answered? Is this truly about fiscal responsibility, or are we putting America’s strategic “soft power” at risk?Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenConor BezaneAaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken WendtResearch: Zaid SafeMatt SunbulliAaron Calafato

Welcome to the "in-between hours”—that precious window from school drop-off to pickup where working parents attempt to pack a full day's productivity into six fleeting hours. When Matt tries to squeeze his workday between 9 and 3, he discovers the new reality of the remote working parent.From impromptu kid cameos on Zoom calls to the pressure of the afternoon countdown, we explore how parents navigate these compressed hours. Is there a way to succeed in this new normal, or are we all just surviving organized chaos?Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenConor BezaneAaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken WendtResearch: Zaid SafeMatt SunbulliAaron Calafato

When Brooks started outperforming everyone on his team, he thought his career was about to take off. Instead, his manager Jordan felt threatened, blocked his promotion, and even asked him to train his own replacement. Sound familiar?From blocking promotions to playing favorites, we explore why being too good at your job can backfire. How do you handle a boss who sees your talent as a threat? And is there a way to shine without becoming a target?Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenConor BezaneAaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken WendtResearch: Zaid SafeMatt SunbulliAaron Calafato

This week, millions of federal workers received an email that upended their job security overnight. With a deadline looming, they must decide: accept a new reality of stricter performance mandates, a full return to office, and reclassification to at-will status—or opt for an eight-month resignation package. What does this seismic shift mean for public sector employees, their families, and even the private sector? In this episode Matt and Aaron explore the ripple effects of this high-stakes moment in American work culture.

Nike's new CEO started as an intern in 1988 and worked his way to the top over 32 years. When Zach saw this "mailroom-to-boardroom" success story on LinkedIn, he thought he'd found his path forward—until he discovered even unpaid internships now require years of experience.From automated rejections to impossible requirements, we explore whether these classic career success stories are possible anymore. Has the traditional path to the top disappeared, or does it just look different in 2024?Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

When the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced its mission to tackle $200 billion in federal waste, it got us thinking: what if companies had their own version of DOGE?From 17-meeting days to empty offices collecting dust, we imagine what a corporate DOGE would tackle first. Could this government initiative inspire a revolution in how companies handle their own bureaucratic bloat?Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

When high-achieving Meghana discovered her stellar work at Instagram wasn't enough to impress leadership, she learned a crucial lesson: success isn't just about what you do—it's about how you tell your story.Together with psychologist and author Allison Fragale, we explore the delicate balance between being likeable and assertive at work. Are you undermining your own success by staying quiet about your achievements? And what's the secret to promoting yourself without coming across as arrogant?Connect with Alison FragaleHosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

When one job seeker's 145-application odyssey became Glassdoor's most viral post of 2024, it captured the year's challenging job market perfectly. From eight-month job searches to office toe-nail clippers, we're diving into the stories that defined workplace life this past year.Join us for a candid look at 2024's biggest trends, most heated debates, and what they tell us about the future of work in 2025. Plus, our Gen Z researcher finally reveals himself to weigh in on the generational divide that's reshaping offices everywhere.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

As Congress pushes to ban TikTok, a generational battle is brewing. For Harold, a disillusioned young professional who found solace in endless scrolling, the proposed ban wasn't just about losing an app—it was the last straw in a series of broken promises.From surveillance concerns to freedom of speech, we explore why 150 million Americans are fighting to keep their favorite platform. Is this about protecting privacy, or are we missing the bigger picture about how younger generations consume information?Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Before you start a podcast, talk to Aaron!Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

Office holiday parties walk a delicate line between celebration and career sabotage. When Morgan abandoned her one-drink rule and mixed up the CEO's birthday with the VP's, she learned that some party memories follow you back to your desk on Monday.From inappropriate revelations to ill-timed layoff announcements, we explore the dos and don'ts of navigating the annual workplace ritual. With 12% of employees admitting to romantic encounters and the average attendee consuming 4.1 drinks, are these celebrations worth the risk?