The Lonely Office

From CEOs embracing "masculine energy" to workers claiming they can't "be themselves" anymore, something's triggering a masculinity crisis at work. This week, we explore what happens when men feel their identity is challenged in the modern workplace.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenConor BezaneAaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken WendtResearch: Zaid SafeMatt SunbulliAaron Calafato

A weekend email from DOGE—titled What Did You Do Last Week? —hit millions of federal employees’ inboxes, sparking confusion, panic, and speculation about a mass downsizing effort. Was it a routine check-in on government efficiency or a strategic move to force resignations and trim the workforce? In this episode, we break down the chaos, agency responses, and what this moment reveals about the evolving nature of job security.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories

When Mark chooses to "sever" his work self from his home self in Apple TV's hit show Severance, it reveals a workplace fantasy many secretly share: what if you could leave your work baggage at the office and your personal troubles at home?From compartmentalized personas to corporate cult culture, we explore how this sci-fi drama eerily mirrors today's workplace reality. Are we all performing different versions of ourselves throughout the day? And in a world where work-life boundaries continue to blur, would the ultimate separation actually be a relief?Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoListen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Leah OvaFollow Leah on TikTok Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenConor BezaneAaron CalafatoSenior Audio Engineer: Ken WendtResearch: Zaid SafeMatt SunbulliAaron Calafato

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