The Lonely Office
Glassdoor
Welcome to The Lonely Office, an award-winning podcast that brings sports-talk energy to real career decisions—fast, funny, brutally practical. It's locker-room candor meets boardroom wisdom, brought to you by Glassdoor. We tackle real workplace stories from anonymous firsthand accounts—job ghosting, the truth behind unlimited PTO, nightmare bosses—and share insider advice on layoffs, severance, negotiations, and career moves. From candidates vaping in interviews to employees fired over free speech, we cover the wild reality of modern jobs. Whether you’re growing your career or simply a jobseeker hunting for an edge, you don’t have to navigate it alone.
TLO is hosted by Matt Sunbulli (serial tech entrepreneur, Founder @ Fishbowl and First Draft AI), Aaron Calafato (Storyteller, Narrative Designer & Content Strategist), and Leah Ova (content creator and advertising executive), with special appearances from industry thought leaders and economists.
TLO is hosted by Matt Sunbulli (serial tech entrepreneur, Founder @ Fishbowl and First Draft AI), Aaron Calafato (Storyteller, Narrative Designer & Content Strategist), and Leah Ova (content creator and advertising executive), with special appearances from industry thought leaders and economists.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 2, 2024 • 29min
Is Amazon's Return to Office a Layoff in Disguise?
Amazon’s company-wide return-to-office mandate sent shockwaves through the tech world. And 72% of employees said they were ‘reconsidering their future’ with the company. Is Amazon’s decision a mass layoff in disguise? Will more companies follow suit? Stanford economist Nick Bloom joins us to find the truth behind the headlines.Special Guest: Nick BloomHosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron CalafatoSubscribe to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories Podcast
Sep 27, 2024 • 19min
"Open to Work" Badge on LinkedIn (Reaction Pod)
In this episode of The Lonely Office, we bring chief correspondent Aki Ito on to discuss the heated debate over LinkedIn's "open to work" banner. The "Open to Work" badge makes some job seekers feel embarrassed. But can it actually land you a job?Special Guest:Aki Ito, Chief Correspondent at Business Insiderhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/itoakiHosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/
Sep 25, 2024 • 29min
Evolution of Resumes in the Age of Algorithms
Nowadays, resumes must beat applicant tracking systems and "wow" hiring managers. From TikTok handles to colorful redesigns to mindfulness sections, Gen Z is trying everything to get a return phone call.What are resumes even good for anymore? And should you tailor yours to the machines or humans? We chat with comedian Azhar Usman about the new generation of resume builders.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/Leah Ovahttps://www.tiktok.com/@leahovaSpecial Guest:Azhar Usmanhttps://azhar.com/Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli
Sep 23, 2024 • 24min
Job Market Reality Check & Decoding Job Report Numbers
In this episode of The Lonely Office, we dive into the disconnect between economic data and the job seeker’s reality, exploring why many still feel gaslit despite reports of a "booming economy." Joined by economist Guy Berger, we break down the real challenges of the job market, highlighting the frustration of job seekers navigating slow hiring and overstated job openings in today’s labor landscape.Special Guest:Dr. Guy Berger, Director of Economic Research @ Burning Glass Institute https://www.linkedin.com/in/guybergerHosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/
Sep 20, 2024 • 27min
Is Amazon Forcing Return to Office for Everyone? (Reaction Pod)
With more CEOs going on record about their return to office mandates, it has us wondering: was the golden promise of working from home too good to be true? On this episode, we discuss the hidden market players who want you back in office and how companies like JM Smuckers are rolling out their hybrid work policy. (Re-air)Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/https://www.aaroncalafato.com/Leah Ovahttps://www.tiktok.com/@leahova
Sep 18, 2024 • 31min
68% of Vacations Are Fake: PTO Is Broken
Workers are taking less and less PTO, yet working more and more when they do. This week, Malcolm’s ‘staycation’ turns into an anxiety-filled week of self-reflection that leads to him reconsidering his career.Why aren’t we using our full PTO allowance? Are we at fault, or is it the company? And is our mental health deteriorating as a result? Comedian Chanel Ali joins us to talk about vacation.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/https://www.aaroncalafato.com/Leah Ovahttps://www.tiktok.com/@leahovaSpecial Guest:Chanel Alihttps://www.chanelali.com/Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli
Sep 16, 2024 • 16min
Job Hacks & What Happened to the Career Fair?
Could it be that choosing degrees in the humanities is actually a smart, tactical move for the future? As tech job markets tighten, we explore how skills rooted in creativity and human insight are becoming more valuable—and share key strategies for standing out in this evolving landscape.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/https://www.aaroncalafato.com/
Sep 11, 2024 • 30min
Is the Job Hopping Party Over?
Job hopping can be great for your wallet, but is it detrimental to your career? This week, Ferris’ job hopping led to pay bumps and new positions until layoffs stopped him in his tracks.Is it the key to making more money? Or does job loyalty pay off in the long run? Comedian Azhar Usman joins us to talk about the new social contract between workers and companies.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/https://www.aaroncalafato.com/Leah Ovahttps://www.tiktok.com/@leahovaSpecial Guest:Azhar Usmanhttps://azhar.com/Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli
Sep 9, 2024 • 18min
Is Your Boss Watching You?
In this reaction pod of TLO, we dive back into the controversial world of workplace surveillance with special guest Cody Rogers, Chief Product Officer at Hubstaff. Are these tools about transparency and efficiency, or are they enabling a culture of micromanagement? Join us as we explore the fine line between monitoring and trust.Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/https://www.aaroncalafato.com/Leah Ovahttps://www.tiktok.com/@leahovaGuest:Cody Rogers, Chief Product Officer at Hubstaff
Sep 6, 2024 • 7min
Job Search Woes: Tapping into 401(k)s
On today's TLO Reaction Pod, Matt & Aaron dive into the stark realities of job hunting in an unpredictable economy—where even the most prepared knowledge workers might be forced to dip into their 401(k)s just to stay afloat. With layoffs climbing and job openings dwindling, the remote worker could be facing the same fate as the Rust Belt worker of the past. Hosts: Matt Sunbullihttps://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbullihttps://www.firstdraft.vcAaron Calafatohttps://www.7minutestoriespod.com/https://www.aaroncalafato.com/
