
The Lonely Office
Welcome to The Lonely Office: an award winning podcast about making sense of the increasingly blurry line between work and life, brought to you by Glassdoor. We tackle real workplace stories sourced from anonymous firsthand accounts—like the rise of job ghosting, the truth behind unlimited PTO, and dealing with a nightmare boss. We also share insider advice on layoffs, severance negotiations, and wild work stories, from candidates vaping in interviews to employees fired over free speech. The professional world can be chaotic, but you don’t have to navigate it aloneTLO 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.
Latest episodes

Aug 14, 2024 • 38min
Fake Job Posts Are Everywhere
Unfortunately for job seekers, fake job posts have flooded career sites. This week, a fake job post aimed at replacing ‘Serenity’ led her to work double and hire her little sister.Why do companies do it? And how do you spot one? Corporate recruiter Karen Young joins us to dish the truth on fake job posts.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: Karen Younghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/kareneyoung/Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoOpening Story Performed by:Aaron CalafatoAdapted by:Matt Sunbulli & Aaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

Aug 7, 2024 • 35min
Is Your Job Spying on You?
The shift to remote work has led companies to invest in surveillance software in attempt to increase worker productivity. Is it a breach of privacy? Why do companies resort to it? And should you buy a mouse jiggler from TikTok? This week, we cover it all with comedian Chanel Ali.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

Jul 31, 2024 • 23min
Should I Work for an ‘Evil’ Corporation?
Do you ever put your morals on pause for a job? How have workers’ considerations of 'evil' companies evolved with the rise of frameworks like ESG? From the excesses of Wall Street companies in the 90s to Tech companies pillaging our privacy for gold in the 2000s—in this episode, we're debating the age-old battle of morals vs. money.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/@leahovaEditorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

Jul 26, 2024 • 9min
Job Bytes: “AI Relief Fund”, UBI, and Hushed Hybrid
TLO cohosts dive into the largest UBI study ever conducted, backed by OpenAI's Sam Altman, exploring its potential as a disaster relief fund for those displaced by AI. The hosts also tackle the evolving workplace dynamics, discussing the rise of 'hushed hybrids,' where employees navigate the balance between office mandates and remote work.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/@leahovaEditorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio:Ken WendtJan CruzResearch:Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

Jul 24, 2024 • 34min
When Dream Job Meets Nightmare Boss
You did it. You landed your dream job. When all of a sudden, the boss who hired you does a complete 180. This week, ‘Kenya’s’ attentive, supportive boss from her interview has turned into a toxic, micromanaging nightmare. What do you do when reality is much, much worse than the expectation? And how do you sniff out a ‘bad boss’ in the interview process? Comedian Chanel Ali joins us to talk about surviving bad bosses.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

Jul 23, 2024 • 9min
Returning to Work Post-National Crisis
In the wake of last week's shocking assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump and the ensuing chaos, the nation is grappling with unprecedented uncertainty. How do employees and employers cope with such turmoil? Join the TLO crew as we explore the impact on the workplace and discuss strategies for finding stability and productivity in these challenging times. 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

Jul 17, 2024 • 34min
Job Survival Guide: My Boss is Holding Me Back
Sometimes you’ve got a game-changing idea, but your boss says no. This week, ‘Dylan’ ignored direction from his boss and now has the CEO’s attention. Should you always listen to your boss? Is it worth going over their head? We’ve got advice for everyone whose boss is holding them back.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/@leahovaEditorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

Jul 10, 2024 • 29min
Job Search Cringe: Surviving LinkedIn
Scrolling through preachy lectures on LinkedIn can leave us all squirming in our seats. This week, a wholesome moment between ‘David’ and his family quickly turns into a cringey, performative post. What’s spurring this invasion of cringe on professional networking sites? And who is liking these posts? We dive into the answers on this week’s episode.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/@leahovaEditorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

Jul 3, 2024 • 49min
Free Speech Can Get You Fired
At-will employment makes posting about your political beliefs a risky game. This week, ‘Brandon’s’ controversial social media posts led to an HR meeting and ended up getting him fired. Is it legal? Are your posts covered under the First Amendment? Labor and employment lawyer Chris Collins joins us to talk about free speech and employee protections.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/@leahovaGuest: Christopher Collins, Partner, Labor and Employment Law at Sheppard Mullinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-collins-1b099013/ Editorial:Matt SunbulliBrooks BordenKen WendtAaron CalafatoAudio: Ken WendtJan CruzResearch: Zaid SafeMatt Sunbulli

Jun 26, 2024 • 22min
Politics Invading Your Job?
Tabitha discusses workplace challenges related to politics, including a fallout with a colleague over a controversial LinkedIn post. The podcast explores the impact of politics on career choices, the debate on discussing politics at work, and navigating online comments and podcast dynamics in a remote work environment.