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
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.
Jun 19, 2024 • 27min
Income Anxiety Affecting Millionaires and the White Collar Class
Do you compare your income to others? At what point does seeing where you stand turn into an anxiety-filled obsession? This week, ‘John’ is feeling major income anxiety and wondering if all his hard work was worth it.Join us for a chat about salary transparency, what it is, why it’s important, and how it can quickly turn ugly.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
Jun 12, 2024 • 36min
Should Job Candidates Be Paid for Interview Projects?
From endless rounds to take-home projects, interview horror stories are everywhere. This week ‘Jordan’s’ hard work on an interview project didn’t net her the job, but it did show up on the company’s website months later. Should you say no to take-home interview projects? Should you get paid if you say yes? Join us for advice on how to protect yourself and increase transparency during the interview process.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
Jun 5, 2024 • 35min
How to Get Fired and Negotiate Severance
Getting fired can leave you shell-shocked, speechless, and in no place to negotiate. Like' Dylan,' he just got fired over Zoom, and now his severance package consists of a career services subscription to help him "improve his resume."'Dylan's' IRL layoff story got us thinking: are you ready for what's next? This week, we're talking about how to get fired, negotiate a fair severance package, and more.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
May 30, 2024 • 35min
Why Job Loyalty Might Be Overrated with Shark Tank's Matt Higgins
Is job loyalty an asset or a liability? Is passion for your work overhyped? This week, inspired by the story of 'Alexandra'—a recent graduate who took a comedian's unconventional advice to heart—we explore the rocky path from graduation to the workforce. Joining us to unpack 'Alexandra's' experience is Matt Higgins, Shark Tank co-host and co-founder and CEO of RSE Ventures. Together, we discuss the importance of resilience, the role of luck, and the strategic moves young professionals can make to navigate their careers more effectively. Special Guest: Matt Higginshttps://rseventures.com/team-members/matt-higgins/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
May 22, 2024 • 39min
I Can’t Get a Job in This Booming Market
Don’t trust the headlines: whether you’re a new graduate or a seasoned professional, the job market feels anything but robust. And like recently-laid-off “Roland,” you find yourself receiving thoughts and prayers in lieu of offers on LinkedIn.Glassdoor's expert on the current two-track labor market, Chief Economist Aaron Terrazas, joins the show to talk about the recession hitting white-collar workers—and how to make the most of it.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
