What Works

Today's episode is about tips. As in gratuity. Wait, wait, wait! Where are you going?I know, you probably don't receive tips for your work. Maybe you don't live in the US, and you're thinking, 'What is this American BS about tips?'Well, when I first heard about Trump's (and then Harris's) proposal to eliminate federal taxes of tipped income, my brain went a hundred different places: how many people would it impact, how much savings are we talking about, what will this do to the proliferation of tipped work, and how much could this accelerate re-proletarianization?! You probably weren't expecting that last one. Here's the thing: tipping is a class issue. Which means it's also a social justice issue. And it's also an issue that intersects with frustrations with the way all of us work. To find out how, you've got to trust me—and listen.Footnotes:Information on the federal tipped minimum wage'Tip baiting' Instacart drivers via CNN"The Economic Logic Behind the 'No Tax on Tips' Policy" by Jadrian WootenTipping: An American Social History of Gratuities by Kerry Segrave"'It's the Legacy of Slavery': Here's the Troubling History Behind Tipping Practices in the U.S." via Time"Tipping is a racist relic and a modern tool of economic oppression in the South" via the Economic Policy Institute"Errand Runners of Digital Platform Capitalism" by İsa Demir"Defending Hierarchy: The Conservative Impulse" by Matthew McManusThe Society of the Spectacle by Guy Debord"The problem is proletarianization, not capitalism" by Solange Manche (about Bernard Steigler)Capitalism is Dead: Is This Something Worse? by McKenzie Wark"The Practical Utopian's Guide to the Coming Collapse" by David GraeberFind essay versions of every new episode at whatworks.fyi! ★ Support this podcast ★

If a chatbot writes your novel, did you really complete NaNoWriMo?Two niche internet panics caught my eye over the last couple of weeks: a bungled AI policy by the organization that promotes National Novel Writing Month and a viral story about people hiring Strava surrogates to run for them so they can claim the kudos. And those two stories got me thinking about the ways that we delegate away the intrinsic value of other activities.So with the help of a 1935 essay by Walter Benjamin, let's unpack the cult value of novel writing, running, and social media.Footnotes:"NaNoWriMo Says Condemning AI is 'Classist and Ableist'" via 404 Media"Some Thoughts on NaNoWriMo" by Sarah GaileyChannel News Asia on the Indonesian Strava jockey trend"People are paying 'Strava mules' to do their runs for them, but why?" via Women's HealthVelljko's Strava mule confession on TikTokLeigh Stein on the internet's difficult with satire on TikTok"The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction" by Walter Benjamin"Unpacking the Attention Fetish" on What Works"In Defense of Inefficiency" on What Works"Why AI Isn't Going to Make Art" by Ted Chiang via The New YorkerEssay versions of every episode are posted at whatworks.fyi, where you can also become a premium subscriber and support What Works for just $7 per month. ★ Support this podcast ★

Dive into the fascinating world of values, where traditional notions are turned on their head. Discover how values like freedom and justice can empower rather than constrain. Explore the idea that values should foster creativity and curiosity, promoting individuality instead of dogma. This discussion encourages a flexible, inclusive understanding of personal and societal values, with an emphasis on their transformative potential in our lives.

Discover how our voices shape our identities and perceptions of power. The conversation dives into societal pressures that compel marginalized groups to adjust their vocal expression. Embrace the idea of vocal authenticity and the emotional challenges tied to societal norms. Learn how joy and playfulness can enhance public speaking skills. With insights from a Hollywood dialect coach, the discussion encourages a broader acceptance of diverse voices in personal and professional contexts, highlighting the journey towards true self-expression.

Sara Petersen, author of 'Momfluenced,' dives into the intricate ways influencers shape our views on motherhood and well-being. She contrasts the authentic experiences of past generations with the curated images on social media that create unrealistic standards. The conversation touches on trust dynamics, the unique challenges faced by marginalized mothers, and the generational shift seen in Gen Z as they navigate social media’s pressures. Petersen emphasizes the longing for deeper connections and a more meaningful existence in today's influencer-driven world.

This is the 4th part of my series Self-Help, LLC, which I'm replaying over the summer! Enjoy!If your Instagram feed or Explore page looks anything like mine, then you likely see a preponderance of posts about personality types, conditions, or other self-knowledge. We’re hooked on learning about ourselves! And perhaps even more hooked on sharing what we’ve learned—which means that the Instagram algorithm (as well as TikTok’s and Pinterest’s algorithms) has learned to love this kind of content, too.In this episode, I explore discovering ourselves versus making ourselves, why self-knowledge is big business on Instagram, and how creating viral personality content can wreak havoc on the creator’s psyche. To dig into this with me, I invited @ninetypesco creator, Steph Barron Hall, onto the show.Footnotes:Find Steph Barron Hall on Instagram (@ninetypesco)Learn more about working with StephHow to be Authentic by Skye ClearyLearn more about the Enneagram and find your typeThe Nine Types of RestSelf-Help, INC by Micki McGee“Double consciousness”“Looking glass self”Essay versions of each episode are posted at whatworks.fyi every Thursday.  ★ Support this podcast ★

Patrick Sheehan, a sociologist specializing in self-help and consumer trust, explores the intricate dynamics of seeking guidance in an uncertain world. He discusses the paradox of trusting strangers over institutions in personal development. The conversation dives into the roles of credentialed experts vs. experiential coaches, the emotional labor they face, and the influence of social media on self-knowledge. Sheehan highlights the narratives used by coaches to build trust and the implications of relying on them amid job market anxieties.

Kelly Diels, expert on female lifestyle empowerment brand, discusses empowerment marketing and the 'female lifestyle empowerment brand'. They explore how marketing perpetuates beauty ideals, societal pressures, and limited success strategies. The podcast delves into challenges faced by women, embracing marginalized identities, and critiquing empowerment narratives in marketing.

This is Part 1 of a series from 2022 called Self-Help, LLC. This summer, I’ll be republishing this series as I work on new essays and episodes. There’s a good chance this series is new to you, and if its previous reception is any indication, I think you’ll love it! If you listened to it the first time through, I’d love to know how it hits differently today. ***It’s hard to escape the language and politics of self-help today. Whether you’re browsing your LinkedIn, Instagram, or even TikTok feed, there’s a very good chance that the first post you see offers up some idea for living a better life or growing a more successful business. Shoulds and supposed-tos are cultural currency. We gain social capital by sharing advice or “giving value.” And that’s left me wondering: are we all in the self-help business now?Today’s episode kicks off an 8-part series called Self-Help, LLC which will explore that question from a number of different angles. In this episode, I’m taking a close look at a particular construction of personal growth and entrepreneurship culture: winners and losers.Footnotes:Dr. Rick for ProgressiveWhy does the insurance industry have so many mascots? on Planet MoneySelf-Help, INC by Micki McGeeMore about Marshall McLuhan (”The medium is the message”)Nixon’s universal health care plan proposalReaganism & ThatcherismThe Old is Dying & the New Cannot be Born by Nancy FraserFind the essay version of this episode at whatworks.fyi and support my work critiquing and theorizing the 21st-century economy by becoming a premium subscriber for just $7 per month! ★ Support this podcast ★

Feminist writer and editor Samhita Mukhopadhyay discusses navigating work challenges in the 21st-century economy. Topics include the margin of maneuverability, labor rights, feedback in the workplace, making non-obvious choices, and creating a utopian work environment.