What Works

This is the second episode in my new series, "Strange New Work." Artist and writer Morgan Harper Nichols is a world-builder. She says, "Worldbuilding, for me, [is] a form of expansive hope—a necessary imagination for being alive." What is world-building? It's the process of creating secondary, fictional worlds. There's world-building in all sorts of fiction—but especially science fiction, speculative fiction, and fantasy.And world-building as a practice—a necessary imagination—can be a tool for mapping a better work environment, too.Footnotes:Find out more about Morgan Harper Nichols on Substack, her website, and Instagram.Read the piece that inspired this conversation.The Years of Rice and Salt by Kim Stanley RobinsonN.K. Jemisin on world-building on Wired and LitHubTo Write Love On Her Arms"What is capitalist realism?" by Tara McMullin, featuring Iggy PerilloEvery episode of What Works is also shared as an essay at whatworks.fyi—become a free subscriber to get weekly posts delivered to your inbox or upgrade to a premium subscription for access to bonus content and quarterly workshops for just $7 per month!All of the books I mention in this series are in the Strange New Work Bookshop list. ★ Support this podcast ★

The future of work doesn't have to be an extension of today's reality.This is the first installment in Strange New Work, a new series from What Works about imagining radically different ways of working and doing business.In this episode, I take a closer look at speculative fiction and its role in the collective imaginary. Is science fiction all space operas and apocalyptic battles? Not hardly. Science fiction isn't really about the future. It's a commentary on and reimagining of the present.Footnotes:All of the books I mention in this series can be found here.No Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le GuinThe Immortal King Rao by Vauhini VaraThe Jewel-Hinged Jaw by Samuel Delaney"The Epistemic Value of Speculative Fiction" by Johan de Smedt and Helen de Cruz"Sci-Fi Idea Bank" by Packy McCormickUrsula K. Le Guin in conversation with The Nation on YouTubeVauhini Vara on Amanpour and Company on YouTube"The Measure of a Man" Star Trek: The Next Generation (Season 2, Episode 9)Each installment in Strange New Work is published in essay form at WhatWorks.FYILove What Works? Support the show and my work by becoming a premium subscriber for just $7 per month. Learn more! ★ Support this podcast ★

Join Tara McMullin for a journey into the far future of work, and consider how we can create more humane, inclusive, and supportive work environment. The first episode of Strange New Work drops September 14! You can find Strange New Work wherever you listen to podcasts—and each new episode will drop in the What Works feed, too!Support the show at: whatworks.fyi Strange New Work is brought to you by What Works with Tara McMullin and YellowHouse.Media. ★ Support this podcast ★

"When The Voice In Your Head Whispers... Meritocracy" explores the concept of meritocracy and its impact on marginalized groups. It proposes an alternative system that values social usefulness and discusses the historical origins of willpower. The podcast also delves into changing one's relationship to work and introduces the Work in Practice program.

Charlie Gilkey, author of Team Habits, discusses the importance of explicit rules, understanding social dynamics, and improving team habits to create a sense of belonging and high performance. They also mention their upcoming series featuring Charlie and his book, 'Team Habits: How Small Actions Lead to Extraordinary Results'.

Mauro Guillén, the author of "The Perennials: The Megatrends Creating a Postgenerational Society," discusses the sequential mode of life and proposes a new story for navigating through life. He challenges traditional milestones and expectations, encouraging flexibility in work and learning. Guillén suggests adopting a long-term mindset, making career switches, and supporting older workers. He also explores the concept of creating a post-generational society through quality of life guarantees.

This is the 8th edition of This is Not Advice, my "not-advice" column for premium subscribers of What Works. Today, I'm talking about our over-reliance on metrics and how easily we're seduced by reductive data. When does a metric turn into an incentive for bad behavior? And why are we so happy to accept the feeling of clarity and certainty without actually understanding what's going on?Click here to upgrade your subscription and get the full episode! Or learn more about becoming a Premium Subscriber. ★ Support this podcast ★

Making work for the public seems to come with a slew of fuzzy social expectations. What do we owe our readers, listeners, viewers, and followers? What more is expected beyond the post, episode, or video? How do you navigate the tension between care and boundaries? When I came across a LinkedIn post that Randi Buckley made, I felt a wave of relief. Her answer to those questions? Nothing. We owe nothing more than we've already given. In this episode, I share wisdom from Randi, additional wisdom from Jordan Maney, and a lot of the inner workings of my own mind.Footnotes:The LinkedIn post that started it allFind out more about Randi BuckleyFind out more about Jordan ManeyNo Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le GuinLe Guin's first blog postNEW: I’m teaching a 12-week training program for coaches, managers, consultants, and guides of all kinds starting in September. The program is called Work In Practice, and it’s a deep dive into the social, political, and economic systems that impact what we believe about work.Every episode of What Works is also published in essay form and delivered in my newsletter: whatworks.fyiLove What Works? Support the show and help me reach more people with assumption-busting ideas about work, business, and culture by becoming a Premium Subscriber. For just $7 per month, you get access to bonus episodes, full-length interviews, and quarterly workshops—including August 24's Breaking the Self-Sabotage Cycle. Upgrade your subscription today! ★ Support this podcast ★

The media give us wildly exaggerated images of wealth and consumption. And even if we recognize that a tv show or an Instagram account is more fantasy than reality, those images impact what we believe we should be earning and buying. MoneyZen author Manisha Thakor calls the result Counterfeit Financial Culture and argues that it's one of the reasons we end up feeling like we're never quite enough.In this episode, Manisha details Counterfeit Financial Culture, and I offer the mimetic theory of desire as additional context for understanding the situation.Footnotes:Find out more about Manisha ThakorMoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your Enough by Manisha ThakorWanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life by Luke BurgisPsychopolitics: Neoliberalism and the New Technologies of Power by Byung-Chul HanCapitalism and Desire by Todd McGowanNEW: I’m teaching a 12-week training program for coaches, managers, consultants, and guides of all kinds starting in September. The program is called Work In Practice, and it’s a deep dive into the social, political, and economic systems that impact what we believe about work.Every episode of What Works is also published in essay form and delivered in my newsletter: whatworks.fyiLove What Works? Support the show and help me reach more people with assumption-busting ideas about work, business, and culture by becoming a Premium Subscriber. For just $7 per month, you get access to bonus episodes, full-length interviews, and quarterly workshops—including August 24's Breaking the Self-Sabotage Cycle. Upgrade your subscription today! ★ Support this podcast ★

At age 50, Manisha Thakor realized that she'd sacrificed her life at the altar of work. How did that happen? And what was she to do about it? Manisha's new book tackles how to unwind a toxic relationship with work and money.Footnotes:MoneyZen: The Secret to Finding Your Enough by Manisha ThakorFind out more about Manisha ThakorAlienation by Rahel JaeggiCapitalism and Desire by Todd McGowanWhat Works by Tara McMullinNEW: I’m teaching a 12-week training program for coaches, managers, consultants, and guides of all kinds starting in September. The program is called Work In Practice, and it’s a deep dive into the social, political, and economic systems that impact what we believe about work.Every episode of What Works is also published in essay form and delivered in my newsletter: whatworks.fyiLove What Works? Support the show and help me reach more people with assumption-busting ideas about work, business, and culture by becoming a Premium Subscriber. For just $7 per month, you get access to bonus episodes, full-length interviews, and quarterly workshops—including August 24's Breaking the Self-Sabotage Cycle. Upgrade your subscription today! (00:00) - Rough Edit (02:05) - The Cult of Never Enough (02:20) - The Roles We Play (13:40) - Money Worries versus Money Problems (18:31) - The Image of Our Dissatisfaction ★ Support this podcast ★