Best Oops I Talked Politics Podcasts (2024)

1
Why Is Job Ghosting on the Rise? 44:24

2d ago44:24

44:24

Have you ever been ghosted by an interviewer, only to be officially rejected a year later? That’s the story of Karen Young the recruiter. Hers is the inspiration for our episode this week, and in an unprecedented first, she’s also our special guest on the show. We discuss ghosting as an industry-wide plague, how to bring your humanity to these inte…

1
Boomers & Gen Y-Z Can’t Agree on TikTok Ban 32:41

9d ago32:41

32:41

“Harold” is a disillusioned quiet quitter who finds himself impassioned to act after the House passed a bipartisan bill to ban TikTok. Harold represents some of the younger 175 million Americans fighting to keep the app around, whether as a source of information, entertainment or livelihood. On the other side of the generational divide, there are t…

1
AI is Coming for Creatives 41:33

17d ago41:33

41:33

Film, with all of its cinematic magic, was supposed to be creativity’s last line of defense against artificial intelligence. But when OpenAI’s impressive text-to-video generator Sora is taking meetings with Hollywood’s heads of production, what hope does that leave the rest of us? This week, inspired by the real story of “Lee,” a young film editor …

1
When HR Firings Are Recorded and Go Viral 26:12

24d ago26:12

26:12

Picture this. You’re the fly on the wall in a layoff call. The employee isn’t getting any of the answers they want. The HR representative isn’t allowed to deviate from their rote, clinical script. It’s all very, very awkward. That’s this week’s topic, inspired by the mortifying tale of “Jenna” the HR newbie, and the viral video from TikToker Britta…

1
The Great $53 Trillion Transfer to Gen X-Z 37:12

1M ago37:12

37:12

Here’s a staggering stat: through 2045, the wealth to be inherited by Generations X-Z is estimated to be 53 trillion dollars, an unprecedented sum in modern times. In this episode we cover the story of “Rich,” a 30 year-old screenwriter who, after receiving a financial windfall left by an uncle, finds himself losing his sense of purpose and creativ…

1
Is Unlimited PTO a Sham? 34:58

1M ago34:58

34:58

Unlimited vacation is often lauded as a workplace perk, but who does it actually benefit? On this episode, we reflect on our previous experiences with this “generous” perk, and whether it served us. We also discuss why employers might be incentivized to adopt unlimited PTO policies—and why employees might be getting the short end of the stick.…

1
Oops! Caught my Company Paying my Junior more than Me 27:38

2M ago27:38

27:38

You just found out that the new, fresh-out-of-college hire at work… makes the same salary you do. What would you do next? That’s the true story from “Lorrie” that inspired this conversation around salary transparency and fair pay. This week, we share some of our own experiences with speaking up (or not) for ourselves, ideas on what companies could …

1
Two Full-Time Jobs at the Same Time 25:16

2M ago25:16

25:16

This week, truth is stranger than fiction. We’re discussing real anonymous stories from professional double-timers: two jobs, two time zones, and even two identities. It has us wondering: Socially, how did we get here? And legally, what are some complexities one should watch out for, if inspired to do the same?…

1
Revenge of the Blue Collar 27:12

2M ago27:12

27:12

This week, we’re inspired by the real revenge story of an electrician named Jerry. With massive government funding of new industries in clean energy and semiconductors, Jerry represents a new cohort of trade workers finding success in today’s job market, despite the social stigma surrounding blue-collar jobs. From the astronomical costs of higher e…

1
How Do I Recover from a Big Mistake at Work? 26:09

2M ago26:09

26:09

So you messed up at work. How do you move forward? This week, we’re inspired by a real workplace snafu, shared with us by “Zach.” From accidental all-staffs to awkward client commentary, we share some of our own professional mistakes on this episode—and our seasoned tactics on how to move past them.By Glassdoor

1
Welcome to The Lonely Office 2:09

2M ago2:09

2:09

If you’ve ever wondered “What should I do if I get laid off?” or “Is it still taboo to talk about politics at work?”—this is a show for you. Welcome to The Lonely Office: a podcast about the increasingly blurry line between work and life, brought to you by Glassdoor. The stories that inspire our discussions are sourced firsthand from the anonymous …

1
What Can Professional Athletes Teach Us about Negotiation? 28:03

3M ago28:03

28:03

From baseball player Shohei Ohtani’s highly unusual (and highly lucrative) contract to Michael Jordan’s “Love of the game” clause, uncommon terms of agreement might be more common than you think. On this episode, we discuss the creativity of contract negotiations—and our tips for getting more out of your next professional engagement.…

1
Is My Boss Holding Me Back? 35:41

3M ago35:41

35:41

In this episode we follow the real-life anonymous work story of "Dylan". What do you do when your Boss is impeding your advancement at work? How do you get ahead if you’re constantly told to stay in your lane—and to only do what is asked of you? Do you fold, or do you adopt the age-old wisdom: “Don't ask for permission, ask for forgiveness later”? …

1
What's it Take to Quit the Corporate Slog and Launch that Business Idea? 40:25

4M ago40:25

40:25

“Emma’s” IRL identity crisis brings up a couple of important questions: what does it take to quit the corporate slog and start a new business of your own? Is there a certain philosophy that successful entrepreneurs adopt? What are the relationship and financial ramifications of launching your own startup? Is your idea better suited for bootstrappin…

1
Can I Legally Be Fired for My Social Media Activity? 50:36

4M ago50:36

50:36

Why are professionals getting fired for what they post on their own social media? Some of us have had to learn it the hard way: Your rights as a citizen ≠ your rights as an employee—especially when comes to freedom of speech. It has us asking, “What does at-will employment mean, exactly?” Inspired by the true tale of “Brandon’s” termination over a …

1
Online Culture of Cringe 29:44

5M ago29:44

29:44

The painfully real tale of “David’s” social oversharing brings up a great point: how did we get so ‘cringe’? Whether it be sharing personal divorces on professional platforms like LinkedIn, or wrapping everyday moments into a vessel for social media edification, has our push for recognition or sharing vulnerability gone too far? How does technology…

1
Share Your Total Comp, or GTFO 27:12

5M ago27:12

27:12

The anonymously shared story of “John’s” salary analysis brings up an excellent question: are there downsides to comparing our career path to others? Kayak, Zillow, Glassdoor - whether we’re looking at prices or salaries, the rise of transparency platforms that shed light on previously undisclosed financial information has given us new ways to comp…

1
How Do I Recover from a Big Mistake at Work? 26:55

5M ago26:55

26:55

So you messed up at work. How do you move forward? From accidental all-staffs to awkward client commentary, we share the unfortunately true story of “Zach”, a marketing professional who makes one big boo-boo. Additionally, we discuss some of our own professional mistakes on this episode—and our seasoned tactics on how to move past them.…

1
Are You Sure You Want That Promotion? 22:06

6M ago22:06

22:06

“Ellie” did what many would deem the unthinkable: refused a promotion. Whether it’s a lack of confidence, a lack of support, or a lack of trust in their employer, a sizeable portion of professionals today are turning down their promotions. What might be impacting their decisions, and how can employers ensure that fewer of their people walk away at …

1
Do Politics Have a Place in the Workplace? 25:27

6M ago25:27

25:27

The true story of “Tabitha” and “Brandon’s” work marriage brings up today’s topic: is talking about politics at work as taboo as it used to be? The age-old debate of whether we should engage in political discussions at work gains a new dimension as workers go to social media to voice their own political opinions. What do we expect from our company …

1
HR, Friend or Foe? 26:28

6M ago26:28

26:28

HR is not your friend, they say. They’re a necessary evil, they say. When did the human resources department acquire this reputation? Should we consider them employee welfare workers, or are they only in service of corporate interests? On this episode, we’re joined by HR expert and startup advisor Rusty Rueff to talk about the real and totally rela…

1
What Do Gen Z Employees Want? 26:45

7M ago26:45

26:45

You enter the workforce in a pandemic. You’re onboarded remotely. You’re mandated to RTO. And the whole time, it feels like you’re being sold to. That’s the Gen Z experience of the workplace so far, and they’re not loving it. On this episode, we’re joined by Gen Zer Zaid Safe to chat about what his generation wants from workplace culture—and the pr…

1
Is ADHD Drug Use in the Workplace Causing a Shortage? 24:28

7M ago24:28

24:28

ADHD prescriptions are on the rise, ADHD medication is selling out, and your algorithm thinks you have it, too. Are we finally getting proper diagnoses, or are we living in an age of self-medicating for productivity? This episode explores the real story of “Olivia” and the trend of “smart drugs”—whether it’s Adderall, mushrooms, or yes, even Brazil…

1
LinkedIn Hacks, Contrarian Career Paths, & Value of MBAs 19:57

7M ago19:57

19:57

As higher education becomes increasingly open source, it has us wondering: are degrees like MBAs still worth the hefty price tag, or is it all LinkedIn optics? On this episode, we discuss “Joey’s” anonymously shared Linkedin hacks, contrarian career paths that impress recruiters, the inherent value of an MBA, and alternative ways of investing in yo…

1
Are Mandatory Office Policies Back? 24:38

7M ago24:38

24:38

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.…

1
Should Normies Have a Voice on Social Media? 23:35

8M ago23:35

23:35

Why do “normies” otherwise known as the silent middle engage so little on platforms like Twitter? Should platforms be responsible only for their business model, or should they aim to be a model business? On this episode, we dive into the ethics vs. economics of unregulated voices on social.By Glassdoor

1
Are Legacy Admissions Fair? 23:05

8M ago23:05

23:05

Based on the true story of “Bo”, on this episode we explore whether or not corporate nepo babies and college legacies the same. Since the recent Supreme Court ruling, legacy admissions are being re-examined as unfair and white-washed. On this episode, we dive into the privileges and perks of being a college legacy, as well as the harm it brings to …

1
Should I Work for an “Evil” Corporation? 25:14

10M ago25:14

25:14

From the excesses of Wallstreet companies in the 90s to Tech companies pillaging our privacy for gold in the 2000s, how have workers’ considerations of evil companies evolved with the rise of frameworks like ESG? This, talk about digital gold miners in World of Warcraft, and more all on this episode of Lonely Office.…

1
Episode 20: Dear God what is that thing? 29:10

10M ago29:10

29:10

We are finally getting to one of the ballad types and topics that made me realize how much potential lay in these old songs…. Monstrous births. Or, to be clear, that's how they were marketed at the time. They were actually an overall mix of true accounts of birth defects and used the idea of deformity as a direct metaphor. Either which way it went,…

1
You’ve Been Laid Off. Now What? 39:35

11M ago39:35

39:35

It’s happened. You’ve been laid off. What do you do next? Do you jump on LinkedIn with a heartfelt post? Do you go live on TikTok? Inspired by the true story of “Maggie” - we talk about how to set yourself up for success before and after a potential layoff—from warming your professional network to re-evaluating your options.…

1
How to Get Fired and Negotiate Severance 45:25

11M ago45:25

45:25

Whether you’re a frequent job hopper or company loyalist, you’ll likely be affected by layoffs at some point in your working life. “Dylan’s” IRL layoff story got us thinking: are you ready for what happens next? On this episode, joined by corporate content creator Leah Ova, we’re talking about how to prepare for layoffs—what you should keep in mind…

1
Can Career Coaches Really Help Your Career? 42:46

12M ago42:46

42:46

There are an estimated 70,000 professional career coaches worldwide. But are they the answer that lost professionals are looking for? On this episode, we discuss the real story of “Jamie”, whose expensive career coach falls short of expectations. We’re joined by special guest Cindy Gallop (advertising consultant, founder of MakeLoveNotPorn, and yes…

1
Iraq, Libya, Syria. What Do They Have in Common? Not Sand 14:16

12M ago14:16

14:16

In my previous episode, I talked about how Canada has not felt like home to me for a couple of years. Canada was the country my parents decided to refuge to for better opportunities and to flee from chaos and war. Canada was the country that made an effort to get my family and me from Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon and Israel war. The government h…

1
Episode 19: Ways to wooing a Witty Wench. 26:00

12M ago26:00

26:00

Welcome everyone to Episode 19 Where we are looking at all the ways to woo those wonderful and witty wenches… or the ones who value knowledge over marriage, the one’s that fit the Athena archetype. Show transcript and blog A mad kinde of wooing Hares on the Mountain The Blue Stocking Society The Enlightenment Support the show…

1
Get Back to the Office, or You’re Fired 41:01

12M ago41:01

41:01

Whether you see it as a privilege or a right, companies are changing their tune when it comes to remote work—like popular advertising agency TBWA, whose policies inspired today’s story. Should employees be going back in, or should they be walking out? On this episode, joined by corporate content creator Leah Ova, we chat about the benefits and impa…

1
I Identify as An Apache Helicopter 9:06

12M ago9:06

9:06

I Identify as An Apache HelicopterBy Nizam Farah

1
How Much of Your Self Do You Bring to Work? 29:15

1y ago29:15

29:15

Just be yourself, they say. But not that self. In a culture that preaches authenticity one day and cancels you the next, how do you know how much of your personality and selfhood to reveal in a professional setting? Inspired by the true story of “Bill”, who struggles to socialize at work, we talk about the risks and rewards of bringing your full se…

1
Drugs, Booze. Oops, You Snooze, You Lose. 11:20

1y ago11:20

11:20

What a great time to be young! Post-pandemic hormones are raging across the world and our young people want to have fun. Go to a party, have a few drinks, experiment with some drugs, and find someone to hook up with. Damn, to be young and explore what the world has to offer. Is it all fun and games though? That one party you go to and a friend tell…

1
Your Next Coworker Might Be ChatGPT 37:21

1y ago37:21

37:21

With artificial intelligence becoming more intelligent by the hour, who will lose their jobs first? Where will they go? And is this a case for universal basic income? On this episode, joined by comedian and writer Azhar Usman, we follow the rapid rise of AI to its professional, social, and ethical conclusions.…

1
Boomers Vs. Millennials in the Workplace 45:37

1y ago45:37

45:37

Are the younger generations really coddled and entitled, or is this just a classic case of “OK Boomer”? When it comes to workplace attitudes, there’s a clear generational divide, especially in the case of “Allie” and “Randy” (protecting their anonymity!) who inspired today’s story. In this episode, we’re joined by beloved guest Leah Ova to unpack t…

1
Hail The King! Um, We Talkin Burger King? 12:02

1y ago12:02

12:02

Now a podcast about the legendary Whopper would be amazing! But unfortunately, this topic has less taste bud action than that. A modern world like ours is controlled by one person. Well, The Queen, may she rest in peace, was quite controlling of her loving so-called “alliances”. The torch has been passed to King Charles. What does this mean for us …

1
Is Unlimited PTO a Scam? 37:37

1y ago37:37

37:37

Unlimited vacation is often lauded as a workplace perk, but who does it actually benefit? On this episode, we’re joined by marketer and content creator Leah Ova to discuss why employers might be incentivized to adopt unlimited PTO policies—and why employees might be getting the short end of the stick.…

1
How Much Should I Care about My Job? 27:21

1y ago27:21

27:21

After working overtime, “Mo” expected a nice work perk, but received branded snacks instead. Their anonymously-shared story prompted us to ask the question(s): What should be the reward of a job well done? A sense of purpose? A round of applause? A box of pretzels? This week, we’re joined by comedian Azhar Usman and content creator Leah Ova to deba…

1
Work Till You Die, But We Still Need You To Work! 13:23

1y ago13:23

13:23

I have a dream. These are words that when uttered, make people’s hair stand on the back of their necks and put their focus on what is coming next. Martin Luther King had a dream of a better world. A fair world that gives everyone an opportunity to be what they want as long as they work hard for it. He worked hard for the freedom of speech and Black…

1
When’s a Good Time to Tell the Boss I’m Pregnant? 29:13

1y ago29:13

29:13

Pregnancy, disabilities, age—when it comes to sharing sensitive personal information in a professional setting, where do we draw the line? On this episode, we dive into the true story of an HR professional named Diana, a pregnant new hire, and one boss with a big mouth. We’re joined by motherhood content creator Leah Ova to discuss the reasons why …

1
To ChatGPT for Work, or Not to ChatGPT 36:45

1y ago36:45

36:45

Is ChatGPT a powerful tool to augment our work, or is it a weapon of capitalism on the verge of taking our jobs? In this episode, we discuss an anonymous story shared by “Megan”, a PR professional whose excellent writing skills are secretly attributed to AI. We’re joined by startup advisor Rusty Rueff this week to debate the merit of AI tools like …

1
Welcome to Canada! Oh, You Didn't Read The Fine Print? 14:02

1y ago14:02

14:02

In my previous episode, I talked about how Canada has not felt like home to me for a couple of years. Canada was the country my parents decided to refuge to for better opportunities and to flee from chaos and war. Canada was the country that made an effort to get my family and me from Lebanon during the 2006 Lebanon and Israel war. The government h…

1
Episode 18: Robin Hood ultimate trickster and working-class hero. 30:29

1y ago30:29

30:29

Today we look at both the history and one of the earliest versions of the Robin Hood legend, which spread and gained popularity largely through the ballad traditions. While we do we will look at how he fits in with that classic trickster archetype, and how the social and economic factors of the 1300's led to fertile ground for the growth of his sto…

1
Just Hire Me, or Don’t 52:18

1y ago52:18

52:18

A horror story for the remote work era: going through endless rounds of interviews, wondering whether you’ve wasted your time. On this episode, we dive into a real 11-round-interview incident endured by one candidate named “Mike”. We’ll debate the risks and merits of a lengthy interview process, getting caught in the crosshairs of a company’s misal…

1
Home, But Not Home 10:11

1y ago10:11

10:11

Nova Scotia is Home to over a million people. In recent years many have made Nova Scotia a new home for themselves and family. People from all over the world come to Canada and make a new home for themselves here. What a great complement it is to see the world viewing Canada as a great nation! And yes Canada has such potential to become a beautiful…

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