SPOS #957 – Brigid Schulte On Transforming The Daily Grind Into A Better Life

Welcome to episode #957 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Brigid Schulte is an award-winning journalist and bestselling author who has spent her career delving into the intricacies of modern life, particularly the challenges of balancing work, love, and play. With nearly 17 years at The Washington Post, where she was part of a team that won The Pulitzer Prize, Brigid has written for a myriad of publications including The Atlantic, The Guardian, Time, and Slate. Her work often focuses on the unsustainable pace of our always-on culture and the societal narratives that shape our perceptions of success and fulfillment. In this conversation, Brigid discusses her latest book, Over Work - Transforming The Daily Grind In The Quest For A Better Life (her first book was, Overwhelmed - Work, Love, And Play When No One Has Time). She explores how, despite advancements meant to make life easier, many of us feel more pressed for time than ever. The pandemic, she notes, has been a catalyst in reshaping our understanding of work and its true value. It has highlighted stark disparities between knowledge workers who can work remotely and low-wage workers who often face systemic barriers to advancement. Brigid challenges the long-held belief that longer hours equate to better work, emphasizing that this narrative is flawed and detrimental. Workers today are increasingly seeking meaningful and dignified work, and leadership plays a crucial role in shaping a culture that supports this. We delve into how technology, while disruptive, also has the potential to create new job opportunities - but only if we rethink how we value different types of work. If you're interested in understanding the complexities of modern work culture and exploring actionable ways to create a more balanced and fulfilling life, Brigid's insights are both enlightening and timely. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:01:17.
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• Here is my conversation with Brigid Schulte.
• Over Work - Transforming The Daily Grind In The Quest For A Better Life.
• Overwhelmed - Work, Love, And Play When No One Has Time.
• Follow Brigid on X.
• Follow Brigid on LinkedIn.
• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Chapters:

• (00:00) - Introduction to Overwork and Its Context.
• (03:02) - The Impact of the Pandemic on Work Culture.
• (05:52) - The Reality of Low-Wage Work.
• (08:53) - The Illusion of Job Abundance.
• (12:00) - The Disconnect Between Work and Wages.
• (15:10) - The Role of Technology in Future Work.
• (17:53) - Rethinking Work and Value.
• (23:51) - The Future of Work: Possibilities and Challenges.
• (27:13) - The Importance of Meaningful Work.
• (29:56) - Cultural Perceptions of Work.
• (36:06) - The Role of Leadership in Work Culture.
• (41:58) - The Question of Economic Growth.
• (48:09) - Grassroots Movements for Change.
• (50:51) - The Power of Stories in Work Culture.
• (56:56) - Conclusion and Reflections on Change.