This Working Life
ABC Australia
You spend so much time on work, why accept the status quo, when there are ways to do it better? Get expert advice, research and hacks that will crush your inertia.
Join Lisa Leong and other This Working Lifers as we experiment and explore the latest in the world of work.
We cover policy issues, like hybrid workplaces and remote work, employee wellbeing and organisational culture, the use of AI, employee surveillance, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. We talk about progress on wider issues that relate to work, like work life balance, organisational change, restructures, and casualisation. On This Working Life our focus is on everything related to the people in a workplace too, including culture, individual experiences, performance management and career advice.
Join Lisa Leong and other This Working Lifers as we experiment and explore the latest in the world of work.
We cover policy issues, like hybrid workplaces and remote work, employee wellbeing and organisational culture, the use of AI, employee surveillance, employee engagement, diversity and inclusion. We talk about progress on wider issues that relate to work, like work life balance, organisational change, restructures, and casualisation. On This Working Life our focus is on everything related to the people in a workplace too, including culture, individual experiences, performance management and career advice.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 14, 2025 • 27min
Transfer, recall, repetition: what helps you learn at work
This time, cognitive scientist Ryan Jesson and learning strategist Michelle Ockers share insights on optimizing workplace learning. Ryan explains how active recall and spaced repetitions enhance memory retention, while addressing the pitfalls of feeling fluent after learning. Michelle highlights the importance of experiential learning over formal training and encourages evidence-based L&D designs. They also discuss the benefits of gamification and AI in simulations for real-world applications, emphasizing the crucial role of managers in facilitating effective learning.
17 snips
Nov 7, 2025 • 25min
Are you on the path to burnout? These are the red flags...
Dr. Ben Searle, an organisational psychologist who specializes in burnout, shares his personal experience with it, fueling his research. Luke Martin, a spokesperson for Beyond Blue, highlights alarming statistics on workplace burnout linked to workload and support. They discuss early warning signs like loss of joy, irritability, and fatigue. The conversation also emphasizes the role of meaningful recognition and practical team interventions, while introducing Ben's Recovember, a month-long challenge to boost recovery from work stress.
Oct 31, 2025 • 25min
Westpac work from home decision: what does it mean for you?
In this episode, Dr. Giuseppe Carabetta, an Associate Professor at UTS Business School, and Emma Walsh, CEO of Parents at Work, dive into a recent Fair Work Commission decision that allows a Westpac employee to work from home full-time. They discuss the implications for business hiring practices and the importance of individualized assessments for flexible work requests. Emma highlights how flexibility can boost productivity and support gender equality, while Giuseppe warns employers about the legal obligations when denying such requests.
Oct 24, 2025 • 25min
How to fix loneliness at work
Connie Noonan-Hadley, an organisational psychologist and Research Associate Professor at Boston University, tackles the pressing issue of work loneliness. She defines it as unwanted social distance, exacerbated by remote work and modern technology. Connie highlights the health and productivity costs for employers and shares a five-item loneliness scale she developed. Employers can build connection through simple interventions like fostering casual chit-chat. She also stresses the need for tailored support for junior and introverted staff, empowering both leaders and individuals to combat loneliness.
Oct 17, 2025 • 25min
Top books for work and life
Panio Gianopolous, co-founder of the Next Big Idea Club and a nonfiction editor, shares transformative insights on influential work-related books. He discusses the creative struggles presented in Adam Moss's The Work of Art, promotes Cal Newport's Slow Productivity approach for better focus, and highlights the importance of grit from Angela Duckworth's research. Lisa adds her picks, emphasizing design thinking's role in problem-solving and the joy of process over mere outcomes. Together, they explore how meaningful work emerges from a blend of creativity and discipline.
9 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 25min
Restructure and redundancy, with psychosocial safety
Melinda Bell, a partner at Norton Rose Fulbright specializing in employment law, and Leonie Green, an organizational coach, dive into the challenges of managing restructures and redundancies. They discuss the crucial shift from advisory to enforcement by regulators on psychosocial risks. Melinda highlights the importance of planning clear communication for redundancies and legal compliance. Leonie stresses the power of genuine consultation and early employee involvement to alleviate fear during transitions. They also share practical tips for tough conversations, making change more human-centric.
Oct 3, 2025 • 25min
Should you bring your 'whole self' to work?
There are lessons you can take from the careers of David Bowie and Oprah about identity and authenticity.Being “authentic” in your life and career is something we’re told to aspire to. But can that be taken too far?Dr Tomas, Chamorro- Premuzic, Professor of Business Psychology at University College London and Columbia University, author, Don’t Be Yourself: Why Authenticity is overrated and what to do instead Julianna Pillemer, Assistant Professor of Management and Organisations, NYU Stern School of Business
Sep 29, 2025 • 14min
Try This: declutter your work from home space
Need help organising your desk or kitchen table workspace? Get decluttering tips that will help clear your mind and your home. Guest:Amy Revell, decluttering expert For more on the psychology of decluttering, check out the All In the Mind episode, Is clutter making you feel bad?
Sep 26, 2025 • 25min
Validation is a skill for work and life
Dr. Caroline Fleck, a licensed psychologist and corporate consultant, dives into the art of validation in the workplace. She explains how validation signals care and understanding, contrasting it with praise, and emphasizing its role in building psychological safety. Common misconceptions are addressed, highlighting that validation is not agreement but a precursor to influence. Caroline shares practical skills, including attending questions for addressing complaints and exploring underperformance, ultimately showcasing that validation strengthens relationships and enhances influence at work.
Sep 19, 2025 • 25min
The power of gossip at work
Whether you approve of it or not, research shows gossip does have value within organisations, especially when it’s used positively. Learn how you can harness gossip to improve relationships and communication with colleagues. Guests:Amy Gallo, workplace expert and contributing editor, Harvard Business Review. Author, Getting Along: how to work with anyoneJames Greenslade-Yeats, Research Fellow in Management, Auckland University of Technology
