Shows
What's Your Work Fit?Why Are We Still Talking About RTO Mandates?On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: Why Are We Still Talking About RTO Mandates?
Answering that question and others is our returning guest, Nick Bloom.
Nick is a Professor of Economics at Stanford University. And as the co-founder of WFH Research he is world recognized for insight on remote and flexible work.
We also revisit Nick’s earlier answer to the question, “What’s Your Work Fit?” His answer will resonate with many listeners.
Joining in on the discussion are What’s Your Work Fit? Executive Producer and Host Dan...
2025-11-1453 min
The Elephant in the OrgDan Smolen on WorkFit: Finding Joy in How We Work and LiveSend us a textWhat if “success” wasn’t someone else’s checklist—but a life that actually fits?In this uplifting, reflective conversation, Dan Smolen—Executive Producer & Host of What’s Your Work Fit? and fellow member of the Future of Work Alliance—joins Danny, Marion, and Cacha to explore how purpose, passion, and fit overlap (and don’t), why agency over your day matters, and how “soft eyes and soft ears” help us hear what truly lights us up.📄 Full Show NotesWe cover:What WorkFit really mean...
2025-11-0557 minWhat's Your Work Fit?How Does Startup Culture Inform the Modern Workplace?On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: How Does Startup Culture Inform the Modern Workplace?
Answering that question and others is our guest, Ginger Dhaliwal.
As an Angel Investor, Ginger actively supports early-stage startups, especially those led by women and focused on AI, the future of work, and global impact.
We also discover Ginger’s answer to the question, “What’s Your Work Fit?” Her answer will resonate with many listeners.
Joining the conversation on this What’s Your Work Fit? episode are Host and Executive Producer Dan...
2025-10-3158 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Is Employee Experience the New Workplace Amenity?On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: Is Employee Experience the New Workplace Amenity?
Answering that question and others is our guest, Corina Ocanto.
Corina is the Vice President of Workplace Strategy at Stream Realty Partners. As a design strategist, consultant, and researcher Corina helps companies to create impactful experiences which connect customers, employees and communities through purposeful physical and digital design.
We also discover Corina’s answer to the question, “What’s Your Work Fit?” Her answer will resonate with many listeners.
Joining the conversation on this Wh...
2025-10-2452 minWhat's Your Work Fit?How is AI Changing Human-Centered Work?On What’s Your Work Fit we posed this question: How is AI Changing Human-Centered Work?
Answering that question and others is our returning guest, Ram Srinivasan.
Ram is the Global AI Strategy & Adoption Leader at JLL where he spearheads initiatives to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies while ensuring their responsible and ethical implementation.
He is also the author of The Conscious Machine: From Artificial to Enlightened Intelligence and the newly published AI-themed mystery thriller, LANK-8.
Joining the live show are executive producer and host Dan Smolen and our co-hosts MorteVita Managing Pr...
2025-09-121h 02
Transforming Work with Sophie WadeDan Smolen - The Sea Change for Talent and Recruiters—Evolving ExpectationsDan Smolen is the host and executive producer of the "What's Your Work Fit?" podcast and a veteran executive recruiter. He explores how talent dynamics are evolving in the modern workplace as recruiters shift to focus on candidates' ability to adapt, learn continuously, and work collaboratively. Dan shares his insights on early talent's new definitions of success, their emphasis on work/life balance, and preferences for flexible working. Dan describes how these changes are reshaping recruitment strategies and the critical role of empathy in modern hiring practices.Top of FormBottom of Form TAKEAWAYS
2024-08-3054 min
Pillar Talk: Building Sales Leadership with Rick SmolenThe Growth Framework that drove a successful IPO with Dan HeadWelcome to another episode of Pillar Talk with Rick Smolen, where we dive deep into the realms of sales leadership and uncover the strategies that define success. This episode features Dan Head, the accomplished CEO of Phrasee, sharing his insights that guided from from a seasoned sales leader to CRO, and now CEO.About Our Guest:Dan Head has an impressive career trajectory, evolving from senior sales roles at giants like Salesforce and Infor to leading AppBoy through its transformation into Braze and its subsequent IPO triumph. Key Discussion P...
2024-03-0848 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Why are We Gathering for Work, Anyway?On What’s Your Work Fit we pose this viewer question: Why are We Gathering for Work, Anyway? Answering that question and others is our guest, Terry Wiener. Terry is a Workplace and Team-Effectiveness Thought Leader and Dropbox’s Former Head of Virtual First. This week’s lead question was posed by Dan and our Co-Hosts for the … Continue reading Why are We Gathering for Work, Anyway? →
2023-11-0349 min
What's Your Work Fit?What’s Your Work Fit PremieresFuture of Work thought-leader Dan Smolen’s What’s Your Work Fit premieres in October 2022. Finally, what it means to work is informed by your own personal needs and desires and not someone else’s directives. How we work, who we work for, when we work, why we work, and the workplace where it all happens has … Continue reading What’s Your Work Fit Premieres →
2022-09-1610 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Hitting the Pause ButtonDan Smolen is hitting the pause button on The Dan Smolen Podcast. When the podcast returns in Fall 2022, it will provide a more impactful interactive experience for career professionals. From the episode: “Given the success that the podcast has enjoyed during the past four years, I recognize that there is so much more for … Continue reading Hitting the Pause Button →
2022-06-1002 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Starting a First Job of ManyDan Smolen recalls how starting a first job of many benefitted his professional career and informed a profound journey in the future of work: As the last of the graduation ceremonies conclude, America’s latest crop of entry-level workers is stressed out about connecting with work and career. I remember the experience well. And what I … Continue reading Starting a First Job of Many →
2022-06-0308 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Should Careers Require a College Degree?Dan Smolen asks: should careers require a college degree? As the graduating class of 2022 enters the workplace, many of its members will carry forward substantial student loan debt. And the son of one friend of mine amassed $250,000 in debt to earn his Bachelor’s degree. That is a nightmare scenario. So how did we … Continue reading Should Careers Require a College Degree? →
2022-05-2708 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Inciting a Workplace RevolutionDan Smolen discusses inciting a workplace revolution with guest Vinny Tafuro. Vinny is the Founder of the Institute for Economic Evolution. He is also the author of two books, including Unlocking the Labor Cage. For those who study the future of work, this much is clear: we are in the midst of a workplace revolution. … Continue reading Inciting a Workplace Revolution →
2022-05-2037 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Mastering Time for Future WorkDan Smolen explores mastering time for future work with guest Kris Ward. Kris is the host of the Win the Hour, Win the Day Podcast. She counsels entrepreneurs on how to manage their time resources so that they become successful in work, but also in life. Time mastery is critical for success in the future of … Continue reading Mastering Time for Future Work →
2022-05-1327 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Fostering Benefit for Future WorkDan Smolen meets up with Randye Spina, to discuss fostering benefit for future work. Randye is the founder of Marketing on a Mission, LLC. And she is a self-described “business as a force for good champion.” Her consultancy enables B-Corps and other entities to drive positive, purpose-driven brand attributes. Now, more than ever, career professionals … Continue reading Fostering Benefit for Future Work →
2022-05-0636 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Are Bosses Crushing Worker Dignity?Dan Smolen asks the question: are bosses crushing worker dignity? Answering this question, and many others, is Dr. Betty Johnson. She is the founder of Bridging the Difference LLC; it helps company leaders embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to ensure worker dignity. As the Covid pandemic ebbs, and more of their talent work remotely, … Continue reading Are Bosses Crushing Worker Dignity? →
2022-04-2949 minWhat's Your Work Fit?A Dominatrix’s Guide to Future WorkDan Smolen establishes a Dominatrix’s Guide to Future Work with executive coach Dana Pharant. Dana is a former dominatrix who now uses her skill to help entrepreneurs and career professionals. They learn to overcome past traumas to live and work joyfully. What is more, Dana’s clients apply skill to escape from ingrained behaviors that bottle … Continue reading A Dominatrix’s Guide to Future Work →
2022-04-2236 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Make Work From Anywhere WorkDan Smolen explores how to make work from anywhere work with guest John Lee. He is the co-founder of Work From Anywhere, a resource that helps people across-the-globe to overcome international barriers-to-entry. When that happens, career professionals may live and work in the place of their dreams. John and his family are experienced digital nomads. And … Continue reading Make Work From Anywhere Work →
2022-04-1528 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Building Workplace Leadership CultureDan Smolen digs into the WHY of building workplace leadership culture with guest Bret Packard. Over a 30-year corporate career, Bret “crushed it” at managing large global teams tasked with scaling profits and market dominance. And, he was rewarded well for his hard work. But Bret discovered early on that he wasn’t the leader of … Continue reading Building Workplace Leadership Culture →
2022-04-0841 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Supporting Men in Future WorkDan Smolen interviews Lucas Krump on supporting men in future work. Lucas is the CEO and Co-Founder of EVRYMAN, a platform of resources, groups, retreats, and more. It empowers men to lead fuller and more connected lives. Men struggle with their relationship to work as much as they do in expressing their emotions. What’s more, … Continue reading Supporting Men in Future Work →
2022-04-0141 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Personal Storytelling Builds Brilliant CareersDan Smolen interviews Debra Olshan Cooper to discover how personal storytelling builds brilliant careers. Debra is the founder and principal of Your Career Design Lab. She empowers people new to the workplace and not, to find and do the work of their dreams. What is more, by leveraging mindfulness and neurolinguistic programming (NLP) techniques, Debra … Continue reading Personal Storytelling Builds Brilliant Careers →
2022-03-2548 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Future of Work is Generation ZDan Smolen interviews author Hana Ben-Shabat. She illustrates how the future of work is Generation Z. Hana is the author of Gen Z 360: Preparing for the Inevitable Change in Culture, Work, and Commerce. And, to tell the generation’s story, she gleaned considerable insight from a large sampling of the cohort. This much is evident: … Continue reading Future of Work is Generation Z →
2022-03-1846 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Future Work RecruitmentDan Smolen explores future work recruitment with Russell White. Russell is a veteran executive recruiter who is based in London. For years, he supported candidate development for top brands in digital marketing, insights, and social media. But, in the wake of the pandemic, Russell remade and rebranded his firm as Future Work. Now, along with … Continue reading Future Work Recruitment →
2022-03-1143 minWhat's Your Work Fit?A Human and Adaptive WorkplaceDan Smolen explores the emergence of a human and adaptive workplace with Rodney Evans. Rodney is the host and executive producer of the Brave New Work Podcast. What is more, she leads The Ready which helps companies become more human and adaptive. Out of the pandemic, we begin to recognize a future of work that … Continue reading A Human and Adaptive Workplace →
2022-03-0436 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Will Women Lead Future Work?Dan Smolen asks internationally recognized Corporate Diva Dipika Trehan: will women lead future work? A self-described “philanthrepreneur,” Dipika promotes the health, wellness, and professional success of women across the globe. Her brands, the H.O.W. Forum and Corporate Diva, work across many verticals of holistic employee well-being and female empowerment. As Dipika explains: “Women are looking for … Continue reading Will Women Lead Future Work? →
2022-02-2542 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Mastering the Digital WorkplaceDan Smolen discusses mastering the digital workplace with podcaster Neil Miller. He helps careerists to make sense of digital workplace innovations, to be truly intentional in the future of work. Neil calls himself a “thought stealer.” Actually, he is a best-practices synthesizer. Neil helps people and companies to succeed in the digital workplace. What is … Continue reading Mastering the Digital Workplace →
2022-02-1833 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Workplace Trends for 2022Dan Smolen discusses workplace trends for 2022 with Kettle’s Dan Rosenzweig. Most notably, Dan explains two trends this year with the biggest workplace impact: the clubhouse as the office and pop-up venues for work. On one hand, clubhouses enable professional talent to gather safely and with engagement. On the other, pop-up venues allow companies to … Continue reading Workplace Trends for 2022 →
2022-02-1143 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Fourth Act CareerDan Smolen and podcast guest Achim Nowak delve into the Fourth Act Career. In his first career act, Achim was a successful New York City-based theatrical director who, as a workaholic, sought perfection. But a vision of a white house on a tropical island soon captivated his dreams. Achim’s dreamy vision turned into reality. He … Continue reading The Fourth Act Career →
2022-02-0434 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Employee Experience and Future WorkDan Smolen discusses employee experience and future work with Professor Diane Gayeski. Professor Gayeski teaches Strategic Communications at Ithaca College’s Park School of Communications. What is more, she is a noted thought-leader in employee experience or EX. In the future of work, EX is a linchpin for people to find and do meaningful work. In … Continue reading Employee Experience and Future Work →
2022-01-2838 minWhat's Your Work Fit?A Startup Parent’s Workplace Culture FixDan Smolen discusses a startup parent’s workplace culture fix with entrepreneur and podcaster Sarah K. Peck. Sarah is the CEO and founder of Start Up Parent and host of the popular Start Up Parent Podcast. As a former start up executive, and the mom of two young children, Sarah is leading the charge to improve … Continue reading A Startup Parent’s Workplace Culture Fix →
2022-01-2150 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Myers Briggs and the Great ResignationDan Smolen discusses Myers Briggs and the Great Resignation with expert Edythe Richards. As 2022 begins, an estimated 20 million American workers opted for the Great Resignation. With such an unprecedented exit of active workforce members, we wondered about the correlation between Myers Briggs Type Indicators and the Great Resignation. To help guide us through … Continue reading Myers Briggs and the Great Resignation →
2022-01-1445 minWhat's Your Work Fit?SWOT to Focus on Career SuccessDan Smolen says people should use SWOT to focus on career success. That’s right. The time-honored business management tool, the SWOT analysis, can help careerists to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Getting to blissful work and experiences takes great planning and imagination. And this time-honored business tool can focus our minds on finding and … Continue reading SWOT to Focus on Career Success →
2022-01-0708 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Good Health and Future WorkDan Smolen believes that good health and future work will be informed by pandemic responses. As 2021 draws to a close, the Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has spread like wildfire. And clear to many people now is this: because about a one-third of the nation remains unvaccinated, we will, for the foreseeable future, … Continue reading Good Health and Future Work →
2021-12-3107 minWhat's Your Work Fit?One Tired, Burned Out WorkforceDan Smolen reflects on the Holiday Season and one tired, burned out workforce. Merry Christmas to all who celebrate! Have you arrived at the holiday rested or refreshed? Or are you a burned out mess? According to a recent post on FortuneDaily: “The physical and emotional exhaustion that turns into workplace burnout doesn’t happen overnight. … Continue reading One Tired, Burned Out Workforce →
2021-12-2406 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Remote Work Can WorkDan Smolen discovers from Gitlab’s Darren Murph how remote work can work. As GitLab’s Director of Remote Work, Darren is “the voice in the room” that evangelizes the trailblazing company’s distributed workforce operating model. What is more, Darren authored The GitLab Remote Work Playbook, which thousands of people around the globe have downloaded. As 2021 … Continue reading Remote Work Can Work →
2021-12-1739 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Finding Success in Indepdendent WorkDan Smolen interviews Overflow PBC co-founder and CEO Laura Marella on finding success in independent work. Laura co-founded Overflow PBC to help solo-entrepreneur marketing and strategy professionals succeed. In 2021, the rise of independent benefitted people who compete for business with large firms and agencies. As a business accelerator and professional community, Overflow PBC provides … Continue reading Finding Success in Indepdendent Work →
2021-12-1032 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Will Artificial Intelligence Improve Future Work?Dan Smolen asks Plutoshift’s Prateek Joshi: will artificial intelligence improve future work? Prateek is the founder and CEO of Plutoshift, a company that uses artificial intelligence or A.I. to make the world a better place. This we know: artificial intelligence frightens people who fear that robots will take their jobs and paychecks. And, truth be … Continue reading Will Artificial Intelligence Improve Future Work? →
2021-12-0334 minWhat's Your Work Fit?An Immigrant’s Future Work StoryDan Smolen discovers Raj Subrameyer’s immigrant’s future work story. Raj arrived in the United States for graduate study. He was an introverted Southern Indian student who pursued the lofty career goals that others expected him to follow. Astonishingly, he applied for over 1,200 jobs and got but a handful of interviews. That’s when he decided … Continue reading An Immigrant’s Future Work Story →
2021-11-2645 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Get Philosophical for Work SuccessDan Smolen interviews Cristina DiGiacomo who wants people to get philosophical for work success. An author, podcaster, and practical philosopher, Cristina draws on ancient insight to help people solve contemporary problems. And as the founder of MorAlchemy, she guides people with practical philosophy to lead happier, more purposed lives doing meaningful work. Skeptics may not recognize … Continue reading Get Philosophical for Work Success →
2021-11-1928 minWhat's Your Work Fit?What Drives Us to Work?Dan Smolen interviews author Daniel Pink to discuss what drives us to work. Dan is The New York Times’ best-selling author of several books, including DRIVE: The Surprising Truth of What Motivates Us. In good economies and bad, what drives us to work remains unchanged. During the pandemic, millions in the American workforce adjusted to … Continue reading What Drives Us to Work? →
2021-11-1233 minWhat's Your Work Fit?A Culture of Workplace EmpathyDan Smolen uncovers a culture of workplace empathy with podcast guest Hannah Jew. Hannah Jew (last name pronounced “Joe”) is an empathy building brand strategist for Scotts Miracle-Gro, the nation’s leading lawn and garden care company. A culture of workplace empathy is central to how Hannah does her job; it helps drive value for consumers … Continue reading A Culture of Workplace Empathy →
2021-11-0522 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Video Storytelling Drives Career SuccessDan Smolen meets with Nina Froriep to discuss how video storytelling drives career success. Nina is a veteran video marketer and principal of Clock Wise Productions. She helps people across the globe to promote themselves and their brands effectively on social media. We have all experienced massive disruption caused by the pandemic. And 18 months … Continue reading Video Storytelling Drives Career Success →
2021-10-2940 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Great Resignation Turned Great EmpowermentDan Smolen meets with marketing expert Amanda Blair Davis who experienced The Great Resignation turned Great Empowerment. Amanda built a successful career as a corporate marketing executive. During the pandemic, she thrived working remotely. But, in 2021, when her company called people back to the office, she resigned. Undaunted, she built a life and new career … Continue reading The Great Resignation Turned Great Empowerment →
2021-10-2235 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Case for Intercultural CreativityDan Smolen interviews Genein Letford to discuss the case for intercultural creativity at work. Genein Letford is a public speaker, podcaster, and thought-leader in intercultural creativity. She works with hiring managers to help them create thriving workplaces. When people at work collaborate, they often pair up with others who are most like them. The old … Continue reading The Case for Intercultural Creativity →
2021-10-1541 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Blah, Blah, Blah Hurts the WorkplaceDan Smolen interviews Dr. Dan Hill, who believes that “blah, blah, blah” hurts the workplace and career professionals. And in Blah, Blah, Blah: A Snarky Guide to Office Lingo, Dr. Hill and co-author Dr. Howard Moskowitz crowd-sourced over 600 examples of workplace jargon that are typically dismissive, patriarchal, and toxic. One cannot discuss The Great … Continue reading Blah, Blah, Blah Hurts the Workplace →
2021-10-0839 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Power of Hybrid Professional IdentitiesDan Smolen unpacks the Power of Hybrid Professional Identities with Sarabeth Berk, Ph.D. Dr. Berk is a self-described Chief Creative Disruptor. She believes that hybrid professional identities help people in the workplace to project their unique value to hiring managers. When asked: “what do you do for a living?,” most people respond with their current … Continue reading The Power of Hybrid Professional Identities →
2021-10-0134 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Pivot From College to CareerDan Smolen interviews Andrea Koppel, who is helping people pivot from college to career. Andrea is a former CNN correspondent, PR and nonprofit sector corporate executive. She draws on those amazing professional experiences to empower 1 million students to turn their degrees into careers they will love. Each week, she hosts and executive produces the Time4Coffee Podcast … Continue reading Pivot From College to Career →
2021-09-1748 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Get Unstuck for the Future of WorkDan Smolen meets a tech career strategist who helps people get unstuck for the future of work. Raj Subrameyer arrived in the US for graduate study. He was an introverted South Indian student who pursued the lofty career goals that others expected him to follow. Raj says he applied for over 1,200 jobs and got … Continue reading Get Unstuck for the Future of Work →
2021-09-1045 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Pandemic and the WorkplaceDan Smolen meets with Rob Citronberg MD to discuss the pandemic and the workplace. Dr. Citronberg is Advocate Aurora Health Care’s Executive Director of Infectious Disease and Prevention. What is more, he leads his healthcare system’s Covid-19 response and addresses the needs of hospitalized Covid patients. Beyond his hospital responsibilities, Dr. Citronberg also counsels members … Continue reading The Pandemic and the Workplace →
2021-09-0329 minWhat's Your Work Fit?CTE is Key for Future WorkDan Smolen believes that Career and Technical Education or CTE is key for future work. As students across the U.S. return to the classroom, more school systems are delivering STEAM instruction and career and technical education or CTE. STEAM and CTE are key for future work. Provided together, they help students to gain access to … Continue reading CTE is Key for Future Work →
2021-08-2709 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Turn Crisis Into Career OpportunityDan Smolen believes that times like these are perfect to turn crisis into career opportunity. It takes a steeled spine to log onto the New York Times‘ website and read so much grim news. However, it is in times of deep crisis that people can connect with the dream of doing meaningful work. Right now, … Continue reading Turn Crisis Into Career Opportunity →
2021-08-2009 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Code Red for Humanity’s Future WorkDan Smolen discusses how the Code Red for Humanity’s future work will deal with existential crisis. The UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change concludes that humans have changed Earth in ways both dire and irreversible. The IPCC calls this a “code red for humanity.” Without intervention, during the next 20 years, human activity will cause … Continue reading Code Red for Humanity’s Future Work →
2021-08-1309 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Simone Biles’ Future Work MasterclassPodcaster Dan Smolen is in awe of Gymnast Simone Biles‘ future of work masterclass. By far, the biggest story to emerge from the Tokyo Olympic Games has been mindfulness of elite athletes. And American Gymnast Simone Biles is the face of mindfulness at these games. Biles exited team competition when her mind and body fell … Continue reading Simone Biles’ Future Work Masterclass →
2021-08-0608 min
My Fourth Act PodcastEp. 23 | Dan Smolen | The Beauty of a Side HustleDan Smolen, 60, is a self-described Future of Work sherpa who advocates for people doing meaningful work. Dan’s wonderfully eclectic past includes on-air radio reporting in college, stints working for advertising and marketing agencies and founding his own Executive Recruitment Agency, The Green Suits.Dan left headhunting in 2018 to launch The Dan Smolen Experience and his Dan Smolen Podcast where he celebrates work that is profound, protects the planet, empowers people and is fun to do. Dan is very much living his own expansive FOURTH ACT.Why we can dream at any age. How side hustles have t...
2021-08-0538 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Future Work in Local Food ProductionPodcaster Dan Smolen sees future work in local food production. We have a serious food problem. And, according to the International Monetary Fund, the price of food has jumped 47 percent in the past year. Our once reliable agricultural model scaled a food pipeline driven on abundant water, millions of acres of rich farmland, a … Continue reading Future Work in Local Food Production →
2021-07-2339 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Healing an Emotionally Distressed WorkforceFuture of work podcaster Dan Smolen says that the time has come for healing an emotionally distressed workforce. Gallup’s latest workforce study is out, and it indicates that workers across the globe are suffering. And Jim Clifton, the Chairman and CEO of Gallup, minces no words: “What if the next global crisis is a mental … Continue reading Healing an Emotionally Distressed Workforce →
2021-07-1637 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Do Our Best Days Lie Ahead?Future of work podcaster Dan Smolen asks: do our best days lie ahead? Lately, some workplace observers have taken me to task for the tagline of this podcast: our best days lie ahead. With pandemic restrictions eased, we are in the midst of the biggest workforce and workplace disruption in over 100 years. Now, a … Continue reading Do Our Best Days Lie Ahead? →
2021-07-0927 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Future of Work SherpaIn this episode, Dan discusses becoming the future of work sherpa: Months ago, I challenged myself to come up with a succinct value statement to explain the scope of my work. I also sought to differentiate myself from other experts in future of work. And that is how I arrived at the notion that I … Continue reading The Future of Work Sherpa →
2021-07-0232 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Act on Future Work OpportunitiesWhen we act on future work opportunities, we help make our career dreams come true. Paired with dreams, exploration, and strategy, action helps us to achieve career success. These four components weave together like DNA, in countless combinations, to create a pathway for people to seek and do meaningful work. In this episode, Dan Smolen … Continue reading Act on Future Work Opportunities →
2021-05-2817 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Strategize for Future Work SuccessStrategize for your future work success to find and do the work of your dreams. Paired with dreams, exploration, and action, strategy helps us to achieve career success. These four components weave together like DNA, in countless combinations, to create a pathway for people to seek and do meaningful work. In this episode, Dan Smolen … Continue reading Strategize for Future Work Success →
2021-05-2125 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Explore Future Work OpportunitiesExplore future work opportunities to live your dreams of doing meaningful work. Paired with dreams, strategy, and action, exploration helps us to achieve career success. These four components weave together like DNA, in countless combinations, to create a pathway for people to seek and do meaningful work. In this episode, Dan recalls the impact of Seventh … Continue reading Explore Future Work Opportunities →
2021-05-1428 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Future of Work to Become PresentWe revisit some amazing interviews with workplace futurists who helped the future of work to become present. Astronishingly, 2020 ushered in massive changes in how and where we work. Helping to us navigate the changes are these featured guests from The Dan Smolen Podcast: Anne Driscoll and Chris Schultz: Launch Pad is their co-working community … Continue reading Future of Work to Become Present →
2021-04-0231 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Novel Venues Reimagine the WorkplaceDan Rosenzweig appears on the podcast, to describe how novel venues reimagine the workplace. There are many players in co-working. But among them, KettleSpace turned a glaring problem, underutilized spaces such as hotel lobbies and restaurants, into dazzling places to work. As co-founder of KettleSpace, Dan wants to give people who work: “[the opportunity] to choose … Continue reading Novel Venues Reimagine the Workplace →
2021-02-1931 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Two Headhunters Discuss RecruitingIn this episode, two headhunters discuss recruiting. During 1998, Victoria James and Dan Smolen both entered the executive recruiting field. After 20 years, Dan moved on to future of work thought-leadership and podcasting, However, Victoria still enjoys a great run in placing executive-level candidates. Victoria is the founder and president of Victoria James Executive Search. Her … Continue reading Two Headhunters Discuss Recruiting →
2020-11-2737 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Future of Work in Hybrid WorkWorkforce thought-leader Dan Smolen believes that the future of work is in hybrid work. This week, we dig into fresh workforce market research sponsored by Owl Labs and Global Workplace Analytics. Their study provides a snapshot of a post-COVID workforce that splits its time between home and office. “Now, as millions of people return to … Continue reading Future of Work in Hybrid Work →
2020-10-1608 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Pivot for a Future of Work PodcastUnder any circumstance, a pivot for a future of work podcast is jarring. But for Dan Smolen, making a sudden pivot for his podcast, to a new identity, was absolutely necessary. “Now, everything seemed fine until early September 2020 when we discovered that something was amiss. The Tightrope Podcast had inexplicably disappeared from the web … Continue reading Pivot for a Future of Work Podcast →
2020-10-0908 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Learning Pods and the Future of WorkDr. Dan Hill is employing learning pods, working groups of six people, to help organizations deliver content, develop critical skills, facilitate teamwork, and foster leadership. We believe that Dr. Hill’s learning pods will positively influence the future of work. “So, I was already leaning towards this idea of six people. A [work team] should be … Continue reading Learning Pods and the Future of Work →
2020-09-1834 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Never Normal is the Future of WorkIs Never Normal the future of work? Author and business futurist Greg Verdino believes that the answer is YES. “Leaders need to become more comfortable with how to manage [people] remotely, and, I think, [have always had] this problem in that they hire adults and treat them like children.” – Author and Business Futurist Greg … Continue reading Never Normal is the Future of Work →
2020-08-1426 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Drive for Meaningful WorkNew York Times best-selling author Daniel Pink writes that autonomy, mastery, and purpose drive our pursuit of meaningful work. About this episode: “[The idea] that if you simply dangle money in front of people and they will perform better is a fundamentally erroneous proposition.” – Daniel Pink Daniel Pink inspires our future of work and … Continue reading The Drive for Meaningful Work →
2020-08-0731 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Guiding the Resilient EntrepreneurTypical entrepreneurs focus on winning funding rounds and scaling revenue. However, one woman is now guiding the Resilient Entrepreneur to make the world a better place. About this episode: “[You] can have a business plan on paper, but then the first day that you start your business, everything changes. So, the skills of how: flexible … Continue reading Guiding the Resilient Entrepreneur →
2020-07-3128 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Can Work Make You Healthy?Can work make you healthy? It’s a provocative question with an interesting answer. “I truly believe that work as a medium is the purest way, and perhaps the only way, to think about actually discovering health.” – Denise Brouder, Founder of SWAYworkplace As an executive in the financial services sector, Denise Brouder discovered that work … Continue reading Can Work Make You Healthy? →
2020-07-2431 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Tribal Lessons Foster Meaningful WorkSerial entrepreneur Isar Meitis’ tribal lessons foster meaningful work. About this episode: “In my core, I’m a teacher. If there was a great way to make a living as a teacher, I’d be a teacher. I thrive when I teach.” – Isar Meitis, Founder of the e-tribe Isar Meitis‘ life story and experience are truly … Continue reading Tribal Lessons Foster Meaningful Work →
2020-07-1731 minWhat's Your Work Fit?A Radio Deejay’s Meaningful WorkDiscover how a radio deejay’s meaningful work is rewarded with a global following for 1970’s-era Disco music. About this episode: We travel across-the-pond to chat with Russell White, a London-based executive recruiter who doubles as a radio deejay or presenter playing 1970s-era Disco music. During the day, Russ places professional talent in executive jobs for … Continue reading A Radio Deejay’s Meaningful Work →
2020-07-1016 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Virtual Professionalism and Meaningful WorkVirtual professionalism is critical to doing meaningful work. About this episode: “Not only are we at an inflection point, what [it feels like to me] is an acceleration of catch-up, because the world is moving in this direction, anyway.” – Adrienne Shoch, Workforce Engagement Expert A key driver to virtual professionalism: it’s all about being … Continue reading Virtual Professionalism and Meaningful Work →
2020-07-0331 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Student Leadership and Meaningful WorkStudent leadership and meaningful work go together. About this episode: “We’re all leaders in some way, shape, or form.” -Courtney Owens, Assistant Director of Student Leadership; Ithaca College Office of Student Engagement Student leadership leads to meaningful work. Coincidentally, leadership programming prepares college students for success doing work that protects the planet and empowers people … Continue reading Student Leadership and Meaningful Work →
2020-06-2636 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Is Police Work Meaningful Work?About this episode: “What I do, on a day in and day out basis, is that I am there for them [and just build] relationships and become a trusted companion.” -Mike Shochet, Lead Chaplain of the Fairfax County, Virginia Police We are well into June 2020, a month informed by the grotesquely shocking death of … Continue reading Is Police Work Meaningful Work? →
2020-06-1926 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Alumni Communities and Meaningful WorkAbout this episode: “One of the things that [companies] haven’t done that we start to see is tell you ‘Hey, take a moment and take stock of your life. Where are you? Where do you want to be? And, how do we help you get there?’” -James Sinclair, Chief Executive of EnterpriseAlumni In 2020, a … Continue reading Alumni Communities and Meaningful Work →
2020-06-1200 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Homes and HopsHomes and Hops: a realtor becomes the ambassador for her city’s craft brewers. About this episode: “Studies have shown that [craft] breweries have a positive impact on residential real estate sales. And over the past 5 years, we’ve had several breweries pop up in our area.” -Lisa Resnick, Realtor, Craft Brewers Ambassador, and Host of … Continue reading Homes and Hops →
2020-06-0541 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Summer CampSummer Camp: Where Fun and Friendship Lead to Meaningful Lives and Careers About this episode: “We see a lot of people do well in their [adult] careers who, coincidentally, did well in their careers at camp. I have no data, other than the anecdotal experiences of the time [we spent] there. But you see people … Continue reading Summer Camp →
2020-05-2933 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Onboarding Helps People Achieve SuccessOnboarding helps people achieve success in the work from home age. About this episode: “Forty percent of new leaders fail in their first 18 months, defined as getting fired, forced out, or quit. [Our work over the last 18 years] has reduced that failure rate from 40 percent to less than 10 percent.” -George Bradt, … Continue reading Onboarding Helps People Achieve Success →
2020-05-2240 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Why Water Matters to WorkWater expert Will Sarni explains why water matters to work. “When I started my career, I worked for a gentleman, David Miller. The name of the company was Geraghty & Miller, and, he said ‘[If] you want a career in water, it will last forever, it will last a lifetime, because it is a public … Continue reading Why Water Matters to Work →
2020-05-1524 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Read People with Facial CodingRead people with facial coding. You can use it on Zoom. About this episode: “Even a person born blind emotes the same way as you or I. [It is hard-wired into the brain] and the face is the only place on the body where the muscles attach right to the skin.” – Dan Hill, Ph.D. … Continue reading Read People with Facial Coding →
2020-05-0830 minWhat's Your Work Fit?New Financial RealitiesNew financial realities: A financial consultant offers insight on money and the future of work About this episode: “Your question about how do you deal with all this stuff? The answer is just like anything else: with a good counselor, the most important thing that they can do is shut up and listen.” -Steven M. … Continue reading New Financial Realities →
2020-05-0133 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Pandemic Affected Aruba Seeks AidPandemic affected Aruba seeks aid for its impacted workforce. About the episode: “You cannot create a diverse economy and just put it on every island. What you need to make sure is that you understand the USPs—the Unique Selling Points—of an island, not only for tourism, but also for what is going on in nature, … Continue reading Pandemic Affected Aruba Seeks Aid →
2020-04-2429 minWhat's Your Work Fit?America Makes the Future of WorkAs America makes the future of work. About this episode: “Never before, in the history of manufacturing, can you impact a supply chain with a piece of equipment in your garage or your home office. … You have the opportunity to build something special and make that a career.” -Andrew Resnick, America Makes In the … Continue reading America Makes the Future of Work →
2020-04-1721 min
The Storytellers NetworkUsing Story Everywhere with Dan Smolen (#122)Dan Smolen has enjoyed a truly meaningful career journey and he wants to take you along the path to finding your own. He is a nationally recognized author, podcaster, serial entrepreneur, workforce thought-leader, and heartfelt advocate for people who dream big dreams of doing meaningful work.Dan talks about the universal themes that drive storytelling, how to find meaningful work and more in this episode.“At the end of the day people question whether or not they feel loved. That’s a universal theme. Fear, hope, hopefulness… these are all universal themes.” - Dan Smolen.If...
2020-04-1356 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Tribal Lessons for WorkTribal lessons for work from the e-tribe’s founder: working from home can be successful and rewarding. About this episode: “In my core, I’m a teacher. If there was a great way to make a living as a teacher, I’d be a teacher. I thrive when I teach.” – Isar Meitis, Founder of the e-tribe As … Continue reading Tribal Lessons for Work →
2020-04-1047 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Virtual ProfessionalismVirtual Professionalism: The Future of Work’s Key Learning Component About this episode:“Not only are we at an inflection point, what [it feels like to me] is an acceleration of catch-up, because the world is moving in this direction, anyway.”– Adrienne Shoch, Workforce Engagement Expert In this episode, we build on the key learning provided by … Continue reading Virtual Professionalism →
2020-04-0331 min
Business Growth Accelerator11 | Hiring process expert reveals 5 critical components for long term hiring success with Dan SmolenHiring the right people is one of the most critical factors in the success of any organization. Dan Smolen has been a recruiter (head hunter) for 20 years. In the past 2 years, he has been focusing on helping people do more meaningful work. In other words serving the (people seeking work, rather than the employers.A detailed article summarizing this interview and adds additional information from other sources, and also includes all the show notes can be found here.Dan's long and unique experience makes him an expert in the hiring process. Meaning, he k...
2020-03-3033 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Working Remotely and Future WorkWorking remotely and future work: How the COVID-19 Coronavirus is pivoting people and careers. About this episode: “An inflection point is something that can have a seismic effect on what we call a 10x impact on the business model as you know it today. When we sit back and look at what we are doing … Continue reading Working Remotely and Future Work →
2020-03-2727 minWhat's Your Work Fit?The Pizza Man DeliversThe Pizza Man Delivers: Providing Chicagoans Food and Comfort During the Pandemic About this episode: “You have to do your best to be optimistic, because we are going to get through this. And, we have to find fun, we have to do our best to make each other feel good at this very difficult and … Continue reading The Pizza Man Delivers →
2020-03-2014 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Feeding Needy Kids During PandemicIt is a monumental task to feed needy kids during pandemic lockdowns and disruptions. About this episode: Adelle Settle is the founder of Settle the Debt, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Through Settle the Debt, Adelle does meaningful work in ensuring that kids in-need get healthy meals at their public schools. She updates us on the … Continue reading Feeding Needy Kids During Pandemic →
2020-03-1318 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Career Coach Guides Sidelined PeopleA career coach guides sidelined people to meaningful work. “In 2009, I really believe that’s when work changed. I remember I had to find the self-motivation to be productive and to move myself forward and find some type of purpose.” – Natalie Pryce, Career Coach About this episode: A self-described introvert and computer geek, Natalie … Continue reading Career Coach Guides Sidelined People →
2020-03-0654 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Clean Energy Jobs in 2020Will there be clean energy jobs in 2020? About this episode: It may come as quite a surprise to some that, in 2020, one of the fastest growing sectors in the American workforce happens to be the clean energy space: think solar, wind, geothermal, energy storage (batteries), hybrid and electric vehicles, and, energy efficiency as … Continue reading Clean Energy Jobs in 2020 →
2020-02-2841 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Autonomous Vehicles in Urban AreasDoes smart transportation of the future include autonomous vehicles in urban areas? About this Episode: Dr. Richard Ezike is leading the charge for American Transportation Equity, to make the full range of mobility options—and, in particular, Autonomous Vehicles or AVs—as readily available for inner-city residents as they are for people in our more affluent suburbs. He believes … Continue reading Autonomous Vehicles in Urban Areas →
2020-02-2133 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Pursuing Truly Epic ExperiencesThe future of work doing meaningful work includes pursuing truly epic experiences. About this episode: Pew Research finds that the American Dream many in the workforce experienced as upward mobility is long gone; it was replaced by a soberer pursuit of economic stability. As a result, we now fill our homes and storage bins with less … Continue reading Pursuing Truly Epic Experiences →
2020-02-1425 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Two Headhunters on Executive RecruitingTwo headhunters on executive recruiting, and the rewarding experience of helping people connect with work and career. About this episode with two headhunters on executive recruiting: Listeners of this podcast know that Dan Smolen successfully managed a 20-year run in executive recruiting—a career act that happened because of our guest, Victoria James. She is the … Continue reading Two Headhunters on Executive Recruiting →
2020-02-0748 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Instill Nurturing Workforce CultureWith Nicole Rousseau, we discuss how to instill nurturing workforce culture. About this episode: Nicole Rousseau has made it her mission to help people in the workplace thrive. During a Fall 2019 appearance on The Tightrope Podcast, Nicole described how she helps people and hiring managers work effectively and happily to scale revenues, but also … Continue reading Instill Nurturing Workforce Culture →
2020-01-3152 minWhat's Your Work Fit?Guiding Entrepreneurs to Conscious LeadershipOne thought-leader is guiding entrepreneurs to conscious leadership. In this episode: Jake Mitchell, the founder of consultancy Serenity Labs, says that impact entrepreneurs tend to give all of their energy towards making a positive difference in the world, among people, and their communities. But, he also asks: how can those same impact entrepreneurs change the … Continue reading Guiding Entrepreneurs to Conscious Leadership →
2020-01-2442 min
City RisingGreen Careers: Finding jobs, Keeping employees & Future workforce with Dan SmolenOn this Episode of City Rising, we take an in-depth look into the green job landscape, the future of work and the climate action workforce. Special guest based in Washington DC, Dan Smolen is an author, podcaster, and a passionate advocate for members of the workforce who want to make their dreams of doing meaningful work come true.
Tune into this episode to learn:
Overall job trends in the climate and green workforce
Recruitment styles: Transactional vs relational models
How to increase job retention
Ways to find motivated candidates
The #1 tip that can get you that...
2018-10-0329 min