Épisodes

  • The EXCUSE Economy - AI, Layoffs and Gun Violence

    The EXCUSE Economy - AI, Layoffs and Gun Violence
    Aug 13 2025
    Gun violence, layoffs, and the shifting balance of workplace power—this episode covers it all. We break down the rise in corporate safety concerns, the hard truths behind layoff trends, and how AI is being used (and misused) in the conversation. We also explore the quirks of business travel, the slow grind toward gender equality, and why “quiet cracking” might be the new quiet quitting. Plus: acquisitions, funding news, and what’s next for workplace relationships. In this episode we talk about HR Tech, workplace safety, layoffs, AI, and employee satisfaction, connecting the dots between economic pressures and evolving workforce dynamics. From China’s demographic shifts to digital compliance tools, we explore how technology, policy, and culture intersect. The conversation also digs into business travel realities, relationship norms at work, and the latest funding news shaping the future of how we work. Key Takeaways ➡ Gun violence is increasingly seen as a corporate HR issue, pushing workplace safety to the forefront. ➡ Layoffs have spiked 140% year over year, signaling broader economic instability. ➡ AI is often used as a convenient scapegoat for layoffs, masking poor planning. ➡ China’s labor market is still feeling the demographic effects of past population policies. ➡ Digital signage is emerging as a fast, scalable tool for labor law compliance. ➡ Business travel is losing its luster, with many employees viewing it as a burden. ➡ “Quiet cracking” shows dissatisfaction without performance drop-offs—making it hard to detect. ➡ SAP’s acquisition of SmartRecruiters could reshape the talent acquisition tech stack. ➡ Workplace relationships remain common, impacting team dynamics and culture. ➡ Women’s representation in management is improving, but progress is slow and uneven. Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    47 min
  • This Is the New Normal: AI, Layoffs, and Workplace Shifts

    This Is the New Normal: AI, Layoffs, and Workplace Shifts
    Aug 5 2025
    The workplace is shifting—fast. In this episode, Ryan Leary and William Tincup unpack Florida’s new take on non-compete clauses, the rapid invasion of AI into traditional jobs, and the rise of TikTok as an unlikely champion for trade careers. They tackle salary transparency, onboarding failure points, generational etiquette wars, and why Meta’s recruiting like it’s 1999. Real talk. Real stories. No fluff. In this episode we talk about non-compete legislation, AI in the workforce, salary transparency, layoffs, immigration anxiety, and TikTok’s surprising influence on trade jobs. From the economic ripple effects of Walmart's restructuring to Meta’s AI talent landgrab, we break down the trends shaping how, where, and why we work today. Key Takeaways ➡ Florida's challenge to non-compete agreements could reshape employee mobility nationwide. ➡ Goldman Sachs and Samsung are baking AI into core workflows—this isn't hype, it's deployment. ➡ Immigration-related anxiety is rising again in SF, with new ICE activity hitting local headlines. ➡ Meta’s hiring spree in AI isn’t about growth—it’s about defense. ➡ Job.com’s bankruptcy shows what happens when startup sizzle meets poor fundamentals. ➡ Google’s internal pay transparency experiment is sparking more questions than answers. ➡ Walmart layoffs are part of a bigger wave of restructuring under pressure. ➡ TikTok is unintentionally becoming a trade school recruiter for Gen Z. ➡ The restaurant industry is being crushed by rising labor costs and retention gaps. ➡ Salary transparency may increase equity—but it also triggers internal friction. ➡ Younger workers have a new idea of “professionalism”—and it’s clashing with legacy norms. ➡ Healthcare AI isn’t coming—it’s here, and Samsung is leading that charge. Chapters 04:57 AI in the Workforce: Goldman Sachs and Devin 07:55 Life with Ice: Immigration and Racial Profiling 10:56 Meta's Talent Acquisition Strategy 13:41 Job.com Bankruptcy: Lessons Learned 17:47 Google Employee Compensation Transparency 21:43 Walmart Layoffs and Corporate Restructuring 25:50 Samsung's AI for Digital Healthcare Services 26:41 The Future of Fitness Apps and AI Integration 27:44 Social Media's Role in Influencing Careers 30:19 The Impact of TikTok on Trade Skills 32:35 Rising Costs in the Restaurant Industry 34:57 Acquisitions in Workplace Finance and Technology 37:53 Onboarding Challenges for New Hires 40:36 Generational Differences in Workplace Etiquette 42:54 The Gig Economy and Job Stability 45:12 Gender Disparities in Remote Work 47:40 Funding Trends in Tech Startups Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ #FutureOfWork #AIJobs #SalaryTransparency #NonCompete #TikTokTrades #WRKdefinedPodcast #HRTech #WorkplaceTrends #RecruitingNews #Leadership Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    54 min
  • AI Bias, Cyber Threats, and Teen Unemployment: What HR’s Ignoring in Plain Sight

    AI Bias, Cyber Threats, and Teen Unemployment: What HR’s Ignoring in Plain Sight
    Jul 14 2025
    The world of work is weird right now—and we’re here for it. From SHRM’s bounce-back energy to teenagers being boxed out of the job market, everything's shifting. Companies are experimenting (Amazon’s making office workers volunteer?), while cybersecurity threats are literally coming from North Korea. In this episode, we talk about the collision of AI, hiring, and ethics, the controversy at Cheesecake Factory, and the real reason polyworking is gaining steam. Financial security, agentic AI, and a few big HR tech deals round it out. It’s a full rundown of the chaos in the world that we call work. Key Takeaways ➡ SHRM 2025 had solid engagement, pushing back against skepticism from past years ➡ Cybersecurity threats—including foreign infiltration—are forcing HR to rethink vendor vetting ➡ Teen unemployment is rising due to older workers taking entry-level jobs during economic uncertainty ➡ AI is absorbing low-level roles, forcing companies to redefine what “entry-level” even means ➡ Amazon’s employee volunteer initiative could be a clever long game for talent development ➡ Cheesecake Factory’s controversial hiring tactics stirred outrage and legal questions ➡ North Korean IT workers secretly embedding in U.S. companies is now a real hiring risk ➡ Work-life balance is being rebranded, but burnout and boundary-blurring are growing ➡ Polyworking isn’t a side hustle—it’s a lifestyle choice driven by economic and identity needs ➡ AI bias in hiring tools is becoming a legal and ethical landmine for CHROs ➡ Financial security is emerging as a core employee benefit, not just a nice-to-have ➡ HR tech funding is up again, especially in coaching, payroll, and intelligent finance Chapters 03:03 – Reflections on SHRM Conference 05:18 – Cybersecurity Concerns and Data Breaches 07:46 – Teen Unemployment Trends 10:38 – Corporate Volunteering and Understanding Business Operations 13:40 – Allegations Against Cheesecake Factory 16:34 – Government Contracts and Pricing Strategies 18:36 – North Korea's Cyber Infiltration Tactics 21:15 – The Business Case for RTO 22:14 – Work-Life Balance in the Current Labor Market 24:38 – Understanding Polyworking 29:53 – The Future of Agentic AI 32:07 – Mergers and Acquisitions in HR Tech 35:32 – Real-Time Learning and Feedback in Coaching 40:07 – AI's Role in Managerial Decision-Making 42:22 – Understanding AI Bias in Talent Acquisition 46:15 – Financial Security and Employee Well-being 49:53 – Innovations in HR Technology Funding 56:43 – The Future of Intelligent Finance and Payroll 01:01:27 – Upcoming Events Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 5 min
  • AI, Child Labor, and the Collapse of Workplace Wellness: What HR Isn’t Ready to Admit

    AI, Child Labor, and the Collapse of Workplace Wellness: What HR Isn’t Ready to Admit
    Jun 29 2025
    In this episode, we talk about AI replacing intellectual labor, the collapse of employee wellness efforts, and why fast food chains are under fire for child labor violations. Tincup and Leary break down the contradictions in workplace AI messaging and call out the fatigue creeping in during summer months. The conversation hits everything from HR tech funding spikes to gender bias, dragging the hiring process, and the quiet evolution of transportation as a serious workplace benefit. Key Takeaways ➡ AI is replacing repetitive intellectual labor—this isn’t just a blue-collar story anymore. ➡ Workplace wellness fails when companies ignore what employees actually need. ➡ Over 100,000 fast food violations related to child labor sparked national scrutiny. ➡ Mixed AI messaging creates distrust—“assistive” tools feel more like surveillance. ➡ Summer productivity drops hard—most companies are ignoring the data. ➡ Culture is now inseparable from compensation. If you’re underpaying, don’t say “culture.” ➡ Hiring timelines are longer due to internal distrust, not technology problems. ➡ Passion is still perceived differently based on gender—especially in leadership roles. ➡ Glean raised $150 million, keeping HR tech’s funding wave alive. ➡ Transportation is becoming a legit workplace benefit, improving access and retention. Chapters 00:00 — What's happening this week? 03:20 — AI and Job Displacement 06:48 — Walmart's AI Innovations 09:07 — Workplace Wellness Challenges 11:39 — Child Labor Law Violations 13:26 — AI's Mixed Messages to Workers 15:33 — Summer Work Trends 16:26 — The Future of Work: Remote vs. Office 21:00 — AI in the Workplace: Opportunities and Challenges 23:23 — Acquisitions and Market Consolidation in HR Tech 23:53 — The Impact of AI on Creativity and Brainstorming 28:57 — Employee Wellbeing and AI: A Complex Relationship 30:57 — Hiring Challenges: Trust and Process Over Technology 33:44 — Gender Dynamics in Workplace Passion and Perception 36:22 — Funding Trends in Tech Startups 38:05 — AI in Job Recruitment 41:57 — Transportation as a Workplace Benefit 44:45 — AI Automation in Business Operations 47:28 — Innovations in HR Technology 51:04 — Military Collaboration and Operational Planning Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 min
  • BARF: AI Surge, Gen Z Opt-Out, and the Leadership Meltdown in HR

    BARF: AI Surge, Gen Z Opt-Out, and the Leadership Meltdown in HR
    Jun 16 2025
    Workplace discrimination is rising. Gen Z’s ghosting leadership. And AI? It’s rewriting the rules before HR finishes onboarding. In this week’s BARF (Best Analysis, Real Facts), Ryan Leary, William Tincup, and Jay Arnold tear into the headlines shaping your workforce. In this episode we talk about workplace discrimination, AI in HR, Gen Z's shift away from leadership, the mental health toll of layoffs, the evolution of job platforms, green job challenges, and HR tech funding trends. Plus: UKG's frontline strategy, corporate M&A, and the college-to-trade school reset. Key Takeaways: ➡ EEOC funding cuts will likely lead to more unchecked workplace discrimination ➡ Poor layoff communication is wrecking employee mental health ➡ Green jobs face a massive execution gap—lack of skilled labor ➡ AI has shifted from “nice to have” to “don’t show up without it” ➡ The four-year college path is losing ground to trades and certs ➡ Gen Z doesn’t want to lead—they want balance and boundaries ➡ UKG’s betting big on verticals like oil, gas, and manufacturing ➡ CIOs still see HR as support, not strategy—and that’s a problem ➡ Acquisitions in HR tech are consolidating power and product bundles ➡ Funding is all-in on AI tools that improve productivity and reduce bloat ➡ Bundling is the new battleground—build or buy isn’t even a question anymore Chapters 00:00 – The News 02:56 – Podcast Insights and the HR Landscape 06:01 – Workplace Discrimination and Its Implications 08:59 – The Evolution of Job Platforms 11:53 – Mental Health and Layoffs in the Federal Sector 15:05 – The Green Jobs Dilemma 18:05 – AI's Role in the Future of Work 20:57 – The Changing Landscape of Education and Employment 23:54 – Corporate Acquisitions and Market Trends 28:20 – UKG's Commitment to Frontline Operations 31:28 – Cultural Shift Towards Trade Schools 36:44 – Gen Z's Leadership Aspirations 39:06 – The CHRO vs CIO Debate 42:58 – Funding Innovations in HR Tech Featured this week on the BARF: Jay Arnold, HR & Tech Strategist Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ #HRNews #FutureOfWork #AIDisruption #GenZWorkforce #LeadershipCrisis #CHROvsCIO #GreenJobs #WorkplaceDiscrimination Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    53 min
  • Blue collar pride, AI efficiency, HR job wipes - The BARF

    Blue collar pride, AI efficiency, HR job wipes - The BARF
    May 26 2025
    42% of Gen Z are saying "hell no" to the desk job and going blue collar—and AI’s not just reading resumes anymore, it's writing your onboarding manual. From Starbucks' uniform protests to Klarna gig-ing complex work, this episode packs punchy insight into where work is actually going. Spoiler alert: It ain’t where your high school guidance counselor said it would. In this episode we break down the shifting job landscape—blue collar pride, AI efficiency, HR job wipes, and how immigrants are silently carrying 19.2% of the U.S. workforce. We keep it real on education myths, startup hype, and why your company meeting might be your biggest productivity killer. Add some legal AI bias spice, a dash of game-based learning, and boom—this one’s a beast. Key Takeaways: ➡ 42% of Gen Z are leaning into skilled trades and saying no to traditional 9–5s➡ AI has replaced hundreds of HR roles at IBM—yes, already➡ Klarna’s now outsourcing complex tasks to gig workers, not bots➡ Starbucks uniform policy caused an employee revolt➡ Meetings are the productivity killer nobody wants to admit➡ Immigrants make up 19.2% of the U.S. labor force—let that sink in➡ AI bias in hiring is now a courtroom issue➡ Education ≠ success—AI skills and self-awareness win long-term➡ Layoffs suck but they force critical self-reflection (you’re not layoff-proof)➡ Internships still matter—especially if school isn’t your jam➡ Disagreeable employees = truth tellers. Embrace the discomfort➡ Startups are breaking molds while market funding shifts below the radar Timestamps: 00:00 – Upcoming Events and Networking Opportunities01:01 – Memorial Day Travel and Preparations04:00 – Onboarding Innovations in the Workplace06:59 – The Importance of Skilled Trades10:02 – AI's Impact on HR and Job Markets12:54 – Starbucks Uniform Policy and Employee Strikes23:46 – Political Connections and Business Ethics27:27 – The Meeting Dilemma: Efficiency vs. Time30:22 – AI Bias and Legal Accountability35:17 – The Role of Immigrants in the Workforce38:19 – Education's Need for AI Integration44:05 – The Future of Work and Self-Directed Learning48:02 – Disagreeable Employees: The Truth-Tellers in the Workplace53:22 – Navigating Differences in Perspectives55:59 – The Importance of Reflective Thinking57:00 – Lessons from Unemployment59:48 – Understanding Layoff Realities01:00:59 – Unicorns in the HR Tech Space01:02:43 – Innovations in AI and Automation01:06:42 – The Future of Startups and Closures01:08:50 – Game-Based Learning and Development01:12:48 – Health Tech Innovations01:15:32 – The Rise of Earned Wage Access01:16:37 – AI Solutions for Deskless Workers Connect with Us (Social Links): William Tincup LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/⁠Ryan Leary LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Site: http://www.wrkdefined.comTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefinedLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefinedFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 h et 20 min
  • AI’s Taking Jobs, Trades Are Printing Money, and Layoffs Still Smell Like Bullsh*t

    AI’s Taking Jobs, Trades Are Printing Money, and Layoffs Still Smell Like Bullsh*t
    May 19 2025
    If you’ve ever asked yourself “What the hell is going on?”—welcome home. Ryan and William get into it all: family madness, breach drama, why skilled trades are back in style, and how tech bros still don’t know how to structure teams. Also, let’s talk about those layoffs that look sus when profits are up—yeah, we went there. In this episode we bounce from kitchen chaos to critical thinking gaps in schools, dive into AI’s real impact (spoiler: it’s already your teammate), and roast a few corporations that still don’t get it. From the return of boomerang employees to the rise of the CMO 2.0—this one’s a buffet of what’s broken, what’s booming, and what’s straight-up bizarre. Key Takeaways: ➡ Family chaos is the new norm—especially with kids home and tech issues piling up ➡ One careless click = massive cybersecurity fallout ➡ A startup’s success lives or dies by how well the team is built ➡ Corporate layoffs post-record profits? It’s a bad look, full stop ➡ Students lack critical thinking—and it’s costing them jobs ➡ Skilled trades are booming—high salaries, high demand ➡ Tourism wage hikes are driven by the 2028 Olympics prep ➡ AI isn’t coming—it’s already managing your workflows ➡ Boomerang CEOs are stabilizing forces during company chaos ➡ Freelance work is evolving fast with AI-powered platforms ➡ CMOs must now blend tech, brand, and culture fluency ➡ Salesforce’s AI career coaching is quietly rewriting HR rules ➡ Funding is up—but where it’s going tells the real story Timestamps: 00:18 – Family Dynamics and Household Responsibilities 05:09 – Data Breaches and Cybersecurity Concerns 10:00 – Team Composition in Startups 14:55 – Corporate Layoffs and Workforce Management 15:35 – Minimum Wage Increases and Economic Impact 16:28 – AI Integration in Corporate Structures 18:30 – The Boomerang CEO Phenomenon 19:31 – Critical Thinking and Discernment in Education 20:18 – AI as a Collaborative Teammate 23:50 – AI's Role in Job Market Disruption 24:17 – The Rise of Skilled Trades and Job Opportunities 25:10 – Emerging Freelance Platforms and Market Dynamics 26:56 – Acquisitions in Employee Wellbeing Services 28:11 – The Evolving Role of CMOs in Digital Transformation 29:50 – Salesforce's AI-Powered Career Development 31:49 – Funding Trends in AI and Workforce Management Connect with Us: William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with us on social: Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    41 min
  • Trust Is Down, AI Is Up, and Gen Z’s Changing Everything

    Trust Is Down, AI Is Up, and Gen Z’s Changing Everything
    May 11 2025
    Only 24% of employees trust leadership to "do the right thing." From ServiceNow’s $2.85B AI bet to Amazon’s new high-performer pay scale, this episode is stacked with trend shifts, red flags, and real-world takeaways. We unpack what’s actually going on in HR tech—from the keynote stage to the backchannel Slack DMs - and why it might be time to replace your vibe checks with real strategy. In this episode, we talk about industry events, tech changes, recruiting shifts, and the slow collapse of trust in leadership. We get into payroll fraud, Gen Z's micro-shift mentality, ServiceNow’s big AI play, and how likability now outweighs qualifications in hiring decisions. Oh—and we talk about hairy microphones. Don’t ask. Key Takeaways ✅ The Real Power of Small Events: Better Deals, Bigger Connections ✅ Payroll Fraud Is Everywhere—And Your HR Team’s Probably Missing It ✅ Workday Just Landed a Massive Gov Deal—Here’s What That Means for HR ✅ Gen Z Doesn’t Want 9-to-5—They Want 6-Hour Shifts and Sanity ✅ We Got Better at Communicating During COVID—Now We’re Getting Worse ✅ Only 1 in 4 Trust Their Leadership… And That Number’s Dropping ✅ Why ServiceNow Spent $3 Billion on a Talking AI Assistant ✅ The Secret Sauce in M&A? It's Not Tech—It’s Consultants ✅ Hiring Today Is About Vibe Over Résumé—Like It or Not ✅ This Wearable Tech Could Save Workers’ Lives—And It’s Flying Under the Radar ✅ Everyone Talks Internal Mobility—But Almost No One Does It Right ✅ Amazon’s Quiet Pay Shift Could Redefine Performance Culture Chapters 00:00 Navigating Changes in Technology and Tools 02:57 Reflections on Recent Travel and Events 06:05 Highlights from the Recruiting Innovation Summit 08:55 Insights from the Connect Event at UNC Charlotte 12:07 Keynote Highlights and Industry Trends 15:01 Understanding Payroll Fraud and Its Implications 17:58 Breaking News: U.S. Government Contracts with Workday 20:59 Shifting Workforce Trends: Micro Shifts and Gen Z 24:06 The Future of HR: Data Specialists vs. Traditional Roles 26:55 Amazon's New Pay Structure for High Performers 28:41 Consulting Insights and Acquisitions 30:28 AI Innovations in ServiceNow 34:01 Trust in Leadership and Communication 37:31 Hiring Trends: The Importance of Likability 41:42 Vibe vs. Skills in Hiring Decisions 45:30 Funding News and Innovations 52:05 Wearable Safety Tech in Railways Connect with us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Site: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ Twitter (X): https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    49 min