Episodes

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the current trend of laying off middle managers and the flattening of organizations, the impact this can have on individuals, and why we can’t forget the key roles that middle managers have in your career. 00:00 Intro 01:43 Who are the middle managers? 04:15 Stats illustrating the decline of the middle manager 06:40 How an absence middle managers can hinder your career 11:09 The goal of a middle manager, and what happens when they disappear 18:44 Why...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss how AI is impacting the job market, what the future of work may look as more roles and industries become automated, and how to stand out in the age of AI-assisted hiring processes. 00:00 Intro 01:41 Research on the impact of AI on job seekers 06:28 The rise of the “he-cession” 10:07 How AI is impacting the job hunt for mid-career level individuals 14:02 Strategies for applying to jobs in the current environment 19:20 Tips for once you finally reach t...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the three most problematic toxic workplace scenarios, and how to manage each of them. Plus, wait ‘til the end to hear a bonus fourth toxic workplace scenario that you probably haven’t considered. 00:00 Intro 01:42 Defining “toxicity” in the workplace 04:14 Stats on toxic workplaces 05:43 Toxic coworkers and how to handle them 11:46 How Kaila handled a former toxic coworker 16:34 Toxic bosses and how to handle them 24:45 An important note on “toxic b...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle get educated on the four most important qualities of leadership that separate the top 1% of executives from the rest. Cassie Young, General Partner at Primary Venture Partners, joins Kaila and Kyle this week to discuss why these are the most important (and underappreciated) leadership traits, and why it’s important to know them even if you’re not a leader yourself. 00:00 Intro 02:32 Cassie’s career trajectory 08:00 “Highly forgettable people” 09:39 A tip for w...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle are discussing whether or not you can actually get wealthy in your 9 - 5 alone anymore. Is the American Dream dead, or just evolved? Listen to hear their takes on the best types of companies to work for if you want to build wealth without the side hustle. 00:00 Intro 01:40 How money has played a role in career motivation for Kaila 04:14 How money factored into Kyle’s career path 07:15 Stats on people’s perceptions of wealth 09:13 Where the traditional ideas a...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle are joined by Morning Brew Daily hosts Neal Freyman and Toby Howell to talk about a subject they know better than anyone—the reality of having a work bestie. Listen to hear Neal and Toby share the story of how they went from colleagues, to friends, to podcast co-hosts, and the unexpected benefits and potential drawbacks of having such a tight working relationship. 00:00 Intro 02:09 How Neal and Toby originally became friends 07:58 How being both friends and col...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss Kyle’s experience of paternity leave so far, what’s been the most surprising to him, and how he’s feeling about returning to his 9 to 5. 00:00 Intro 01:32 Stats on maternity vs. paternity leave in the U.S. 05:02 Research on the impact of taking paternity leave on a father’s brain 08:11 How pat leave has been for Kyle 13:53 Kyle’s feelings around returning to work 18:24 How boundaries shift after paternity leave 23:37 How Kaila’s thinking about paren...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle debate what they consider to be some non-obvious but very real truths about the nature of work and career. Plus, listen ‘til the end of the episode to hear Kaila’s bonus productivity hack. 00:00 Intro 00:26 “Per YOUR Last Email” segment 02:32 Non-Obvious Truth #1 05:30 The 3 “right” ways to be exploited at work 11:35 Non-Obvious Truth #2 19:33 Non-Obvious Truth #3 26:18 Bonus Productivity Hack of the Week Want to get all of Kaila & Kyle’s career resources?...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss and debate the four types of jobs that they think everyone should have at least once in their career. Plus, listen ‘til the end to hear Kaila’s work fail of the week. 00:00 Intro 01:06 Job #1 06:21 Pros and cons of working for a name brand 10:54 Job #2 20:04 Job #3 23:44 Job #4 29:32 Sequencing your career trajectory 32:08 Kaila’s work fail of the week Want to get all of Kaila & Kyle’s career resources? Subscribe to Per My Last Email: https://www....

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the ins and outs of office politics, what it REALLY is, and how to improve on your office politicking skills in order to advance your career. 00:00 Intro 03:09 The two buckets of office politics 07:48 Can you opt out of office politics? 10:24 Advice for groups who face more biases in the workplace 12:57 MIT study on promotions based on potential 15:07 Kaila and Kyle’s personal experience with office politics 20:34 Office politics for remote employee...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the difference between extrinsic and intrinsic motivation, and how to artificially generate it when you find yourself lacking motivation. 00:00 Intro 00:51 Intrinsic motivation vs extrinsic motivation 03:08 Kyle’s intrinsic motivation vs Kaila’s extrinsic motivation 08:56 How Kaila hacks her motivation 14:52 Research-backed strategies for increasing motivation 19:24 Self-Determination Theory 21:50 Manufacturing competition 27:19 Two more tactics fo...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle dive into some conversation-sparking Reddit “Am I the A******?” submissions, and give their candid opinions on each. From whether or not you should share details of your personal life with your coworkers, to the ethics of applying for the same job as a friend, Kaila and Kyle bring some strong opinions. 00:00 Intro 00:53 Scenario #1 - Retirement Gift 05:14 Scenario #2 - Applying for the Same Job as Your Friend 10:00 Scenario #3 - Keeping Personal Life Private a...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle talk about their biggest work fails, a different way to think about failure beyond simply as a “learning opportunity,” and share tactics on how to best move through and recover from failures in both work and career. 00:00 Intro 00:40 Kaila’s biggest work failure 04:20 Kyle’s biggest work failure 09:34 The problem with “I don’t fail, I either win or I learn.” 17:46 An NIH study on career failure among nurses 21:05 How to change your perception of “failure” 2...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss what having high agency at work really means, the problems having high agency poses in certain contexts, and how to cultivate more of it in order to help your career. 00:00 Intro 01:20 Defining what having “high agency” is 06:52 The elements of high agency 10:34 An important point about having agency 14:17 An important element of truly effective high agency 15:03 A time when Kaila demonstrated high agency in her career 17:46 A time when Kyle demonst...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the viral Steve Madden interview and debate whether CEOs and corporations should be expressing their political views, as well as how to navigate politics in the workplace. 00:00 Intro 01:24 Steve Madden’s viral Cutting Room Floor interview 06:26 Lulu Cheng Meservey on “going direct” as a business leader 07:29 Stats on how different generations feel about companies voicing their political beliefs 09:53 Ben & Jerry’s vs. Target 15:07 Brian Armstrong’s ...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle dive into the problems with being a “people pleaser”, and how to balance being agreeable enough while also being effective and impactful at work. Plus, Kaila introduces The Workplace People Pleasing Matrix. 00:00 Intro 00:44 Defining what “people pleasing” actually is 01:55 Why the term “people pleaser” is inflammatory 06:09 Stats on agreeableness and income 07:53 The Workplace People Pleasing Matrix 17:12 The importance of knowing when to be agreeable 19...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss work stress and whether we’ve been thinking about it in the wrong way. There’s clearly such a thing as too much stress, but what about too little? And is there an ideal amount of stress we should be aiming for in order to be most successful at our jobs? 00:00 Intro 00:24 APA stats on stress and anxiety 02:53 Kaila’s relationship with work-related stress 06:57 Stats on workplace mental health 09:58 The Eustress Curve and how to rethink our relationship...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss common career tropes and debate whether or not the sayings hold up. Is HR really not your friend? Are your connections more important than your skills? Listen and find out. 00:00 Intro 00:36 Career myth #1 - “No one knows what they’re doing.” 07:35 Career myth #2 - “HR is not your friend.” 12:51 Career myth #3 - “It’s not WHAT you know, it’s WHO you know.” 19:11 Career myth #4 - “Follow your passion, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” 27:33 C...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle are joined by Yale professor and host of The Happiness Lab podcast, Dr. Laurie Santos, to talk about the small ways you can find more meaning in your job, and the adjustments that help increase our happiness and well being at work. 00:00 Intro 00:44 Dr. Laurie Santos Intro 01:47 How much does your work factor into your overall happiness? 03:33 Dr. Santos’ take on the difference between how millennials and how Gen Z approach work 07:50 “Job crafting” 09:33 Re...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the problems with the current conversation around AI, and debate the issues with and the benefits of the technology for the workforce, society, and individuals. 00:00 Intro 00:57 The problem with the discourse around AI 05:42 Why we’re not having good faith arguments around AI 09:43 The three use cases for AI that Kaila found helpful 17:28 Kaila’s concerns with AI 21:00 How Kyle uses AI in a way that’s additive and not a complete replacement of think...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle talk about the value of giving your job its own performance review, the most effective way to do it, and the lowest rated jobs from their own career experiences. Get your copy of the Rate Your Job Template here! 00:00 Intro 06:46 The Rate Your Job Template 13:38 Explaining the template through an example 15:55 How Kaila used the Rate Your Job Template when choosing her current job 19:00 Using the template to rate your existing job 21:45 Why rating your job ...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle dive into what exactly constitutes a “side hustle”, and the circumstances in which it IS and ISN’T worth having one. Not all side hustles are created equal. 00:00 Intro 03:11 Average income earned from a side hustle 05:11 The issue with the term “side hustle” 08:00 The most common types of side hustles 14:45 “Acceptable or Not?” game 20:46 Considering how a side hustle might be perceived at your job 21:48 Pros and cons of having a side hustle Want to get a...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle dive into tips and tactics on the best way to protect your job and prepare yourself for potential job cuts during a recession. 00:00 Intro 00:27 Listener email 03:19 What happens during a recession 06:24 What you can do to prepare yourself professionally if you are currently employed 09:10 “T-Shaped skills” 13:45 The importance of weak ties 19:09 Why you should consider posting on LinkedIn right now 21:06 Recession-proof industries 23:58 Recession-proof j...

In this episode, Kaila and Kyle discuss the reason why efficiency shouldn’t be the goal at work, and how to actually get better at your job. 00:00 Intro 00:41 Our obsession with efficiency 02:26 The problem with the conversation around AI 06:46 What you lose when you focus too much on efficiency 11:42 When Kaila over-focused on efficiency in her career 18:06 How to actually get better at your job 19:46 Scheduling time for whimsy 23:17 Tactics Want to get all of Kaila & Kyle’s career res...