This week we explore corporate messaging tactics that walk the line between strategic communication and outright manipulation. When a seemingly doomed company announces they're "facing unexpected challenges" but miraculously recovers days later, should employees feel relieved or manipulated? From mysteriously "secured" contracts to stress balls instead of bonuses, companies are experts at controlling their narrative. We explore the blurry line between necessary narrative control and outright deception.

Hosts: 

Matt Sunbulli
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sunbulli/
https://www.threads.net/@mattsunbulli
https://www.firstdraft.vc

Aaron Calafato
Listen to Aaron's 7 Minute Stories 

Leah Ova
Follow Leah on TikTok 

Editorial:
Matt Sunbulli
Brooks Borden
Conor Bezane
Aaron Calafato

Senior Audio Engineer: 
Ken Wendt

Research: 
Zaid Safe
Matt Sunbulli
Aaron Calafato

Is the ‘’Act Your Wage’ Economy’ Over?

Welcome to The Lonely Office: an award winning podcast about making sense of the increasingly blurry line between work and life, brought to you by Glassdoor. We tackle real workplace stories sourced from anonymous firsthand accounts—like the rise of job ghosting, the truth behind unlimited PTO, and dealing with a nightmare boss. We also share insider advice on layoffs, severance negotiations, and wild work stories, from candidates vaping in interviews to employees fired over free speech. The professional world can be chaotic, but you don’t have to navigate it alone
TLO is hosted by Matt Sunbulli (serial tech entrepreneur, Founder @ Fishbowl and First Draft AI), Aaron Calafato (Storyteller, Narrative Designer & Content Strategist), and Leah Ova (content creator and advertising executive), with special appearances from industry thought leaders and economists.