Episodios

  • 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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    58 m
  • 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 m
  • 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 y 20 m
  • 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 m
  • 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 m
  • DEI Showdowns and Paid‑Leave Battles to Pay‑for‑Performance CEOs, Deepfake Dangers and the Generative AI Takeover
    May 5 2025
    Only 32% of companies tie CEO pay to real results. State‑led paid leave is splintering across 50 policies. Deepfakes aren’t sci‑fi anymore—they’re boardroom threats. This week’s episode zeroes in on DEI showdowns roiling hiring panels, the patchwork of state‑run paid family leave, and the fight to link CEO compensation to performance metrics. We unpack a landmark background‑check lawsuit, an ethics scandal that felled a corporate titan, and the underground rise of corporate espionage. Also on deck: AI’s role as mentor vs. manager, the micro‑retirement craze, and employees crying foul over unchecked generative AI in their day‑to‑day. We break down diversity and bias in recruiting, paid leave battles, performance‑based pay strategies, legal landmines around background checks, ethics violations, AI‑driven mentorship, the micro‑retirement movement, employee AI trust issues, deepfake dangers, and the latest HR tech M&A shakeups. Key Takeaways ➡ Diplomas are being compared to NFTs in value. ➡ Hiring decisions are prioritizing diversity over traditional qualifications. ➡ Paid family leave is shifting to state‑led implementation. ➡ CEO compensation must align with performance metrics. ➡ Mishandled background checks can trigger lawsuits. ➡ Ethics violations derail even top corporate leaders’ careers. ➡ AI can augment mentorship but can’t replace human connections. ➡ Younger workers are embracing micro‑retirements for balance. ➡ Generative AI is popping up in more job postings, making AI literacy essential. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction 02:58 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Hiring Practices 06:00 Paid Family Leave Legislation 08:59 CEO Compensation and Performance Metrics 11:56 Background Check Lawsuit 15:01 Ethics Violations in Corporate Leadership 25:37 Navigating Workplace Relationships and Bias 30:12 Transitioning from Federal to State Employment 33:23 Corporate Espionage and Legal Battles 36:40 The Role of AI in Mentorship 43:57 Micro‑Retirements: A New Trend in Work‑Life Balance 48:49 AI Usage and Employee Concerns 54:37 The Role of Thought Partners in Work 55:42 Generative AI in Job Postings 56:30 The Future of Generative AI in Work 58:35 AI Literacy and Skills for the Future 01:00:04 Funding Innovations in Identity Verification 01:01:34 AI in Personal Injury Law 01:03:46 The Impact of AI on Legal Workloads 01:06:55 The Future of AI in Healthcare 01:08:40 The Economics of Higher Settlements 01:10:18 Deep Fake Technology and Its Implications 01:12:15 The Evolution of Generative AI Tools 01:15:36 AI in Talent Acquisition 01:17:10 The Role of AI in Job Matching 01:21:49 Closing Thoughts on AI and Employment Guest Info Bob Pulver, HR Tech Advisor and DEI Specialist LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobpulver Connect with Us William Tincup LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined 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 y 20 m
  • Half of Gen Z Think Their Degree is Useless—And They're Not Entirely Wrong
    Apr 28 2025
    From legal curveballs in remote work to Hollywood-level pay transparency, this episode cuts through workplace headlines with a scalpel. Deepfakes are sneaking into job interviews, Gen Z is bailing on degrees, and AI is now assigning tasks like it owns the place. There's a rising storm of employment fear—and companies are trying to plug the leaks with healthcare perks, new tech, and smarter acquisitions. If you're not paying attention, you're already behind. In this episode we talk about the ERE Recruiting Innovation Summit, deepfake interviews, pay transparency in Hollywood, HR tech acquisitions, employee engagement, AI predictions, talent acquisition, and rising employment fears. We break down Gen Z's shifting career mindset, Hyundai’s on-site care move, and how AI is rapidly moving from assistant to boss. If your background check system doesn’t verify identities, this one’s for you. Key Takeaways ➡ Deepfake job applicants are now being created in under 70 minutes ➡ Remote workers can file lawsuits under state laws based on relocation intent ➡ White Lotus paid every actor $40,000 per episode—flat rate, no ego ➡ Hyundai built a $14M care center with $0 out-of-pocket for employees ➡ Gen Z believes AI has made their degrees irrelevant ➡ Women are spending hours softening emails, reducing productivity ➡ Alcoholism leads to 32 missed workdays annually—double the average ➡ Intuit's acquisition of GoCo locks in full-stack SMB compliance power ➡ AI platforms are now delegating tasks, not just assisting ➡ Identity verification is becoming core to background checks Chapters 00:00 – What's the deal? 03:00 – The White Lotus: A Unique Perspective on Pay Transparency 06:11 – Remote Work and Legal Implications 08:57 – Gen Z in Family Businesses 12:00 – Deep Fakes in Job Interviews 15:01 – Shifts in Male Representation in Healthcare and Education 18:01 – Gen Z's Perception of College Degrees 21:00 – Communication Challenges for Women in the Workplace 23:59 – Hyundai's Innovative Employee Care Center 27:01 – Addressing Alcoholism in the Workplace 30:01 – Intuit's Acquisition of Goko 30:58 – Data Monitoring and AI Predictions 32:21 – Acquisitions in Employee Engagement 35:56 – The Importance of Naming in Business 36:56 – Talent Acquisition through Acquisitions 37:56 – Identity Verification and Background Checks 39:12 – Research on Employment Fears 45:14 – AI Transforming the Workplace 51:01 – Funding Trends in HR Tech 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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    59 m
  • AI vs Managers, Quiet Cracking, and Why HR Still Can’t Measure Quality of Hire
    Apr 21 2025
    Only 24% of companies measure quality of hire. AI is replacing managers. People are quietly breaking. Quality of hire might be the most talked-about hiring metric—and the least understood. This week’s episode hits hard on the disconnect between hiring goals and actual outcomes, how “speed to performance” is becoming a north star metric, and why HR still struggles to train talent instead of replace it. We cover the shocking rise in employee psychological detachment, what “quiet cracking” really signals, and how AI has officially entered the trust chat. Also in the mix: Spot’s recruiting debut, funding trends in earned wage access, and the latest M&A shakeups in HR tech. We break down quality of hire, employee engagement, recruitment strategies, AI in HR, corporate culture, psychological detachment, and major HR tech acquisitions. From benefits shifts to workplace crisis indicators, it’s a full sweep of what’s shaping work right now. Key Takeaways ➡ Only 24% of companies have formal guidelines for quality of hire ➡ Speed to performance is a stronger hiring metric than time-to-fill ➡ 67% of employees trust AI more than their own managers ➡ Psychological detachment now affects over half the workforce ➡ Quiet cracking signals serious retention and engagement issues ➡ HR still favors new hires over upskilling internal talent ➡ Hiring managers—not HR—should help define hiring quality ➡ Recent M&A moves show HR tech consolidating fast Chapters 00:00 – What are we up to for Easter? 03:39 – Nostalgic Family Memories 06:41 – ChatGPT's New Memory Feature 08:57 – Data Ownership and AI in the Workplace 11:04 – Goldman Sachs and HR Tech Investments 14:10 – Workday's Celebrity Marketing Campaign 17:13 – Recruitment Strategies and Challenges 20:03 – Legal Battles and Workplace Discrimination 20:32 – Discussing Religion in the Workplace 22:00 – AI in Recruiting: The Launch of Spot 24:25 – The Future of DEI Initiatives 36:02 – Acquisitions in the HR Tech Space 40:51 – The Changing Landscape of Internships 42:26 – Trust in AI vs. Human Managers 44:40 – Understanding Quiet Cracking in the Workplace 48:37 – Funding Trends in AI and HR Tech 52:08 – Introduction and Context Setting 52:29 – Funding Trends in Earned Wage Access 54:22 – Employee Engagement and Psychological Detachment 57:18 – Innovations in Job Applications and Resumes Connect with us William Tincup: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tincup/ Ryan Leary: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanleary/ Connect with WRKdefined on your favorite social network Website: http://www.wrkdefined.com TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wrkdefined LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wrkdefined Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WRKdefined/ X: https://twitter.com/WRKdefined Substack: https://wrkdefined.substack.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    59 m