Work Better

It takes about 60 hours to make a friend, and work is one of the few places where that time naturally accumulates. In this episode, Dr. Tracy Brower reveals why those hours matter more than ever, sharing research on how connection reshapes the brain, reduces loneliness, and drives performance, creativity, and wellbeing. She also unpacks how hybrid work, place, and leadership can either accelerate or erode the relationships people need to thrive.

Dr. Tracy Brower is a sociologist and workplace expert focused on the intersection of connection, culture, and the future of work. She is the author of The Secrets to Happiness at Work and Critical Connections, and her insights regularly appear in major media outlets. Tracy serves as Vice President of Workplace Insights at Steelcase, where she helps organizations create thriving, human‑centered workplaces.

The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Jose Jimenez and Sean McManaman provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Most organizations still haven’t cracked hybrid work — not in a way that truly supports performance, development, or culture. As Peter Cappelli and Ranya Nehmeh put it, “the issue is not whether the office is good or bad,” but that companies haven’t designed hybrid intentionally enough to make it work. Drawing on new research and their book In Praise of the Office, they unpack why culture is weakening, why relationships and learning are eroding, and how leaders can rebuild connection through clearer expectations, smarter design, and more intentional management.

Peter Cappelli is a professor of management and director of the Center for Human Resources at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. A leading voice on work, talent, and organizational performance, he brings decades of research on how workplaces function and why management practices succeed or fail.
Ranya Nehmeh is a senior HR strategist, author, and executive advisor focused on organizational culture, leadership, and the future of work. She helps global companies navigate complex people challenges with evidence‑based practices and practical frameworks.

Together, they co-authored In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work. The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Mark Caswell and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Dr. Laura Jana explains that the human abilities we develop earliest—curiosity, self‑management, empathy, adaptability, and creative thinking—are the same ones adults need to navigate today’s fast‑changing, AI‑shaped workplace. She draws on neuroscience and early‑childhood research to show how these capacities are built through environments and interactions, and why they’re becoming even more valuable than technical expertise. Her framework helps leaders see these so‑called “soft skills” as concrete, developable strengths that directly improve collaboration, innovation, and performance.

Dr. Laura Jana is a pediatrician, early‑childhood expert, and author who has spent more than 25 years translating developmental science into practical guidance for educators, parents, and business leaders. Her work bridges neuroscience, early learning, and workforce development, showing how foundational human abilities—like curiosity, self‑regulation, empathy, and adaptability—shape success across the lifespan.

The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Jose Jimenez and Sean McManaman provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

AI is advancing so quickly that schools are struggling to keep pace, and learning‑innovation researcher Mario Chiasson argues that this gap is reshaping what students actually need from education. Instead of focusing on memorization, he says the priority should shift toward critical thinking, reflection, and problem‑solving — the human skills that become more valuable as AI takes on routine knowledge work. That shift requires rethinking teacher preparation, redesigning learning environments, and helping students use AI in ways that strengthen their thinking rather than replace it. The big challenge ahead is aligning how students learn with how the world now works.

Mario Chiasson is a Canadian researcher and thought leader focused on learning innovation, system transformation, and future‑ready skills. He serves as Director of Research, Innovations and Change Management for District scolaire francophone Sud and is an associate researcher at the Université de Moncton.

The Work Better podcast is produced by Katie Pace, with assistance from Rebecca Charbauski, Stav Kontis, Chiara Licari, and Brandon Lacic. Erin Ellison provides creative art direction. Soundpost Studios edits and mixes the podcast. Sean McManaman and Jose Jimenez provide technical support. Areli Arellano and Jordan Marks publish digitally.

Ingrid Fetell Lee, author of Joyful, argues it’s possible to find joy in our physical environment even if we’re not feeling happy. She’s the founder of The Aesthetics of Joy, a website that empowers people to find more joy in life and work through design. Ingrid helps us understand how even small changes to our workplace can make a significant difference in how we feel.