Listen "Work, Words & Wankernomics"
Episode Synopsis
In the first episode of 2026, Jenni Field and Chuck Gose are back with a candid, wide-ranging conversation about what the world of work really needs to leave behind.
They start by sharing the leadership, culture and communication habits that should have stayed in 2025 – from performative “authenticity” and meaningless values to treating AI as either a miracle cure or an existential threat.
The conversation then turns to employee happiness. Drawing on recent research, Jenni challenges the idea that leaders are responsible for happiness at work, arguing instead that feeling respected, supported and energised is the baseline of credible leadership – not a perk.
Jenni and Chuck also unpack:
Why trends are often marketing fluff (and why predictions are more useful)
Whether internal communication is facing an identity crisis
When buzzwords help – and when they create unnecessary chaos
Why open-plan offices don’t work, and what the office should be for now
Articles mentioned in this episode:
New Data Shows The Surprising Payoff Of Employee Happiness
What are the trends shaping internal comms and the workplace in 2026?
Are buzzwords bad?
The open office is a lie
They start by sharing the leadership, culture and communication habits that should have stayed in 2025 – from performative “authenticity” and meaningless values to treating AI as either a miracle cure or an existential threat.
The conversation then turns to employee happiness. Drawing on recent research, Jenni challenges the idea that leaders are responsible for happiness at work, arguing instead that feeling respected, supported and energised is the baseline of credible leadership – not a perk.
Jenni and Chuck also unpack:
Why trends are often marketing fluff (and why predictions are more useful)
Whether internal communication is facing an identity crisis
When buzzwords help – and when they create unnecessary chaos
Why open-plan offices don’t work, and what the office should be for now
Articles mentioned in this episode:
New Data Shows The Surprising Payoff Of Employee Happiness
What are the trends shaping internal comms and the workplace in 2026?
Are buzzwords bad?
The open office is a lie
More episodes of the podcast Frequency
Safety, Strategy & Shifting Rhythms
15/12/2025
Warmth, Wisdom and What Unite 25 Taught us
01/12/2025
Purpose, Positivity & Personality Algorithms
24/11/2025
Culture, Cracks and Communication Gaps
17/11/2025
Purpose, Profit & Proper Internal Comms
03/11/2025
ZARZA We are Zarza, the prestigious firm behind major projects in information technology.