599: Joy at Work in the Age of AI: The Pain Is Optional (with Bree Groff)

599: Joy at Work in the Age of AI: The Pain Is Optional (with Bree Groff)

Author: FirmsConsulting.com & StrategyTraining.com November 5, 2025 Duration: 46:41

"Most people can't remember the last time they went to bed and thought: today was fun."

 

In this conversation with Bree Groff, author of Today Was Fun, we recenter the conversation on joy, pleasure, and meaning at work. Bree shares why her mom always said, "I have the best days," what it taught her about how we spend our lives, and why fun is not frivolous, it's the driver of creativity, performance, and belonging.

 

We also dive into the future of work and AI:

  • "If the AI is a train speeding up behind you, don't try to outrun it. Step off the tracks. Be the most human version of yourself."

  • Why we should measure success not only in revenue and customers, but in whether our companies create good days.

  • Why Mondays are not a renewable resource and how leaders can treat each day as a responsibility.

 

As Bree says: "The pain is optional, and the fun is free."

📘 Bree's book: Today Was Fun

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Tune into The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving for conversations that move beyond abstract theory and into the practical mechanics of decision-making. Hosted by the teams behind FirmsConsulting.com & StrategyTraining.com, this series connects you directly to the minds shaping how organizations and individuals operate. Each episode features a diverse roster of guests, including sitting CEOs, senior partners from top consulting firms, acclaimed academics, and even high performers from sports and the arts, all dissecting pressing challenges in business and society. What you'll hear is a deep, unfiltered exchange of ideas on applying strategic frameworks, exercising genuine leadership, and honing the critical thinking required to solve complex problems. The dialogue is built for professionals aiming to advance their careers, managers seeking more effective tools, and anyone interested in the disciplined thought processes that drive success. This podcast serves as an audio companion for those who want to learn from real-world application, not just textbook cases. By focusing on the interplay between strategy, leadership, and problem-solving, it provides actionable insights you can use immediately in your own work and life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Strategy Skills Podcast: Strategy | Leadership | Critical Thinking | Problem-Solving
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