The podcast for anyone who's supposed to be doing something productive right now (but scrolling instead). We're diving into workplace pain-points, education successes and disasters, training fails, and all the messy life stuff that happens when you're allegedly an adult. Think chats by water cooler, career advice, with zero corporate buzzwords and 100% honest takes on why everything feels broken. Sharing our real life conversations with you!
Why Don't People Have Kids? This episode is a personal one. Join Coll + Rich as they have a candid conversation on Society, Choices, and Personal Values. In this episode, we explore the complex and deeply personal reasons behind choosing or not choosing to have children. Our discussion touches on societal expectations, cultural backgrounds, economic realities, and individual priorities. Whether you’re contemplating parenthood or just curious about diverse perspectives, this conversation offers valuable insights into modern life decisions.
Main topics:
Cultural and societal expectations around family and parenthood
Personal values, long-term planning, and decision-making in relationships
Economic factors and housing market impacts on family planning
The social support structures and community dynamics related to raising children
Challenging assumptions and respecting privacy in personal life choices
Note: This conversation emphasizes respecting personal choices and understanding that decisions around parenthood are deeply individual. It’s okay to say “it’s none of your business” and prioritize privacy.
Resources & Links:
A blog on modern parenthood in the UK - https://www.fertilityfamily.co.uk/blog/beyond-the-birth-rate-the-real-factors-shaping-modern-parenthood-in-the-uk/ (https://www.fertilityfamily.co.uk/blog/beyond-the-birth-rate-the-real-factors-shaping-modern-parenthood-in-the-uk/)
Article discussing postnatal depression - https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/28/seven-out-of-10-uk-mothers-feel-overloaded-research-reveals (https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/jan/28/seven-out-of-10-uk-mothers-feel-overloaded-research-reveals)
The London housing crisis in numbers - https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgkg54nd5d5o (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cgkg54nd5d5o)
Article discussing falling enrolment rates in Tower Hamlets schools - https://parliamentnews.co.uk/tower-hamlets-schools-may-merge-due-to-falling-numbers/ (https://parliamentnews.co.uk/tower-hamlets-schools-may-merge-due-to-falling-numbers/)
11 May 2026
Career vs Commute, should you have to choose?
In this episode join Rich + Coll as they explore the shifting landscape of work in a post-pandemic world, how commute times influence career decisions, and the broader societal impacts.
Join us as they discuss practical insights and future trends shaping employment and community development.
Key Topics:
The evolving importance of physical office presence versus remote work
The impact of remote work on opportunity access across social and geographic divides
The societal and community implications of relocating or decentralizing workplaces
Opportunities for investment in less-connected towns and regions
How early career decisions around office work influence long-term career prospects
27 Apr 2026
Are student loans a tax on aspiration?
Join Rich + Coll for their candid discussion on the UK's student loan system and whether they think it may be broken, not working and operating as a tax on aspiration. Together they share personal stories and experience with the system, providing a balanced voice of the many who feel it needs reform.
Sources and additional reading:
• https://www.rethinkrepayment.com/ (https://www.rethinkrepayment.com/) - the organisation Rich referred to, campaigning for a fairer system. They can also be found on social media.
20 Apr 2026
Adulting costs too much, can we get a refund?
In this episode, Rich and Coll have an open conversation about navigating adulthood today. Together they delve into adulthood and associated “adulting” being more than just responsibilities; it involves understanding a complex web of costs, expectations, and systemic issues that shape our financial lives. In this episode, they unpack the real burden of adulting—costs that weren’t fully disclosed and the desire to get a refund on the basis of goods not as described.
Key topics:
How adulting costs have exploded compared to previous generations
The gap between wage growth and the rising cost of living
The societal impact of the rise of subscription based business models and the move away from ownership
Systemic issues behind utility pricing and general corporate profiteering
Debate around accountability and transparency in corporate and government practices.
Sources and additional reading:
https://helpfulhousemates.co.uk/ (https://helpfulhousemates.co.uk/) - service where a lodger pays lower-than-market rent in exchange for a few hours of support a week.
https://apple.news/AApUv_WuhSQyVGScNIUKXEQ (https://apple.news/AApUv_WuhSQyVGScNIUKXEQ) - The story where we first heard of the Helpful Housemates CIC.
https://apple.news/AxN9QDbyNSDGxaUfHCaDSdQ (https://apple.news/AxN9QDbyNSDGxaUfHCaDSdQ) - The family who are squeezed and trying to get onto the property ladder.
13 Apr 2026
What does "exceeds expectations" actually pay?
In this episode, Rich and Coll reflect on the true value and meaning of achieving an “exceeds expectations” grading in a formal performance review at work. Together they discuss their early work experiences, highlighting the importance of exposure, soft skills, and understanding the value of non-material rewards. They explore the balance between dedication and recognition, and how stepping outside of formal responsibilities can shape future opportunities but not necessarily guarantee them.
Key topics:
The spectrum of going above and beyond early in your career without immediate tangible rewards
How office culture and expectations have evolved with remote work
The soft skills gained from taking on extra roles, like attending company events and participating in external meetings
The relationship between effort, recognition, and reward in professional growth
Strategies for documenting and leveraging extra responsibilities for future career moves
How to set boundaries to prevent burnout while still demonstrating initiative
Sources and additional reading:
https://hrsolutions-inc.com/2024/01/23/the-impact-of-going-above-and-beyond-on-your-career-and-life/ (https://hrsolutions-inc.com/2024/01/23/the-impact-of-going-above-and-beyond-on-your-career-and-life/)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24245551/ (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24245551/)
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-deeper-wellness/202403/breaking-bad-when-overworking-becomes-problematic (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/a-deeper-wellness/202403/breaking-bad-when-overworking-becomes-problematic)
6 Apr 2026
"My employer was my first investor"
In the premiere episode of the second season, join Coll + Rich as they discuss how modern attitudes towards work, fulfilment, and side projects are shaping the entrepreneurial landscape. They explore the motivations behind starting side hustles, the risks involved, and how the pandemic has shifted our relationship with work and passion
Key Topics:
The increasing trend of side hustles and their correlation with workplace satisfaction
How companies are often unwitting investors in employee side projects
The psychological needs served by passion projects, from esteem to self-actualisation
The critical timing and mindset shifts involved in transitioning from full-time employment to entrepreneurship
Legal and contractual considerations around IP and side businesses
The impact of cultural and economic changes post-COVID on flexible work and creative pursuits
The importance of balancing passion projects with employment and avoiding burnout
Sources and additional reading:
https://mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/blog/workplace-mental-health-statistics-2026/
https://somethingbig.co.uk/employee-engagement-is-falling-in-2025-is-it-time-for-a-workplace-reset/
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/money/jobs/career-advice/9-to-5-job-funds-my-passion-project/
3 Nov 2025
Startup Grad: When it Doesn’t Work Out
In the fourth instalment and final of the Startup Grad series, Coll + Rich discuss the challenges and realities of working in the startup world, tackling the unsexy side of startup life: what happens when things don't go to plan. This episode revisits past experiences of the hosts explore the emotional and professional impacts of redundancy, the importance of aligning personal values with company pivots, and the significance of maintaining professional relationships. The conversation al...
27 Oct 2025
Startup Grad: What in the Benefit?
In the 3rd instalment of The Startup Graduate Series, Coll + Rich bring you What in the Benefit? Your That Should be Working! hosts unpack the world of startup benefits, job security, and realistic perks. They break down what to look for in job descriptions, what to get in writing, and how to tell whether that shiny “equity package” or “wellness budget” is truly worth it. Some statutory benefits or employee rights in the UK (as of 2025): Paid annual leave (pro rata for part-time)Statuto...
20 Oct 2025
Startup Grad: From Entry to Expertise - Surviving Your First Startup Job
In the 2nd part of the Startup Graduate series, Coll + Rich swap war stories from their early startup days — the wins, the weird job titles, and the era of naïve enthusiasm that brings you the from entry to expertise edition. In this episode, the dynamic duo dig deeper into the challenges and triumphs of breaking into the real startup world, offering valuable insights into the hiring process, the chaos, the scrappiness the importance of aligning passions with professional goals, and, wh...
13 Oct 2025
Startup Grad School: Lessons You Never Stop Learning
In today’s episode of the That Should be Working Podcast, Coll + Rich introduce the first of a series called the Startup Graduate. This first episode explores the real meaning of being a "startup graduate"—the constant journey of learning, adapting, and breaking free from corporate norms. Coll + Rich share honest stories about moving from structured, corporate roles to the chaotic creativity and unique challenges of startup culture. Together, they reflect on the diversity, rapid growth,...
6 Oct 2025
Who Killed the Local? The Private Equity Takeover
Coffee, pints, and the quiet power reshaping your life. From Gail’s to your local pub, from boarded-up fronts to glossy refurbs, we unpack how private capital is rewiring Britain’s high streets, the trade-offs behind the glow-up, and what it means for jobs, prices, and community. We do not sermonise; we get real about the ethics, the economics, and the everyday choices we all make with our wallets. What we get into •The romance of the independent shopkeeper, and the reality of ba...
29 Sept 2025
AI: Bubble About to Burst or Future to Embrace?
Exploring what the AI shift really means for jobs, skills, and the future of work. This episode dives headfirst into the hype and reality of AI at work. We ask the big question: is AI a bubble that’s about to burst, or is it here to stay? From Klarna’s cuts to Duolingo’s chatbot backlash, we unpick the balance between efficiency and the human touch. We explore: •What companies like Accenture, PwC, Klarna, and Duolingo are doing with AI •Why the public still craves real human servi...
22 Sept 2025
Sick of Work or Sick at Work
Welcome to another episode of “That Should be Working” with Rich + Coll. In today’s episode your hosts take on the rising number of sick days a British worker now takes - an average of 9.4 days versus 5.9 days before the pandemic. Why the topic? If more people are taking time off work, does it point to something deeper going wrong in the workplace? This episode was sparked by a survey from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), prompting a closer look at sick leave...
15 Sept 2025
Guppies & HENRYs: When High Earners Feel Broke and Property Dreams Die
Exploring why some professionals are giving up on homeownership while six-figure earners claim they're struggling - and what it says about modern financial priorities. Welcome to another episode of "That Should Be Working" with Rich and Coll! This week we're diving into two fascinating financial phenomena shaking up the professional world; Guppies and HENRYs What’s a Guppy? The "Given Up on Property" generation - professionals who've abandoned homeownership dreams. They explore the id...
1 Sept 2025
That Should be Working: Are You Actually Working or Just Looking Busy? The Task Masking Truth
Rich and Coll dive into the workplace phenomenon that's got everyone talking - task masking. You know, that fine art of looking incredibly busy whilst achieving absolutely nothing. Sound familiar? What's Task Masking Then? Typing loudly like you're composing the next great novel (spoiler: you're not)Frantically checking emails instead of doing actual workSpeed-walking to meetings like your life depends on itPretending to take notes when you're actually doodlingThe Shocking Stats Only 17% of B...
25 Aug 2025
Does Uni make the grade in 2025?
EPISODE 1 Welcome to That Should Be Working - the first episode of our new podcast bought to you by Collette and Rich, the dynamic duo behind TechInclusionUK. Is uni still worth it, or are we just paying £50k to delay entering the real world? We dive into 2025's education chaos: why everyone's suddenly obsessed with obscure degrees, how AI is making half our jobs obsolete before we even graduate, and whether that gap year might actually be the smartest move. Spoiler alert: your pa...
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