The Tightrope With Dan Smolen

What if where you live, work, and connect wasn’t fragmented—but intentionally designed to work together? In this episode of What’s Your Work Fit?, host Dan Smolen is joined by returning guest Chris Moeller, Founder of PathwayCommunities, alongside show Co-Hosts Mark Gilbreath (CEO of LiquidSpace) and Fran Saele (Managing Principal, MorteVita). Together, they explore a bold idea: livable communities as infrastructure for stability—not just housing. From factory-built homes to resilient microgrid-powered neighborhoods, Chris shares how his team is rethinking housing to better support civil servants like nurses, firefighters, and first responders—people increasingly priced out of the communities they serve. Key Themes & Takeaways 1. Work, Life, and Place Are ConvergingThe traditional separation between where we live and where we work is collapsing.Livable communities are emerging as integrated ecosystems where people can live, work, and connect—all within proximity. 2. Housing as Infrastructure (Not Just S

On What’s Your Work Fit?, Dan Smolen, Mark Gilbreath, and Fran Saele are joined by workplace strategists and authors Sara Escobar and Corinne Murray to unpack their influential book, WORK Then PLACE: Navigating Modern Work & Where It Happens. At a time when organizations are wrestling with return-to-office mandates, AI disruption, and shifting employee expectations, this conversation challenges a deeply ingrained assumption: Should we design the workplace first—or the work itself? Sara and Corinne argue convincingly that work must come first—and that everything else, including place, should follow. Key Themes & Insights 1. Work Then Place—Not the Other Way Around Many organizations still default to designing offices first and forcing work into them. The authors advocate for a flipped model: Define the what and why of work Understand how work actually happens Then design places (physical, digital, experiential) to support it “If you build it, they will come” no longer applies in modern work. 2.

What’s Your Work Fit? welcomes back JLL Managing Director, Future of Work, AI Adoption & Data Center Advisory, Ram Srinivasan, for a mind-expanding conversation at the intersection of AI, philosophy, and the future of work. Together with Executive Producer and Host Dan Smolen and Co-Host, MorteVita‘s Fran Saele, they explore whether agentic AI is evolving beyond tools into something more—and what that means for leaders, organizations, and your personal Work Fit. This episode challenges assumptions, reframes fear into opportunity, and delivers a powerful message: AI isn’t replacing work—it’s expanding what’s possible. Key Topics & Takeaways 1. Is Agentic AI Approaching Consciousness? The critical distinction between awareness, self-awareness, and consciousness Why today’s AI may exhibit “subjective experience”—but not sentience The philosophical debate: materialism vs. non-dual consciousness Why the real risk isn’t conscious AI—but perceived consciousness 2. From AI Tools to AI Agents E

What do you do after a layoff—and how do you come back stronger? On What’s Your Work Fit?, host Dan Smolen welcomes Kareem Rogers, HR business partner, corporate recruiter, and founder of The Fit Recruiter LLC, for a practical and motivating conversation about career reinvention, job search strategy, networking, personal branding, and standing out in a crowded hiring market. Kareem shares what job seekers should focus on first after losing a job: mental health, healing, and clarity. From there, he outlines how candidates can rebuild with purpose by sharpening their brand, growing their network, upskilling—especially around AI and in-demand capabilities—and learning how to present proof of value in interviews. Dan and Kareem also explore the importance of team experience, curiosity, adaptability, military service, athletics, and transferable skills in shaping a resilient career path. The episode closes with a powerful reflection on what it means to help people find meaningful work that improves lives. If you a

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: What Does Workplace Leasing Look Like in 2026? Answering that question and others is our returning guest, Phil Mobley.  Phil is the National Director for Office Analytics at CoStar Group, the leading provider of commercial real estate information, analytics, and online marketplaces. Joining in on the discussion are What’s Your Work Fit? Executive Producer and Host Dan Smolen and Co-Hosts: LiquidSpace CEO Mark Gilbreath and MorteVita Managing Principal Fran Saele. We also discover Phil’s answer to the question, “What’s Your Work Fit?” His answer will resonate with many listeners. This conversation originated as a prerecorded show on December 17, 2025. You can watch it on the What’s Your Work Fit? YouTube Channel. About our guest: Phil Mobley is a well known and highly respected office analytics insights expert. He lives and works in the Boston, Massachusetts metro. EPISODE DATE: December 26, 2025 Social media: LinkedIn CoStar Group

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: How Can Community Support the Modern Workplace? Answering that question and others is our guest, Nirit Cohen.  Nirit is a future of work strategist, Forbes contributor, international keynote speaker, bestselling author, Intel veteran, and host of The Future of Less Work Podcast. She is also a member of The Future of Work Alliance. Joining in on the discussion are What’s Your Work Fit? Executive Producer and Host Dan Smolen and Co-Hosts: LiquidSpace CEO Mark Gilbreath and MorteVita Managing Principal Fran Saele. We also discover Nirit’s answer to the question, “What’s Your Work Fit?” Her answer will resonate with many listeners. This conversation originated as a live show on December 10, 2025. You can watch it on the What’s Your Work Fit? YouTube Channel. About our guest: Nirit Cohen is a future of work strategist and host of The Future of Less Work Podcast. EPISODE DATE: December 19, 2025 Social media: LinkedIn The Future of Less W

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: Can Good Systems Stave Off the Infinite Workday? Answering that question and others is our guest, Darren Murph.  Named an “oracle of remote work” by CNBC and featured in The Forbes Future of Work 50, Darren is a recognized visionary in organizational design. He leads at … Continue reading Can Good Systems Stave Off the Infinite Workday? →

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: How Can Network Mapping Supercharge a Workplace? Answering that question and others is our guest, Andreas Hoffbauer PhD. As Founder and Director of Atelier Kultur, Andreas helps workforces make faster and more effective decisions through intentional connections at scale. Joining in on the discussion are What’s … Continue reading How Can Network Mapping Supercharge a Workplace? →

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: How Does Times Factor in the Modern Workplace? Answering that question and others is our returning guest, Denise Brouder.  Denise is the Founder of The Future of Work Alliance, a global collective of entrepreneurs, practitioners, researchers, and writers who are shaping modern work. We also discover … Continue reading How Does Time Factor in the Modern Workplace? →

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: Why Are We Still Talking About RTO Mandates? Answering that question and others is our returning guest, Nick Bloom.  Nick is a Professor of Economics at Stanford University. And as the co-founder of WFH Research he is world recognized for insight on remote and flexible work. … Continue reading Why Are We Still Talking About RTO Mandates? →

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: What’s the Science Behind Workplace Happiness? Answering that question and others is our guest, Jessica Weiss. Jessica is world recognized happiness expert who helps companies leverage tangible, research-based strategies to create happier workers and workplaces. She is also the author of the new book, Happiness Works: … Continue reading What’s the Science Behind Workplace Happiness? →

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: How Does Startup Culture Inform the Modern Workplace? Answering that question and others is our guest, Ginger Dhaliwal. As an Angel Investor, Ginger actively supports early-stage startups, especially those led by women and focused on AI, the future of work, and global impact. We also discover … Continue reading How Does Startup Culture Inform the Modern Workplace? →

On What’s Your Work Fit? we pose this question: Is Employee Experience the New Workplace Amenity? Answering that question and others is our guest, Corina Ocanto. Corina is the Vice President of Workplace Strategy at Stream Realty Partners. As a design strategist, consultant, and researcher Corina helps companies to create impactful experiences which connect customers, … Continue reading Is Employee Experience the New Workplace Amenity? →

On What’s Your Work Fit? we posed this question: How Can Workplace Insight Drive Worker Well Being? Answering that question and others is our returning guest, Serena Huang, PhD. Serena is the principal of Data With Serena, LLC. She is an internationally recognized and respected AI keynote speaker, Fortune 100 consultant and corporate trainer, Chief … Continue reading How Can Workplace Insight Drive Worker Well Being? →

On What’s Your Work Fit we posed this question: Why Should We Reimagine HR? Answering that question and others is our guest, Marion Anderson. She is a Chief People Officer; a globally recognized thought leader, author, podcaster, and public speaker on the topics of future of work, culture, and employee experience; the co-creator of Rethink … Continue reading Why Should We Reimagine HR? →

On What’s Your Work Fit we posed this question: How Do I Support a Workplace Happiness Ethic? Answering that question and others is our guest, Holland Haiis. She is a globally recognized and respected leadership developer, keynote speaker, author, and workplace strategist who helps organizations, family offices, and healthcare providers to support the future of … Continue reading How Do I Support a Workplace Happiness Ethic? →

On What’s Your Work Fit we posed this question: Are Years of Experience Still Career Necessary? Answering that question and others is our guest, Kathryn Preston. Kathryn, who is a much in-demand public speaker on work and workplace topics, knocks down the long-held belief that tenure, above all other measures, indicates one’s future success in … Continue reading Are Years of Experience Still Career Necessary? →

On What’s Your Work Fit we posed this question: Do I Need Permission for Career Success? Answering that question and others is our guest, Jillian Reilly. Jillian has been an Executive Coach helping executives and companies to navigate disruptive and profound change and an aid worker on the frontlines of HIV/AIDS. She is also an … Continue reading Do I Need Permission for Career Success? →

On What’s Your Work Fit we posed this question: How is AI Changing Human-Centered Work? Answering that question and others is our returning guest, Ram Srinivasan. Ram is the Global AI Strategy & Adoption Leader at JLL where he spearheads initiatives to leverage cutting-edge AI technologies while ensuring their responsible and ethical implementation. He is … Continue reading How is AI Changing Human-Centered Work? →

On What’s Your Work Fit we posed this question: How Do I Establish a Neuroinclusive Workplace? Answering that question and others is our guest, Kelly Colón.  As the founder of Eledex Consulting & Coaching, Kelly empowers neurodivergent individuals to thrive while helping organizations to foster authentic inclusion. She is also an adjunct professor at Endicott … Continue reading How Do I Establish a Neuroinclusive Workplace? →