157: Moe Carrick: Designing Workplaces Where People Thrive

Overview

In this deeply resonant conversation, I sit down with Moe Carrick — author, consultant, and advocate for more human-centered workplaces — to explore the role of work in our lives and what it really takes for people to thrive.

Moe brings both research and lived experience to the table, sharing the seven human needs we bring to work, how they shift over time, and why we must move beyond the “ideal worker” and “perfect mother” myths. She challenges conventional narratives about ambition, wellbeing, and gender roles, and calls for a new kind of partnership between employers and employees. 

Moe outlines a more hopeful vision of work, where we can navigate the integration of life and work with a sense of agency and shape our lives to work better for us. And together, we dig into the personal and systemic dynamics shaping our work lives today and the hope we can hold for what’s next.

More About Our Guest

Moe Carrick is a work futurist, culture architect, and bestselling author who helps leaders and organizations turn workplace friction into fuel for growth. With over two decades of experience working with companies big and small—from Nike to nonprofits—Moe’s research-backed methods help teams align, scale, and create cultures where connection drives performance. A TEDx and SXSW speaker recognized by Thinkers 360, Fast Company, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Moe is on a mission to fix the way we work so people thrive—and businesses win.

Listen to the full episode to hear:

  • Why work matters beyond a paycheck—and how it fulfills core human needs

  • The seven needs Moe and her co-author identified in their research

  • The “perfect mother myth,” and how gendered expectations limit us

  • Why real workplace change often starts with pain—and how that opens the door to new possibilities

  • What employees can do to reclaim agency: know yourself, and get good at tough conversations

  • Why connection—not perks—is the future of engagement

Learn more about Moe Carrick:

Resources Mentioned

Thanks for Listening!

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158: Erica Meade: Expanding the Definition of Work for a More Sustainable Life

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156: Laura Vanderkam: How To Take Control of Your Time and Prioritize What Matters Most