What if the key to better mental health, stronger families, and a more sustainable society was working less?
In this episode, Xand van Tulleken and Rochelle Burgess explore how reducing the working week could transform not just our work-life balance but public health more broadly.
They’re joined by:
- Joe Ryle – Campaign Director of the 4 Day Week Foundation, advocating for a shorter working week with no loss of pay
- Professor Anna Cox – Professor of Human-Computer Interaction at UCL and Head of the eWork Research Group, whose work explores how technology impacts productivity and wellbeing
In this episode:
- How overworking is driving burnout, stress, and poor health outcomes
- What flexible and remote working has taught us post-COVID
- The role of digital technology in balancing work and life
- Why a shorter week could be good for the environment and the economy
- Whether AI might finally deliver on the long-promised work-life revolution
This episode also asks a deeper question: what would it take to truly shift our culture away from valuing busyness and burnout, and toward health, connection, and rest?
Resources and mentions:
- Four Day Week Campaign
- Bullsh*t Jobs by David Graeber
- Black Mirror episodes on the future of work and technology
S5E4
