David Lidsky's Blog, page 160

‘The Rehearsal’ Season 2 will make you think differently about plane crashes—and standing up to your boss

Nathan Fielder is back with his HBO hit. While the new season takes on the timely topic of airline safety, at its heart is a perennial workplace problem.

Nathan Fielder’s comedy can feel like watching a slow-motion plane crash. On semi-scripted shows such as Nathan for You and The Rehearsal, the comedian makes real people squirm with his bizarre suggestions, which he offers with rigor mortis-level deadpan. Some of it is best viewed through the slightly parted fingers of a face-obscuring hand.

No, you do not really need $1.26 million to retire

Americans get conflicting suggestions about how much money they need for a comfortable retirement. Here’s what the sound bites don’t tell you.

Every few months, there’s a new story or study or think piece on the exact dollar amount needed to afford retirement. The most recent is Northwestern Mutual’s 2025 Planning & Progress Study, which found that Americans believe they need $1.26 million to retire comfortably.

Why using shorthand like ‘thx’ and ‘k’ in texting is hurting your relationships

Researchers found that the presence of shorthand for words and phrases makes recipients feel shortchanged.

My brother’s text messages can read like fragments of an ancient code: “hru,” “wyd,” “plz”—truncated, cryptic, and never quite satisfying to receive. I’ll often find myself second-guessing whether “gr8” means actual excitement or whether it’s a perfunctory nod.

What’s open and closed on Easter Sunday? Grocery stores, Walmart, Target, pharmacies, more

Plan ahead if you need eggs for the big day.

The Easter holiday is celebrated by billions of Christians around the world. But even if you are not partaking in the festivities, store closures or reduced store hours might impact you. Here’s what to expect on Easter Sunday.

Nuclear power is booming. Where will we put the waste?

The vast majority of nuclear waste in the U.S. is spent nuclear fuel from commercial nuclear power plants.

Around the U.S., about 90,000 tons of nuclear waste is stored at more than 100 sites in 39 states, in a range of different structures and containers.

How leaders can build a culture of wellness that actually works

When leaders support employee wellness, employees are healthier, perform better, achieve their goals, and are more committed to their work.

Patricia Grabarek and Katina Sawyer are cofounders of Workr Beeing, where they help clients create thriving workplace environments. They are both industrial/organizational psychologists. Patricia has a background in consulting and internal roles, having led people analytics and talent management initiatives for more than 60 companies. Katina is also an associate professor of management and organizations at the University of Arizona, where she focuses her research on workplace wellbeing.

First impressions in job interviews hurt candidates with autism. Here’s how employers can fix that

Understanding autism spectrum disorder enables employers to focus on qualifications, giving candidates with ASD a fair opportunity to succeed based on their true potential.

First impressions matter—they shape how we’re judged in mere seconds, research shows. People are quick to evaluate others’ competence, likability and honesty, often relying on superficial cues such as appearance or handshake strength. While these snap judgments can be flawed, they often have a lasting impact. In employment, first impressions not only affect hiring choices but also decisions about promotion years later.

South Florida gets its drinking water from the Everglades—but it’s increasingly under threa

After 25 years of Everglades restoration, drinking water has improved for millions in Florida, but that might not last.

Do you know where your drinking water comes from?

Employees with the ‘Sunday scaries’? Here’s how to get your workforce excited about work

Some 70% of workers experience anxiety at the end of their weekends. Leaders can reverse this trend and support their teams with a few helpful strategies.

We all know the “Sunday scaries”—that creeping anxiety as the weekend winds down. But what you might not realize is that leaders experience it too.

Your favorite podcast is now a toy—and a cruise, and a book, and a backpack

Wondery chief brand officer Nicole Blake is giving podcasts the ‘Harry Potter’ treatment.

Not so long ago, a book deal and a live tour marked the outer limits of how far a hot podcast could hope to expand its horizons. These days, they’re only the beginning. Especially at Wondery, the fast-growing podcast network based in West Hollywood, California.