The Floorplan with Dr Libby Sander

Libby Sander & Matt Webber

The Floorplan is a thorough and sometimes funny exploration of our attempts to navigate the modern workplace and the future of work. Steven Spielberg says he wakes up so excited that he can’t eat breakfast. But for most of us, work is far less fulfilling. The way we design jobs and where we expect people to perform  can be dull at best and dehumanizing at worst. Less than a third of workers worldwide are engaged, sociopathic leadership is one of the hottest topics trending in management research, and 61% of workers report that work-related stress makes them physically sick. Far from overjoyed, and after enduring lengthy commutes, work for many employees seems to fall on either end of an unhappy spectrum – bored to death or stressed to death. Borrowing from case studies, expert guests, and ground-breaking research, The Floorplan hosts Dr Libby Sander and broadcaster Matt Webber uncover what individuals and organizations can do to make the workplace experience better for everyone.  For more head to www.libbysander.com

  1. 19 MAR

    How jmancurly Built One of the Internet’s Most Powerful Creator Communities

    His name is Julian Elchakieh, but you probably know him as ⁠ @jmancurly ⁠. Interview starts at 16.03 if you want to skip ahead! 🟨🟨🟨📱🟨🟨In this rare longform interview, Julian talks about:- Getting to two billion views in four years- Building a game studio with zero coding experience- How he built the most loyal fanbase in VR gaming (the Curly Gang origin story)- The Disney-style IP strategy behind jman, Gonzalez, Schmackle & Jung Tape- Building multiple companies across gaming, content & music simultaneously- His advice for organisations struggling with AI, community & digital transformationSome call him the 'VR King'. Most just know him by the look. You can’t miss it. Electric blue curly hair. A strip of yellow tape across the chest. It’s DIY, it’s loud, and it’s become one of the most famous brands on the internet. But jmancurly isn't just a guy in a headset. He’s the leader of the Curly Gang. This isn't just a fanbase. It’s a community of over 8 million followers across social media and half a million people interacting on his Discord chat channel. He treats them like family. He lives by a code he calls the Curly Constitution: * be kind to one another, * teach new players who might need help, and * uplift the community. Most creators might stop at YouTube - jmancurly kept going. He built his own gaming & publishing studio, CurlyBlue and the results speak for themselves, he’s released a game called "Shmackle" (which already has 1.25 million installs), and he became a verified music artist with over 25 million streams on Spotify. He’s achieved a lot. And he’s done it in a contemporary kind of way that speaks volumes about the power and importance of creativity and the kind of workplace that is becoming increasingly common for a new generation of entrepreneurs.Enjoy this rare longform interview with ⁠ @jmancurly ⁠!

    1hr 14min
  2. 10/12/2025

    Popcorn brains, infinite workdays and the concept of digital minionship w/ Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz

    he Floorplan returns! Do we ever stop working? A resounding no according to a new study. What are popcorn brains and do you have one? And Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz joins the podcast to ponder digital minionship and the augmentative qualities of workplace AI that excite him. We dive into the ideas behind his award-winning book "The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions”, exploring: How AI is reshaping work at every level What “digital minions” really are — and why they matter Algorithmic power, organisational change, and the new digital economy What leaders must understand to stay relevant The most important skills for the next decade of work This conversation is essential for anyone curious about the future of work, AI strategy, leadership, and the profound economic shifts underway. About Professor Marek Kowalkiewicz Marek is a Professor and Chair in Digital Economy at QUT Business School. Listed among the Top 100 Global Thought Leaders in AI by thinkers360, Marek has led global innovation teams in Silicon Valley, was a Global Research Program Lead and Founding Research Manager of SAP's Machine Learning lab in Singapore, and a Research Fellow at Microsoft Research Asia. His newest book, "The Economy of Algorithms: AI and the Rise of the Digital Minions" is a winner of Australian Business Book Awards (Technology) 2024. Marek received his MSc in Business Information System from Poznan University of Economics in 2002, and PhD (Summa C*m Laude) from the same university in 2006.

    48 min
4.8
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

The Floorplan is a thorough and sometimes funny exploration of our attempts to navigate the modern workplace and the future of work. Steven Spielberg says he wakes up so excited that he can’t eat breakfast. But for most of us, work is far less fulfilling. The way we design jobs and where we expect people to perform  can be dull at best and dehumanizing at worst. Less than a third of workers worldwide are engaged, sociopathic leadership is one of the hottest topics trending in management research, and 61% of workers report that work-related stress makes them physically sick. Far from overjoyed, and after enduring lengthy commutes, work for many employees seems to fall on either end of an unhappy spectrum – bored to death or stressed to death. Borrowing from case studies, expert guests, and ground-breaking research, The Floorplan hosts Dr Libby Sander and broadcaster Matt Webber uncover what individuals and organizations can do to make the workplace experience better for everyone.  For more head to www.libbysander.com

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