Workplace Geeks
Workplace Geeks is the podcast on a mission to celebrate the most innovative workplace research in the world. Hosted by Chris Moriarty and Ian Ellison, each episode explores fascinating work with the authors themselves, capturing practical learning and business impacts. Join the Workplace Geeks to bridge the gap between academia and business as we explore the diverse elements that can affect workplace experience, employee value and business performance.
Workplace Geeks
Workplace wisdom and wordsmithery | with Matt Harvey
We've only just got cracking with season 4, and we’re already taking an unusual turn. In this episode, the Geeks enjoy their first ever workplace poety takeover with the brilliant, wise and genuinely witty author and poet Matt Harvey, self-proclaimed enemy of all that's upsetting.
From the psychological contracts of workplace perks, to the creeping control of mobile devices, and watercooler encounters with hidden meaning, Matt has been making sense of work through verse for years — including a long-standing collaboration with Worktech as their poet in residence.
We invited him on to the show share some of his workplace-themed poems, then discuss what they reveal about work, culture and human nature.
In this poetry-infused conversation, we explore:
- Matt’s journey from The Guardian’s Saturday work section to Worktech’s main stage
- How poetry can reveal overlooked truths about the day-to-day experience of work
- A cheeky take on workplace ‘perks’ and our invisible psychological contracts
- A poetic time capsule of the Blackberry era — and how tech took over our lives
- A melancholy meditation on watercooler connections and relationships real and imagined
- Why AI-generated poems still don’t beat the real thing — yet
- A reprise of “The world of work, 20 years on” — commissioned for Worktech
No reflection section this time — instead, we reflect as we go, with plenty of chuckles and a little poetic mischief along the way.
📖 Featuring live readings of four original Matt Harvey poems: Works perks, Not tonight dear, I have a Blackberry, Water-cooler moments and The world of work: 20 years on.
🔎 There are some great videos of Matt on YouTube, and some of our favourite books are:
- 🐌 Where Earwigs Dare (includes the first three poems read here)
- ⛈️ The Element in the Room
- 😕 The Hole in the Sum of My Parts
- 🧠 Mindless Body, Spineless Mind
- 🥫 Shopping with Dad (the best young children's story by far!🥇)
☎️ Leave us a voicemail on the Workplace Geeks hotline — we might feature you on a future episode!
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💬 Got ideas, feedback, or guest suggestions?
- Connect with Chris and Ian on LinkedIn
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- Or email us directly at hello@workplacegeeks.org
Workplace Geeks is sponsored by 2468 Group ☕️
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