{"podcast":{"title":"It Gets Late Early","slug":"it-gets-late-early-6096744","podcast_index_feed_id":6096744,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/it-gets-late-early/","website_url":"https://www.itgetslateearly.com/","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/dc4d6575-9642-4d43-94d5-225572b5cd9f/2026-IGLE-COVER-FINAL.png","author":"Maureen Wiley Clough","episode_count":73,"summary":"Have you ever looked around at work and realized you might be one of the oldest people in the room—and you’re not even 40 yet? It Gets Late Early is a show about what’s really happening to experienced workers as the rules of work change. We dig into layoffs dressed up as AI strategy, side hustles and portfolio careers, the quiet rise of workplace ageism, and the (sometimes harsh) reality of building a career in midlife and beyond. We connect the dots between corporate decisions, economic forces, and the real lives of people navigating a changing world of work to help make sense of it all…because the career playbook we all followed was for a game no one can win anymore. You’ll hear honest conversations, expert insights, and practical advice for people trying to figure out what comes next—all wrapped up in a healthy dose of dark humor. Because sometimes you have to laugh so you don’t cry. Hosted by Maureen Wiley Clough—corporate dropout and ex-journalist who won’t quit telling the truth about work.","last_synced_at":"2026-06-10T02:19:57.969761+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/it-gets-late-early-6096744"},"episode":{"title":"$600M in Damages. One Worker. A System That Created Both.","slug":"600m-in-damages-one-worker-a-system-that-created-both","published_at":"2026-05-26T12:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/it-gets-late-early-6096744/600m-in-damages-one-worker-a-system-that-created-both","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/it-gets-late-early-6096744","url":"https://www.itgetslateearly.com/","audio_url":"https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/ccae4d6c-5c0f-4918-9054-21b57fda30c7.mp3","summary":"On April 7th, at 12:30 a.m. in a massive warehouse in Ontario, California, a worker lights pallets on fire. The result? $500–$600 million in damages and a reflection of a much bigger story, one that isn’t just about one individual, but about how our workplaces are failing employees. I walk through this shocking incident to uncover the systemic pressures that drive workplace rage. The truth is, this isn’t isolated. From Amazon to Disney contractors, poor pay, unsafe conditions, and layers of corporate shields create a workforce that’s physically present but mentally checked out. Studies show employee engagement is plummeting, confidence is collapsing, and the gap between leadership perception and reality is dangerously wide. The Kimberly-Clark fire is a symptom of a system that ignores the human cost of labor. We also explore history to understand the present. From the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire to today, patterns emerge: when workers have no voice, tensions escalate. Job loss isn’t just financial, it’s deeply psychological. And corporations need to act before the next flashpoint. In This Episode: - Ontario warehouse fire overview and costs - Economic and labor context driving worker anger - Gallup report: collapse in worker confidence - Disparity between CEO awareness and workforce sentiment - Historical parallel: Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire - Modern labor conditions and subcontractor complexities - Psychological impact of unemployment and layoffs - Lessons for workers and corporate leaders And much more! Resources: -Get Corporate-level Health Coverage for Solopreneurs with a 50% Discount for First Three Months - https://essentlcreator.com/maureen -Video of the warehouse worker setting fire - https://www.instagram.com/reels/DW5Lbj6DiRW/ -Video shows someone…","meta_description":"On April 7th, at 12:30 a.m. in a massive warehouse in Ontario, California, a worker lights pallets on fire. The result? $500–$600 million in damages and a…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":870,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/it-gets-late-early-6096744/episodes/600m-in-damages-one-worker-a-system-that-created-both/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/it-gets-late-early-6096744/600m-in-damages-one-worker-a-system-that-created-both.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}