According to workplace culture expert and author Jennifer Moss, burnout in 2025 is actually worse than it was at the height of the pandemic—with roughly half of the global workforce experiencing symptoms. 🙃

In this episode of Ambition 2.0, host Amanda Goetz sits down with Jennifer to unpack why burnout is still rising, why “hardcore culture” and the 996 movement are actually bad for business (and employee morale), and why self-care rituals like a face mask and a Sunday night bath are band-aid solutions for a systems-level problem.

They get into the uncomfortable truth about ageism (both Gen Z and older workers are experiencing bias) and what leaders are getting wrong about “return to office” and productivity.

You’ll also hear a much more hopeful take on the future of work: how to design cultures around hope, purpose, and community, what actually moves the needle on wellbeing and performance, and what employees can do when they’re stuck in a bad culture but can’t just quit (because… rent). They also dig into AI, “boreout,” calendar Tetris, and the simple 20-minute rituals that can quietly transform a team.

Key Takeaways:

Burnout is a systems failure, not a self-care issue
Ageism is shrinking the workforce more than AI
How to assert boundaries with your boss when you’re burned out (and can’t quit)
Clear signs you’re burning out
Community at work is a performance driver, not a perk
3 things every company culture should have to prevent burnout

Whether you’re a manager, an HR leader, or just someone who’s tired, cynical, and wondering, “Is it me… or my job?” this episode will give you language, frameworks, and actionable steps you can take today to redesign the way you work forever.

00:00 Intro

01:30 Redefining ambition without toxic productivity

06:30 Generational divides, ageism & entry-level careers

11:12 Burnout as a systems failure (not a self-care issue)

13:40 Hardcore culture, the 996 movement, and the real cost it has on companies

23:03 What employees can do when they can’t just quit

29:28 Three warning signs you’re sliding into burnout

32:30 The pillars of great culture

38:09 AI, “boreout,” and designing a lower-burnout future of work

GUEST LINKS

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jleighmoss/?hl=en

https://www.jennifer-moss.com/

Why Are We Here? Creating a Work Culture Everyone Wants: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647826130

The Burnout Epidemic: The Rise of Chronic Stress and How We Can Fix It: https://bookshop.org/a/116169/9781647820367

FOLLOW THE PODCAST

IG: https://www.instagram.com/girlboss/ | TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@girlboss

Amanda Goetz: https://www.instagram.com/theamandagoetz/

https://girlboss.com/pages/ambition-2-0-podcast

SIGN UP

Subscribe to the Girlboss Daily newsletter: https://newsletter.girlboss.com/

For all other Girlboss links: https://linkin.bio/girlboss/

ABOUT AMBITION 2.0

Powered by Girlboss, Ambition 2.0 is a podcast where we’ll be exploring what it really means to “have it all” in work, family, identity, and self… and if it’s actually worth it. Each week, you'll hear from hardworking women who’ve walked the tightrope of ambition. They'll share their costly mistakes, lessons learned, and practical tips for how to have it all and actually love what you have.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices