Disconnected: Dr. Debbie Goldman on Labor, Call Centers, and the Future of Work

In this thought-provoking episode of the Storehouse Media Group Podcast, host Sherrie Price Clark and co-host Neil Haley welcome Dr. Debbie Goldman, labor economist, author, and researcher, to explore the modern workforce and the questions everyone is asking: Do people still want to work? Why is job satisfaction on the decline? And how is technology changing everything? Dr. Goldman shares insights from her groundbreaking book, Disconnected: Call Center Workers Fight for Good Jobs in the Digital Age, which chronicles the transformation of call center work from meaningful community-based jobs to hyper-surveilled, stress-inducing roles often outsourced to low-wage countries. She dives deep into the consequences of deregulation, the rise of AI, and the erosion of labor protections—and explains how unions and collective bargaining can reestablish dignity in work. This episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about the future of labor, economic fairness, workplace technology, or customer service in the digital age. Why meaningful work matters—and how it’s being lost The decline of call center jobs and the role of deregulation How surveillance, quotas, and digital monitoring have transformed customer service The real story behind outsourced and overseas call centers How collective bargaining and unions protect service quality and employee dignity The growing inequality in the American economy—and its consequences What Disconnected teaches us about broader workforce trends Why we must rethink AI, automation, and labor policy together The importance of global labor solidarity across borders Why investing in workers is also good business “We want love and meaningful purpose. And for many of us, that purpose comes from the work we do.” “AI is not fully understood—yet companies are rushing to use it in ways that hurt, not help, people.” “Surveillance and quotas don’t create better service—they create stress and burnout.” “If we give workers a voice in how they work, the work becomes more meaningful—for them and the customer.” “It's not about competing globally—it's about collaborating for dignity in work everywhere.” Disconnected: Call Center Workers Fight for Good Jobs in the Digital Age By Dr. Debbie Goldman A compelling investigation into the decline of call center jobs, the impact of deregulation and outsourcing, and what it takes to reclaim dignity and meaning in the modern workplace. Available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and all major booksellers Genre: Labor Studies / Work Culture / Public Policy Website: Search “Disconnected by Dr. Debbie Goldman” on your favorite book platform Union Affiliation: Communications Workers of America (CWA) Storehouse Media Group – Books | Films | Podcasts | Purpose 📍 www.storehousemediagroup.com 🎙️ Simulcast on The Neil Haley Show and Storehouse Media Group Podcast 📝 Key Topics Covered:💬 Quotes from Dr. Debbie Goldman:📚 About the Book:🌐 Connect with Dr. Debbie Goldman:🎬 Brought to you by: