What if we designed work around projects, not the nine to five?

In this episode of Work Is Weird Now, Alice and Dan speak to Giselle Gonzales, founder of Equal Reach, about what happens when work becomes less about having a person in a seat and more about delivering an outcome. Giselle’s work connecting businesses with vetted teams of refugee and local talent gives her a unique perspective on how the jobs market is changing. She describes work as a ladder, starting with digital tasks and progressing through freelancing and employment to entrepreneurship. But AI is beginning to disrupt both ends. Could that push more of us towards freelancing, project work and portfolio careers? We explore what AI means for entry-level work, whether traditional employment really offers greater security, why companies are increasingly buying outcomes rather than roles, and how collectives could offer a different model for independent work. We also talk about starting something alongside your nine-to-five, learning through experimentation and Giselle’s advice for anyone considering a less traditional career: find your tribe and don’t go at it alone. *About Giselle Gonzales* Giselle Gonzales is the founder of Equal Reach, a marketplace connecting businesses with vetted teams of refugee and local talent for digital project work, from websites and content to AI agents. She began her career documenting displacement in Greece in 2015 and has since worked inside big tech on inclusive sourcing. #FutureOfWork #FutureOfJobs #WorkIsWeirdNow