1 00:00:10,614 --> 00:00:15,414 Speaker 1: You're listening to Amma Mia podcast. Mamma Mia acknowledges the 2 00:00:15,414 --> 00:00:18,294 Speaker 1: traditional owners of land and waters that this podcast is 3 00:00:18,334 --> 00:00:19,054 Speaker 1: recorded on. 4 00:00:20,574 --> 00:00:23,894 Speaker 2: Hey, I'm Taylor Strano. This is Mamma MIA's twice daily 5 00:00:23,974 --> 00:00:27,134 Speaker 2: news podcast, The Quickie. If you've tried to buy cottage 6 00:00:27,214 --> 00:00:30,134 Speaker 2: cheese lately, you might have noticed the shelves are looking 7 00:00:30,174 --> 00:00:34,774 Speaker 2: a bit empty. Turns out we're all suddenly obsessed with protein. 8 00:00:35,094 --> 00:00:37,854 Speaker 2: But do we actually need as much as TikTok is 9 00:00:37,894 --> 00:00:40,974 Speaker 2: telling us we do. Plus, if you've got a colleague 10 00:00:41,014 --> 00:00:45,334 Speaker 2: who's always dramatically busy but somehow never actually gets anything done, 11 00:00:45,494 --> 00:00:49,054 Speaker 2: well you might be dealing with a taskmasker. We'll let 12 00:00:49,094 --> 00:00:52,134 Speaker 2: you know how to spot one in the wild before 13 00:00:52,134 --> 00:00:54,654 Speaker 2: we get there. Here's Claire Murphy with the latest from 14 00:00:54,654 --> 00:00:57,534 Speaker 2: The Quickie newsroom for Thursday April three. 15 00:00:57,814 --> 00:01:01,654 Speaker 1: Thanks Taylor. Both Prime Minister Anthony Albernizi and Opposition leader 16 00:01:01,694 --> 00:01:05,374 Speaker 1: Peter Dutton campaigned in Melbourne yesterday, with Premia Decin to 17 00:01:05,414 --> 00:01:08,814 Speaker 1: Alan nowhere to be seen, while mister Alberanizi stood beside 18 00:01:08,894 --> 00:01:11,894 Speaker 1: Roger Cook in Perth and Peter Malanowskis in Adelaide and 19 00:01:11,934 --> 00:01:14,534 Speaker 1: explain what good friends they all were. There was no 20 00:01:14,614 --> 00:01:17,494 Speaker 1: sign of just Inter Allen on the campaign trail in Victoria, 21 00:01:17,894 --> 00:01:20,694 Speaker 1: with more than a dozen of Victoria's thirty eight electorates 22 00:01:20,734 --> 00:01:23,774 Speaker 1: on the line. It's been reported that Labour insiders are 23 00:01:23,894 --> 00:01:27,694 Speaker 1: concerned that Miss Allen's lack of popularity will inflict damage 24 00:01:27,734 --> 00:01:30,494 Speaker 1: on the federal government's efforts to win a second term. 25 00:01:30,654 --> 00:01:33,814 Speaker 1: Mister Albanesi explained that the only reason Miss Allen wasn't 26 00:01:33,814 --> 00:01:36,614 Speaker 1: in attendance was due to parliament sitting, and that he 27 00:01:36,654 --> 00:01:39,294 Speaker 1: had a very good working relationship with all the states 28 00:01:39,294 --> 00:01:43,254 Speaker 1: and territories premiers and chief ministers. Mister Dutton mentioned Miss 29 00:01:43,294 --> 00:01:46,574 Speaker 1: Allen at least six times while in Victoria, saying a 30 00:01:46,614 --> 00:01:50,054 Speaker 1: re elected Alberzi government governing like Justin to Allen will 31 00:01:50,094 --> 00:01:53,414 Speaker 1: be a disaster for the country. Mister Dutton also sat 32 00:01:53,454 --> 00:01:56,774 Speaker 1: a Sky News interview yesterday where he discussed making cuts 33 00:01:56,814 --> 00:02:00,454 Speaker 1: to the public service. He confirmed costings would be released 34 00:02:00,494 --> 00:02:04,054 Speaker 1: before the May three election, but didn't confirm exactly where 35 00:02:04,094 --> 00:02:07,334 Speaker 1: the cuts would come from. With the Alberanesi government putting 36 00:02:07,374 --> 00:02:10,094 Speaker 1: on around seven thousand new jobs in care amber since 37 00:02:10,134 --> 00:02:13,534 Speaker 1: they took office, the forty one thousand cards promised by 38 00:02:13,614 --> 00:02:16,734 Speaker 1: Dutton will need to come from outside the nation's capital too. 39 00:02:17,214 --> 00:02:20,654 Speaker 1: He also discussed reversing funding for health and education if 40 00:02:20,694 --> 00:02:24,054 Speaker 1: there was waste, and using that for frontline service delivery. 41 00:02:24,414 --> 00:02:27,534 Speaker 1: Mister Dutton has said he will withhold funding from schools 42 00:02:27,574 --> 00:02:30,894 Speaker 1: he deems to be pushing political agendas. He was asked 43 00:02:30,934 --> 00:02:34,454 Speaker 1: to clarify how he would define a woke curriculum and indoctrination, 44 00:02:34,814 --> 00:02:38,854 Speaker 1: but didn't answer the question. Labour has pointed to Dutton's plans, 45 00:02:38,854 --> 00:02:42,214 Speaker 1: giving him a new nickname Doji Dutton, in reference to 46 00:02:42,254 --> 00:02:45,214 Speaker 1: the policies closely mirroring what is currently happening in the 47 00:02:45,334 --> 00:02:49,494 Speaker 1: US with Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency slashing public 48 00:02:49,534 --> 00:02:53,174 Speaker 1: service jobs across the country. Mister Dutton also sat down 49 00:02:53,214 --> 00:02:55,974 Speaker 1: with a Triple M radio show in Melbourne, where comedian 50 00:02:56,054 --> 00:02:58,214 Speaker 1: Mick molloy asked if he was to be a PM 51 00:02:58,254 --> 00:03:01,414 Speaker 1: who would work from home. Dutton, having told another radio 52 00:03:01,494 --> 00:03:05,014 Speaker 1: station that he would move into Sydney's Kiribilly House instead 53 00:03:05,014 --> 00:03:07,654 Speaker 1: of the Lodge in Canberra, as Scott Morrison and John 54 00:03:07,694 --> 00:03:10,454 Speaker 1: Howard had done before him, explained that he and his 55 00:03:10,494 --> 00:03:13,414 Speaker 1: wife loved the harbor and you take Sydney over Canberra 56 00:03:13,454 --> 00:03:17,094 Speaker 1: any day. Mister Dutton deflected the question and instead focused 57 00:03:17,134 --> 00:03:20,614 Speaker 1: on Molloy's recent weight loss. He has now traveled to Way, 58 00:03:20,614 --> 00:03:23,774 Speaker 1: where he last night launched the candidate for Pierce's campaign. 59 00:03:24,134 --> 00:03:26,534 Speaker 1: The seat the Coalition lost to Labour at the twenty 60 00:03:26,614 --> 00:03:30,374 Speaker 1: twenty two election. They'd held it since nineteen ninety. The 61 00:03:30,414 --> 00:03:34,334 Speaker 1: Australian Electoral Commission has confirmed they're looking into content posted 62 00:03:34,334 --> 00:03:38,134 Speaker 1: by influencer and podcast host Abby Chatfield to see if 63 00:03:38,174 --> 00:03:42,014 Speaker 1: it breaches the Electoral Act. Coalition Senator Jane Hume had 64 00:03:42,054 --> 00:03:44,854 Speaker 1: asked whether the posts, including some of an interview with 65 00:03:44,934 --> 00:03:48,414 Speaker 1: Prime Minister Anthony Alberizi and a function called Vote with 66 00:03:48,494 --> 00:03:51,734 Speaker 1: greenslea to Adam Bandt, where he djyed, asking whether she 67 00:03:51,894 --> 00:03:54,614 Speaker 1: was being paid by both parties to post the content 68 00:03:55,014 --> 00:03:57,574 Speaker 1: or whether others were buying or using that content as 69 00:03:57,694 --> 00:04:01,974 Speaker 1: advertising and promotional content. Miss Chatfield took to Instagram to 70 00:04:02,094 --> 00:04:05,934 Speaker 1: deny the claims, saying there's a moral panic about influencers 71 00:04:05,974 --> 00:04:09,454 Speaker 1: in politics and this idea that influencers can't be trusted 72 00:04:09,614 --> 00:04:13,414 Speaker 1: with something as serious or highbrow as politics. There are 73 00:04:13,494 --> 00:04:16,454 Speaker 1: reports that US President Donald Trump is cutting ties with 74 00:04:16,534 --> 00:04:19,254 Speaker 1: Elon Musk as his one hundred and thirty day period 75 00:04:19,294 --> 00:04:22,614 Speaker 1: as a special government employee nears its end. White House 76 00:04:22,654 --> 00:04:25,574 Speaker 1: Inside has told Politico that both men have decided it's 77 00:04:25,654 --> 00:04:28,534 Speaker 1: time for Musk to return to his businesses and take 78 00:04:28,574 --> 00:04:31,134 Speaker 1: on more of a supporting role. That mister Trump was 79 00:04:31,174 --> 00:04:34,214 Speaker 1: not unhappy with Musk's work cutting government waste through his 80 00:04:34,294 --> 00:04:36,974 Speaker 1: Department of Government Efficiency, but that there was only so 81 00:04:37,094 --> 00:04:39,414 Speaker 1: much he can cut and therefore will run out of 82 00:04:39,454 --> 00:04:42,974 Speaker 1: work to do. However, some reported that Trump is frustrated 83 00:04:43,014 --> 00:04:46,894 Speaker 1: with Musk's unpredictability and that his popularity amongst the MACA 84 00:04:46,974 --> 00:04:51,174 Speaker 1: movement is waning. Recently, in Wisconsin, Musk paid two people 85 00:04:51,214 --> 00:04:54,134 Speaker 1: one million dollars each with a promise they would vote 86 00:04:54,134 --> 00:04:57,294 Speaker 1: for a conservative judge in their Supreme Court, but there 87 00:04:57,334 --> 00:05:00,654 Speaker 1: are concerned Musk's stunt may have actually pushed voters to 88 00:05:00,734 --> 00:05:04,334 Speaker 1: vote in Susan Crawford instead a more liberal judge. Musk 89 00:05:04,494 --> 00:05:07,374 Speaker 1: is also facing a slide in Tesla sales, down thirteen 90 00:05:07,414 --> 00:05:10,134 Speaker 1: percent in the first quarter, as his role in cutting 91 00:05:10,134 --> 00:05:15,054 Speaker 1: government jobs impacts his personal popularity. His damaged reputation believed 92 00:05:15,054 --> 00:05:17,134 Speaker 1: to be closely linked to the dropping sales of his 93 00:05:17,174 --> 00:05:21,334 Speaker 1: electric vehicles. Hollywood friends of Top Gun actor Val Kilma 94 00:05:21,454 --> 00:05:24,174 Speaker 1: have expressed their sadness at the passing of the sixty 95 00:05:24,214 --> 00:05:27,694 Speaker 1: five year old. Fellow actor Josh Brolin wrote, see how 96 00:05:27,854 --> 00:05:31,534 Speaker 1: I'm going to miss you. You're a smart, challenging, brave, uber, 97 00:05:31,654 --> 00:05:36,094 Speaker 1: creative firecracker. Josh Gadd said, rip Val Kilma, thank you 98 00:05:36,134 --> 00:05:38,894 Speaker 1: for defining so many of the movies of my childhood. 99 00:05:39,054 --> 00:05:42,254 Speaker 1: You really were an icon. Matthew Modine also farewell to 100 00:05:42,294 --> 00:05:44,934 Speaker 1: the star, saying if it wasn't for their chance encounter 101 00:05:45,014 --> 00:05:47,614 Speaker 1: at the Source in nineteen eighty five, he may never 102 00:05:47,654 --> 00:05:51,254 Speaker 1: have been cast in full metal jacket. Kilma's daughter Mercedes, 103 00:05:51,334 --> 00:05:54,774 Speaker 1: confirmed her father's death from pneumonia. He'd been diagnosed with 104 00:05:54,854 --> 00:05:58,334 Speaker 1: throat cancer in twenty fourteen. He recovered from the disease, 105 00:05:58,414 --> 00:06:01,494 Speaker 1: but required a breathing tube and it impacted his ability 106 00:06:01,534 --> 00:06:04,534 Speaker 1: to speak. His cameo in Top Gun Maverick was made 107 00:06:04,574 --> 00:06:06,374 Speaker 1: possible through the use of AI. 108 00:06:06,814 --> 00:06:11,094 Speaker 2: Thanks Claire. Next, the great protein obsession of twenty twenty five. 109 00:06:17,134 --> 00:06:19,974 Speaker 2: Do you remember when everyone was obsessed with kale or 110 00:06:19,974 --> 00:06:22,934 Speaker 2: when activated charcoal was suddenly going to solve all of 111 00:06:22,934 --> 00:06:24,014 Speaker 2: our health problems? 112 00:06:24,494 --> 00:06:24,734 Speaker 1: Well? 113 00:06:24,814 --> 00:06:28,614 Speaker 2: Twenty twenty five's food fixation is all about protein, and 114 00:06:28,654 --> 00:06:33,054 Speaker 2: I do mean all about it. Soupermarkets are reporting nationwide 115 00:06:33,094 --> 00:06:34,894 Speaker 2: shortages of cottage cheese. 116 00:06:35,054 --> 00:06:37,134 Speaker 3: Guys, who's hoarding all the cottage cheese? 117 00:06:37,414 --> 00:06:38,734 Speaker 1: I don't even really eat it. 118 00:06:38,814 --> 00:06:40,734 Speaker 3: But I was at the supermarket the other day and 119 00:06:40,734 --> 00:06:43,814 Speaker 3: I'm like, cottage cheese, nothing pot to an on supermarket 120 00:06:44,134 --> 00:06:45,534 Speaker 3: nothing leave us. 121 00:06:45,574 --> 00:06:49,574 Speaker 2: Some protein powder sales have doubled in the last six months. 122 00:06:49,654 --> 00:06:52,614 Speaker 2: And don't even get me started on those viral TikTok 123 00:06:52,734 --> 00:06:53,854 Speaker 2: protein bowls. 124 00:06:54,134 --> 00:06:56,014 Speaker 4: All I wanted was abs and now I'm eating things 125 00:06:56,054 --> 00:06:58,454 Speaker 4: like this viral cottage cheese beef bowl and obsessed with 126 00:06:58,574 --> 00:07:00,374 Speaker 4: anything that doesn't have seed oils in it. 127 00:07:00,654 --> 00:07:03,614 Speaker 2: But in our rush to pack more protein into every meal, 128 00:07:03,734 --> 00:07:07,254 Speaker 2: are we actually doing our bodies any favors? Professor Lauren 129 00:07:07,334 --> 00:07:11,814 Speaker 2: Ball is the vice president of Dietitian Australia. Lauren, why 130 00:07:11,854 --> 00:07:14,854 Speaker 2: are we all suddenly obsessed with protein? Oh? 131 00:07:14,934 --> 00:07:18,494 Speaker 3: I don't think that's a new fad we've had, even 132 00:07:18,614 --> 00:07:21,814 Speaker 3: looking back over the years. Having a high protein diet 133 00:07:21,934 --> 00:07:25,654 Speaker 3: is something that has been recommended scientifically for quite a 134 00:07:25,654 --> 00:07:28,694 Speaker 3: while now. But I'm so everything comes down to social media. 135 00:07:28,734 --> 00:07:32,614 Speaker 3: We're seeing it everywhere now that TikTok and Instagram has 136 00:07:32,614 --> 00:07:36,854 Speaker 3: given us more insights into people's homes and how they 137 00:07:36,974 --> 00:07:38,374 Speaker 3: prepare their food. 138 00:07:38,814 --> 00:07:41,694 Speaker 2: Well, let me ask you this, then, how much protein 139 00:07:41,694 --> 00:07:43,894 Speaker 2: do we actually need in our diet? Because if you 140 00:07:43,934 --> 00:07:47,294 Speaker 2: go on TikTok, like you said, people seem to think 141 00:07:47,294 --> 00:07:49,494 Speaker 2: that we need to be slamming it in our faces 142 00:07:49,574 --> 00:07:50,454 Speaker 2: twenty four to seven. 143 00:07:51,014 --> 00:07:56,334 Speaker 3: Our protein needs differ based on our age and our gender. 144 00:07:56,774 --> 00:07:59,254 Speaker 3: And if you wanted to get scientific and get the 145 00:07:59,294 --> 00:08:03,734 Speaker 3: calculator out, a nice ballpark figure is about zero point 146 00:08:03,734 --> 00:08:07,614 Speaker 3: eight grams per kilo of body weight. So if you 147 00:08:07,654 --> 00:08:10,614 Speaker 3: were to calculate that out, most people actually have more 148 00:08:10,734 --> 00:08:14,934 Speaker 3: than that amount. There are some population groups, such as 149 00:08:14,974 --> 00:08:17,894 Speaker 3: older adults or really little kids, who may be at 150 00:08:17,894 --> 00:08:21,654 Speaker 3: a higher risk of not having enough protein, but for 151 00:08:21,854 --> 00:08:25,334 Speaker 3: most of us adults who are eating a fairly standared diet, 152 00:08:25,414 --> 00:08:28,334 Speaker 3: there's not a high risk of not having enough protein. 153 00:08:28,894 --> 00:08:31,134 Speaker 2: Is there a such thing as too much protein? 154 00:08:31,694 --> 00:08:34,574 Speaker 3: There can be too much protein, but we don't see 155 00:08:34,654 --> 00:08:37,014 Speaker 3: it happen often as well, because our body has a 156 00:08:37,374 --> 00:08:41,294 Speaker 3: very good way of breaking down any excess that we 157 00:08:41,414 --> 00:08:44,854 Speaker 3: have using those amino acids, which are the building blocks 158 00:08:44,854 --> 00:08:48,334 Speaker 3: within the protein, and then storing any excess as energy 159 00:08:48,374 --> 00:08:51,734 Speaker 3: if we don't use it again. Protein isn't the biggest 160 00:08:51,774 --> 00:08:55,134 Speaker 3: concern that we're seeing in diets. There are other nutrients 161 00:08:55,174 --> 00:08:58,414 Speaker 3: that I'm sure we've heard before in terms of monitoring 162 00:08:58,454 --> 00:09:02,494 Speaker 3: our intake of sodium and sugar and saturated fats, but 163 00:09:02,814 --> 00:09:05,174 Speaker 3: in terms of protein, we're usually pretty well. 164 00:09:05,574 --> 00:09:08,134 Speaker 2: I just want to ask you, then, Lauren, about these 165 00:09:08,254 --> 00:09:11,494 Speaker 2: viral TikTok protein bowls. I'm not sure if you've seen 166 00:09:11,494 --> 00:09:14,654 Speaker 2: them or not, but essentially, all throughout the algorithm, I 167 00:09:14,774 --> 00:09:17,654 Speaker 2: keep being served these recipes of get are half a 168 00:09:17,694 --> 00:09:21,094 Speaker 2: sweet potato and a big bowl of mince and like 169 00:09:21,334 --> 00:09:24,814 Speaker 2: dollar heaps of cottage cheese on. There are these kind 170 00:09:24,814 --> 00:09:26,454 Speaker 2: of combinations actually good for us. 171 00:09:27,094 --> 00:09:29,614 Speaker 3: Yeah, that actually sounds pretty nice. I don't think that 172 00:09:29,694 --> 00:09:33,254 Speaker 3: those trends of the videos that you're seeing are necessarily 173 00:09:33,414 --> 00:09:37,694 Speaker 3: a harmful or hugely concerning in any way. Those ingredients 174 00:09:37,694 --> 00:09:41,094 Speaker 3: that you mentioned will also have other nutrients in them, 175 00:09:41,214 --> 00:09:44,574 Speaker 3: including carver hydrates and including good sources of fat. We 176 00:09:44,614 --> 00:09:47,574 Speaker 3: need to make sure we're not confusing the nutrient of 177 00:09:47,734 --> 00:09:51,774 Speaker 3: protein with foods that are good sources of protein. So, 178 00:09:51,934 --> 00:09:55,574 Speaker 3: for example, you mentioned sweet potato that is not one 179 00:09:55,654 --> 00:09:59,694 Speaker 3: hundred percent protein. Rather, it's a good quality source of 180 00:09:59,974 --> 00:10:03,134 Speaker 3: carbohydrates and protein and a small amount of good fat 181 00:10:03,254 --> 00:10:05,894 Speaker 3: and many of the vitamins and minerals that we need 182 00:10:06,214 --> 00:10:09,774 Speaker 3: in a balanced diet. Generally with protein bowls. If there's 183 00:10:09,814 --> 00:10:13,414 Speaker 3: a good combination of some foods that are high in protein, 184 00:10:13,694 --> 00:10:18,534 Speaker 3: such as meat or eggs or tofu or even seeds, 185 00:10:18,614 --> 00:10:22,454 Speaker 3: as well as some grains, but also vegetables, that's a 186 00:10:22,494 --> 00:10:25,054 Speaker 3: pretty well rounded meal in my mind. 187 00:10:25,494 --> 00:10:28,054 Speaker 2: So all these people selling out cottage cheese, then it's 188 00:10:28,094 --> 00:10:29,454 Speaker 2: actually like it's. 189 00:10:29,334 --> 00:10:33,374 Speaker 3: Fine, absolutely, And cottage cheese was very popular in the 190 00:10:33,454 --> 00:10:36,454 Speaker 3: eighties and it's made a bit of a comeback in 191 00:10:36,534 --> 00:10:40,614 Speaker 3: recent years. Certainly the demands for cottage cheese has increased, 192 00:10:40,734 --> 00:10:44,574 Speaker 3: and there are many things in favor of cottage cheese. 193 00:10:44,614 --> 00:10:48,254 Speaker 3: It tastes pretty good for many people. It's quite versatile. 194 00:10:48,334 --> 00:10:51,014 Speaker 3: You can have it in salads or on crackers or 195 00:10:51,054 --> 00:10:53,774 Speaker 3: even on its own. It can be mixed with other flavors. 196 00:10:54,254 --> 00:10:56,614 Speaker 3: And it's pretty affordable. I mean, we need to be 197 00:10:56,654 --> 00:10:59,814 Speaker 3: mindful of costs. We are in a cost of living crisis. 198 00:10:59,854 --> 00:11:03,814 Speaker 2: Still, speaking of just keeping cost in mind, what do 199 00:11:03,814 --> 00:11:06,694 Speaker 2: you think of these protein and rich products. For instance, 200 00:11:06,734 --> 00:11:09,734 Speaker 2: in the soupermarket, I see things like water in highs 201 00:11:09,814 --> 00:11:12,774 Speaker 2: with protein, and obviously there are lots of supplements you 202 00:11:12,814 --> 00:11:15,414 Speaker 2: can take. I think I've even seen things like veg 203 00:11:15,454 --> 00:11:17,894 Speaker 2: you might spread with protein. Do we need to be 204 00:11:18,134 --> 00:11:19,534 Speaker 2: weary of those kind of. 205 00:11:19,494 --> 00:11:23,174 Speaker 3: Things, Yes, I think that's where we need to be 206 00:11:23,334 --> 00:11:26,614 Speaker 3: careful not to let marketing get in the way of 207 00:11:27,014 --> 00:11:31,854 Speaker 3: sensible food choices, given that generally speaking, most of us 208 00:11:31,854 --> 00:11:35,294 Speaker 3: are having enough protein, and the best ways to increase 209 00:11:35,454 --> 00:11:39,014 Speaker 3: protein sources are through whole foods like the protein bowl 210 00:11:39,054 --> 00:11:43,214 Speaker 3: that we just discussed, like some high protein whole foods, 211 00:11:43,654 --> 00:11:48,014 Speaker 3: rather than processed versions of protein that might add just 212 00:11:48,374 --> 00:11:51,934 Speaker 3: marginally to our intake. Going back to what we know 213 00:11:52,094 --> 00:11:55,334 Speaker 3: to be too already in terms of sensibly eating whole 214 00:11:55,654 --> 00:11:59,214 Speaker 3: foods that are high in variety and balanced throughout the day. 215 00:12:03,254 --> 00:12:05,334 Speaker 2: Have you ever worked with someone who seems to be 216 00:12:05,454 --> 00:12:09,334 Speaker 2: constantly rushed off their feet, dramatically sighing at their desk 217 00:12:09,654 --> 00:12:13,254 Speaker 2: and running to mysterious meetings, yet somehow they've never actually 218 00:12:13,254 --> 00:12:16,654 Speaker 2: produced any work. Well, there's a name for this behavior, 219 00:12:17,174 --> 00:12:21,574 Speaker 2: task masking. This dramatic display of business without actual productivity 220 00:12:21,694 --> 00:12:24,814 Speaker 2: is becoming more common in the workplace. We're talking about 221 00:12:24,854 --> 00:12:28,414 Speaker 2: people who master the art of appearing busy without typically 222 00:12:28,454 --> 00:12:33,014 Speaker 2: accomplishing anything significant. Think loud typing, running through the office 223 00:12:33,014 --> 00:12:36,574 Speaker 2: with the laptop, and having their slight or teens notifications 224 00:12:36,614 --> 00:12:40,854 Speaker 2: on full volume. Em Burnham is the co host of 225 00:12:40,894 --> 00:12:44,574 Speaker 2: Mamma MIA's new podcast Bierz. She's written about her experience 226 00:12:44,694 --> 00:12:47,894 Speaker 2: with a task masking Collie and I hope she's not 227 00:12:47,974 --> 00:12:51,174 Speaker 2: talking about me. M Can you give us some examples 228 00:12:51,214 --> 00:12:52,094 Speaker 2: of task masking? 229 00:12:52,814 --> 00:12:56,574 Speaker 4: Constantly running to things like running to meetings, running to 230 00:12:56,614 --> 00:12:59,054 Speaker 4: the kitchen when you don't need to. And then also, 231 00:12:59,254 --> 00:13:02,254 Speaker 4: like added points, if you have like a really stressful 232 00:13:02,294 --> 00:13:04,774 Speaker 4: look on your face, like you're in like such a hurry, 233 00:13:05,374 --> 00:13:09,774 Speaker 4: like sighing loudly at your desk, typing really loud. You 234 00:13:09,814 --> 00:13:11,534 Speaker 4: know how you can get those keyboards that just type 235 00:13:11,574 --> 00:13:16,174 Speaker 4: extra Yeah, typing really loudly, really fast, kind of mumbling 236 00:13:16,214 --> 00:13:20,654 Speaker 4: to yourself like oh, another meeting, Like I have to 237 00:13:20,654 --> 00:13:23,574 Speaker 4: return that phone call. It feels very woe is me, Yeah, 238 00:13:24,014 --> 00:13:24,974 Speaker 4: very woe is me. 239 00:13:25,294 --> 00:13:28,534 Speaker 2: There's a saying if you've ever worked in a radio station, saying, 240 00:13:28,574 --> 00:13:31,574 Speaker 2: we like you can't run in radio because it sends 241 00:13:31,614 --> 00:13:33,894 Speaker 2: mass panning across the building is like kind of what 242 00:13:33,934 --> 00:13:34,854 Speaker 2: people are trying to do. 243 00:13:35,174 --> 00:13:37,854 Speaker 4: Yes, I think it's like an attention grabbing thing. Like 244 00:13:37,894 --> 00:13:40,334 Speaker 4: I think my dad will hate if I give this example, 245 00:13:40,734 --> 00:13:43,294 Speaker 4: but my dad does this thing when he wants people 246 00:13:43,374 --> 00:13:45,014 Speaker 4: in the house to know that he's doing a lot 247 00:13:45,014 --> 00:13:47,094 Speaker 4: of work, where he'll just like be extra loud and 248 00:13:47,134 --> 00:13:50,694 Speaker 4: closing cabinets and opening fridges and like cooking and stuff. 249 00:13:50,774 --> 00:13:52,254 Speaker 4: And then we have to be like, Dad, do you 250 00:13:52,294 --> 00:13:53,934 Speaker 4: need any help, and he's like, yes. 251 00:13:53,814 --> 00:13:54,734 Speaker 2: I've already done it all. 252 00:13:55,974 --> 00:13:57,694 Speaker 4: I've done it, but thanks, thanks for offering. 253 00:13:58,414 --> 00:13:59,494 Speaker 2: Why do people do this? 254 00:14:00,454 --> 00:14:05,334 Speaker 4: I think task masking really ramped up after hybrid work, 255 00:14:05,454 --> 00:14:08,534 Speaker 4: so now that people are coming back into the office 256 00:14:08,614 --> 00:14:11,774 Speaker 4: more regularly, I think we experienced working from home for 257 00:14:11,854 --> 00:14:14,134 Speaker 4: so long where we didn't feel like we needed to 258 00:14:14,574 --> 00:14:17,094 Speaker 4: look busy because our only output to show for it 259 00:14:17,174 --> 00:14:19,454 Speaker 4: was actually just doing the work. And now we're back 260 00:14:19,454 --> 00:14:21,334 Speaker 4: into the office and it feels like everyone's kind of 261 00:14:21,334 --> 00:14:25,294 Speaker 4: forgotten how to work and also look like they're working. 262 00:14:25,454 --> 00:14:27,294 Speaker 4: So if people don't have that much going on in 263 00:14:27,294 --> 00:14:29,694 Speaker 4: the day, I think a lot of people think, well, 264 00:14:29,694 --> 00:14:31,094 Speaker 4: I still have to look busy, so I'm just going 265 00:14:31,134 --> 00:14:33,894 Speaker 4: to look busy, so people think that I'm actually working 266 00:14:34,054 --> 00:14:36,094 Speaker 4: when really we never did this before COVID. 267 00:14:36,214 --> 00:14:39,014 Speaker 2: So like task masking is like overcompensating. 268 00:14:39,214 --> 00:14:41,654 Speaker 4: Yeah, so I think it's mainly if you don't want 269 00:14:41,654 --> 00:14:43,574 Speaker 4: your boss to see that you're not doing anything, and 270 00:14:43,654 --> 00:14:45,374 Speaker 4: you don't want to be given extra task, so you 271 00:14:45,454 --> 00:14:47,334 Speaker 4: just kind of look like you're doing a lot. 272 00:14:47,454 --> 00:14:49,734 Speaker 2: What's the impact on your coworkers? Then, if you're running 273 00:14:49,734 --> 00:14:52,574 Speaker 2: around frantically like a chicken with its head cut off, 274 00:14:52,614 --> 00:14:53,934 Speaker 2: what does that do to your coworkers? 275 00:14:54,014 --> 00:14:56,534 Speaker 4: It is the worst thing. If you have a coworker 276 00:14:56,614 --> 00:14:59,654 Speaker 4: who's a classic task masker, it is the worst. And 277 00:14:59,694 --> 00:15:01,774 Speaker 4: I did write about this on Mama Mia about an 278 00:15:01,814 --> 00:15:04,454 Speaker 4: experience with a task masking co worker. It was only 279 00:15:04,494 --> 00:15:06,454 Speaker 4: now when I learned the term task masking did I 280 00:15:06,494 --> 00:15:08,534 Speaker 4: realize what she was doing. And it was one of 281 00:15:08,574 --> 00:15:11,014 Speaker 4: those things where I just didn't like her, and I 282 00:15:11,054 --> 00:15:12,974 Speaker 4: couldn't figure out why I didn't like her at work, 283 00:15:12,974 --> 00:15:15,054 Speaker 4: because we would go to after work drinks and hang 284 00:15:15,094 --> 00:15:17,134 Speaker 4: out after work and I'd be completely fine with her. 285 00:15:17,694 --> 00:15:20,294 Speaker 4: And then I realized that it's because she always made 286 00:15:20,374 --> 00:15:23,254 Speaker 4: it seem like she was really busy without actually doing 287 00:15:23,414 --> 00:15:25,974 Speaker 4: much and then that kind of changed in a way 288 00:15:26,014 --> 00:15:28,614 Speaker 4: where she convinced our boss that she was really busy. 289 00:15:28,694 --> 00:15:31,694 Speaker 4: So I ended up taking on her workload and we 290 00:15:31,734 --> 00:15:33,574 Speaker 4: had the exact same job. There were things that like 291 00:15:34,094 --> 00:15:36,774 Speaker 4: she was doing that I was like, you don't actually 292 00:15:36,814 --> 00:15:39,334 Speaker 4: need to do and then I was like, are you lying. 293 00:15:39,054 --> 00:15:40,054 Speaker 1: About doing these things? 294 00:15:40,094 --> 00:15:41,694 Speaker 4: Do you really need to do them? And it just 295 00:15:41,734 --> 00:15:43,774 Speaker 4: got really messy and it was just one of those 296 00:15:43,774 --> 00:15:46,574 Speaker 4: things where if you just did your job, you wouldn't 297 00:15:46,574 --> 00:15:47,574 Speaker 4: have to task mask. 298 00:15:47,614 --> 00:15:49,814 Speaker 2: For people who are listening and thinking, I could probably 299 00:15:49,814 --> 00:15:51,894 Speaker 2: get away with a bit of task masking. Maybe I 300 00:15:51,894 --> 00:15:55,454 Speaker 2: could use this in my day to day job. Ultimately, 301 00:15:56,334 --> 00:15:57,814 Speaker 2: does it come back to bite them on the bum 302 00:15:57,974 --> 00:16:01,134 Speaker 2: because the output won't necessarily match up to how busy 303 00:16:01,174 --> 00:16:01,934 Speaker 2: they purport to be. 304 00:16:02,054 --> 00:16:06,454 Speaker 4: Right exactly. I think it's all performance and people can 305 00:16:06,534 --> 00:16:10,094 Speaker 4: see right through it. Unfortunately at the time boss did not. 306 00:16:10,494 --> 00:16:13,334 Speaker 4: But I think now that we're talking about it and 307 00:16:13,334 --> 00:16:15,654 Speaker 4: saying the quiet part out loud, people are way more 308 00:16:15,694 --> 00:16:17,174 Speaker 4: aware of what people are doing. 309 00:16:18,614 --> 00:16:20,774 Speaker 2: Thanks for taking some time to feed your mind with 310 00:16:20,854 --> 00:16:23,894 Speaker 2: us today. Hey, before you go, the Australian federal election 311 00:16:24,254 --> 00:16:26,174 Speaker 2: is upon us. But before we head to the polls 312 00:16:26,174 --> 00:16:28,174 Speaker 2: on May three. We want to hear from you now. 313 00:16:28,614 --> 00:16:30,414 Speaker 2: In the show notes, there's a link to our mummu 314 00:16:30,494 --> 00:16:32,734 Speaker 2: mea vote survey, a chance for you to tell us 315 00:16:32,734 --> 00:16:34,894 Speaker 2: about the issues that are important to you as his 316 00:16:34,974 --> 00:16:37,854 Speaker 2: election campaign kicks on. We would love it if you 317 00:16:37,854 --> 00:16:39,854 Speaker 2: could fill it out for us and let us know. 318 00:16:40,414 --> 00:16:43,814 Speaker 2: The Quickie is produced by me Taylor Strano and Claire Murphy, 319 00:16:43,934 --> 00:16:46,054 Speaker 2: with audio production by Lou Hill.