Business
Professor Malissa Clark is one of the world’s leading scholars on workaholism, burnout, and the science of healthy work. She is Professor and Head of Psychology Department at the University of Georgia, where she also leads the Healthy Work Lab. Her research has redefined how we think about overwork as a multidimensional phenomenon with deep consequences for individuals, families, and organizations.
Prof. Clark is the author of Never Not Working, a book that blends rigorous research with personal insight to challenge the myths of productivity and the culture of “always on.”
In this episode, Malissa and Subbu unpack why workaholism is far more complex than simply clocking long hours, how burnout is preventable, and what both individuals and organizations can do to build healthier ways of working. They also explore the hidden costs of overwork on families, the myths that refuse to die, and the cultural signals that silently enforce “ideal worker” norms.
We cover:
- Malissa’s winding career path—from sales and consulting to academia
- Why she founded the Healthy Work Lab and what “healthy work” really means
- The four dimensions of workaholism: motivational, cognitive, emotional, and behavioral
- Why long hours don’t predict productivity—and how overwork can harm teams
- The health consequences of chronic overwork—from poor sleep to cardiovascular risk
- The ripple effects of workaholism on spouses, children, and workplace culture
- Burnout as an organizational problem, not just an individual one—and why it’s preventable
- Practical strategies to “kick the habit”: Eisenhower matrix, recovery breaks, and mastery experiences
- How organizational norms—like praising late-night availability—shape unhealthy cultures
- What leaders can do to reset expectations, model balance, and experiment with change
- The promise and challenges of the four-day week movement
- Why vulnerability and personal storytelling matter in academic work