348. Does being authentic online mean sharing everything? PLUS! The reluctant founder, the Instagram snub and doom scrolling at work, with Alexis Zahner

Welcome back to Truth, Lies & Work, the award-winning workplace podcast where behavioural science meets workplace culture. This week, Al and Leanne are joined by guest host Alexis Zahner, author of Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies. We dive into the latest global research on social media and mental health, Australia’s push to let users switch off algorithms, and whether "being authentic" online is actually just performance art. Plus, we tackle three sticky scenarios in the Workplace Surgery. Stories covered Is social media really making us miserable? Gallup’s 2026 State of the World’s Emotional Health Report examined social media use and emotional wellbeing across 97 countries, with surprising results. Moderate users (30 minutes to 2 hours per day) actually reported higher wellbeing than non-users, while heavier use (2+ hours) correlated with elevated stress, sadness, and loneliness. Alexis, Leanne, and Al break down why time spent is the wrong metric, the danger of doomscrolling, and why what you consume matters far more than screen time. Australia wants to let you switch off the algorithm Australia is proposing legislation to let users toggle off algorithmic recommendations entirely, reverting to a purely chronological feed of accounts they follow. Is this empowering digital autonomy, or is it government censorship as critics in the US claim? Alexis explores why platforms weaponise engagement to drive ad revenue and questions whether users will actually flick the switch. Truth or Lie: Does being authentic online mean sharing everything? Alexis busts the myth of total online authenticity. Drawing on sociological research and identity theory, Alexis explains why posting online is always a contextual performance. Treating authenticity as an engagement strategy often leads to manufactured vulnerability and curated transparency rather than true connection. Workplace Surgery This week, Alexis joins Al and Leanne to answer three workplace dilemmas: 1. The reluctant founder: "Everyone says I have to be the face of the business, but posting online feels like playing a fake character." 2. The Instagram snub: "An employee refused my social media follow request. Should I confront them?" 3. Doom scrolling at work: "My employee treats every world tragedy as more important than his job. How do I balance compassion with accountability?" Connect with our guest, Alexis Zahner Book: Real: Reconnecting to Yourself in a World of Likes and Lies — https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/shop/general-self-help/real-reconnecting-to-yourself-in-a-world-of-likes-and-lies-p-9781394445714 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexiszahner/ Connect with Al & Leanne – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truthlieswork – Al Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thisisalelliott – Leanne Elliott: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meetleanne – Email: [email protected] – Book a call: https://savvycal.com/meetleanne/chat Mental health support UK & ROI — Samaritans Call 116 123 or visit https://www.samaritans.org UK — Mind Call 0300 123 3393 or visit https://www.mind.org.uk US — Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Call or text 988 or visit https://988lifeline.org Australia — Lifeline Call 13 11 14 or visit https://www.lifeline.org.au Global helplines https://findahelpline.com