Is artificial intelligence already destroying entry-level jobs, or are we looking at the dawn of a highly optimized workforce? With the second #WTF Is Up Report, Larry Port cuts through the media noise with freshly published data from the spring of 2026. While early data from recent years painted a gloomy picture for tech graduates, current indicators from the Wall Street Journal, NACE, and ZipRecruiter show that employers are aggressively boosting headcount for candidates who possess two distinct traits: real-world work experience and AI fluency.

Larry maps out the top five most affordable, high-wage cities for recent graduates before diving into the massive blue-collar resurgence. With a historic wave of baby-boomer retirements hitting skilled trades, industries ranging from aviation mechanics to firefighting are offering sky-high starting salaries and massive signing bonuses. Finally, the episode highlights a profound framework from investigative reporter Jodi Kantor, detailing how centering your career around Craft and Need ensures you remain entirely indispensable.

• The Tech Slump vs. The Philosophy Boom: Unpacking The Economist's surprising data on why humanities majors temporarily outpaced computer scientists in hiring stability.
• Spring 2026 Hiring Rebound: Why current projections from NACE and ZipRecruiter show a 5.6% boost in graduate hiring compared to last year.
• The 82% Employment Advantage: The statistical proof that holding any job or internship during college doubles your competitive edge upon graduation.
• Top Graduate Hotspots: Breaking down why Birmingham, Tampa, and San Jose top the list for wages and hiring velocity in 2026.
• Corporate AI Realities: How major companies like MetLife and IBM are using AI to expand, rather than eliminate, entry-level roles.
• The Blue-Collar Resurgence: Why vocational school enrollment has skyrocketed 20% as students ditch computer science to become highly paid electricians and mechanics.
• The Aviation Shortage: A look at the critical crisis facing aircraft technicians, where entry-level roles pay $81,000 and top out at $135,000 before overtime.
• Craft & Need: Mastering Jodi Kantor's two-word philosophy to guarantee your professional longevity over the next forty years.

What happens when the "dream" of becoming an MD turns into a nightmare of intellectual hazing and organic chemistry? In this episode, Dr. Tom Ingegno shares his raw and honest journey from the brink of pre-med burnout to the fulfilling world of East Asian medicine.

Dr. Tom explains how he escaped the high-pressure "weed-out" classes—designed more for academic prestige than producing empathetic practitioners—and found his true calling through a serendipitous postcard and a love for Daoist philosophy . Today, he operates a thriving private acupuncture practice where he views health as a systemic balance rather than a series of reactive fixes . This is a must-listen for anyone in the 2026 labor market who feels "stuck" in a traditional path and is ready to discover a career they would happily do for free.

Learn more about Dr Tom Ingegno

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Key Takeaways

• The "Weed-Out" Reality: Why Bio 101 and Organic Chemistry are often more about endurance than preparing you to be a good doctor .
• The Power of Serendipity: How being open to "circular logic" and unexpected opportunities (like a random postcard) can change your life .
• A Different Kind of "MD": Transitioning into the role of a "half doctor, half shaman" to treat the whole person.
• Sustainable Joy: Why Dr. Tom says you should "die with your scrubs on" because the work is so rewarding.

In the 2026 labor market, the human touch is more valuable than ever. While many industries are being disrupted by automation, the field of massage therapy remains fundamentally human-centric. This episode features Ally Middleton, who shares how she transitioned from an aspiring opera singer to a medical massage practitioner and business owner with 16 years of experience.

The conversation debunks the myth that massage is just a "vacation luxury" and explores its role in rehabilitating surgery patients, managing chronic conditions like lymphedema, and optimizing professional athletic performance. Ally breaks down the rigorous schooling requirements—including 600 hours of anatomy, kinesiology, and pathology—and explains why the MBLEx is a critical hurdle for any aspiring therapist. Whether you are looking for an entrepreneurial path with high schedule flexibility or a career that provides "instant gratification" through helping others, this episode offers a comprehensive roadmap to the world of therapeutic bodywork.

Ally Middleton is a Licensed Massage Therapist (LMT), Medical Massage Practitioner, and the founder and co-owner of Lifelong Massage. Originally trained in Texas, she has over 16 years of experience in the field. Throughout her career, Ally has worked in diverse settings, including dental offices, athletic clubs, and alongside chiropractors and surgeons. She is also a former massage therapy instructor and an active member of her community chorus.

• The Problem-Solving Mindset: Using soft tissue work to muscles, tendons, and the nervous system to achieve specific health goals.
• A "Windy" Career Path: How a conversation with parents and a daily drive past a massage school led to a 16-year career.
• The Olympic Effect: How global events like the Olympics bring public awareness to modalities like cupping.
• Licensing and Schooling: Navigating the 600-hour state requirements and the national MBLEx exam.
• Medical Specializations: Exploring niche areas like Manual Lymphatic Drainage for edema and scar tissue.
• Longevity and Ergonomics: The importance of "body mechanics" and table height to prevent therapist burnout.
• The Economics of Touch: Why seeing 20–22 clients per week is a full-time workload.
• AI Resistance: Why robots in New York City will never replace the therapeutic relationship built between a human therapist and client.

Learn more about Ally and Lifelong Massage:

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