@depthless what i've done in the past is create saved searches and check off the "available as list view" and make sure "public" is checked off so others can use it - there may be other ways

got it. i wish there was some way to just make it default for everyone though!

You can set default list view I believe when you modify the list. I'm sure I have done it but it may be that I done this for custom records and set the list per role and restricted it to that role. You may be able to do it on the role record as well.