The Dignity of Work

Hosted by Career Path Services

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Episodes

100

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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About the show

it should be this: Welcome to the Dignity of Work, where we discuss best practices with leading workforce practitioners around the country, in order to help people increase their quality of life.

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60 recent

August 20, 202615 min

E187: Summer Reading Series: A General Theory of Love

In the third episode of our Summer Reading Series, Doug shares why Thomas Lewis's book, A General Theory of Love , feels even more relevant today than when it was first published. Joined by Cami and Lisa, the conversation explores the biology of empathy, why people are wired for connection and interdependence, and how relationships help us grow, heal, and change. Together, they also discuss what genuine human connection offers in an increasingly AI-driven world and why empathy remains essential to building healthier workplaces, families, and communities.

August 6, 202612 min

E186: Summer Reading Series: Atomic Habits

In the second episode of our Summer Reading Series, Lisa shares how James Clear's bestselling book, Atomic Habits , helped her transform her health and continues to shape her approach to work and life. Joined by Doug and Cami, the conversation explores why small, consistent improvements create lasting change, how strong systems matter more than ambitious goals, and why consistency—not intensity—is the key to developing healthier habits and becoming the person and leader you want to be.

July 30, 202614 min

E185: Summer Reading Series: Strong Ground

Why Strong Ground ? In the first episode of our Summer Reading Series, Cami shares why Brené Brown's latest book is at the top of her reading list this summer. Joined by Doug and Lisa, the conversation explores the ideas that stood out most, why they matter for today's leaders, and how they connect to building stronger workplaces rooted in trust, courage, and humanity.

July 16, 20261 hr 6 min

E184: You Belong Here: Building Pathways to Belonging — From Values to Infrastructure

In the third and final episode of You Belong Here: Building Pathways to Belonging , Cami Eakins, CEO of Career Path Services; Lisa Grund, Strategic Communication and Relationship Partner for Career Path Services; and Dr. Anna Valiavska, organizational researcher and professor, move from naming the barriers to belonging toward the everyday practices that help build it. The conversation explores how organizations can make belonging part of their infrastructure—not an extra initiative or aspirational value—by embedding it into decision-making frameworks, onboarding, team meetings, performance conversations, communication practices, and leadership accountability. Through practical examples and honest reflection, the episode offers listeners concrete ways to reduce ambiguity, build trust, create clearer pathways for participation and development, and ensure that belonging remains part of how work gets done every day.

July 2, 20261 hr 4 min

E183: You Belong Here: Building Pathways to Belonging- Unpacking Leadership Norms That Exclude

In the second episode of You Belong Here: Building Pathways to Belonging , Cami Eakins, CEO of Career Path Services; Lisa Grund, Strategic Communication and Relationship Partner for Career Path Services; and Dr. Anna Valiavska, organizational researcher and professor, examine the often-unspoken standards that shape who is recognized, trusted, and rewarded as a leader. Through candid personal stories and workplace examples, they explore how expectations surrounding professionalism, executive presence, emotional expression, appearance, communication style, and access to professional networks can privilege certain ways of showing up while creating barriers for others. The conversation also offers practical ways organizations can move beyond trying to "fix" individual leaders and instead examine their systems through more inclusive evaluation practices, belonging-centered manager training, and greater equity in delegation and decision-making authority.

June 17, 202649 min

E182: You Belong Here: Building Pathways to Belonging: Belonging Embedded Across Leadership

In this episode of The Dignity of Work , Cami Eakins, CEO of Career Path Services, Lisa Grund, Strategic Communication and Relationship Partner for Career Path Services, and Dr. Anna Valiavska, organizational researcher and professor, explore what it truly means to build a culture of belonging in the workplace. Together, they discuss why belonging is more than a policy, training, or initiative, examining the difference between technical fixes and adaptive leadership, the challenges of treating belonging as someone else's responsibility, and the subtle ways organizations can unintentionally silence important voices. Through personal reflections, leadership lessons, and practical examples, the conversation offers thoughtful guidance for leaders seeking to create workplaces where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to thrive.

May 19, 202629 min

E181: More Than a Label — Reinvention and Resilience

What happens when life forces you to start over? In this episode of More Than a Label , Nicole shares how losing a job became the beginning of an unexpected new chapter as she launched her own pet sitting business with support from Career Path Services and the WIOA Dislocated Worker program. Joined by workforce professional Elizabeth Neal, the conversation explores career pivots, resilience, and the emotional realities of rebuilding after hardship. Together, they discuss what people truly need when navigating uncertainty—not just employment support, but encouragement, dignity, and the belief that a setback does not define a person's future.

May 5, 202624 min

E180: My Whole Story: More Than a Label – From Surviving to Showing Up

In this episode of My Whole Story: More Than a Label , Duncan Taylor, CEO of the Washington Bankers Association and President of CareerWork$, shares a powerful and deeply personal story that challenges assumptions about success, struggle, and what people carry beneath the surface. Growing up in poverty and an abusive home, Duncan faced significant trauma and instability, but through mentorship, self awareness, and a pivotal shift in mindset, he began to see his life not as defined by what happened to him, but by what he could choose moving forward. With honesty and insight, he reflects on the role of effort, support, and the belief that transformation begins with a simple idea, "because I can." This conversation is a reminder that we are all more than our past, and that the path forward is shaped by the meaning we choose to make of it.

April 21, 202642 min

E179: Good at Work: The Career Playbook for Leaders and Teams-Same Team, Same Page – Building Sustainable Work Practices Through Feedback

From the Best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) continue their conversation about building sustainable work practices through effective feedback systems. The panel explores how workplace communication tools, knowledge management practices, and structured feedback processes contribute to creating positive work environments. They discuss strategies for overcoming discomfort with feedback, the importance of approaching feedback as an opportunity for growth rather than criticism, and practical tactics for both giving and receiving feedback effectively. Discover how successful workplace communication requires intentional systems, consistent practices, and a foundation of trust between employees and leaders.

April 7, 202634 min

E178: Good at Work: The Career Playbook for Leaders and Teams- The First 90 Days: Creating Meaningful Onboarding Experiences

From the best of The Dignity of Work: In this episode of the Good at Work series, Cami Eakins (CEO of Career Path Services), Lisa Grund (Organizational Development Partner for Career Path Services), and Dr. Anna Valiavska (organizational researcher and professor) continue their conversation about effective workplace practices, focusing on what happens when employees first enter an organization. They explore how the initial 30-90 days are crucial for forming habits and understanding what success looks like in a particular workplace. Discover practical strategies for creating meaningful onboarding experiences, from sending welcome packages and writing personalized notes to scheduling regular check-ins and creating "manager cheat sheets" that clarify expectations.

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