The Great Retention: With Kamber Parker

Hosted by Kamber Parker Bowden

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Aug 2026

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Find out what it takes to bring out the best in your people and turn your multigenerational workplace into your greatest asset. Join Generational Expert and GPS Founder, Kamber Parker Bowden, as she speaks with business leaders across every industry, gaining insights into how they attract, retain, and motivate top talent in a rapidly changing workplace.

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August 31, 202634 min

Ep 65: Honest Leadership in a Changing Industry: What Healthcare Workers Need From Their Employers

Healthcare leaders depend on teams that not only adapt—but actually stay—in one of the most demanding industries in the workforce. So, how do they do it? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber talks with Ryan Lee, President of Novant Health Greenville Market, to discuss the future of healthcare and what organizations must do to meet the current moment with intention and honesty. Ryan shares why one of the most important leadership skills in healthcare is learning to *truly* listen to your community—both patients and employees—and how customized career pathways can help healthcare professionals grow based on their interests, goals, and stage of life. Kamber and Ryan also discuss the growing role of AI in healthcare, why the industry is currently less vulnerable to job displacement than many others, and how technology is being used to complement (not replace) human-centered work. The conversation also dives into practical strategies for building culture and wellbeing in high-pressure environments, from wellness rooms and intentional workspace design to leadership rounding, monthly fireside chats, and mission-driven team huddles. At the center of it all is a simple but powerful theme: honest leadership builds teams people want to stay on. If you care about retention, culture, and the future of healthcare leadership, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss.

August 17, 202632 min

Ep. 64 I The Power of Inquiry: Why Curious Leaders Build Better Teams

Building a team is one thing, but building an *engaged* team is another. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Jessica Dawson, Founder and CEO of J. Dawson Consulting, to talk about the strategies leaders need to better understand their people—and lead with greater intention. Jessica shares why curiosity is one of the most important leadership skills, and why measuring employee engagement is essential for teams that want to improve culture and performance. But as she explains, data alone isn’t enough. Without meaningful dialogue, leaders will never fully understand what drives engagement, loyalty, and trust within their organizations. Kamber and Jessica also explore the growing importance of authentic connection at work, especially as younger generations have lost many of the “third places” that once fostered community outside the office. In a world that feels more digitally connected than ever—but often emotionally disconnected—organizations that create genuine human connection have a major opportunity to strengthen culture and retention. Jessica also dives into the “power of inquiry,” arguing that one of a leader’s most important responsibilities is learning how to ask better questions. If you know your company culture could go deeper, but you’re not sure where to go, this episode is your starting point.

August 3, 202632 min

Ep 63 I High Standards and Radical Candor: The Millennial Leadership Experiment

What does it actually take to build a workplace people want to stay at? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Moe Rice, Partner and Director of People and Culture at Brains, to explore the systems, standards, and leadership philosophies shaping one of the most intentional workplace cultures around. Moe shares how Brains’s Certified B-Corp status and people-first approach influence everything from retention to accountability, and why “treating people like people” remains one of the company’s most important guiding principles. Kamber and Moe also discuss what it looks like when an entire leadership team is made up of Millennials, including how that generation approaches communication, feedback, and leadership differently. Moe dives into the role of radical candor in building healthy culture, as well as the responsibility seasoned leaders carry in mentoring younger professionals navigating a world of anxiety, pressure, and constant change. Brains may be known as a creative force, but they’re also redefining what makes teams thrive—and this episode is packed with insight for leaders looking to take bigger swings in talent attraction, retention, and culture. Learn more about Brains here: https://www.brains.co/

July 20, 202631 min

Ep 62 I Communication is Everything: 6AM City's Strategy for Audience and Talent Retention

The future of media is taking shape—and business leaders can learn *a lot* from the people shaping it. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber is joined by Ryan Heafy, Co-Founder of 6AM City, to talk about the evolution of news, the rise of content creation, and why trust is the foundation of every successful brand. Ryan shares why he believes content creation is the future while traditional media continues to decline, and how 6AM City has built loyal readerships by prioritizing authenticity and community connection. Kamber and Ryan also explore how a generational lens impacts modern media strategy, from tailoring communication across platforms to understanding where different audiences spend their time online. One of the most insightful parts of the conversation centers around communication itself: how 6AM City approaches internal communication, navigates change management as a communications company, and adapts messaging across different learning styles, personalities, and generations. If you want to sharpen your communication skills, better understand modern audiences, and learn from a company built on trust and connection, this episode is packed with insight you won’t want to miss. Learn more about 6AM City: https://6amcity.com/

July 6, 202631 min

Ep 61: The Future of Work is Human: TriNet's CEO on How Great Leaders Navigate Change

How do leaders motivate teams and navigate change when technology is transforming the workplace faster than ever? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Mike Simonds, President and CEO at TriNet, to talk about hiring, AI, leadership, and the leaders navigating it all. Mike shares why understanding what motivates people, practicing humility, and staying closely connected to your team are essential leadership skills in periods of rapid change. Rather than seeing AI emergence and adoption as a threat, Mike views it as an opportunity—especially for small and midsize businesses willing to adapt quickly and invest in people. The conversation also explores the current slowdown in entry-level hiring, what it could mean for the future talent pipeline, and why younger generations entering the workforce will need to focus on building influence, relationships, and uniquely human skills in the years ahead. One of the most important themes throughout the conversation is this: there’s far more that unites us than divides us. If you’re trying to lead well through uncertainty, technology shifts, and generational change, this episode offers a grounded and optimistic perspective on what comes next.

June 22, 202638 min

Ep 60: Join the Conversation: Salary Transparency in the Modern Workforce

What happens when conversations about pay move out of closed doors and into the public square? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Hannah Williams, co-creator and host of Salary Transparent Street, to talk about the growing movement around pay transparency and why it resonates so strongly with younger generations entering the workforce today. Hannah shares how her platform became a viral sensation by helping demystify salary expectations across industries and roles, while challenging long-standing assumptions around compensation, negotiation, and workplace power dynamics. Kamber and Hannah also explore why Gen Z and Millennials tend to be far more upfront about pay than previous generations, and how rising costs of living, stagnant salary growth, and economic pressure have made compensation one of the defining workplace conversations of this era. The conversation dives into the importance of helping employees understand the “why” behind their pay, the role transparency plays in trust and morale, and why meaningful change likely won’t happen until larger organizations normalize these conversations at scale. Hannah also offers practical advice for both employers and employees—from understanding life-stage realities and approaching compensation conversations with empathy, to using data-backed strategies and knowing your legal rights during salary negotiations. If you want to better understand one of the biggest workplace conversations shaping this moment, this episode is one you won’t want to miss. To learn more about Salary Transparent Street, visit their website: https://www.checksalaries.com/ To learn more about our work at GPS, visit our website: https://genperformance.com/

June 1, 202644 min

Ep. 59: Become a People Whisperer: Why Great Leaders Learn to Speak Different "Voices"

How do you lead people you don't understand? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Jeremie Kubicek—Author, Speaker, and Co-Founder of GiANT Worldwide—to explore the leadership principles behind his Five Voices Assessment and why it was designed to help leaders become what he calls “people whisperers.” Jeremie shares how many leaders unknowingly operate from fear and scarcity, especially when navigating differences in communication styles, personalities, and perspectives. But when leaders learn how to speak to the different “voices” on their teams, they can move beyond reactive leadership and step into a more abundant, empowering approach. Kamber and Jeremie also discuss the role AI tools are playing in today’s workplace, with Jeremie emphasizing that technology should be leveraged to make leaders more effective—not less human. Jeremie challenges listeners to go deeper with their teams, build stronger relationships, and lead with greater intentionality and understanding. If you’ve ever felt mystified by the people you lead—or wondered how to create healthier, more connected teams—you're in for a treat. Learn more about the Five Voices Assessment and the GiANT Community here: https://www.giantworldwide.com/.

March 30, 202631 min

Ep. 58: Liberating Leaders: Bringing Freedom to Those You Lead

Leadership should feel freeing—not constraining. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber talks with Wendy Adams, Owner, Speaker, and Strategic Leadership Coach at Cultivate for Good, about what it means to become a “liberating leader” by freeing your team up to do their best work. Wendy shares the essential qualities of intentional leadership—humility, curiosity, and investing in people—while challenging leaders to move from being reactive to proactive in how they show up. She emphasizes the importance of creating safe spaces where all voices and generations can come to the table, and why hybrid work can’t be treated as a one-size-fits-all solution. Kamber and Wendy also explore the power of shifting from a mindset of “working for” someone to “working with” them, redefining how leaders and teams partner for impact. This episode invites you to rethink leadership as a practice of empowerment and trust—one that unlocks potential on every level. Don't miss it! To learn more about Wendy's work at Cultivate for Good, visit her website: https://cultivateforgood.com/ To learn more about our work at GPS, visit our website: https://genperformance.com/

March 16, 202647 min

Ep. 57: From Empathy to Engagement: Designing Work Differently

The future of work isn’t a distant concept—it’s happening right now. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber talks with Sophie Wade, Founder of Flexcel Network, about the shifts leaders need to embrace as technology, talent, and culture evolve together. Sophie explains why flexibility is the *true* path forward, whether hybrid, remote, or reimagined altogether. She also challenges leaders to move past clickbait narratives about generations, instead asking better questions, listening with empathy, and designing work in ways that spark genuine engagement. Kamber and Sophie also discuss how AI is accelerating a multi-year transformation, and why balancing automation with human authenticity is the leadership challenge of our time. This episode is packed with perspective on how to navigate change with agility and empathy—tune in to see what’s next for the workplace. To learn more about Sophie's work at Flexcel Network, visit their website: https://www.sophiewade.com/consulting/. To learn more about Generational Performance Solutions, visit our site: https://genperformance.com/.

March 2, 202639 min

Ep. 56: Tourism as Talent: Why Greenville’s Visitor Economy Matters for Every Generation

How does tourism impact a city's professional talent? In too many ways to count. In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Heath Dillard, President and CEO of VisitGreenvilleSC, to explore how tourism and talent intersect in one of the fastest-growing cities in the Southeast. Heath shares why appealing across generations—from Boomers to Gen Z—requires more than infrastructure; it’s about creating authentic experiences that foster connection. He highlights what makes Greenville stand out: a clear mission, a strong sense of place, and a community that prioritizes quality over quantity. Kamber and Heath also chat about defining Greenville’s “North Star” for future growth and how visitors often return as residents, fueling both the economy and community culture. The keys to success for a city aren't so different from the success of a business—and this episode is an essential listen for anyone curious about how tourism, talent, and vision come together to define a city’s future. To learn more about Heath's work with VisitGreenvilleSC, take a "tour" of their website: https://www.visitgreenvillesc.com/ To learn more about our work at GPS, visit our website: https://genperformance.com/