Reimagining Work From Within

Everyone's talking about what AI does to the work. This episode is about what it does to people.

For generations, the way you got good at a job was by doing the small, unglamorous work first. That entry-level grind was the training ground where judgment and expertise got built. AI is very good at that grind, which raises a harder question than "is AI good or bad for us": if the rungs people used to climb are quietly disappearing, what grows the next generation?

This week, Emily Shelton and co-host Katie Dunn, in her first time in the chair, sit down with business anthropologist and author Meghan French Dunbar to get into it. The conversation moves from the disappearing entry-level rung to what genuinely can't be automated, why care is a trainable leadership skill rather than a personality trait, and how leaders can hold the real benefits of AI and its real costs at the same time.

In this episode we cover:

• Why entry-level work has always been the training ground, and what happens when AI absorbs it
• AI as a thinking partner rather than a labour replacement, including Meghan's honest take on sycophancy and how she retrained hers to push back
• What to do with the time AI frees up, and why the instinct to cram it with more work misses the point
• Care as a leadership skill rather than a personality trait, and why it can be trained
• One thing anyone can do tomorrow, whatever their level, to make their work a little more human

Referenced in this episode

• "Generative AI at Work" (Brynjolfsson, Li and Raymond, Stanford and MIT), the source for the 14% overall and 34% novice productivity findings: https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/faculty-research/working-papers/generative-ai-work
• "Mental Health at Work: Managers and Money" (UKG Workforce Institute), on managers affecting mental health as much as a spouse: https://www.ukg.com/company/newsroom/managers-impact-our-mental-health-more-doctors-therapists-and-same-spouses
• Torani's people-first opportunity model: https://www.inc.com/jennifer-conrad/toranis-growth-strategy-no-layoffs-local-jobs-shared-ownership/91284581
• Erin Wade's colour-code system at Homeroom: her EEOC testimony at https://www.eeoc.gov/testimony-erin-wade-founder-and-ceo-homeroom, and her 2018 Washington Post op-ed

We've had two conversations about AI on this podcast: whether it could write your values, and whether it could write your strategy. This one is more personal than that.

In this episode, Emily, Laurie, and Bev Attfield (joining the AI conversation for the first time) explore a question that's become impossible to avoid: what does the arrival of AI actually mean for the way we work, and for a company like Within?

The conversation centres on Within's evolving belief that the evolution of work is superhuman. That AI, used well, might finally liberate us from doing robotic work so we can focus on the things that are irreducibly human. Empathy. Relationships. Creativity. The discomfort of making something that actually matters.

It wouldn't be an honest conversation without the hard parts too. What does it mean for the people inside organizations who aren't ready? What do we lose when we make creativity too frictionless? These are questions we're genuinely sitting with, not ones we've figured out. If you're a leader navigating this right now, we think you'll find yourself in this conversation.

Highlights

1. Why Within sees AI as an existential question, and an exciting one
2. What machines can't do: love, dream, discern, and hold accountability
3. Why the journey to an outcome still matters more than the output itself
4. What's coming next: Within is writing an AI manifesto, and you're invited along

In this episode, Within People Partner Bev Attfield sits down with Kate Bravery, Senior Partner and Global Leader of Talent Advisory at Mercer, for a grounded conversation about what leaders are really navigating right now as work continues to evolve.

Drawing on insights from Mercer’s 2026 Global Talent Trends Report, Bev and Kate explore the emotional realities shaping organizations today — from AI anxiety and rapid technological change to shifting expectations around leadership, culture, and human connection at work.

Together, they unpack what’s underneath many of today’s workplace challenges, why leaders need to pay attention to how change feels — not just how it functions — and how organizations can move forward with intention, curiosity, and care.

This conversation is for leaders who are asking:

1. How do we support people through uncertainty and change?
2. What does meaningful leadership look like in an AI-influenced world?
3. And how do we stay human while work continues to evolve?

If this episode resonates with what you’re seeing inside your organization, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to continue the conversation — we’re always curious about what leaders are navigating right now.

How do values move from words on a wall to ways of working that truly shape a culture?

In this conversation, Bev Attfield Partner at Within People sits down with Madeleine Drake Director of People and Culture at Stok and Sabrina Banadaga VP of Marketing at Shift, to explore how values come alive in real workplaces. Together, they talk about what it takes to turn shared ideals into everyday behaviors, and how leaders can nurture belonging and purpose by living their values out loud.

From using technology thoughtfully to keep values relevant, to keeping things simple and human, this episode offers practical insights for anyone looking to bring more meaning into how their organization works and grows.

Listen in to discover:

How values act as a compass for decision-making and belonging

Why the most transformative values are the ones that feel lived, not written

The role leaders play in making values thrive day-to-day

Why simplicity and creativity matter in bringing values to life

Two years ago, we asked if AI could write your purpose and values. Our answer: It can mimic the words, but not the meaning.

In this episode, Emily and Laurie pick up where they left off — this time looking at AI’s role in creating vision and strategy. With 71% of companies now using or exploring AI, it’s no longer niche. But can it really give you direction, or does it just reflect back what you already know?

We talk about:

• How AI can act as a “mirror” for your existing thinking
• The risks of skipping human participation in strategy-making
• Why collective buy-in matters more than a perfect plan
• Practical ways to use AI as a starting point, not the final word
• Creative and collaborative approaches to building a vision your team owns

We leave you with two questions to reflect on:

• Would your team recognize themselves in an AI-written strategy?
• Are you aligned in belief, or just in language?

Don’t let a compelling plan distract you from the conversation that should have shaped it.

In This Episode:

What does it look like to lead with courage in an era of backlash? Jeff Melnyk and Carol Kondo revisit past conversations that still resonate - from DEI and social justice to war, Pride, and legacy. This episode challenges leaders to stop sitting on the sidelines and start showing up.

Podcasts Featured:

The role of leadership in social justice: 3 actionable insights

Pride was a riot: Creating social change from within

Ukraine and social crises: How do business leaders respond

Referenced Articles:

Why Corporate America Is Running From DEI – Psychology Today

Pride events face budget shortfalls – AP News

Performative Allyship: What It Is and Why It Hurts – Diversity Certification

Ukraine Business Initiative – U.S. Chamber of Commerce

To learn more about Within People and the work we do click here

In this episode, Within People co-founder Jeff Melnyk is joined by partner Carol Kondo for a grounded and honest conversation about what’s really getting in the way of high performance at work. It’s not strategy - it’s presence.

Together, they unpack what mindfulness really means in a business context, how distraction is showing up in meetings, and why connection, intention and even phone-free boardrooms might just be the unlock for better collaboration and critical thinking.

Tune in for practical tips, thoughtful reflection, and a few laughs as Jeff and Carol explore what it means to show up fully and lead with presence.

Click here more information about Within People and the work we do

In this episode, Laurie Bennett sits down with Rory Capern, COO of Redbrick, to reflect on a decade of building and evolving a thriving business. As Redbrick has grown from a single-brand tech company into a portfolio of digital businesses, Rory has seen firsthand what it takes to scale with purpose and lead through change.

Together, they explore the lessons learned along the way—the leadership qualities that sustain long-term growth, the challenges of navigating uncertainty, and the role of culture in shaping a resilient, innovative company. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about growth and transformation, this conversation offers valuable insights on what it takes to build a business that lasts.

Learn more about Within People and the work we do here.

For more information about Redbrick and the work they do, go to rdbrck.com

In this special episode celebrating Within People’s 10th anniversary, Jeff Melnyk sits down with Dan Hegarty, a seasoned entrepreneur and COO at Kuda, to reflect on a decade of building and growing businesses. Dan shares his journey, the pivotal lessons he’s learned along the way, and what it really takes to create a company that lasts. Together, they dive into the challenges of scaling a business, the importance of culture and leadership, and finding purpose in the world of Tech.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a leader, or someone passionate about business and innovation, this conversation offers real-world insights and inspiration on navigating the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial journey.

Description:

In this special annual trends episode of Reimagining Work from Within, Jeff Melnyk and Carol Kondo explore what it means to step into 2025 with intention. From Carol’s personal journey of starting over in a new country to Jeff reflecting on entering a new decade of life, they discuss the power of letting go as a form of growth. They dive into four key trends shaping leadership this year—bringing cultures together, redefining growth on your own terms, the ongoing evolution of flexible work, and the role of AI in human-centered leadership. Tune in for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation on how leaders can navigate change, embrace uncertainty, and create space for something new.

Show Notes:

• [00:00] Carol’s journey of moving countries and what it means to start over
• [04:00] Why letting go—not just setting goals—can be the most powerful way to grow
• [09:15] Trend #1: Bringing cultures together—why DEI is shifting and what leaders need to let go of
• [16:30] Trend #2: Redefining growth—breaking away from outdated success metrics
• [21:00] Trend #3: Rethinking connection in hybrid and flexible work environments
• [26:07] Trend #4: AI and leadership—how embracing technology can make leadership more human
• [34:00] Key takeaways—how leaders can step into 2025 with intention and courage