Reimagining Work From Within

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 compan...

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 — fro...

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 behavi...

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 a...

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 ri...

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 boa...

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 qu...

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...

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 y...

DESCRIPTION: In the latest episode in our series celebrating a decade of business at Within People, Jeff Melnyk reconnects with Meriem Bouamrane, an environmental economist and Senior Advisor for Nature-Based Solutions Partnerships at UNESCO. Together, they discuss her transformative work with UNESCO's Man and Biosphere Program and her personal journey as a leader in sustainability. From their sha...

DESCRIPTION In this special edition of the Reimagining Growth From Within podcast, we celebrate Within People’s 10th anniversary with a conversation featuring Tom Tapper, co-founder of the creative agency Nice and Serious. Tom shares candid insights on the journey of building a purpose-driven agency, balancing profit with impact, navigating challenges like imposter syndrome, and staying true to th...

Join us for a special episode of "Reimagining Growth From Within" as we celebrate Within People's 10th birthday! Co-founders Jeff Melnyk and Laurie Bennett reflect on a decade of building a self-managed organization, sharing the highs, lows, and lessons learned. From dreaming on a rooftop in Barcelona to running a purpose-driven company, they offer insights for founders and businesses on balancing...

In this episode Jeff Melnyk and Carol Kondo share personal insights and a practical three-step process for addressing social justice issues in the workplace: 1. Listen : They stress the importance of creating a safe space for open dialogue and encourage leaders to genuinely listen to their employees' feelings and perspectives on social issues. This isn't just about hearing words—it's about fosteri...

In this episode, Jeff chats with Debbie Goodman, the founder of Jackhammer. Together, they explore her unique journey as a trailblazer in the executive search industry while also pursuing her passion for dance. Debbie opens up about the challenges of maintaining an international company culture and shares personal insights on the importance of personal fulfilment in achieving professional suc...

In this episode of "Reimagining Work from Within," host Bev Attfield welcomes Tim Rietsma to discuss his mission with Invisible Condition, a nonprofit aimed at destigmatizing and bringing visibility to often overlooked conditions in professional settings. Drawing from his personal experience with Crohn's disease, Tim shares insights on building inclusive workplaces and designing employee experienc...

In this episode, Nikki and Laurie are joined by James Lowry, and Joff Sharpe in a lively discussion on the evolving landscape of flexible workspaces. Together, they explore the complexities of modern work environments, touching on remote work, employee experience, and the challenges faced by organizations in adapting to new ways of working. Tune in to gain valuable insights and perspectives from i...

Join Jeff Melnyk and Carol Kondo in this special bonus episode as they gaze into the future, predicting what's in store for workplaces in 2024. From the impact of layoffs and AI to the importance of human connection, Jeff and Carol reflect on 2023 and discuss the challenges and opportunities leaders may face in the coming year. Tune in for their predictions and practical advice on navigating the e...

In our first episode of 2024, Nikki de Vet is joined by Torchbox CEO, James Leavesley to explore their unique shift towards an employee ownership model. James shares his journey to becoming CEO and the thoughtful approach Torchbox took to avoid a traditional corporate buy-out, instead creating an environment where employees have a stake in the game. Together they thoughtfully uncover the complexit...

In this episode of 'Reimagining Work From Within,' Jeff Melnyk sits down with Amy VanHaren, the founder and force behind Pumpspotting, a digital platform dedicated to supporting parents in their child-feeding journey. Listen in as Amy opens up about the challenges she faced as a working parent, which fueled her determination to launch a startup that combines technology with the power of community...

In this month's episode of Reimagining Work From Within, partners Bev Attfield and Laurie Bennett are joined by special guest Pat Dwyer, founder of The Purpose Business. Delve into the world of purpose in business as they discuss the shifting mindsets in leadership and changing expectations in the workforce. From successful family-owned businesses like Amy's Kitchen to major retail chains like Woo...

Join Within People partner Bev Attfield and her two expert guests, Angel Chelik and Sara Schairer, as they explore the crucial issue of workplace loneliness. Discover practical strategies for leaders and organizations to recognize signs of loneliness, model behaviors that combat it, and implement initiatives like wellness programs and playful activities. Tune in to this insightful conversation and...

Explore the intersection of generative AI and organizational culture in our latest episode. Within People partner Emily Shelton and co-founder Laurie Bennett delve into ChatGPT's potential to shape business purpose, vision, and values. Sharing their AI experimentation, they discuss the delicate balance between the convenience of AI and the human essence that drives authentic culture creation. List...

Join us as we delve into the inspiring journey of The Narwhal, an environmental journalism organization, and its executive editor and co-founder, Carol. Discover how they redefined growth and purpose, shaping a unique approach to storytelling. Hear how their values drive editorial decisions and empower their team. Gain insights into navigating rapid growth and building a purpose-driven organizatio...

Last year we shared this episode discussing Pride as a riot, why business should care about pride, and how to create a riot of your own. Since what we offered to listeners is even more relevant right now, we thought we'd bring the episode back to share with you a refreshed perspective. Listen now to learn about how your organisation and its leaders can actively and intentionally support the LGBTQ+...

Join us on this special episode of "Re-Imagining Work from Within" as we celebrate Within People's 10th year in business. In this reflective conversation, co-founders Jeff Melnyk and Laurie Bennett sit down to share their journey, insights, and lessons as founders of a self-managed organization. They delve into their vision of creating a 21st century business and how it has shaped their purpose an...