Work Is Third

In this bonus clip, Julie Rocco reflects on the beauty of being a work in progress. Dawn Hunter and guest Julie Rocco slow down for a reflective moment about boundaries, compassion, and showing up for yourself.   Julie opens up about: Why saying yes to family and friends comes easily Why saying no to those who need help is harder How she balances empathy without self-sacrifice Simple ways to find...

Julie Rocco shares her journey from survival to purpose, reminding us that time is precious—and action can’t wait. In this special episode of Work is Third , host Dawn Hunter sits down with her dear friend Julie Rocco, a suicide attempt survivor and founder of What I Would Have Missed , a suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention initiative. Julie shares her powerful story, reflecting on w...

What happens when you finally put the book down and look up? In this bonus clip, Terra shares how she finds magic in the in-between moments—reading for pleasure, chatting with strangers in a hot tub, and creating space to be fully present. We talk about the challenges of maintaining boundaries and self-awareness in a busy world, emphasizing the need to appreciate small moments and give oneself cre...

Can you succeed without giving 100%? In this episode of Work is Third , Terra Dunham-dog mom, book and wine lover, lifelong learner, self-proclaimed struggling overachiever, and founder of one of our favorite local gems, Book + Bottle, shares what it really looks like to chase big dreams while learning to slow down and let go of perfection. We talk about learning to do B+ work, building a team you...

Stillness is harder than it looks, but you can learn to embrace it. In this bonus clip, Hillary Van Dyke shares what’s currently on her “joy list”—from travel with chill friends to TV binges and the deep love she has for her baby niece. We also gush over the cinematic genius of Sinners (including her cousin’s epic camera work), and reflect on how hard it still is to let ourselves be still without...

This bonus clip explores the blurry line between joy and burnout—and the boundaries we still struggle with. Miranda McDaniel and Noelle DeLaCruz get candid about what they say “yes” to too easily, what’s hard to say “no” to, and where they’re still growing when it comes to joy, rest, and boundaries.   From Uber hustle days to bedtime routines, this conversation is a reminder that even the most int...

Two justice-driven leaders unpack burnout, self-trust, and saying no—before it’s too late. What happens when two friends, former podcast co-hosts, and social justice warriors sit down to reflect on the evolution of their work, their identities, and their boundaries? Miranda McDaniel, founder of The Social Content Lab, and Noelle DeLaCruz, a school psychologist and LGBTQ+ advocate, share how their...

A powerful reflection on agency, expectations, and how joy can show up when you stop performing for the world. In this special bonus episode, Dr. Nicole Taylor is back totalk about boundaries—not as a buzzword, but as a practice rooted in self-awareness, intention, and truth. From learning how to say no without guilt, to embracing your own version of success, this is a must-listen if you’ve ever f...

“What if your legacy isn’t how hard you worked—but how fully you lived?” In this soulful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Nicole Taylor and host Dawn Hunter unpack the stories we grow up with about work, productivity, and success. From childhood dreams of fashion design to reflections on race, rest, and resistance, Nicole shares how shoes, hair, color, and community are more than aesthetic choic...

If you’re overwhelmed with too many ideas and not enough time — this clip is your reminder: everything is not meant for you, and that’s okay. In this bonus clip, Kimberly Green-Warren gets honest about the tension between being a dreamer and staying in your lane. We talk about having too many ideas, the challenge of saying no — especially to the people we love — and the gentle reminder we all need...

What do sabbaticals, calligraphy, and setting hard boundaries around your joy have in common? Kimberly Green-Warren shares how slowing down changed her life — and her work — for the better. Kimberly is a serene force in public health, education, and creative wellness. In this episode, we talk about what it means to lead with intention, how her sabbatical changed her life, and why she’s fiercely pr...

Saying yes to everything doesn’t make you successful—it makes you tired. Hillary Van Dyke wears many hats—professor, filmmaker, nonprofit leader, and podcast host—but her story is ultimately one of intentional living. In this episode, we talk about the power of place-based education, the emotional weight of overcommitment, and how she's learning to reclaim time, joy, and energy as she enters h...

What if helping someone meant not fixing it for them?   In this powerful reflection, Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster shares what she’d tell her younger self—and it’s not just about being fierce or fearless. It’s about trusting your own light and giving others space to find theirs. Because sometimes, the most loving thing we can do is step back and let someone live their own story. “Getting stuck is par...

What does it mean to lead with joy, even in the middle of a cancer diagnosis, workplace stress, and cultural pressure to overwork? In this episode of Work is Third , Dawn Hunter is joined by Dr. Tonicia Freeman-Foster, leadership coach, cancer warrior, and unapologetic joy-seeker. They share their personal stories of survival, the healing power of Zumba, the importance of boundaries at work, and w...

What if being “frazzled” is actually a sign you’re doing life right? In this episode of Work is Third, Dr. Linsey Grove joins host Dawn Hunter for a joyful, insightful, and hilarious conversation about growing up in rural Michigan, navigating challenges at Ladies Rock Camp, finding creativity in unexpected places, and why she never thought she’d be a business owner. They talk about the power of th...

"You are not responsible for greatness." In this bonus clip from Work is Third, Megan Albertson reflects on how her relationship to work, boundaries, and purpose has evolved over time. What does it mean to stay connected to your mission without becoming emotionally undone by it? What happens when the work you love starts to fall apart? Megan shares: • How her default “hard no” turned int...

How do you protect your best self in a world that demands more, faster, now? In this episode of Work is Third , host Dawn Hunter sits down with public health leader and joyful disruptor Megan Albertson for a rich, funny, and heartfelt conversation about what it means to live a purpose-driven life and why your boundaries are sacred.  From spiritual practices and morning rituals to an exploration of...

"Prioritizing people. Protecting time." In this bonus clip, Jamila Weathers joins me for a rapid-fire round of questions on joy, boundaries, and belief in yourself. From saying “yes” to rest to navigating mom duties and reprogramming limiting beliefs, Jamila offers powerful reflections - with a whole lot of honesty and heart. 🧠 What’s easy to say yes to? What’s hard to say no to? And what’s the i...

Jamila Weathers - joy specialist, community curator, and founder of Win Some, W(h)ine Some - joins me for a rich, real, and affirming conversation about what it means to reclaim your joy and your time. From daily affirmations in a federal workplace filled with uncertainty to nurturing sisterhood and healing through grief, Jamila shares how she’s rewriting the rules of success on her own terms. We...

In this deeply personal debut episode, host Dawn Hunter opens up about the burnout, loss, and reflection that led her to reimagine her life - and create Work is Third . From productivity shame and grief to morning rituals and joy-filled boundaries, Dawn shares the real story behind the podcast’s name and her journey to reclaim rest and redefine success.   You'll hear how community, creativity, and...

🎧 Welcome to Work is Third — the podcast for anyone who's ready to stop letting work run the show. In this short teaser, you’ll get a taste of what’s coming: honest conversations, practical insights, and a much-needed reimagining of how we live, rest, and relate to work. Hosted by Dawn Hunter, Work is Third invites you to explore boundaries, joy, rest, and radical self-care. Because work shouldn’...