The Great Retention: With Kamber Parker

Ready or not—here they come! In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Kelly Sanderson, Director at the J. Harley Bonds Career Center, to better understand the next generation of professionals preparing to enter modern workplaces. Kelly shares why Gen Z is increasingly drawn to specialization and skilled trades, and why leaders need to move beyond simply assigning tasks and start helping young professionals understand the bigger picture behind their work. Kamber and Kelly also discuss the growing importance of teaching soft skills—things like small talk, phone etiquette, confidence, posture, and communication—which are often assumed rather than intentionally taught. Kelly explains why younger generations are seeking constant feedback and approval, how shorter attention spans require leaders to engage differently, and why what leaders *model* matters just as much as what they say. One of the biggest themes throughout the conversation? Learning through failure. If you want to better understand Gen Z—and even get a glimpse into what’s coming next with Gen Alpha—this episode is packed with wisdom for leaders, mentors, and anyone preparing the next generation for success.

What if the goal isn’t to change another generation—but to understand the perspective that shaped them? In this episode of The Great Retention, Kamber sits down with Meghan Grace—author, speaker, consultant, and founder of Strategies with Grace—for a refreshingly different conversation about Gen Z, Millennials, and what generations can learn from one another. Meghan shares some of what has surprised her most in studying Gen Z, including the complicated role technology plays in their lives. They have access to a broader world than any generation before them, yet many keep their closest circles small—and those inner circles often have far more influence than the thousands of people they may encounter online. The conversation goes well beyond the workplace. Kamber and Meghan explore how generations think differently about romantic relationships, marriage and divorce; why Millennials have experienced so much dissonance as the “rules” of work kept changing around them; and how Gen Z may actually be helping Millennials unlearn some of those rules and develop healthier boundaries around work. They also unpack the post-pandemic reckoning around what is really worth it in our lives, the shift from “live to work” toward “work to live,” how our parents may have shaped the way we manage others, and why work is becoming just one part of our identity rather than the center of it. The biggest takeaway? You’re not going to change an entire generation—so stop trying. Instead, get curious about the experiences that shaped their perspective. You don’t have to agree with another generation to understand them, and sometimes that understanding is exactly what allows us to work, lead, and live better together.

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.

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.

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/

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/

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.

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/

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/.

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/