Work Is Third

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 guilt.

This is a soft, warm moment about what it means to embrace joy without earning it—and how rest ca...

In this bonus clip, 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 intentional people have their struggles—and that’s okay. It’s all about practice.

Takeaways

• Boundaries are a continuous pract...

What happens when two friends, former co-hosts, andjustice-driven leaders 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 friendship shaped their podcast, The Unpacked Project, and how setting boundaries helped them navigate burnout, identity shifts, and a ch...

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 felt the pressure to shrink yourself to fit in.

What we explore:

• Why boundaries are personal, dynamic, and sometimes uncomfortable
• How society, f...

In this soulful and wide-ranging conversation, Dr. NicoleTaylor 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 choices—they’re declarations of freedom.

If you’ve ever wondered what it means to express your whole self or quest...

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:

✨ Everything is not meant for you. And that’s okay.

This is your permission slip to pause, to prioritize, and to stop chasing every spark.

🎧 Listen to the full episode with Kimb...

Kimberly Green-Warren 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 protective of her joy, even when capitalism comes calling.

We also explore:

• Reflecting on rest through calligraphy and journaling
• Designing work around your energy, not the other way around

• Public health a...

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 her 40s.

We also discuss:

• Setting boundaries around guilt and obligation
• Travel as both joy and exhaustion
• The b...

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 part of being human. Staying stuck is a c...

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 what it takes to leadourselves first so...

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 third spaces, the myth of productivity, and the risks that change our lives. Plus: Godzilla, smutty fantas...

In this bonus clip from Episode 4 of 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 into a year of “maybe”

• The tension between loving community and needing sol...

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 grief and identity, Megan offers a g...

"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 inner work you’re still doing? Jamila...

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 talk about boundaries, burnout, frie...

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 a powerful book club helped her recon...

🎧 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’t come first. You should.

✨ New episod...