Career Practitioner Conversations with NCDA

NCDA
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Career Practitioner Conversations is a podcast series from the National Career Development Association (NCDA). NCDA provides research, resources, and support to career development professionals all over the world in their work to empower others to achieve their career and life goals. These conversations with industry leaders cover a wide variety of relevant topics for today's career practitioners. Legal Disclaimer: NCDA provides these episodes solely for educational and informational purposes. Opinions expressed in these episodes do not necessarily reflect the views of NCDA. NCDA disclaims any liability relating to any podcast content. 

  1. Strategies for Life and Career Fulfillment with Jordan Maness

    2D AGO

    Strategies for Life and Career Fulfillment with Jordan Maness

    In this episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA Director of Professional Development, interviews Jordan Maness, a career advising specialist at the University of Colorado Boulder. Jordan shares his journey into career development, inspired by a high school psychology class and experiences in sports journalism. He discusses his diverse career path, which eventually led him to become a certified life coach and a career advisor. Jordan's philosophy, 'like your job, love your life,' emphasizes the importance of aligning one's strengths with their job and incorporating positive psychology for overall happiness. The conversation concludes with advice for career development professionals, emphasizing self-care, resource-sharing, and partnership with clients. Jordan Maness, M.Ed. is the Career Advising Specialist for the Division of Continuing Education at the University of Colorado Boulder. He is also a Certified Life Coach with 20 years of experience career coaching and lecturing. His goal is to inspire individuals to live with passion and purpose. Maness has published a workbook entitled, Select An Ideal Life (SAIL): Your 59-minute Guide to Enjoying the Journey of Life, and he is the creator and instructor for the online Coursera course: “Thriving 101-Designing a Fulfilling Life & Career.” You can learn more about Jordan here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordanmanesslifecoach/.

    29 min
  2. DEI Symposium Series - Exploring Liberatory Outcomes for Career Development Classes and Workshops

    JAN 27

    DEI Symposium Series - Exploring Liberatory Outcomes for Career Development Classes and Workshops

    This episode is part of the DEI Symposium Series, developed from the DEI Symposium presented at the 2025 NCDA Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. In this episode Dr. Cheryl Love hosts a conversation with Shelby McIntyre about updating career development classes and workshops with relevant DEI materials and activities. The discussion focuses on integrating liberatory outcomes into career development work. Shelby McIntyre, a career counselor at Pasadena City College, explains the importance of moving beyond traditional outcomes like graduation and employment to include broader goals such as civic engagement, social agency, and critical consciousness. She shares practical examples of how to implement these concepts, addressing challenges like systemic oppression. Dr. Cheryl Love is a Career Counselor and a College Specialist for the Arts, Humanities, School of Education and School of Public Policy in the Career Center at the University of California, Riverside. In this role she also serves as the Liaison to the African Student Programs, the Black Student Success Initiative, Basic Needs, UCR Transfer Work Group, and the Kessler Scholar Program.  Shelby McIntyre is a career counselor at Pasadena City College. She also serves on the Board of the California Career Development Association and as a member of the NCDA Government Relations Committee. Resource: Toolkit for Integrating Practices for Collective Liberation

    33 min
  3. Analyzing Current and Future Workforce Issues: A New Publication of Student Perspectives

    JAN 13

    Analyzing Current and Future Workforce Issues: A New Publication of Student Perspectives

    In this podcast episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA's Director of Professional Development, co-hosts with Dr. Michael Stebleton a conversation about a new NCDA publication titled, Analyzing Current and Future Workforce Issues, Students' Perspectives on Career Development. Written by students enrolled in Dr. Stebleton's University of Minnesota course in Spring 2025, the publication explores various career development topics through the lens of graduate and undergraduate students.  The episode features students Nathan Price, Shannon McCrady, and Kirsten Koerth, who share their experiences and insights on the writing process. The discussion also highlights the importance of integrating theory and practice, the challenges and benefits of the editing process, and the potential value of similar educational projects in the future. Key contributions and topics such as AI in career development, the role of HR in supporting LGBTQ employees, and declining male college enrollment are also examined. Michael J. Stebleton, PhD, is a Professor of Higher Education at University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. He teaches both undergraduates and graduate students in the Department of Organizational, Leadership, Policy, and Development. Contact Dr. Stebleton at: steb0004@umn.edu. Nathan Price is a PhD student in the Higher Education track of the OLPD program at the University of Minnesota. I/O Psychology practitioner and founder of The Academic I/O, a platform dedicated to advancing academic leadership and workforce development through evidence-based organizational strategies. Shannon McCrady is a graduate student at the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing a Master of Education in Human Resource Development. She also works at the University of Minnesota and lives in Minneapolis with her family. Kirsten Koerth is an Undergraduate Programs Coordinator for Horticulture and Agronomy at the University of Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Minnesota Agriculture Education master’s program in 2025. Kirsten obtained her undergraduate degree from St. Olaf College in Biology and Environmental Studies, and she grew up in Helena, Montana. Her academic interests include sustainable agriculture research and education.

    52 min
  4. DEI Symposium Series - Building Career Pathways for Neurodivergent Learners

    12/16/2025

    DEI Symposium Series - Building Career Pathways for Neurodivergent Learners

    This episode is part of the DEI Symposium Series, developed from the DEI Symposium sessions presented at the 2025 NCDA Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Maisie and Nulty Lynch are veteran teachers and a husband and wife duo. They address the communication nuances between neurotypical and neurodivergent individuals, the significant barriers in traditional interview processes, and the importance of inclusive practices. Maisie and Nulty also advocate for creating accessible systems and intentional, empathetic communication to better support neurodivergent individuals in achieving meaningful employment. Nulty Lynch is the English Language Arts department chair at a large public middle school and a certified autism specialist and coach. He openly shares his personal journey, including his autism and ADHD diagnoses and the challenges of masking. Maisie Lynch is an internship coordinator and career services provider, as well as President of FutureReadyU. She discusses her experiences assisting students with neurodivergencies.

    50 min
  5. Insights from the NCDA Technology Committee with Erik Hines and Angie Thompson

    12/09/2025

    Insights from the NCDA Technology Committee with Erik Hines and Angie Thompson

    This episode features a conversation with Dr. Erik Hines and Angie Thompson, co-chairs of the NCDA Technology Committee. They discuss their roles, experiences, and the committee's key focus areas, including the integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in career development. Angie recounts her journey to joining the committee and emphasizes the importance of community and mentorship. Erik highlights the significance of using technology ethically and efficiently in educational and counseling settings. The conversation also delves into the committee's vision of staying ahead of technological advancements and fostering a supportive environment for members interested in tech innovations. Listeners are encouraged to get involved and utilize the resources, demonstrations, and network opportunities offered by the committee. Erik M. Hines, Ph.D., is a Professor of Counseling in the Department of Counseling, Leadership, and Educational Sciences within the College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University. Dr. Hines research agenda focuses on the postsecondary readiness and career development of Black men and boys across various contexts (P-12, community college, 4- year college/university) and critically examines how high impact programming shape their educational and career outcomes and experiences. Additionally, Dr. Hines studies the career exploration of educationally vulnerable students in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). He has secured over $12.5 million dollars in research and program funding.  Angie Thompson has worked in higher education for over two decades and currently serves as the Assistant Director of AI Education and Student Engagement at the University of Montana. A certified federal application specialist and career coach, she teaches career courses and is nationally recognized for her expertise in AI, career readiness, and federal hiring processes. She currently serves as the Co-Chair of the NCDA Technology Committee and is actively involved in the University of Montana’s AI Future Project and AI Community of Practice, where she helps shape campus-wide AI guidelines, initiatives and ethical frameworks. Angie has recently written an article on AI and, this year, will also serve on the NCDA AI Task Force and the NACE AI Content Special Interest Group.  Resources Learn about the activities of all of NCDA's CommitteesNCDA's AI Resources

    27 min
  6. DEI Symposium Series - Disrupting Racism in the Workplace

    11/25/2025

    DEI Symposium Series - Disrupting Racism in the Workplace

    This episode is part of the DEI Symposium Series, developed from the DEI Symposium presented at the 2025 NCDA Global Career Development Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. In this episode, Dr. Frank Gorritz discusses the important topic of racism in the workplace as part of the 2025 DEI symposium series. Dr. Gorritz emphasizes the need to address not just individual instances of racism but also systemic issues including white supremacy culture and its covert manifestations. He highlights the impact of microaggressions on minoritized employees and introduces the Theory of Work Adjustment to explain how workplace dynamics affect these employees. Dr. Gorritz also stresses the importance of career counselors creating a safe space for clients to discuss their experiences and feelings about their workplaces. This discussion reiterates the value of addressing political, social, and identity-related issues in career counseling. Several resources are recommended for further exploration on the topic. Frank Gorritz, PhD, LPC, LMHC, NCC, ACS, QS is a counselor educator in Florida. Resources dRworksbool (2021). White supremacy culture. https://www.dismantlingracism.org/white-supremacy-culture.html Iyer, D. (2022). Social change now: A guide for reflection and connection. Thick Press. Jones, K. & Okun, T. (2001). Dismantling racism: A workbook for social change groups. dRworksBook.

    28 min
  7. Wise Leadership with Dr. Sujata Ives

    11/18/2025

    Wise Leadership with Dr. Sujata Ives

    In this podcast episode, Melissa Venable, NCDA's Director of Professional Development, interviews Dr. Sujata Ives, a private practitioner at Connect The Neuro-Dots who specializes in employment psychology. Dr. Ives discusses the influence of her worldview, shaped by her vocal cord disability and bicultural background, on her career development work. She emphasizes the importance of understanding and articulating one's worldview and provides strategies for maintaining a positive worldview amid challenges. Dr. Ives introduces concepts from her latest book, Wisdom to Know the Difference, including perspicacious intelligence, which blends sharp discernment with emotional and ethical insights. She offers actionable advice for career development professionals, such as using active and reflective listening, insight-based questions, and mindfulness practices. The episode concludes with Dr. Ives encouraging listeners to define wise leadership for themselves and integrate deep insight with ethical clarity in their professional lives. Dr. Sujata Ives, PhD, CCC, GCDFI, OWDSI is an awarded career services leader, certified employment psychologist, and professional speaker with a distinctive voice. Through her vocal disability, she inspires as a work, life, and success Guru. She is a pursued national and international speaker that has published three books. Activate Success – Tips, tools, & insights to be a Leader in Your Niche made the international best-selling status on Amazon and Kindle. There is a Workbook by the same title. Her second book is “Wisdom To Know The Difference”.  Sujata is the 2025 recipient of the All-Star Award from the Maryland Counseling Association. 2023 recipient of the National Career Development Association’s (NCDA) Diversity Initiative Award. She was chosen to participate in the 2024 NCDA Leadership Academy class, where she conducted a study through a needs analysis on intercultural leadership. As a result, she wrote and published two best-selling books and a workbook.  As a military spouse, she collaborated with military and community leaders through her nineteen moves on three different continents that gave her the opportunity to help multi-million-dollar systems. She leverages global talent to hold candid conversations regarding interculturalism and peacebuilding. In this vein, she was the 2023 recipient of the title “Global Visionary” given to her by the 6th Congress, OtroMundo, Colombia, South America. Sujata is the Chair of the Leadership Academy of the NCDA; the Chair of the Program Committee of the APCDA; Community Coordinator of the World Council on Global & Intercultural Competency, UNESCO.  Sujata is past president of the Maryland Career Development Association, past chair of the International Committee of the American Counseling Association. And treasurer for the Maryland Counseling Association.  Sujata has an earned Ph.D. in Educational Psychology, is a Harvard trained Mediator, and Johns Hopkins trained in leadership and supervision.  She has a limited private practice and can be reached for counseling and keynote-speaking at www.drsujataives.com. Resources Wisdom to Know the Difference

    36 min
  8. SHRM's Education-to-Employment (E2) Initiative with Emily M. Dickens

    11/05/2025

    SHRM's Education-to-Employment (E2) Initiative with Emily M. Dickens

    In this episode, Elle O'Flaherty, Co-Chair of NCDA's Government Relations Committee, hosts a conversation with Emily M. Dickens, Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs, and Corporate Secretary for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the current labor market, focusing on SHRM's Education-to-Employment (E2) Initiative, designed to bridge the talent gap through collaboration among various stakeholders including schools, employers, policymakers, and career development professionals. Emily emphasizes the importance of lifelong learning, and discusses the untapped potential in diverse workforce segments such as people with disabilities and formerly incarcerated individuals. She also underscores the role of artificial intelligence and demographic shifts in shaping the future workforce. Elle O’Flaherty, JD, PCC, CCSP, ACCG is the Founder & CEO, Interlace Solutions Coaching. She is a speaker and coach known for her science-based and hyper-practical presentations, and a pioneer in inclusive leadership and neurodiverse workforce development with a specialization in ADHD coaching.  Emily M. Dickens, J.D., is an accomplished attorney, strategist, and senior executive at the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) - the world’s largest HR trade association - where she serves as Chief of Staff, Head of Government Affairs and Corporate Secretary. In her role, Dickens oversees SHRM’s advocacy and policy agenda, guiding the work of the “A-Team,” a 340,000-member grassroots network of HR professionals who shape workplace policy nationwide. She has executive oversight for four divisions: corporate governance, government affairs and policy, legal and administrative affairs, and the SHRM Foundation. Resources SHRM Toolkits

    45 min
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About

Career Practitioner Conversations is a podcast series from the National Career Development Association (NCDA). NCDA provides research, resources, and support to career development professionals all over the world in their work to empower others to achieve their career and life goals. These conversations with industry leaders cover a wide variety of relevant topics for today's career practitioners. Legal Disclaimer: NCDA provides these episodes solely for educational and informational purposes. Opinions expressed in these episodes do not necessarily reflect the views of NCDA. NCDA disclaims any liability relating to any podcast content. 

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