From the Field by the NSCDA

Episode 17: Your Authentic Self and the Road Ahead

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Chris Shupe speaks with his son Elliot, an 18-year-old transgender man in his first year of university. Together, they explore career aspirations, identity, and what the future can look like when you’re just starting out and learning to navigate the world as your authentic self.

Episode 16: The Human Side of Work: How to Care Without Carrying It All

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Lisa Strong speaks with Sam Madore, Marketing Communications Manager with the Mental Health Foundation of Nova Scotia and host of the podcast Keep Talking. Together, they explore the emotional weight many professionals carry at work and why conversations about mental health are so important.

Episode 15: The Power of Social & Emotional Skills

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Teresa Francis sits down with Randy Lindsay, Executive Director of Futureworx, to explore why Social and Emotional Skills matter more than ever. Randy shares how workplace shifts have made these skills essential - and why they’re critical for both employees and managers.

Episode 14: An Introduction to Afrocentricity

In this episode of From the Field, Mitchell Tempro is joined by Ann and David Divine to discuss the collaborative work behind the NSCDA’s Afrocentricity course. Together, they explore what Afrocentricity means, why it matters today, and how centering African-descended peoples’ histories, cultures, and lived experiences challenges dominant Eurocentric frameworks in justice, health, economics, and education.

Episode 13: Work without Barriers: Disability and Career Development

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Lisa Strong speaks with Marcus Jamieson, Executive Director of TEAM Work Cooperative, about Work Without Barriers and what meaningful inclusion really looks like in career development. Marcus shares insights from more than 30 years of advocacy and employment support, reframing disability as part of human diversity rather than deficit.

Episode 12: Supporting Military Family Members in Career Transition

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA team member, Teresa Francis, speaks with Holly Rye, Career and Employment Counsellor at the Halifax and Region Military Family Resource Centre, supporting Canada's largest military base. Holly shares insights from over two decades of helping military spouses/family members navigate their own meaningful career transitions. She speaks of the unique needs and challenges of this group and leaves us with suggestions for offering support to this client group. 

Episode 11: Start the Work Year Right

Kick off the new year with intention and clarity in this special episode of From the Field. Host Michael Bohan sits down with Autumn Grant of Flo Meditation, a long-time wellness partner of the NSCDA, to explore what it truly means to start the year well. Together, they unpack why the New Year is such a powerful moment for personal reset, how to avoid all-or-nothing resolutions, and simple, sustainable habits that support everyday wellbeing. Autumn also shares her guidance for setting meaningful intentions for 2026 - and keeping them alive throughout the year. A thoughtful, uplifting conversation to help you enter the year with purpose, balance, and compassion.

Episode 10: Competencies in a Changing World of Work

In this episode of From the Field, NSCDA’s Lindsay Guitard sits down with Taruna Goel, Senior Consultant at North Pacific Metrics and a leading expert in competency development and assessment. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience, Taruna breaks down what competencies are (and aren’t), why context matters so deeply, and how competencies help make learning and performance visible in a rapidly changing labour market.

Together, Lindsay and Taruna explore the value of national competencies for Career Development Practitioners, how competency frameworks strengthen consistency and trust in the profession, and what organizations should consider when building their own competency models.