Work Talk

E71: Recovery-Ready Regions: How Multi-State Partnerships Are Rebuilding Appalachia

In this episode, you'll hear from two guests who share how a major multi-state initiative is reshaping workforce development across Appalachia by connecting recovery, employment, and economic growth. Listeners will learn how recovery-ready and second-chance employment practices are helping employers fill critical workforce gaps, how recovery ecosystems are being strengthened at the community level, and why meaningful work is such a powerful driver of long-term recovery. The conversation explores what it takes to reduce stigma, build effective cross-state partnerships, and create systems that support both individuals in recovery and the employers who hire them—offering practical insights and big-picture lessons for anyone interested in workforce innovation, public health, and regional collaboration.

E70: Funding the Future of Work: A New Model for Workforce Foundations

In this episode, listeners will discover how a regional workforce foundation is building long-term impact by strengthening its financial, operational, and programmatic capacity. You'll learn how new funding is being used to improve efficiency, integrate innovative tools like process improvement and AI, and expand supportive services that help individuals overcome real-world barriers to employment. The conversation explores why serving at-risk and underrepresented populations is essential to regional economic stability, how workforce organizations can break the cycle of crisis for job seekers, and what it takes to move from short-term support to sustainable career pathways that benefit both people and local businesses.

E69: Celebrating the People Who Power Workforce Development

In this special Workforce Development Month episode of Work Talk, we turn the spotlight on the people who make it all happen. Listeners will hear directly from the dedicated staff of the New River Mount Rogers Workforce Development Board as they share what they love most about their work and the impact it has on individuals, businesses, and the community. From helping job seekers find meaningful careers to supporting local employers and strengthening regional growth, these personal reflections reveal the heart and passion behind workforce development in Southwest Virginia.

E68: From Data to Action: Building Smarter Workforce Systems

What happens when a university research center and a workforce board team up for over a decade? This episode shares lessons from a long-standing partnership that has turned labor market data into strategic advantage. You'll learn how collaboration led to skills gap studies, sector-based lattices, and region-specific tools that have supported economic development at every level.

E67: From Incarceration to Opportunity: Stories of Hope and Work

In this episode, you'll hear how a powerful reentry initiative is transforming lives by preparing incarcerated individuals for meaningful employment before their release. Discover how collaborative efforts across regional, state, and federal partners are breaking down barriers to reintegration and creating real opportunities for second chance employment. You'll learn how job training, personal development, and support services work together to reduce recidivism, strengthen families, and boost community well-being. Most importantly, you'll hear firsthand from individuals who are building new futures—proving that the power of work can truly change lives.