Where Work Meets Life™ with Dr. Laura

Dr. Laura welcomes Scott Schieman, sociologist, professor at the University of Toronto, and author of I Want More: Why Your Job Still Matters, to the show to explore why work continues to matter beyond earning a paycheque. Drawing on decades of research into the quality of work and economic life in Canada and the United States, Scott examines how careers shape identity, self-awareness, connection, and wellbeing. He and Dr. Laura discuss the growing narrative that a job is simply a way to earn money and address how the stories and data Scott gathered reveal a more complex picture. From people questioning their careers in their twenties to those confronting the loss of identity and routine in retirement, the conversation considers how deeply work can become woven into who people are. Scott introduces the M.O.R.E. framework from his book, which explores how work can provide mooring, opening, relating, and exceeding. When diving into the meaning of work, he and Dr. Laura consider the importance of routine, opportunities to learn and create, relationships with colleagues, respect, recognition, and the feeling of contributing. They also explore the risks of all-or-nothing thinking about careers, the social impact of remote work, and why a job doesn’t need to define someone completely to shape them in meaningful ways. Through research and real stories, Dr. Laura invites listeners to become more aware of what they receive from their careers and what they want, especially as AI, changing workplace structures, and evolving expectations continue to reshape the world of work. "I would say my one wish is for people to really be mindful of the contribution that they're making. … I think that just being aware of that and kind of celebrating that, it notches up the celebration [of the] work ethic a little bit more in a way that I think would do us all a lot of good" - Scott SchiemanAbout Scott Schieman:Professor Schieman held a Canada Research Chair from 2012 to 2026 and served as Chair of the Sociology Department from 2015 to 2021. He has served as editor of Sociology of Religion (2010 – 2013) and co-editor of Society and Mental Health, the flagship journal for the Mental Health Section of the American Sociology Association (2022 – 2025).An award-winning researcher and teacher, Schieman has received the Dean’s Excellence Award each year since he began his appointment at the University of Toronto (2004 – 2025), the Leonard I. Pearlin Award for Distinguished Contributions to the Sociological Study of Mental Health (2018), the Jeanette Wright Award for Excellence in Graduate Student Supervision and Mentorship (2024), and the Oswald Hall Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching (2008).Professor Schieman studies what people think and feel about work–and how they talk about it. He is especially interested in the ways that work shapes the sense of self, status, and well-being. Since 2005, he has collected data from more than 55,000 workers in Canada, the United States, and South Korea. Drawing upon decades of quantitative and qualitative data, his research tells the story about the quality of work and economic life and their effects on our everyday lives.Key Moments:00:00 Is It Just a Paycheque? Why Purpose Still Matters01:34 Meet Scott Schieman and His Research on Work04:05 How Work Shapes Who We Become06:41 Career, Identity, Fulfillment, and Self-Awareness08:25 Searching for Purpose Across Career Stages09:42 Why Scott Wrote I Want More13:23 How the Pandemic Changed Conversations About Work15:47 Understanding the MORE Framework18:13 Opening, Relating, Respect, and Recognition21:33 Retirement and the Sudden Loss of MORE22:08 The Problem With All-or-Nothing Career Thinking24:02 What Real Stories Reveal About the Meaning of Work28:37 Why Calling It “Just a Job” Can Be Protective30:44 Remote Work, Commuting, and Human Connection32:43 Does a Job Define Who We Are?34:37 Why Perceptions of Work May Be More Negative Than Reality36:05 Who I Want More Is Written For37:45 Why Social Connection Still Matters39:01 One Wish for a Better World of Work Resources:Website: ScottSchieman.comBook: I Want M.O.R.E.: Why Your Job Still Matters by Scott SchiemanScott Schieman on LinkedInA Little More Social: How Small Choices Create Unexpected Happiness, Health, and Connection by Nicholas Epley“Plain English with Derek Thompson” podcastInternational Social Survey Programme “I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley LovettDr. Laura on LinkedInWhere Work Meets Life™ on YouTubeLearn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations: Canada Career CounsellingSynthesis Psychology Order Dr. Laura’s new book today: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Laura welcomes Fab Morvan, artist, singer, songwriter, performer, speaker, and former member of Milli Vanilli, to Where Work Meets Life™ for a powerful conversation about resilience, healing, and personal reinvention. Fab takes Dr. Laura behind the public story of Milli Vanilli to share what it was like to be a young artist who found himself trapped in an arrangement he didn’t fully understand and how it felt to eventually become one of the most visible faces of a global music scandal. He reflects on being trapped financially and in terms of his reputation, losing trust in the people around him, and living with the intense stigma that followed. Through it all, Fab describes how music became an essential part of his healing and how curiosity, creativity, and determination helped him rebuild his confidence, his career, and, ultimately, his relationship with himself. Fab and Dr. Laura explore what his journey can teach anyone whose life or career has been shattered by circumstances they never expected. Fab shares how he learned to step away from being co-dependent, say no, forgive the people who hurt him, and forgive himself. He explains why authenticity became central to who he is today and how listening to his inner voice helped him silence self-doubt. Now a father of four, Fab speaks about love as an emotional compass and shares his excitement about his upcoming memoir, Blame It on the Game, new music, and the freedom of creating on his own terms. His story is an invitation to recognize that painful experiences don’t have to define the future and that rebuilding is possible when people reconnect with themselves, put in the work, and find the courage to move forward. "The truth takes the stairs while the lies take the elevator. But the truth always comes up, always prevails. Might take a long time sometimes, but it will show up." - Fab Morvan About Fab Morvan: Paris-born Fabrice Morvan first met his future partner, Rob Pilatus, in Munich at a local club. The two penniless teenagers—17 and 19 years old—jumped at the chance to sign a contract with German producer Frank Farian. Within months, they had created a captivating stage show that would go on to amaze millions. Milli Vanilli sold more than 7 million copies of their debut album, Girl You Know It’s True, in the U.S. alone. The duo quickly rose to MTV stardom, becoming one of the biggest musical acts of the late 1980s and early 1990s, with worldwide sales exceeding 30 million singles and 10 million albums. Along the way, they were drawn into a notorious lip-syncing scandal, which ultimately led them to publicly return their Grammy Award for “Best New Artist” in 1990. For decades, Fab Morvan has been at the center of one of pop culture’s most infamous controversies. With his recent Grammy nomination, his journey of resilience and reinvention has entered a powerful new chapter. Today, his story resonates more than ever—one of redemption, honesty, and the courage to reclaim his own voice. Resources: Instagram: @Fabmorvan   TikTok: @Fabmorvan_off  YouTube: @fabmorvanchannel  Facebook: @Fabmorvanfanpage Website: FabMorvanOfficial.com   Documentary: Milli Vanilli   “I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett Dr. Laura on LinkedIn Where Work Meets Life™ on YouTube   Learn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations:  Canada Career Counselling Synthesis Psychology Order Dr. Laura’s new book today: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Laura reflects on nearly 150 episodes of Where Work Meets Life™ and welcomes us to season seven with a personal message reflecting on the journey that led her here in her exploration of the intersection of work and life. She shares why topics such as toxic leadership, healthy workplace cultures, leadership development, and the future of work continue to matter, while giving us a peek into thought-provoking conversations ahead. She also introduces a new community designed to support those recovering from toxic workplaces, reaffirming her commitment to helping people create healthier, more meaningful work lives. Looking beyond the workplace, Dr. Laura also shares why this season will expand into conversations about spiritual well-being, human connection, and what it truly means to thrive. She discusses the roles purpose, consciousness, and compassion play in our overall health. She highlights upcoming guests such as Celeste Warren, author and DEI thought leader, Jay Abbasi, expert on leadership and burnout, and Fab Morvan, formerly of 80s pop band Milli Vanilli. With warmth, curiosity, and hope, Dr. Laura invites us to join her for another season dedicated to helping people become healthier in their careers and create lives filled with greater meaning and freedom. "If I can help more people be inspired, be better humans, raise better humans, and have healthier work lives, then I've had an impact." - Dr. Laura About Dr. Laura: Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services. Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. Her new book, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, is available for purchase on Amazon now. Resources: I Want M.O.R.E.: Why Your Job Still Matters by Scott Schieman (University of Toronto) The Truth About Equity: What It Really Is, What It Isn’t, and Why Everyone Wins When We Get It Right by Celeste Warren “I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett Dr. Laura on LinkedIn Where Work Meets Life™ on YouTube   Learn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live   For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations:  Canada Career Counselling Synthesis Psychology Order Dr. Laura’s new book today: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this solo episode, Dr. Laura explores one of the eight toxic boss personas featured in her book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner: the control freak. She explains the important difference between a difficult manager who is learning to delegate and a truly toxic boss whose need for control stems from distrust and a desire to dominate every aspect of our work. From excessive micromanagement to restricting access to people and information, Dr. Laura reveals how this leadership style chips away at confidence and creates chronic anxiety, ultimately leaving us feeling trapped both at work and long after the workday ends. Dr. Laura shares practical strategies for surviving a control freak boss while protecting our wellbeing. She discusses the importance of documenting conversations, using playback techniques to clarify expectations, paying careful attention to details, and maintaining a Plan B when working in an unhealthy environment. Most importantly, she offers hope that recovery is possible. Based on her own experiences and drawing from the stories of toxic boss survivors in her North American research, Dr. Laura explains how confidence can be rebuilt one experience at a time. She assures us that escaping a toxic workplace becomes the beginning of a healthier and more fulfilling career.  "Confidence is like a muscle. Confidence gets developed one experience at a time, one relationship at a time." - Dr. Laura About Dr. Laura: Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett is a work and career psychologist and thought leader on the evolution of work. She has always been fascinated by how work intersects with life and loves to use her expertise to improve organizations and help people thrive. Her passion for taking creative ideas and launching them into successful business strategies led her to start three counselling psychology practices (Calgary Career Counselling, Canada Career Counselling, and Synthesis Psychology), as well as six different business brands offering organizational assessment and consulting services. Dr. Laura is honoured to have been selected as a Woman of Distinction in Canada in 2014 and received a Canadian Woman of Inspiration Award as a Global Influencer in 2018. Her new book, I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss, is available for purchase on Amazon now. Resources: The Curiosity Shop with Brené Brown and Adam Grant podcast “I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett Dr. Laura on LinkedIn Where Work Meets Life™ on YouTube   Learn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations:  Canada Career Counselling Synthesis Psychology Order Dr. Laura’s new book today: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this heartfelt conversation, Dr. Laura welcomes Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman, co-authors of The Peace Guidebook, to explore what it means to cultivate inner peace during uncertain and divisive times. Elizabeth, cofounder of Best Ever You Network and leader in personal development, and Dr. Katie, a grief and change expert and licensed therapist, drew on their experience when the simple but profound question, “What does the world need right now?” led them to create a practical guide for fostering peace from the inside out. Together, they and Dr. Laura explore why peace begins within each of us, how it ripples through our relationships and communities, and why connection, compassion, and understanding are more important than ever.  Dr. Laura examines the challenges of navigating conflict, judgment, grief, workplace tension, and the growing sense of disconnection many of us feel today. Elizabeth and Dr. Katie share practical insights from The Peace Guidebook, including the importance of showing up with love, pausing before reacting, and remembering that every person is carrying struggles we may not see. The conversation offers a hopeful perspective on humanity’s future and practical ways to choose peace, even in difficult moments, while reminding us that meaningful change begins one person at a time.  "I believe that we will get better at inclusivity, diversity, connection, compassion, acceptance, and love. Unconditional love. That is my hope for the world, for the future." - Dr. Katie Eastman "Peace is not a weakness. It's not passive. It's not silence. It's power. And it's our participation." - Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino About Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino: Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino is one of the world’s leading voices in personal development and peaceful leadership, inspiring a global movement toward authenticity, compassion, and change. She is a bestselling and award-winning author, certified Master Coach, and cofounder of BEST EVER YOU NETWORK, a global multimedia platform reaching millions. For over two decades, she has helped individuals, teams, and organizations navigate change and cultivate resilience through her compassionate and practical approach to transformation. The author of several acclaimed books, Elizabeth’s work redefines change, success, and peace as daily practices rooted in awareness, aligned action, and shared humanity. With a degree in journalism from St. Ambrose University and leadership studies at Harvard Business School, Elizabeth brings both professional depth and lived experience to her work. Contact: Website: ElizabethGuarino.com Website: Compliance4.com About Dr. Katie Eastman: Dr. Katie Eastman is an internationally acclaimed grief and change expert, licensed therapist, Master Grief Coach, cofounder of Re-Create Coaching and Counseling, and co-author of The Peace Guidebook. With over four decades of experience guiding individuals, families, organizations, and communities through life’s most complex transitions, Dr. Katie Eastman is recognized globally for her unwavering presence, emotional depth, and ability to transform heartbreak into healing. As a speaker, coach, and consultant, Dr. Katie has impacted thousands around the world through her masterful teachings on anticipatory grief, emotional resilience, compassionate leadership, and the psychology of transformation. She is also a passionate voice in the global peace movement, reminding us that peaceful living is not the absence of pain, but the presence of love, self-trust, and human connection. Contact: Website: DrKatieEastman.com   Resources: BestEverYou.com The Percolate Peace Project: PercolatePeace.com The Peace Guidebook: How to Cultivate Hope, Healing, and Harmony for the Good of Humankind by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman Percolate: Let Your Best Self Filter Through by Elizabeth Hamilton-Guarino and Dr. Katie Eastman Harness Your PromisePower: Change Your Life, Transform the World by Matthew Cossolotto   “I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating and Escaping a Toxic Boss” by Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett   Dr. Laura on LinkedIn Where Work Meets Life™ on YouTube Learn more about Dr. Laura on her website: https://drlaura.live For more resources, look into Dr. Laura’s organizations:  Canada Career Counselling Synthesis Psychology Order Dr. Laura’s new book today: I Wish I’d Quit Sooner: Practical Strategies for Navigating a Toxic Boss Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.