More than just a paycheck, work is the foundation of prosperity and the pathway to earned success. This week, host Grant Callen sits down with Rebekah Staples President & Founder of Free State Strategies and a Contributing Fellow at Empower Mississippi. Hailing from The Free State of Jones (County), Rebekah shares her journey from working in Governor Haley Barbour's office during Hurricane Katrina to shaping major economic policies under Lieutenant Governor Tate Reeves. They dive into the dignity and joy of work, Mississippi's challenges with labor force participation, recent progress in wages and job growth, and bold reforms like income tax elimination and school choice. Grant and Rebekah discuss why work is central to economic mobility, why so many Mississippians are outside the workforce, and how policies can better connect opportunity with responsibility. They also explore the future of Jackson, Rebekah’s leadership on the Capitol Complex Improvement District, and her hopes for Mississippi’s trajectory. Whether you’re interested in public policy, the dignity of work, or the future of Mississippi, this conversation is for you.