We’re introducing a NEW series here on Fringe: Leading for Wellness with Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer! 🎙️ Patricia and Katina kick things off by digging into why workplace wellness really matters—and why most companies are doing it wrong. From “Generators” who light up teams to “Extinguishers” who drain the energy, they share researc…

Live from CultureCon 2024 🎙️ Nikki chats with Michelle Naples, Chief Integration Officer at Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They dive into what servant leadership really looks like in practice—from trauma-informed care for everyone to creating cultures of co-creation and courageous conversations. Michelle also challenges h…

Goats, graduate degrees, and Glassdoor—yep, they’re all part of Amber Cerone’s leadership journey! From project manager to Senior Director of Talent and Doctor of Psychology, Amber’s path is proof that “searching” is part of the process. In this episode, Amber joins Matt Poepsel to talk about the power of career exploration, why leadership is more …

🎧 In another episode live from CultureCon, Nikki chats with Melissa Sanchez from Duck Creek Technologies—and trust us, this one’s packed with 💡 aha moments! Melissa breaks down how they’re flipping the script on employee engagement by starting before day one, treating team members like VIP clients, and building a culture that people don’t just join…

Live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy chats with the powerhouse Bryetta Calloway about meritocracy, marginalization, and why inclusion isn’t just a checkbox. Bryetta shares her personal journey, spicy truths about workplace culture, and why the “just work hard” narrative doesn’t cut it anymore. From unspoken rules to emotional labor and allyship th…

Get ready to travel the world—without leaving your headphones! 🌍✈️ In this episode of “Lead the People,” Matt Pepssel chats with Chris Failla, a leadership coach who's been to 50+ countries and is on a mission to create healing, human-centered workplaces. They unpack why being seen, known, and loved at work isn't just nice—it's necessary. Add in so…

Live from CultureCon, Nikki sits down with Ann Newman, Director of Learning at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee and Chicago, to talk about all things purpose, people, and the magic that happens when those two align 💫. Ann shares her take on the “secret sauce” that makes work feel meaningful, how to interview with purpose in mind, and her go-to tools like…

🚀 Remote work doesn’t mean disconnected work! Live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy is joined by Greta Jackson, who shares how simple, structured fun—like Fun Fact Fridays and Photography Bingo—can transform remote engagement. Her golden rule? Hope is NOT a plan. Connection takes strategy, consistency, and creativity. And the proof? A 150% increase…

What can leaders learn from the high-pressure world of neonatal intensive care? Dr. Susan Landers, a seasoned neonatologist, joins Matt Poepsel to share insights on handling stress, building resilient teams, and navigating work-life balance. From life-or-death decisions in the NICU to balancing a demanding career and family, Susan’s lessons apply t…

Leaders, listen up! 🎙️ If you don’t believe in what you’re leading, your team won’t either. In another episode live from CultureCon, Nikki sits down with Laura Gottfredsen Suminski, VP of Talent at UW Credit Union, to unpack why alignment between personal values and workplace culture is a game-changer. They tackle what happens when leaders don’t wa…

We’re featuring another great episode from Kate Volman, this time from her show Create for No Reason 🎨🎤📖! Entrepreneur, comedian, keynote speaker, and all-around creative powerhouse Brian Carter joins Kate Volman for a conversation packed with humor, wisdom, and no-nonsense advice on getting out of your own way. They dive into the messy, exciting, …

What if we stopped obsessing over weaknesses and amplified strengths instead? 💡 In another episode live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy is joined by Vibhas Ratanjee from Gallup to break down the power of strengths-based leadership—why most workplaces get it wrong, how CliftonStrengths changes the game, and the four must-know strategies for buildin…

What is culture, really? (Hint: It’s not free snacks or a dog-friendly office. 🐶) Today, we’re featuring an episode hosted by Kate Volman — Lead with Culture! Kate is joined by executive coach Tony Ferraro to break down the six must-have principles of a thriving workplace. From hiring the right people to making mission the boss, they’ll help you cu…

🏆 What if the secret to great leadership isn’t in doing more, but in being more?✨🚀 In this final installment of the PFN Impact Awards, Amy Lynn Durham sits down with her nomination, Aaron Tabacco, to talk about Quantum Presence—the next-level leadership skill that helps you show up fully, authentically, and impactfully. Aaron shares why presence be…

What happens when a business goes beyond profit and puts people at the center of everything they do? You get Daycos —a company where employees don’t just work; they lead the charge in giving back. 💙 Lead the People’s Matt Poepsel sits down with his PFN Impact Award nominations: Brandon and Tammy Day, the dynamic duo behind Daycos. They discuss how …

Get ready for another great episode highlighting this nominee for the PeopleForward Network Impact Awards series! Host of Mo-ments of Experience Geoffrey Smith sits down with Dr. Apurv Gupta—a true champion of leading with love.❤️ From his early days in medicine to becoming a transformational force in healthcare, Dr. Gupta shares the aha! moments t…

🏆 The PFN Impact Awards are back in this kickoff episode for 2024’s winners! Nikki Lewallen Gregory sits down with her nomination: Amy Bayer — Global Director of DEI, Culture, and Engagement at Duck Creek Technologies — as she shares how she helped build a flexible-first, employee-led culture where 93% of employees engage in shaping their workplace…

From corporate hotshot to living legendary! 🌟 Tommy Breedlove joins Matt Poepsel to share how hitting rock bottom sparked a journey to authentic leadership, true success, and joy. Discover how self-awareness, owning your brilliance, and living with purpose can transform your life. From Our Sponsor: The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning tale…

🚀 Live from CultureCon in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki chats with Jeannie Boehm of Zappos at Work and Michelle Goodhart, a leader in employee experience. From surprise shoe gifting to creating meaningful connections, this episode dives into how intentional recognition can WOW your team and transform workplace culture. Lace up for this inspiring conver…

We’re back with another episode live from CultureCon 2024! Join host Jasmine Bellamy as she chats with Mark Cruth, Modern Work Coach at Atlassian. With only 13% of teams thriving, Mark shares how storytelling can reconnect teams to their purpose. From "Postcards from the Future" to "Future Press Releases," discover simple, practical ways to energiz…

What if “you matter” wasn’t just a feel-good phrase but a leadership superpower? In today’s Predictive Index special episode, Angela Maiers, renowned educator and change-maker, joins Matt Poepsel to explore how leaders can ignite purpose and performance by meeting the most basic human need. Packed with stories, insights, and actionable tips, this e…

Live from CultureCon, we’re talking workplace magic with Debra Squyres, Chief Customer Officer at Bonusly! 🎉 From Bonusly’s origin story to game-changing tips on recognition and leadership, this episode is packed with inspiring stories and actionable advice for building thriving, people-first workplaces. Tune in to discover how small moments of rec…

Happy New Year from People Forward Network! 🎇 We’re kicking off 2025 with a new episode live from CultureCon! Nikki chats with Regent Cornell from UKG about all things workplace culture! From simplifying HR systems to creating people-first environments, Regent shares stories, tips, and laughs (including how UKG keeps things "United, Kind, and Growi…

Culture isn’t just a vibe—it’s a choice! In today’s Predictive Index replay, Hema Crockett, co-founder of Gig Talent, joins Matt Poepsel to break down what it really takes to build a culture that works. Spoiler alert: it’s about values, not perks. Hema shares her secrets on getting everyone involved in shaping culture, why high performance goes way…

🎙It’s another episode live from CultureCon! Jasmine Bellamy and Jeff Lindemann are here to spill the secrets of building a culture that actually fuels business success! Jeff shares his journey of shaping a people-first culture where belonging, engagement, and purpose aren’t just buzzwords—they’re the game plan. Tune in to learn why Jeff says, “Cult…

🎙Live from CultureCon! Nikki chats with the inspiring Faatima Khan about creating workplaces where people can be their true selves. Faatima shares stories from her career, emphasizes the importance of "brave spaces," and offers actionable ways leaders can build trust and celebrate individual strengths. Tune in for fresh insights on trust, empathy, …

On this re-released episode of Lead the People podcast, Marcel Schwantes, founder of Leadership from the Core, shares how his experience in a toxic workplace led him to embrace servant leadership. Now a renowned coach and speaker, Marcel discusses how prioritizing people-first principles transforms both leadership and organizational success. He sha…

Live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy chats with Amy Bayer, the HR pro who believes "Everyone Owns Culture." With over 20 years in HR, Amy shares how Duck Creek Technologies thrived when employees took the lead in shaping culture—from creating a women's Resource Group to launching a Culture Ambassador Program. Learn how these initiatives boosted co…

Live from CultureCon in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki sits down with Joey Williams, Culture Specialist at Healthpeak Properties, aka “HR Fun Uncle,” to discuss his unique career journey and approach to building a culture where every voice is heard. From handwritten birthday notes to creating channels for open feedback, Joey reveals how he fosters inclu…

On this re-released episode from the Lead the People podcast Dr. Steven G. Rogelberg, an expert on organizational psychology and meetings, shares his insights on the power of 1:1 meetings. As the author of The Surprising Science of Meetings and Glad We Met, Dr. Rogelberg reveals how these interactions can boost performance, foster engagement, and i…

In this episode recorded live from CultureCon in Madison, WI, Nikki sits down with Gianna Driver, Chief People Officer at Lattice, to uncover the real magic behind thriving workplaces. Spoiler: It’s not just about retention or productivity—it’s about creating deep, human connections. Gianna takes us on a journey through her 20+ years in HR, sharing…

Live from CultureCon 2024 in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki Lewallen Gregory, founder of PeopleForward Network, kicks off a new series that brings together the collective power of meaningful work and people-first leadership. This episode features the dynamic co-founders of CultureCon, Nick Lombardino and Zach Blumenfeld, as they share the origin story o…

What does it mean to be authentic at work, and why does it matter? It turns out, authenticity has a massive impact. It reduces turnover, builds trust, and inspires loyalty. Companies with authentic cultures see employees over 2x more likely to stay, 4x more likely to report high trust, and 6x more likely to follow authentic leaders. In this re-rele…

In this re-released episode, Joshua Berry, author, speaker, and director of Econic, shares his insights on driving change in Fortune 500 companies and startups. With a track record of success at organizations like US Bank, John Deere, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, Joshua reveals his top strategies for effective leadership and innovation. Top 3 Takeaw…

In this re-release episode of Lead the People, host Matt Poepsel interviews David Lahey. David holds an MBA from the Smith School of Business at Queen's University and has completed graduate studies at Harvard University, along with additional coursework in Adult Education at the University of Toronto. With over 25 years of expertise, David has foc…

On the this re-release from the Lead the People podcast we welcome guest, Brian Phillips. Brian is an Oklahoma native who moved to California with the goal of building leaders and cultivating change around the world after graduating from the University of Oklahoma. With a mix of enterprise recruiting experience at HP and Google with a foundation in…

This episode of Fringe, features the Lead the People podcast with host Matt Poepsel. Guest Keisha A Rivers harnessed the lessons learned while leading during a harrowing Hurricane Katrina experience to become an award-winning international speaker, change agent and learning leader. As Chief Change Officer and President of The KARS Group LTD, she fo…

Navigating the maze of self-discovery and authentic leadership, Aaron Abell, head of America's HR at Southco, dives deep into his transformative journey. On this re-released episode of "Being [at Work] with host Andrea Butcher," Aaron unfurls the tale of his personal and professional metamorphosis—how he listened to his internal nudges leading to p…

Katherine Coble believes most leaders’ most significant factor between success and failure is communication. In this re-released episode, Katherine launched her monthly In the Loop series on the Gut+Science podcast, which offers a glimpse into the crucial role of communication in leadership. She delves into the impact of workplace engagement and th…

In this special Fringe episode showcasing the Show Up as a Leader posdcast, host Rosie Ward is joined by friend, fellow podcaster, and Founder and Chief Meaningful Work Officer at the PeopleForward Network, Nikki Lewallen Gregory, for a conversation around courageous leadership. Becoming a better leader and, in turn, the best and most authentic ver…

In this special episode with Host and Executive Producer at PFN, Shawn P. Neal, you’ll meet our incredible PFN Mascot, Meaningful Manny. He has made his life purpose to live and lead meaningful work for all people. In this episode, Manny gets pretty raw, sharing his transformative life journey via the workplace for the very first time. Why listen t…

Join host Amy Lynn Durham, with Sandra Bargman of Sacred Stages, LLC, and the Salon Host at The Plum at Traver Hollow House for this fascinating re-release episode. Sandra shares her journey from actress to spiritual leader and discusses the importance of knowing thyself in leadership. She emphasizes shifting from hierarchical leadership to a more …

Renée Smith believes that when leaders embrace love, they can create meaningful and transformative work experiences. In this episode of FRINGE, she takes us on a journey, sharing her expertise on creating more loving and human workplaces through clarity. She discusses the significance of organizational, individual, and team clarity in fostering env…

TyAnn Osborn has carved a distinct niche in the realm of personal development, specializing in helping individuals recognize their unique strengths and achieve personal significance. In this episode of Fringe, we highlight The Strengths Whisperer podcast where TyAnn joins host Brandon Miller to delve deep into the significance strength, which is of…

Sheriff Matt Clifford of Idaho's largest law enforcement agency shares profound insights on leadership and community service in this episode of The Unleashing Leaders Podcast. With 23 years dedicated to serving and protecting, Sheriff Clifford champions a culture of empowerment and adaptability within the force, from his beginnings at Boise State U…

In this episode, being re-released, Laurie Shakur tackles the critical issues surrounding mental health in the workplace. She explores the staggering economic and personal costs of untreated mental health conditions, examines the profound effects of childhood experiences, and discusses actionable strategies to enhance mental health support in profe…

In this episode, Shawn takes us on a thought-provoking journey, challenging us to rethink the traditional concept of leadership development. Rather than focusing solely on training programs, Shawn advocates for leaders to embrace and cultivate meaningful moments in their interactions with employees. These moments of caring and connection are the ke…

In this episode of Culture (&), Shawn Gulyas and Sarah Marshall explore the importance of well-being in the workplace and how it relates to organizational culture. From intentionality to a strong foundation of core values, the duo discusses how to create a culture of well-being that champions people and emphasizes leadership support, while advocati…

Susan Lindner is a passionate storyteller who has significantly impacted startups and Fortune 500 companies. Recently, she joined Nikki Lewallen Gregory on the Gut + Science podcast to share her insights on the power of storytelling to drive movements, create connections, and elicit real, meaningful change. Together, they dive deep into the power o…

Zech Dahms is a culture strategist and employee experience expert who thrives in efforts that transform workplaces with innovative, meaningful people strategies that lead the future of work. In this episode, Zech joins Nikki Lewallen Gregoryas a fellow advocate for strategic peer learning. They discuss the need for structured mentorship conversatio…