Advertise on podcast: The CultureCon Podcast

What if the most untapped leadership skill isn't found in a boardroom, but in the power of a well-told story? Nick and Zach officially welcome Dr. Rod Berger as CultureCon's newest storyteller-in-residence. With a doctorate in psychology and thousands of interviews with global leaders under his belt, Rod brings a rare lens to leadership, one rooted in the belief that storytelling isn't fluff, it's fuel. From his book "The Narrative Edge" to his conversations with executives and veterans, Rod shares how narrative shapes identity, unlocks empathy, and fosters true connection inside our organizations. The trio dives deep into how story helps us meet the moment, why leaders must understand their own role in the plotline, and how authentic storytelling builds stronger cultures, especially in a digital-first world. Whether you're a seasoned leader or just discovering your voice, this episode invites you to see yourself as a character in a story worth telling.   Additional Resources: Connect with Rod on LinkedIn Buy the book: "The Narrative Edge" Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Storytelling is a strategic leadership skill. Your story influences how others experience you. Authenticity builds trust within workplace culture. Empathy grows when stories are shared. Leaders must define their role in the narrative.  

W. Edwards Deming was famously quoted as saying, "A bad system will beat a good person every time." After decades of training, coaching, and consulting with leaders, ADVISA has seen that five drivers create cultural competitive advantage for organizations. The final driver is one of the most important: Systems That Support Leaders. In this episode, Steve Edwards, President & General Manager of City Wide Facility Solutions, joins ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay to dig into why systems matter – and how you can put systems to work for you.   Additional Resources: Connect with Steve on LinkedIn Learn more about City Wide Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Culture killers must be addressed quickly and directly. Systems should support, not stifle, your people. Leadership consistency builds team trust and performance. Frontline ideas often spark business growth. Complaints reveal quality opportunities and loyalty potential.  

What happens when Gen Zs and Boomers team up at work? Live from CultureCon 2025, Nikki Lewallen Gregory sits down with Megan Berki of Rocket Lawyer for a powerful conversation on bridging generational gaps in the workplace. With five generations now working side-by-side, Megan shares how leaders can turn differences into strengths, from Gen Z's TikTok-fueled learning to Boomers' process-driven mindset. Packed with real examples from Rocket Lawyer, this episode explores communication strategies, culture wins (and flops), and how to build a people-first workplace where everyone feels seen and supported. Whether you're leading, managing, or just navigating the mix, this one's for you. 🚀   Additional Resources: Connect with Megan on LinkedIn Learn more about Rocket Lawyer Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Five generations coexist, each with distinct needs and preferences. Tech-native Gen Z differs significantly from tech-savvy Millennials. Communication must be multi-channel and predictably consistent. Aligning tech tools to user habits drives adoption. Culture thrives when values are actionable and inclusive.  

What if the real unlock to thriving workplace cultures isn't fixing what's broken, but amplifying what's already strong? Jasmine Bellamy sits down with Vibhas Ratanjee, Senior Practice Expert at Gallup, to explore how organizations can build strengths-based cultures rooted in affirmation, not audit. Drawing from over two decades of research and consulting at Gallup, Vibhas reveals how focusing on what's right with people, not what's wrong, can radically shift culture, engagement, and performance. From the origin of CliftonStrengths to insights on Gen Z's workplace disconnect, this episode is packed with data, stories, and deeply human takeaways. If you're a people leader ready to ditch the deficit mindset and unlock the full potential of your team, this conversation will change how you think about strengths, feedback, and the real work of culture.   Additional Resources: Connect with Vibhas on LinkedIn Connect with Jasmine on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Strengths-based leadership begins with knowing your own gifts Most organizations undervalue what's working well Feedback should amplify strengths, not fix weaknesses Only 1 in 3 use strengths daily at work Connection to culture is alarmingly low, especially in Gen Z  

You've built your culture plan… now what? Pete Savage and Greg Livings pull back the curtain on a powerful but often overlooked concept: de-risking your culture program. From eliminating weak signals to building visual tools like the Culture Wheel Playbook, they unpack actionable strategies to ensure your culture efforts don't fall flat. Whether you're planning for the year ahead or trying to get your CEO on board, this episode is packed with real-world, low-cost, high-impact tactics to build executive confidence and boost internal alignment. It's a masterclass in making your culture work work smarter, not harder. 💡   Additional Resources: Listen to Fixing Broken Culture Signals Get "The Culture Wheel Playbook" Connect with Greg on LinkedIn Connect with Pete on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Eliminate weak signals draining time and resources. Use the Culture Wheel Playbook to visualize and communicate plans. Add low-cost signals that reinforce strong initiatives. Secure executive visibility with authentic culture messaging. Gather ongoing feedback to optimize and adapt programs.  

Want great insights to help you lead your people? You need data. "Actionable People Data" is the fourth driver of cultural competitive advantage in the acronym ATLAS. Data helps you increase employee engagement. Plus, by informing decisions, data reduces the burden on you to know the right thing to do. ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay discuss the critical importance of understanding employees' motivations, needs, and experiences in qualitative and quantitative ways.   Additional Resources: Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Subscribe to CultureCon's YouTube channel! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Data is only powerful when applied consistently. Cultural fluency requires ongoing training and reinforcement. People data reveals how to meet employee needs. Manager access to data enables real-time action. Culture becomes tangible with the right analytics.  

What happens when every leader in your company defines "leadership" their own way? Spoiler alert: chaos. Live from the CultureCon 2025 studio in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki Lewallen Gregory teams up with Coleman Williams, co-founder of Wrestling With Talent, to get real about the chaos that comes from undefined leadership. From inconsistent one-on-ones to unclear goal-setting, they explore how structure creates fairness without crossing into micromanagement. They also unpack how companies can onboard leaders with clarity, integrate AI for more effective training, and give employees a consistent, people-first experience, especially during change. This is your blueprint for leadership done right.   Additional Resources: Connect with Coleman on LinkedIn Learn more about Wrestling with Talent Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Clear leadership expectations reduce workplace inconsistency. Guardrails are not micromanagement, they offer direction. Start small to avoid overwhelming leaders with change. AI can enhance, not replace, leadership onboarding. Consistency supports fairness in the employee experience.  

What if the key to thriving teams isn't just better benefits or ping pong tables, but bold conversations, deep listening, and shared ownership of culture? Live from CultureCon2024, Nikki Llewellyn Gregory sits down with Gianna Driver to unpack the real meaning of employee engagement. From Silicon Valley boardrooms to culture-shifting conference stages, Gianna shares her personal journey through pivotal career moments, the evolution of engagement post-pandemic, and how both leaders and employees must co-own the energy of their workplace. You'll hear why listening is the most underrated leadership skill, how to respond when the vibe of your company shifts, and why chasing alignment, not just paychecks, leads to true career fulfillment. Whether you're leading a team or navigating your own fork-in-the-road moment, this episode delivers fresh perspective, heartfelt stories, and one powerful challenge that could change your workplace forever.   Additional Resources: Listen to more episodes Live from CultureCon on Fringe Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Engagement evolved dramatically during the pandemic. Listening is foundational to effective leadership. Employees share responsibility for workplace culture. Curiosity bridges conflicting perspectives at work. Joy and alignment outweigh financial incentives.  

The best moments at CultureCon West 2025 didn't happen on stage. They happened in the spaces in between. This episode unpacks why that matters. Nick and Zach reflect on what made CultureCon West 2025 truly stand out, and it wasn't just the speaker lineup. From an unforgettable dinner where no one talked about work to a surprise "Hamilton" performance that brought the room to its feet, they explore the human-centered experiences that made this year's conference feel different. They share behind-the-scenes wins in sustainability, unexpected on-stage moments, and why the real value came from the connections formed between sessions. Whether it was tapping badges, sharing stories, or singing Disney ballads, this conversation is a reminder: culture isn't built in keynotes. It's built in community.   Additional Resources: Read their blog post! Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Sustainability isn't overwhelming with the right partner. Connection deepens when work talk disappears. Surprise performances create unforgettable shared moments. Culture thrives outside formal programming structure. Impactful conferences start with intentional community experiences.  

Your leaders are your culture carriers. And if your organization wants to achieve and sustain cultural competitive advantage, your leaders must be crystal clear on a few critical behaviors. In this episode, CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay of the consultancy ADVISA have a lively and insightful conversation with Todd Wuestenberg, Chief Culture Officer of Haverkamp Properties, about the importance of the third of five drivers of cultural competitive advantage: Leader Effectiveness. What does Leader Effectiveness look like, and how do you go about fostering it? Heather and BJ tee up what they've learned as part of a leadership and culture consultancy that's been helping organizations thrive for decades. And Todd shares his invaluable perspective of what this driver looks like in action.   Additional Resources: Connect with Todd on LinkedIn Learn more about Havercamp Properties Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about Advisa Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Culture means to care for. Intentionality matters deeply. Leadership buy-in is essential for cultural transformation. Effective leaders grow future leaders intentionally. Feedback and iteration strengthen leadership development programs. Culture must be measured and continuously cultivated.  

What if your company values weren't just words on a wall, but a lived, breathing part of your culture that drives every hire, fire, and daily decision? Live from CultureCon 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin, Nikki Lewallen Gregory sits down with Eliza Jackson of ButcherBox for a conversation that flips traditional HR playbooks on their head. With a colorful background that spans finance, kindergarten classrooms, and hypergrowth startups, Eliza brings a refreshingly real perspective on what it takes to build values-driven organizations that actually walk the talk. From rejecting high-performing candidates who don't align with company values to ensuring every employee has access to a personal coach, Eliza breaks down ButcherBox's radical approach to "baking in" culture at every level. You'll hear how they future-proof their workforce through mindset over skillset, maintain startup agility at scale, and foster a culture of relentless improvement, all while staying human at the core.   Additional Resources: Connect with Eliza on LinkedIn Learn more about ButcherBox Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Values must be embedded across all touchpoints. Coaching unlocks personal and organizational growth. Hire for mindset, not just experience. Startup culture can scale if you're intentional. Inner work fuels external culture strength.  

What if the best patient experience starts with taking care of your people first? In this episode of "WorkPossible," Elaine and Hattie get into conversation with Sven Gierlinger, Chief Experience Officer at Northwell Health, one of the largest and most progressive health systems in the United States. But Sven's impact goes far beyond patient experience. He's a powerful advocate for something many leaders talk about but rarely act on: the unbreakable connection between exceptional employee experience and exceptional customer, or in this case patient, experience. Drawing from three decades across hospitality, the Ritz-Carlton, and 17 years in healthcare, Sven brings a unique perspective shaped by a profound personal experience. When he was paralyzed by Guillain-Barré Syndrome, he learned firsthand what truly matters in healthcare - the human connection. Now, he channels that lived experience into transforming how organisations think about care, culture, and what's possible when leaders prioritise their people. This conversation reveals how Northwell went from foundational culture work to creating award-winning innovations like Buddy Curtain, a brilliant idea from a housekeeper that saved Northwell millions of dollars and became a business, and a Shark Tank-style competition that unlocks ideas from every corner of the organisation – two winners are picked and each of them get awarded with $500,000 to develop their idea. But more importantly, it's about reimagining leadership itself: getting off the executive floor, observing what's happening from a patient perspective, listening at the front lines, and building psychological safety where authenticity thrives over scripts. Discover what happens when you stop treating patient and employee experience as separate priorities and start seeing them as inseparable forces. When your frontline people feel supported, valued, and heard, they show up differently. And that changes everything.   Additional Resources: Connect with Sven on LinkedIn Connect with Hattie on LinkedIn Connect with Elaine on LinkedIn Learn more about Fauna Follow Fauna on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: You can't script empathy into burned-out teams. Great patient care starts with supported staff. Frontline ideas can spark system-wide innovation. Authenticity beats perfection in leadership. Culture change begins with proximity, not hierarchy.  

If you're investing in culture but not seeing impact, the problem might not be the budget… it might be the signals you're sending. 🚨 Pete Savage and Greg Livings are back to decode one of the most overlooked drivers of company culture: culture signals. From a restaurant that turned things around by upgrading its patio decor to a company that fumbled a milestone moment for 7,000 employees, this episode is full of sharp insights and real-world lessons. They break down how to spot what's truly resonating, drop the weak stuff, and create moments that stick. With practical tips and tools, you'll learn how to plan and communicate your culture strategy with clarity and purpose.   Additional Resources: Get "The Culture Wheel Playbook" Connect with Greg on LinkedIn Connect with Pete on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Strong culture signals amplify employee connection and engagement. Evaluate programs by cultural impact, not popularity. Personalization makes a lasting impression on employees. Weak signals waste money and dilute cultural strategy.  

ADVISA CEO Heather Haas and leadership consultant BJ McKay spill the T in ATLAS, delving into the second of five essential drivers for creating cultural competitive advantage: Trust and Shared Purpose. Heather and BJ define what this driver really means and provide practical tactics any organization can use to promote it. This episode decodes the importance of mission, vision, and values, and what makes the difference between wall art and valuable tools for alignment.   Additional Resources: Get Your Culture Check! Connect with Heather on LinkedIn Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about ADVISA Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Trust builds speed and lowers cost in business operations. Leaders must align behavior with stated mission and values. Culture needs clarity: mission, vision, and values defined. Communication trust forms when leadership consistently shares strategic direction. Rituals and accountability bring values to life organization-wide.  

Why are we still using resumes like it's 1995?! 📄 Live from CultureCon 2025, Nikki Lewallen Gregory is joined by Natasha Nuytten, CEO of CLARA, for a rapid-fire convo on shaking up everything we thought we knew about HR. From blowing up the resume to embracing AI in ethical and human-first ways, Natasha dishes on how leaders can stop playing it safe and start rethinking talent. They explore the magic of unlearning, why potential matters more than pedigree, and how to build hiring processes that actually reflect the world we live in today. If you're tired of rinse-and-repeat recruiting and ready to reimagine the future of work, this episode is your permission slip to challenge the status quo and lead with heart and strategy.   Additional Resources: Connect with Natasha on LinkedIn Learn more about Clara Listen to "Human Side Up" Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn CultureCon 2025 Connect with Zach on LinkedIn Connect with Nick on LinkedIn Learn more about CultureCon Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network   Key Takeaways: Unlearning outdated HR practices creates room for innovation. Skills-based hiring outperforms resume-based filtering. Culture fit should evolve into culture value-add. AI must be ethical, transparent, and human-first. Potential matters more than traditional career paths.