What if your job respected your life as much as you respect your job? Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer dive into a radical (but necessary) idea: work should support your life… not consume it. 💡

They unpack what it means to be a "boundary bouncer”:leaders who fiercely protect their team’s time, values, and wellbeing like VIPs behind a velvet rope. From dodging late meetings that creep into T-ball practice to honoring dog walks even when your boss is terrified of dogs, Patricia and Katina keep it real while serving up actionable insights.

Tune in to learn why respecting boundaries isn't just good for wellness, it’s rocket fuel for performance. 🚀

Additional Resources:

Grab your copy of "Leading for Wellness"

Listen to the original episode

Listen to the Leading for Wellness Podcast

Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn

Connect with Katina on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Great leaders act as “boundary bouncers,” protecting personal time.
• Respecting boundaries means enforcing them, not just acknowledging them.
• Trust grows when leaders value life outside of work.
• People balance work and life differently. Know their style.
• Documenting boundaries builds clarity and respect.

What if the very things you believe make you a good leader are actually holding you back? In this episode of “Leading Adam with Adam Binkerd,” things get real… and personal.

With no guest in the studio, Adam Binkerd and Erica Crabtree take the mic to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership: the subconscious norms we’ve inherited from society, our upbringing, and past experiences.

From the belief that “leaders should always have the answers” to the classic “if you want it done right, do it yourself,” they unpack how these hidden scripts quietly shape the way we lead, and often sabotage the human experience at work.

Adam shares powerful insights drawn from hundreds of coaching sessions and his own journey through addiction and recovery, giving this episode a raw, refreshing honesty you don’t always get in leadership conversations.

If you're a people-first leader who wants to grow beyond the surface level, this episode is your permission slip to dig deeper.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Adam on LinkedIn

Listen to Leading Adam with Adam Binkerd

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Most leadership missteps are unintentional and driven by subconscious norms.
• Common beliefs like “leaders must have the answers” often backfire.
• Blanket team corrections can harm morale more than help.
• Self-awareness is more powerful than immediate action.
• Our past experiences quietly shape how we lead today.

What if the best workplace recognition strategy has been wagging its tail or purring at your feet this whole time? 🐾

David Martin uncovers the surprising power of pet perks and what our furry friends can teach us about recognition. While most workplace programs focus on achievements, pets remind us of something deeper: unconditional acknowledgment for simply being ourselves. 🐕🐈

From the science behind oxytocin and stress relief, to real stories of pet-related benefits like 24/7 virtual vet care and lost pet recovery, David explores how organizations can boost loyalty, engagement, and culture by embracing the whole person.

This isn’t just about cute office dogs… it’s about rethinking recognition in a way that’s authentic, human, and lasting.

Additional Resources:

Subscribe to the podcast: Perk Up: A Pet Benefits Podcast

Connect with David on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Recognition should value who people are, not just what they do.
• Pets provide proven mental health benefits that boost focus and creativity.
• Pet perks show organizations value the whole person.
• These benefits strengthen engagement, retention, and authentic connections.

In this episode of “Lead the People,” host Matt Poepsel welcomes AmberLyn Bryant, People & Culture Director at Keyrenter Denver, to explore how behavioral insights and intentional culture-building elevate employee experiences.

Drawing from her own evolution through toxic to thriving workplaces, AmberLyn shares how data-driven tools like the Predictive Index are transforming how teams communicate, onboard, and grow.

Learn how a personalized approach to leadership and employee reviews is not just a “nice to have,” but a strategic advantage for scaling organizations. This episode is a roadmap for HR professionals and people-first leaders who want to turn culture into a catalyst for performance.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Listen to the original episode on Lead the People

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Self-awareness tools accelerate personal and team growth.
• Scalable culture needs personalized, structured systems.
• Quarterly reviews drive alignment and reduce bias.
• Behavioral data enables tailored leadership.
• Strong HR-business partnerships fuel better outcomes.

What if the secret to high-performing, happy teams had nothing to do with working harder, and everything to do with how it feels to work with you?

In this episode of “Leading for Wellness,” Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer dive into the underrated superpower of leadership: setting the right tone.

From stories of care packages on the front lawn during COVID to coworkers driving each other to urgent care, Patricia and Katina reveal how small, consistent acts of kindness spark cultures where everyone steps up, not just the leader. And guess what? The better your team vibes, the less you have to carry alone. 💡

Whether you're leading a massive team or just starting to shape your workplace, this episode will challenge how you think about productivity, leadership, and the legacy you're building… one intentional tone at a time. 💛

Additional Resources:

Grab your copy of "Leading for Wellness"

Listen to the original episode!

Listen to the Leading for Wellness Podcast

Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn

Connect with Katina on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• The tone you set shapes how your team behaves, even when you’re not around.
• Caring leaders inspire caring teams.
• Supportive cultures reduce burnout and boost collaboration.
• Legacy is built through consistent, people-first actions.
• It’s not about how long you work… it’s how you lead.

What happens when one person with a big vision is tasked with building a global learning function from scratch?

In this episode, Matt sits down with Akkshada Maniyan, who’s turned learning into a strategic superpower at Innova Solutions. From building a global team to creating 88+ in-house courses and 100+ personalized learning paths, she’s all about scaling with heart and hustle. 💡💥

Akkshada shares how she hires for passion over pedigree, uses metrics to keep learning business-critical, and fosters a culture where agility, innovation, and career growth thrive. 📈 She also dives into her book “The Serial Influencer” and explains how to keep your influence fresh and your impact lasting.

Whether you're in HR, L&D, or just a leader who loves leveling up people, this convo will spark some serious inspiration. 🚀

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Listen to the original episode on Lead the People

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Strategic learning must align with business goals to drive real impact.
• Hire for passion and adaptability over traditional experience.
• Use data to prove learning effectiveness and influence leadership.
• Personalized learning paths fuel employee growth and retention.
• Lasting influence comes from consistency, clarity, and trust.

Ready to bust the myth of the superhero leader? 🦸‍♂️❌

In this episode of “Leading for Wellness”, Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer dive into why trying to be the flawless, all-knowing boss is actually hurting your leadership game. From awkward eggshell-walking teams to trust-eroding perfectionism, they unpack the messy (and all-too-relatable) consequences of putting up a polished front. But don’t worry! They also bring real stories of leaders who ditched the act and embraced vulnerability, authenticity, and human connection. ❤️

Whether it's a hiring story that’ll restore your faith in management or weekly check-ins that go beyond surface-level chat, this episode proves that letting go of perfection is exactly what makes you powerful.

So if you’ve ever wondered, “Do I have to be perfect to lead?” … this one's for you. 🎙️💡

Additional Resources:

Grab your copy of "Leading for Wellness"

Listen to the original episode

Listen to the Leading for Wellness Podcast

Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn

Connect with Katina on LinkedIn

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

• Perfect personas in leadership often alienate teams and create distrust.
• Vulnerability and openness strengthen leader-employee relationships.
• Employees are more engaged when leaders admit they don’t know everything.
• Creating space for personal connection helps build authentic workplace cultures.
• Leaders who model authenticity encourage others to show up as their full selves.

What if thriving at work wasn’t a nice-to-have, but a human right? 💡

Mauren “Mo” Berkner Boyt, founder of The Moxie Exchange, joins Matt Poepsel to unpack the power of inclusion—backed by neuroscience, real data, and lots of heart.

From “amygdala hijacks” to why your phone habits can actually help build belonging 📱, this episode is packed with insights for people-first leaders ready to make inclusion part of every day.

From Our Sponsor:

The Predictive Index (PI) is an award-winning talent optimization platform that aligns business strategy with people strategy for optimal business results. More than 60 years of proven science, software, and a curriculum of insightful management workshops make PI the solution for any company looking to design great teams and culture, make objective hiring decisions, foster engagement, and inspire greatness in their people anywhere in the world. More than 10,000 clients and 480+ partners use PI—including Nissan, Citizens Bank, Subway, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Omni Hotels—across 90+ countries. Learn more at predictiveindex.com.

Additional Resources:

Listen to the original episode on Lead the People

Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

• Thriving is the true north—beyond engagement, it's about psychological safety and inclusion.
• Inclusion is not abstract; it's a set of small, consistent behaviors leaders can learn and apply.
• The business case for belonging is real—leaders should personalize ROI through tools and data.
• Microaggressions have neurological consequences; inclusion reduces amygdala hijack and increases innovation.
• Frontline leaders have the greatest influence on culture and need specific tools to succeed.