What if the hardest part of leading well... was everything around you trying to stop you?

Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer pull back the curtain on what it really takes to lead with empathy and integrity when the system around you isn't built to support it.

From personal stories of burnout and toxic workplaces to actionable strategies for building micro-cultures and protecting your team's well-being, this episode doesn't shy away from the messy, exhausting, and deeply human side of people-first leadership. 🤲

Learn how to stay grounded when you're surrounded by resistance, and why the right kind of hard is the one that puts people first.

Additional Resources:

Grab your copy of "Leading for Wellness"

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• Create micro-cultures even in toxic environments.
• Recovery requires more than just relaxation.
• Find and build with culture allies.
• Time investment in people yields long-term gains.
• Leadership is hard. Choose challenges that uplift.

What if the key to business success wasn't just hitting KPIs, but creating a legacy where people feel seen, heard, and inspired to grow?

This episode of "Boundary Breakers" is a masterclass in leading with purpose from Mark Mears, former exec at McDonald's, PepsiCo, and The Cheesecake Factory, and now the visionary behind LEAF Growth Ventures. 🌱

From boardroom victories to an unexpected turning point that sparked a whole new mission, Mark shares how a single fig tree inspired a movement built on Leadership, Engagement, Accountability, and Fulfillment.

Mark dives into why the word "employee" is outdated, how culture should evolve into community, and what it really takes to foster belonging in today's workplace. He unpacks the true cost of disengagement, how to overcome the fear of change, and why leaders must shift from managing for profit to leading with heart. ❤️

If you're tired of surface-level engagement and ready to build something meaningful, for your team and yourself, this episode will challenge and inspire you to step into legacy-building leadership.

Additional Resources:

Get Mark's Book - "LOVE@WORK"

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Key Takeaways:

• Purposeful growth drives sustainable leadership impact.
• Fulfillment is a more powerful goal than success.
• Communities create belonging, not just culture.
• Engagement requires heart, head, hands, and habits.
• Leaders must evolve from bosses to legacy builders.

Nick and Zach kick off their podcast series with the wild and wonderful origin story of CultureCon®️: from blizzard-filled roundtables and zero event planning experience, to surprise Vegas marquees and full-on imposter syndrome.

Along the way, they share the heart behind why CultureCon exists: to make work suck less and to build authentic connections that go far beyond job titles. You'll laugh, you'll learn, and you'll get a sneak peek at the incredible stories and topics coming your way. Think AI, DEI, and social entrepreneurship.

This is the start of something big, and a whole lot of fun.

Additional Resources:

Listen to The CultureCon® Podcast!

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• CultureCon®️ began with roundtable discussions focused on real workplace challenges.
• Intimate, cross-industry connections fueled the event's success.
• Culture isn't just HR's job. It's everyone's.
• The podcast extends CultureCon®️'s mission year-round.
• Upcoming topics include AI, DEI, employer brand, and social impact.

What if your next "perfect" hire is just a well-programmed bot? AI fraud is here, and it's quietly hijacking your hiring pipeline. 🤖

Gerald Gordon sits down with Steve Browne, Chief People Officer at LaRosa's Inc., to tackle a hiring crisis no one's prepared for: AI-generated candidates and digital twins fooling their way into your organization. From ghost applicants to automated resume farms, Gerald and Steve dig into how HR and TA leaders can fight back, with human connection at the core.

You'll hear why Steve believes traditional interviews are broken, how LaRosa's built a culture that retains top talent for decades, and why asking better questions, not checking more boxes, is the future of hiring.

If you're hiring, leading, or just tired of robotic recruitment, this one's for you.

Additional Resources:

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Learn more about Reference Me

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• AI fraud is reshaping talent acquisition urgency and strategy.
• Authentic conversations outperform traditional, scripted interviews.
• Nuance matters because machines miss human complexity.
• Culture fit starts with how you interview.
• Human-centered vetting strengthens retention and trust.

What if the biggest workplace challenge isn't strategy, skills, or systems, but simply understanding each other? 👀

Amy sits down with Lindsay Boccardo, speaker, coach, and generational expert who makes the complex topic of age gaps feel surprisingly fun. Together they explore why we label each other, how parenting trends shape the leaders we become, and why "kids these days…" has been said for centuries.

Lindsay challenges us to swap judgment for curiosity, reminding us that progress doesn't come from repeating past struggles, but from breaking cycles and building bridges.

Whether you're a leader trying to connect with Gen Z, a millennial caught between two worlds, or a boomer navigating change, this conversation will leave you thinking differently about generations… and about yourself. 💡

Additional Resources:

Connect with Lindsay on LinkedIn

Subscribe to Conscious Habit on YouTube!

Join the "Conscious Conversations" Community!

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• Key Takeaways:
• Generational labels are broad strokes, not personal definitions.
• Biases like "kids don't want to work" repeat across history.
• Parenting trends shape workplace expectations.
• Progress means breaking cycles of trauma, not repeating them.
• Curiosity bridges gaps better than judgment.

What if the secret to a thriving workplace culture came down to just five simple leadership behaviors?

Geoffrey sits down with the brilliant Paula Allen, global mental health researcher and champion for workplace wellbeing. Together, they geek out over the five leadership behaviors that shape thriving, resilient teams.

From psychological safety to the magic of gratitude, this episode is packed with actionable insights that are just as relevant today as when it first aired. Whether you're leading a team or hoping to inspire change in your workplace, this one's a must-listen.

Let's explore the science of being more human, because culture starts with how we lead 💛

Additional Resources:

Connect with Paula on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paula-allen-2717206/

Learn more about Telus Health: https://www.telushealth.com/en-us/https:/go.telushealth.com/telus-mental-health-index

www.mo-mentsofexperience.com

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• Leader behaviors, not titles, define workplace culture.
• Kind, collaborative leadership builds team trust and safety.
• Inclusivity fuels creativity and engagement.
• Purpose-driven leaders inspire extra effort.
• Clear, decisive leadership reduces anxiety.

Think all great salespeople are born talkers with years of experience? Think again.

Matt Poepsel chats with Jim Speredelozzi, who flips the traditional sales script on its head. Jim shares how he went from 90-day quitters to building a thriving 150-person sales team, all by focusing on mindset, process, and hiring based on who people are, not just what they've done.

You'll hear how he uses science to build strong sales teams, why being a "business therapist" might be your ultimate sales superpower, and what every new sales manager needs to know before stepping into leadership.

Whether you're scaling a team or rethinking how you coach your people, Jim's practical, people-first wisdom is guaranteed to leave a mark.

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Additional Resources:

Listen to the original episode on Lead the People

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Key Takeaways:

• Sales is a teachable skill, not innate talent.
• Hire for behavior and mindset, not experience.
• Mindset determines long-term sales success.
• Great sellers often become great leaders.
• One-on-ones are sacred for employee development.

Think one wellness strategy works for everyone? Think again.

Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer unpack why "one size doesn't fit all" when it comes to supporting your people. From co-creating personalized plans to avoiding quick-fix blanket solutions, they share how leaders can better meet employees where they are, without judgment or assumptions.

Through real stories and research-backed insights, Patricia and Katina show that when leaders invest in truly understanding their people, they unlock loyalty, performance, and lasting wellbeing 🌱.

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

• Wellness is unique and shifts over time.
• Person-centered planning builds trust and commitment.
• Co-creating solutions strengthens leader-employee relationships.
• Leaders must avoid assumptions and judgments.
• Employee goals should guide support and development.