Gut + Science

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Get Your 5 Minute Culture Check!

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

Measure success by results, not hours worked.
Use role clarity, goals, and KPIs to guide focus.
Unlearn outdated time-based work habits.
Leverage AI to boost efficiency and flexibility.
Cut low-value tasks to create space for impact.

316: Culture Change That Sticks: Stories from the Field with BJ McKay Aug 21, 2025

Show notes

Ever felt like your culture change efforts are just… throwing spaghetti at the wall 🍝? In this episode, Nikki sits down with BJ McKay from Advisa to swap real, in-the-trenches stories of transformation.

Together they break down the ATLAS framework, reveal why discomfort is the secret ingredient to lasting change, and share how to keep leaders energized instead of burned out.

From ditching the busywork to mastering the art of measurable impact, BJ's insights will have you rethinking how you approach culture so it actually sticks. This is your backstage pass to what works (and what doesn't) when you're leading people-first change that lasts. 🎯

Additional Resources:

Connect with BJ on LinkedIn

Learn more about Advisa

Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

Real transformation is uncomfortable but necessary.
Systems must show measurable impact, not just look good.
Focus on fewer priorities to reduce burnout and increase impact.
Leadership growth at work benefits life outside of work.
Self-awareness plus consistent practice builds great leaders.

In the Loop: From the Bedside to the Boardroom with Lori Price Aug 19, 2025

Show notes

What happens when a hospital CEO still thinks like a nurse? You get leadership that listens, leads with empathy, and actually walks the talk.

Katherine sits down with Lori Price, President and CEO of Franciscan Health Central Indiana, whose journey from nurse to executive brings a rare blend of heart and strategy to the conversation. Lori unpacks how starting at the bedside shaped her "communication flywheel," a practical, people-first system for keeping 24/7 teams aligned, engaged, and clear on the mission.

From listening more than speaking to building trust through radical honesty, she shares real-life leadership lessons that make her style both approachable and effective. If you're navigating complex teams, craving more culture clarity, or just need a reminder that leadership is human work, this one's for you.

Additional Resources:

Learn more about Borshoff

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

Trust and healthy conflict are essential for safety and team cohesion.
Listening to frontline staff is core to effective leadership.
Purpose-driven culture fuels resilience and engagement.
Vulnerability and humor make leaders more approachable.

315: See Differently, Solve Better: Problem Solving Through Perception with Chris Bassett Aug 14, 2025

Show notes

What if your biggest leadership roadblock isn't the problem… but how you see it? Nikki sits down with Chris Bassett—founder of Green Bean Consulting Group—to flip your problem-solving approach on its head.

What does abstract art have to do with business challenges? And how does soaking a walnut help teams break through stuck thinking?

Chris takes us on a journey through neuroscience, philosophy, and real-world consulting wins to show how our brains often mislead us, and how leaders can use perception as a powerful tool for change. From spotting red flags of overconfidence 🚩 to building high-functioning teams through de-familiarization and pairing structures, this episode is packed with fresh thinking and practical tools.

Whether you're leading a team, solving complex issues, or just tired of running in circles, this conversation is your invitation to slow down, zoom out, and see differently.

Additional Resources:

Connect with Chris on LinkedIn

Learn more about Green Bean Consulting Group

Connect with Heather on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

Certainty is a red flag—pause and dig deeper.
Perception is shaped by memory as well as our senses.
Familiar problems often need a fresh frame.
Align teams by defamiliarizing and collaborating.
Use structured methods to solve, test, and learn.

314: HR Professionals Crave a System for Culture Change with Heather Haas Aug 07, 2025

Show notes

Ready to break free from program fatigue and culture initiatives that fizzle out fast?

Nikki sits down with Heather Haas, CEO of Advisa, as she shares why so many culture efforts flop and how HR professionals can finally make the shift from being stuck in a silo to leading true transformation.

They dive into the game-changing A.T.L.A.S. framework—think executive activation, trust, leadership development, people data, and killer systems—all designed to drive results and get your team rowing in the same direction.

If you're an HR leader who's done with the fluff and ready for a proven system that sticks, this convo is your new playbook 💡.

Additional Resources:

Get your Culture Check!

Learn more about Advisa

Connect with Cara on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

HR needs executive buy-in, culture change isn't a solo act.
Define behaviors, not buzzwords.
Use data to shift from tactical to strategic.
Develop leaders aligned to culture goals.
Systems must support, not sabotage, change.

313: AI & the Future Role of HR Leadership with Cara Brennan Allamano Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

Is your HR strategy stuck in the past while AI races ahead? 🤖 It's time to catch up and lead the charge. On this episode, Nikki is joined by the brilliant Cara Brennan Allamano—Chief People Officer, advisor, and founder of People Tech Partners—for a fast-paced, energizing convo about the future of HR leadership in an AI-first world.

Cara brings her front-line insights from tech-forward companies like Lattice to show how HR can move beyond admin tasks and step fully into its role as a strategic driver of transformation. From building trust in AI to leveling up employee experience, this episode is packed with real talk, bold vision, and actionable steps for HR leaders ready to embrace what's next.

Don't just survive the AI shift… lead it! 🚀

Additional Resources:

Learn more about PeopleTech Partners

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

HR is shifting from admin to strategic transformation leadership.
Trust in AI is employees' top concern, and HR must lead education.
AI frees HR to focus on strategic, high-impact work.
Prioritize by targeting admin-heavy workflows and leveraging vendor support.
Future HR leaders will be data-driven, people-first growth partners.

Community Conversation: Unlocking Strategic Success Through Monthly Sprints and OKRs Jul 23, 2025

Show notes

What if the secret to staying focused, aligned, and genuinely excited about your goals wasn't a 20-page annual plan, but a simple monthly sprint? Nikki and Jason pull back the curtain on how PeopleForward Network uses OKRs and monthly sprint goals to spark team momentum. 📈

They demystify what OKRs really are, how sprint goals drive alignment and energy, and why failing fast can actually fuel success. Packed with real-life examples and people-first leadership insights, this episode delivers practical tips and a dose of workplace magic. 💡

Whether you're leading a team or just trying to keep the main thing the main thing, this episode is your playbook for unlocking strategic progress—one sprint at a time. 🏃‍♀️

Additional Resources:

Join the PFN Community!

Connect with Jason on LinkedIn

Connect with Katina on LinkedIn

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

OKRs bring focus and clarity to what really matters.
Monthly sprints keep goals agile and actionable.
Team alignment grows with regular goal check-ins.
A safe, feedback-rich culture powers real progress.
Agility isn't optional—it's a must for modern teams.

312: Really Understanding Workplace Wellness: How to Lead for Impact with Patricia Grabarek & Katina Sawyer Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

What if your wellness program is actually making burnout worse? 😮

In this episode, Nikki teams up with Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer—organizational psychologists, authors of "Leading for Wellness," and co-founders of Workr Beeing. They dive into what workplace wellness really means (hint: it's way more than yoga and meditation apps) and how leaders play a critical role in making it stick.

With research-backed insights and real-world stories, they challenge us to ditch the quick fixes and build people-first cultures that fuel performance and well-being 🌿📈.

Additional Resources:

Get their book - "Leading for Wellness"

Connect with Patricia on LinkedIn

Learn more about Workr Beeing

Download this PDF for Sample Prompts to help you with leadership communication!

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

Wellness is holistic – It's emotional, mental, physical, and life-balance—not just perks.
Leaders matter most – Leadership drives day-to-day wellness impact.
Tailor to individuals – One-size-fits-all doesn't work; personalization is key.
Wellness = ROI – Healthy teams perform better and stay longer.
Leaders need care too – Burned-out leaders can't build healthy cultures.

In the Loop: Using AI to Level Up Your Leadership Communication with Katherine Coble Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

Ready to supercharge your leadership communication with a little help from AI? 🤖 In this episode, Katherine gets real about how leaders can use AI tools to amplify their voice, not replace it.

Katherine breaks down a simple, human-centered framework based on clarity, consistency, and connection to help you integrate AI into your daily workflow. From drafting heartfelt thank-you notes to simplifying board reports or even brainstorming creative staff recognition ideas, this episode is packed with smart, real-life examples that make AI feel approachable. 💬

So if you've been curious about AI but a little overwhelmed, this episode is your nudge to start small, stay intentional, and let tech support your leadership superpowers.💡💻

Additional Resources:

Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn

Learn more about Borshoff

Learn more about PeopleForward Network

Key Takeaways:

Simplify complex messages with AI for better clarity.
Use AI to stay consistent in team communication.
Personalize messages efficiently with AI support.
Always edit AI drafts to reflect your authentic voice.
Balance AI use with empathy and context awareness.

311: Podcasting for Internal Communications with Katherine Coble Jul 10, 2025

Show notes

Get ready for a fresh twist on Gut+Science! 🎉 Nikki teams up with internal comms expert Katherine Coble for a live episode all about using podcasting to transform how leaders connect with their teams. 💬

They explore why your culture is your brand, how to lead with authenticity, and why storytelling beats stale emails every time. Whether you're curious about internal podcasts or ready to launch, this episode is packed with real talk, strategy, and inspiration to make your message matter.

Let's go behind the mic and into the heart of your culture 💥

Additional Resources:

Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn

Listen to In the Loop with Katherine Coble

Learn more about Borshoff

Join the PFN Community!