Fringe by PeopleForward Network

When you've done everything "right," the title, the success, the status, but still feel off course, what comes next? In this raw and revealing kickoff to the Not Sorry series on Conscious Conversations, Amy welcomes her new thought partner, Dr. Ashley Butler, for a soul-deep conversation about identity, permission, and shedding the expectations that no longer serve us. Ashley shares her courageous journey from the operating room to entrepreneurship, to a necessary pause and radical reinvention. She opens up about walking away from a high-powered medical career, shutting down a mission-driven business, and facing the uncomfortable silence of not knowing what's next. What emerges is a powerful message about reclaiming agency over your life, not out of apology, but from radical honesty. With her signature mix of vulnerability and clarity, Ashley unpacks the three pillars that now guide her path: Permission, Power, and Purpose. This episode isn't about quitting, it's about choosing again, and doing it for the right reasons. If you've ever asked yourself, "Whose life am I really living?" this one's for you. And it's only the beginning. Additional Resources: Connect with Ashley on LinkedIn Subscribe to Ashley's Substack Newsletter! Subscribe to Conscious Habit on YouTube! Join the "Conscious Conversations" Community! Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Learn more about Conscious Habit Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: True healing starts by pausing, not pushing forward. Titles don't define worth or future direction. Living for others leads to quiet self-abandonment. Purpose evolves, let it grow with you. Permission is the first step to realignment.

The fastest way to elevate your leadership doesn't require a new strategy, a bigger budget, or a corner office. It starts with one word: hello. In this episode of The Better Boss, Gregg breaks down a deceptively simple yet transformational practice called "Be the First to Respect." Drawing from his early career at John Jay College and the unforgettable example of a president who made everyone feel seen, Gregg reveals why initiating a greeting, and using someone's name, carries far more influence than most leaders realize. Backed by social psychology and practical experience from the R-Factor Leadership Workshop, Gregg explains how being the first to acknowledge someone removes hesitation, builds instant rapport, and creates a powerful ripple effect of respect throughout your organization. This isn't about small talk. It's about intentional connection. It's about sending the message that every person matters. If you want your team to warm up to your ideas, receive your feedback openly, and genuinely respect your leadership, this episode gives you a technique you can use today. Additional Resources: Listen to all episodes of The Better Boss on Show Up As a Leader Connect with Gregg on LinkedIn Take the Am I a Respectful Leader? Self-Assessment Learn more about The Center for Respectful Leadership Invest in Manager Skills with the R-Factor Workshop Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Say hello first, it's a leadership move. Use people's names to affirm their worth. Respect reduces social friction instantly. Initiation creates a powerful ripple effect. Consistency earns trust and reciprocation.

What if chasing profit is actually killing your team's potential? 🎯 Nikki and Jason unpack one of PeopleForward Network's most powerful culture codes: Purpose Over Profit. They explore what happens when teams stop measuring success in dollars and start designing work around meaning, strengths, and alignment. From sharing candid team experiences, like skipping 4:30 AM workouts for midday movement guilt-free, to building a results-first, flexibility-driven culture, this episode challenges leaders to rethink how we define and pursue success 🧭. Whether you're climbing the ladder, leading others, or reevaluating your own path, this conversation is packed with stories and strategies to help you shift focus from hustle to heart ❤️. It's not just about how much you earn, it's about how deeply your work matters. Additional Resources: Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Purpose fuels performance more than profit ever will. Work-life integration drives meaningful work culture. Great leaders connect roles to individual purpose. Team alignment requires clear, shared outcomes. Purpose evolves through life's changing seasons.

In this episode, Geoffrey Smith and Cory Jenks discuss the importance of human connection in healthcare, the need for innovation, and the challenges faced by healthcare professionals. Cory shares his unique background as a pharmacist and improv comedian, emphasizing the significance of creating meaningful experiences for patients and caregivers alike. They explore the barriers to change within the healthcare system and the potential for individual engagement to drive transformation. The conversation highlights the importance of authentic presence, breaking down self-imposed limits, and the lessons learned from both positive and negative experiences in healthcare. Additional Resources: Follow Cory on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-jenks-3ba17314/ Take a look Cory's book, Permission to Care: Building a Healthcare Culture that Thrives in Chaos: https://rb.gy/4a8yoo www.mo-mentsofexperience.com Subscribe to Mo-Ments of Experience on YouTube! https://youtube.com/@mo-mentsofexperience?si=IZAB036xX1mmrn2C Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com Key Takeaways: Cory emphasizes the importance of getting patients off medication. Healthcare professionals can create joy in their work environments. Authentic presence is crucial in patient care. Building trust with patients is essential for effective healthcare. Self-imposed limits can hinder innovation in healthcare.

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 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 Listen to The CultureCon Podcast 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: 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 your biggest leadership blind spots were hiding in plain sight? To celebrate 50 episodes of The Unleashing **Leaders Podcast, we're bringing this powerful conversation to Fringe. Host Lee Scott sits down with long-time friend and leadership powerhouse Cyrus Aram, TED speaker, UC Davis professor, and CEO of Unleashing Leaders. Together, they peel back the layers on the hidden blind spots that derail even the most experienced leaders. From culture clashes and conflict to misaligned customer experiences, Cyrus shares hard-earned insights and real-life stories that drive home the importance of empathy, frameworks, and thinking outside-in. With his signature candor and heart, Cyrus offers practical tools for navigating ambiguity, leading across industries, and helping people truly feel seen. This episode is part strategy, part soul, and all about unleashing what's already within you. Additional Resources: Listen to The Unleashing Leaders Podcast! Attend Unleashing Leaders University: https://unleashingleadersuniversity.com/purchase Learn more about Unleashing Leaders: https://unleashingleaders.com/ Follow Unleashing Leaders on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unleashingleaders Connect with Lee on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leeallenscott/ Follow Unleashing Leaders on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnleashingLeaders/ Follow Unleashing Leaders on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unleashingleaders/ Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Culture trumps everything in leadership success or failure Frameworks help leaders navigate complex, recurring challenges Conflict reveals deeper issues, not just surface disagreements Strategic thinking starts with listening to language patterns Outside-in perspective transforms customer experience design

What if your team could get more done in less time? ⏳ In this Community Conversation, Nikki and Jason flip the traditional "hours worked" mindset on its head, championing the power of results over clock-watching. They share why it's time to ditch the outdated 9–5 mentality, how to unlearn habits that hold us back, and why role clarity + goals + KPIs are the secret trio for driving real impact. 🚀 From experimenting with a four-day work week to harnessing AI for smarter workflows, this episode is packed with practical strategies, fresh perspectives, and a few personal stories that'll make you rethink your relationship with time. Whether you're a leader or a team member, you'll walk away ready to work sharper, not harder, and maybe even earn yourself that extra day off. Additional Resources: Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn 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.

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: Subscribe to the PFN YouTube Channel for daily leadership insights! Join the PFN Community! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network 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.

Ever wonder what your action figure accessories would be? Or whether you'd rather be launched to Mars or dive into the depths of the ocean? 🌊 🚀 In this offbeat bonus episode of Leading for Wellness, Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer ditch the serious talk and take each other on a wild ride through quirky, laugh-out-loud hypotheticals, all sparked by a friendly showdown between Google and ChatGPT. From irrational fears to fashion regrets and hilarious text messages from fans, this candid convo is full of surprising insights, contagious laughter, and the kind of weird questions that make you pause... and maybe howl laughing. Come for the fun, stay for the perspective shift. 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 Key Takeaways: Humor enhances connection and authenticity in leadership. Irrational fears can spark thoughtful self-awareness. Fashion trends reveal hidden parts of personality. Offbeat questions encourage meaningful reflection. Joyful moments create memorable team bonding.

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: Get Your 5 Minute Culture Check! Connect with BJ on LinkedIn Learn more about ADVISA Listen to Culture Starts Here on The CultureCon® Podcast Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network 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.

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" 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 Key Takeaways: 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.

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! 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: 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 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! Sign Up for the Conscious Habit Newsletter Connect with Amy on LinkedIn Learn more about Conscious Habit Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: 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.