Gut + Science

A leadership baton is being passed, and Katherine Coble is stepping into the CEO role at Borshoff with gratitude, clarity, and a deep commitment to people-first leadership. Nikki sits down with Katherine to celebrate the legacy of Karen Alter, the evolution of Borshoff, and what it means to steward a company with more than 40 years of history. 💛 Katherine shares how her mindset shifted from account leadership to ownership to CEO, why relationships are at the heart of great communication, and how servant leadership shapes her vision for what comes next. Together, Nikki and Katherine also reflect on the growth of In the Loop, the communication series now expanding into its own podcast on PeopleForward Network. This conversation is a celebration of legacy, leadership, communication, and the kind of business growth that keeps people at the center. Additional Resources: Connect with Katherine on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Listen to In the Loop with Katherine Coble Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Leadership is stewardship, not ownership alone. Relationships shape stronger communication and better business. Succession works best with intentional transition time. Healthy organizations create space for bold thinking. Great leaders keep learning from everyone.

The best donor stories are not always wrapped in sunshine, rainbows, and unicorns. Sometimes, the real power comes from telling the truth about what worked, what didn't, and what still needs to change. Katherine sits down with Angela White, President and CEO of Eskenazi Health Foundation, to explore how transparent communication, whole-person care, and authentic leadership can move people from awareness to action. Angela shares how Eskenazi is addressing social drivers of health through programs like Food is Medicine, community-based care, mental health support, and data-informed philanthropy. From donor storytelling to self-awareness as a leader, Angela reminds us that people-first communication starts with listening, honesty, and the courage to be yourself. This conversation is a powerful reminder that when leaders communicate with both heart and clarity, they build trust that lasts. Additional Resources: Connect with Angela on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Listen first, then lead with clarity. Donors give from head and heart. Transparency builds deeper trust with stakeholders. Self-care creates sustainable leadership stamina. Authentic leaders cannot fake connection.

The voice in your head may be leading your team more than you realize. Nikki sits down with Dr. Suzy Burke, leadership expert, speaker, author, and psychologist, to unpack the science of self-talk and how our internal dialogue shapes the way we lead. From overthinking and self-doubt to the "monster" that shows up when we step outside our comfort zones, Dr. Suzy explains why leaders must learn to catch, confront, and change the stories they tell themselves. 🧠 Together, Nikki and Dr. Suzy explore the real cost of negative self-talk, the neuroscience behind fight, flight, and freeze, and practical tools like the DIG folder and the three Cs to help leaders shift from fear to grounded confidence. This conversation is a powerful reminder that when we learn to lead ourselves better, we create healthier teams, stronger cultures, and better outcomes for everyone. Additional Resources: Connect with Suzy on LinkedIn Get the book "Headamentals" now! Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Self-talk quietly shapes leadership effectiveness. Overthinking delays action and erodes confidence. Leaders' emotions spread through their teams. Catch, confront, and change negative narratives. Confident self-leadership creates healthier team culture.

Emotional fitness is not a soft skill. It is the leadership muscle your people feel every day. Nikki sits down with neuroscientist, author, and speaker Dr. Paul Zak to unpack how leaders can build emotional fitness, create psychologically safe workplaces, and design environments people actually want to be part of. 🧠 Paul shares why being present, connected, and socially energized matters more than ever, especially in a world where talent is scarce and workplace relationships directly impact life beyond the office. From "no yelling at work" to building spaces that feel meaningful, satisfying, and human, this conversation will challenge you to rethink how you show up, how your team connects, and what it really means to lead people well. Additional Resources: Connect with Paul on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Emotional fitness builds resilience, presence, and better leadership. Psychological safety starts with how leaders show up. Quality relationships extend value, fulfillment, and wellbeing. Work energy follows people home every day. Great workplaces make connection easy and intentional.

What happens when marketing stops chasing tactics and starts building systems that actually scale? Nikki sits down with CMO and growth leader Breanne Byrne to unpack what it really takes to build a marketing and growth function that evolves with your business and your people. Breanne shares her five-phase department maturity model, from reactive to intelligent, and explains why sustainable growth is never just about channels, campaigns, or tech stacks. It is about clarity, customer experience, role alignment, and servant leadership that helps people do their best work. Along the way, Nikki and Breanne explore AI, change management, team strengths, and why growth that lasts always starts with humans. Whether you are leading a scrappy team, scaling a department, or trying to make change feel more meaningful for your people, this episode will challenge you to think bigger, lead better, and grow with intention. Additional Resources: Connect with Breanne on LinkedIn Learn more about Syntari® AI Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Nikki's Key Takeaways: Scalable growth starts with strong foundations, not random tactics. Clear goals create alignment across teams and departments. AI works best as a human amplifier, not replacement. Servant leadership unlocks stronger teams and better performance. Sustainable marketing requires constant iteration, learning, and adaptation.

What if courage wasn't something you either had or didn't, but something you could build? Nikki and David open up about the real journey of courage, not as a Hollywood moment, but as a daily practice. From David's vulnerability in asking for help after a major injury, to Nikki's story of taking the stage during the emotional turbulence of divorce, they strip courage down to its core. The duo introduces a four-step framework rooted in faith, values, support systems, and taking action, even when it's scary. This episode is a call to action for anyone stuck in self-doubt or fear of failure. Whether you're facing a personal crossroads or seeking to lead others with more heart, you'll walk away inspired to become a courage builder, not a courage killer. Additional Resources: Follow Addicted to Betterment wherever you listen to podcasts! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Connect with David on LinkedIn Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Connect with Nikki on LinkedIn Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Courage starts with knowing you're not alone. Core values anchor brave decisions and actions. Borrowed belief powers you through tough times. Trying new things builds your courage muscle. Be a courage builder, not a courage killer.

What if HR's true power isn't just policies and programs, but its position as a strategic driver of culture and communication? Katherine sits down with Ashima Kapur, Chief People Officer at Allied Solutions, to explore the leadership mindsets and behaviors that drive sustainable growth. From growing Allied from 500 to nearly 2,000 employees to building an HR function that earns a seat at the table, Ashima shares a people-first blueprint for organizational success. She reveals how HR and communication go hand-in-hand to shape culture, why transparency and authenticity aren't optional anymore, and how leaders can empower teams by being real, clear, and consistent. Ashima's leadership philosophy is direct, human-centered, and refreshingly honest, exactly what's needed in today's evolving workplaces. Whether you're building a talent strategy or redefining your leadership style, this conversation is packed with practical wisdom for leaders who care about their people and want to lead with intention. Additional Resources: Connect with Ashima on LinkedIn Connect with Katherine Coble on LinkedIn Learn more about Borshoff Watch Gut + Science (and more) on YouTube! Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: HR must earn its seat through business understanding Culture is defined by consistent leadership behavior Communication must be authentic, transparent, and repeated Right person, right seat, right support equals success Growth demands people strategy aligned with business goals

What if the secret to better leadership isn't about doing more, but being more human? In this episode of Work Doesn't Work (Anymore), Dr. Ryan Darby sits down with leadership expert and founder of Brain Squared Leadership Solutions, Laurie Cozart. With over 10,000 individuals and 500 teams coached, Laurie brings deep insights on how leaders can thrive in today's complex and rapidly changing workplace. Together, they unpack why hero leadership is outdated, why clarity is the most underrated leadership skill, and how vulnerability and relationship-building are actually strategic advantages. Laurie shares stories from her own journey and introduces practical, neuroscience-backed tools for fostering resilient leadership, trust-filled teams, and simplified work cultures that don't burn people out. If you're tired of the noise and looking to build magic teams that feel good and perform better, this conversation is your playbook. Additional Resources: Connect with Laurie on LinkedIn Followed Brain Squared Leadership Solutions on LinkedIn Learn more about Brain Squared Leadership Solutions Connect with Dr. Ryan Darby for continued leadership insights Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Hero leadership quietly exhausts everyone Clarity is kindness and performance fuel Relationships make hard tasks feel easy Vulnerability builds trust, not weakness Emotional safety drives resilience and engagement