Vibecast

What does it take to build a company culture people actually feel when every single person works from home? 🎙️ In this episode, Kristi Skutvik sits down with Jasmine Wilson, Founder and CEO of Moxie Clinical, to explore how she built a fully remote clinical research company with a culture rooted in autonomy, authenticity, and genuine human connection. Jasmine shares how her career journey from big pharma to a scrappy startup shaped the way she leads today, from the corporate leader who taught her discipline and structure to the startup founder who reminded her not to take herself too seriously. They dig into what it really looks like to create psychological safety on a remote team, why treating team members like consultants rather than employees changes everything, and how small, intentional moves like Slack channels for fun, virtual events, and monthly in-person hikes keep people connected when there is no office to walk into. This conversation is a practical look at how leaders can design a remote culture where people feel trusted, valued, and genuinely excited to show up. Additional Resources: Follow Jasmine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasmine-wilson-292b22a/ Visit Moxie Clinical's website: https://www.moxieclinical.com/ Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content: https://youtube.com/@kristiskutvik?si=ZzyIX7yyCRukXgNy Learn more about Skutvik Consulting: https://www.skutvikconsulting.com/ Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/peopleforward-network Learn more about PeopleForward Network: https://peopleforwardnetwork.com/ Key Takeaways: Defining the vibe: how Jasmine thinks about the energy and feeling a workplace carries, even when that workplace is fully remote Autonomy as culture: why treating remote team members like trusted consultants rather than monitored employees changes the entire dynamic Two leaders, two lessons: how a buttoned-up corporate mentor and a laid-back startup founder each shaped Jasmine's leadership style Designing connection on purpose: Slack channels, virtual events, and monthly in-person outings that keep a remote team feeling human Psychological safety in practice: creating an environment where people can be themselves without performing a version of professionalism that drains them Fighting remote isolation: why intentional human connection, even once a month, is non-negotiable for a distributed team

What if a puppet could say what your team is afraid to? 🎭 In this unexpected and wildly creative episode, Kristi sits down with David Mizne, creator of Culture Puppets, to explore how humor, vulnerability, and a little felt can transform workplace vibes. From early days at a remote-first startup to launching a full-blown puppet-powered cultural movement, David reveals how bringing his full, quirky self to work didn't just entertain, it created space for honesty, trust, and human connection. He shares the story behind Little Ginger (the blue puppet with main-character energy), how 15Five made breathwork part of team meetings, and why creativity isn't a luxury, it's a culture-shaping necessity. This episode is a masterclass in ditching the corporate mask and embracing the weird, the real, and the resonant. Whether you're leading a team or just trying to survive another Zoom meeting, you'll walk away inspired to rethink how culture really scales. Additional Resources: Connect with David on LinkedIn Learn more about Culture Puppets Subscribe to Kristi's YouTube for more Vibecast content! Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Vibes are energetic signals shaping workplace culture. Creativity at work reduces stress and boosts morale. Psychological safety enables authentic team connection. Shared experiences deepen trust and team engagement. Puppetry can surface unspoken truths safely and humorously.

What if the secret to better teamwork wasn't another system or software, but simply keeping it super simple? 💡 Kristi vibes with Mark Cruth, Modern Work Coach at Atlassian, to uncover how simplicity and intentionality can completely reshape how teams work together. From his early days coding in cubicle farms to leading global transformation at one of the world's most collaborative companies, Mark shares how overcomplicating work kills momentum, and why the magic happens when teams align on just a few core habits. They dive into how tools should support people, why one hour of intentional reflection can change everything, and how creating cadence and rituals keeps culture alive in both remote and in-person teams. 💬 Additional Resources: Connect with Mark on LinkedIn Learn more about Mark's work Learn more about Atlassian's Team Playbook Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Start simple; over-engineering kills progress. Intentional communication drives true collaboration. Tools should serve people, not processes. Cadence and rituals sustain team alignment. Connection is the foundation of great teamwork.

✨ What if the job you have right now is already the perfect job for you? In this replay of a fan-favorite episode, Kristi is joined by leadership coach Sam Dailey to challenge us to rethink how we view work, leadership, and even ourselves. From real stories of burnout and missed opportunities to the surprising power of vulnerability, feedback, and genuine appreciation, Sam shows how a simple shift in mindset can change everything. This episode is packed with insights on pausing before reacting, opening up instead of closing off, and leading with authenticity. Whether you're chasing growth or just craving better vibes at work, this one will leave you rethinking your everyday approach. 🌟 Additional Resources: Connect with Sam on LinkedIn Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Shifting from blame to ownership fosters growth. Honest, direct conversations build trust. Appreciation motivates more than money. Vulnerability strengthens respect and connection. Pausing before reacting improves leadership clarity.

What if the secret to better meetings, more creativity, and deeper team connection wasn't in your calendar or tech—but in your lighting, scent, and the posture of your chair? Get ready to rethink your workspace 🧠✨ Kristi sits down with Christian Markow, an advisor and experience designer who's transforming how we think about work. With a mix of neuroscience, brand strategy, and personal journey, Christian breaks down how the vibe of a space impacts everything from productivity to team trust. They dive into why a circle of couches beats a boardroom, how scent can spark new ideas, and why your office needs more plants (like, a lot more 🌿). Whether you're leading a team or just trying to make your home office more brain-friendly, you'll walk away with practical tips and deep "aha" moments. This one's all about designing with intention—because when your space vibes right, your people thrive. Additional Resources: Connect with Christian on LinkedIn Learn more about Lost Office Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Your surroundings directly affect how you think, feel, and collaborate. Posture sends powerful cues that shape team dynamics. Scents like Hinoki Cypress can boost creativity and lower stress. Intentional design creates safer, more connected workspaces. Simple shifts—like adding plants—can unlock big results.

What if the "vibe" at work wasn't just a feeling—but your biggest untapped business metric?📈 Kristi sits down with Eddie Geller—visionary CEO of SKOR and self-proclaimed culture nerd—to break down how "vibe" isn't just a feeling, it's a strategy. From near-bankruptcy to scaling successful startups, Eddie shares how a single book reshaped his entire approach to leadership. Think karaoke confessions, sports metaphors, and surprising truths about what really drives CEO decision-making (spoiler: it's not always profit 💰). If you've ever wondered how to turn team energy into measurable growth—or just want some seriously inspiring leadership wisdom—this convo is your jam. Additional Resources: Get your SKOR! Connect with Eddie on LinkedIn Get the book - "The Great Game of Business" Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Workplace "vibe" is about how people feel, behave, and connect—Eddie calls it "cohesion." SKOR provides a universal metric (like NPS) to quantify team performance and its link to profitability. Effective culture work must focus on inputs (behaviors, clarity, team dynamics), not just outputs. Leaders should ask more questions, not give more answers—curiosity is the cornerstone of trust and growth.

In this episode, Todd Wuestenberg, Chief Culture Officer at Haverkamp Properties, shares how he went from ops to owning the vibe of the workplace 💥. He reveals how "Sherry" (yes, their core values have a persona!) helps keep culture real and relatable. From micro-mentoring magic to protecting culture during massive growth, Todd shows us how to lead with heart, not just strategy 💡 If you're into people-first leadership, this one's a must-listen 🎧. Additional Resources: Connect with Todd on LinkedIn Learn more about Haverkamp Properties Learn more about Skutvik Consulting Learn more about workvibes Check Your Vibe Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn Learn more about PeopleForward Network Key Takeaways: Culture must be intentional, not left to chance. Values work better when personified. Leadership development should begin with leading oneself. Micro-mentorship fosters deep connection and learning across the org. Protecting culture means saying no to initiatives that don't align with values. There is no neutral in culture—it's either improving or declining.