humanscape

What happens when you infuse nearly a century of retail tradition with bold, people-first decisions? Shawn and Sarah sit down with Randi Schachter, the dynamic fourth-generation family leader and Chief Marketing Officer of BILTRITE Furniture. Known as the vibrant face of the brand and a powerful presence in Wisconsin retail, Randi shares how tradition, adaptability, and values-driven leadership ke...

What does it take to truly "do life together" at work? Shawn and Sarah sit down with Amber Karabegovic, Manager of Evans Experience at Evans Transportation, to explore how intentionality, empathy, and structure drive people-first culture. Amber shares how her team turns core values into living language, empowers culture captains across office locations, and keeps remote employees engaged and conne...

What if the key to leading across 850+ locations isn't control, but clarity? Shawn and AJ sit down with Kurt Gengenbacher of ATI Physical Therapy to unpack how values, leadership, and alignment come to life inside a sprawling, people-first organization. Kurt brings a unique blend of physical therapy roots and leadership development expertise, revealing how ATI empowers local autonomy while staying...

What if the key to a thriving workplace isn't another perk, but a person who meets you where you are? In this episode, Shawn and Sarah sit down with Amber Van Allen, Wellness Administrator at the City of Green Bay. With nearly two decades in health and wellness, Amber reveals how meaningful relationships, empathy, and a clear sense of purpose can transform employee wellbeing. From Green Bay's sign...

What if your company's core beliefs weren't just posters on the wall, but the pulse of every decision, meeting, and leadership moment? Shawn and AJ sit down with Dan Burnett, Director of Talent Development at QPS Employment Group, to explore how beliefs can transform a company from the inside out. From shifting leadership meetings into real-time development labs to building a culture where feedbac...

How do you scale culture without losing what makes it special? As Chief People Officer at St. Augustine Preparatory Academy, Kelsey shares how she went from managing spreadsheets to shaping culture across a fast-growing, mission-driven school system. This episode dives into how Aug Prep builds leaders from within, prioritizes people-first strategy, and keeps values like courage and love at the cen...

What happens when "Enjoy Life" isn't just a tagline, but the heartbeat of an entire senior living culture? Shawn and Sarah sit down with Kristin Ferge and Gia Mattioli-Tolfa of Capri Communities to explore how compassion, culture, and creativity are transforming the senior living experience. 💡 From empathy-fueled hiring and thoughtful onboarding to surprise moments of gratitude, Kristin and Gia s...

In this episode, Shawn and Sarah sit down with the dynamic duo Lori Richards and Cass Bergemann from Mueller Communications, where culture isn't just talked about, it's lived every day.   If Mueller had a theme song, Queen's "Don't Stop Me Now" accurately represents the organization's energy and momentum, and this humanscape conversation delves into how it all comes together. Lori and Cass share h...

Shawn and Sarah are talking all things culture, care, and community with Peggy Williams-Smith and Christina Cooper from Visit Milwaukee🧀 From handwritten birthday cards to breaking down silos, they're leading a workplace where uniqueness isn't just welcomed—it's celebrated! Tune in for laughs, heart, and a behind-the-scenes look at how Milwaukee's people-first pros do it all with purpose ✨   Add...

Ever wonder how a company makes 3 million pizzas a week and stays a three-time Great Place to Work?🍕 In this episode, Shawn and Sarah chat with Wendy Bushell, Chief People Officer at Palermo's, about the secret sauce behind their people-first culture. From visual training for a workforce speaking 8 languages to personalized learning paths and daily free pizza, Wendy shares how passion, innovation...

What if we treated mental health like a broken arm—something real, urgent, and worth taking care of? 🧠✨ In this episode, Shawn chats with Julie Preder from Mental Health America Lakeshore about why mental health is health. They dive into why real conversations matter more than surveys, how workplaces can be way better at supporting people (spoiler: it starts with listening👂), and why connection...

Tap shoes, chocolate, and servant leadership? Yes, please! 💃🍫 In this episode, Lynell Meeth from Bank Five Nine joins Shawn and AJ for a vibrant convo about how real culture is built—in the little moments, the shared values, and yes, even in joyful things like tap dancing. Lynell shares how her team brings values like passion and humility to life, creates flexible learning paths that actually st...

How do you build an organization where values aren't just words on a wall but a lived experience? ✨ Shawn and Sarah are joined by Tiffany Tardy, President and CEO of PEARLS for Teen Girls, as she shares how PEARLS' values create a culture of empowerment and impact. Tiffany reflects on the power of personal responsibility, how grace fuels empathy, and why redefining professionalism is crucial for...

💭 Engaged and energized? Or engaged and exhausted? Too often, work feels like a never-ending sprint—but what if you could sustain your energy and success? Today, Shawn and Sarah are joined by Jenny Shufelt — Director of Well-Being Programming at Hoffmaster— as she shares how tiny but mighty shifts (like resilience calls and intentional breaks) can transform workplace culture. Tune in for fresh in...

In this episode, Shawn is joined by his teammate AJ Kruse, and they chat with Tom Parks — Director of Retirement Plan Services at Annex Wealth Management — to talk about scaling a people-first culture, leading with courage, and why care is never corny . With laughs, insights, and a focus on real leadership, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating growth or looking to inspire their team...

Welcome back to the humanscape podcast! 🎙 Shawn is joined by not one, but two Sarahs—Sarah Marshall from humanworks8 and guest Sarah Troup from Motion Connected! Dive into a conversation that blends wellness and technology, revealing how innovative tech can supercharge employee engagement and well-being. Sarah Troup shares inspiring stories and practical tips for creating healthier, more empowered...

From administrative services to driving cultural change, Caitlin Stene has crafted a career dedicated to the advancement of local governments. As the director of administrative services for the city of Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, Caitlin oversees human resources, finance, and assessing departments. In this episode, hosted by Shawn Gulyas and Jason Cochran , Caitlin explains why Sun Prairie is a progre...

Guest Polina Makievsky , President and CEO of Penfield Children's Center, actively operationalized and created a nurturing environment for employees to thrive. Join Humanscape, hosts Shawn Gulyas and Jason Cochran for a deep dive into transformative leadership and organizational culture. Polina shares insightful perspectives on balancing motherhood with a demanding career, the significance of lead...

From origami to ballroom dance, Jen Bauer and Dave Walsh from Miron Construction highlight the significance of caring for people, building a resilient workplace culture, and using AI and new technologies to drive growth. In this episode, hosts Shawn Gulyas and Jason Cochran delve into how Miron Construction's dynamic duo shapes the company's culture and fosters employee well-being. Jen, an origami...

Steve Sorenson has carved a niche in cultivating a high-performance culture within Johnsonville , guiding over 3500 global team members. As the Senior Director of Learning and Culture, Steve shares his profound insights on integrating coaching culture, the influence of technology on communication, and the core strategies for team member autonomy and innovation. In this enlightening episode, Steve...

Dave Kapic has strategically navigated through varied business landscapes, bringing his people-focused leadership to the forefront at Stella and Chewy's . As COO, Dave delves into the intricacies of managing a dynamic team with host Jason Cochran on this episode of humanscape. He emphasizes the critical role of embracing technology for enhanced communication, transforming leadership through accoun...

In this rereleased episode, Shawn Gulyas provides insightful commentary on the essential elements of a positive workplace culture. Shawn, a thought catalyst at humanworks8 , delves into the impact of leadership moments and the powerful practice of gratitude, emphasizing their importance in creating a culture of appreciation at work. He asserts that true leadership is rooted in genuine care for peo...

Innovative thought leader  Shawn Gulyas  brings his unparalleled expertise in people and culture strategy to humanscape. In this rereleased episode, Shawn illuminates the essential elements of thriving workplace cultures: vision, action, life, and systems. It draws back the curtain on the often convoluted realm of organizational strategy, offering a streamlined approach to elevate business efficie...

The humanscape podcast by  humanworks8 is focused on helping business leaders prepare for the future of work now. After all, change is inevitable; growth is optional. Shawn Gulyas and Jason Cochran , other members of the humanworks8 team, as well as from top thought leaders worldwide, will be sharing innovative and emerging practices that are driving the evolution of people and work. With an abund...

The humanscape podcast, from humanworks8 , launches in a few short weeks and will share the innovative and emerging practices that are driving the evolution of people and work.  Shawn Gulyas  and Jason Cochran will share actionable strategies and tangible methods to elevate your people practices and organizational culture. In this past episode, Shawn shares insights on talent optimization as a cul...