Gut + Science

What happens when workplace culture stops being a program and starts becoming a pattern of connection? Nikki sits down with Dr. Iain Smith, Head of Behavioral Science at Sunny, to unpack why connection is not just a nice-to-have at work, but the foundation for meaningful, sustainable performance. Together, they explore why culture is better understood through behavior, rhythms, and relationships t...

Ever felt like your calendar is running your life instead of the other way around? Nikki and David tackle the ultimate challenge: protecting your time before it slips away. They get real about the pain of saying "yes" when you should've said "hell no," the stress of back-to-back meetings that could've been emails, and the guilt of letting your true priorities, family, health, and dreams, slip thro...

What does it really mean to lead with purpose when lives, communities, and futures are on the line? Katherine sits down with Courtney Roberts, President and CEO of the Riley Children's Foundation, to explore how storytelling, empathy, and bold vision can transform leadership into a force for lasting impact. Courtney shares her journey from small town curiosity and global health equity work to lead...

Your story is not just your past. It is your leadership currency. Nikki sits down with Cristian Cibils Bernardes, founder and CEO of Autograph, to explore the powerful connection between storytelling, identity, and meaningful work. Cristian shares his journey from Paraguay to Stanford, Google, and ultimately entrepreneurship, revealing how a personal quest to understand his own life narrative beca...

Leadership today moves fast. New technology, new generations, and constant change can leave leaders chasing the next shiny object. But leadership coach Kate Karre believes the real advantage isn't having all the answers, it's learning how to ask the right questions. Nikki sits down with Kate to explore how coaching helps leaders build self-awareness, challenge limiting beliefs, and become truly fu...

What makes a simple branded mug, sweatshirt, or handwritten note unforgettable? Nikki welcomes promotional strategy expert Crissy Manwaring for a fascinating conversation on the deeper psychology behind swag and why meaningful brand experiences matter more than ever. Together, Nikki and Crissy unpack the science of sensory triggers, emotional connection, and thoughtful gifting, revealing how leade...

Grief doesn't clock out when we clock in. Nikki sits down with Ashley Jones, founder of Memento Foundation and grief and empathy consultant, to explore what happens when loss walks into the workplace. After navigating the unimaginable loss of her daughter, Ashley turned her pain into purpose, helping organizations lead through grief with courage, care, and emotional intelligence. Together, they un...

If your company treats technology like the hero and people like the afterthought, it may not survive the next decade. Nikki sits down with Ferry Hoes, founder of Brand Humanizing, to challenge the way leaders think about AI, automation, and innovation. Ferry shares a bold warning: organizations that fail to align humans and technology will quietly lose their people and their customers. Through per...

Have you ever unraveled over a one word email? Or spiraled because someone "saw" your message but didn't respond? Katherine dives into the invisible signals shaping today's workplace: digital body language. Inspired by Erica Dhawan's work and Katherine's real world leadership experience, this conversation explores how response time, punctuation, brevity, silence, and even channel choice are consta...

The results you're seeing today are a direct reflection of seeds you planted long ago, and if that hits a nerve, this episode is for you. Nikki and David are getting real about the wild truth that what you plant is what you get. From the legendary patience it takes to grow a Chinese bamboo tree to the behind-the-scenes grind of podcasting and showing up as your best self each day, this convo hits...

There's a level of leadership most people never access, not because it's hidden, but because it requires going inward first. Nikki sits down with transformational leadership expert Carrie Moore to explore a powerful truth: your vibration is your currency. Drawing from neuroscience, quantum mechanics, and executive leadership, Carrie explains how the energy you bring into a room directly impacts tr...

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 intro...

What happens when clarity, belief, and intention collide? You get a leadership framework so simple it's unforgettable, literally, it's the ABCs. Nikki is joined by JM Ryerson, coach, speaker, and founder of Let's Go Win, to unpack the "ABCs" of transformational leadership: Align, Believe, and Choose. Together, they explore how alignment creates a cultural backbone, belief fuels personal and profes...

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...

What if the real secret to building leaders, not followers, was simply honesty paired with care? Nikki sits down with Steve Sorenson, Senior Director Learning and Culture at Johnsonville, to explore a leadership model rooted in humble candor, empowerment, and intentional coaching. Known for replacing "managers" with "coaches" and fostering autonomy through frameworks like the ABC Decision Method a...

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 workpl...

What if the most overlooked group in your workplace holds the key to retention, loyalty, and a truly people-first culture? Nikki is joined by Paul Sullivan, former New York Times columnist and founder of The Company of Dads. Paul shares the deeply personal story behind his mission to elevate and support "lead dads," the primary caregivers often overlooked in corporate benefit structures. From the...

What if the biggest barrier to the outcomes we crave... is us? Nikki and David Gregory pull no punches as they unpack how we often create the very problems we're frustrated by. From a disastrous family lunch to missed health goals and tense business meetings, they share vulnerable stories that hit close to home. This episode isn't about blame, but about the power to shift our mindset, manifest bet...

What if the real reason workplace engagement hasn't budged in 30 years is because we've made leadership too complicated? In this kickoff to a powerful new content partnership, Nikki introduces Dr. Ryan Darby, organizational psychologist, leadership simplifier, and founder of WorkStrong. Ryan's not here for hype. He's here for habits. Drawing from his deep experience with 34Strong and years of lead...

What if your biggest redesign obstacle isn't strategy, but silence? Katherine sits down with Rebecca Ellis, Principal at AlignOrg Solutions, to explore why so many organizational changes fall flat, and what great leaders do differently. With decades of experience guiding Fortune 500s through complex transformations, Rebecca shares actionable insights on what makes change stick: clarity, communicat...

What if the key to transforming data into real change isn't more dashboards, but better storytelling? 📚 Nikki welcomes Kaitlin Henze, a passionate data storytelling strategist from storytelling with data. Kaitlin helps leaders simplify complexity, turning charts into conversations and numbers into narratives that inspire action. Together, they explore why traditional reports fall flat, how to vis...

What if your company's values didn't just live in a handbook but showed up in your daily habits? Nikki sits down with creative strategist and purpose-driven leader Justin Ahrens to unpack how organizations can bring their vision, mission, and values to life beyond buzzwords and branding. With deep experience as a B Corp founder and now as the mind behind On Purpose, Justin offers tangible insight...

Ever feel like life's flame is flickering out? Whether it's a bad day, a tough quarter, or a rocky relationship, what's your go-to lighter fluid to reignite your fire? 🔥 Nikki and David crack open the metaphorical bottle of lighter fluid and ask the real question: how do you keep your fire lit when everything around you says quit? From explosive fire pit confessions to real talk about parenting s...

What if the real key to connection in the digital workplace isn't more tools, but more trust? In a world obsessed with metrics, platforms, and productivity hacks, Andy Sitison flips the script. A strategist, designer, and people-first tech mind, Andy joins Nikki to explore how we move from clicks to true connection. 💡 Andy unveils his "Three Ps" framework, Population, Prompt, Product, and shows h...

Episode Description: What if wellness wasn't just a perk, but a leadership necessity? In this Working Forward Conversations episode, Nikki Lewallen Gregory and Jason Cochran flip the script on workplace wellness, diving deep into why wellness is a non-negotiable requirement for modern leadership. From morning meditations and mid-day workouts to setting boundaries and asking for help, they share pe...