Culture Talks

On this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis and Dave McCauley dig into two of the most debated topics in leadership today. First: Adam Grant's New York Times research on return-to-office mandates, and why the data suggests ego - not productivity - is often the real driver behind "everyone back in the office" policies. Lorne shares how he built a trust-based, flexible work policy at...

In this insightful episode of Culture Talks, Janice Taylor, a rising expert in emotional wellness and psychology, discusses the critical importance of emotional fitness in personal and organizational success. She explores the differences between mental health and emotional wellness, the impact of emotional injuries, and practical frameworks for leaders to foster emotionally healthy workplaces. Tak...

In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis and Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett discuss the challenges of toxic leadership in the workplace and the insights from Laura's upcoming book, I Wish I'd Quit Sooner. They explore the impact of toxic bosses on employee well-being, the importance of understanding different leadership traits, strategies, and the need for organizations to create a safe and...

In this conversation, Kimberly Vaughn, VP of Claims at Amerisure Insurance, discusses the evolving landscape of leadership, emphasizing the importance of employee engagement, psychological safety, and the balance between caring for people and achieving business results. She shares insights on how to address negative friction in the workplace, the role of AI in enhancing workflows, and the signific...

What does it truly take to change an organization for the better? In the latest episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Craig Hampson, Chief Business Enablement Officer at BURNCO, for a no-holds-barred conversation about the realities of organizational change . We dive deep into the critical role of leadership in this process and uncover why so many well-intentioned change efforts fai...

In this episode of the Culture Talks Podcast, Lorne Rubis sits down with Taarif (Tim) Jafferi, Chief Business Officer of Happily.ai , to uncover the direct link between employee happiness and your bottom line. Taarif, a former Google employee, shares his firsthand experience of the cultural shifts hurting modern workplaces and the simple, data-backed strategies that can fix them.

How do you MOVE AT THE SPEED OF A STARTUP? 🚀 In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis sits down with Christie Lagally, the CEO and Founder of Rebellyous Foods, who made the leap from aerospace engineering to revolutionizing the plant-based meat industry. We dive deep into: ✅ The real challenges of food production & manufacturing innovation. ✅ Why company culture and dignified work are...

In the latest episode of Culture Talks , hosts Lorne Rubis and Wayne Suiter Matamoros, Partner and Head of Empathy in NYC, dive into a thought-provoking conversation about human-centered design, empathetic leadership, and the role of purpose in solving complex challenges . Why Empathy Matters in Leadership & Innovation.  Empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic advantage. Lorne and Way...

In this insightful episode of Culture Talks, hosts Lorne Rubis and Les Gombik explore the shifting dynamics of executive recruitment, leadership effectiveness, and the growing influence of AI in the workplace. Their discussion sheds light on what makes a great leader, the importance of authenticity, and how organizations can build high-performing teams in an ever-changing business environment. Lor...

In this eye-opening episode of Culture Cast, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Orianna Bretschger, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Aquacycl, to explore her incredible journey from academia to entrepreneurship—and how she’s transforming wastewater treatment with cutting-edge, sustainable technology. 🔬 Why should you care about wastewater? Most people don’t think about what happens after wate...

In this Culture Talks episode, Lorne Rubis and leadership expert Dave McCauley dive deep into what makes organizations succeed—from psychological safety and trust to AI’s impact on workplaces. Whether you're a leader, HR professional, or team member, this conversation offers actionable insights to create a positive, high-performing culture. ✅ Psychological Safety – Why employees need to feel...

In the latest episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Beverley Wright, CEO and founder of Wright Choice, to explore the essential qualities of impactful leadership, the power of community in business, and why investing in people is the ultimate competitive advantage. Drawing from her entrepreneurial roots (as the daughter of beloved beauty shop owners) and years of experience coa...

In this thought-provoking episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Erik Selberg, co-founder of Wild Zebra, an innovative EdTech startup using AI to personalize education. They dive deep into the future of learning, leadership, and what it takes to build a thriving workplace culture in the fast-evolving world of technology. 🔍 Key Takeaways You’ll Learn:✅ AI in Education – How...

In this compelling episode of Culture Talks , host Lorne Rubis sits down with Javier Cardona, founder and CEO of 1Doc3, a trailblazing healthcare app improving access to medical services in emerging markets. From discussing Mexico City’s vibrant culture to the future of AI in healthcare, this conversation is packed with insights for leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators. ✅ From Telecom to Health...

In this thought-provoking episode of Culture Talks, host Lorne Rubis sits down with Rafe Furst—entrepreneur, investor, and author of The Future of Venture Capital—to explore how authentic leadership and values-driven innovation are reshaping business and venture capital. 🔹 Key Takeaways You’ll Learn: ✅ How to lead with vulnerability & self-awareness in high-stakes environments. ✅ Why the VC...

Is your workplace culture silently crumbling under toxic leadership? In this eye-opening episode, Lorne Rubis sits down with Dr. Laura Hambley Lovett , a leading organizational psychologist, to dissect: 🔥 How toxic bosses destroy mental health —and why employees pay the price 🧠 The psychology behind workplace toxicity (it’s not just "bad personalities") 💡 Practical fixes —how to align personal...

In this week’s episode of Culture Talks , host Lorne Rubis sits down with Stacie Calder , EVP of Marketing and Distribution at Conquest Planning , to uncover the secrets of fostering a connected, high-performing culture in a remote world. ✔ Leadership with Purpose – How Stacie’s journey shaped her values-driven approach. ✔ Democratizing Financial Advice – Conquest Planning’s mission to make financ...

In this eye-opening episode of Culture Talks , host Lorne Rubis sits down with Kenny Lee , Co-Founder & CEO of Aigen , an AI-powered robotics company transforming agriculture. Discover how Kenny's personal health journey and family farming roots led him to develop cutting-edge robots that help farmers transition away from chemical dependency and toward regenerative practices.  Key Topics C...

What happens when purpose meets innovation? In this episode of Culture Talks , I talk with Brian Hill, the visionary CEO and founder of Edovo —a groundbreaking learning platform transforming the lives of incarcerated individuals through education and vocational training. Brian shares: The inspiring purpose behind Edovo. The challenges and triumphs of building a purpose-driven organization.  Heartf...

In this engaging Culture Talks episode, Lorne Rubis interviews Mia Maestro, a renowned actress and musician, about her journey, the importance of purpose, and her experiences mentoring entrepreneurs. They discuss the impact of community, the role of meditation and tea in finding purpose, and the need for systemic change in various sectors, including the prison system. Mia shares her insights on st...

In this episode of Culture Talks, Lorne Rubis engages with Peter Majeranowski, co-founder and President of Circ, a company dedicated to revolutionizing the textile industry through innovative recycling methods. They discuss the significant environmental challenges posed by textile waste, the importance of aligning company values with purpose, and the lessons learned from Peter's Naval experience t...

In this Culture Talks episode, Lorne Rubis interviews Lauren Dunford, co-founder and CEO of Guidewheel, exploring her experiences and insights as a leader in the manufacturing technology space. They discuss the significance of company culture, the challenges of leadership, and the importance of values in business. Lauren shares her unique experiences at high-profile events like Davos, her approach...