Cultureproof with Sam Gembel

In this episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel discusses the often unspoken challenges of leadership, particularly the feeling of emptiness that can accompany success. He explores the concept of the moving goalpost in leadership, emphasizing that as leaders achieve their goals, new ones emerge, leading to a constant sense of incompleteness. Sam highlights the shift from being an operator...

**Bonus inside** In episode 15 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel sits down with serial entrepreneur and operator Brandon Vaughn to tackle one of the biggest growth constraints in business: people in the wrong seats in our organizations.  Together, they unpack why most hiring problems aren’t talent issues - but expectation, alignment, and leadership clarity issues. From paycheck-driven vs. mi...

As we close the door on 2025 and look ahead to a new year, this episode asks a question every leader has to answer - whether they realize it or not: What are you choosing to focus on first… people or processes? In Episode 14 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel digs into a tension most leaders feel but rarely articulate. When things feel messy, inefficient, or frustrating, our instinct is often...

In this episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel breaks down one of the most overlooked - and most powerful positions in any organization: the middle leader. Forget titles. Forget hierarchy. Leadership is about influence, and the people in the middle carry more influence than they often realize. Sam dives deep into what it really means to lead from the middle, how middle leaders serve as th...

This episode of the Cultureproof Podcast is a powerhouse conversation on leadership, culture, and building a team that thrives - and it just so happens to mark the 1-year anniversary since we launched the podcast!  Greg Wittstock breaks down the early days of his pond building and vlogging journey, how he started sharing the day-to-day of the jobsite, and what it taught him about leadership in rea...

In Episode 11 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel sits down with Dr. Travis Parry, the bestselling author of Marry and Grow Rich and founder of the Make Time Institute. Dr. Parry shares his groundbreaking insights on how personal growth, shared vision, and a balanced marriage can fuel both business success and family harmony.    Dr. Parry brings a unique perspective on how couples can work tog...

In this power-packed episode, Sam sits down with Josh Latimer to unpack the real war every entrepreneur must win - the battle of the mind!    From a trailer park beginning to selling multiple businesses, including Conquer, Josh shares his raw and honest journey of entrepreneurial growth, mindset shifts, and redefining identity beyond success. Together, they reflect on how their paths crossed throu...

Ready to build an unstoppable team? In this episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel dives deep into what it really takes to attract, recruit, and retain A players - the kind of talent that will elevate your organization to new heights. You’ll learn how to identify A, B, and C players on your team and why settling for anything less than an A player is holding your business back.    Sam chal...

In this no-fluff episode of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam Gembel drops a leadership truth bomb: It’s not the economy. It’s not the employees. It’s you! If you're stuck in cycles of frustration, venting on social media, blaming the market or your team - it's time for a gut check. Sam dives deep into the most common traps leaders fall into: The blame game, the lowballer excuse, and the “no...

Welcome to this power-packed episode of the Cultureproof Podcast! In this episode, I sit down with Tommy Mello, the dynamic owner of A1 Garage Door, a true leader in the home service industry. Tommy brings boundless energy and invaluable insights to the table as we dive into how he scaled his business from the ground up, beginning all the way back with his entrepreneurial roots in landscaping. Get...

What does it take to build a high-performance team in the landscape industry? In this episode, I sit down with Marty Grunder, founder of Grunder Landscaping and The Grow Group, to break down the mindset, leadership strategies, and systems that drive success in the green industry. Marty shares his journey from pushmowing as a young entrepreneur to leading a multimillion-dollar landscape business an...

EP1 revolves around the differences between leading and managing a business. While it might seem like they're both the same, they're actually VASTLY different! Check out how!

On EP2 Sam dives into the origins of the term "Cultureproof" and explains how it applies to creating a resilient, thriving company culture. You'll learn valuable insights and actionable strategies to safeguard your organization from internal and external threats, ensuring a strong, unified culture that can withstand challenges. Whether you're leading a small team or a large org...

In this game-changing episode, we’re joined by the incredible Jerry Schill, founder of Schill Grounds Maintenance - one of the Top 25 largest landscape companies in the U.S. With over 32 Years in the industry, Jerry has built a full-service maintenance and snow company that operates in 30 locations across 7 states (and even Ontario, Canada), employs over 1,600 team members, and generates $100+ mil...

On Ep4 of the Cultureproof Podcast, Sam dives into his personal faith journey and shares how God has consistently shown up in the business world, guiding us through both triumphs and challenges. He explores how you can integrate your faith into your organization in a way that honors God while respecting the diverse perspectives of your employees and clients. With practical takeaways, you'll l...

On Ep3, Sam dives into the power of stepping outside of your comfort zone with two incredible industry leaders: Kory Ballard from Ballard Products and LeRoy Mains from Brilliant Borders. Both Kory and LeRoy share their personal journeys of growth, transformation, and the mindset shifts that have propelled them to new levels of success. We explore how embracing discomfort leads to breakthroughs, ho...