Fringe by PeopleForward Network

🎙️ What if your podcast did more than talk… what if it built a movement? Nikki and Eric spill the tea on how podcasting can be way more than a mic and a message. It can be the heartbeat of a thriving community. 💓 They dive into how turning listeners into collaborators flips the script from one-way content to two-way connection. From building online spaces where fans become friends, to leveraging...

What if your podcast could be more than just content, and actually become your best sales and marketing engine? In this live episode from CultureCon® 2025, Nikki and Eric share their secret playbook for turning podcasts into powerful business growth tools. From claiming your niche and attracting the right guests, to creating inbound momentum and unlocking sponsorship opportunities, they reveal how...

What happens when a startup founder discovers that leading people is a completely different job than building products? 🚀 Matt sits down with Adam Burke, former Chief Strategy Officer at The Predictive Index and former co-founder of Charma, to unpack the messy, exciting journey of scaling from a handful of teammates to hundreds. From the awkward leap into managing managers to designing tools that...

What happens when a farm girl from small-town Iowa becomes the CFO of a fast-growing real estate company? That's the journey of Tanya Betts, and in this episode of the Haverchat Podcast, she opens up about the twists, turns, and lessons learned along the way. From nearly 25 years at American Athletic to making the leap to Haverkamp, Tanya shares what it really feels like to start over after decade...

What if your job respected your life as much as you respect your job? Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer dive into a radical (but necessary) idea: work should support your life… not consume it. 💡 They unpack what it means to be a "boundary bouncer":leaders who fiercely protect their team's time, values, and wellbeing like VIPs behind a velvet rope. From dodging late meetings that creep i...

What if the very things you believe make you a good leader are actually holding you back? In this episode of "Leading Adam with Adam Binkerd," things get real… and personal. With no guest in the studio, Adam Binkerd and Erica Crabtree take the mic to explore one of the most overlooked aspects of leadership: the subconscious norms we've inherited from society, our upbringing, and past experiences....

What if the best workplace recognition strategy has been wagging its tail or purring at your feet this whole time? 🐾 David Martin uncovers the surprising power of pet perks and what our furry friends can teach us about recognition. While most workplace programs focus on achievements, pets remind us of something deeper: unconditional acknowledgment for simply being ourselves. 🐕🐈 From the science...

In this episode of "Lead the People," host Matt Poepsel welcomes AmberLyn Bryant, People & Culture Director at Keyrenter Denver, to explore how behavioral insights and intentional culture-building elevate employee experiences. Drawing from her own evolution through toxic to thriving workplaces, AmberLyn shares how data-driven tools like the Predictive Index are transforming how teams communicate,...

What if the secret to high-performing, happy teams had nothing to do with working harder, and everything to do with how it feels to work with you? In this episode of "Leading for Wellness," Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer dive into the underrated superpower of leadership: setting the right tone. From stories of care packages on the front lawn during COVID to coworkers driving each othe...

What happens when one person with a big vision is tasked with building a global learning function from scratch? In this episode, Matt sits down with Akkshada Maniyan, who's turned learning into a strategic superpower at Innova Solutions. From building a global team to creating 88+ in-house courses and 100+ personalized learning paths, she's all about scaling with heart and hustle. 💡💥 Akkshada sh...

Ready to bust the myth of the superhero leader? 🦸‍♂️❌ In this episode of "Leading for Wellness", Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer dive into why trying to be the flawless, all-knowing boss is actually hurting your leadership game. From awkward eggshell-walking teams to trust-eroding perfectionism, they unpack the messy (and all-too-relatable) consequences of putting up a polished front...

What if thriving at work wasn't a nice-to-have, but a human right? 💡 Mauren "Mo" Berkner Boyt, founder of The Moxie Exchange, joins Matt Poepsel to unpack the power of inclusion—backed by neuroscience, real data, and lots of heart. From "amygdala hijacks" to why your phone habits can actually help build belonging 📱, this episode is packed with insights for people-first leaders ready to make incl...

We're introducing a NEW series here on Fringe: Leading for Wellness with Dr. Patricia Grabarek and Dr. Katina Sawyer! 🎙️ Patricia and Katina kick things off by digging into why workplace wellness really matters—and why most companies are doing it wrong. From "Generators" who light up teams to "Extinguishers" who drain the energy, they share research, real talk, and personal stories to show how tru...

Live from CultureCon 2024 🎙️ Nikki chats with Michelle Naples, Chief Integration Officer at Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin and Upper Michigan. They dive into what servant leadership really looks like in practice—from trauma-informed care for everyone to creating cultures of co-creation and courageous conversations. Michelle also challenges how we talk about "overhead" and why the words we c...

Goats, graduate degrees, and Glassdoor—yep, they're all part of Amber Cerone's leadership journey! From project manager to Senior Director of Talent and Doctor of Psychology, Amber's path is proof that "searching" is part of the process. In this episode, Amber joins Matt Poepsel to talk about the power of career exploration, why leadership is more about influence than titles, and how trust—not off...

🎧 In another episode live from CultureCon, Nikki chats with Melissa Sanchez from Duck Creek Technologies—and trust us, this one's packed with 💡 aha moments! Melissa breaks down how they're flipping the script on employee engagement by starting before day one, treating team members like VIP clients, and building a culture that people don't just join—they own 🦆💙. From remote connection tips to s...

Live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy chats with the powerhouse Bryetta Calloway about meritocracy, marginalization, and why inclusion isn't just a checkbox. Bryetta shares her personal journey, spicy truths about workplace culture, and why the "just work hard" narrative doesn't cut it anymore. From unspoken rules to emotional labor and allyship that actually means something, this convo is full of...

Get ready to travel the world—without leaving your headphones! 🌍✈️ In this episode of "Lead the People," Matt Pepssel chats with Chris Failla, a leadership coach who's been to 50+ countries and is on a mission to create healing, human-centered workplaces. They unpack why being seen, known, and loved at work isn't just nice—it's necessary. Add in some global stories, leadership wisdom, and even a...

Live from CultureCon, Nikki sits down with Ann Newman, Director of Learning at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee and Chicago, to talk about all things purpose, people, and the magic that happens when those two align 💫. Ann shares her take on the "secret sauce" that makes work feel meaningful, how to interview with purpose in mind, and her go-to tools like "rug checks" and "glows, grows, and gravities" t...

🚀 Remote work doesn't mean disconnected work! Live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy is joined by Greta Jackson, who shares how simple, structured fun—like Fun Fact Fridays and Photography Bingo—can transform remote engagement. Her golden rule? Hope is NOT a plan. Connection takes strategy, consistency, and creativity. And the proof? A 150% increase in engagement just by making it easy and natural...

What can leaders learn from the high-pressure world of neonatal intensive care? Dr. Susan Landers, a seasoned neonatologist, joins Matt Poepsel to share insights on handling stress, building resilient teams, and navigating work-life balance. From life-or-death decisions in the NICU to balancing a demanding career and family, Susan's lessons apply to leaders in any field. Tune in for powerful takea...

Leaders, listen up! 🎙️ If you don't believe in what you're leading, your team won't either. In another episode live from CultureCon, Nikki sits down with Laura Gottfredsen Suminski, VP of Talent at UW Credit Union, to unpack why alignment between personal values and workplace culture is a game-changer. They tackle what happens when leaders don't walk the talk, how to rebuild belief when doubt cree...

We're featuring another great episode from Kate Volman, this time from her show Create for No Reason 🎨🎤📖! Entrepreneur, comedian, keynote speaker, and all-around creative powerhouse Brian Carter joins Kate Volman for a conversation packed with humor, wisdom, and no-nonsense advice on getting out of your own way. They dive into the messy, exciting, and sometimes frustrating creative process—how...

What if we stopped obsessing over weaknesses and amplified strengths instead? 💡 In another episode live from CultureCon, Jasmine Bellamy is joined by Vibhas Ratanjee from Gallup to break down the power of strengths-based leadership—why most workplaces get it wrong, how CliftonStrengths changes the game, and the four must-know strategies for building an engaged, thriving culture. Spoiler: Only 1 i...

What is culture, really? (Hint: It's not free snacks or a dog-friendly office. 🐶) Today, we're featuring an episode hosted by Kate Volman — Lead with Culture ! Kate is joined by executive coach Tony Ferraro to break down the six must-have principles of a thriving workplace. From hiring the right people to making mission the boss, they'll help you cut through the noise and build a culture that act...