Gut + Science

2024 flew by, and Nikki is here to wrap it up with a bang! 💥 In this heartfelt solo episode, she shares six powerful lessons—from focusing on progress over perfection to building life-giving relationships and protecting your vibe. Packed with practical tips and good vibes, this episode is your nudge to reflect, recharge, and take on 2025 with intention. Let's win today and every day, and Happy Ho...

In this episode of In the Loop , Katherine is joined by Fred Payne, CEO and President of United Way of Central Indiana, and they're discussing all things leadership, community, and the power of storytelling! Fred shares his journey from practicing law to leading workforce initiatives and overcoming personal health challenges, all while staying true to his mission of empowering others. Tune in to l...

Get ready for a storytelling masterclass! Nikki sits down with Danielle Krischik - Partner at Knight Agency and host of the new show The Story Effect - to reveal why storytelling is the ultimate connection hack. From captivating beginnings to real, relatable moments, Danielle shares her simple storytelling formula that any leader can master. Packed with inspiration and practical tips, this episode...

🎙️ What if disagreements could bring us closer? In this episode, Justin Jones-Fosu, CEO of Work. Meaningful, flips the script on conflict with humor, heart, and actionable insights. He shares the five pillars of bridging the divide and why respect isn't earned—it's a choice. Learn how to transform clashes into collaboration and discover the power of seeking the gray.   Additional Resources: Connec...

It's a special Gut + Science episode with Borshoff celebrating 40 years of people-focused leadership. Nikki chats with Borshoff partners Karen Alter, Jennifer Dzwonar, and Katherine Coble about building a company that's all heart, hustle, and a whole lot of history. Listen in as the trio breaks down the "3 C's of Legacy Leadership"—Culture, Connection, and Commitment—that have shaped Borshoff's su...

In this episode, Nikki chats with Eddie Geller, Founder and CEO of SKOR, the ultimate culture measurement platform. Eddie's passion for data and people shines as he reveals how SKOR helps organizations move their cultures beyond gut feelings and standard employee surveys, to real, actionable insights. Learn why culture isn't just about pizza parties and pep talks but about measurable, strategic gr...

In this episode, Katherine tackles one of the top fears (and no, it's not death!)—public speaking! Let's dive into practical tips for leaders who want to engage their teams and build trust every time they step up to speak. Whether it's a team meeting or a town hall, Katherine covers how to keep your message clear, connect emotionally, and boost your speaking confidence. Ready to turn those nerves...

Katie Donovan, founder of Camp Digital, joins Nikki to discuss creating a workplace culture fueled by genuine care and connection. Sharing her "GAS" philosophy—"Give a Sh*t"—Katie reveals how this core value drives her "three-legged stool" approach, balancing employee well-being, customer satisfaction, and company health. From family-style lunches to designing spaces for connection, Katie's insigh...

Nikki speaks with Nisha Smales, a true leader in workforce strategy, to unpack one big idea: why upskilling isn't just a nice-to-have—it's an absolute must in today's lightning-fast world. Nisha's career spans continents and industries (nonprofits, McKinsey, and beyond), but one thing has stayed consistent: her passion for learning. Together, Nikki and Nisha explore the rapid-fire adoption of new...

What if AI isn't about replacing jobs, but about making work more human? That's the focus of this episode, where Nikki talks with Greg Verdino, Founder and COO of CognitivePath. With over 30 years of experience working with brands like AT&T, Coca-Cola, and IBM, Greg explains how AI can eliminate mundane tasks and allow people to focus on the strategic, creative work that truly matters. Learn to av...

In this episode of In the Loop , we're discussing something every leader dreads but inevitably faces: crisis. Whether it's sudden or a slow burn, how you communicate can make all the difference. So, how do you lead through a crisis? That's where guest, Jennifer Dzwonar, comes in. Jennifer is a crisis communication expert with over 30 years under her belt at Borshoff. Listen for practical tips on l...

What happens when a mission trip transforms your perspective, your relationships, and even your approach to leadership? In this episode, Nikki takes us on a journey through her life-changing experience with Homes of Hope, an organization that's built over 8,000 homes in 30 countries. Joined by the founders, Sean Lambert and Andrea East, Nikki explores how service doesn't just uplift communities—it...

What's the secret sauce to building a culture that sticks? According to Amy Bayer, Global Director of DE&I, Employee Engagement & Culture, at Duck Creek Technologies, it's not some magic bullet—it's your people. In this episode, recorded live at CultureCon 2024, Amy sits down with Nikki to talk about how Duck Creek has created a people-first culture that thrives in a fully remote world. Spoiler al...

Leadership is more than a title—it's about influence. In this episode, Nikki speaks with Jess Goldberg, a leadership coach, Emmy Award winner, and lecturer at Columbia University, whose mission is to help leaders communicate with influence. Jess shares her journey from journalism to leadership training and introduces her groundbreaking concept: the eight archetypes of influence. Need a roadmap to...

Is traditional employment... dead? Bold claim, right? But that's exactly what our guest, Josh Drean, is here to unpack. Josh isn't just tossing around buzzwords—he's a talent management and people analytics expert who's been deep in the trenches of workforce innovation. He's also the co-founder of Work3 Institute, where he's actively rethinking how we work, why we work, and (most importantly) how...

With big companies calling employees back to the office, does this mean the end of flexible work? Not so fast. In this episode, Katherine Coble tackles a hot topic on every leader's mind: the future of remote and hybrid work. Katherine breaks down the reality that remote and hybrid work are here to stay—whether we like it or not. More importantly, she shares three simple, actionable strategies to...

In this conversation, Nikki interviews John Nieters, the co-founder of TestRxMD, about living from our highest and best selves. John shares his personal story of overcoming addiction, prison, and profound life lessons that shaped his journey toward becoming a healer. Together, they explore the 10 core pillars of living your highest and best self—covering spiritual alignment, consciousness, emotion...

Ever feel like you're stuck on autopilot as a leader? In this episode of To Work: With Love, host Renee Smith shares a deeply personal and insightful reflection on leadership through the lens of her recent trip to Mount Rainier. She highlights how, as leaders, we often get caught up in the daily grind without pausing to assess the bigger picture. Drawing parallels from her hike, Renee emphasizes t...

Are you ready to lead the next generation? In this intriguing episode, Nikki sits down with guest Alafia Stewart, a global expert in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to discuss leading newer generations of employees. Alafia passionately shares how Gen Z and Millennials are transforming the workplace by challenging traditional systems and norms. From the power of personal branding to the need...

Nikki Lewallen Gregory, Founder and Chief Meaningful Work Officer at PeopleForward Network, joins Lead the People podcast host Matt Poepsel to discuss intentionality in leadership and the importance of a strong culture code. She emphasizes the need for leaders to live with intention and be rooted in their why. Nikki also shares insights on building an intentional culture and the challenges that ca...

Human beings are wired to respond to stories, yet when it comes to our professional lives as leaders, we often neglect storytelling. In this conversation, Katherine Coble explores why storytelling is so effective and how leaders can use it to connect with their audience. She emphasizes the importance of intentionality and understanding what makes a good story. Learn about four key ideas for effect...

In this conversation, Nikki interviews Nami Baral, the founder and CEO of Niural, an AI for global workforce management. They discuss the concept of meaningful work and how it can be achieved through a sense of community, alignment with personal values, joy, and a sense of pride. Nami shares her journey as a founder and the motivation behind starting Neural. She also highlights the importance of e...

In this episode, Renee explores the concept of creating spaciousness in our lives and filling it with awe. She discusses the benefits of awe and how it can enhance our well-being and relationships at work. Renee shares the eight wonders of life that can inspire awe, such as moral beauty, nature, music, and epiphanies. She also emphasizes the importance of intentionally seeking out awe and incorpor...

Nikki interviews Corina Lam, a global leader at Mercer, about the importance of advocating for oneself and how to lead others in doing the same. Corina shares her passion for problem-solving and building deep relationships in HR tech. She emphasizes the significance of setting expectations and spending time and energy in the right places. Corina also discusses the challenges she has faced as a you...

Leadership is a lesson in listening to the people in you lead. Let's talk about how to unlock the voices within your organization to get meaningful feedback. Nikki's guests are the dynamic co-owners of DORIS Research , Sam Julka and Meghan Tooman, who share their wisdom on leading with listening, the power of vulnerability, and leveraging meaningful data for transformational change. Learn how DORI...